Toolbox drawer swap?

[saltysteve]

Im curious to know before i buy...
a US General 56 toolbox if i can swap the drawers around with some small modification. The reason is i think the larger us general boxes are designed around diesel mechanics and most people who buy them arent. I like to have more drawers so im thinking modifying this box is way cheaper then buying something like snapin or lista.If i can buy the drawers for a decent price id like to replace one or two of the larger / deeper bottom drawers for multiple thinner drawers. Has anyone done this? Are there slots already there for mounting the siders? If i have to im sure i can cut the mount hole and rivet in the sliders. Any information would be great! Heres a pic of the box

 

[sberry]

They aint in the business of fussing with them and taking custom orders for parts.

 

[saltysteve]

There seems to be a number for "replacement parts". I understand they dont do custom boxes.

 

[AMCguy]

It makes sense that a manufacturer would have internal construction that was common across their product line for this very reason. Both they and you benefit.

I was able to reconfigure my SPG International box this way. I have way more use for shallow drawers.

Glenn

 

[saltysteve]

Just called the parts number up. They were very nice and are emailing me a price list on the drawers. Ill have to buy the box and check it out unless someone knows if the slide mount holes are already there

 

[tcianci]

When I bought my 42 I rearranged the drawers within the cabinets and there were places to swap shallower drawers for taller drawers


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[saltysteve]

Im excited to get this larger box and customize it a little. I had the 42 top and bottom for 10 years at least. It held up very well. I was extremely please with it. I just ran out of space and things became harder to find as the box became overloaded. I am pretty sure with the coupons i paid $600 and just sold it for $450 and it was mint. I want bigger box to be organized. I love the shallow drawers of the 42 but with so many drawers i always opened multiple drawers to find stuff sometimes. I realised id like the larger/wider drawers to fit groups of tools together. Heres my old box

 

[jfish]

I have two 44s and two side boxes for them. I have swapped the drawers all around. The sliders are mounted in stamped square notches and can be moved very easily.

 

[jfish]

I also called the replacement parts number and ordered matching lock tumblers with keys for all 4 boxes. Easy peasy.

 

[saltysteve]

Great, so you swapped 1 bigger for 2 smaller kind of thing? Good to hear

 

[2011cummins]

I've done this on boxes at work, one box with all shallow drawers and one with more deep drawers. Switching the drawers is no problem as others have mentioned but the lock bar won't engage the added drawers.

 

[saltysteve]

I've done this on boxes at work, one box with all shallow drawers and one with more deep drawers. Switching the drawers is no problem as others have mentioned but the lock bar won't engage the added drawers.

Thanks! I can add the magnets instead of ocks but why dont they work on add drawers?

 

[j. Kush]

Any word on this? I'd love the option to swap drawers on the 56 if the price is fair.


(I can't post links because I only have 1 post but here it is on the 44):

/forum/showthread.php?t=260452

 

[saltysteve]

Harbor frieght emailed me back. Im now waiting to get the price list for the 56" drawers

 

[nadogail]

The one time I contacted Harbor Freight for replacement parts, I found them to be both accommodating and helpful.

 

[PelicanPines]

Thanks! I can add the magnets instead of ocks but why dont they work on add drawers?

The locking tabs on that back bar are NOT at every possible drawer position.

 

[John in OH]

It probably depends on the design and construction of your toolbox. The Cman box that I have is built with frame/drawer support frames that have a multitude of pre-drilled holes for drawer supports. The hole spacing allows for the use of various drawer sizes.

Basically, I replaced the original 12" deep drawer with four, 3" drawers. This worked since 3" is a multiple of 12" ... so, in theory, you could use three, 4" drawers, six 2" drawers (if such were available), or two, 6" drawers. You can see more details of the swap-out at: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180594

The original bottom box had a large 12" deep drawer (lower right corner) that I had no use for.


Replaced this 12" drawer with four 3" drawers.