Tool Box Help Needed

[JohnD]

Just to throw ideas at you, Velcro maybe? either velcro tape, part on the handle and part attached the lid or velcro straps attached to the lid and strap the tools in. Or line the lid with wool felt and wrap the tool handles with the hook part of the velcro, it may not be the most comfortable, but you can just toss the tools at the lid to put them away.

[johnggrg]

The tools are placed in the photo right were I want them to be. I do not want to move the middle ones at all.

Thought about velcro but not really what I want in it.

The clips are a good ides but as mentioned they could fall out and I don't want to use them for that reason.

I like the idea of the leather strap for the 2 rows on the sides. But aa I said I want the 2 in the middle to be straight up and down as they are in the picture. But the strap won't work there.

My other thought was to not put them in the box at all and fill the area with a carved leather peice with a border and something inside it. Not sure what but that was my alturnative idea for the lid.

But thank you all for your ideas and keep them comming I have not decided yet still working on sanding it down.

I should mention the box is made from 3/4 red oak. 19 1/2 long x 5 3/4 wide x 7 1/4 high. All solid brass hardware. I really don't plan on carrying the box around. Just going to sit on the work table unless I have to move it for one reason or another.

The project started over a year ago with an idea. I cut the boards from a log I got from a buddy who had cut down an oak tree in his yard. He had kept the log to sit on around his fire pit. But I got him to give iit up and then dried it out useing the solar kilm method. Cut the boards, stack them, then wrap in plastic making sure to put holes in the bottom for water to drain. Dried to about 25% moisture.

They started off being 1 inch thick boards then plained down to 3/4. Honestly nothing differant then store bought lumber just took longer to get and a little more work. I just wanted to make the box for my tools but then desided to make the lumber to build the box to. Alot of trouble I know but I don't mind waisting a little time. The removeable board that goes inside to hold the tools will hold:

260 tools

1 hefty handle

3 swivel knives

4 slots for extra swivel knife blades

9 differant diamond chisels

1 Vguage

3 oblong punches

2 copper rivet setters

4 differant sized spot setters and a place for the setting block

1 needle holder ( made from a hand stitching tool. It was the handle that has a screw off lid on the handle. I just tore off the stitcher part and kept the handle) I never used it anyway now I do.

And there is still more room on the board for more that is just what I have laid out so far.

Thought I would add that. john

Edited September 11, 2014 by johnggrg

[billybopp]

Gotta love making something all the way from raw resource to completed item. Even if it looks the same as the wood that you might buy, YOU will always know the difference. Additionally, you know something more about how that wood got to the local lumberyard now.

You might look at a bulldog clamp for the tools in the lid. They should grip a little tighter without loosening over time as the spring clip might. They're not expensive, and you should be able to find them at any home store for certain and probably wal mart or kmart as well. They are probably near the mops and brooms, as that is what they were really designed for. You might also poke around when you find them. There are a few variations on the design of these clips, so give 'em a look!

http://www.amazon.com/Bulldog-Spring-Organizer-Brooms-Rakes/dp/B00GP59NBQ/

Hope that helps

Bill

[mlapaglia]

Do leather straps and make the middle ones tighter and use a snap to lift the strap instead of sliding the tool out unsnap one end and lift out.

[johnggrg]

Hey Bill good idea I will look into those. Mlapaglia I did think of that does sound good. I also had a weird idea of adding shocks in it. So when you undo the lock the lid rises on it's own. Not that I need that but thought it would be cool. John

[bullmoosepaddles]

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Neodymium Ring Magnets with Countersink

Rare earth magnets are extremely strong and should hold your tools in place easily.

They average about a buck or so each. If that is something you would consider. All you have to do is screw each magnet in place and lay your tool on it.