Making a Metal Tool Cabinet - Ultimate Toolbox Build
Adding extra storage space to my shop with this DIY Metal Tool Cabinet. It's a roll around mobile tool box, but built more like a safe! Is it the ultimate tool box build or just another tool chest?
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🛠 Tools and Parts Used In This Video:
Evolution Chop Saw - amzn.to/3cnmQ1e
Plasma Cutter - amzn.to/36xHffO
Mig Welder - amzn.to/3kTUDS8
Flap Discs - lddy.no/tnvu
Cordless Angle Grinder - amzn.to/2LiWene
Metric Combination Drill Bits - www.banggood.c...
Standard Combination Drill Bits - www.banggood.c...
Welding Clamps - amzn.to/3bu09HY
Mig Pliers - amzn.to/3t2dugu
.035 Mig Wire - amzn.to/2O2qmnN
Stronghand On/Off Magnet - amzn.to/3ttktAr
Welding Sleeves - amzn.to/3kVfdBH
Automatic Center Punch - amzn.to/3eidOnr
Leather Apron - amzn.to/2N2Mq1w
Mega Squares - fireballtool.com
Drawer Slides - amzn.to/38n1bng
Truck Bed Coating - amzn.to/3v4SAzl
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Пікірлер: 369
What kind of custom tool box would you build? What features would it have and what would material would you use? Let me know!
@hardy489
3 жыл бұрын
One with a top box on it like the Milwaukee one (so that you can put a laptop or more tools on it) with the opportunity to secure them from dirt. Maybe you could build one like this with showing how you are planing it? PS. Greetings from Germany and great video
@jacoblattimore5434
3 жыл бұрын
I think I would build a longer/taller toolbox, with a thick, ridged metal top. Bolt my South Bend Lathe to the top of it, and be able to store all the lathe tools and accessories in the drawers below. Would be quite the expensive project, but maybe someday I will. Great video as always, and a beautiful toolbox. love the heavy metal! 🤟
@rickmellor
3 жыл бұрын
I think I'd build a copy of yours, honestly. I have a Fireball Tool fixture plate that I'd put on top and keep my welding accessories in the drawers.
@jafinch78
3 жыл бұрын
Maybe an aluminum bed between the wheel wells or bed body unused space design?
@MrSnipe129
3 жыл бұрын
I made a two drawer toolbox for my estate car for storing tools etc needed for work & shotgun storage among other hobbies etc. The toolbox has a 66degree sloped back to match the rear seats with the top drawer having a depth of 8" and the bottom as 12" I constructed the toolbox from 1.2mm mild steel. Only tooling was basic hand tooling, only power tools a pillar drill, grinder and MIG welder. Also a box and pan folder required for folding the steel sheet. Ball bearing rollers. I plan to fit locks in the near future. I can send you some images - much much lighter in construction than this
Not sure where I heard this. “You can’t buy cool you can only make it.” Mad skills man👊🏻
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
OMG, after that paint job, that box is professional looking as hell.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Screw those HF comments, your channel is called "Making Stuff". I just got my CNC plasma cutter running and found your process most informative. I would have made the same mistakes you showed here, but now I won't. Thanks for all the tips: 14/16 gauge, weld heat and truck bed liner.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Great build! The only concern I have is the welded drawer glides because they are your weakest component. Riveted would have been plenty strong enough and much easier to work with when your son or grandson eventually needs to replace the glides. 😁
Crappy toolboxes have angered me for years. I LOVE that someone finally said "NO!" to China Freight and made something better! Finally I see a good use for making a cnc plasma cutter. Fantastic work, I noticed those Fireball tool magnetic squares too...👀 I want an entire home full of furniture made like this 😍How much heavier do you imagine this would be if you used 12 Gauge sheet for all of it? Also- subbed. This is awesome work
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Well said! Thanks for the sub. I used 1.5 sheets of 14ga just for the drawers. So figure the weight of 12ga sheet and multiply by 1.5.
@bad_covfefe
2 жыл бұрын
Harbor freight tool boxes are pretty good, actually.
@sblspawn3004
2 жыл бұрын
Everything has a reason. If a cabinet of this size made of steel were to be sold, its cost could easily around $1000.
@mrbojangles9841
Жыл бұрын
I say yes to china freight every day. My retirement account thanks me and tells me to keep doing it and never stop.
