Fix For Loose Fit In Blow Molded Case

[AndreaW]

I've had this Craftsman set for maybe 20 years. The wrenches are stored in the lid of the case, but over time and with use, the plastic stretches, and the wrenches no longer fit tightly in their slots. As a result, a few wrenches would fall out whenever I opened the case. Not every time, but often enough to be annoying. A few years ago, I put tape across the lid to keep them in place. However, after repeated use (unsticking and resticking), the adhesive on the tape would eventually give out, and I'd have to apply new tape. I decided it was time for a better solution.

I ordered some steel thread rolling screws for plastic, drilled four holes in the case, and screwed in the screws. On one side, I tied some cord to the screws and tightened them down to secure the cord. On the other side, I left the screws standing proud. Now, I can pull the cord from the fixed side to the other side, loop it around the screw a few times, and tie it off to keep the wrenches put. And, I can quickly untie and unloop the cord to access the wrenches and easily remove them.

This was one of those rare projects that actually took less time than I estimated and had no hiccups!

 

[mikey03]

I seen guys take kydex holsters for guns and heat them up and push on them to make them fit snugger. Idk if that would work for blow molded if you could heat it and squeeze it on the side of the case and have the shower running with cold water and just move it under that as your squeezing it. Your not trying to reform it by a lot just maybe a 1/16 inch across the entire case would tighten down the wrench slots tbh

 

[toolmutt]

This is what I did with a truck box. Cut from an old backpacking sleeping pad.

 

[DarryT]

This is what I did with a truck box. Cut from an old backpacking sleeping pad.

I have done the same with cardboard.

 

[fourjeepin]

My solution is a tool bag. Holds more in a smaller space.

 

[rlitman]

I seen guys take kydex holsters for guns and heat them up and push on them to make them fit snugger. Idk if that would work for blow molded if you could heat it and squeeze it on the side of the case and have the shower running with cold water and just move it under that as your squeezing it. Your not trying to reform it by a lot just maybe a 1/16 inch across the entire case would tighten down the wrench slots tbh

Best case scenario, you have a digital temperature controlled heat gun, so you don't have to worry about melting through. That's when you'll discover that by softening the blow molded plastic, it unlocks the frozen in place memory of what it was before it was blow molded, and shrinks in ways you don't want, warping it beyond repair (unless you have the original mold to blow it back into).

I kind of like AndreaW's solution. The only improvements I would recommend would be to use bungee cord instead of rope, so you don't need to re-tie it. And to maybe replace the upper string with an X to get better coverage (if needed).

 

[JSutter]

I use acetate cloth tape