New box, questions on liner & organization

[soloz2]

I have a couple questions on drawer liner for the tool chest I just picked up. This is my first tool chest so I don't have any experience with previous liners other than the cheap stuff from hd/walmart.

The chest is 30" wide base that is a bit rough. The bottom door is missing and one of the trays has many dents, but it is fully functional other than that. The person I bought it from said it is an old snap on, and there is a sticker but I don't see any way to know for sure one way or the other. The top chest is an older proto box and is in overall good condition. The previous owner painted both green which I kinda like. I paid $160 for the pair which I think is a pretty good deal even though they are older and the bottom chest has seen better days. After purchasing the box I went to lowes and picked up some $5 socket trays!

I have searched and read numerous threads and have seen many recommendations for the liner purchased on ebay from mtryan33. I see that they sell several different liners in black and colors as well as solid and mesh.

I sent him a couple messages asking the difference between the black and colored liner other than color and thickness but have not received a response. The main liner options are 18" or 24" wide, but he also has 32" wide that appears to be a better deal, not sure if it is the same material that was recommended though. Has anyone purchased more than one type and could help me out? Does anyone know if they are all chemical resistant and non-slip? Is it normal not to receive a response from him?

Also, what does everyone use for a top liner in between the bottom and top boxes?

Other than the socket organizers is there anything that works well for wrenches? I have lots of wrenches and a couple of the hf metal holders.

I know I have lot sof questions here, but like I said this is my first real tool box/chest. I've been using one of the plastic 4 drawer socket organizers from Sears and my wrenches have been in holders. The rest of my tools have been spread all over. I can't wait to get it all set up. Thanks for your help!

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[zkling]

Hi Solo, I would recommend you read through the "Lets see your tool box thread" warning it will consume hours of your life. But you will get some good ideas on how others organize their boxes what not.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466&page=501

I don't like socket trays personally, I feel they are $ (well the kobalt ain't bad) and take up valuable space. I just stand my sockets on end in the top compartment, I hardly ever move my box, so I really don't worry about the domino effect. For wrenches and pliers I use pieces of coiled solid wire. Just take a good piece of copper electrical wire and wrap it around a broom stick or the like. See attached photos.

As for the liner, sorry I really can't help you on that. I myself am on the look out for cheap liner as well. In the past I have just used shelf liner that I find on the discount rack at walmart and the like. I have seen people use everything from cork, foam, solid sheets of rubber, shelf liner like I do, yoga mats, carpet, carpet padding, even wood. etc. Personally I am not a fan of having something between the top and bottom box, except for maybe apiece of wood or sheet metal. Why? Because most liners will absorb a liquid and hold that liquid between the boxes, if you were ever to spill something on it.

For your box I would recommend putting a thick slab of wood between the top and bottom. Not only will it protect the top of the bottom box, but it will help to distribute the weight of the top box, especially since the top and bottom don't match in width. Otherwise you run the risk of warping the top panel of the bottom box. Smaller tool boxes like that are only designed to be loaded at the edges where the weight will be transferred into the side panels, and not put the top in bending.

To ID your boxes, can you post a few more detailed pics? Like a close up of the bottom box? Actually open the top box. Things like that. The more pics you provide, the more likely someone will be able to ID it. I'm digging the greeen.

 

[Moose97]

No idea what type box the bottom is but I think it's a really good price and I dig the color.

 

[jjjrmx5]

For my Snap-On cart I use what was supplied which is the Snap-On liner.

If on the cheap, I suggest the HF black dwr. liner.
With the 20% or 25% coupon the rolls can be had cheaply.

Yes, tools can slide, but anything short of the KRL liner (mad expensive) or going with a stickier mat (which also collects grime, dirt and metal shavings), dwr. liners are a fine balance of quality meets cost meets keeping your tools in place.

As for what to put in between top and bottom box, I use ribbed black rubber roll flooring you can buy at the hardware store by the linear foot.AKA stair runner.

Good at keeping chemicals off the metals and keeping things from scratching the paint.

