Custom tool box, Ideas?

[buckwheat_la]

I bought 2 of the Milwaukee tool boxes (2 bottoms and 1 top) back in January because I was tired of tools taking over my garage, and although they helped, the reality is that they weren't really what I needed. Drawers were too short, and shallow, and seems like I still don't have all my tools in it. So after some investigation I am debating building my own.

I would have the trays built by a local shop, but would do all the rest myself. I am thinking 2 tool boxes, 10 48x4x24 tray drawers on each, made with 12 gauge metal (although I am debating using a lighter gauge) and the actual height of the drawer itself would be determined by the front face not the tray itself, 2x2 tubing for the frame work. What else should I include? Anyone have thoughts on this?

 

[buckwheat_la]

Re: Constructive ideas for a tool box

Opps, I meant to have this in the General tool area, can it be moved? Pretty please...

 

[zkling]

Re: Constructive ideas for a tool box

Go buy an industrial cabinet, you will be time, money, effort and quality ahead.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Re: Constructive ideas for a tool box

Any suggestions on what kind of cabinet and where to get it?

 

[buckwheat_la]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I bought 2 of the Milwaukee tool boxes (2 bottoms and 1 top) back in January because I was tired of tools taking over my garage, and although they helped, the reality is that they weren't really what I needed. Drawers were too short, and shallow, and seems like I still don't have all my tools in it. So after some investigation I am debating building my own.

I would have the trays built by a local shop, but would do all the rest myself. I am thinking 2 tool boxes, 10 48x4x24 tray drawers on each, made with 12 gauge metal (although I am debating using a lighter gauge) and the actual height of the drawer itself would be determined by the front face not the tray itself, 2x2 tubing for the frame work. What else should I include? Anyone have thoughts on this?

 

[buckwheat_la]

Re: Constructive ideas for a tool box

I created a duplicate post, please erase this one.
Cheers

 

[1950mercury]

There has been a couple of "I'm going to build a metal tool box" threads. I'm not sure if I've seen one that was finished...

I think you would be better off finding a tool box company that will build one to your liking. There are plenty of company's that will do that.

If you decide to do it...I wish you luck

 

[HOTFR8]

Re: Constructive ideas for a tool box

Opps, I meant to have this in the General tool area, can it be moved? Pretty please...

I created a duplicate post, please erase this one.
Cheers

Merged the two topics as they both had replies.

 

[drewvdw]

Re: Constructive ideas for a tool box

Any suggestions on what kind of cabinet and where to get it?

Stor-Loc makes a very good quality, extremely strong cabinet right here in the USA. They offer full customization at no extra cost (even adding a little height or length for free). You can select drawer height, width, and cabinet depth. Check them out, I have 2 and love them.

 

[SJR033]

I faced this same issue. No one made a chest that had the "perfect" drawer set up for me. I ended up going with this Craftsman box
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-40-i...0901157000P?prdNo=12&blockNo=12&blockType=G12
This box and others have provisions on the inside for multiple configurations. I replaced 1 of the 6" drawers with 3- 2" drawers and I replaced 1 of the 6" drawers with 2- 3" drawers. I also added a second slide on the 4" & 6" drawers. I ordered some of the parts from Sears and other direct from Waterloo. But now I have the size drawer in the spots I want.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Dude, build it out of titanium! Build secret compartments into it. Build speakers and a fridge into it as well. Build each drawer customized to hold your tools perfectly, kind of like fastcap kaizen foam, except with titanium dividers! Put a bunch of LED lighting all in it and on it and around it. And some neon lighting too. Make it able to mount a vise and incorporate tie-down points for rigging it in a trailer. Have fold out sections for a drill press, table saw, grinder, etc. Probably should mount a large flat-screen somewhere too.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Well at least I got SOME constructive comments. I am debating if I am going over the top with this however the prices so far look not too bad and given that the materials will be many times stronger than your typical 18 guage box, I am willing to put the time into building what I really want. I might have to start a thread with a start to finish on this project....

 

[morrillm06]

I don't remember the thread name, but there was someone on here who built a beautiful all metal tool box (I think they were a sheet metal worker by trade) it took him a year or so to finish. im sure someone here can find the thread.

 

[Al Borland]

Dude, build it out of titanium! Build secret compartments into it. Build speakers and a fridge into it as well. Build each drawer customized to hold your tools perfectly, kind of like fastcap kaizen foam, except with titanium dividers! Put a bunch of LED lighting all in it and on it and around it. And some neon lighting too. Make it able to mount a vise and incorporate tie-down points for rigging it in a trailer. Have fold out sections for a drill press, table saw, grinder, etc. Probably should mount a large flat-screen somewhere too.

