The Vyper X32 is a USA-made modular tool cart that can be customized with optional attachments and extensions.
It’s built with 16 gauge wrinkle powder-coated steel, and is advertised as having a 1250 lb weight capacity. The cart weighs 78 lbs empty.
Vyper ships the cart disassembled, and with 3 shelves and a single accessory rack.
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I’ve seen Vyper’s shop stools before (see also: 25 Cool Tools, Gear, Gift Ideas!), and wasn’t aware they made carts.
I came across the new Vyper X32 cart in one of the company’s recent social media post, where they are advertising it with the idiom “buy once, cry once.”
Vyper says “grab yours while supplies last.” Frankly, that’s not reassuring when talking about a modular system that takes what look to be proprietary add-ons and accessories, but maybe we can chalk it up to generic marketing speak.
The Vyper tool cart is available in 3 colors – red, black, and blue.
Add-on accessory panels are priced at $30 and up, depending on the size, and tool holders are priced from $15 and up.
The cart by itself, with a side handle, 3 shelves, and 1 accessory rack, is priced at $795.
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Dimensions and Specs
- 32″ L x 20″ W x 38″ H
- Weighs 78 lbs
- Holds 1250 lbs
- 6″ casters
- 7.25″ clearance height
- 14.25″ between shelves
Price: $795 with free shipping
Discussion
Okay – so do you think this is HOT, or NOT?
Personally, I have mixed feelings about the design.
Close to $800 seems like a lot for a bare bones cart, but is a fraction of what some specialty carts can cost. Inovativ Voyager video production carts, for example, start at around $3000.
A customized Vyper X32, with a couple of racks and tool holders, comes out to around $1000. You can build one out for less, but it’s not clear to me what kinds of other tool holders – if any – will work with Vyper’s slot system.
The cart is customizable, and I don’t recall seeing anything like it. There are plenty of tool carts, detailing carts, utility carts, and similar, but not like this one.
Who is this cart designed for? High-end automotive detailing shops, influencers and others with deep pockets that like to flex their setups on social media? Both? Other types of users?
Steve
I like the modular idea and the accessories. I’m pretty brand loyal, so hopefully DeWalt, Milwaukee and some of the others pickup on this…
IndianaJonesy (Matt J.)
I know I’m not the target demographic, but feels like a lot of money for something that feels closer to wheeled shelving than a proper tool cart.
The proprietary mount system also feels like a non-user friendly move. I’d much rather cobble together a custom cart with metal pegboard or similar than touch something like this with an expensive entry point and no guarantee of future support. Would be simple (well…relatively simple…maybe) to do something similar with 80/20 and have unlimited customizability and support down the road. Cheaper, too…
Bonnie
The feeling I can’t shake when looking at this is it looks like a vintage erector set. That’s not necessarily a bad thing… It just amuses me that it’s such a strong memory being evoked.
Koko The Talking Ape
Yep. In fact it makes me wonder if I couldn’t just build one myself, using steel angle stock. I’m typing this on a desk I built with slotted angle stock and flat corner braces.
David Z
Or steel shelving, with pre-cut slots for shelves at whatever height you want. Weld for stability/permanence.
G B
The video describes it as “badass” – and then goes on to point out the rubberized handle “…so your hands don’t get cold.” Yeah, I’ve run into that situation so many times in the shop. “If only someone could design a cart that doesn’t make my badass-self hands cold, I’d be happy to spend $1,000 on it (with accessories.)” (Oh, and the bottle opener is handy, too, because drinking and tools go so well together.) Two thumbs down on.
MM
The idea of a heavy-duty modular shop cart is great. But, I have two gripes with this:
First, it looks cheap. Even if it’s heavy-gauge steel with good quality powder coat it still looks like those cheapass bolt-together garage shelving units or low end shop tools from places like ATD or Harbor Freight.
Second, it’s very expensive, and it’s not all that clear what you are getting for your money in this case.
I have two go-to methods for customizing carts and I don’t think this will be replacing either. The first I learned from a diesel mechanic: Get a good quality plastic utility cart, like one of the commercial models from Rubbermaid: since it’s plastic you can easily drill holes wherever you want to hold tools or to bolt on whatever accessories you want–power strips, hose hangers, parts bins, hanging brackets, etc. If you drill holes at the correct spacing then you can put pegboard hooks on the cart. Garage organizer devices can easily bolt to the side of the cart as well. Those Rubbermaid carts are not that cheap, $200-400 or so, but that’s still half what this thing costs, and the attachments cost next to nothing by comparison.
The second is just to weld them up from angle iron and use either plywood, diamondplate, or expanded metal to make the shelves as appropriate. $800 easily pays for a couple sticks of angle, four really good casters, and having the whole thing powdercoated when you’re done welding it up. The advantage of this is you can configure it to the exact size/shape that suits your application
Bonnie
Hell, you can get a fully-welded steel utility cart from restaurant supply places that are far heavier duty looking than the thing above for about $400 with shipping. And as you said you can drill a hole anywhere you like to mount whatever you want.
