Pull-out work surface

[dillon_b12]

I've been working on adding a pull-out work surface between my Craftsman 40" top and bottom chests and have been looking for ideas on the best way to go about doing it.

I know the Masterforce brand boxes from Menard's have that feature, but there isn't a Menard's near me and I've only been able to find one picture which doesn't really show me much. Does anyone have pictures of the Masterforce pull out drawer?

I'd appreciate any suggestions or tips on making this as simply as possible. Ideally, it will not attach to either box in any way as I don't want to drill any holes or modify the top/bottom box at all.

Here are a few pictures of what I've come up with so far. This is set-up for 14" 100lb rated, full extension, soft-close drawer slides. It's 2" box tube for the frame, and some angle iron to give it a lip to hold the top box securely. It will all be painted to match and the box tube will get end caps to clean everything up.

 

[lewis26]

This is pretty cool actually

 

[TomB19]

Awesome idea. I'd buy the hell out of that.

 

[rick carpenter]

Awesome idea! But my first thoughts are that it will be a little wobbly for a work surface when extended on slides. How about constructing the frame with a recessed angle iron front which then mounts securely between your boxes via their mounting holes, and have a removeable work surface that hangs off of that with triangular supports on the sides? It would be simple and a little more secure, and with loaded boxes you could go even a little wider & deeper than a pull-out surface. The downside to this is storing it when not in use, but you could figure out how to hang it from a side or even off the back if you had to.

Any way you do it, we'll need some pics!

 

[dillon_b12]

It definitely won't be super sturdy, but it's meant more as just a table top as opposed to a proper work bench. They do make hold-open drawer slides in this same size that would probably help secure the work surface somewhat.

They also make "base-mount" 150lb slides that would allow me to shrink everything vertically, which would be nice since the box is already fairly tall, but they are about $80 as opposed to $20 for either the soft-close or hold-open standard side mount slides.

I'm having a bit of a hard time imaging what you are describing, Rick, but I know if I had to manually hang something every time I wanted a little work surface at my box, I would never use it.

 

[abvw]

The biggest problem I had when using those work surfaces:
The top chest drawers are inaccessible.

 

[bobcatdan]

Personally, I think pull out work surfaces are the stupidest gimmicky idea about as possible on a tool box. I never buy a box with one because I think it is such a waste of space that could have given another row of 2" drawers. Now I could bend from my stance if shelf slide out from the side as to not impede drawer usage.

 

[Macrosloth]

Have shelf fold up from the side if the sides are accessible.. More stable, and does not block the other drawers.

 

[Zeke]

The biggest problem is that you have to clear off your tray to open the drawer above it. Why not add flip up or pull out wings to each side? I think the poster a^b^o^v^e meant the top drawers of the bottom chest are inaccessible but I won't put words in his mouth.

 

[rick carpenter]

Oh well, I figured that since you'll always have to remove everything to slide the top in my idea wouldn't be that different.

Still though... pics needed when complete.

 

[bareass172]

One of my chests has that feature, I too thought it was stupid when I got it (got the chest super cheap) but I find myself using it ALL THE TIME. Yes, it is annoying as hell when I need to get in the drawer behind it, but I still find myself using it a lot. Your design is very similar to what I have, mine is just a slim drawer on slides remade as a shelf. If you anchor your square tube sides to the box it will be every bit as solid as mine. Mine also has these little tabs that flip up to prevent me from accidentally bumping it closed and having my work fall on the floor. They engage when the shelf is fully extended, but you could put them anywhere you wanted.
Good luck with it, you look like you've got a solid idea.

 

[ttpete]

I have a Snap-on folding shelf that hooks on the edge of my taco wagon just like a side box would. It has a brace that supports the outside edge of the shelf and it's very sturdy.

 

[Squashfest81]

I vote for a hinged "cover" for a less used drawer. Pull the drawer out for the work surface and lift the cover to access the drawer.

 

[bareass172]

I vote for a hinged "cover" for a less used drawer. Pull the drawer out for the work surface and lift the cover to access the drawer.

Super smart idea... You could really just make a flat sheet with a folded lip on each side and a small fold down ring to lift it by.

 

[dillon_b12]

One of my chests has that feature, I too thought it was stupid when I got it (got the chest super cheap) but I find myself using it ALL THE TIME. Yes, it is annoying as hell when I need to get in the drawer behind it, but I still find myself using it a lot. Your design is very similar to what I have, mine is just a slim drawer on slides remade as a shelf. If you anchor your square tube sides to the box it will be every bit as solid as mine. Mine also has these little tabs that flip up to prevent me from accidentally bumping it closed and having my work fall on the floor. They engage when the shelf is fully extended, but you could put them anywhere you wanted.
Good luck with it, you look like you've got a solid idea.

