Make Your Own Box: Price?
- Thread starter Bull
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Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
What size are you taking about? How many drawers, ball bearing or friction slides, quality of castors, trim apportionments....
Did 84BuickTurbo ever come up with a price for that wood box he made?
Did 84BuickTurbo ever come up with a price for that wood box he made?
I don't have any specifics about what kind of drawers, slides, casters etc. I am not really knowledgeable about expensive tool boxes because I will most likely never be able to drop money on one. Maybe one of you chaps could pick a So "standard" that everyone loves and we'll use that one as the model.
If it's 25% of retail, that's pretty cool.
If it's 25% of retail, that's pretty cool.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
I'd tend to think you could do it for 25% or less of retail of a big truck brand. That's assuming close to the same tolerances for castors, slides, same metal gauge, etc. And there is a learning curve, of course. The second and third ones should come out better than the first.
Now quality of workmanship isn't going to be nearly as good. But it should be much better than most foreign made boxes!
Now quality of workmanship isn't going to be nearly as good. But it should be much better than most foreign made boxes!
So, someone so inclined could make a box of the same quality as a comparable SO box, right here in the US, sell it for 50% of the SO price, and still make a profit for themselves?
Or just keep it and save 75% over buying one?
Or just keep it and save 75% over buying one?
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
I think to make one of comparable quality to a SnapOn box, 1) you'd have to be really good at metal work and fabrication, and 2) you'd have to put a lot of hours on it over a period of time. Likely, you'd have a a Snap on box in your shop that you could make comparisons to as well.
As far as what you could sell it for...that's where it comes tricky. Would I buy a homemade box off someone, or would I buy a used truck brand box for the same price off CL or eBay? No matter how nice your box is, you have to convince someone yours is a better buy. And are you going to warranty your box? What if you move or stop answering my phone calls when some of the slides break and I need replacements?!
As far as what you could sell it for...that's where it comes tricky. Would I buy a homemade box off someone, or would I buy a used truck brand box for the same price off CL or eBay? No matter how nice your box is, you have to convince someone yours is a better buy. And are you going to warranty your box? What if you move or stop answering my phone calls when some of the slides break and I need replacements?!
tonydanzah
Well-known member
i would buy a non warrantied brand new usa made snap on clone box for 35% of retail.
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Is that what SO boxes sell for on eBay and CL, 50% of new?
As far as what you could sell it for...that's where it comes tricky. Would I buy a homemade box off someone, or would I buy a used truck brand box for the same price off CL or eBay? No matter how nice your box is, you have to convince someone yours is a better buy. And are you going to warranty your box? What if you move or stop answering my phone calls when some of the slides break and I need replacements?!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1773
Haven't heard much from MXtras lately, but he made some really nice cabinets.
Haven't heard much from MXtras lately, but he made some really nice cabinets.
Griff93
Well-known member
I'd considered doing this myself before I bought my KRL1001. I priced materials to make a similar sized box I was into it about $1600 before paint. The downside for me is I don't have a metal brake or sheer. I'd still kinda like to build my own tool box but I have a bunch of other projects that come first. I figured I could build it and then sell my KRL.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
I'm sure some do...though I'd imagine the bulk sell for 30-40%. What I was trying to say was I think it would be difficult to sell a homemade box for big money b/c of the fact it is homemade...even if the quality is spectacular. So if someone wanted to build one, it would be best for their own use. That's what 84TurboBuick did.
tonydanzah
Well-known member
Wasn't his box made of wood though? It was very well built but were talking about a metal box here.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Yes, it was made of wood. The point is still the same.
Stick Figure
Well-known member
Biggest problem i see with this is if you have the tools and skill to make a box just as good as the Snap on you are copying, then you could probably be using those skills and tools to make something that someone doesn't all ready make that will make you more money than the box would cost. Especially if you factor in used boxes.
Personally for me after cleaning up a few used boxes, (minor body work and repainting) i was ready to pay the snap on man, and i did.
Personally for me after cleaning up a few used boxes, (minor body work and repainting) i was ready to pay the snap on man, and i did.
LoneGunman
Well-known member
Stick Figure is right on the money.
mkdive
Well-known member
9GUY9
Well-known member
if some one is capable of making a box in their home that rivals snap on in fit and finish I would love to see it. I'm all for DIY but making a tool box at home in a reasonable amount of time for less than buying one seams hard to believe.
tonydanzah
Well-known member
not really
J.A.F.E.
