Started My Toolbox!

[84TurboBuick]

Just started mounting the drawers yesterday.... got a bit a trail and error on the slides, but it seems to be working.

When I get some more mounted and loaded up, I'll put some pics up!

 

[buening]

What kind of joints were used for the drawers and have you considered using dovetail joints for extra strength? Also, if sagging is an issue and there is clearance, you can put wood or steel braces either in the case beneath the drawer or actually attached to the bottom of the drawer.

 

[84TurboBuick]

What kind of joints were used for the drawers and have you considered using dovetail joints for extra strength? Also, if sagging is an issue and there is clearance, you can put wood or steel braces either in the case beneath the drawer or actually attached to the bottom of the drawer.

Basically, I just used a dado blade to groove all 4 sides of the drawer... then the bottom fits into the dado's. I would love to have dove-tailed all the corners but I don't have the tools to do it. (Nor the patience )

I switched to 2 x 4's and 2 x 6's for the drawer frames though.

#1 The wood is cheaper!! (Hard to believe)
#2 Its just alot stronger and I can dado out a larger groove to accept the bottom. Sagging it seems was not an issue, it turns out that the grooves in the 1 x 4's were cracking from the weight. I just couldn't cut a groove deep enough in the 1 x 's and still have the wood stay intact.

I'm not as happy with the look of the 2 x 4's as I was with the 1 x's , but I can live with it and I get a alot stronger drawer to boot!!!

 

[buening]

What are you using for the drawer bottoms?

 

[84TurboBuick]

What are you using for the drawer bottoms?

1 x 6 carsiding..... I know its sounds goofy, but after you glue the tongue and groove together the stuff is impossible to pull apart. Plus, the smaller width lessens the chance of it bowing.

There will also be a piece of 1/16" hardboard covering it all so that no one set of tools is sitting right on a board or a groove!

Check out the last bunch of pics I posted. You can see the bottom pretty good.

 

[Tlag]

lilredex,

Great idea to cut up the old oil jugs as parts bin separators!

 

[Enloe]

extremely cool

 

[lilredex]

lilredex,

Great idea to cut up the old oil jugs as parts bin separators!

Yes it is a good idea, but cannot take all the credit as I have Roy Moungovan's book "Shop Savvy" ISBN 1-556-54040-X with loads of ideas on getting organized and equipped at minimal $$$.

Additional shots of those cabinet drawers shown below.

 

[boseefus402]

I just spent an hour cutting and pasting the comments and the pics into a word document in case a year from now when I go to do this the pics are gone. Looks great so far. To fit my needs Im going a little taller with no bench top and only 6' long but still absolutely massive. To fit the budget I think Ill do what lilredex has and use a .5" or .75" groove in the drawers sliding into a wood strip and then do narrower drawers than you have. Also thinking about recessing 4x4's in the center rather than 1x4's like you did your verticals since mine will be 5' high.

Any updates on the drawers? Im dyin here!

 

[PistolWhip]

I NEED MORE PICS!

That thing is awesome! I wish I could do things with wood. Wood working has always been that one handy trait that eluded me. Odly enough, my dad was a Union Cabinet Maker for 35+ years and I still can't hammer a nail

 

[84TurboBuick]

Thats funny that you posted this today.

I am just in the process of finishing up the first bank of drawers today and was going to post some pics later on....

So stay tuned....

I should be done later today!

 

[84TurboBuick]

Ok....

Got the last of the 1st bank drawers done today!

Now... keep in mind that I have alot of organizing left to do.. (waiting on socket rails and wrench racks)...

The front still needs the drawer fronts on and the handles installed... but its where I'm at so far....

I did manage to fit 9 drawers in this bank.. figured I would only get 7 or 8

1/4 drive (Waiting on socket rails for all drive sizes)

3/8 drive

1/2 drive

All SAE raised panel Craftsman (waiting on racks)

All Metric raised panel Craftsman (waiting on racks)

All Hex drive

All Torx drive

For the liners I ended up using an Automotive carpet backing that I found at Menards on sale!!

The stuff is really tuff but yet is soft enough that the tools just sort of sink in!!

Stay tuned for more!!!

 

[boseefus402]

Looking good. What are you doing for drawer fronts? How do they slide when loaded?

 

[84TurboBuick]

The fronts are going to be finished pine painted flat black.

As far as effort goes... most of them will pull out with one finger... the rest maybe 2 fingers!!!

 

[PistolWhip]

That's just awesome man, I love it. I can't wait to see this thing all done. How much do you think you have invested in it so far? Is there any money to be made by making them or is it just too much work for what you could make on them?

 

[84TurboBuick]

That's just awesome man, I love it. I can't wait to see this thing all done. How much do you think you have invested in it so far? Is there any money to be made by making them or is it just too much work for what you could make on them?

Honestly this thing is far more work than I thought it would be.... if I had the "New Yankee Workshop" then it might have been easier. I found that when making something this size a planer and joiner are almost a must.... a 1/16" off somewhere and it becomes a problem.

When its all said and done, I'll have around $1200 in the whole thing, with the drawers being the biggest chunk of that.

But anyway, I'm happy with the way its turning out and I thank you for the kind words...

Next pics you see, it should be all done!

 

[wrenchr]

Honestly this thing is far more work than I thought it would be.... if I had the "New Yankee Workshop" then it might have been easier. I found that when making something this size a planer and joiner are almost a must.... a 1/16" off somewhere and it becomes a problem.

When its all said and done, I'll have around $1200 in the whole thing, with the drawers being the biggest chunk of that.

But anyway, I'm happy with the way its turning out and I thank you for the kind words...

