Empty blow mold case sources?

[hotsho111]

Living in an apartment my tool storage options are limited so I've been trying to find some empty blow mold cases that I could put foam into to make 'custom' tool storage cases but I'm having issues finding a good source of these.

I know most people here either toss the cases or put them in storage since they don't need them but I don't really have that option.

Anyone have any good sources for various sized blow mold cases?

The one I'm having a hard time finding is a low profile 25" one for storing some alignment rods. I would think a torque wrench case would work

 

[RV77]

Ebay would be your best chance to find them or maybe CL.

 

[mcmlvif100]

I see them all of the time at our Habitat For Humanity ReStore. Might be worth checking if you have one near you.

 

[honcho]

Sears used to sell some. I have several that I use for a variety of things. I prefer general purpose cases to product specific ones like many power tools come in. The product specific cases generally do a good job protecting the product but usually don't have the flexibility of a general purpose case for accessories.

 

[Haveblue]

I have customized a few blow molded cases by cutting out the area where it is molded to the tools shapes, It opens up the whole case and gives you more options. This way you don't have to find the ideal case, just the right sized one. It is pretty quick and easy with a Dremel and a cutoff wheel.

 

[INSP380]

For the 25", try a box for Tig filler rod. I use them to keep my 24 & 36" Starrett Blades in at work. I hate getting them full of dust and metal shavings.


Steve

 

[n8n]

A Pelican case will fill the role you describe perfectly if money isn't a huge concern. They ain't cheap though; I have exactly one, with an eye toward a future handgun purchase.

 

[kossuth]

I have a thread on here I made where I bought a generic case for sears and used exercise equipment mat for the inside.

 

[tbaggz]

Offer to pay the shipping on here and you will have more than you want.

 

[jml93]

eBay would probably be your best bet.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Living in an apartment my tool storage options are limited so I've been trying to find some empty blow mold cases that I could put foam into to make 'custom' tool storage cases but I'm having issues finding a good source of these.

I know most people here either toss the cases or put them in storage since they don't need them but I don't really have that option.

Anyone have any good sources for various sized blow mold cases?

The one I'm having a hard time finding is a low profile 25" one for storing some alignment rods. I would think a torque wrench case would work

Garage sales. Won't be the best stuff though probably a lot of consumer/emergency tool kit stuff. I don't think anyone would willingly get rid of a torque wrench case unless they're throwing out the torque wrench. You can get a 1/2" one from harbor freight for like 12 bucks when it's on sale/coupon and just not use the wrench maybe?

If I need storage for something incidental I just go to the junk store (savers) and look at the used luggage. Pool cue case or document roll case might work. Fairly cheap.

 

[Buster21]

Check out Specialized Products.Net

http://www.specialized.net/Specialized/Blow-Molded-Cases-Plastic-Case-Custom-Foam-Case-10692.aspx

 

[michael murder]

If you have an army/navy store near you, you could use ammo boxes.

I was in a similar situation and found some black plastic ammo boxes that worked well.

 

[nic6paul]

Where are you located? We have/had a ton of them at our shop. I think the majority of them were tossed but I am not sure. If you were close I would let you pick what you want.

 

[wmartin]

These aren't bad for longer stuff...

http://www.sears.com/-17-compact-truck-box-/p-00965117000P

although it doesn't sound like it's quite big enough for your purpose.

For just a general heap of tools, the larger Rubbermaid Durabull boxes are not bad.

There's always tool rolls if your stuff is suitable for them.

 

[jakemac]

These aren't bad for longer stuff...

http://www.sears.com/-17-compact-truck-box-/p-00965117000P

although it doesn't sound like it's quite big enough for your purpose.

For just a general heap of tools, the larger Rubbermaid Durabull boxes are not bad.

There's always tool rolls if your stuff is suitable for them.

I used one of those boxes for years to keep sockets and wrenches in while moving from jobsite to jobsite. It's semi-retired now, but after 20yrs of bouncing around in my job-box, it's still ready to go.

Too bad they don't offer a 24" size.

