My new "FREE"tool box

NUTTSGT · Mar 19, 2018

Not that I have your attention, it wasn't truly free but I did use some Menard's rebates to pay for it. Finishing up a utility room remodel, I had a running total of my rebates and knew I could grab a cheaper box. This won't be a used as a tool box but more of a piece of furniture. I'll post more of that when the time comes.

I was trying to decide between a few bottom boxes.I narrowed it down to this Tool Shop 46" cabinet and a 41" Waterloo box. Both boxes are on clearance and only one of the Waterloo boxes at my local store. The Tool Shop box was $239 and had a nice wood top included. The Waterloo was black, which I preferred, no top and a shorter box.

I waited a few weeks and was waiting for a price drop or another 11% Sale to take place. Once I checked the Menard's site Sunday I morning and saw the 11% sale, I told the wife I was going. She knew I was looking at boxes and told her my intended use but she had no idea that it was going to cost literally nothing.

I made the trip rechecked both boxes out and made my decision.

NUTTSGT · Mar 19, 2018

Once I got it unloaded at home I unboxed it and noticed something. Made in the USA. I hadn't checked that and thought it was made elsewhere. It was out of the box and no damage.

NUTTSGT · Mar 19, 2018

I pulled the cheesy "Tool Shop" decal off only to find two holes where another badge would mount. I guess I'll have to figure out something to cover it.

Like the HF 44" box that I put in the race trailer, I wasn't keen on the all red color of the box. I figured that I shouldn't waste any time. . . . out came the drawers.

NUTTSGT · Mar 19, 2018

I wet sanded the front of the drawers and touched up spots with some primer. I'm giving them a day or so to dry. Tomorrow, I'm going to paint the fronts with some Rustoleum Charcoal Gray. I've considered painting the entire box black. It would then match what I already have black boxes and either charcoal or black drawers.

Any thoughts ?

NUTTSGT · Mar 19, 2018

I might add, this box was priced at $239.00 on sale with the 11% rebate. I bought it, 2 cans of Rustoleum, a Dr Pepper and a king size Baby Ruth. My out of pocket cost was $9.78 and I walked out with a receipt to send in for a rebate of $27 and change.

KM223 · Mar 19, 2018

NUTTSGT said:
I pulled the cheesy "Tool Shop" decal off only to find two holes where another badge would mount. I guess I'll have to figure out something to cover it.

Like the HF 44" box that I put in the race trailer, I was keen on the all red color of the box. I figured that I shouldn't waste any time. . . . out came the drawers.

Become a paid Garage Journal member and get a GJ tool box tag to put over the holes.

Parrothead · Mar 19, 2018

I’d go with either black like the rest of your boxes, or retro paint it and go with an old school Craftsman look. Paint the front of the drawers red and the rest of the box grey. It would be a pretty cool piece and since it’s USA it’s not that off. Craftsman emblem if you so desire.

NUTTSGT · Mar 19, 2018

KM223 said:
Become a paid Garage Journal member and get a GJ tool box tag to put over the holes.

That is a thought. I did look yesterday and saw that I have a new Ford blue Oval that will cover the holes too.

kctyphoon · Mar 19, 2018

Fine - order yourself a chrome plated "You ****" emblem for the holes.

http://emblemart.com/newsite/chrome-emblems/

That's what's you're fishin for ain't it?? Lol

NUTTSGT · Mar 19, 2018

Parrothead said:
I’d go with either black like the rest of your boxes, or retro paint it and go with an old school Craftsman look. Paint the front of the drawers red and the rest of the box grey. It would be a pretty cool piece and since it’s USA it’s not that off. Craftsman emblem if you so desire.

I already have the red on the drawers scuffed and ready for paint. Red will not be going back on them. I thought about a dark blue body with the charcoal drawers and utilize the Ford Oval that I mentioned above.

NUTTSGT · Mar 19, 2018

kctyphoon said:
Fine - order yourself a chrome plated "You ****" emblem for the holes.

http://emblemart.com/newsite/chrome-emblems/

That's what's you're fishin for ain't it?? Lol

Actually, no. I never thought about that. This is like the fourth box that I have repainted all or part of. I was more worried about grabbing some pictures and uploading the SD card since PB has **** the bed.

NUTTSGT · Mar 20, 2018

The drawer fronts are now drying in the garage courtesy of nice dry wood heat. I used Rustoleum Charcoal Gray. Not bad for a spray can.

AngryBeaver · Mar 20, 2018

Nice!

