tool box - tray liners

[Rigmaster]

Can you get them in assorted colors? Good find!

yes, all sorts of colors- but mostly pastels. I originally grabbed 3 packs of black, but then saw that they were $7.99 each (regular price) and a bunch of the others were $3.99 on clearance- so I changed colors.


I've only had these in for about a week or so, but some others on this board are saying that this type of foam might hold moisture so there's the possibility of rust. YMMV.......


OH, and I'm not claiming full credit for this- I saw the idea of yoga mats earlier in this thread and just happened to remember as I passed by the bin full of them in this store.....

 

[Paladin]

I just bought some of the rubbery-foam type shelf liner stuff on a roll at WalMart. Its about 4.00 per roll, but it took about 4 rolls to do all the drawers.. I really havn't put it to use too hard yet, but it seems to work pretty well for not only protecting the drawers from chips and crud, but also keeps the tools from moving around when you open/close the drawers.

I used the same stuff. I cut it to fit the drawers exactly. It works great and hasn't bunched up or moved on me.

 

[Zrexxer]

New guy to this forum here... reviving this thread, having gone through this issue myself this past week.

After 30+ years accumulation of tools was spilling out of the three boxes I currently have, I picked up a beautiful Deep Blue Matco Pro-Formance box on Craigslist (Craiglist is evil, btw - worse than heroin...) The box came with the thin crinkly black liners that slide and bunch up when you close the drawer and I'd been looking for something more satisfying than WalMart shelf liner to replace them with.

Looking on eBay (also evil) I waded through pages of bubbly WalMart style shelf liner and finally found a seller who had rolls of drawer liner listed as 5/32" thick solid foam. The listing was for three rolls 24" x 72" - 18 linear feet - for $24.95 including shipping, so I decided to try some.

When it arrived, I've never seen anything like it. It's soft and feels fragile, but you cannot tear it with your bare hands. The most surprising thing about it is it CLINGS. It sticks to itself and to any smooth surface, but it's not adhesive backed, the best way I can describe it is it clings like Saran wrap. When you get it positioned, you can smooth it down and it sticks to the bottom of the drawer. You can pull it up and resposition it at any time.

The problem with it is that getting it in the drawer smoothly to start with is like getting a cat in a sack. Anytime you get within of six inches of a drawer side it jumps out and sticks to it and you end up with a wadded up mess.

I found that one thing it does NOT stick to is regular old paper, so lining the drawer with typing paper and then pulling it out from under the positioned liner worked perfectly. I've got a little photo essay below...

This is what I started out with... yuck. I'll use it for something, but it's not going back in this box:

This is what the material I bought looks like. This is from the seller's listing, but hopefully he won't mind since I'm not selling his product:

The liner is easy to cut with a straightedge and a razor blade... I use this little plastic wallpaper-trimmer I've had for years, it's really a pretty effective tool for being so cheap:

I laid the paper against one drawer edge and folded up the edge of the sheets so I could get the liner right up against the side evenly:

Roll up most of the liner evenly, and set it on the paper so that you can slide it up into the corner. Then roll it out until it clings to the uncovered part of the drawer bottom, and then slip out the folded sheets one at a time:

Voila! Perfect application. Before I discovered the paper trick it took me probably 30 minutes to do the first one. I was ready to kick the girlfriend and scream at the dog. Using the paper, I was able to do the next four in less time than it took me to do the first one.

Tool racks cling to this material as well, so nothing moves no matter how you slam the drawers. Time will tell how it stands up to hard use, but I suspect it's going to be better than anything I've used previously. Anyway, hope that throws another option out there for people looking for ideas.

 

[Wood]

Zrexxer, will you give us the brand of this drawer liner stuff you got so we can try it?

 

[Zrexxer]

It's not branded, the label on each roll just says "Heavy Duty Drawer Liner." Here's the link to the seller's listing though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330336841104

 

[Rockadile]

It's not branded, the label on each roll just says "Heavy Duty Drawer Liner." Here's the link to the seller's listing though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330336841104

I was just looking at this stuff the other day on eBay. I was a bit leary without being able to see it. In my existing box, I have the mesh type Walmart stuff. It works perfectly, however, I do not like the holes and wanted soemthing solid. Sounds like i gotta order some of this stuff up. I wonder if the seller would consider a group buy.

 

[chrislehr]

I like the HF ones.

 

[Chris Adams]

I like the HF ones.

Yeah, the 2.29 (when not on sale) ones at HF are pretty nice. They are very comparable with my SnapOn ones, nicer than my Matco ones.
I've bought about 50 of them over the years, usually at 1.00 a drawer on sale.

They also sell the mesh at HF, but Costco has it cheaper, but usually only in bright colors.

 

[Zrexxer]

I like the HF ones.

Trouble is the only ones I've seen at Horror Fright are only 18" wide. My drawers are 23" deep and 24" wide. Do they sell wider liners in your local HF?

