What can I do with these Blow Molded cases?

[cliftonbros89]

I know I've found one thread on this topic. But it was more for the large power tools cases. What's something I can do with these cases? I hate to just throw them away. But I never keep the tools, especially sockets in them. They always seem like a huge waste of space for the tool box. I have cases from Armstrong, SK, Grey Pneumatic, etc. Can they be cut out? If so what's best to use? Are the cases still fairly stout after being cut out?






Just a few examples of what I have. I think there's 4 SK boxes similar to the ones I have pictured.


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[killahog]

You no longer need them, get rid of them.

 

[sberry]

Fill the attic with them.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I'm saying I'm looking for potential extra storage ideas


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[ChaseDE]

If you cut them out/up they will be pretty flimsy. I'd chuck em

 

[bwringer]

I can't recall anyone ever figuring out a use for these stupid things.

Google "plastics recycling near me" and get rid of 'em.

 

[chruler]

You can cut them for pistols and ammo. Add some extra foam and store your guns in them.

 

[ken w.]

I would put them on Ebay. I think they would sell there.

 

[cliftonbros89]

What would be something that would work good to attempt to cut them with? Something that wouldn't melt the plastic or leave it jagged


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[dawgee]

oscillating multi-tool

 

[JimVonBaden]

I saw a post once about people cutting the structure out of the insides. The better ones are still pretty solid. They put small Tupperware containers for screws and stuff in them.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Repurposing-a-Tool-Case/

Take off the lid and use the base to store the tools IN the toolbax

Or, trim out the storage parts you need to fit IN the toolbox.

 

[Always_Thinkin]

You can cut them for pistols and ammo. Add some extra foam and store your guns in them.

Going along with his idea, and not sure if this would work. Get cans of the low expanding spray foam. Open the case and cut out the insides. Partially fill both halves of the case with the foam. Then put a pistol in a gallon zip-loc baggy for protection. Place the gun in the case and shut it. Let the foam harden then open the case, remove the gun and baggy. Then trim excess foam so case closes and this would leave you with a really good fitted gun case for that specific gun. Just a thought.

 

[Always_Thinkin]

JimVonBaden, Good ideas! Especially like the second option.

 

[george4]

Fill the attic with them.

Yep. But only for 5 or ten years before I throw them away.

 

[CN Spots]

Do what everybody else does and cram them in a corner of your shop with the intent on using them again. There, they will sit, lost to time until your ancestors will be forced to deal with after your demise.

And the cycle will begin again.

 

[Rewind97]

Good ideas JVB & AT!!

 

[-Brent-]

Put them in the recycling bin and spend your time more constructively in the shop.

 

[Brian_WK]

Going along with his idea, and not sure if this would work. Get cans of the low expanding spray foam. Open the case and cut out the insides. Partially fill both halves of the case with the foam. Then put a pistol in a gallon zip-loc baggy for protection. Place the gun in the case and shut it. Let the foam harden then open the case, remove the gun and baggy. Then trim excess foam so case closes and this would leave you with a really good fitted gun case for that specific gun. Just a thought.

I did this to some of mine... kind of... and were for paintball guns.

I gutted all the internals out then used this method:
http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=4770.0

But Instead of making a false box I put some foam spacers in the case to hold them up into place as I figured that the weight would make them sink too far into the foam. So i filled case with foam laid down the t-shirt. Laid down saran wrap then put the items on top into place them weighed it down with a board then weight on top.

I had some bleed through the tshirt as it was quit old but the saran wrap stopped it from sticking to the gun but it just wasn't as pretty as the shirt was black

Sold the case with the gun so don't have any pictures of it. Might do it again if I have the time.

Brian

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Cut them up and practice your plastic welding skills.

Sometimes I cut the insides out and reuse them for other items. (I keep one in my trunk with fuses, extra bulbs etc.)

Or cut the insides out, fill them with cash (or precious metals) and send them to me.

 

[rsanter]

Start with the two green SK cases
Cut the inside of the bottom parts out of them.

Fill them with a kit of stuff you want in then and see how it goes.
I have a couple of times put foam in them and made cutouts to protect specific machine tooling.
Some of the other cases I think you may have little luck with

Bob

 

[James-W]

Personally, I would throw them away. In my opinion, trying to make something from them that is practical and looks decent is not unlike trying to make a silk purse from a sows ear. They are what they are, and while they were nice for their intended purpose, trying to make some other use for them is just not in the cards.

