Show off your storage box pics...

I was wondering if there was any interest in starting a thread for folks to post their storage box solutions.

Having moved from a pick up to a SUV, I am interested in building a box to occasionally ride in the rear, to carry a few heads, a gallon of bar juice, a gallon of fuel mixed, bars, chains, tools and protective gear. I could also strap the storage box on the utility trailer A-frame ahead of the box.

Over the years, I have seen folks post pics of the DIY boxes.

Please post here if you have a moment.

I have seen some interesting ATV chainsaw storage solutions, but at $150+ I figure I could easily build something not only cheaper, but with a better custom setup.

My plan is to carry MS361, MS211 and MS192T heads. (2) 20"/25" bars/chains for the MS361, (2) 14" bars/chains for the MS211 and (2) 12" bars/chains for the 192T.... (+) other goodies.

Thanks

PS... I am also working out an easy way to carry/store chain loops outside of their retail boxes. I'm am thinking of trying some DVD/CD heavy duty vinyl sleeves. Are there any other "tupperware" type solutions for storing chain loops? I also thought about trying some different clam shell style DVD/BLU-Ray media boxes.

Yea man- I think its a cool idea! I don't have any pictures now - but I will have to take some tomorrow....

I have a small toolbox with a tray - for chainsaw tools and a few chains in underneath the tray.... Then a small Rubbermaid box, with a top handle, with spare air filters for each saw, and more spare chains. Also an old milk crate, for gas, bar oil, wedges, mini-sledge for driving wedges, and tape measure and marking paint.....

As far as the saws - the Makita is always in my truck, in the tool box.... The Husky's (when needed) ride in the back of the extended cab on an old towel, on the floor....

I use a large milk crate for bar oil/gas etc. Everything locks in nice and tight. I saw the new Stanley plastic tool box with the locks and alarm on Tv and decided to check it out. The price was crazy so I got one from Stanley with wheels and a pull out handle for 39.99. Works great for me. Holds everything but my climbing gear and brain bucket. Thinking of getting another one to replace the gym bag I keep my climbing line and rope in. As far as chain storage goes I put them in freezer bags with a little coating of spray oil. Then I put a couple in gladwear or whatever that cheap disposable tupperwear stuff is. Packed tight in the gladwear they do not seem to get beat up by rubbing against each other. Can't help with the saw storage cause mine just ride in the bed locked in place with all this other stuff. Unless its raining, the ground guy rides in bed and saws ride shogun. LOL.

These work for me.

Hey Alderman, what are those gray boxes?

This box lives in the back of my ute.
Over the christmas break I will remove the bars/chains and store three power heads in here.

PlantBiologist said:

Hey Alderman, what are those gray boxes?

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Another member posted info on these awhile back and I took the bait. Picked them up at Home Depot. If I recall right they weren't all that spendy and work well for storing in the shed. I haven't drug them around much so I don't know how well they'd hold up to abuse.

I thought I'd dust off this old thread so I could show off my workmanship. Chainsaw boxes should not be plastic.
Ernie

Alright Ernie...

It's time to give it up bro.

I've been needing to pick up a tool box for my milling stuff and I probably still will, but... I now know that I have to have one of those.

So is there any chance you can tell me where you got all of the hardware for the box? And did you use 3/16 or 1/4 plywood?

Having all the right hardware makes all the diffference. I just finished a walnut gun cleaning box and I couln't locate any hardware that I really liked and would match the box so I wound up using what I could get and it just didn't come out the way it should have.

Many thanks in advance Ernie.

Old Blue
Beaurocratically permascrewed in...
Kali-bone-ya

bytehoven said:

I was wondering if there was any interest in starting a thread for folks to post their storage box solutions.
PS... I am also working out an easy way to carry/store chain loops outside of their retail boxes. I'm am thinking of trying some DVD/CD heavy duty vinyl sleeves. Are there any other "tupperware" type solutions for storing chain loops? I also thought about trying some different clam shell style DVD/BLU-Ray media boxes.

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Here's an idea, I thought of the other day. My kids drink tons of the walmart powdered drink mixes. They packets come stored in slim plastic cylinder type containers. They arent super sturdy, but should be great to hold indiv. loops of chain to keep em seperate. Could even color code em to keep em straight so you wont have to open them up and sort them. They wont cost much of anything and they should slip right into a pocket on a backpack or toolbox. My other idea was a pouch similar to a zippered money bag you would keep receipts or other business cash in. I bought on at the local menards store on clearance for a buck. I has a dividing pocket in it and is great to hold a scrench, files, wedges, extra bar nuts, etc. The cool part is that it is made of a really tough fabric and has a loop for a carabiner so you could hook on on you as you make the trek to the cutting site and can be easily taken off. Sorry no pics, but I am collecting the containers as we speak. Kids just cant stop drinking this sugar free lemonade and fruit punch.:msp_smile:

Old Blue said:

It's time to give it up bro.