Harrison
Yup.
Now, I understand that it costs extra to produce things in North America, but this cart involves basically no hand work from the manufacturer, which really evens the playing field.
We’re talking:
-4x stamped/water jet 90° angles
-3x press-brake panels
-4x average-looking castors
-1x handle
-48x 1/2” carriage bolts + nuts to screw it together yourself
No offence to Viper, but that’s the sort of inexpensive kit I’d expect to buy from Harbour Freight for a fraction of the cost.
I honestly think the other options look cleaner and more professional.
Jared
I also like the Rubbermaid carts. They’re extremely tough.
DRT42
Totally agree. I love my two Rubbermaid carts.
eddie sky
If Rubbermaid has a stainless/metal top, working with liquids/lubricants… sign me up. And a Rubbermaid (custodial cart) not going to ding a car door like a metal corner cart.
Looks like junk to me. So NOT.
DRT42
I don’t think Rubbermaid makes one with a metal top. I use mine for auto repair type work, like holding tools and parts when I am under the lift and don’t want to keep running to the toolbox. It laughs at oil, grease, antifreeze, orange degreaser, stuff like that. Truthfully, I haven’t squirted red can brakleen on it, because no need, just wipe the grease off – I suppose brakleen might discolor it. And you are right – it doesn’t ding car doors.
Alexk
Good info. I was thinking plywood but your suggestions offer more options.
James
Yup mine isn’t Rubbermaid but it’s a close enough facsimile from Tenaquip. Packout plate on one end to hang parts organizers or a crate. Slatwall along the other end. Some hooks for specific power tool hangs. Anytime I want another mod, it takes 5 minutes or less. This Viper cart is a hard pass.
Hon Cho
18 gauge steel (approx 1.2mm) seems wimpy for the price. Not to mention, accessorizing any sort of cart isn’t particularly difficult so don’t see the real attraction of this type of setup.
Another Bob
Seems to be well-built, has a distinct industrial style and USA produced. Expensive. Some of that could be country of origin and intended target market. I can see this cart and definitely that chair popular with modern sports car enthusiasts that may have a “fancy” garage. Kind of like the 60s car guys used to have black and white tile and porcelain route 66 signs.
Fancy or not I will pay more, a lot more, for a product if it helps me be more productive and organized. Not sure this cart delivers. I’ve tried various service carts over the years. I find if you start adding accessories or hanging stuff over the sides of the service cart stuff falls off and it looks messy. I like carts with drawers. So for me it’s NOT.
I’m definitely not their target market but the levrack modular system and the swivel chair in the video clip is pretty cool.
Jared
This is outlandishly-priced. Using the phrase “buy once, cry once” as a marketing catch line just strikes me as insulting. I suspect the point is to imply this is an ultra-premium product though.
I have two carts: a commercial Rubbermaid cart and a welding cart. Neither cost half as much as this one, yet they’re both awesome. I don’t have any difficulty finding accessories for them either. You don’t need to spend that much for a high-quality cart.
Nevertheless, this Viper cart looks like a sturdy design with clever accessories and good materials. I’m sure it’s a great cart. It’s just hard to find $700 in value – more by the time you accessorize it. At least give me a shallow drawer for that kind of money.
Chris
I was just about to say the same thing. If a company tells me “buy once, cry once” I become immediately skeptical of any and all claims. That saying is so overused as it is from people that overpay on products and say it to help justify the purchase to the next person.
Big Richard
I like the Spotted Cow. Wouldn’t be a Wisconsin company without a Spotted Cow in the video.
DRT42
Ha-ha ! You are so right. I only visit Wisconsin once a year, but I always go out of my way to acquire some Spotted Cow. I tried the other New Glaurus offerings, but the Cow is the best (for me, anyway).
Big Richard
They are solid through their entire lineup. Their beers are very approachable. That is to say, they appeal to pretty much all types of beer drinkers and stick to the more classic styles. They don’t go crazy with super hoppy IPAs, smoothie sours, heavy barrel aged pastry stouts, etc.. Though they do offer some really good wild sours that they open ferment in an old coolship at their original facility location.
But Spotted Cow is an absolute institution in Wisconsin.
Bryan
Nice cart, but too steep for most. Speaking of carts, whatever happened to Tekton’s cart? Seemed it was short lived. That had some nice options depending on the application/needs.
Joe E.
The cart had my attention until I saw the price. I could build any modify my own for 1/3 that price.
… and for those reasons, I’m out.
bob
I think a decimal point was misplaced, looks more like it’s value is $79.50
Jim Felt
Hard no for me. I’ve everything from MetroWire wheeled carts, Rubbermaid commercial carts and bespoke wooden versions. Nothing about the all painted metal bolted together likely loud and rattling Viper seems appealing to me. Too “badass” I guess.