 

[Marctrees]

You can cut them for pistols and ammo. Add some extra foam and store your guns in them.

Guns are bad.

Only criminals need guns. Marc

 

[kbs2244]

The H F oscillating multi-tool will saw out the insides just fine.
Then chruler's camouflaged pistol box idea is good.
I just use towels for packing.
They are a lot more flexible then form fitting foam etc.

 

[C_F]

Guns are bad.

Only criminals need guns. Marc

And jewelry store owners/employees!

 

[jd_1138]

I'd probably just donate them to a local Salvation Army or Goodwill. Not worth listing for free on CL and having to deal with flakes and a-holes.

They'd probably sell here on GJ in the classified/marketplace area.

 

[sberry]

I have junk storage, they take up space there and still havnt used a bunch. Been there for near 20 yrs now.

 

[Ernie Mccracken]

1. Fill with tannerite
2. Grab a rifle
3. ....
4. Profit

 

[TK-421]

Sell them online. You won't find a decent use for them that something else won't be able to do better.

 

[rwhite692]

Do what everybody else does and cram them in a corner of your shop with the intent on using them again. There, they will sit, lost to time until your ancestors will be forced to deal with after your demise.

And the cycle will begin again.

LOL, exactly. When my Dad passed away, I must have thrown out a dozen blow-molded tool cases.....I'm not doing the same to my kids!!!

 

[cliftonbros89]

I figured if I can get the inner part cut out I could use them for storage for things. Got a different truck with a utility bed. So I'm all for storage containers.


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[gdpolk]

• Cut off the lid and use them as a cheap and easy way to "shadow" your box.
• Throw them away if you never plan to use them or sell the tools from them to upgrade later on.
• Put them in the attic or in a large moving box in the corner out of the way if you want to hold onto them, but not use them for tools storage.
• Store your tools in them and free up space in your box for tools without dedicated boxes if needed.
• List them on eBay and ship them off to whomever wants it - you likely won't make much of anything but it may help you feel better about not wasting them and throwing them away.

 

[jhelrey]

Free on CL

 

[slip knot]

Save them up for winter. toss them in the stove, plastic puts off some good heat. open the damper up a bit so the fumes don't build up and your good.

 

[chrisnazzy]

So if you don't decide to try to modify them for another use, there probably is a market for them on Ebay. Ebay reaches far more potential buyers than almost any other marketplace. Believe it or not I am sure there are just as many people who like storing their tools in these cases as there are who think they worthless, wastes of space. If you've sold on Ebay before throw them up there with a Buy it Now price of $10 plus shipping and see what happens. I say $10 because its not worth the time or effort for much less as Ebay takes 10% and you have to prepare and ship them.

BTW, make sure you list the original part number of the set that came in each box in the listing description that way someone who needs a replacement case or someone who is building that set will find your post.

.......Or just throw them away.


Chris

 

[Algoma56]

I used a couple of mine to hold a tow chain and a set of booster cables.

 

[Duster346]

I had about ten or fifteen of them (empty) taking up room in my shop. Threw them out about a year ago, and don't miss them.

 

[inphx]

market as novelty ice cube tray

 

[mrvm]

Recycle the flimsy ones and keep the better ones with good hinges and locks. Selectively pick out the better blow molded cases to cut because they will remain strong enough after cutting out the inner sections. Good ones get repurposed for any thing that needs secure storage: jumper cables, recovery straps, power tools without a case, etc. Add some flat pieces of foam/cork flooring and nothing rattles.

 

[zendriver]

I know I've found one thread on this topic. But it was more for the large power tools cases. What's something I can do with these cases? I hate to just throw them away. But I never keep the tools, especially sockets in them. They always seem like a huge waste of space for the tool box. I have cases from Armstrong, SK, Grey Pneumatic, etc. Can they be cut out? If so what's best to use? Are the cases still fairly stout after being cut out?






Just a few examples of what I have. I think there's 4 SK boxes similar to the ones I have pictured.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had a cman case, empty from a garage sale, that was nice size but was made for a tool set.

I took my HF mutitool, with curved and straight blades and carved the inside out, like a pumpkin.

Used it to store electric sander and sandpaper.

Your boxes could be re-purposed for other tools, using that method.

 

[DIC]

I collect mine in the attic. Maybe Pickers will find them in a 100 years