making a tool chest

admin

I want to make a tool chest but i have no idea how or what exactly i want. I just can't afford snap-on and want to build my own. lol. Obviously i need durability first, then cheap, then lightweight in order of importance. Have any of you guys done one of these could you give me some ideas, tips, and or advice? Thank you.
Reply:Pretty vague on what you want....Are you talking like a small hand tote or a big multi drawer beast?  Look at craftsman boxes, the better ones will last for years at a fraction of what Snappy wants.  For the record, I buy Snap-on when I need specialty or high quality hand tools, but some things are just overpriced...My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmPretty vague on what you want....Are you talking like a small hand tote or a big multi drawer beast?  Look at craftsman boxes, the better ones will last for years at a fraction of what Snappy wants.  For the record, I buy Snap-on when I need specialty or high quality hand tools, but some things are just overpriced...
Reply:Originally Posted by mitch93Obviously i need durability first, then cheap, then lightweight in order of importance.
Reply:where can i get the slides for the slide out boxes in this thing? Oh and also some good durable locking wheels for maneuverability?
Reply:And im also thinking about using like black rhino lining inside the boxes where the tools will lay, where can i get some of that in pieces i can cut to different lengths and widths? thanks a million guys.
Reply:Figure out how many drawers you want and then price out the slides.  After that, go to a good size sears and pick up a new tool box. Seriously though.  A job box or something simple might be worth the effort, but when you start talking drawers, you won't be able to build one as nice for a reasonable price.  As far as tools to build a box, I wouldn't worry too much about welders and such.  A brake would be priceless though... Here's a big blue box I built.... Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:Rockler has more drawer hardware than you can imagine in all sorts of configurations. as well as hinges, lid holders, handles and just about any thing else.http://www.rockler.com/CategoryView.cfm?Cat_ID=11Woodworking places frequently stock them as well as other brands. You may need a bit of thought to attach them. Pop rivits come to mind, but you have to be sure they will clear the slides inside.You can find good casters at MSC, Graingers, McMaster Carr as well as other places. Avoid the solid rubber ones they get flat spots. Poly, steel, or pneumatic are usually good.Liners I picked up some stuff from HF cheap. I destroy the stuff anyways so that worked. I know some guys that have sprayed the liners in. Not my style but they like it.Last edited by DSW; 10-30-2009 at 12:10 AM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If you are on a budget and would like something like one of the millions of large tools chests available for purchase then do just that. Purchase one! On the other hand, if you would like to build a chest that is of the highest quality and you are willing to pay for the parts and materials needed to build such a chest then have at it. Personally I've looked into doing just what you're considering and after much research learned that building my own box, correctly, would end up costing just as much as a similar SnapOn box, if not more.Your biggest expense is going to be the rails, your biggest headache will be in ensuring that the frame is PERFECTLY square, and the most important thing to have is an abundance of patience. If you decided to build this box, look into Blum rails with blu-motion. They have the soft close feature and will keep your drawers from slamming shut and moving all your tools around, very cool. Good Luck!
Reply:I have always wanted to tackle this project also.  I did a lot of searching on it and found a great write up of one guy that designed and built a bunch of tool boxes for his shop.  In my opinion they are amazing.  Like mentioned the drawers are going to be the hardest part of the build.  As for the slides he said that he bought some relatively cheap ones because he needed a bunch of them and said he was surprised at how well they worked for being so cheap, he has a link to them in his thread somewhere.  His shop is pretty neat and clean.  Here is the link to the write up http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...ght=tool+chestIt's a long read but worth it.  One day I will build a modified version of these to fit my needs.  There is a link in his first thread that you can get the cad drawings for the tool chests and all measurements and materials.  I figured it out and you can save a little money over buying a cheap tool chest, deffinately cheaper than a snap on.  It's probably going to be missing some of the features of the snap ons but the quality should good.Good luck!
Reply:spackle bucket?
Reply:I had the same ambition, about twenty five years ago. I had already made a version of the "Gingery" brake and was well on my way making up the drawers. I just visited a store and discretly measured up things. For the slides, I had a sheet metal shop shear off a bunch of pieces to make those friction slides, just like the big boys do. The outer sections were formed around a 1/8" X 3/4" (or maybe it was 1")  bar with the sides ground off (tapered) and the inners were done in the vise using fabricated dies. Essentially a  1/2" square bar pushed in between  two others welded to a plate (after appropriate spacing). So far, low investment, scrap yard steel sheets (18 Ga.)  and about $15 for the shearing of my material.  I got about half finished (no case made yet) and we decided to move and I had to pack up everything. On the last day I had to do a final cleanup and my toolbox was still there. Sorry to say, it went to the scrap yard with a bunch of other half finished useless projects.  Would I do it again?? Never................  Before we moved I had already  located a Beach made top and roller cabinet. BTW that was the top one I was making.I did make a wooden parts cabinet (out of scrap) after I moved. Attached Images
Reply:IMHO, if you are doing this mostly for cheap, you are better off buying one.  I have the set from Harbor Freight and couldn't be happier.   Seems as good, if not better, than the craftsman ones and others that are twice as expensive.   I know if I attempted something like this, I would end up spending twice as much and I would not be happy with the outcome.   Just something to consider.http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...hest&Submit=GoBrew
Reply:Having owned numerous different boxes from differen companies I'll say this.When you buy Snap-On or something to that affect. You're not just paying for a name. IE. 150 year warranties.... Something goes wrong. They bring you a replacement, take yours, and bring it back when it's all fixed.Craftsman and Mastercrafts are awesome. Quality is there. But if something goes wrong. You have to take it to them and wait for it be fixed. Then pick it up.Never owned HF.Had some old school wooden boxes. Loved them. But they require extra attention. Currently have one from RONA. Stainless Steel. Very nice. I really like this one.Here are some plans for building your own.http://reference.toolandfab.com/writ...inets/body.htmI don't know if that was posted as I only skimmed through all these posts.Every tool box will have it's ups and downs.Snap-On's and Matco's are pricey. But have the best warranties and customer service. Quality is unsurpassed.Everything else has lower costs. Great warranties. etc...
Reply:If you want good quality for a cheap price start lurking on kijiji and craigslist.with the economy as it is there are a lot of deals on tools and toolboxes just have to keep watching your area.FelonCaution lurker lives here" hmmm That is serious,pass the ganja and pick up a  24 of MGD"
Reply:For the most part I love to build what i can but also beings time is somthing I find myself with little of I pick and choose what I can build for the right $$ and the time it takes.  Best thing tool wise I have ever bought was my roll around Craftsman tool box, black roller bearing griplatch and its been worth every penny.  I've made hooks, dividers, etc for it and love them too but to just build an entire tool box, couldn't build what I have for the $$.  Good luck on your build if you choose to do that.Trbo
Reply:Get in good with a Snap-On dealer, then, when somebody trades in an old box on a new Snap-On version, snipe a good deal on a used box. Of course, to get in good with the dealer, you have to spend a mint. But, I got a decent Craftsman red set that way, chest and roller, for a hundred bucks! Tools sold separately. I did make an all wooden roller once, with a 4' tall roller cabinet and an 18" top attached, it has 4 swing open doors, at 1&1/2" thick (layered plywood) so I could use locksets and dead bolts. I was storing mainly carpentry tools in that one. I just hung pegs inside the doors and used a few shelves inside, it worked very well. I used that for a few years at my last job. Then I brought it home when I left that position.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I lurke a lot, but this thread reminded me of my dad's toolbox.  here are a few pictures.  The box is about 3'wide x3'tall x4'deep the drawers are bent on a brake and the sides welded on.  The guides are aluminum with delrin as the runners.  The box locks closed and fits perfectly in the bed of his truck and he lifts it in and out with the forklift.  He puts it on the roll around cart in his shop.Ernie Attached ImagesThis cat does it doggie styleMiller Bobcat 225Miller Matic S52ACT520D TIG/Arc/Plasma