Hardware cart?

Hi all,
My back has been hurting from carrying all that damn heavy hardware around,so now it's time to give it a break and buy something with wheels ya know??
So tell me which are the best hardware carts there? Not really looking for a hard plastic one in fact.I already got one which stays in my wedding band's storage truck,so i look preferably for a soft padded bag here.But it has to be heavy duty sheist as you know how easily drum stands can ruin soft bags.
The cart also has to be solid and reliable,particularly the wheels.
Please give me any info you have.

thanx mateys. [img]cool.gif[/img]

Almost forgot.
I know some of you here work for drum manufacturers or have shops.Some pros'advice would be great as well. [img]wink.gif[/img]

I had the idea of throwing all my hardware in a hockey bag (very similar to a hardware bag)! So I went down to Wal-Mart and bought a heavy duty CCM hockey bag WITH WHEELS for $49.99! It fits ALL of my hardware + stick bag, shoes, fan etc but the only problem is that it's starting to tear from the weight in the bottom corner and it takes two people to carry it up stairs etc.

Quick, cheap and easy solution though!

I have a Hardcase, expensive son of a ... but it works and I can have about anything in it, including drum throne etc.

Still need two people to carry it up stairs etc. but that's not a problem since I almost live on floor-level.

thanks doods for the fast reply.
The problem is i'm trying to solve the "two people carrying it problem"!!That's why i figured a cart could be cool as it's in "upright" position.Think it makes it easier when you're on your own and have stairs up/down.
As far as ripping the bag on the side,it's always happened in the past with my ol' bags.There again,i want the most solid material available for that cart in order to avoid that kind of hassle.
Damn i hate da f....n' hardware.How come nobody from the big drum companies haven't yet found a way to make the hardware lighter or more foldable or...anything but not a hundred tons of metal that kills your hands and back!!
I'm serious man,i'm physically tired of dragging that stuff.
somebody give a tip on how to make it easier on us!!
Wanted to buy a hipgig recently but not convinced tho'.Anything else?

You ever considered switching your double legged Cymbal stands out with single legged? This significantly reduces your totalt hardware weight.

Danish Jazzdrummer Alex Riel professed this method, he see's a specialist 4 times a year to stretch out his back and shoulder because of all the tension created while he's been carrying hardware.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 16, 2005 07:48 PM: Message edited by: Klemme ]</font>

There's a company over here in England called 'Protection Racket' which manafacture soft cases that are pretty tough going... Maybe worth a look into.

Having said that, you do realise hardware is, by it's nature, heavy? Maybe scale down on stands or get lighter weight ones? I for one, have never had a stand collapse on me for want of another leg bracing...

MP

Yeah I second the Protection Racket suggestion, I have a hardware bag from them with wheels on which has been fantastic, really changed how easy gigging is. Still needs two people for stairs though - they do smaller ones also so my advice would be to get two medium ones, both of which you can easily carry on your own.

Also, when I got all new hardware I got mainly double-braced Gibralter (9000 series? I can't remeber). But because of lack of stock I got one heavy-duty single braced stand, somewhere between normal single and double, and its served my just as well as the doubles but is much lighter. I don't know if Gibralter still do them, but if I had my time again I'd get all reinforced single stands.

there's an interesting qoute from simon phillips in the new MD on the future of drumming:
"i would like to see more technology in drumming design, like you see in aerospace or racing bikes. roadies would love to have lighter gear, too. for instance, PA's are much lighter now. it's much cheaper to make heavier gear--it's all diecast. but i think we will see STANDS becoming lighter and that will also help the drums resonate more, the same with cymbals"

another idea, first of all, there is no such thing as 'lighter hardware'.... yet
so, you could could strap your case to one of those refrigerator dolly's that have the 'rolling track' (think of a bulldozer) except instead of a steel track with teeth, it looks like a fan belt for your car....anybody with me? this could help with getting the heavy objects up and down stairs with one person.