@1nvisible1
Жыл бұрын
*Your wife would **_NOT_** allow an entire home full of furniture like this. Signed, Your Wife.*
Good job! In my opinion, making something with your own hands is always more interesting than buying ready-made. Congratulations!
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Very true! Thanks for watching!
You can go to a box store and buy a toolbox, but you won't get that kind of quality box,shop built is always better. Great job.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Very true!
Beautiful cabinet and impressive craftsmanship. Agree about making your own is fun. You also learn something every time.
Looks great. You could salvage the first drawer by adding vertical dividers and several spots to pull it straight and weld a lid with some hinges to use as a screw box or parts box.
@FrustratedBaboon
3 жыл бұрын
Or salvaging may lead to more problems. Afterthoughts.
@anonymous5095
2 жыл бұрын
I’d reinforce the first drawer, and add a handle and use it as a side tray and handle for this box. Awesome build.
Awesome! I noticed that you oscillate the welding torch. That technique is usually for making heavy welds. The wider the oscillation, the wider and heavier the weld. For sheet metal, you might try a simple straight back and forth movement, or no movement at all. In addition, positioning the work so that you can make vertical down welds will also help make smaller welds and put less heat into the work. Just some thoughts that might help. Regards
@danielmcbain7866
2 жыл бұрын
Why use any motion at all. I'm not sure why, it's popular in the USA but in Australia, you fail a weld test for welding that way on steel unless it's a lap join pretty much. For heavy fab, spray arc straight ahead is a much better technique, faster, better penetrative weld , that looks nicer and is significantly less spattering. KZread seems full of guys that weld with these weaving techniques up and down, back and fourth etc etc, I don't know why there's so little just straight ahead welding. For this light gauge stuff vertical down is all that would ever need , your right, but you'd just drag it straight down surely
@EverettWilson
Жыл бұрын
@@danielmcbain7866 I can't speak for Australia, but spray arc is out of the budget of most of us in the US unless it's for a job.
That thing is beautiful. And I know it feels better, smoother, and is about 10,000x stronger/stouter than a hf box. Good work!
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!
Love the fact that its heavy duty. So many of the store bought are flimsy and fall apart too soon. Good Job. Heavy also means it will be harder to steal.
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, good point. Never thought of the security aspect. Thanks for watching!
“What’s the fun in that?” Exactly!
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Several years of use? I'd say more like many lifetimes! Built like a tank and it looks outstanding!!! I'm impressed!
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Those of us with smaller shops benefit a lot from custom made. Sometimes I don't have 36" for that cheap weak HF box and I need a good strong 30" box to fit in the only hole I have at the moment for a box. And it needs to serve double if not triple duty by also being a sturdy worktable for my 300lb metal lathe... Great looking box, keep it up.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Watching this video really makes me appreciate the factories in China that makes tool boxes that you can buy for a good price.
If i had your welding skills I would build one also. Instead, I have woodworking skills so I make everything out of wood. Great job!
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
Cool, thanks
Keep on making stuff. I made a wooden tool box for my compressed air nailerd and air staplers. I made them butterfly style, when I open it up, on one side are my two air staplers and on the other side are my two nailers in between are the nails, Staples, oil and other accessories....
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Very cool!
Awesome toolbox! Just got done making a base for the bike stand - with three built-in drawers. Birch plywood, screwed and glued.
man! he just built that! out of of nothing! welding's amazing!
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Great Project, I say $300 dollar general tool box or custom 14 gauge beast.. Go for the beast!! I would add fold up shelves on the sides; as those seem to be handy for at the work station possibilities.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your input, thanks for watching!
I ran to the store and bought a toolbox, which is still sitting in the box. Now, I'm looking at videos on how to build one. You're so correct....where's the fun in buying something when you could build it! Thank you for making this video! I'm sure I'll take some of your ideas.
@MakingStuff
10 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
I miss my plasma table! Great project. That table will last for a hundred years, long after the store bought ones have been tossed in the city dump.
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Internet trolls will be trolls! Making your own gear is the way to go! Thank you for sharing.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
You got that right! Thanks for watching!
I've thought about making a tool box like this, but the thought of making all those drawers line up just right sounds like a dang nightmare. Good job and awesome build!
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
I cringed a little bit when I started the drawers and thought about how to get it to line up, but it was that bad once I got started,
One of the strongest tool boxes ever made. Nice job.
@MakingStuff
4 ай бұрын
Thanks!