Well-known member
If you are building for yourself and possibly a couple close buds that's one thing. Could be a blast and you'd get exactly the layout you wanted. But unless you are very skilled at sheet metal fab don't expect the same reesults fit and finish wise.
If you're trying to make side money, good luck. You'd have to do design, setup, build jigs, etc so the front end would be heavy in setup. Then you have to advertise and market. And then shipping/delivery and distribution.
If you're trying to make side money, good luck. You'd have to do design, setup, build jigs, etc so the front end would be heavy in setup. Then you have to advertise and market. And then shipping/delivery and distribution.
speed bump
Well-known member
After working with guys that bend tin for a living I can tell you someone skilled enough to make tool boxes and has all the equipment to do it can bill himself out of his garage for $60-120 an hour+material markup depending on the location. After needing to spend all the time with the CNC plasma table, brake, spot welder, and then dealing with powder coating you would come out money ahead to work and buy the box.
I have been in a few tin benders shops where they had custom built boxes but they sure as heck weren't ultra high quality boxes you guys to seem to be interested in.
I have been in a few tin benders shops where they had custom built boxes but they sure as heck weren't ultra high quality boxes you guys to seem to be interested in.
Nealcrenshaw
Well-known member
I knew someone was going to eventually use this logic,which is far off from the question.
mkdive
Well-known member
They might not be the prettiest...but I would love to see them. I can appreciate someone's hard work and vision when they build something themselves!
Snap50
Well-known member
My brother made his own motorcycle fuel tank.
He said it was the last time he would ever do that!
Similar situation?
He said it was the last time he would ever do that!
Similar situation?
tylerae40
Well-known member
I belive it could be done with the right tools and enough time. One of the things i've found is that your own time- after work is free, your not doing a job and paying yourself, your enjoying yourself! So materials would be your only cost. If (i may in the future) I had axcess too a sheet metal shear, bender and spot welder i'd be quite happy to make my own box- even if it looked like ****, i'd make it the way i want it, to my specs, I'd probaly use off cuts where i could, wouldn't bother me. I think if the dude wants to make one, have a go, do and learn!
Mickey O
Well-known member
Those are some awesome links illustrating what can be done and at a reasonable price (very cheap in the one case).
I'm not sure what the cost would be if you bought all new materials but I would love to build my own box exactly the way I wanted it. The problem is I don't have the equipment and no longer work at a place that does.
I was at an auction for a HVAC contractor that had a full sheet metal fab shop, I was thinking how nice it would be to have about a week in this shop to build a box for myself.
Stick Figure
Well-known member
First those cabinets in the link are awesome, and i would love to have some like that for home. The thing that i didn't see that would not qualify them as a tool box in my eyes is a locking system. Which is just one more expense to think about.
porschedude996TT
Well-known member
I know it could be done but...
I would say that it would be easier to comb the beach for change and collect beverage bottles and return them for cash and then buy a used box. The time involved and the cost of materials is preventative unless you have a whole lot of time on your hands.
I guess you could forge your own wrenches and cast and machine you own pneumatic impact driver too, but i would rather spend the time on something else.
Building the box that is as well made as a SO, MAC, or others would be a crowning achievement, but a long one.
I would say that it would be easier to comb the beach for change and collect beverage bottles and return them for cash and then buy a used box. The time involved and the cost of materials is preventative unless you have a whole lot of time on your hands.
I guess you could forge your own wrenches and cast and machine you own pneumatic impact driver too, but i would rather spend the time on something else.
Building the box that is as well made as a SO, MAC, or others would be a crowning achievement, but a long one.
Mickey O
Well-known member
I don't think time would be the issue at all unless you were trying to do it cheaply and slowly gathering free stuff. The planning of exactly what you wanted might take a bit of time but fabrication once you know what you are going to do would be rather quick provided you had the material and tools.
84TurboBuick
Well-known member
All told, I probably had around $1200 in the whole thing.
It really wouldn't matter if you used wood or steel, the base building stock is relatively cheap....
Like others mentioned already, the slides, handles, casters and the other little stuff is what adds up!