How To Divide Tall Tool Chest Drawer In Half?

[jonshonda]

I'm running out of room in my recently acquired Snap On Classic 78. I don't have the funds to upgrade to a larger box nor add a side box right now, so I am looking for alternatives. The bottom drawer in the Classic 78 is very tall, and I really don't have a use for that much depth.

Has anyone made anything to add another shelf or similar storage solution so I could put items like hammers, wrenches on the bottom and have a sliding shelf or similar on top to put more tools on? Basically you would open the drawer, and then there would be a half shelf on the top that slide back and forth so you could access the tools underneath.

 

[1982fxr]

I've had a couple old boxes that came factory with that. I think they were snap on. It just glides on the side rails, if I remember correctly.

 

[MShaw]

I did this in a machinist's box that I use for my clock repair tools. If it was done for automotive tools metal construction would probably be more appropriate. The runners / risers that support the trays just lay there and lift out to remove.

 

[PFSard]

I've had a couple old boxes that came factory with that. I think they were snap on. It just glides on the side rails, if I remember correctly.

I have a 1974 Snap-On KRA-377D bottom box with a sliding tray, which does slide on the drawer edges.

OP : Have you tried calling Snap On to see if there is anything that fits your model?

 

[jonshonda]

OP : Have you tried calling Snap On to see if there is anything that fits your model?

Now why would I do something like that!! Haha

I should give them a call

 

[lilredex]

Something like this might work.

 

[Larryjones]

Line edges of drawer with quarter inch ply, make a tray that fits on top of ply, smaller than drawer and slide it back and forth or just lift it out.

 

[jonshonda]

^^Both great ideas. Hoping for something a little deeper then the orange tray above but it's the same concept.

Guessing it will need glides based on the weight.

 

[Ohmthis]

Line edges of drawer with quarter inch ply, make a tray that fits on top of ply, smaller than drawer and slide it back and forth or just lift it out.

This was my idea too. Pick a depth you’d like and cut plywood that depth. Screw short pieces across the drawer to tie them and give it some strength. Build a box out of plywood and set it on you runners. I’d make a handle to where you could lift the whole tray out when you need to. Also, think about ways to organize, maybe set up a smaller box on top, I built a side box out of a short file cabinet. I took 16 gauge and bent a lip, riveted it on, and hung it off the side of my work box years ago. They are plentiful, cheap, and It added quite a bit of storage.

 

[Lynden]

Why make a sliding tray? Make it the same size as the drawer to optimize its usefulness. Lift it out to access the bottom of the drawer.

 

[Ohmthis]

Why make a sliding tray? Make it the same size as the drawer to optimize its usefulness. Lift it out to access the bottom of the drawer.

I can see a reason to keep a section deep. If he was to put hammers, short pry bars, extensions in up and down, they would easy to get to vs lifting it out every time. Also a drawer full of tools may be pretty heavy to lift in and out every time you wanted something in the bottom.

 

[jonshonda]

^ I really don't want to lift anything out.

 

[rick carpenter]

Why not mount ball bearing slides inside the drawer and build/fab a shelf to fit? An alternative if in the top drawer you want say foam cut outs to securely hold tools, think about a shallow box with lid (like a cash box) on pin pivots at the back. That comes close to the lifting you don't want but it might work for you.