Greg
Pass. This almost seems like an effort to make their stools seem “reasonably priced”.
I wonder how many of these are gonna be showing up in youtube shop/tool channels.
CA
Once I get my shop space I will probably find some use in a cart. Right now I just don’t have the space. I have seen their value though for folks that work on multiple projects, especially cars.
Saulac
Any cart that can make the cord and the towels to look that neat is HOT, super HOT.
Greg
That’s a 3d rendered image.
Blocky
Hot
Big Richard
What gave it away, the Duff beer bottle?
B-rad
Don’t have metal carts around vehicles. End of discussion.
frobo
Just the thing to put your Yeti tool bucket on.
Brian
Seems like a trademark violation to me. There is a Viper tool box company that already exists just spelled correctly
S
I had a whole thing about viper tool boxes at Lowe’s, then realized this is an entirely separate company. Even Google redirects to Lowe’s viper tool lineup. It’s not a very good image for a brand trying to be upmarket, having a similar name as a discount brand, as well as less online visibility.
A nice feature is that it supports 1250 pounds. But all the surfaces are flat. I can’t imagine they’ll stay flat for long with 1000 pounds on it.
For $800, I really don’t see the advantage. It’s modular, but only barely. There’s no drawers, and seems very ‘weekend detailer’ oriented, with options for hammers, screwdrivers, pry bars, plyers, detail brushes, and polishers. But absolutely nothing for any type of wrenches or sockets.
I don’t know of any workshop uses that can use only those tools, but I also don’t know of any detailer that needs hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, or pry bars..
It smells like it was designed by some sort of marketing guru that watched gas monkey garage for what products mechanics use.
It’s really snap-on pricing, but with fewer options, colors, and online-only, which means more hassle for any warranty, though their warranty page gives them plenty of legal denial wiggle room for most issues over 1 year in a lot of cases.
Frankly, I don’t see where the brand as a whole fits without the tool truck delivery, or brand legacy. it just seems like someone saw expensive tool boxes in a garage once, and assumed most mechanics are suckers for anything expensive.
John
Not even a consideration. Now if the facom toughsystem car came state side sign me up!
Nathan
This would warm the cockles of my heart also
BigTimeTommy
Calling a cart “badass” and gloating about how expensive it is in an ad is goofy as hell. Not the target demographic but considering the marketing and price there better be lifetime warranties on everything they sell.
Blocky
I think the price should be $500-600, which I also wouldn’t pay. I don’t think it’s badass. Appeals to my masculinity are almost always an appeal to bypass reasoning.
I see no real innovation here.
The video is too dark to showcase the cart well. Someone cleverly snuck the snap-on logo into the product shot above.
For a product that has “totally customizable“ as its main selling point, it should be offered in every color the vyper chairs are offered in with every component separately available, full side panels, corner bumpers and a few really innovative accessories.
I could believe the 800 dollar base price tag if it was billed as custom made-to-order cart with more options, that I won’t expound upon here.
Par-baked. Not hot.
Blocky
One more thing. The accessories are reasonably priced in my opinion, and there would be no reason not to get every accessory if you’re already getting the cart. a complete bundle would make more sense as an initial offering. That would really back assertion that it’s modular.
Also, I was looking seriously at vyper chairs planning to justify the purchase this year, but this shifts my value perception of that company’s offerings, and now I’m not sure. It might not be perfectly logical, but I’m not going to be the only one.
mikedt
For $800 I want stainless steel.
OldDominionDIYer
In my opinion they are grossly overestimating the value of their cart, 800-1000 dollars is absurd! Good luck selling many of those!
Nathan
For 800 dollars I don’t want to make it myself. It should have a foot lock caster and not look like an erector set. Oh and I loved my erector set as a kid
I’ll take a rubbermaid or it’s commercial counterpart. Put bumpers on it hang some metal ped board on it and then maybe buy 2. One for one set of tasks and another for like car washing. And still come out ahead. Oh and 2 cans of some color plastic paint/primer. You know to make them pretty
Hepdog
I used Rubbermaid carts, purchased used off of craigslist for $40 each, on the road for years. FYI they fit in the hatch of a CRV if you fold the back seats down 🙂
All of my shop guys love the US General tool cart – its lockable, comes in 6 colors has a bunch of drawers, and is only $249
I can’t see why anyone would want this, for any industry.
https://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-5-drawer-mechanics-cart-green-64721.html
Chip
This for the guy on Reddit wanting to switch his tools to Erbaur.
“I thought they were junk ,until I saw they were sponsoring an F1 team”
SamR
It should be referred to as a service cart, not a tool cart.
Stuart
Attachments include various tool holders.
A service cart can be used in various fields, such as hospitality, where no tools are involved.
I see a tool cart.