Yes you said it.... It's stout 14g . I learned the hard way when making a 14g plasma catch pan. I warped the crap out of it solid welding it. I managed to salvage it by brute force. I liked your cut out of flat sheets leaving the tabs for easy bending. Nice idea. Box is top notch and HF model isnt nearly as well built
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Awesome looking toolbox. Can save money by using old bed frames and the tin from old dryers or washers that people throw out. Not thick enough for the drawers, but good for the sides. I would add a handle on one side and a folding tray on the other side. Thanks for the video! I use the door from old dryers to make folding trays for my existing rolling toolboxes.
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
I used sheet metal from microwave ovens to repair my first car. It was a 1970 Beetle. Yeah it's great when you can find scrap metal that works. Thanks for watching!
Absolutely agree with you! Much more satisfying ti build something with your own hands, than to buy it! Nice job brother
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
You've inspired me mate. Im looking forward to making a sizeable work bench with drawers . Thanks a lot 🙏
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Glad I could help motivate. Thanks for watching!
Funny enough, Buying the tools and metal sheets to make this is probably less expensive than buying an actual tool caninet
Nice project. That looks awesome! I really need a CNC plasma table.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
great job, I see you learned that stitching is best and more than adequate for sheet metal welds. I would also ad that your circular welding technique is also adding unnecessary heat to the weldment.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tips!
such an awesome job! and personally i would absolutely have loved to watch you paint this lol
@MakingStuff
10 ай бұрын
Thanks!
That's so cool. I don't have a cnc table, but I am going to use my manual plasma cutter and build a box. I will post pics on your pinned comment when I have a finished product. Thanks
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Sounds great!
I agree with your position on building. Way more satisfying. Looks very solid . Glad to see you using the Fireball squares, haha.
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
Awesome looking tool box, nice job!
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
This turned out quite amazing. Love the quick squares!😀
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! 😊
good job. I have been kicking around building a tool box out of aluminum. Keep up the good work
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks, will do!
Looks great, great video!
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
This is MUCH better quality than Harbor Freight. No comparison. Love it!
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Sick job!
@MakingStuff
2 ай бұрын
Thanks!
Built two sets of cabinets for my welding tables--one all 12 ga. with 3 drawers--39" wide; the other two all wood with 2 drawers each--28" wide. I put clear stained pine wood faces with full width angle iron pulls on all drawers painted blue and black. The first one was a pain--made mistakes that I corrected on the other two. Now...when do I get a CNC? That'd make the job a lot more fun.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
I would build my cabinet 2 story high with a hot tub and a barbeque on the porch... :D :D
Great work!
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Brilliant, that cabinet is built to last forever
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Sweet box man
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Well done
@MakingStuff
13 күн бұрын
Thanks!
A beautiful build. I love to recess on a top that will stop tools and drills and taps and what not from rolling off. I would never go to that store you mentioned and buy a toolbox...
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Cool, thanks!
Nice work.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Thanks for these tips
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
I like the drawer pulls I made something similar out of a steel foremans desk ;I used HF end wrench set for drawer pulls.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
That would make an awesome chop saw cart
Nice work
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
To hell with what anyone else says, you did a great job 👏 👍 🙌
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks man!
Nice build and good catch with the thinner material.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
I would definitely paint mine red and pretend it’s a Milwaukee box. 😂
Very good job, great skill in making that 👍👍
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you 👍
That is heavy duty! Great build.
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
That was outstanding.
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Wow. Nice, very simple.
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks a lot 😊
Just found your channel and subscribed. Nice job. The only thing I didn't like is welding the castors on, real pita when one goes bad.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the sub! I have found it's actually quicker to cut a bad one off than to drill and tap holes. That's why I didn't plug weld through the mounting holes.
Fantastic tool box!! That's way more built then any off the shelf tool box. Have you thought of adding wood to the top so it also a work top. Maybe even add a vice. Or are you planning on adding another part to the top
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
I have plans for the top, hopefully a future video.
thanks for teaching me
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
No problem
Thats unique to you im a great believer in making ur own.
Nice work ! You realize of course that unless you drop it off the 89th. floor of the Empire State Building this beautiful cabinet will OUT LAST you and me. L.O.L. Beautiful craftsmanship !!
@MakingStuff
6 ай бұрын
Thanks!
bravo bel lavoro
Only 298 lbs? I'd claim victory if I were you! In all seriousness , great work. And you're right it is more fun (and satisfying) to build things yourself. Especially if you use them all the time.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
Yours is of better quality. I need a wide one. My tools have overgrown my craftsman box
I love this! How much do you think you have in materials, just ballpark . I know sourcing the steel is the main factor.