 

[rebrewer]

I don't care for the mesh stuff, debris get trapped within. I didn't like the thickness of carpet and a lot of the other pads as some of my tools would no longer fit, so I went with thin neoprene. Great stuff. Cut to size, a little spray adhesive and it works great.

 

[Zrexxer]

Rebrew, sheet neoprene is what I looked all over for - where'd you find yours?

 

[The Muffin Man]

Rebrew, sheet neoprene is what I looked all over for - where'd you find yours?

I've bought neoprene from here before

http://www.closedcellfoams.com/neoprene.html

Its very cost effective compared to other alternatives.

 

[t100]

any roofers here? i was looking at the flyers from Mernards, it has some thing called EPDM rubber roofing. it water and oil proof so seems to be a good idea for liner material. the 200sqft roll(10'x20') is $90, that makes it very cost effective, too. with the 10' width, there would be very small waste when cutting out each drawers.

i'm wondering if i can use the leftover as floor mat when changing oil in the garage.

would the guys in the roofing business chime in?

thanks

 

[jshillin]

I bought the same stuff Zrexxer is talking about off of ebay. It's the best drawer liner I have used yet. It sticks very well and nothing moves. I would definitely suggest it and will buy the same when I need more!!!

 

[Flash21]

It's not branded, the label on each roll just says "Heavy Duty Drawer Liner." Here's the link to the seller's listing though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330336841104

Zrexxer - Where your rolls labeled? I bought this too and there was no labeling.

I was wondering where it was made and if it listed the type of material on the label.

I haven't installed mine yet, but my first impression is the same as yours...very sticky, thick, tear resistant.

 

[Vinko]

I've used the more expensive drawer liners from sears (the thinner mesh stuff) and it is awesome. It never moves in the drawer so no bunching. It grips the tools REALLY well, they never slide around, even when I shut the drawer hard. The tools don't sink into it either. A little pricey but I don't forsee having to get new ones for a long time.

I think I got the cheaper version of the liner at Sears and I don't like it. Maybe I should try the more expensive stuff.

There's tis black ridged stuff that the Snapon dealer used to sell for KRL boxes. I think Snappy sold it, but he found the OEM source and was able to get it at a ridiculously cheap price. I have some in my KRA59 chest and it's great.

 

[Zrexxer]

Zrexxer - Where your rolls labeled? I bought this too and there was no labeling. I was wondering where it was made and if it listed the type of material on the label.

Mine had labels on 8-1/2" x 11" sheets wrapped under the cellophane. My guess about material is that it's PVC-coated foam. And I've got one guess where it's made, although it doesn't say anywhere.

 

[Da Bull]

Yoga mats! I got mine at the local dollar store. Only $1.25 a mat!

 

[CamarosRus]

Would like any current status on Zrexxer's above drawer liner material . Did it only come in small pieces and NOT large enough rolls so as to do big drawers?

Thanks,

 

[DanCo]

Has anyone here had good luck with non-adhesive cork liners, I'm about done with my Snappy resto of a KR-637PA and was thinking of using cork.
However on my service cart I use the drawer liner from Lowes, good stuff. It sticks to the drawers holds everything in it's place-then again I keep all my wrenches on racks and sockets on Hansen holders, but they don't slide around and in my large drawer where I keep the air tools I use corregated card board. The weight usually leaves an impression so they don't move either.

 

[sawatch]

I went to the local flooring store and they carry a dense foam that is used for underlayment for the new type fake wood flooring tiles. It's less than 1/8 thick and one side is textured so it holds tools and is ridgid enough to stay put. I did use 2way tape to hold gown the curve from the roll. Cost about $.25sqft. wht in color.

 

[MarcSeattle]

Has anyone here had good luck with non-adhesive cork liners, I'm about done with my Snappy resto of a KR-637PA and was thinking of using cork.

I've used it. Hard to find in the right size, and a bit of a pain to install. After that, it worked great, cleaned up well, and lasted forever. Quiet too.

 

[Brad54]

Ribbed rubber stair tread riser, available at GOOD neighborhood hardware stores. Run the ribs side-to-side, and your tools will stay put.
I have used this material in my tool box, and on several shop cart/equipment projects. It also deadens vibration. I made a tray for the side of my drill press, and cut a mat for it--no vibrations. When the mat isn't on it, everything on the tray rattles and vibrates.

I use it in my road trip tool kits to quiet them.

-Brad

 

[Arne73]

Ribbed rubber stair tread riser, available at GOOD neighborhood hardware stores. Run the ribs side-to-side, and your tools will stay put.
-Brad

This is what I use as well. Found it at Menard's and works great.

 

[glenmore]

I bought the same stuff that Zrexxer used. They are always available on ebay, three rolls each 2'x6' for $25 and free shipping.

I really like it. It has no adhesive but is really tacky, it stays put and tools stay put. I have it going up vertical on the sides of the drawer.

