The Road Warrior: A Cheap Mobile Workstation Build

[finley31]

I thought GJ would be interested in a little side project I've been working on. I work for a company that provides repair and installation services for the steel industry. Our tools see a lot of time on the road, and plenty of abuse. Our toolboxes go through a lot of abuse as well. After seeing the Knaack "War Wagon" I started thinking about beefing up a toolbox to take with us on the road that would be able to withstand a little more punishment and provide a nice work area, but still be on budget.


We had this practically unused HF 13 drawer cabinet sitting in the shop and I decided to use it as my guinea pig.

(Sorry for crappy pic) First I used 3/16"thick 1-1/2" angle for all four corners, and tied it together with some 1" square tubing on the top and bottom.

Next I reinforced the back with some more tubing. This area seems to always be the weak point that gets damaged during transport. We usually ship our tools in a 20' shipping container along with everything else for the job, and on more than one occasion the backs of the boxes have been caved in.

(Again, I apologize for picture quality) A top was my next objective. I opted for a piece of 5/16" plate (that's just what we had laying around). The top of the box has a lip around it and a rubber mat. I cut a piece of 1/2" plywood and put under the mat and it sat almost flush with the lip. I then stitch welded the plate on and it is extremely solid.

This morning I made some handles. I used some 3/8" flat bar drops and 1" sch. 80 pipe. I was going to angle the handles up, but ended up pointing them down.

This afternoon I also removed the casters, welded them to some 1/4" flat bar and tied them into the frame, so the tool box now should have zero stress on it.

My plans for now are to mount a vise and finish the welding before our upcoming job at the end of next week. I would like to add some additional tubing on the ends, but that will have to wait till we get back. I think this will be an excellent place for many of the routine tasks we end up doing, and will be a great place to use our magnetic drill. I will be posting some more pictures as it is completed.

 

[930dreamer]

That won't get damaged-anywhere.

 

[PhantomEB]

I like my 3x4 welding table but sure dont have the room for it, only reason I built it that big was for to be a chassis table down the line I much rather have something like that to hold all my grinders and fab tools.

 

[steel 35]

I think you could count me for 4 views!

 

[finley31]

I "finished" the cart this afternoon. There are still quite a few things I'd like to do to it, but just won't have the time before this trip. We rescued this craftsman vise from a pile of broken vises on a shelf in the back of the shop. It just needed a new set of jaws made for it and it was good to go. It's not a Wilton, but it also was free, so I'm not complaining.

I hope these pictures are far enough away that my welds are blurry.

 

[Rezarf]

Sweet box, I'd be interested to hear how it holds up for you. I love the copper bars for jaws in that craftsman. Looks cool bud. Are you going to paint it or just run it as is?

 

[Lippyp]

I bet that weighs a ton!

 

[finley31]

I'm probably just going to run it as is for now. When we get back from our next upcoming jobs I might modify it and paint it a little more. As far as weight, yeah it's hefty. It is also packed right now with two combo wrench sets up to 2-1/2" and a 3/4" impact set from 1"- 2-1/2, as well as many other tools.

I'll try to get some pictures of it in use while we are out on the road. We have a two week job in Arkansas starting next saturday followed up by a week in South Carolina, so it's gonna get a lot of mileage put on it.

 

[scott37300]

I worked in a mill a few years back and maintenance all got a craftsman tool box and the first thing the company did was have the mill welder take the casters off and make a frame out of angle iron. Then put new heavy duty casters on it. The tops were all plywood so parts didn't get damaged when working on things. They got a lot of miles put on them being pushed all over the huge mill and never heard of one breaking down.

 

[finley31]

Well I just got back from a 7 day job, and put the toolbox through a lot of abuse. I also installed a Jet 8" bench grinder before we left. I loaded the box down with two sets of combo wrenches from 1-1/2" up to 2-1/2", a full set of both impact and standard 3/4" drive sockets, 3 sets of 1/2" impact sockets, two 3/4" impacts, two 1/2" impacts, and a bunch of other tools.

Now I'm thinking about some more modifications, maybe a fold out workbench off of the back, and some sort of integrated worklight.

 

[toolmaker1]

Sounds like you used the original casters that came with the box. How are they holding up? Looking good by the way, I like it

 

[finley31]

They are holding up good so far. They are actually a decent looking caster. My original intentions were to replace them, but then I hated to see them go to waste so I put them on.

 

[riceburner]

what about a stereo and refrigerator?

 

[archirelic]

Bump. How's the box holding up to the abuse you're throwing at it??

 

[goodspeed]

I have a few cheap tool chests laying around my shop I may put together and make a welding cart out of. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[KSwiss]

Holy thread revival Batman! But otherwise awesome job on the box/workstation

 

[finley31]

Bump. How's the box holding up to the abuse you're throwing at it??

Wow, this one came back from the dead.

Well I'm off on vacation right now, but I'll take some pictures when I get back to the shop. The box is still in great shape. It has traveled all over the eastern part of the country since this thread has been made. The top drawer is home to a heavy set of 3/4" drive impact sockets up to 3" as well as a couple large ratchets, impacts and breaker bars. To get abused like it does and carry such a large load, I have really been impressed.

 

[5lima30]

Nice build! I get a hernia looking at it though LOL!

 

[Steevo]

All it needs is forklift pockets under the bottom frame.

Sweet "ruggedized" HF box!

 

[Zeke]

Damn, that box aged 10 years in 7 days. At that rate it should be junk by now.

I think your idea on a flip-up addition to the work surface is good, but in time as you keep adding to the thing it will become a beast.

But, here's what I'd like to know from any and all that have a truck mounted or truck transported tool box: doesn't the bouncing break them? The only on-the-road box I ever had was on a trailer. It got ruined.

 

[sberry]

The main thing is seems the drawers are holding up to heavy loading while on the road and under jarring use. Says a lot for the box. What I like is the tailor 2 suit, I can see that saving a lot of work trying to keep straight over packing in a gang box.

I have seen al kinds of schemes for working portable and some of them are not very good,,,, even fancy hi dollar atempts often fail. Its hard to beat having the mechanic that needs it fab up something no matter how much you spend, this looks super economical.

 

[sberry]

I have built a few schemes too but seen one the other day I wish I had a camera for. I looked at the company and this simple 14 tandem trailer they purchaced, mounded a bottle rack in the tounge (was empty at the time) but then bold down 500A engine drive folloed by a full size Ironworkers gang box,,,, ubber simple as dirt, was a work of art for cheap and fast and good.

They were general contractor that employ some Ironheads, this was the ticket, could have any labor tow and deliver to a job. It was clever to the point that it was noticeable that who ever directed this hands on scheme must have done it more than once, considering the manpower cost there was no better cheaper way to do it.

 

[finley31]

Here is a updated although poor quality photo of the box in its current condtion. Maybe a little dirtier, but pretty much the same condition as when it was constructed. It has several thousand miles on it now strapped down inside a connex on the back of a semi. I remove the bench grinder when at the shop and keep on a pedestal.

 

[SSG_Roo]

How long did your box hold up? I know it's been 6 years, but curious as to the longevity of the setup.

 

[Farmall450]

Nice build OP!