Parrothead · Mar 20, 2018

Since it’s going in the utility room, and is more furniture than a true tool box, I’d probably continue with the grey for the box.

NUTTSGT · Mar 20, 2018

Parrothead said:
Since it’s going in the utility room, and is more furniture than a true tool box, I’d probably continue with the grey for the box.

No not in the utility room. It'll be used elsewhere but I'd rather not mention that until the time comes. I promise I'll post up where it's going but you have to be a little patient.

PelicanPines · Mar 20, 2018

I'd go with bright yellow for the box... but I'm not normal, my mother had me tested.

Nice box, nicer price... I can't eat candy bars... or drink soda... you ****.

SuperCat · Mar 20, 2018

NUTTSGT said:
I might add, this box was priced at $239.00 on sale with the 11% rebate. I bought it, 2 cans of Rustoleum, a Dr Pepper and a king size Baby Ruth. My out of pocket cost was $9.78 and I walked out with a receipt to send in for a rebate of $27 and change.

I can't tell if I am dreaming that something like this is even possible, or I am reading a post from a Master Deal Finder.

In any event, it is obvious this is well deserved: You ****.

jp828108 · Mar 20, 2018

Thanks for linking over from your thread. Toolbox is looking nice. I will stop back by to see how it turns out, and where you use it.

NUTTSGT · Mar 20, 2018

jp828108 said:
Thanks for linking over from your thread. Toolbox is looking nice. I will stop back by to see how it turns out, and where you use it.

Thanks. I pulled the slides out of the cabinet this afternoon and half it partially wet sanded. If all goes well, I'll finish wet sanding and shoot some color back on it.

I noticed the slides came out like a Cman box but didn't have any rivets to secure them in place. I believe I will take the time to drill holes and add some rivets.

Funny thing is, I found several rivet studs in the cabinet. They were painted into the corners along with a few unused rivets.

engineer2 · Mar 20, 2018

Who is making them in the USA for Menards?

verbalkint99 · Mar 20, 2018

Looks like the Husky I have from HD.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...-with-Solid-Wood-Top-Black-7440946R/206839475

NUTTSGT · Mar 24, 2018

verbalkint99 said:
Looks like the Husky I have from HD.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...-with-Solid-Wood-Top-Black-7440946R/206839475

Yes, it does. While looking at the box and a few other Tool Shop boxes that Menard's carried I wondered if they had just bought left over stock and slapped the "Tool Shop" sticker on it.

NUTTSGT · Mar 24, 2018

After a few days of other stuff going on, including work and a snow day, I got back on the box. I cheated on the back and didn't paint it. I used some Rustoleum bedliner and covered the back. The stuff doesn't spray the best with a standard spray paint nozzle but got the job done.

This shot of the front didn't turn out to well due to the lighting.

NUTTSGT · Mar 24, 2018

I sprayed the cabinet shell with some Rustoleum oil based paint. I tried to thin it with acetone per their instructions but I had to try a few times with the thinning percentage. I started out with 8:1 which was too thin and I checked again, I should have had it at 8:1.5 or 4:1.

Once I got it thinned correctly, it sprayed differently, for the better I might add. Once the first coat was on it, I let it dry for about 15 minutes. While it was drying, I poured the paint back out of the pot in to the mixing cup. Again, for better or worse, I decided to thin it slightly more for a second coat. I was hoping it would ok.

Needless to say, I am quite happy with the results.

Outlander · Mar 24, 2018

NUTTSGT - I like it, and it would take more courage than I have to tear apart and paint a brand new toolbox!

As for suckage, that by your own admission you were not seeking, I don't believe it to be justified in this case since you used reward points. However, you do deserve kudos for your approach and perseverance toi build up rewards to get something you truly will enjoy.

Some day, when I grow up, I'll rip apart a brand new item and make it better. Just not today

NUTTSGT · Mar 26, 2018

engineer2 said:
Who is making them in the USA for Menards?

EDSAL is making them for Menard's.

I had an issue putting the top drawer back in today. It looks like the small tabs holding the ball bearing are bent. I noticed when I pulled the drawer out when I first got it last week, something didn't feel right. Now I see why.

I went to the Edsal website, clicked on the live chat and talked to Ana. She was helpful and is sending a request over to the tool box dept for a replacement slide for me.

:rocker:

Makoto · Mar 26, 2018

That looks REAL similar to my HF box.

NUTTSGT · Mar 26, 2018

Makoto said:
That looks REAL similar to my HF box.

Even more so now that mine is back together.

As I put the slides back in, I drilled and put a rivet in each one to make sure it stays in place.

