Smokeshow69
Well-known member
The mini boxes are getting a workout today. My son is loving putting Lego pieces in them while he builds his sets!
Show your "Mini" Tool Box.
- Thread starter NUTTSGT
- Start date
jollygreengiant
Well-known member
I think you're right. My local CT has some in stock again, but their list price is 20% higher than it was 3 weeks ago.
I finished up the 3d models for adding drawer slides, lid stopper, and feet to the Kobalt mini boxes.
Sorry for the lack of detailed instructions but you basically need to cut out the box internals and the old slides off the drawers then drill some holes to mount up the new brackets.
Eventually I'll refine the process and write up some instructions as the blue toolbox is just my prototype one and kinda beat up with a bunch of extra holes but I don't have time to go any further with the project right now.
Sorry for the lack of detailed instructions but you basically need to cut out the box internals and the old slides off the drawers then drill some holes to mount up the new brackets.
Eventually I'll refine the process and write up some instructions as the blue toolbox is just my prototype one and kinda beat up with a bunch of extra holes but I don't have time to go any further with the project right now.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Here’s mine. Lives under the back seat of my truck.
Typically gets used for minor mechanical repairs and the inevitable “surprise maintenance” that happens at my in-laws or whatever.
I replaced the factory latch with a butterfly latch that’s MUCH more secure.
The tools are primarily just general service stuff, nothing crazy.
Typically gets used for minor mechanical repairs and the inevitable “surprise maintenance” that happens at my in-laws or whatever.
I replaced the factory latch with a butterfly latch that’s MUCH more secure.
The tools are primarily just general service stuff, nothing crazy.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Took me way too long to find this thread, but here we go. 3D printed some non-marring feet for my Menards Performax mini toolbox.
Promptly filled it with sharp objects.
Promptly filled it with sharp objects.
craftsman creep
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2022
- Messages
- 299
Got this little guy for things but I do want a couple of those HF ones. One for my knifes in my room and the other for little **** in the shed-Preston
XJSuperman
Well-known member
I finally was able to grab an HF box the other day. It was the only one in the store and they were guarding it on the checkout counter like it was gold. Little ****** is heavier than it looks. I'm now working on getting some organizers printed out for it. There are lots of designs coming out for them now. Heck, you can 3d print a whole mini box if you like, almost the same size as the metal ones.
I'll have to get some pics once I settle on a plan. Its going to hold my 3d printer tools/parts/etc for now.
I'll have to get some pics once I settle on a plan. Its going to hold my 3d printer tools/parts/etc for now.
Last edited:
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
They are cool little boxes. I almost got one, but they were just too small for my needs. Definitely a bargain.
soloz2
Well-known member
I’ll have to snap a picture or two, but I’ve got one that holds all my pen cleaning supplies as well as some sample inks.
tkamd73
Member
Found this one on Craigslist not too long ago, took everything out to add some liners.
Tim
Tim
I used to have that same box way back when. Got me through a lot of motorcycle racing days....Found this one on Craigslist not too long ago, took everything out to add some liners.
Tim
Found this one on Craigslist not too long ago, took everything out to add some liners.
Tim
That's in amazing shape!
Mike
rick carpenter
Well-known member
My local HF finally got some USGen minis in. I made a plywood spacer for the bottom of my Pittsburgh rolly stool that flips so the box can face either way, I kinda like it this way though. My Ryobi tire inflator sits nicely behind it but I'm gonna make some ratchet storage with pvc and plywood.
A mini tool box that slides on the sides of a tool box drawer.
I think this was bought from the Mac Tool man in the late 70’s.
I found it to be very handy when used in the bottom drawer of a top box. It’s too narrow to fit in a lower, roller tool box drawer.
Since I use no top boxes in my current (maybe final) shop I really need to find a way to use it or get rid of it
I think this was bought from the Mac Tool man in the late 70’s.
I found it to be very handy when used in the bottom drawer of a top box. It’s too narrow to fit in a lower, roller tool box drawer.