I have also seen masonite used as well as pressed cardboard/mat board (not corrugated).
I also use the pressed cardboard /mat board in my dwrs with air tools or tools used around lubricants as teh cardboard acts to wick and absorb oils before they soak into the liner below the cardboard. And it's easily replaceable.
1/8" plywood is also an option on the roll cab top. Also there is Sintra , Kydex or any other ABS style sheet good available in many thicknesses.

The stair runner idea can also be cut to use as dwr liner but tools tend to slide around alot.

I;ve also seen cut down web press rubber printing blankets used as dwr liner in the printing industry.

I use black sheet rubber roofing cut to size from scraps (for doing older house porch roofs or commerical roofs) in the open and exposed bottom of my service carts. Keeps chemicals at bay and is easy to replace.

Most carts come with nothing down there but paint.

 

[Golgoroth]

I have been using scrap pieces of this gasket material with the "cloth" finish to line my HF5 cart drawers. http://www.garlock.com/en/product/8314-premium-epdm#prettyPhoto


The cloth finish holds tools in place like glue!

 

[soloz2]

Hi Solo, I would recommend you read through the "Lets see your tool box thread" warning it will consume hours of your life. But you will get some good ideas on how others organize their boxes what not.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466&page=501

I don't like socket trays personally, I feel they are $ (well the kobalt ain't bad) and take up valuable space. I just stand my sockets on end in the top compartment, I hardly ever move my box, so I really don't worry about the domino effect. For wrenches and pliers I use pieces of coiled solid wire. Just take a good piece of copper electrical wire and wrap it around a broom stick or the like. See attached photos.

As for the liner, sorry I really can't help you on that. I myself am on the look out for cheap liner as well. In the past I have just used shelf liner that I find on the discount rack at walmart and the like. I have seen people use everything from cork, foam, solid sheets of rubber, shelf liner like I do, yoga mats, carpet, carpet padding, even wood. etc. Personally I am not a fan of having something between the top and bottom box, except for maybe apiece of wood or sheet metal. Why? Because most liners will absorb a liquid and hold that liquid between the boxes, if you were ever to spill something on it.

For your box I would recommend putting a thick slab of wood between the top and bottom. Not only will it protect the top of the bottom box, but it will help to distribute the weight of the top box, especially since the top and bottom don't match in width. Otherwise you run the risk of warping the top panel of the bottom box. Smaller tool boxes like that are only designed to be loaded at the edges where the weight will be transferred into the side panels, and not put the top in bending.

To ID your boxes, can you post a few more detailed pics? Like a close up of the bottom box? Actually open the top box. Things like that. The more pics you provide, the more likely someone will be able to ID it. I'm digging the greeen.

I'll try to take some more pics this weekend... Will be crazy busy the next few days.
In my spare time I'll look through that thread.
And I really like your coiled wire idea for wrenches! I might have to try it out.

No idea what type box the bottom is but I think it's a really good price and I dig the color.

I really like the color too! Had a good time picking it up too. It was about an hour away so my wife and I took a drive on Sunday, we went to lowes, then Joann fabrics and Michaels for her.

For my Snap-On cart I use what was supplied which is the Snap-On liner.

If on the cheap, I suggest the HF black dwr. liner.
With the 20% or 25% coupon the rolls can be had cheaply.

Yes, tools can slide, but anything short of the KRL liner (mad expensive) or going with a stickier mat (which also collects grime, dirt and metal shavings), dwr. liners are a fine balance of quality meets cost meets keeping your tools in place.

As for what to put in between top and bottom box, I use ribbed black rubber roll flooring you can buy at the hardware store by the linear foot.AKA stair runner.

Good at keeping chemicals off the metals and keeping things from scratching the paint.

I have also seen masonite used as well as pressed cardboard/mat board (not corrugated).
I also use the pressed cardboard /mat board in my dwrs with air tools or tools used around lubricants as teh cardboard acts to wick and absorb oils before they soak into the liner below the cardboard. And it's easily replaceable.
1/8" plywood is also an option on the roll cab top. Also there is Sintra , Kydex or any other ABS style sheet good available in many thicknesses.

The stair runner idea can also be cut to use as dwr liner but tools tend to slide around alot.

I;ve also seen cut down web press rubber printing blankets used as dwr liner in the printing industry.

