Ammo Tool Box

[KolkataKustoms]

I needed a more portable tool box. I wanted it to be big enough for my little Bosch screw gun and big wrenches like my K-D breaker bar, but able to fit in my Camry's trunk. I am also on a tight budget.

About a year ago I snagged this cool ammo box from my buddies shop and started just throwing random things in it. Seeing that it was all-ready turning into a tool box, I decided to make it a little more like the tool box I wanted. It's kind of awkward to carry around but it looks cool. And some times that's all that matters.

This is what I started with. A big ol' wood box with really cool graphics on the side, assorted tool trays I bought at Good Will for 75 cents a piece, and some hardware store handles.

My favorite graphic!

The black handles were the original plan. They were attached to some pre-hung doors I installed at work. But they are ugly. So I bought the metal ones at the hardware store for $3 a piece. They look kind of vintage and sturdy.

Of the three trays I bought only one would come close to fitting. It was seriously a 1/32 too long.

So I removed one side of the box and plained it down a full 1/16. Taking that board out was a lot more of a hassle than I though it would be. This box is tough! I then glued and screwed the box back together.

http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad254/yllopez/IMG_4869.jpg

On either side I made these "L" brackets to cradle the socket tray.

Attached the new handles....with help.

Here is the finnished project.

I still have black rubber matting that I need to put in the bottom.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Mighty cool box and neat idea adding the tray. Your helper looks to be a very capable individual, you may have to set them up with their own tool box very soon.

TheGrooveking

 

[STORMEASTON]

Nice Idea!

 

[jwhcars]

Cool box and idea.

 

[nate379]

Good use for an almost 70 year old box!

The symbol is an Ammo pisspot. (just google it)

 

[red92s]

I have the same Bosch drill/driver as your helper!

 

[Ryan]

very well done.

 

[KolkataKustoms]

Wow! Nate 376, I never thought it was that old. I've also started calling it my "piss-pot" rather than my tool box. Great info.

Thanks guys..this isn't the most exciting tool box here but I appreciate all your encouragement. I've had fun.

 

[KolkataKustoms]

Here is another tool box I built for my trim carpentry. You guys might think this is neet. I needed something to stand on when doing crown and I don't wear a tool belt inside homes, so I need a place for various hand tools. This bench takes care of all that. I use it in my car-port all the time as well.

 

[crewchief888]

cool idea !!

might make the neighbors want to know why yer carry'n ammo into the house

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Very cool!

 

[49tandc]

When I saw the post, I thought it would be about another metal 50 cal. metal can with a hinged lid - kinda toolbox... They make GREAT toolboxes (waterproof, etc.) as well, but you're making the WW2 reenactors weep. The 37MM was the 1st dedicated anti-tank wepon used in WW2.

Your box is for 20 Armor-piercing rounds - "APC with tracer". "Packed 3-42" (March 1943) - a highly collectable box. I'm restoring a WW2 jeep and have similar ammo crates (but for .30 & .50 cal rounds). When a jeep headed to the front lines, the first things GI's wanted was not hot food - it was ammo. Guys would pile on as many crates as possible on jeeps headed to the front line. Most got burned up (heat, cooking etc.) A VERY cool ammo crate.

49T&C

 

[KolkataKustoms]

WOW! that is great information 49tandc. I should have done some research on the box before I started screwing around with it. Honestly, now I wish I had left it alone. I watched "A bridge too far" last night and spotted some similar boxes on the set.

If it makes anyone feel better though, my buddy was going to "GET RID" of it when I asked him for it. I think it had been his dad's.

I really like the metal ammo boxes as well, but I've noticed that they've gone up in price at the local surplus store. So for now I'll keep the crate and use it only for my best tools. And I'll have to see if my buddy has more of these crates.

 

[tylerae40]

very nice mate, i've seen similar aussie boxes sell for $100+ a piece at sales, and crusty old war collectors get all giggley over them like school girls. lol. I've been picking up used bee hive boxes from the rubbish tips for storage as they're very well made with the interlocking ends and quality wood- great for free.

 

[49tandc]

If you get one of the metal ammo cans, rivet some socket holders to the lid. It will keep all your sockets on the TOP and prevent you from having to pull everything out just to find the correct size socket.

49 T&C

 

[Martelle]

Thats a great idea to repurpose and old ammo box. :thumbs up:

 

[NUTTSGT]

That's neat old ammo crate/ new tool box. Some might cringe over it being used the way you are but atleast it's still around.

 

[nate379]

I wouldn't worry about "destroying" a relic with that box. We still use boxes like that today, and some of the stuff in the inventory is WW2 era as well.

We just bust the boxes down and chuck them in the wood bin.