In another thread, a member was asking about storing some bolt cutters that normally don't fit in a tool box. I offered the suggestion of a full length drawer under the box. My step-dad retired as an electrician from GE. They moved their boxes around the shop when working on something. This made their boxes a mobile workstation, his box is now stored in my garage. After my step-brother retires from the USCG, he will get the box.
This is what he used for years until his retirement. He started to to fab up another box but the project got put on hold. I ended up with that box and have repainted it black.
Here is his box, an older Craftsman that has stood the test of time and use. You'll see he but a cart for the box to ride in, not really on but actually inside. He built a side box for storage and another small box on top that he kept manuals in. It also has a fold up work try on the left side and a brake to keep it from rolling around while working.
This is the side storage box. It has cord reel mounted on the side. Since it was used as a mobile work station, it allowed his to plug in multiple pieces of equipment while working.
Inside the storage area, he had a nice bolt collection that prevented him having to walk back to the stock room all the time.he also had some fluids kept in it.
Here is the main reason I started this thread, the bottom drawer. Granted I realize that it is welded to the frame of the cart. Something similar could be fabbed up on a regular tool box. The drawer opens from either end and runs the entire length of the box.
He kept some long drill bits and other odd, long, rarely used things in it.
It was basically angle iron welded to the frame that acted like drawer slides, quite heavy duty I'd say.
He made the drawer somewhat narrow, as it could have been slightly wider but it served his purpose of extra storage. Like I already said, it can be slid from either end.
One thing you might notice is the casters. He used a commonly stocked caster. This GE plant made flourescent lamps and it wasn't unusually to have broken glass laying around. The regular caster that most tool box manufacturers use wouldn't last when rolled through the glass.
I hope somebody can put some of these ideas to use.
This is what he used for years until his retirement. He started to to fab up another box but the project got put on hold. I ended up with that box and have repainted it black.
Here is his box, an older Craftsman that has stood the test of time and use. You'll see he but a cart for the box to ride in, not really on but actually inside. He built a side box for storage and another small box on top that he kept manuals in. It also has a fold up work try on the left side and a brake to keep it from rolling around while working.
This is the side storage box. It has cord reel mounted on the side. Since it was used as a mobile work station, it allowed his to plug in multiple pieces of equipment while working.
Inside the storage area, he had a nice bolt collection that prevented him having to walk back to the stock room all the time.he also had some fluids kept in it.
Here is the main reason I started this thread, the bottom drawer. Granted I realize that it is welded to the frame of the cart. Something similar could be fabbed up on a regular tool box. The drawer opens from either end and runs the entire length of the box.
He kept some long drill bits and other odd, long, rarely used things in it.
It was basically angle iron welded to the frame that acted like drawer slides, quite heavy duty I'd say.
He made the drawer somewhat narrow, as it could have been slightly wider but it served his purpose of extra storage. Like I already said, it can be slid from either end.
One thing you might notice is the casters. He used a commonly stocked caster. This GE plant made flourescent lamps and it wasn't unusually to have broken glass laying around. The regular caster that most tool box manufacturers use wouldn't last when rolled through the glass.
I hope somebody can put some of these ideas to use.
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