Tool Boxes

Jengle

You know, it just ticke me off to see something that I need that costs $500 but the manufacturer is charging three grand. And usually, I can fill the need better than a generic anything. So, here goes. I am asking any and all for suggestions to the following challenge. Here is my van today (pictured, I hope).

I modified a second system and made two of the drawers two 2-drawer stacks to lower the weight. Still, they are far too heavy and cumbersome to manage all day long.

I am thinking about massive drawer slides, but these pig are 96" deep boxes and about 200lbs each.

With the longer truck, I have the 8 foot boxes and enough room up front to stow my table saw, compressor, etc.

Maybe something as simple as a good pair of waxed wood glides with a LOT of surface area?

I am also thinking of filling the side slider door with a floor to ceiling storage system and keeping eight feet behind there open for materials. But that puts my center of gravity much higher. With all the weight on the floor like this, is handles well.

Thanx, Jeff

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A W Smith

i have one of these four drawer units in one of my pickups i got damaged for 300 bucks about 15 years ago off some guys front lawn. WOW i see they are 699 now. for a van you can turn the three drawer unit out the curbside door. The four drawer unit out the back

American Van Equipment

or now seeing your picture of a much larger unit you could take all the drawers out and embed 3 sets of rollers or casters in the floor of the box every 24 inches or so. (you dont need a wheel, roller or caster all the way at the back)

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

Jengle

Thanks, Mr. smith, I see from your link that the boxes are 50" deep. Lemme see howtwo would do with a tape measure...

A W Smith

the drawers I linked to are only 4 3/8 inches inches deep. You will not fit a nail gun or large tools in those drawers. I posted before you loaded your picture. My drawers are filled with hardware, blades, hand tools, fittings, etc. But if you are a handyman as described in your profile they would be perfect to keep your supplies in.

a number of years ago I hired a carpenter out of the help wanted, He showed up with a wooden version in his van of what I had in aluminum. What were the chances?

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

Jengle

I took a look at the steel boxes on that site as well. They incorporate some conveyor rollers in their design...That made me look up rollers, and they led me to ball transfer units...Man, I gotta get some metal fab tools!

Double-A

A couple of thoughts come to mind. One is polyethylene strips to act as slides and just plain ol' casters or rollers on the bottom of the drawers to make them easy to move in and out.

Course, both of those ideas might get you killed if you're parked uphill on a nice steep hill and open your back doors.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006