toolbox

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Tools
1

this is not armor related, but there is no real spot where this should go. My amount of tools has seemed to grow larger than my $5 rubbermaid box. who makes (i know i’ve seen it somewhere) wooden tool boxes with ample room for multiple tools and paints for a relatively cost (not more than $30-$40). i don’t have too much room to put it, maybe a foot wide. i’m also the type of person that needs it to be organized, if something is out of place i’ll think it’s lost. thanks in advance for any suggestions.

2

Well it’s not wood, but I use an Artworx 2 Artbin that I purchased at Michaels. It’s something like a tacklebox, but not as extreme. It works for me and isn’t too big.

3

My advice to you would be to build your own storage box that conforms to your own specs. All of the wooden ones that I have seen are fairly expensive and large.

4

Another idea is to look at Lowe’s/Home Depot at the cheap plastic toolbox department. I have all of the tools I use on a regular basis in a box that has a large main compartment, a removable tray above that and two small boxes of removable bins on the top for small parts, clamps, etc. Couldn’t have cost above $20, not too large, and doesn’t scratch up the table, walls, etc. the way a wood one can.

5

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=14

Here is an article I did on a modeler’s tool box. It is not all inclusive and it can be tailored to suit your needs, but it is a start for a new modeler or one who wants to get organized. My tool box was designed to be mobile because I traveled a lot. I liked to build at hotel rooms when I was on the road.

6

I use a ‘normal’ sized toolbox that I bought at Canadian Tire. HOlds everything I need in one easy to reach place.

7

Actually, there is a place for this thread to go…and it’s been moved, to TOOLS.

Jeff

8

ok this is SOMETHING like I have …

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=72317-78148-93000&lpage=none

except mine has two drawers at top about 4" deep and two drawers at the bottom about 8 to 10 inches deep. I got it at Lowes as well, but I have seen the same at Wal Mart etc…

The top drawers I use for paints, one drawer acrylic, the other enamel and lacquers.

The first big drawer is for decals and a few rattle cans of dull cote etc… the very bottom big drawer is all my tools, etc type things…

I think it cast me about 10 dollars and it has proven priceless! Everything has a place from A to Z!!!

9

I bought a 24" plastic tool box with storage compartments in the lid at Big Lots for $8.00. Look around at some of the bargain stores and you’ll probably find whar you’re looking for.

10

soorry about the wrong placement of this-next time i’ll know better!

11

Somebody years ago said look at Plano tackle boxes and I took their advice. I bought the biggest one I could find and I’ve been very happy with it. Since then my list of “must have” hobby tools has grown and my toolbox sits ontop of a large three drawer roll around Rubbermaid cabinet.

12

The cheapest wooden (aka machinist) tool box I’ve found is one I purchased at Harbor Freight for $70 a few months ago ( I really want a Gerstner but my wife won’t even let me get one of those to store my overhaul tools in - something about the 350 to 400 buck starting price bothers her). If you could live with a metal box, Sears has several multi draw metal tool boxes in the price range you listed.

13

Toolbox?

You mean you can’t just leave your tools sitting on the workbench? I like being able to quickly grab any tool I need without any haste.

14

Gerstener Tool Boxes are the best, made in USA with old style craftsmanship - check it out:

Of course, as you might expect they are expensive, but maybe if you are very, very good you will get one as a gift. And there is always the lotto…

Kurt

15

I’ve actually got two sets of tools; one is my regular set of tools kept in various parts of the workbench and in nearby drawers and the other is a portable tool box that’s simply an old fishing tackle box my father gave me for Christmas when I modeled as a kid and then years later, I forgot I had it. The portable tool box is great for modeling outdoors–I got tired of jumping up every few minutes like a Jack-in-the-box to go inside and get a tool I had forgotten or all of a sudden needed! I also plan to use it as a travel tool box for if I ever want to model on the road. Recently, I even bought another cheap tackle box to hold all the spare parts, scrap plastic and stuff so when I model outside (or away from home), I have everything in a nice little package! This new tackle box is great because you can actually custom design the storage space to suit your individual needs.

16

I just use a cheap tackle/tool box for all the everyday things. I have a larger set of cheap plastic drawers on wheels for the larger things or those that are not used often. With both I went cheap and they are both fine - it’s not as if they get much hard wear and tear.

When choosing a tackel/tool box, make sure you know the maximum length and width of anything you are going to want to put in any compartments before you get to the store. This saves disappointment later! Shop around, but I’d go for Home Depot, Wal-Mart and the like first.

17

I also have the plastic drawers Tom describes. They are great; they roll out from under the table and can be used as another work surface. The most useful thing on my table though is an artist’s marker holder. Within arms reach and all the “essentials” right there ready to go.

Just picked up the small 3 drawer box the other day to get the more used stuff out of the big deep drawers to where they are more accessible.

18

I finally got tired of trying to buy a box that suited my needs. Hey! We’re all modelers here. Which means we know a bit about plastic. So I built my portable box. 1/8 in. sheet styrene that I get for free at work was used for the case and basic drawer grid. The most of the drawers are out of those Rubbermaid things you see in all the stores. I had to make the ones for the paints as no one seems to make drawers at 2.5 inches deep. Everything was either too deep or too shallow. The finished product is 18l x 12w x 18h & weighs about 3 lbs. It’s portable with a handle on each end but being plastic, it won’t handle the impacts of regular travel. It holds everything but my compressor.

19

Hello BC, Welcome to the forum.

Can you post a picture of your toolbox? You sound like me because I get free 1/8" styrene sheet from work.

20

hey there…

think about a roll around shop toolbox… like this…

[img.nr]http://home.dejazzd.com/delbert3/mystuff/mystuffpics/workbench.JPG[/img.nr]

I bought mine a couple years ago and its great… the top is perfect for holding my paint… the bottom for larger items and the small drawers are great for tools… the medium sized drawers I have divided up with cardboard to hold my various supplys and tools… and the 2 larger bottom drawers are great for holding my work in progress…and their spruce’s…

In recent years the price has been coming down on them… I see this style (only in red only) at wal-mart this year listed at $55…

I also use plastic drawer cabinet’s from wal-mart $10… and the rubber maid 3 to 6 drawer plastic cabinets on my desk top by my tool box…handy space saver stuf for me as my hobby room is a closet but would prob work in any type of work area… and if you don’t want to leave the toolbox out its easy to roll back into a closet out of sight… of the wife…lol