Building my tool chest

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WhitsEnd
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Building my tool chest

Post by WhitsEnd »

Decided to start my own thread so I don't step on any toes.

Previously posted, I decided to build a tool chest because of the specific requirements that the available stuff doesn't meet. This is going to be a beefy box. When done, It will be able to hold several hundred pounds and I can mount a vice on it.
Top three drawers will be for hand tools, lower two storage drawers will be for bulkier items, kits and boxes. Those two drawers will be a re-purposed lateral file cabinet I already have and don't use.

Made my plans and called the order in to Metal Supermarkets. So far the truck content only includes the fact that I picked up the steel in the '70.

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8) 1970 F100 Ranger 2WD
:thup: project link: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=83642
WhitsEnd
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Re: Building my tool chest

Post by WhitsEnd »

Next step was to burn some wire.

NOTE: If you buy an Eastwood MIG welder, they are awesome! However, the wire that comes with it is Chinese JUNK!!!!
I blamed the poor welds on the oil inside the tubes, thinking I couldn't get it clean enough...until I ran out of wire and bought a name brand spool.

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8) 1970 F100 Ranger 2WD
:thup: project link: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=83642
WhitsEnd
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Re: Building my tool chest

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Lower drawers in, lower half painted and two of the three top drawers in.

Drawer pulls are 3/4" aluminum tube attached with original cast aluminum FE rocker shaft stands.

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8) 1970 F100 Ranger 2WD
:thup: project link: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=83642
WhitsEnd
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Re: Building my tool chest

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I've decided to store my welder on this chest as well, so I needed to mount the gas bottle on the side. I don't like the typical chain or strap concept and I don't know why that is the standard. I designed and made an attachment bracket that uses the threads for the valve cap.
Supporting the bottle from the bottom and then limiting the bracket from moving in any direction means the bottle is completely contained.

When I told my local welding supply manager what I was doing, he was intrigued enough to give me the cap to cut up for free.

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I needed two pins to eliminate motion in X and Y, so I plug welded them in the same plate. The angle, square tube and pin plate were all clamped and drilled for the 3/8" pins in one shot for alignment. One of the pins is drilled at a very slight angle, meaning it will drag tighter as I lift it and not pull completely out without a lot of effort. It only has to be raised about 1/2" to release the the bracket on the bottle.

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The safety pin in the bracket just makes it easier than bending over to put a pin in one of the 3/8" locating pins.

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Final product

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Lower shelf and red angle on the collar restrict the Z movement, the two pins restrict it in X and Y. There is ZERO movement of the bottle. To release it, I simply pull the pin and raise the bracket with the two vertical pins. Then the collar bracket can be rotated out (remember, it's threaded on) and used as a handle to lift the bottle off the cart.

Now to finish painting the drawers and put the top sheet on....
8) 1970 F100 Ranger 2WD
:thup: project link: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=83642
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sargentrs
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Re: Building my tool chest

Post by sargentrs »

Awesome tool chest! :clap:
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
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cstoyer
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Re: Building my tool chest

Post by cstoyer »

I'm guessing that will weigh more empty than most peoples will full :lol: Regardless that is awesome :thup: . I really like the bottle holder/mount and yes the chain standard is outdated.

CStoyer
68 F250 4x4
WhitsEnd
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Re: Building my tool chest

Post by WhitsEnd »

Yeah, it weighs more than I had intended. I still think I'm OK for the 600lbs the wheels are rated at. I may upgrade the wheels later if I decide to use this to drop a motor on.

I almost mounted a tube on the end to slide my engine stand mount on. I hate how low my engine stand is and I have to rebuild the FE this winter.
8) 1970 F100 Ranger 2WD
:thup: project link: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=83642
WhitsEnd
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Re: Building my tool chest

Post by WhitsEnd »

It's been a while, but I finished up the chest. Now it's time to get back to cleaning the rest of the place up and start ripping into the truck.

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8) 1970 F100 Ranger 2WD
:thup: project link: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=83642
cjcfjamartin
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Re: Building my tool chest

Post by cjcfjamartin »

Started building our shop and needing a whole lot of tools for our new mechanic shop. Excited and scared! Our towing service in Lubbock TX is doing well but we are opening up a auto mechanic shop with it now. Trying to find lifts for heavy's! Check us out Tiger Towing and Transportation 4901 Ute Avenue Lubbock, TX 79404, http://www.towingservicelubbock.com. I would love some feed back and thoughts on what I might be overlooking. Thanks!
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