Next pics you see, it should be all done!

Not bad since a comparable snap on box would run around 10 grand or more!!

 

[boseefus402]

It'd be $500 or so cheaper with wood drawer slides.

What tools have you used other than a chop saw, table saw, dado blade, and sander?

 

[boseefus402]

updates? Im hangin here!

 

[84TurboBuick]

updates? Im hangin here!

Well......

I finished the 2nd bank of drawers yesterday. Now, I have to wait on more slides... they are on order and should be in soon.

I got everything organized and bought the drawer front wood and handles....

I'll post pics of the 2 banks later today.

 

[PistolWhip]

Waiting with anticipation!!!

 

[84TurboBuick]

Ok!!! I got the pics....

Now remember.... there are no drawer fronts or handles yet, I'm waiting until I'm done with the whole thing so I don't inadverently bust one up as I'm working on the last of the drawers.

So far there are 19 drawers, with another 10 going in the last bank. I know alot of them appear nearly empty but thats how I wanted it... I wanted room to grow if needed...... so here we go!!!

Well there it is so far!! 10 more drawers to go and then the fronts and handles!! WHEW!! I hope to finish this soon!!

 

[PistolWhip]

Dude, I absolutely love it! You have some serious skill with wood working my friend. Not to mention an incredible collection of tools. All and all, this is my favorite box/tool collection picture thread on this entire forum so far.
Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[dakota_522]

same here ive been following it from the beging and i cant wait to start to build mine when i move into my new house.i was wondering if you could make a blue print sheet when its finished that would help me out alot, and good job it looks great

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

The only thing that I might do differently with something like this, is drill the bottom of your pliers drawer. Then use coat hangers to make the pliers stand up like the Plyworx racks. (needs a deeper drawer).

Looking forward to the final shots! Great job.

 

[boseefus402]

dude that rocks

 

[84TurboBuick]

same here ive been following it from the beging and i cant wait to start to build mine when i move into my new house.i was wondering if you could make a blue print sheet when its finished that would help me out alot, and good job it looks great

I could describe how I built it to you, but as far as a print goes... I had it all in my head... I could draw it up if you really want to build one.

Just remember.... this box is HUGE!!! make sure you have the room for it... figure with the drawer extended all the way out... your looking at 5ft minimum to clear the drawers, and 8ft long!!

 

[dakota_522]

yeah if you could that would be great my new garage is huge and that would make a perfect starting point. my dad is a carpenter so i got plenty of wood to build it with.

 

[1Garageman]

Dude, I absolutely love it! You have some serious skill with wood working my friend. Not to mention an incredible collection of tools. All and all, this is my favorite box/tool collection picture thread on this entire forum so far.
Can't wait to see the finished product.

I agree %100! I am a decent weekend wood worker and know know what it would take to build this. I love it! I love seeing this instead of some people who have a ton of money and go buy a $5,000 tool cart!!!
Built on American soil by a very talented and nice man!
That is awesome looking.
Once we get into are new house I need Ideas like this for what I need to build into are new garage.

 

[1Garageman]

I wonder if you could enter this in some competition and win some money or something? Or in some magazines. Fun to build, saves money, and gets the job done!

 

[joecaver]

Wow!! It just keeps getting better! I'm glad I came back to this thread. I can't wait to see it with the fronts on. You have done an outstanding job on this build.

 

[chadster1]

Impressive. I know that it is probably impractical but it would be awesome to see this in a wood finish since it is a wooden toolbox.

 

[brian90505]

Pretty impressive! And something to be proud of.

 

[84TurboBuick]

Impressive. I know that it is probably impractical but it would be awesome to see this in a wood finish since it is a wooden toolbox.

I thought about keeping it a natural finish... but with all the different types of woods and different finishes (sanded, raw...etc) in it I thought it would look kinda goofy.

Almost everyone that has seen it in person still has to touch it to be sure its not steel!! Thats what I was going for in the first place.

And as a side note....

I really do appricate all the kind words from you guys.... it means alot when fellow tool junkies give you a thumbs up!!! Thanks again... heres to ya!

 

[boseefus402]

Are there drawer fronts yet?????

 

[84TurboBuick]

You guys always beat me too it!!!

Got the last bank done, and started the drawer fronts yesterday....

Got 9 done and ran out of handles.... Home Depot didn't have any more.

So.... I'm gonna hit up the next HD near me and see if they have any more, then maybe I can finish this up.... if they don't have any then y'all gotta wait 2 weeks to see the finished product.

I promise I will put up pics as soon as its done.... unless you want to see just the 9 drawers that are done!

 

[PistolWhip]

Alright, everyone gear up and head out to your local HD's. We need the part # and maybe a picture of the pull. I'm not waiting 2 more weeks, I want to see this thing done already...






J/K, I can't wait to see it though. This is absolutely my favorite tool box thread on this site.

 

[dakota_522]

yea i cant wait its my favorite project on the board

 

[olds88]

wood would require actual maintenence - not my scene for toolboxes
nice job

For me it would be a total fire hazard...... You guys should have seen what I started on another messageboard a couple months ago about that I don't worry about relieving fuel line pressure when changing a filter and something about smoking cigarettes............

 

[PistolWhip]

I don't know about you, but I don't put my toolbox under the car when I'm relieving fuel pressure, whether its wood or metal.
Not to mention, smoking a cigarette while working on a fuel system is not a smart maneuver regardless of what your toolbox is made of. **** man, go outside and smoke your cigarette. My entire garage is made of wood, as is the house that's attached to it, my work bench, one of my toolbox stands, my loft, etc.... What's the difference if a toolbox is made of wood too???