building my own tool box

[toelesswelder]

Hey guys. New to the forum but not new to fabrication. Been a welder in alberta canada for about 3 years and currently work in a custom fab shop. All my co workers have awesome snap on or mac boxes and i think they are over priced. So i decided to build one. Box measurs 60"x38"x26" deep. Heres the progress so far

 

[oldldh]

I like it...

Y'r doin' gud, Bubba!!!

 

[APEowner]

Welcome to the GJ! Awesome project. I look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[cgv69]

I agree with you. Top end tool boxes by companies like Snap On are ridiculously over priced. When you can buy a brand new motorcycle or quad for less money then a tool box, something is seriously wrong. I don't have the tools or space to make my own but I've wondered why those of you who do, don't? There really isn't anything overly complicated about it.

Good for you for taking this on. Can't wait to see the end product!

 

[ADSR]

Welcome!

In for this build for sure! Looks like a great start!

 

[PFSard]

Toeless >> Looking forward to the progress in the build. I have absolutely no talent for this. Just out of curiosity, what do you expect to be the most difficult part of building the box?

 

[Krokodil]

Looking forward to this!

 

[shawhite]

Looks good so far will be watching this thread to see how it turns out

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I agree with you. Top end tool boxes by companies like Snap On are ridiculously over priced. When you can buy a brand new motorcycle or quad for less money then a tool box, something is seriously wrong. I don't have the tools or space to make my own but I've wondered why those of you who do, don't? There really isn't anything overly complicated about it.

Because it's a hell of a lot of work, and nobody pays retail for Snap On boxes. And if you buy used, you can get an awesome deal on a great toolbox.

That being said, I always think it's cool when somebody does decide to build a box.

 

[MR_T]

Hey guys. New to the forum but not new to fabrication. Been a welder in alberta canada for about 3 years and currently work in a custom fab shop. All my co workers have awesome snap on or mac boxes and i think they are over priced. So i decided to build one. Box measurs 60"x38"x26" deep. Heres the progress so far

Love it, how much $$$ do you think it will run you after its completed ?

 

[toelesswelder]

Hey guys thanks for all the compliments. Itll run me about 250 $$ in material and alot of time. Haha most difficult part will definatley be the drawers and getting the sizing right. But i guess i can always shim the drawer slides if need be.

 

[ADSR]

Toeless >> Looking forward to the progress in the build. I have absolutely no talent for this. Just out of curiosity, what do you expect to be the most difficult part of building the box?

I've been thinking of building one myself. My thoughts are, lining up all the drawers with perfect gaps and spacing will be the hardest part.

This is the box i was thinking to copy with a tube frame.....

 

[ADSR]

Hey guys thanks for all the compliments. Itll run me about 250 $$ in material and alot of time. Haha most difficult part will definatley be the drawers and getting the sizing right. But i guess i can always shim the drawer slides if need be.

Bro, are you going to layout all the drawer slides by hand? Do you have access to a punch press in your shop?

I'm really stoked for your build!!

 

[Cato]

Dude, I bet you can build a better and cheaper box than Snap on.

I would guess that painting would be the biggest challenge.

 

[toelesswelder]

Yes i do have access to a punch, a lathe, brake and shear and a machine drill. And yes it will be layed out by hand. The front of the drawers will be made out of stainless.
I also got a whole bunch of heavy duty drawer slides. 200lb capacity on each slide

 

[toelesswelder]

And just so happens i paint to haha just need to get it sand blasted. Another expense i didnt think of. I know some people that know somebody so it might not be to expensive.

 

[rice rocket]

I'm not sure what kinda fab you do, but maybe waterjet the side panels that have the slide mounts so those are at least uniform as possible?

But at that point, you might as well waterjet all the blanks for the drawers too...


I'd say careful w/ sandblasting as it can easily warp on a panel with such a big surface if there's too much heat buildup from them not moving the gun quick enough.

 

[A_Pmech]

Welcome!

You're off to a good start. I planned to build one until I found myself without a press brake at my disposal. That ended the project.

I would design your box so that you can easily adjust the drawer slides locations to center each drawer in it's opening.

 

[Darius6t9]

This is something I have been dreaming about doing for years. Please give us all the gory details on this along the way. I don't want to miss a thing. Awesome so far.

 

[JBradley500]

I'd recommend giving yourself 2 full width drawers. That's the one thing i'd change about my box.

 

[ADSR]

I'd recommend giving yourself 2 full width drawers. That's the one thing i'd change about my box.

How about all full width drawers

 

[Adam.C]

I'm surprise we don't see more plywood builds. It could easily be clad with metal to provide a glossy finish.

 

[healing]

How about all full width drawers

yes!

 

[JBradley500]

How about all full width drawers

Yes. That would be ****.

 

[toelesswelder]

I was thinking about all full width drawers. But i need some smaller drawers for my welding helmet and my small but bigger stuff. As in deep drawers.

If you guys want i can post all measurements on the pieces?

 

[ADSR]

I was thinking about all full width drawers. But i need some smaller drawers for my welding helmet and my small but bigger stuff. As in deep drawers.

If you guys want i can post all measurements on the pieces?

LOL, you might as well build a hutch to go on top for the big stuff!

 

[ADSR]

check this hutch build.....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210131&highlight=hutch

 

[toelesswelder]

Haha might as well. I am building a side cabinet. Already have a door built out of stainless. Cross bent and all

 

[ADSR]

Haha might as well. I am building a side cabinet. Already have a door built out of stainless. Cross bent and all

This is going to be EPIC!

 

[captain14]

Before someone else says yes to the measurements,

I vote yes.

Anyone second the motion?

 

[ADSR]

Before someone else says yes to the measurements,

I vote yes.

Anyone second the motion?

Agreed. The drawer layout will be very important. (If toeless can take the time)

 

[toelesswelder]

I am writing all the dimensions down but if there is enought people i can write down exactly all the bends to

 

[Givl Reggin]

I like the idea here of doing a fully custom toolbox to suite you needs! You have the opportunity to build something totally unique and better built than you can buy.

But, before you get too far I would suggest you look at and examine the better build boxes you can buy - they're not simply bent sheet metal - you'll see tube steel used for a frame with sheet metal used just as a closure panel. This gives overall rigidity and weight carrying capability.

Also, when you complete this project let us know if you think those Snap-On boxes are still over priced.

 

[toelesswelder]

I got time and and alot of patience haha and this wont be just sheet metal. There will be a square tubing frame on the top and bottom of it and all the drawer slides will be mounted on tubing to.
And yes i will still think boxes are over prices because the only advantage is, its time saving haha

 

[toelesswelder]

Drawer setup i want is something like this.

 

[toelesswelder]

A few more pictures. Tacked up the frame under the tool box. And got the side cabinet door done. Just need to tig the corners

 

[K-Dog]

Man, you might well be paving the way to a lucrative career......

 

[ADSR]

Man, you might well be paving the way to a lucrative career......

No kidding!

 

[mopwered]

Where i worked at all the welders built there own toolbox but not to the scale you're doing.

 

[toelesswelder]

Thanks guys.