I've been needing to pick up a tool box for my milling stuff and I probably still will, but... I now know that I have to have one of those.

So is there any chance you can tell me where you got all of the hardware for the box? And did you use 3/16 or 1/4 plywood?

Having all the right hardware makes all the diffference. I just finished a walnut gun cleaning box and I couln't locate any hardware that I really liked and would match the box so I wound up using what I could get and it just didn't come out the way it should have.

Many thanks in advance Ernie.

Old Blue
Beaurocratically permascrewed in...
Kali-bone-ya

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You’re right, you won’t find most of the hardware at your local home center. This type of hardware is used by music people to make custom speaker and storage boxes. It can be quite pricey. The brand I bought is Penn-Elcom, and I found a company that sells some of their stuff at very reasonable prices. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=269-236. The edges are pieces of galvanized flashing, bought locally, that I cut into strips and bent. I chose the traditional method of fastening the hardware. I made rivets out of 16d nails and peened them over on the inside. Screws and t-nuts are a lot easier.

The bottom is a solid piece of 3/4” lumber, but everything else is ¼” plywood, doubled around the top handle. Anything thicker would be too heavy. It’s plenty strong with all the steel corners and edge flashing. It’s still heavy, but I can lift it into the truck, fully loaded, by myself.

Whilst I wouldn't think to question the workmanship of your home made box, it's very fine by the way, I would question the wisdom of stenciling 'Stihl' all over it.

Someone might read that as 'Steal me'.

Dan Forsh said:

Whilst I wouldn't think to question the workmanship of your home made box, it's very fine by the way, I would question the wisdom of stenciling 'Stihl' all over it.

Someone might read that as 'Steal me'.

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You're right, that has occurred to me. Usually the box is not out of my sight, but occasionally I need to run into a store, and then I have to move the box into the front of the truck. It would be easy enough to chain the box through the handle to the truck, but I didn't use a locking hasp, so anyone could open the box and take the saw.
Ernie

Here is the box I put together for my ms460. I work at a firetruck manufacturer and have access to lots of shiny aluminum:msp_smile:



I use 4" fire hose for bar covers, really work well. I havent come up with a storage for my chains yet but am working on it.

andydodgegeek said:

Here is the box I put together for my ms460. I work at a firetruck manufacturer and have access to lots of shiny aluminum:msp_smile:

I use 4" fire hose for bar covers, really work well. I havent come up with a storage for my chains yet but am working on it.

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Wow....NICE WORK!!!

Thank you. It is aluminum and you would think it is light but it is really quite heavy. I wouldnt want to lug it aroung the woods but it is nice in the back of the truck or in the garage.

This is my little trailer that I hold the tools for cutting and skidding.





Sam

Mr Andydodgegeek

Thats a bada$$ box dude! While you might be working around a lot of firehouse stuff, that there box looks like it should be chained into the bed of my truck.

If I were more metalwork proficient I'd build me one o those. Very nice box sir.

Old Blue
Apparently not taxed enough cause I still got change in my pockets in....
Kali-bone-ya

Ernie... a couple more Qs....

if you will.

But first, a serious thanks for the link. I really like the looks that the hardware give and the protection and added durability they will give. The prices are great and I now want a box for each of my two saws.

It looks like your corners don't have the 1/2" radius like the ones in the link that the folks in the link are whinin about.
Did you modify them to fit the square edges of your box?

How did you finish the lips of the lid and body where they mate together. is their hardware for that or do I need to fab something up? If I do, do you have any tips?

Man, I gotta say that I know nothing about making nails into rivets but I have access to a metal shop and want to learn, cause doing justice to a cool case like that will definately involve rivets. Can ya school me on that a bit?

I agree that my saws need wood boxes. And I think you have made the coolest saw box I have seen. Thanks again.

Old Blue
Bodacious taxation with no representation in......
Kali-bone-ya

Old Blue said:

if you will.
It looks like your corners don't have the 1/2" radius like the ones in the link that the folks in the link are whinin about.
Did you modify them to fit the square edges of your box?

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My corners were made to fit a square-edge box. Frankly, I don't remember where I got them,but you should be able to find other sources by Googleing "box corners".

Old Blue said:

How did you finish the lips of the lid and body where they mate together. is their hardware for that or do I need to fab something up? If I do, do you have any tips?

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My box was inspired by old wooden steamer trunks, and I used many of the same materials and methods. The edge banding is nothing more than steel strapping (free from Lowes). It is lapped over the but joint and drilled and nailed into the top, every inch or so. The small nails can be bent over on the back or cut short and peened, making a small head on both sides.

Old Blue said:

Man, I gotta say that I know nothing about making nails into rivets but I have access to a metal shop and want to learn, cause doing justice to a cool case like that will definately involve rivets. Can ya school me on that a bit?

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Nothing high-tech about it but it is very slow meticulous work with a ball peen hammer. Got to go to work, I'll give a better description later.
Ernie