I use black sheet rubber roofing cut to size from scraps (for doing older house porch roofs or commerical roofs) in the open and exposed bottom of my service carts. Keeps chemicals at bay and is easy to replace.

Most carts come with nothing down there but paint.

I am hoping to make it to the local lumber yard tomorrow morning before work so I can see what they charge for the rubber roofing for the base. I had also seen stair runner recommended in another thread and wanted to see how much it was as well.

I have been using scrap pieces of this gasket material with the "cloth" finish to line my HF5 cart drawers. http://www.garlock.com/en/product/8314-premium-epdm#prettyPhoto


The cloth finish holds tools in place like glue!

I just clicked on buy now to see how much that costs and got a security ticket warning in my phone...

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[zkling]

And I really like your coiled wire idea for wrenches! I might have to try it out.

Not my idea, just one of the many things I picked up from the clever folks on here. Works well, saves space, clean, very economical to make. What's not to like? If you don't like it, just stretch the wire back out and put it in your wire bin.

 

[soloz2]

Well I stopped at the local lumber yard today... No drawer liner, rubber roofing or rubber stair runners so ill have to see if I can make it to HF this weekend.
Still no response from the seller on the ebay liner so I think I'll pass on it and look at HF or yoga mats

I don't really have a lot of heavy gauge wire... Lots in sizes under 18awg in solid conductor and stranded, even 99.99% silver, but not much heavy enough to hold up wrenches... 18 might do it, but it would likely be pushing it. What awg is recommended?

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[JJThrasher]

Menards carries a great drawer liner. Its kind of pricey, but damn it grips tools good.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HAYHH0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This is what I use for wrench racks. USA made steel. They don't clip in the wrenches so you can just slide the wrenches in and out.

 

[zkling]

What awg is recommended?

I just grabbed a short piece of romex out of my "too useful to toss bin" IIRC it was ~12 or 14ga. The heavier stuff works good for the pliers. I wouldn't go heavier than 10, more likely 12ga though. I wrapped it around a broom handle ~1" dia? Then stretched each coil out so it would fit the individual wrenches/pliers.

Menards carries a great drawer liner. Its kind of pricey, but damn it grips tools good.

Would you have a link or description for that? How expensive are we talking? Is it solid or webbed style?

 

[JJThrasher]

Would you have a link or description for that? How expensive are we talking? Is it solid or webbed style?

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...chest-tool-drawer-liner/p-1454073-c-12931.htm

I think its this. I'll try to see if I still have some in the pack. It was about $100 to do my 40" top and bottom. Its solid, black, and $10 a roll. It was the only kind they had in the tool box isle when I went. It doesn't feel sticky, but it grabs your tools like it has some half dried syrup spilled on it or something.

 

[soloz2]

If only Menards was in NY.... so many fond memories from when I worked there in HS. lol

I'll prob stop at lowes or HD this weekend and pick up some wire from their scraps.

 

[Golgoroth]

I just clicked on buy now to see how much that costs and got a security ticket warning in my phone...

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I don't know why it came up with a security warning as on my computer it takes me to the distributor log in page.

After a quick google search, I don't think this product would be available for most from the manufacturer but, any industrial or plumbing supply house that does custom gasket cutting might have this material on hand. You might even be able to get some scrap to line smaller drawers for cheap/free as there is a lot of wastage when making a 4' dia gasket out of a square piece of material.

For a rough guesstemite on pricing, the last time we aquired a 48"x25' roll it rang in at around $500.

 

[soloz2]

Last weekend I picked up some yoga mats for $5 each and went to town... overall I'm very pleased with the outcome and how much more organized I feel without spending a whole lot of $$$. I've also picked up a few more tools...

 

[zkling]

Very nice. I'm liking the blue against the bright green. Looks very clean and organized.

Where did you get the yoga mats for $5 each?

 

[soloz2]

I went to 5 Below. Most stuff there is crappy, but they have some hidden gems. I also picked up a Timbuk2 case for my Kindle... only $5!

 

[jusridin]

Oh man! that coiled wire trick is friggin killing me! I have emptied three drawers just in wrenches! tomorrow I am gonna do the plier drawers and Monday I might get to the cresent wrench drawers!
thanks for the post!
now I need more tools!