NUTTSGT · Mar 26, 2018

After the casters are on and all the slides in place, it's beginning to look a lot more like a tool box.

Like I mentioned above, I had issues with the slide for the top drawer. After some tweaking, I finally got the drawer in but I'm not sure if the ball bearing will stay in place. Once I get the new slide, I will pull the drawer and replace the slide.

I'm pretty happy with the finished box, especially for the price. I think the black/charcoal looks better than the original all red.

Here's a picture so you can compare finished to original colors.

burger · Mar 26, 2018

NUTTSGT said:
I think the black/charcoal looks better than the original all red.

Sure does!

NUTTSGT · Apr 7, 2018

Small update, I got a package from Edsal the other day. Instead of one slide, they sent me a pair.

LXCam · Apr 7, 2018

That has turned out exceptionally nice, I'm digging the color selection.

NUTTSGT · Apr 7, 2018

LXCam said:
That has turned out exceptionally nice, I'm digging the color selection.

Thanks Cam, I'm more of a subtle type of guy, low key, under the radar and blend in. . . . my wardrobe consists of black, navy, gray and OD. :spit:

NUTTSGT · May 8, 2018

I made a small addition to the box, which is still not in use yet. I started with a 48" aluminum diamond plate outlet strip and cut it down. I went from 5 outlets to having two and I mounted it on the end where normally the handle would be mounted. I also mounted the handle on the other side, no pic, after some debate of whether to use it or not.

1st picture, new shortened strip mounted,

2nd picture, the left over piece is now a 3 outlet strip and the box the outlet strip came in.

3rd picture, full length marking where to cut it.

winlinmac · May 21, 2018

You should make the bottom drawers fitted with double sliders, in case you intend it to be heavy duty

The HD 46" are double slides on the bottom drawers

NUTTSGT said:
After the casters are on and all the slides in place, it's beginning to look a lot more like a tool box.

Like I mentioned above, I had issues with the slide for the top drawer. After some tweaking, I finally got the drawer in but I'm not sure if the ball bearing will stay in place. Once I get the new slide, I will pull the drawer and replace the slide.

I'm pretty happy with the finished box, especially for the price. I think the black/charcoal looks better than the original all red.

Here's a picture so you can compare finished to original colors.

NUTTSGT · May 25, 2018

winlinmac said:
You should make the bottom drawers fitted with double sliders, in case you intend it to be heavy duty

The HD 46" are double slides on the bottom drawers

What it'll be used for shouldn't be very heavy. While it's not in use yet, it will be shortly.

NUTTSGT · May 29, 2018

As promised, sorry it took so long but I have been patiently waiting to put it in service myself. I moved into a different bunk room at the fire station. There is only 3 of us in this room total, 1 per shift.

I was planning on picking up a TV for after hours use in the evening and needed a place to set it. I knew this box would do double duty as a tv stand, some tool storage (my own tools) and storing some of my other stuff that I have accumulated over the last 18 years.

LXCam · May 29, 2018

NUTTSGT said:
I was planning on picking up a TV for after hours use in the evening and needed a place to set it. I knew this box would do double duty as a tv stand, some tool storage (my own tools) and storing some of my other stuff that I have accumulated over the last 18 years.

A Husky box in front of a Murphy bed. There's gotta be a joke in there somewhere but I'll be damned if I can think of it

So what did your brothers think about the new addition?

NUTTSGT · May 29, 2018

LXCam said:
A Husky box in front of a Murphy bed. There's gotta be a joke in there somewhere but I'll be damned if I can think of it

So what did your brothers think about the new addition?

Not much was said by the guys in the room on the other shifts. We are in the process of painting the room, which was my idea and I cleared it through the chief. I painted a majority of it, they just had to do a little around their bunks.

The guys on my shift laughed about it and helped me carry it upstairs, thankfully, it's a fairly light box. . . perfect for what I am using it for. I'll have to get some pictures of what's in the drawers to add to this thread.

:beer:

bczygan · May 29, 2018

NUTTSGT said:
Not much was said by the guys in the room on the other shifts. We are in the process of painting the room, which was my idea and I cleared it through the chief. I painted a majority of it, they just had to do a little around their bunks.

The guys on my shift laughed about it and helped me carry it upstairs, thankfully, it's a fairly light box. . . perfect for what I am using it for. I'll have to get some pictures of what's in the drawers to add to this thread.

Nice to be able to lock up your undies, so no weirdos can mess with them! :lol_hitti

Bill

My new "FREE"tool box

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