Ideas for Tray for Tool Box Drawers

cliftonbros89 · Oct 25, 2016

I'm searching for ideas to make trays for a few of my deeper drawers on my tool box. It's a 72" John Deere box. Basically the same as the 72" Masterforce, Montezuma, Tool Vault boxes (they're all made by QCI).

I'm referring to something similar to the trays Snap On makes for their larger boxes (Seen below). I need something lightweight but strong and sturdy. I'm just not totally for sure what to use. Or where to get it.

A few of the drawers aren't very wide. But I'd like to try and make a tray for the top drawer where I keep my sockets. So I could have more room for sockets and store ratchets, extensions, and breaker bars in the tray. But that drawer is right at 51" wide.

What's my options for material and where to get it?

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jimgood · Oct 25, 2016

I've been interested in these. They're pretty cost effective and configurable.

http://www.schallercorporation.com/plastic-boxes/

Organized_Garage · Oct 25, 2016

I've used a few of these that we build for my race tool box:

http://www.hrpracing.com/search?q=tool+%26+parts&pagesize=12

rsanter · Oct 25, 2016

Find were you can use a sheet metal break and use some 16 or 14 ga steel and bend up the trays you need.
The paint or powder coat to match the color,of the box

See if there is a member close to you with a break, I have one you can use but am a little far away

Bob

cliftonbros89 · Oct 25, 2016

jimgood said:
I've been interested in these. They're pretty cost effective and configurable.

http://www.schallercorporation.com/plastic-boxes/

I have a lot of these. But I'm looking for a tray. That way I can sort of double stack things.

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jocww · Oct 30, 2016

InNout trays...

knightp25 · Oct 30, 2016

Harbor Frieght $9.99 keeps my sockets very well organized

cliftonbros89 · Oct 30, 2016

knightp25 said:
Harbor Frieght $9.99 keeps my sockets very well organized

I don't mean socket trays. My box is full of Ernst rails. I'm talking about a tray like the example I'd posted in the first post.

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BonzoHansen · Oct 30, 2016

Organized_Garage said:
I've used a few of these that we build for my race tool box:

http://www.hrpracing.com/search?q=tool+%26+parts&pagesize=12

I have alminum project boxes that my Dad had in his shop that I use in my tool box that are very similar to those.

R_einan · Oct 30, 2016

If you can find something that fits into the deeper drawers and hangs from the drawer sides that would be awesome. In fact, I saved that picture to ask my snap on guy about them. If they are 22.25" wide they would work for me.

cliftonbros89 · Oct 30, 2016

R_einan said:
If you can find something that fits into the deeper drawers and hangs from the drawer sides that would be awesome. In fact, I saved that picture to ask my snap on guy about them. If they are 22.25" wide they would work for me.

That's my problem. None of the ones that Snap On offers are the right size for my drawers. But that's the type of thing I'm looking for.

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R_einan · Oct 31, 2016

Got a link or p/n for the trays you posted? I can't find them on the snapon website.

cliftonbros89 · Oct 31, 2016

R_einan said:
Got a link or p/n for the trays you posted? I can't find them on the snapon website.

https://store.snapon.com/Sliding-Trays-C675991.aspx

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R_einan · Oct 31, 2016

Nothing that would help me either. Just for kicks I checked Mac and matco and come up empty. Maybe I'll take a quick measurement and stop by one of the local sheet metal shops and see what they would want to make a tray of two. Thanks for the link and the idea!

cliftonbros89 · Oct 31, 2016

I was thinking of the doing the same thing. I don't think they'd charge too much. But by the time I pay for the metal plus the labor of the brake I'm afraid it'll be more than I'd want to spend

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rkevins · Oct 31, 2016

Lee Valley sells plastic divider track you can cut to your size and add plywood as dividers

NUTTSGT · Oct 31, 2016

I've made a couple of these for different boxes.

cliftonbros89 · Oct 31, 2016

I'm wanting one to hang on the drawer for the full length of it. Deep enough to fit some things in but shallow enough things can still be stored under it. Like a removable tray in a handheld box.