@MakingStuff
Күн бұрын
I had about $200 in it when I built it. Probably double that now with current prices.
Great looking toolbox 👍 Found your channel when I was gatherijg info about plasma cnc I'm currently building (mpcnc primo) and found a lot of interesting projects 👍
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Cool, thanks
Seasonal greetings from Wales, U.K. That's a great tool box !! If I could weld I'd go for making one like that rather than buying one 100%.
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
Nice job sir
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
The locks tool Boxes always suck , I know you will secure yours . Great Box
Your tool box idea is great idea. And you gave some good tips. Keep up the good work.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
I built a steel framed 60” x 28” bottom box ~25 years ago. Steel casters and wheels, MDF top, baltic birch sides and back with baltic birch drawers with drawer fronts of red birch I cut and dried myself. Nothing has failed yet. And though some questioned my use of the wood drawers at the time, I wasn’t worried. 25 years later it’s safe to proclaim my design and construction was and is sound including the 1-1/2” MDF top as a workspace. I didn’t build it like the one in the vid, and if I had to do it over? I’d change some ergonomics and esthetic points but build it the same. A couple of modifications are about to take place: an additional 3/4” of MDF will be added for 2-1/4” total thickness, I’m mounting my 8” bench vise to it. I am scrunched into a 28’ office trailer for a tool shop at present and plan to maintain that for quite a while into the future. Spacial Efficiency is required and I’m 70/30% decided I’m going to build a self-built rugged woodworking end vise on the right side as I’ve found this cabinet maker’s tool extremely useful for sheetmetal and many mechanic’s tasks. But holding portable electric tools for intermittent stationary use - like the bench grinder, or belt sander- is my immediate motivation- not merely keeping grit and grease off the woodworking bench. Nice tool box. My methodology would be different as I don’t have a fancy metal cutting phaser, but it looks good. I’d probably just TiG the drawer slides ‘live’ and call it good. So much faster to just space and shim the drawers and the slides will just be where they are.
Sure would be nice to have a cnc plasma cutter around.
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
You can always make one like I did.
That does look like fun!!! Nice video 👍👍👍
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you 🤗
Awesome work mate!!
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
If I had access to all your (toys) Tools, I would create a nice roller cabinet for my radial arm saw.
Super cool😃
@MakingStuff
7 ай бұрын
Thanks!
This thing is fortified!!🔥
Bad ass fabricating. Thanks for sharing.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
nice build, better than store bought and the pride of saying I MADE THAT!!!!!
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
You got that right. Thanks for watching!
Great project as usual! and yes you might by your first welder FROM HF but there are 2 kinds of people in this world those who buy tool boxes from HF and HOPE they fit and those who make them EXACTLY to FIT (fingers crossed) lol
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Great point!
Great build. Looks good and works too. I have built a lot of things I could have bought cheaper.
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
As a DIYer yes its pretty fun, But its only fun if you have the right tools to make it.
great project. Should sliders be welded on? That might make it hard to service. or change size of drawers.
@MakingStuff
9 ай бұрын
Nothing an angle grinder won't fix, lol. Thanks for watching!
Jeeeezus! Ya I was gonna ask “why did you bother doing a full seam weld around those pans it’s gonna war......p.... OHHHH KAY! He addressed it 2 minutes in😂
Great video., excellent job. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
I don’t think there’s a single person who would suggest going to harbor freight and buying a cheap Chinese box. It’s already bad enough that the steel you’re using probably came from over there. Now you have quality and pride in YOUR product! Awesome job man!
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Very cool
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
How i wish i have that tool drawer its awsome
Badass! So, what would be a good way to add a lock? Just a rod through the front?
To make this complete. Design a locking drawer system with a key that prevents more than one drawer from opening at once. Also slots in the drawer sides and bottom to install dividers. Then you have something that is better than the most expensive stuff out there. What was your material cost for this?
@MakingStuff
Жыл бұрын
When I built it, cost around $250. Not sure what today's price would be, but definitely higher.
Very nice!!! However I found a nce used Vidmar cabinet. You are a craftsman with skills.
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Cool, thanks!
Nice work!
@MakingStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Increible muy bien 👍
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Gracias
Nice!!!
@MakingStuff
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!