Currently, I have all of my banjo tools in this small plastic tool box that just flips open and you can pile as much stuff in it as you can fit in there. It's a mess though.
I would love to be able to afford one of those old timey wooden boxes that you see, but that's a bit more than I can afford at this point, and it doesn't have some of the things I am looking for (at least one deep drawer). I remember having this great tackle box back in the 1980's that would be perfect... it had a flip down front, a series of drawers, and one deep drawer (to keep bigger things like a drum dial).
Here are some of the factors I am looking for:
Anyhow, I'm sure many are using plain old tackle boxes, which is fine, but that deep drawer is the one that keeps stumping me. I guess I could always store it someplace else, but it woudl be nice to keep everything together.
I have several "Kennedy" tool boxes (machinist's chests) that exactly fit your description, ( approx. 20" length x 9" deep x 14"tall w/ some variations). They are quite expensive new, but are readily available for peanuts at swap meets & secondhand markets. They are well made & will last a lifetime.
Edited by - tdennis on 05/27/2022 09:06:11
tdennis do you have a picture of what you are referencing as I know there are a whole broad line of different sizes and styles of Kennedy tool boxes.
How deep does the drawer have to be? Here are a couple of tool chests from Harbor Freight that are not too dear in price. Neither has a deep drawer but they both have a deep box in the top. I have one of the wooden chests and have used it for years. I keep my tools in it and my banjo parts in a 48 drawer plastic sorter.
Picked up one of these from Harbour Freight- $89.00. USD.
Wood. One deep top area. Numerous little drawers and dividers.
Hold all my banjo tools, spare parts, strings ect.
Works perfect.
Not USA Vintage made quality, but does the job, looks decent and relatively cheap.
bing.com/search?q=kennedy+mach...2.21281j0
Search "Kennedy machinist's chest", & go to images. What makes them special is the quality in the drawer slides, & the general strength of handles, latches & materials. I'm not suggesting you pay an arm & a leg, they are ubiquitous at antique markets & outdoor swap meets. I have about 6 of them, & paid around $45+_ for each.
Edited by - tdennis on 05/27/2022 11:33:37
Alvin Conder I love the wooden boxes, but the cost is a bit much. I know... considering how much a banjo costs, this is a small investment.
Culloden I have a metal toolbox like the one on the right... if I never wanted to take the box with me, I would use that, but those things are heavy. To answer your question on how deep, well, if I lay the DrumDial box on it's side, it would need just a little over 3.5" in depth. I believe the top part on that would accommodate the drumdial laying down just fine.
The plano tackle box I had in the 1980's was about the size of the wooden toolbox, but it did not open on the top. The bottom drawer was about the size of the two bottom wood drawers (if you made it one bigger drawer) and the the remainder were shallower drawers like what you have in the picture.
quote:
Originally posted by tdennisbing.com/search?q=kennedy+mach...2.21281j0
Okay, glad I asked as that is completely different than what I thought you were going to show. That actually looks like the top of one of those Craftsman roller tool chests. That has to weigh a ton though... but I really like how it has that deep center drawer.
I use a fishing tackle box that does a fine job. No drawer though.
I found an old Gerstner on eBay at a reasonable price. I'd check local estate and yard sales and flea markets.
quote:
Originally posted by hbick2I found an old Gerstner on eBay at a reasonable price. I'd check local estate and yard sales and flea markets.
They make some of the nicest that I have seen, with the nice oak that they make them out of. I recall when I was growing up, our neighbor was a retired engineer, and he had one, and it was beautiful. I'd love to find one, but I have never seen one that was under $200. I'm sure some sell for less than that if you are patient with the aution format, but I have never been any good with that.
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