What to do when Portable Tool Set Cases Break?

[GoodoleBoy]

Ive probably got 2 sets of 100-150 piece tool sets that need new plastic tool boxes that came with them originally.Problem is they dont ever come up used nor manufacturer support replacement of the boxes.

Is their a good way to put these tools back to work and still have conveince of portability from beyond the home?

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Metal tool box and socket rails. I couldn't find a USA made one in the size I needed, but you can find Cantilever style tool boxes inexpensively (imports), to expensive (Kennedy).

 

[rsieracki]

craftsman sells/sold a similar empty case to put your tools in... i have one im not useing but shipping cant be cheap and i want to say there probobly around $30 at sears. not sure if your tools are CMAN but im guessing they may fit as most manufactures hav similar overall socket dimentions

 

[jjjrmx5]

Is their a good way to put these tools back to work and still have conveince of portability from beyond the home?

Yes and no. Most storage cases these days are blow-molded, with the lower end tools using cases with living hinges for the rear of the case as well as the closing latch. You higher end cases often use seperate screw or bolt on hinges and a 2 or 3 piece latch that is far less likely to wear to the point of breaking.

For tools that come in sets, I usually transfer over to a rolling or big box and pitch the cases. For service sets I keep in the car (a'la Blue Point) , they don't see enough use to worry about hinge failure.

For cases for my small floor jack as well as a couple of bit cases ans micro screwdriver cases, I found the locking latch fails before the rear hinge. For small cases , I just purchase lengths of velcro, sew the hook and loop end to end so that as I wrap it around the case it forms a loop and locks the lid shut. Modified old style bicycle pedal clip straps also work for this.

For biggers cases, if the reear hinge breaks, I usually take a piece of tooling leather and cut it to length and pop-rivet it to the top and bottom pieces (use washers) and that re-creates the full length hinge but in leather.

For the front latch, I reinforce the velcro with leather, then pop rivet loop side on to the top lid and and hook side onto bottom lid. Leave long pigtail on top lenght so it can be pulled down and grabbed by the bottom velcro piece.

A piano hinge pop riveted to recreate the rear hing may work but my require some shimming.

Retrofitting an older front hinge and pop-riveting on is a little easier.

The goal is sturdy and keeping things closed so your tools don;t go flying .

If you are looking for exact replacement boxes new from the mfgr., due to a lot of changes in tool design and quantity and type of tools sold in sets, I;d be hard pressed to believe you'd be able to find one unless it's a relatively new set. That's why I suggested repair first, then start to look for a general service box that will fit what you have.

Good luck

 

[Packard V8]

Lessee, plastic tool boxes and after a few uses hinges break off, latches break off. As jjjrmx5 shows how, they can be patched up, but ultimately, they're junk.

I remember once when I was trying to repair something similar, my dad said, "One day you'll figger out, ya just cain't polish a terd."

jack vines

 

[blue dog]

these do not break. baja proven.

 

[BlindViper]

My craftsman case the lid for the small sockets kept popping out. I put a piece of 1/4-20 threaded rod through both "hinges". Then the latch always popped loose as well and when I opened the case it was 90 piece pick up sticks. I bought a small brass latch at home depot then filled the plastic area with epoxy. After I attached the latch it never opens unless I want it to.

 

[jjjrmx5]

these do not break. baja proven.

I agree 100%. Most of their stuff is MIL spec or severe duty rated, and has a price to match.
The largest problem is tool organization, as you are left either shadowing in foam or using a combo of foam and special/homemade retention devices to keep everything from clinking around and becoming a jumbled "Lincoln Logs" style mess. LOL.

I sitll have an older style metal Makita drill box and an metal Porter Cable drill Box that I foam shadowed. Great for longevity, but not the most efficient storage I;ve used before.

 

[GoodoleBoy]

thanks for the help and advice so far..The brands are Crescent and Channel Lock. I will look into all options.Fixing them with hinges and straps seems to be the prudent choice..But they are cheap to begin with and maybe a new hardbox or metal or plastic is in order..
Really though, I really like the convenience of being done working looking at the missing spots in the cases and retrieve what I forgot to put up..Never lost a socket using these but the cheap plastic has limited life.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

thanks for the help and advice so far..The brands are Crescent and Channel Lock. I will look into all options.Fixing them with hinges and straps seems to be the prudent choice..But they are cheap to begin with and maybe a new hardbox or metal or plastic is in order..
Really though, I really like the convenience of being done working looking at the missing spots in the cases and retrieve what I forgot to put up..Never lost a socket using these but the cheap plastic has limited life.

That is why you would use socket rails. You can add or remove clips so only the sockets you have are on it (can spot missing ones), and with cantilever style boxes, use the trays for the different sizes.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Really though, I really like the convenience of being done working looking at the missing spots in the cases and retrieve what I forgot to put up..Never lost a socket using these but the cheap plastic has limited life.

I can understand that as the plastic cases for the HF security bit set are ****, but a few modifications and they will last.
I can also understand the desire to retain the orig. case for it's unique to your tools oragnization, but indeed they are really not designed to get in and out of day after day. I like to keep things around as long as I can until repairing them is a lost cause. Again the heavy duty leather hinge and velcro set up I;ve done is for pro daily use, and if done well and tidily, looks almost as good as OEM and works a long time.

I;d fix what you have and start looking for solutions for a new storage system as while the fixes may last a while, it it not an industrial solution for a box used daily or at least often.

Might want to do a WTB for any cast off cases and I know the blow molded muliti-drawer black adn red box that craftsman does is usually tossed out so some of them may fit your needs and be cheap.

 

[buildmyown]

I was just in sears and they had a plastic molded case for 150 sockets and ratchets for $9.00 on clearance