Part of my job involves installing electric doorstrikes, card readers, and associated cabling into existing doorframes. This means I end up toting around a lot of different tools and hardware, because door frames and casings are all unique and require unique solutions.
The Milwaukee brand Packout toolbox system is a near perfect product and I love it with all my heart, but I need a work surface to place all my odds and ends on. Usually I end up having things scattered across several nearby surfaces, or even the floor. I lose a lot of time trying to remember where I put that drill bit, or that file. Sometimes I end up forgetting a tool and leaving it at a far away jobsite. I hate it.
I figured a table that can hang on the Packout box would be great, so I could bring it all in and out in one trip, and keep track of my stuff. However, as far as I know, Milwaukee doesn’t make anything like that. So I did.
I made this sucker to use the toolbox handle as a set of legs, and another set that folds down. It’s not rated for a high load, but should be sufficient for the aforementioned odds and ends.
The aluminum trim casing along the edge stabilizes the plywood table top and prevents easy bending. EMT hangers act as clips to hold the EMT legs in the desired position.
Three 2" J-hooks, working together with the table edge itself, hold the toolbox side of the work surface in a stable and secure position.
When I’m done using the table, I simply close up the legs and flip the table upwards, loosing the other end from the toolbox handle and freeing the table. The hooks that secure the table to the toolbox are the very same that hold it in a mobile storage position, and a simple bungie cord keeps the whole assembly tight against the Packout. I’m now ready to move on to the next door.
All things considered, I think this particular prototype was a successful design. For a rough mock up, it doesn’t look half bad either. The EMT hangers aren’t made of a highly elastic steel, which is understandable, as they’re not meant for this repeated entry/exit of the EMT. If I could find a clip that’s more inclined to retain it’s shape, I think that would be more effective. Nevertheless, they work very well.
One other drawback is the length of the table and legs. They have to match the height of the toolbox handle itself or my table will be very slanted. That said, when in mobile storage position, my tilt clearance for the wheels is significantly reduced. I can still tote the assembly comfortably, but it’s something worth noting for future models.
I put this in artwork because “engineering” and “fabrication” are not available categories lol