Seriously, you go through all that and you left out the DISCO BALL!!!

 

[Richard Cranium]

Order a lista cabinet you will never look back.

 

[IUEC Medic]

^ this.

You can custom order lista and Stanley-vidmar in whatever size box with any number of drawers/sizes you could ever want, let alone build yourself. Not to say it's not possible to custom build a nicer cabinet, but I can't imagine it would be time or cost effective.

 

[rsanter]

Buy the lista drawers from me.
Build a frame
Put it together
Your done

Bob

 

[buckwheat_la]

So I have decided I am doing this build. I have arranged the drawers 48x4x24, I have bought 20 of them, and I am going to make 2 cabinets.

 

[drewvdw]

All the same size drawers? I suspect you won't like that, but only you know your needs.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Going with the same width of drawer (48 inches), however height wise, the trays will be 4 inches, but I can make the front face/height whatever I want. I am thinking 2 at 6 inches, 2 at 4 inches, and the bottom one at 12 inches.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Got the drawers here and started my build. Pics coming tonight

 

[Blake150]

Can't wait to see em. Good luck just have fun building that's all that matters

 

[buckwheat_la]

here is the pictures of the start, going to work on it today and get some drawers mounted

 

[MarkWilliams60]

What sort of slides did you find for it ?
Those trays look good.What gauge did you decide on ? People make too much of a mystery out of a bit of sheet metal work and a metal cabinet frame.

 

[buckwheat_la]

14 guage metal. Slides were from Princess auto. They are 100lb but i am doubling all them up because i got them on sale for a steal

 

[buckwheat_la]

Got half the drawers in today

 

[carcajou]

You have been busy since Sunday i see. I never asked , what colour are you planning on going with? multi colours? Damn i'm not sure i should have stopped by, you have me thinking of a wall full for the shop out West. lol Looks great!

 

[buckwheat_la]

You have been busy since Sunday i see. I never asked , what colour are you planning on going with? multi colours? Damn i'm not sure i should have stopped by, you have me thinking of a wall full for the shop out West. lol Looks great!

Yeah I will totally hook you up. I can't wait to have it done and get my shop back....

 

[Squashfest81]

Obviously have the skills to build a box. Plus, having the drawers made speeds things up considerably. It will be awesome. Love the square tube pulls.

 

[RedF]

I don't remember the thread name, but there was someone on here who built a beautiful all metal tool box (I think they were a sheet metal worker by trade) it took him a year or so to finish. im sure someone here can find the thread.

If I'm thinking of the same one, the guys handle was "toeless welder" or something along those lines.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Got all the drawers in today, thanks to my mechanic who was a bit bored and wants his shop back

 

[buckwheat_la]

Tomorrow it is casters and figuring out what to do for sides and a top. Was looking at a bamboo butcher block type top, however they don't make it large enough for what I want. Thinking of riveted sides with aluminum checker plate.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Re: Constructive ideas for a tool box

Stor-Loc makes a very good quality, extremely strong cabinet right here in the USA. They offer full customization at no extra cost (even adding a little height or length for free). You can select drawer height, width, and cabinet depth. Check them out, I have 2 and love them.

Two other options are:

http://www.ctechmanufacturing.com/

http://pitboxes.com/

Both of them build really nice stuff and both will do custom. Great for us mere mortals who don't have the skills to scratch build something.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Those are pretty nice. One thing I have learned doing this, is there is a lot of work that goes into building these....not sure this was a winning move however I get the satisfaction of accomplishing it

 

[MarkWilliams60]

Tomorrow it is casters and figuring out what to do for sides and a top. Was looking at a bamboo butcher block type top, however they don't make it large enough for what I want. Thinking of riveted sides with aluminum checker plate.

Don't rivet, use these just in case you need a repair. They look good too.

http://www.albanycountyfasteners.co...er-Sheet-Metal-Screw-stainless-stee-s/914.htm

 

[buckwheat_la]

Don't rivet, use these just in case you need a repair. They look good too.

http://www.albanycountyfasteners.co...er-Sheet-Metal-Screw-stainless-stee-s/914.htm

Nice. Good call

 

[DemoFly]

Are you going to paint it?

 

[buckwheat_la]

Are you going to paint it?

Of course. Black for the frame work. Not sure on the drawers yet. Debated Makita blue.....

 

[DemoFly]

Of course. Black for the frame work. Not sure on the drawers yet. Debated Makita blue.....

Do you have Makita gear? Can't say I've ever seen a Makita blue tool box.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Do you have Makita gear? Can't say I've ever seen a Makita blue tool box.

I am a Makita guy. That being said I might do something different too....