What brand is that box? I like the flip-up retainers. If the hold-open slides aren't enough, something like that would be really nice.

I knew my design would obstruct the top 2 drawers of the bottom box, but I don't plan on having a ton of frequently used tools in those drawers anyway. This would be more for minor disassembly, and all my drivers, sockets, etc... are in the top box.

As far as having to clean it off to close the shelf, I prefer that since it should prevent me from junking up the shelf and leaving it that way. The first bottom drawer should be 4-5" below the bottom of the work surface, so it should be possible to reach a hand in there at least partially. I could also mount the work surface lower on the slides which would allow anything under 1.5" or so to stay on the shelf during closing, but that would mean the slides would create a lip and make the work surface more of a half-*** drawer than a flat work top.

My box doesn't have any full length drawers so going to a drawer cover as a work surface would substantially reduce work space and a fully loaded drawer wouldn't have much weight capacity remaining for whatever you are setting on top of it.

This is the box I'm working with:

 

[dillon_b12]

Personally, I think pull out work surfaces are the stupidest gimmicky idea about as possible on a tool box. I never buy a box with one because I think it is such a waste of space that could have given another row of 2" drawers. Now I could bend from my stance if shelf slide out from the side as to not impede drawer usage.

That could easily be done, but you'd probably have to limit the shelf length or add some sort of fold out support if you went with one full length shelf. How about dual slide out side shelves?

 

[zkling]

If it works for you, great. It is not exactly a new idea, craftsman did it for a while back in the 80's-90's by making a drawer into a work platform. Menards? I think produces a few boxes with a work platform instead of a drawer on the bottom of their top box.

The biggest problem I had when using those work surfaces:
The top chest drawers are inaccessible.

There was a joke I've heard a few times that the reason kennedy produces a middle box for their machinist chests, is so you can access the bottom drawer of the top box. Another reason why I am a fan of full depth top boxes, it makes you not stack items in front of the bottom drawer, to an extent.

Me? Well I'm pretty dumb and clumsy, so I can just see myself working on something, go to retrieve something out of the bottom drawer and while standing up, proceeding to hit my head on the pull out platform.

 

[dillon_b12]

I'm not worried about it being an original idea since I have no intentions to try and sell anything like this. It's 100% for my own use.

Yes, Menard's offers some boxes that have the feature.

I'm just trying to think of the best way to add some work space without permanently modifying my box in any way so I can retain the lifetime warranty and without buying the side cabinet that matches this box since it's currently $389.99 at Sears, which is over half what I paid for this entire combo.

This box is at my work where we do have plenty of work tables, but I want at least one area to myself.

 

[bareass172]

What brand is that box? I like the flip-up retainers. If the hold-open slides aren't enough, something like that would be really nice.

It is a Husky all stainless box I got a couple years ago on clearance. It's actually made by Waterloo.

 

[Ilikeike]

I took keyboard slide out off my office desk,I've been thinking of ways to use it or a variation of it in my home shop, you have a good idea.

 

[tbaggz]

Flip up on side of box,cart style?

 

[bfm336]

Oh man I was at Menards today and just happened to see this for the first time - yes it is awesome!

I'm just thinking when putzing in the garage and need a quick addition work surface it would work well. Bummer I didn't go later in the day or could have taken a picture for you. The one at Menards is a shiny chrome top with an etched square pattern (like a checkerboard really small).

 

[rharman]

This is what I did for mine. Not as wide a box though. Plywood & 1x3.

 

[dillon_b12]

Looks good, Roger.

Did you secure the top box to the frame in any way?

 

[rharman]

Looks good, Roger.

Did you secure the top box to the frame in any way?

#8x1-1/4" truss head screws both directions. If doing it again, I'd probably through-bolt it.

But, not long after, I added this to the back and that adds some structure and restraint against movement. Good spot for all my vacuum accessories.

 

[rharman]

Personally, I think pull out work surfaces are the stupidest gimmicky idea about as possible on a tool box. I never buy a box with one because I think it is such a waste of space that could have given another row of 2" drawers. Now I could bend from my stance if shelf slide out from the side as to not impede drawer usage.

Since I added mine, it's been so handy I can't imagine not having it. And, I still have the side shelf flip-up that I can use if needed.

Of course, I planned it so it would not impede on any of the drawers.