Chopping tool chest close top=drawers lock?

[timdp]

I can understand the reasoning behind having the drawers lock in place when the top lid is down (general security lock and stability when moving the chest), but it drives me nuts. Many years ago when I go my first HF chest, the first thing I did was rip the locking bar out by the roots. Felt really great to just open a drawer instead of opening the top and then opening a drawer.

Now I have a well used big 5 drawer Craftsman top chest that is going to live under a workbench for now so there will be no way to open the drawers without pulling it out from under the cabinet. I'm ready to take a grinder to the locking bars but I thought I would get comments here before I do the deed.

What say all of you, keep or disable?

 

[zkling]

You shouldn't need a grinder, just removed the peened pivot pin and pull the bars out the top.

 

[LB-1911]

^^ Just drive the pins out of the locking bars, later if you decide to relocate the box you'll have the option of reinstalling the bars.

 

[machine_punk]

I agree with the above...there has to be a non-permanent way to do this.

But, more importantly, just realized you are the next county over...I am in Napa.

Kev

 

[timdp]

DOH! Removing the pins might be the way to go. Back in a sec...

Quick work with a hammer and punch = done!

Thanks GJ!

Hi Kev! Have browsed your thread it bit, but not dug into it it deeply yet. Will put it on the list...

Tim

 

[beatcad]

what do ya want to use the box for?
i'm sure you have a main tool box for your main using tools.
ir yer gonna stuff this box under your workbench and cant use it functionally as in open the lid i see you only have 2 options.

1) yes remove to lock bar. you can pull out the drawers w/o having to lift the lid.
but it will never be lockable again. at that point i'm guessing your just using it as a junk/parts/bolt bin.
if its under your workbench and you cannot open the lid, well thats a lot of wasted space for storage in the top.

2) if its just an old box to store nuts&bolts and bits&peices that doesnt need to be locked(like a main box w/ tools)i say just cut the lid off.
last fall i bought a used & cheap snap-on box just to use as a bolt bin.
i put it on the shelf and realized i couldnt open the lid, so i cut it off.

 

[2oolhound]

I'd take the hinge pin out and store the lid away so you can stow things in the top tray also. You have to spray lots of wd40 on the hinge, start it with a pin punch and yank on it with vice grips from the other end as it starts coming out.

 

[jakemac]

Open the lid, pull out the drawers, close the lid, push in the drawers.

If the lid is closed when the drawers are open, they shouldn't lock when you push them in.
Since the box will be living under a bench, you probably won't be using the top tray anyway. Just don't open it while it's under there and you won't need to worry about the drawers catching the locking bar.

This way, if you sell or give the box away later, you haven't ruined it for the next owner and it keeps it's value.

 

[Rico.]

Open the lid, pull out the drawers, close the lid, push in the drawers.

Bingo....

Thats what I did with mine... Took 6 seconds to do and has been fine for 8 years now..

 

[timdp]

I do have another big main tool box. The box was an unplanned purchase. That workbench is my resin casting bench and I will probably put casting tools, rubber molds and supplies in the box. The box makes the space far more usable than it was even without using the top compartment. I have it on moving dollies so if I decide I need the space, its easy to roll out from under the bench.

I did push out the hinge pins and pulled out the locking bars. Its easily reversible to full original locking condition (although I don't have the lock to lock the top in any case). Locks are not really needed here.

what do ya want to use the box for?
i'm sure you have a main tool box for your main using tools.
ir yer gonna stuff this box under your workbench and cant use it functionally as in open the lid i see you only have 2 options.

1) yes remove to lock bar. you can pull out the drawers w/o having to lift the lid.
but it will never be lockable again. at that point i'm guessing your just using it as a junk/parts/bolt bin.
if its under your workbench and you cannot open the lid, well thats a lot of wasted space for storage in the top.

2) if its just an old box to store nuts&bolts and bits&peices that doesnt need to be locked(like a main box w/ tools)i say just cut the lid off.

 

[timdp]

Open the lid, pull out the drawers, close the lid, push in the drawers.

If the lid is closed when the drawers are open, they shouldn't lock when you push them in.
Since the box will be living under a bench, you probably won't be using the top tray anyway. Just don't open it while it's under there and you won't need to worry about the drawers catching the locking bar.

At one time I knew that... Thanks for reminding me!

I did push out the hinge pins and pulled out the locking bars. Its easily reversible to full original locking drawer condition.

 

[machine_punk]

You are close enough...I'd be happy to show you around some time. Sounds like you are doing some interesting stuff too...resin casting.

DOH! Removing the pins might be the way to go. Back in a sec...

Quick work with a hammer and punch = done!

Thanks GJ!

Hi Kev! Have browsed your thread it bit, but not dug into it it deeply yet. Will put it on the list...

Tim

 

[Codyyy]

I wondered about this after buying my new Craftsman box. Good ideas.