 

[Nosferatu]

I just bought some of the rubbery-foam type shelf liner stuff on a roll at WalMart. Its about 4.00 per roll, but it took about 4 rolls to do all the drawers.. I really havn't put it to use too hard yet, but it seems to work pretty well for not only protecting the drawers from chips and crud, but also keeps the tools from moving around when you open/close the drawers.

Same here. I went the extra mile and used some double-stick tape to keep them from bunching up and moving around as well. Works great!

 

[CamarosRus]

Please read.......................


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=887598#post887598

 

[jethro29]

down side is, it's thick and can cause problems in shallow drawyers.

 

[351-C]

Hi. Long time lurker, first time poster. Sounds like alot of you are having the same issues I did when I picked up my s/o box off CL. Its a 14 drawer 5 shelf "Coke Machine" that the prev owner lined with cardboard. All of the liner mats or rolls I looked at werent big enough or way too expensive! Went to Ollies and found a roll of laminate [snap together] floor underlay and it came in black. I had enough to do the whole box, my old roll cab,replace some at home and still give some away! Runs about $35 a roll but I swear its the same as OEM. Hope this saves you some $$$$$.

 

[kapster]

Hi. Long time lurker, first time poster. Sounds like alot of you are having the same issues I did when I picked up my s/o box off CL. Its a 14 drawer 5 shelf "Coke Machine" that the prev owner lined with cardboard. All of the liner mats or rolls I looked at werent big enough or way too expensive! Went to Ollies and found a roll of laminate [snap together] floor underlay and it came in black. I had enough to do the whole box, my old roll cab,replace some at home and still give some away! Runs about $35 a roll but I swear its the same as OEM. Hope this saves you some $$$$$.

Is this what your talking about?

Home Depot 3 in 1 underlayment

 

[Rickster55]

I've been cleaning out the local 5 Belows of their black yoga mats!

 

[351-C]

Is this what your talking about?

Home Depot 3 in 1 underlayment

That looks like it. But mine came in black and looked and felt like the factory S/O ones. I paid about $35 for a roll at a discount flooring store. Even at $62, it would have been worth it to me as I had 14 large drawers and 5 shelves to line. The small C/man box beside it, I had lined with the kitchen cabinet foam-net liner and i hated it. I redid it too. The HF rolls werent the right size to cover deep drawers and the sears liner would've cost me a couple hundred bucks to do all of this!

 

[kapster]

Love those boxes, what model is it? I've never seen one till recently on Craigslist. What did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?

 

[351-C]

Love those boxes, what model is it? I've never seen one till recently on Craigslist. What did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks Kapster. The model number I see these go by is KR7100-c, but mine says KR7100-b. It's stamped with a 1991 or 92 date. I saw these for the first time about 12 yrs ago and decided I had to have one. Found this one on C-L last year for a thousand bucks but the link was screwed up. By the time I got ahold of the seller, he had talked himself down to 800 because of no interest in it. I checked it out, trying not to drool the whole time, and offered him $650 after he threw in std and met t allen sets and a s/o 3/4 dr extention and he took it! Now not to get away from this thread, there is something to be said about good tray liners. The prev owner had lined this box with cardboard in some drawers and the rest had none at all! Almost every drawer front has little protruding dings from 20 years of sliding tools and slamming the drawers. Everyone worries about dents from the outside, while they could be creating them from the inside too!!

 

[SteveL]

Anyone try the heavy rubber pond liner material available from the box stores or EDPM rubber roofing material? The EDPM is typically around 45 mil thick and should be available in scrap form from commercial roofers.

 

[kapster]

I bought all 5 rolls of protec solid liner from my local rural king. They arnt sure when they will get more. I was wondering how similar this stuff is to the ebay 1/16 thick stuff? Anyone that has it, does it look similar? A member here was nice enough to send me a piece of what he bought but its 1/8 thick and he doesnt sell it wide enough for my drawers

 

[dadsEH]

Was in the big box store here yesterday and saw the rug 'nonslip' underlay they had in 6ft wide rolls, buy it by the metre off the roll...inexpensive , very thin and almost looks made for the job....( at Bunnings, for you skippy readers)

 

[matt1977]

I'm very pleased with my kobalt zerust drawer liner. Nice and grippy, and as an added bonus it helps stop tools from developing rust.

 

[kapster]

This stuff claims rust guard also, I wanted to try something solid this time instead of the perforated. The perforated stuff I always bought at harbor freight would hold moisture and stain tools. Maybe the zerust takes care of that.

 

[acdc73]

That looks like it. But mine came in black and looked and felt like the factory S/O ones. I paid about $35 for a roll at a discount flooring store. Even at $62, it would have been worth it to me as I had 14 large drawers and 5 shelves to line. The small C/man box beside it, I had lined with the kitchen cabinet foam-net liner and i hated it. I redid it too. The HF rolls werent the right size to cover deep drawers and the sears liner would've cost me a couple hundred bucks to do all of this!

that is a cool box indeed!