The do offer a 22" box though -
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-22inch-standard-truck-box/p-00965119000P

 

[Two Door]

"Cases by Source" may be what you are looking for. Available on Amazon. Include "empty" in your search so it doesn't return the foam filled ones.

 

[Stuart in MN]

You can go into most any thrift store and find old Samsonite suitcases in a variety of sizes. Strip out the old lining and get some foam to make custom fitments for your tools.

 

[JonDick13926]

May also want to look into Plano handgun cases.

http://www.planomolding.com/subCategory.php?CID=119

They're pretty cheap. Here's a 16.25 x 11.325 for only $12:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P3WPKK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Ponchoguy]

Living in an apartment my tool storage options are limited so I've been trying to find some empty blow mold cases that I could put foam into to make 'custom' tool storage cases but I'm having issues finding a good source of these.

I know most people here either toss the cases or put them in storage since they don't need them but I don't really have that option.

Anyone have any good sources for various sized blow mold cases?

The one I'm having a hard time finding is a low profile 25" one for storing some alignment rods. I would think a torque wrench case would work

---Here in NYC:

1) Ebay
2) Garage Sales
3) "The curbside candy store".---I have picked up several thrown out over the years and have repurposed them accordingly.
4) Yes, Sears has them too.

 

[Farmall450]

These aren't bad for longer stuff...

http://www.sears.com/-17-compact-truck-box-/p-00965117000P

although it doesn't sound like it's quite big enough for your purpose.

For just a general heap of tools, the larger Rubbermaid Durabull boxes are not bad.

There's always tool rolls if your stuff is suitable for them.

+1 US made too

 

[hotsho111]

"Cases by Source" may be what you are looking for. Available on Amazon. Include "empty" in your search so it doesn't return the foam filled ones.

Thanks everyone. I lost track of this thread since I thought I would get new email notifications but wasn't and came back to find a full page worth of replies

I ended up stumbling across the Cases by Source and that site seems pretty awesome in terms of searching and such.

I had thought about getting a case and cutting out tool molding and using foam inserts. I found a perfect case on ebay for a torque wrench someone was selling that I could cut a bit and it should work perfectly

The craftsman truck boxes look nice (they also have a 12" utility case) which I would use on some smaller stuff it's just not right for this application.

Thanks for the tip INSP380 about the tig rod storage. I even looked up storage for fishing poles as something comparible hah.

I thought about maybe going with a slightly larger case and putting a couple sets of tools in it instead of just one.

I had even looked at making my own tool rolls (http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-tool-roll-bring-your-hand-tools-with/) I'm just not really a fan of them.

 

[tbaggz]

Heh I'm thinking a small guitar case. lol. Torque wrench and longer stuff in neck,rest of set in body.screwdrivers and such on the inner lid.sockets lining the walls,hell now I want to build one.

 

[2oolhound]

How about checking with tool stores. Maybe they would let you post a note on a notice board as a lot of guys would be happy not to have to take the cases with them out of the store.

 

[tbaggz]

Like this but with tools obviously.

 

[fatfillup]

Lots of good ideas and I especially like the idea of relining a hollowed out case with foam. I see them on CL and often at auctions. They don't bring much as most people don't want them if they aren't storing the tool in them

 

[hotsho111]

Thanks for all the ideas. I decided to pick up a torque wrench case on ebay for a couple bucks and I'm gonna cut out the tool molding and throw some foam in. I'll let you know how it goes

 

[wmartin]

One kind of case to keep an eye out for is Hilti ones. There's nothing much to cut out on those.

 

[hotsho111]

Hey everyone, figured I'd update this thread. I ended up buying a torque wrench storage case, cut out the mold, bought some foam and cut out a pattern to fit the tool. Here are the results:

After cutting out the mold (you can tell I took this picture last )

The three layers of foam: The bottom piece is 1/2" and has cutouts to sit into the bottom of the case which has the latches and curves. The second layer is 1/2" and has cut outs for the cone and the top piece is 1/4" which has cutouts for the cones and the rod

Tool in the new case

I didn't remove all of the 1/4" cutout to give it some strength and I probably should have waited since I'm probably going to need to glue the foam together to give it a bit more strength.

All and all, not too bad