First Project... a Toolbox

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My first was actually a radio flyer like wagon. I never finished it because of changes thought of to make it cooler like the other tricked out radio flyers.So, work is slow and with nothing to do I decided to go down to my apprenticeship training center (I'm a 2nd yr. sheet metal apprentice) and make a toolbox. It is made of 304 20ga SS, and broke up in a Cincinnati press brake. I wish I took more pictures of the layout, notches, brakes, and fit-up.Lincoln 350MP1/16 Lanthanated (sometimes 3/32)150 amps (pedal)1/16 308L fillerDim: 24 x 14 x 14 (without top)Welding that top header piece in was a pain fit-up should have been better.If I could do it all over again I would have designed it to just be tacked together. Way too much welding.It took me more than a day to figure out how to notch the top for a radius. The die was home-made out of 1 1/4" round bar, but didn't make a brake with a 5/8" radius. So I notched, broke, adjusted. Notched, broke, adjusted. All day.Even with all that trial and error the fit-up was still bad. The fact that I notched it with a cut-off wheel,then hit it with on 80 grit pad on a grinder, must've had thinned out the 20ga didn't help. Wish I had smaller filler than 1/16.
Reply:Last pic for nowBack purge only where seen. Other than that I don't care.
Reply:Keep the photos coming! Every project I complete, I end up with lots of ideas about how to improve the next project.Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkQualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:Handle 1in copper tubing, mitered and fusedOther handle SSSent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk
Reply:I messed up and measured fron the bottom of the inside of box, so the drawers were on 1/16 spaced. Too tight. I got the bottom drawer with a plasma. The straight edge guide slipped on the left sideSent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk
Reply:Polished cornerSent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk
Reply:Nice work.  Be proud of it because it's a functional tool box and you made it.
Reply:Good stuff! Thanks for sharing!GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Very niceLincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Nice work. Loads of detail there.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:Great result. It's a good addition to your shop.PlasmaCam CNC cutterLathe and Band SawClamps
Reply:Spent all of yesterday making these drwaer faces but i didnt like them. In the pic you can see that the handle portion is roundish. It left too much of a gap, especially when standing infrontPolished and ready to be broke. New drawer faces way better.Sent from my LGMS323 using TapatalkLast edited by toolbox; 07-23-2014 at 08:22 PM.
Reply:Pretty much all done. All I need to do is find some clean hinges for the top, it is not attached yet. Sent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by toolboxPretty much all done. All I need to do is find some clean hinges for the top, it is not attached yet.
Reply:looks great! about how much material did that take?- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Wow!!!  25-30 years from now it will still be by your side reminding you of your early days in the trade, not everybody can have such a usefull reminder, good job thank's for sharing.
Reply:Thanks for all the comments A couple of things I wish I planned for:- A cam lock- Some kind of latch to keep drawers closed. Either a spring loaded finger latch or a latch system that holds drawers closed when the top is closed- A strut. Which I may still add, but I guess I would have to calculate the weight/force needed to open. Also figure out extended strut length, which I guess affect the force needed and mounting points.Anybody wanna guess the dry weight of this thing? Its all 20ga SS except for the copper handle, drawer faces, and roller bearing slides.
Reply:How are you going to lock the drawers and top?got to keepthose bastards out.
Reply:Originally Posted by camjeep3looks great! about how much material did that take?
Reply:That looks way too nice to put tools in, lol. Nice work.
Reply:Originally Posted by snowbirdWow!!!  25-30 years from now it will still be by your side reminding you of your early days in the trade, not everybody can have such a usefull reminder, good job thank's for sharing.
Reply:Very nice and great job.
Reply:Inspirational. Thanks.jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Nice...... You do good work!Qualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:Originally Posted by toolboxcamjeep: Quick measurements adds up to a little over 4,000sq.in. So a about 4' x 7' SS sheet, but I probably used more like a full 10 x 4 sheet with drop pieces and all my f&%$ ups along the way. I can't really say though cause I didn't start with a full sheet, I used as much drop pieces as I could.Count: I want to lock it up, just don't know how. I don't want to put a latch with a padlock on itOh my word.... it's absolutely beautiful and so shiny. You built it so incredibly well your great grandchildren will get to use it long after you're pushing up daisies. Love the drawer pulls you ended up using. Is there anyway you could add your name and the year you built this somewhere on the toolbox in an innocuous place.... sorta like how quilts have a name and year on them for future generations? Just a thought.MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin