Print PDF
Favorite
Email
A simple wood tool box.
The bottom is a simple wood box, held together by brads and glue. The upright is thin plywood pushed in to a slot in the base, cut with a table-saw.
The tool-holding brackets on both sides of the box are off-set from each other, so that both can be attached with screws through the backside. The one side has holes drilled through it for screwdrivers and similar tools. The other side is cut with a jig saw, to fit pliers, tin snips, and similar hand tools.
Larger and odd shaped tools fit in the bottom.
The box is narrow enough to not hit you in the knee while walking with the box. Because of the height of the handle, you don't have to bend over as far to pick up or set down the box.
The open design holds tools in place and in sight. No more digging to the bottom of a bag.
The box could be finished with stain, varnish, paint, or clear-coat, or simply left as-is.
The bottom is a simple wood box, held together by brads and glue. The upright is thin plywood pushed in to a slot in the base, cut with a table-saw.
The tool-holding brackets on both sides of the box are off-set from each other, so that both can be attached with screws through the backside. The one side has holes drilled through it for screwdrivers and similar tools. The other side is cut with a jig saw, to fit pliers, tin snips, and similar hand tools.
Larger and odd shaped tools fit in the bottom.
The box is narrow enough to not hit you in the knee while walking with the box. Because of the height of the handle, you don't have to bend over as far to pick up or set down the box.
The open design holds tools in place and in sight. No more digging to the bottom of a bag.
The box could be finished with stain, varnish, paint, or clear-coat, or simply left as-is.
It's a pretty basic design, and the exact dimensions don't matter that much, but I like that it has a tall handle, as a person doesn't have to bend over very far to pick it up off the ground.
Tall makes it easy to pick up and set down on the ground from standing height.
Narrow keeps it from wacking into your leg while you carry it.
Length isn't that important. It only really has to be a bit longer than your longest hammer, wrench, or other item you would lay in the bottom.
I am not sure, but from the pics the upright looks like a 1/4 ply. I would have prefer that to be 1/2 ply to be a bit more sturdy.
The upright portion of the box is a very thin wood, but it is only being pulled on by the weight below. Most materials are much stronger when being pulled on, than pushed against.
This tool box is based on one that has been used daily for over half a century by a professional carpenter. That box has never broken, and uses the exact same thickness material.
That said, nothing would prevent a person from using this design, but with a thicker upright. You would simply need to make two cuts on the sides and chisel between them to make the space for the thicker upright. It would be sturdy, but I think just starting to be a bit heavy as well.
http://www.instructables.com/id/My-Great-Grandpas-Toolbox/
This toolbox is based off one my father has. When he was apprenticing to be a carpenter, his master carpenter built one for him.
His has been in use for about 40 years now.