Shadow foam toolbox/case

[weeksy]

Laser Dave has answered my question

Lovely, just lovely.

[formula400]

Tekton Tools are now selling shadowed sets.

You got a link?

[ZRX61]

You got a link?

I just looked on their website & the shadow kits aren't shown. I had a link in an email about two weeks ago but have deleted it.. bugger.

[formula400]

[weeksy]

Looking back into this for the European Champs.

https://www.straightset.co.uk/bahco-ff1 ... 8-pcs.html

This jobbie ticks a LOT of boxes for me but i need to find a case that's a good fit for it.



But arguably the custom with half of that and half of my own stuff, would be better.

[mangocrazy]

I really like Bahco kit - very good quality at not silly prices. I#'ve got their 1/2" drive socket/ratchet/tommy bar set and also two of their 1/4" drive sets and they are all excellent. The 1/4" drive set probably gets more use than all my other tools combined.

[weeksy]

Was thinking about this some more and looking at the above the only tools i'd use is a 3/4/5/6/8 allen. So arguably a bit of a waste of space.

So i've ordered up a case.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393588970168

and a few sheets of shadow foam.

So i'm going to have a try and see if we can do this ourselves

I may enlist the help of Mrs Weeksy who's better at details than I am.... but i can give a bit more thought then to the layout/positioning of tools that are on my 'first to hand' like the pressure gauge, the 4/5/6/8 allens and then from there onto the things that are a bit less used next and a layer of 'sometimes' used type things.
I've got a fair few Bahco bits too, the allens in the MTB box are Bahco, but i've also got Park Tools which are pretty decent too and will find use in the case for sure.

[Rockburner]

It's very easy.

Don't forget to add finger/thumb cut-outs.

[weeksy]

yeah we'll get the main shape done first before worrying about those

[Rockburner]

yeah we'll get the main shape done first before worrying about those

The way I did it was to cut the foam to the dimensions of the box first, then layout ALL the tools on the foam, and play around with them for a bit, to find the best layout (it's often NOT what you think it might be - things don't always interlock the way you might imagine in your head). If you can find a layout that leaves a bit of room, then you've got space for any extras that come along. I think I tried at least 3 or 4 different layouts for each drawer before I settled on one. (don't ignore "unusual" layouts, eg with small tools at 45degrees - can sometimes work better and give the tools a bit more room to be seen)

Then take a couple of photos BEFORE starting cutting the foam.

It's really easy to cut, it takes a few tools outlines before you get the hang of getting the depth right, but after that it's a breeze. Cut with stabbing motions, don't try to drag the knife/scalpel through the foam.

[weeksy]

Step 1..... Get the case... I'm actually massively impressed by it considering it cost not a lot of money.
IMG_20240417_134159 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

IMG_20240417_134208 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

IMG_20240417_134230 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

It's big enough and deep enough to be spot on i think. Got to wait for the shadowfoam next and then get on the case with trimming, aligning and fitting all the right bits in the right places.

[Rockburner]

Step 1..... Get the case... I'm actually massively impressed by it considering it cost not a lot of money.
IMG_20240417_134159 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

IMG_20240417_134208 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

IMG_20240417_134230 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

It's big enough and deep enough to be spot on i think. Got to wait for the shadowfoam next and then get on the case with trimming, aligning and fitting all the right bits in the right places.

Presumably the "pick-and-pluck" foam isn't going to cut it for your needs?

[weeksy]

Nah. I've already got the foam on its way. It'll be useful for cutting the shadow to size for fitting

[weeksy]

Shadowfoam arrived, but it'll be a little while this i think. Ideally i'd leave it to Mrs Weeksy to do at a weekend in the garden, the problem with that is, the weekends are when i need the tools with me

Bit of layout testing... Still not sure if i'll put things in the lid yet... probably is the answer.

IMG_20240417_152552 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

IMG_20240417_152806 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[Rockburner]

I know it's a bit late.. but... I assume the case IS deep enough for 2 layers of shadowfoam / the 2 layers of tools with at least 10mm of foam around each tool (up/down)?? Difficult to tell the depth of the case from the photos.

Shame you (presumably) couldn't find a case with 2 openings: ie with 2 separated levels (does such a thing even exist?)

[Rockburner]

IMG_20240417_152806 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Try interlocking those 2 things on the left - (ie one goes up into the gap between the handles of the other). Will give you more room for something else?

[weeksy]

Yes it'll fit 3 layers. You can buy handles for the top layer to make it easier to remove. But the plan is that the bottom layer is of course the least used.

[KungFooBob]

Pah, I'd be using the Sarah Beeny technique.

https://metro.co.uk/video/sarah-beenys- ... o=vjs-link

[weeksy]

Pah, I'd be using the Sarah Beeny technique.

https://metro.co.uk/video/sarah-beenys- ... o=vjs-link

You think i'm going to watch some irritating woman fill a dishwasher ?

[KungFooBob]

It's more about how she empties the dishwasher