Simple DIY Tool Box.

by backwards lamb in Workshop > Organizing

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Simple DIY Tool Box.

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I like to do DIY around the house and fix things. I needed a tool box for one off use or specific tasks.

Whenever I needed to put up a picture or do a bit of DIY I would collect all the necessary tools and materials and then have nothing to carry it all with, as my other tool boxes are large and have things in that I don't use for every job. So that’s why I thought I would make a little one use tool box.

Supplies

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It would probably be best to have a good look at all the stages to get an idea of what is needed as I don’t know if I got everything in the section


Tools.

  • saw, hand saw, circular saw or table saw should all work
  • rulers and measuring tools.
  • Pen/Pencils any marking tools.
  • Drill.
  • Forstner bits, counter sink bits and wood drill bits.
  • Clamps

Materials.

  • Wood plank, I used a scrap shelf board and a section of leftover plywood.
  • Thin mdf. For the internal caddy (optional)
  • Wooden dowel, I used an old broom handle.
  • Wood screws.
  • Glue.
  • Paint.

Draw Up the Plans.

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There are no real plans for this tool box. I just designed the box around the size of the plank of wood I was going to use for the main parts of the tool box. The broom handle informed the size of the top of the main parts that hold the handle.

the design of the tool box went through the classic lunch box style to one with a compartment on one end to house larger power tools (depending on the job at hand, mainly a drill or screwdriver) this was the only part that hadh to be of a specific size. It had to be big enough to hold the battery of my tools, which are mainly ryobi one+ tools.


so the planning part is mainly seeing how many “handle support parts”, “side panels walls” and “end pieces”.

So draw out the size and shap of the largest parts and the walls and see if they can fit on your chosen wood and if not change the design slightly until it all works.

Cut Out the Parts.

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I started by drawing the two large ‘house’ shapes on the plank. I cut two identical pieces, and the drew the thickness of the base and side pieces.

I then cut these sections out of one of the ‘house shapes.” This part will be the middle wall of the tool box.

The side walls and base are the same length and the walls are as high as you wish them to be.

Test Fit and Final Assembly

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Once all the parts were cut I did a dry fit assembly to test all the components fit and to get the sizing for the handle and end section for the power tools.

Once the spacing is set it was time to drill the holes for the handle. Using a Forsner bit the same size of the handle I clamped the two ‘house parts’ together and drilled through both of them to make sure the hole was in the same place on both pieces.

Once the spacing and handle holes were drilled I drilled counter sunk pilot holes where they would be held together and then screwed it alltogether with wood screws.

Internal Caddy (optional)

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This step is optional but I wanted a little internal caddy that could be removed if not needed.

In my planning (in my head) this caddy would hold screws, drillbits, wall plugs and other small items I didn’t want rolling around the bottom of the main tool box.

The insert box is a similar design to the main box, sides and ends are the same with the middle divider having a raised section to make picking it up out of the tool box easier.

I just wood glued this box together as the wood is a bit thin for screws and I didn’t feel like nailing it all.

Painting.

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I taped the handle off at the ends where it meets the main body (because I was too lazy to remove it for painting.) and gave the whole tool box a sanding.

Then I painted everything apart from the handle with an outdoor hard wearing paint (also what I had in the shed)


after a couple of coats it looked good to go.

Finished Product.

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Once the paint has dried and the tape removed you have a finished tool box for all your carrying needs. (Well my carrying needs anyway)

if you like my instuctable please give it a like or vote if it’s in the competition at the moment you may be reading this :)

if you have any questions please ask and I will do my best to answer.


Additional Elements.

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After finishing the tool box I used it for a while.

I discovered a little issue when using tall or heavy power tools. They would wobble and top heavy tools felt they might fall out.

So with the use of a small bungee and some screw in eyelets or hooks I made a strap that could be easily adapted for the different sized tools.

Hooking the bungee around the tool and back to the eyelet on the tool box made the tools feel safer in their place.


again. Thanks for looking at my instructable and useful lease ask if you have any questions. :)