Since I use no top boxes in my current (maybe final) shop I really need to find a way to use it or get rid of it
Last edited:
rick carpenter
Well-known member
Nice. Please post pics once you get some printed out.I finally was able to grab an HF box the other day. It was the only one in the store and they were guarding it on the checkout counter like it was gold. Little ****** is heavier than it looks. I'm now working on getting some organizers printed out for it. There are lots of designs coming out for them now. Heck, you can 3d print a whole mini box if you like, almost the same size as the metal ones.
I'll have to get some pics once I settle on a plan. Its going to hold my 3d printer tools/parts/etc for now.
Just something I threw together. HahaHere’s mine. Lives under the back seat of my truck.
Typically gets used for minor mechanical repairs and the inevitable “surprise maintenance” that happens at my in-laws or whatever.
I replaced the factory latch with a butterfly latch that’s MUCH more secure.
The tools are primarily just general service stuff, nothing crazy.
Top notch tools to fix a lot. Just in case. Probably your third car tool box for just that car. Haha
same here. Except my tools are cheaper, and the box is usually a bag 
XJSuperman
Well-known member
Rick, I did add a pic to the original post shortly after, but here is another. I added the stand underneath and included a shot of my printer toolbox that happens to fit perfectly in the lower drawer.
Loose Ctrl
Well-known member
Are those Toyos still available? Where to but, if yes?
Loose Ctrl
Well-known member
Thank you.
They're also sold under the Trusco name. I think they're identical unless someone knows otherwise. The trusco version of this model always seems to be cheaper when I see them. Maybe it's just certain colors? For example: Trusco Toolbox https://a.co/d/4S03J8Y
rick carpenter
Well-known member
In addition to Toyo (the mfr) and Trusco brands, they're branded Nakayama, Hozan, Cobako, and there's even Japan-only(?) Snap-On.
Last edited:
I remember this box sitting on my Dad‘s workbench in the late 50’s or early 60’s
Now it sits on mine.
I posted this box a while ago over on the vintage tools section. The guys there said it was a Kennedy.
Apparently it was made with several different drawer pulls.
Now it sits on mine.
I posted this box a while ago over on the vintage tools section. The guys there said it was a Kennedy.
Apparently it was made with several different drawer pulls.
RTM
Well-known member
never seen a 4 drawer. Mine is five. This image has a label!
Vintage Metal Small Parts Cabinet Kennedy Mfg. Co. No. 4D | #1909281051
Nice 4 drawer metal small parts cabinet...the label suggesting uses still in tact...The Kennedy Mfg Co. Van Wert, Ohio...no. 4D Cabinet...two drawers have 9 divided sections, the other 2 are open...th
www.worthpoint.com
Metal Cabinets vintage or homemade and no name toolboxes. got any to show please do
Thanks Drives I'm planning to build a shelf for them in the car parking area The cabinets are just over 18" tall and just over a foot wide Looks great, nice size too. Were those local finds? Mike
www.garagejournal.com
@RTM
Above is a link to where I posted this box originally. The guys over in the vintage forum were a great source of info on the box, as were you.
There responses are spread between the link above and post #3142 in the same thread
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Looks like the lids on that open without opening the box?
Yes, unlike some models where the handle actuates the cantilever mechanism, the handles on this model are just simply riveted to the lids. You can open the lids and access just the top two sections without cantilevering them open to reveal the main compartment.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
This is my "road box" for emergency repairs on my '93 Toyota Corolla sedan:
The box is 14" long, so it qualifies as "mini" in my book.
I replaced my battery today. To avoid having to drive back across town--it's 1 mile round-trip!--I changed the battery in the parking lot.
It was then I realized that my little box is not correctly organized. At 20F, unpacking the entire box to get to the roll of end wrenches (brown, behind the hammer) to get to my 10mm under the hood of the Toy just wasn't happening. I used the tiny Proto adjustable and the 8-9-10 Y tool instead.
So now I'm re-packing with access to the most likely to be needed tools in mind. I'll move the stuff on top of and in front of the tool roll and socket sets (1/4 & 3/8) to the back and bottom and put the wrench roll on top, then the 1/4" socket set, then the 3/8" set. If nothing else, those are all packed in such a way that they won't go rolling off somewhere in the engine bay should I need big Vise Grips, hammer, etc.
