DIY Toolbox Drawer Separators

[supra90turbo]

I have been fighting with my top "junk drawer" in my toolbox since I set it up, looking for another way, wishing there was an inexpensive Lista-style drawer configuration for my HF side cabinet...

Until I realized... I had some 1/8" textured abs sheet hanging around, and an hour to kill.

I measured, cut, and made reliefs for the cross pieces at 4", which gives me quite a bit of flexibility to do what I want, and keep everything from sliding around, which was a huge PITA before.

Now everything has a place, and I'm quite pleased with the outcome.

ABS Sheet sourced from parts-express.com

 

[marty_p]

Nice price and very nice work!!!

 

[4xdog]

Nice job! They look good. What did you use to cut the ABS, especially the notches? What holds that single divider in place between the tape and the box cutter?

 

[shocksandstrutz]

nice idea, im going to have to copy that

 

[supra90turbo]

Thanks guys!

ABS Sheet is extremely easy to work with, I scribed my cuts with a straightedge and x-acto, then ran the x-acto through the groove again, and I could snap the piece along the cut perfectly. I have not heated the edges yet, which is why they appear 'whitish'. I will give it a once-over with the heat gun to re-flow the plastic and make it black again.

I made the cut outlines with the x-acto again, but used a cut off wheel to remove the material.

The slats are 1.5" deep, and I made .75" cuts through the material so the two could interlock.

the floating piece simply has a .75" 'tab' in the bottom half of it that slides into the notches cut into the fore/aft pieces. Fit a little snug so it is self-retained and easily removed.

I can get more pics if interested, or if my words don't quite make sense. lol

 

[FXWG]

Looks good. and sure beats the price from one of the tool clowns. I gotta know though, what is an HF box?

 

[SlowAl]

Looks good. and sure beats the price from one of the tool clowns. I gotta know though, what is an HF box?

This.

 

[FXWG]

OK gotcha

 

[supra90turbo]

Thanks fx!
Also, thanks Al for the link

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I woulda thought you'd used a table saw. Will that NOT work? Or is it just unnecessary?

 

[4xdog]

ABS Sheet is extremely easy to work with, I scribed my cuts with a straightedge and x-acto, then ran the x-acto through the groove again, and I could snap the piece along the cut perfectly.... I made the cut outlines with the x-acto again, but used a cut off wheel to remove the material.

I've worked with textured ABS used for car audio that has a fine waffle grid pattern on one side. It makes it particularly easy to cut straight lines for breaking. The edge can be sanded smooth by rubbing against a flat seet of sandpaper.

Never thought about drawer dividers, though. Good thinking.

 

[black88coupe]

Cool

 

[nine4gmc]

I woulda thought you'd used a table saw. Will that NOT work? Or is it just unnecessary?

That^. I would have clamped all of the front to back pieces together and notched them all on a table saw. do the same with the dividers in groups that is workable.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I had used some aluminum and steel in my toolboxes before but I like the idea of the ABS. I wonder whereI can buy it local. . . maybe Hobby Lobby ?

 

[texasprd]

Look in your local Yellow Pages (paper or online) for plastics suppliers - minimum quantity may be an issue, though

 

[sxk122]

Looks good!

 

[melliott28]

Good idea and good execution. I had been considering making diy drawer dividers, but wasn't sure what material to use. It looks like ABS plastic is the way to go!

 

[melliott28]

I had used some aluminum and steel in my toolboxes before but I like the idea of the ABS. I wonder whereI can buy it local. . . maybe Hobby Lobby ?

You are in Ohio and Parts Express is close to Dayton, so shipping will probably be pretty quick to you. I live in Texas and the last thing I ordered from Parts Express only took three days with standard shipping.

Or if you need any other electronics parts or supplies, it might be worth a drive over on a day off.

 

[tankd0g]

That really turned out nice, I have sheets of dollar store corplast that I'm going to try this with.

 

[supra90turbo]

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone! I thought I had subscribed to my own thread, but I was mistaken evidently.

Table saw will certainly work, but remember if you're using it to notch, the pieces are only 1.5" wide, so it could get dicey. Not necessary IMO.

 

[SouthSideCustoms]

sounds like the perfect first thing in the morningactivity with the pneumatic cut-off wheel at the shop.

looks great. how has the cabinet itself held up for you?

 

[supra90turbo]

Great idea!
I simply could not be more pleased with the 41" or side cabinet, especially for the price.

Thanks for the compliment