Wamsutta
Well-known member
Why is that so hard to make? Are there no sheet metal brakes that can handle 14 gage? I just cannot get exited about an 18 gage box. The word "flimsy" enters into my mind.
A 14 Gage Roll Cab Tool Box
- Thread starter Wamsutta
- Start date
I work in the office of a sheet metal shop (mechanical). 14 gauge is almost a 1/3 heavier than 18. As such I would imagine cost would increase substantially. Manufacturing would be similar, but cost of steel would be a 3rd higher, shipping would be harder, hardware might need to be higher quality to deal with the weight. All for a product that doesn't need to exist for the majority of people. I bet if you looked hard enough you could find what you want but the cost would be eye watering.
Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
flushcut
Well-known member
Lista
sberry
Banned
I just got to wonder,, the others work for millions. What's the problem?
dr_clyde
Well-known member
If you think you can outsmart the world’s best toolbox makers, go ahead and make one yourself.
Engineering is not just how sturdy you can make something. It’s a balance of use, intended purpose, cost of manufacturing and practicality. It’s the bad engineer who over designs a product.
Sure, SO could make toolboxes out of 11ga. But why would they? It would cost more in every way, add tons of weight, and have no benefit. The sheet metal they use now isn’t the failure point. I have 4 SO toolboxes and I’ve never had a lick of trouble from the drawers being too thin. And they’re loaded up full.
Engineering is not just how sturdy you can make something. It’s a balance of use, intended purpose, cost of manufacturing and practicality. It’s the bad engineer who over designs a product.
Sure, SO could make toolboxes out of 11ga. But why would they? It would cost more in every way, add tons of weight, and have no benefit. The sheet metal they use now isn’t the failure point. I have 4 SO toolboxes and I’ve never had a lick of trouble from the drawers being too thin. And they’re loaded up full.
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
Strong hold makes 12 gauge tool boxes
https://strong-hold.com/product/american-flag-tool-cart-with-12-gauge-steel-top/
https://strong-hold.com/product/american-flag-tool-cart-with-12-gauge-steel-top/
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
Note that while Strong Hold uses 12 gauge steel, the rated load capacity of the drawers is 400 lbs - same as lista and vidmar. So I suspect drawer slide load capacity may be the limiting factor,
redwrench60
Well-known member
A toolbox has to do a delicate dance. It has to be built strong enough to organize and secure all our heavy tools, yet be light enough to move from job to job and around a shop over rough floors without snapping welds and breaking apart.
Sure you could build a toolbox out of 1/4” steel but all the toolbox (and castor wheels) load capacity would be hogged up by the weight of the box itself and you’d have to hire a professional rigging crew to move the damn thing to your new job.
There’s many companies that engineer and build toolboxes the smart way with stiffeners and gussets to be relatively light yet support the weight of an incredible amount of tools and move smoothly across any shop floor for decades of professional use. I have my preference
Sure you could build a toolbox out of 1/4” steel but all the toolbox (and castor wheels) load capacity would be hogged up by the weight of the box itself and you’d have to hire a professional rigging crew to move the damn thing to your new job.
There’s many companies that engineer and build toolboxes the smart way with stiffeners and gussets to be relatively light yet support the weight of an incredible amount of tools and move smoothly across any shop floor for decades of professional use. I have my preference
mikehaugen
Well-known member
There is definitely a place for heavy built boxes. In an auto shop for instance a box sits there, most likely doesn't move and is relatively safe. In industrial environments they are often moved around with forkilfts (not always with the best operators) and are slammed into by forklifts, other boxes, machinery being moved, etc. They get dropped, rolled over less than perfect concrete, and tipped over.
Sent from my SM-G930V using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my SM-G930V using The Garage Journal mobile app
Rabid Badger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2018
- Messages
- 1,338
BarryWells
Well-known member
I have to wonder what audience they're pursuing with this product:
Morgue ?
KRL1056 box. The bottom of the drawers; the sheet metal piece that the tools sit on; has always been crowned upwards and spring flexible like a trampoline. It isn't until you place a few heavy tools on the bottom of the drawer that the drawer bottom goes flat. That's what 18 gage steel does.
kythri
Well-known member
Are you saying all of your drawers do that?
My Tool Vault Elite TV-7217MZ, per the specs page (https://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/tool-vault-elite-72-17-drawer-tool-cabinet.html) has 20 gauge drawers, and the drawers don't flex as you describe.
Parrothead
Well-known member
I was thinking the exact same thing.
redwrench60
Well-known member
I have a KRL 1056 in Black I use for a roll cart to hold my most used tools and be a mobile work surface to push around the shop. I have a small vise mounted to it and it’s loaded with tools. You can’t even see the drawer bottoms let alone know if they flex like a trampoline. I’ve used it to R&R transmissions or other assemblies in one shop then set it on top and push it to another for reconditioning. There’s nothing light duty about it yet it remains easily movable.
sberry
Banned
Some people got more problems with this type of thing than others do.
no need use 14gage, just needs pressed rib pattern or spot welded shallow u channels across underside of large deep drawers if not already rigid enough .
For the price they charge you think largest drawers have better base support as standard.
If I have a heavily loaded drawer I tend dump tools in/out a lot I put a cut of 1/2" ply under the liner to spread weight and take some of the impact as dump stuff into the drawer .
For the price they charge you think largest drawers have better base support as standard.
If I have a heavily loaded drawer I tend dump tools in/out a lot I put a cut of 1/2" ply under the liner to spread weight and take some of the impact as dump stuff into the drawer .
Take all the tools out of one drawer and it'll flex upwards.
Take your 5 finger tips and press down on it. It'll push down and then spring back up like a spiderweb fortress.
Snap-on made that drawer bottom flex up because they knew if they didn't, the drawer bottom would sag with tools on it.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
You know flat beds for tractor trailers do this too..they have an “arch” when unloaded.
And airplane wings flex greatly in flight. Also by design.
But it’s a problem if a toolbox bottom does it...
And airplane wings flex greatly in flight. Also by design.
But it’s a problem if a toolbox bottom does it...
