Modifying a cheap tool box

[Jtels85]

I received a Craftsman 1000 series bottom and top chest as a gift for Christmas. The gift was a kind gesture, however the quality of this thing leaves a lot left to be desired. I was worried that it would collapse under its own weight, but so far it’s holding up well... So I’m thinking about modifying this thing into a rolling tool cart.

I don’t necessarily want to exceed the maximum weight of this thing so it’ll be for lighter weight items. I’m considering replacing the original casters with 4 swivel casters (2 that lock). What other modifications could I potentially do to this thing for a DIY, garage setting? I see people using magnetic power strips, paper towel holders, etc... what have you done to your tool cart? Throw some ideas at me.

 

[jgromada]

I had a real cheap bottom box/top box 26". I think you are attacking it correctly with focusing it on the casters. don't know if you have the ability to weld but i have seen on Youtube where people have upgraded their casters but more importantly the bottom plate. Just something to think about.

Then as long as you don't over load drawers you should be ok. I gave away that top box to my neighbor, but the bottom of the old one needs to be reinforced before i can really do anything with it.

 

[Al Borland]

As far as the bottom plate goes, if the bottom of the box is flat, add a panel of plywood the same size as the bottom under the box and bolt the casters thru it into the box.

 

[subroc]

Don't try to put lipstick on a pig. I don't say that as a criticism but more as a way to think about what you have there. I have 8 Craftsman boxes here with 3 bottom boxes, 3 top boxes and 2 middle sections so I use it and think highly of the older stuff. That said, I wouldn't know 1000 series from a hole in the snow. If it is a light duty box, maybe using it as a heavy duty box or cart isn't the best job for it. Throwing 100 pounds of hammers in one drawer might not be the right choice yet storage for lighter items might be a far better use for it.

I expect if you need to, casters might be a fine upgrade but spending additional money on upgrades would be a waste in my view. Save the money for a set up that does have the needed strength and rigidity to be used as a cart. Even a good used set up might do.

Good luck with the new tool box as well as whatever decision you make.

 

[Bogie1632]

Check out the Harbor Freight 4/5 drawer mod thread for some ideas.

Yes...no, yours isn't a tool cart, but there a ton of great ideas in that thread. Some are sure to spark some ideas on what you could do with your box.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137365

V/R
Bogie

 

[Chucktin]

Harbor freight has good inexpensive casters and they list load per wheel.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[Model A Fan]

Maybe "box" the frame with some L bracing on the corners? That would give the box rigidity without messing with the frame a whole lot. That would keep it from twisting when pushed if heavy.

 

[Rickster]

Bigger wheels and add some of those HF corner guards to beef it up. Maybe a fold up side tray too or build a side bracket to store some long pry bars.

 

[plinker]

Quite a while ago, I had taken an inexpensive Craftsman roller box, removed the casters and installed it on a square tube frame I built (on casters) that was long enough to add a spot for a welding gas bottle. Parked the welder on the top of the box and instant welding cart with storage built in.

The box only has 50lb slides which is enough for grinders & grinding supplies, various other welding tid bits, squares & levels, ete...

 

[Jtels85]

Wow! Lots of great ideas. I didn’t think of the folding side tray, I will look into that.

Unfortunately, I do not know how to weld nor do I have any experience. I have friend who has very little experience, but getting the box to him would be more of a hassle than it’s worth.

This modified box will likely just contain basic hand tools such as sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and other odds & ends, so it wouldn’t be that heavy. It would be nice to have something that I can take with me to my work space in the garage, driveway or basement without having to constantly get up to get grab a tool.

 

[Jtels85]

Quite a while ago, I had taken an inexpensive Craftsman roller box, removed the casters and installed it on a square tube frame I built (on casters) that was long enough to add a spot for a welding gas bottle. Parked the welder on the top of the box and instant welding cart with storage built in.

The box only has 50lb slides which is enough for grinders & grinding supplies, various other welding tid bits, squares & levels, ete...

I do like that! Your box is similar to mine except for the color.

 

[redneck79]

Wow! Lots of great ideas. I didn’t think of the folding side tray, I will look into that.

Unfortunately, I do not know how to weld nor do I have any experience. I have friend who has very little experience, but getting the box to him would be more of a hassle than it’s worth.

This modified box will likely just contain basic hand tools such as sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and other odds & ends, so it wouldn’t be that heavy. It would be nice to have something that I can take with me to my work space in the garage, driveway or basement without having to constantly get up to get grab a tool.

Would be a handy electrical box cases of connectors, **** connectors heat shrink tubing and solderless wiring connectors,fuses,wires, strippers and wire crimpers, types of electrical tape and solder gun,iron, butane torch pen, keychain mini torch for melting the heat shrink and the solderless wiring connectors lol,dvom meter, meter leads, jumper wires and test leads, electric rated insulated screwdrivers, and a precision screwdriver and maybe a torx mini screwdriver set. Power probe,scope on a rope,some sort of scan tool stuff like that??

 

[redneck79]

You know I just thought of something I hadn't myself harbor freight and like torin, titan tools and even craftsman and OEM tools have a series of strong magnetic holders maybe you could mount a tray on the side of it like that or use a old cart one of the older roll around air compressors or decent size fans used to sit on and modify that or harbor freight and Lowes have these metal pull around hand carts usually with pneumatic tires, maybe modify one of those?!

 

[mepstein]

I have an old cheap box that I use to keep rarely used tools. It’s organized, I rarely use it, but it’s better than keeping the stuff in a box.

 

[whateg01]

Everybody has an opinion on this, but here's mine. 4 swivels on a heavy box is a pita to get to go in the desired direction. If you have to have them to get it to it's parking spot, ok, but if that's not an issue, I would avoid them. On light carts where you can really control the whole thing they aren't so bad.

 

[nadogail]

I a up flatbed cart from Pallet Rack Load Beams and welded Heavy Duty Casters to the bottom of the frame.

I had the only "Fork Liftable" Toolbox in the plant.

 

[mrvm]

I see people using magnetic power strips, paper towel holders, etc... what have you done to your tool cart? Throw some ideas at me.

HF side shelf mod, towel holders, glove box and tray was worth it.

 

[redneck79]

Everybody has an opinion on this, but here's mine. 4 swivels on a heavy box is a pita to get to go in the desired direction. If you have to have them to get it to it's parking spot, ok, but if that's not an issue, I would avoid them. On light carts where you can really control the whole thing they aren't so bad.

Swivel casters with a brake on one end of the box otherwise you have to fight it everytime you move it.

 

[redneck79]

I a up flatbed cart from Pallet Rack Load Beams and welded Heavy Duty Casters to the bottom of the frame.

I had the only "Fork Liftable" Toolbox in the plant.

Sweet now that is thinking,how can I make it easier on myself if I have to move this darn thing lol.

 

[redneck79]

HF side shelf mod, towel holders, glove box and tray was worth it.

Nice box setup.

 

[mobileHman]

Sorry wrong thread! On my HF roller, I want to take off the top lift cover hinge and install drawer sliders on the top cover so I can stack stuff on top of the chest and still slide it open to get inside the top cavity space. Either that or just cut big slots in the front and back so I can stick my hands into the cavity to get stuff without lifting the top.