The battery analyzer and the mini driver set are going away. I analyzed the battery and replaced it. I doubt I'll need the mini bit set for any roadside emergency (watch me eat my words).
The box is 14" long, so it qualifies as "mini" in my book.
I replaced my battery today. To avoid having to drive back across town--it's 1 mile round-trip!--I changed the battery in the parking lot.
It was then I realized that my little box is not correctly organized. At 20F, unpacking the entire box to get to the roll of end wrenches (brown, behind the hammer) to get to my 10mm under the hood of the Toy just wasn't happening. I used the tiny Proto adjustable and the 8-9-10 Y tool instead.
So now I'm re-packing with access to the most likely to be needed tools in mind. I'll move the stuff on top of and in front of the tool roll and socket sets (1/4 & 3/8) to the back and bottom and put the wrench roll on top, then the 1/4" socket set, then the 3/8" set. If nothing else, those are all packed in such a way that they won't go rolling off somewhere in the engine bay should I need big Vise Grips, hammer, etc.
The battery analyzer and the mini driver set are going away. I analyzed the battery and replaced it. I doubt I'll need the mini bit set for any roadside emergency (watch me eat my words).
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Oh, c'mon--you have plenty of space in the bottom center!My mis matched 1/4 sae stuff. Small Mac box.
G-Man
Active member
Playing around on the CNC and made some EVA drawer liners and a topper for a USG mini
kyrbz
Well-known member
A couple small Toyo boxes
Dave455
Well-known member
Very nice quality tools, and very sensibly chosen / packed.
Those Toyo boxes are a great size. A bigger cantilever box, packed to the same density, is getting too much.
cvg1dlh
Member
KR-65B.
This is the most mini box I have, and probably the most valuable...
It's a small, watertight Plano box (probably meant to keep fishing gear), with three latches. I mostly picked it because of the latches, doesn't really need to be waterproof for my usage. And, made in USA!
It's dedicated to spare pins for my Honda walk-behind snowblower, and got used (again) tonight. Also houses a dedicated Kobalt 10 mm reversible ratcheting wrench (I keep that plastic tag on there to help me find it if dropped in the snow, especially at night, OK I'm weird...).
The Honda shear pins are crazy soft, I rarely know what I hit to break them. Better than bending / breaking more critical components, of course.
Mike
It's a small, watertight Plano box (probably meant to keep fishing gear), with three latches. I mostly picked it because of the latches, doesn't really need to be waterproof for my usage. And, made in USA!
It's dedicated to spare pins for my Honda walk-behind snowblower, and got used (again) tonight. Also houses a dedicated Kobalt 10 mm reversible ratcheting wrench (I keep that plastic tag on there to help me find it if dropped in the snow, especially at night, OK I'm weird...).
The Honda shear pins are crazy soft, I rarely know what I hit to break them. Better than bending / breaking more critical components, of course.
Mike
How durable are those Toyo boxes? I saw that HJE has them and they piqued my interest.A couple small Toyo boxes
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I used to carry a similar box for my wallet, smokes and lighter when fishing. Does the job.This is the most mini box I have, and probably the most valuable...
It's a small, watertight Plano box (probably meant to keep fishing gear), with three latches. I mostly picked it because of the latches, doesn't really need to be waterproof for my usage. And, made in USA!
It's dedicated to spare pins for my Honda walk-behind snowblower, and got used (again) tonight. Also houses a dedicated Kobalt 10 mm reversible ratcheting wrench (I keep that plastic tag on there to help me find it if dropped in the snow, especially at night, OK I'm weird...).
The Honda shear pins are crazy soft, I rarely know what I hit to break them. Better than bending / breaking more critical components, of course.
Mike
For the shear pins, my Ariens pins also snap if you look sideways at 'em. They cost $4 each at the local stores. I've taken to replacing them with Grade 5 bolts. The take a bit more of a beating before shearing but still protect the machine--and they cost $0.30 each.