Rolling Carts
 

Which is the better buy? Both are ~$30.00. Which is sturdier?
Michael’s 3 tiered metal cart or Ikea’s Raskog utility cart?

Raskog is sturdier, metal gauge seems heavier, dimensions just a bit different. That’s not to say Michael’s isn’t decent. There are side-by-side comparisons on YouTube - I’ll see if I can find a couple but you can just search on “Raskog michaels” there.

I have Raskogs and when Michael’s brought theirs out looked at it and thought it was a bit lesser quality (like the mesh) - and also wondered about trademarks - it’s so close.

Here’s one: https://m.

Rolling carts
 

Can the top basket be turned upside down to become a shelf? Would it be sturdy enough to hold a Big Shot?

Yes for the Raskog - people do that. I’m not sure i’d trust the Michaels over a long period since the mesh is a lighter gauge but maybe someone has done it.

Thanks!
 

I decided to go with the Raskog. Your help and guidance is greatly appreciated!

I inverted the top shelf of the Raskog and put my big shot on top. Works great and I use my big shot soooo much more then I did before (when it sat on the floor).

Since they're the same price...Raskog for sure! I love mine!

I have the Ikea one and love it. Very sturdy and have it chock full of things. I didn't think I'd like the wheels at first, but I love that I can move it around my room as needed. Plus, I got mine out of the Ikea Clearance center. Someone bought it, put it together and for whatever reason, didn't like it and returned it. I got it for (I think) 20% off the retail price AND I didn't have to put it together! Whoo Hoo!

Raskog is a little sturdier than Michael's carts, but they are very good too. Also, Michael's are more readily available because unless you live near an IKEA, you will pay a fortune for shipping.


Currently I keep my Cricut, mats and vinyl on a Raskog. It's easy to just roll to my desk and use then push back into the closet when I'm done. Not craft related, but I aslo have one downstairs for my KitchenAid mixer and accessories in the kitchen. That thing is SO heavy!!


Hope this helps.

Consumer Crafts has a line of carts too, but those might be the same as the Michael's ones - not sure? They're by Darice.
Consumer Crafts - metal rolling carts

I believe they are. Michael's owns Darice and I think they have something to do with the ownership of Consumer Crafts, as well.

I have one of Michael's carts and use it as my coloring station. Top tier holds my alcohol markers (standing up). Middle tier holds my pencil binders. Bottom tier miscellaneous. Having the heavier stuff going up instead of down makes it lean just tiny bit when I pull/push from the top tray but otherwise I'm very happy with the cart.

I was at The Container Store today and they also have a Raskog knock-off, really nice colors. Like the others it’s not as heavy duty or sturdy as a Raskog but could be nice for some items. I wouldn’t put something like a die cutting machine on the top. The mesh is a lighter gauge and the cart, even when empty, wiggles a bit if you hold on to a side and move move it back and forth.

I have a Michael's 3 tier cart. I love it. Partly because it is shorter than the other one I have which has the mesh some have mentioned. Both are sturdy and I use them for items I don't use everyday as well as "cards to be reclaimed" storage--{bottom tray red} and stuff bought for a project and left over from said project { middle tray- gray} and coloring mediums that don't fit nicely into cupboards or trays ( think pan pastels, extra prismacolor pencils, large bottles of peroxide and alcohol (art kind not drinking kind) one tray is reserved exclusively for Christmas papers I have used in previous craft explosions and think I might one day use up ( lol).
Anyway I like both of mine and they were both $30. Both the bigger gray one first and then the red Michael's one abuot 6 months later. I know I bought the gray one at a Home everything store in a mall on the EAst north east side of Wichita, KS but don't ask me what the name of it was...It is kinda like a Tuesday morning for house/cooking/furniture stuff.

I have the Michaels brand and I love it. I bought the lid they sell and my
Empress which is heavy sits nicely on top. Have had no problems and if I move it I still have storage underneath the lid.

It seems like you are interested in open access carts.

In case anyone wants closed carts-

I just got two that are plastic closed drawers that roll.

I got this for 8 1/2 x 11 paper. It is not the sturdiest but it was the best price, esp with labor day sale and I dont love spending a lot of money on storage. If you are not going to roll it a lot it could be an option. Also you dont have to put the wheels on at all. It is tall so make note of that. Wont fit under anything.

10-Drawer Rolling Cart - Organization Top, Plastic

I have 2 of these that I am using for 12 x 12 and misc supplies. Very sturdy. Again, I got it on a better than this price for Labor day sale. Also too tall for average desks but works under my drafting table.

Shop for the Really Useful Boxes® Clear 8-Drawer Rolling Chest at Michaels

I have this cart which I ordered from Amazon.

Amazon.com: ECR4Kids 3-Tier Metal Rolling Utility Cart - Heavy Duty Mobile Storage Organizer, Grey: Industrial & Scientific

It costs more, but is a bit larger and is very sturdy. It says that a tray/shelf can hold up to 40 lbs.! I also really like that it comes with a plastic mat for each tray which I am using so that my smaller storage containers aren't grating on the metal mesh. I bought one for my daughter and she puts houseplants on the top tray. :)

I was in a scrapbook retreat and some people had some of these rolling carts and the one gal had a board that fits right on the cart kind of talked but sitting on the top basket, she said she keeps her big shot on there all the time.
So when you lift the board up you can still have storage in that top basket.

Anyhow I was coming to post something about Cart comparisons because I was wondering if anyone has the one at Walmart,
the three tier mainstays storage cart?

I just watched video and thus one appears as though it would be sturdier than Michaels one, just debating putting it together right now
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.spl...94c83cd262.jpg

I like how sturdy the wheels on the Raskog feel.

This weekend I bought a little round cart from Target to hold an Instant Pot. For someone with limited space or who doesn’t need as big a cart for their craft space, this could be a nice addition. It’s about 15.5” in diameter. Mine is the soft gray.

The top tray is upside down to make the height right but any of the Trays can be turned. Two wheels lock.

Round Metal Utility Cart Gray - Made By Design™ : Target

I was at Michaels this last weekend, and I looked at carts briefly. They all seemed very sturdy (unlike the P.O.S cart that I'm using for misc stuff until I get an actual night stand). If I was in the market for a crafting cart, the ones from Michaels would be great (if I could find one in a neutral color, that is).