Snap On Hand Box... with headlights

[jipps]

So, my first ever snap on box arrived in the post today. A KRA 250B, with the internal tote stamped as a KRA250A. Yay!

Overall, the box was in pretty good condition, the only real issues being some crazing on the top surface, rusty chrome, and a bend left latch. It had four or five stickers that helped to protect bits of the paint, but they showed up some paint discolouration when I removed them:

Though I did decide to keep one stick on the right hand end. Any ideas what this is off originally??

Anyway, I decided on a minor resto. Keep the patina, but clean it up a bit. Not that it was in a bad way, but just so that I know any tool box gunk is my tool box gunk

So, a quick pinch with a pair of Knipex long nose nose pliers sorted the latch. Before, bent out of shape and barely holding on the top:

And after - good as new:

Next job was to clean the chrome. Again, I wasn't going for a perfect look, just "clean patina" if you like... I hope I kept the balance right and would be keen to hear your views.

Handle half-way through:

Mounts before and after:

Back after the break....

 

[jipps]

So next up was the paintwork on the box itself. Some weird ick was got off as follows:

Then a good general clean with fairy liquid...

Before hitting it with the polisher. By now, the tar remover had shown me the paint is quite slack, so I used a soft pad with a little G3 and loads of water, just to give a little lustre and an even colour. I wasn't going to fight against the crazing, just work around it

Final stage was some carnuba wax...

All in all, I'm pretty happy with the finish. I've got a nice, deep even and glossy red, albeit the crazing is still there and plenty of "character":

WOuld love to hear what people reckon... hope I haven't made too many noob mistakes with this one

 

[jipps]

Here are a few more pics of the finished box:

 

[mattwgrizwald]

It's looks really Good ,great job

 

[jipps]

But I promised headlights. I know.



Basically, I had this box en route (I bought it on eBay) for about a week, and in that time I'd been thinking of some ways to minimise the space that the contents would need. Some of that has merely been rationalising what to pack in, and some has been thinking about smaller versions of stuff.

Given that it's dark here about 16:30 these days, one item I've been using a lot recently is my Makita LXT fluorescent lamp - what a great tool! I new I needed light, but I new the makita wouldn't fit. So I ordered a couple of these little fellas off amazon. They're magnetic, so I thought I could maybe have them inside the lid, or even stuck on the outside back of the box or something.

But tonight, while I was standing hand-polishing the rust of the chrome handle for about an hour, my mind drifted from Radio 4. And that's when it hit me: HEADLIGHTS!!!!!!

Right now I'm thinking this is the best thing since sliced bread. My hand box is also instantly a torch, I can carry two work lights without taking up storage space, and they can still be deployed for the job in question (they're only on magnetically after all). But do feel free to point out that this has been done a million times before... I don't really think I'm a genius

 

[Jakkle5]

Where did you find the lights on amazon? Cool box.

 

[Halfdawg]

The sticker can be found on any ATV fender. Cool box.

 

[Scout Driver]

Nice work on that box!

Scott

 

[DodgeMech]

sticker is from a four wheeler

 

[jipps]

Where did you find the lights on amazon? Cool box.

I got the lights off amazon UK here, but there seems to be similar ones on amazon US here

 

[TonyCH]

Good results! Nice patina on it. Thanks for posting.

 

[jipps]

First attempt at packing:

So we've got:

Drivers
-MAC small 1/4 ratchet
-Stanley 3/8 flex-head telescopic ratchet
-Draper Expert 1/2 ratchet
-Snap On 1/4 hex & 5/16 hex ratchet
-Snap On 1/4 hex ratchet driver soft grip
-Snap On 1/4 hex stubby ratchet driver soft grip
-3x Snap On ratchet interchangeable 1/4 hex driver shanks (stubby, regular, long)
-Milwaukee impact 1/4 hex 6" wobble extension bar
-Draper Expert 1/4 wobble extension bar set (3 pcs)
-Draper Expert 3/8 wobble extension bar set (3 pcs)
-Draper Expert 1/2 wobble extension bar set (3 pcs)
-Draper Expert 1/2 UJ
-Draper Expert drive adapter setups and stepdowns (all configurations)