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Matt M PA · Nov 1, 2016

I got a "box" that has ears. The ears hold it up on the edges of the tool box drawers and it slides from to back. By dumb luck, it fit my new box but was in my Craftsman box for years. I assume it came from Sears.

For my new box, I tried the Container Store. I didn't buy anything that would hang above from the edges of the drawers...but got some metal mesh boxes that have been great for keeping socket handles, etc by drive size. They have a huge selection of "organize-y" stuff.

I know one of the companies that made drawer organizers made pieces that went together and had a lip that joined them. Perhaps something like this could also hold them on a drawer edge?

gerryw · Nov 1, 2016

Just a thought, have you checked out baking pans?
They come in all sizes, and depths, and most have a edge( handle) that could sit(or folded over) on drawer edge as you wanted

Gerry

jimgood · Nov 1, 2016

Try this google search: "tool divider trays"

There are lots of hits.
http://www.ernstmfg.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Tool-Sorter/...75011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Tool+Sorter
https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/tool-boxes/accessories/trays/
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-drawer-organizer-set-99731.html
http://www.benjaminmfg.com/plumbing-specialty/tote-trays.html

Grimpala · Nov 1, 2016

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132913

I have these for my sockets and love them. They are a little unwieldy so they stay in the box mainly, but they have a handle if they need to be moved to a project.

NUTTSGT · Nov 1, 2016

cliftonbros89 said:
I'm wanting one to hang on the drawer for the full length of it. Deep enough to fit some things in but shallow enough things can still be stored under it. Like a removable tray in a handheld box.

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To run the full width, you're going to need some strength and to be lightweight, some aluminum would be nice.

Since that takes a little different method to weld, it might not be practical for the normal person. Having a brake would be nice but it would need to be a wide one and that rules out alot of DIYers. If you make it yourself, do you have a mig welder ? Possibly some small round tubing to make a length wise frame and weld some sheet metal to that. The ends could be some slightly thicker sheet metal than the rest of the drawer and the only thing you would need a brake for.

cliftonbros89 · Nov 1, 2016

NUTTSGT said:
To run the full width, you're going to need some strength and to be lightweight, some aluminum would be nice.

Since that takes a little different method to weld, it might not be practical for the normal person. Having a brake would be nice but it would need to be a wide one and that rules out alot of DIYers. If you make it yourself, do you have a mig welder ? Possibly some small round tubing to make a length wise frame and weld some sheet metal to that. The ends could be some slightly thicker sheet metal than the rest of the drawer and the only thing you would need a brake for.

I was maybe thinking aluminum as well. I just wasn't sure how much it would cost. I know a few guys that could weld the aluminum for me. Just a matter of finding some that'd be the right size and thin enough. That's why I'm thinking I may have to go to a local service shop that does a lot of fab work and welding.

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cliftonbros89 · Nov 1, 2016

I'm also not sure at full length what gauge of steel would be good to use. If it was say 4.5" wide, with the length I know I couldn't go too thin. But I don't want it to be too heavy either.

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R_einan · Nov 8, 2016

I'm guessing 18 minimum

cliftonbros89 · Jan 4, 2017

Finally came up with a solution. Had some help with it as I don't have a brake to work with. Used 16 gauge steel and 3/4" angle for the hangers. Just made 2 for now. One for my drawer with some of my pry bars, scrapers, punches and chisels. Then another for my ratchets and extensions in my socket drawer.

I cleaned them up a bit, cleaned up the corners. Then I sprayed them to match the box and put drawer liner in the bottom of them. I'm really happy with them. I'd say there's a chance I make make a few more later down the road as my box becomes a bit more full.

Rockyboy · Jan 4, 2017

Now your talk'in, better get a patent'

Ideas for Tray for Tool Box Drawers

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