"Miner Resistant" Tackle Boxes?

[BarrelRoll]

I work at a mine and the joke is you can't make anything miner proof, just miner resistant. I'm looking for some tackle boxes/ parts organizers that hold up better than the Plano boxes. My tools get thrown on a flat bed or in the back seat of a pickup and bounced across a mine site daily. 1 welder thrown on top of a Plano box, it's junk, and you stuff is strewn about the truck so I'd like something more durable. Durham small parts bins break the plastic inserts and the latches are kinda flimsy so they aren't really an option. I'd like to get my hydro caps/ plugs/ test t's organized and I might put taps and dies in tackle boxes if I can't find a bigger tap and die set in stock anywhere. Any suggesting for something around a Plano 3700 size that's more durable? Maybe Milwaukee Packout stuff?

 

[4xdog]

Maybe a Pelican case or Zarges box with internal organizers made of good-quality plywood?

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Proto sells steel organizer boxes in various sizes. These are nominally intended for storing socket sets and other tools, but look like they could possibly be adapted to your use. Check their website or go to Zoro or Grainger.

 

[LeeG]

The Milwaukee Packout stuff is nice, but it is expensive. I decided to go with the Ridgid stackable's from Home Depot. Cheaper than the packout and very durable.

Some other options in that space are:
Bosch L-Boxx
Allit from Lee Valley
Sortimo

If you are dropping welders and stuff on them, I'd consider putting the Plano 3700's inside of a more sturdy box, such as a standard toolbox such as these

Lee

 

[rct]

If you want durable, concurr with the Pelican case consideration. They even make toolboxes model 0450and 1460 I think. I'm told the German Zarges brand cases are quite durable as well.

 

[eejack]

For years my 'hardened' parts boxes were the old metal 50 cal ammo boxes with smaller containers inside. Working the path tubes on rail flats will have a lot of smashing around. The down side was they were OD green and almost impossible to find in the dark when they fell off the flat. Whatever you go with, use some reflective tape on it.

 

[dr_clyde]

I would look into Pelican gear, maybe a 1520 would be the right size for you? They are kind of the industry standard for high impact, high abuse cases that need to protect their gear. I have a few Pelican cases for some camera gear and it has been really nice. Considering putting together a toolbox out of one as well.

Perhaps a lighter duty internal organizer like a plano tray inside a well protected Pelican would be the answer for you. The ultimate IMO would be Sortimo boxes inside a larger Pelican case to make them "miner proof"

If you have the space a bigger system like a Milwaukee Packout or the Pelican 0450 would be better.

Mobile tool sets are hard because you need to balance accessibility and variety with weight and size. Mine is a combination of cantilever boxes and hand carry boxes that go in and out of a Knaack gang box as needed. My go-to is a simple Snap-On cantilever box, and I add on as needed.

Parts and hardware present a special challenge, but one I think with a little creativity you could solve.

 

[Zewnten]

I collect the steel army mortar? ammo boxes, about 16"x16"x24" and make kits with them. One for hydraulic, one for electrical, one for fab. Inside I use tool rolls for specialty tools and plano boxes for small parts. Seem to hold up pretty well to the parts monkeys that bring them to me unstrapped in the back of their truck while they pretend to be a rally racer on jobsites.

 

[speed bump]

I would go for something like the Milwaukee pack out or DeWalt tough cases. Neither will hold up forever to idiot miner but they hold up pretty well for normal mine use.

Pelican cases also work well but latches tend to be more frustrating when it's really cold outside.

 

[scooby074]

Pelican. I dont know of anything much tougher. Ive used them for instruments/testers , so they dont exactly see a ton of abuse. Tool boxes made by Pelican are also available.

The Dewalt "Fatmax" structural foam tool boxes are also right up there. Waterproof lid. Theyre made from thick plastic. I can stand on them and Im no lightweight.https://www.stanleytools.ca/product.../23-in-fatmax-structural-foam-toolbox/023001w

28 in. FATMAX® Structural Foam Toolbox

Carry power tools, hand tools, gear, and other medium-to-large items in the STANLEY® 28 in. FATMAX® Structural Foam Toolbox. Structural foam consists of thermoplastic resin and flake mica that increases structural durability. This toolbox also features a soft-grip handle for comfortable carrying...

www.stanleytools.ca

 

[BarrelRoll]

The Milwaukee Packout stuff is nice, but it is expensive. I decided to go with the Ridgid stackable's from Home Depot. Cheaper than the packout and very durable.

Some other options in that space are:
Bosch L-Boxx
Allit from Lee Valley
Sortimo

If you are dropping welders and stuff on them, I'd consider putting the Plano 3700's inside of a more sturdy box, such as a standard toolbox such as these

Lee

Those sortimo boxes look nice.

I'm looking for something like a tackle box to keep things like hydro caps and plugs organized by size. I don't think Pelican offers anything like that.

I have a bunch of ridgid pro series boxes on my boat, they are super durable and I haven't broken one yet. They are just bigger than I was looking for. Next time I'm at home depot I'll have to play with the smaller packout stuff.

 

[4xdog]

Pelican. I dont know of anything much tougher. Ive used them for instruments/testers , so they dont exactly see a ton of abuse. Tool boxes made by Pelican are also available.

The Dewalt "Fatmax" structural foam tool boxes are also right up there. Waterproof lid. Theyre made from thick plastic...

Structural foam molding is good -- tough, rigid, and durable. That's how the Pelican cases are made, too. (The Harbor Freight knockoffs as well.)

 

[BarrelRoll]

Structural foam molding is good -- tough, rigid, and durable. That's how the Pelican cases are made, too. (The Harbor Freight knockoffs as well.)

How do you use the structural foam to organize stuff like hydro caps and plugs?

 

[4xdog]

How do you use the structural foam to organize stuff like hydro caps and plugs?

"Structural foam" isn't what it must sound like to people outside the plastics industry. It's an injection molding process in which melted thermoplastics are injected under pressure into a cavity, but it differs in that a blowing agent (usually chemicals) are compounded with the melt such that the polymer expands to fill the mold cavity. Pressures are lower that for conventional injection molding, and the parts have a lot of "bubbles" inside where the CBA blew up the melt. They have a characteristic swirly surface pattern, so it's not a process where high gloss decorative finishes are required. But for a Pelican case, it's absolutely perfect. You'll likely find other things in your shop, too -- I have a plastic pitch-angle speed square shot in yellow structural foam.

So it's not the kind of thing one cuts for organizing. For that one could use plywood or some of the internal divider systems, like Alu-Box's "Ruumx" system. There are others like this too. Very adaptable, but probably not miner-proof.

 

[KnurledNut]

How about building a wood box?
If it was built well, it would last a long time.

Something like this, but with built-in dividers:

 

[claymont]

Over time, not much is going to stand up somebody throwing a welder on top of it. I don't understand why you can't take a few extra seconds to put the box out of harm's way.

 

[danski0224]

The Sortimo T-Boxx is great. Much more durable than Packout or DeWalt, but not as big as those two. The Sortimo doesn't interlock together, either.

However, they aren't inexpensive, either, especially if you get into ordering different dividers. They are also somewhat difficult to source.

They also have a metal version, but that may not hold up as well as the plastic ones in the OP's stated use conditions.

The Bosch L-Boxx looks a lot like similar Festool Systainers, and those are NOT durable for the OP's stated use conditions.

 

[64C10]

Go rooting around the safety office - best thing I’ve ever had for small parts is old metal first aid kit boxes. Usually they toss the old/outdated/rusty ones right before an inspection.

Tough as nails and usually have a waterproof gasket as well. Best part is they’re free!