Sockets
-Draper Expert 1/2 12-point shallow set metric
-Draper Expert 1/2 spark plug sockets (metric, 3no)
-Stanley 3/8 12-point shallow set imperial / sa
-Makita 1/4 hex 6-point shallow set (metric small)
-Makita 1/4 hex 6-point shallow set (imperial / sa small)

Bits
-64 piece assorted Makita, covering Torx, Flat, Phillips, Pozidrive, Hex (metric)
-2x 1/4 hex bit holders (currently generic, Milwaukee impacts are in the post...)
-All stored in compact red generic bit holders (£2 for two, throw the generic bits away!)

Spanners
-Halfords Advanced Professional 9 Piece Ratchet Spanner Set (metric)
-Draper 16/17 & 18/19 combination spanners
-Two misc ultra-low profile multi-spanners
-10" shifting spanner (wrench pliers)

Pliers
-10" Knipex Cobra water pump pliers
-200mm Knipex long-nosed pliers w/side cutters
-Generic locking pliers

Sundry
-Steel rule 12" / 300mm
-Makita small steel tape measure
-Stanley knife 99E
-2x magnetic LED lights
-Magnetic clip inside lid
-Electrical tape
-100ml can WD40 (bought in Poundland specifically for the tiny size)
-Splayed pry/trim tool
-Small telescopic inspection mirror
-Small telescopic magnetic lifter
-8oz claw hammer
-Small (iPhone tool) spudgers & picks
-Cut up wallet card as shim tool
-Sharpie
-2 pencils

 

[zkling]

Nice setup, looks like lots can be accomplished with that kit. Got a total weight?

 

[jipps]

Nice setup, looks like lots can be accomplished with that kit. Got a total weight?

Thanks zkling. It's coming in about 35pounds / 16 kilos. I'm raging with myself because I forgot to weigh the box empty before I filled it

Heavy enough - would love to hear what people reckon is a safe load for these. In the hand, it feels like you would want to be cradling it when carrying it out to a job rather than using the handle alone... but yet I see some of the 3-level "barn" SO boxes have the exact same handle arrangement, so maybe I'm well within load

 

[zkling]

You might want to put side handles on the box for long carry to save wear on the hinge and latches. I have the next size up and the side handles are my favorite feature. Makes it easier to walk through doors ways as well without counter leaning to one side.

 

[jipps]

You might want to put side handles on the box for long carry to save wear on the hinge and latches. I have the next size up and the side handles are my favorite feature. Makes it easier to walk through doors ways as well without counter leaning to one side.

That's a great idea and something I'm definitely going to consider. The other thing in my mind at the minute is to get a separate box for all the imperial stuff and maybe rationalise to a single, 3/8 metric set in this box. That might take the load a bit... but equally, it might defeat the whole point

 

[T_Roze]

Nice box! Great job on the handle. And good choice on the wax

 

[jeffmoss26]

Looks good!

 

[ChadTexas]

Very cool indeed! Nice job on polishing it up. That box is perfect for everyday jobs and road trips.

 

[Burgerkong]

One of the members here suggested cutting a piece of plywood a tad smaller than the bottom and sticking it inside to prevent it from bowing out.

 

[jipps]

Very cool indeed! Nice job on polishing it up. That box is perfect for everyday jobs and road trips.

Thanks - yep, the more I use this box, the more perfect the size seems to be

 

[jipps]

One of the members here suggested cutting a piece of plywood a tad smaller than the bottom and sticking it inside to prevent it from bowing out.

Possibly a good idea, though in use with the handle it feels a lot more like it's the top that would want to bow, since it's taking the pull from very central in the sheet metal, whereas a lot of the bottom weight is very evenly loaded across the floor and sides of the box.

What might be cool is to try a wooden ceiling rather than floor, with the handle bolts going through... That would spread the lift load very evenly across the top of the box. Maybe worth trying

 

[Faisal]

smart toolbox