Thread: Kinchrome Machinists' Toolbox

Was in Melbourne again today and whilst SWMBO went to the Carribean Market (the price to pay for me going to the tool places) I went to the Kinchrome warehouse just down the road.

Picked up rubber mat for in front of the new mill for $20 and while there I noticed they had a stack of the wooden machinist tool boxes which are in their current Christmas brochure.

In the brochure for $179, their sign said RRP $320 (!), going out for $50 ea. These are probably seconds, as this is their warehouse clearance centre.

See relevant page from their Christmas brochure attached.

I got my Kincrome catalog in the mail today from the local Auto pro store.
I was surprised to see them in their, but at a price I wouldn't pay for a Chinese made box, your price of $50 sounds good though.
I got a stack of thin and thick ply given to me, so I think I will still go ahead and make my own to get the precision tools out of the metal tool chests.
Dave

Like you Dave I have this one on my "todo" list, probably the Woodsmith design.

This one is certainly not a precision made item, but I thought that some people may be interested at $50, I certainly wouldn't pay $179 for it, let alone $320

Never been a great fan of Kinchrome tools, they always appear to be the same as the cheap no-name Chinese stuff at an inflated price.

Looked at some of their tool carts there, really no different in quality to my $99 Home Hardware one, but at about 3-4 times the price.

If I was down that way I would buy a couple for $50 but like you I wouldn't pay more than that.
Kmart had a clearance on roller tool boxes last year, my son was working their at the time and got me onto them. They where only $46 after his staff discount so I bought a few.

Dave

Originally Posted by Dave J

make my own to get the precision tools out of the metal tool chests.Dave

Dave
I'm curious as to why you want to get them out of the metal boxes. Do you have a condensation problem?

bollie7

Hi bollie7,
I am over the other side of Sugerloaf mountain from you and we are in a hollow at the bottom of the mountain, so I think that has something to do with it.
I have cotton pillow cases folded up in the bottom of the metal draws at the moment and don't have to much problem. The lady next door works at the local church and is always bringing me pillow cases and sheets over that they chuck out for rags, they come in handy for keeping things covered as well as rags.
It is mainly in the winter I get problems. I have had to clean all my taps up that weren't in cases that were stored in plastic fishing tackle box. I opened the box to get one out and was surprised to see all the surface rust. The condensation gets to a lot of my gear around winter time and has me chasing it, even lately if we get a lot of rain I have found it.
My shed is on a good concrete pad but is clip lock wall, tin roof and the eaves are open so it is well ventilated (probably to much,lol)
If I ever get the new shed up I am going to line it out to help stop it.

I would like to make up some dedicated timber machinist chests, their are some nice designs out their to copy.



Dave

Dave
When I had my big shed out the back of Weston, I had it insulated with aircell insulation. The shed was 16m X 8m X 2.7H at the walls and I never had a problem with condensation. I suspect it was a combination of the insulation and the large volume inside. (geez I miss that shed)
Where I am now the shed is 6m X 6m X 2.4h at the walls, no insulation at all and I get a bit of condensation corrosion. I'm hoping to extend it sometime next year and will be installing the aircell in the extension. Still have to research retro fitting insulation into the existing part. Might just have to bite the bullet and remove the cladding one wall at a time and fit the aircell into that as well.
Do you use any silica gell in your cabinets to try and combat the moisture? If not, well worth considering buying a bag.

When I get my workshop up and running again we will have to organise a get together. At the moment I don't even have power in the shed, let alone 3 phase to run the mill. I haven't used the lathe or mill for more than 18 months now. Weekends tend to drag a bit at the moment.LOL

bollie7

Well I have aircell in my shed and do not have a condensation problem. I also have a whirlybird to extract any moist air.

Back on topis, if any Melbournite knows if any of the $50 specials are still available and are going to the Kiewa Turn On later this month. I would appreciate if they could purchase 1 and take it to Kiewa and I would transfer to my car. Money would be dealt with via EFT on the day of purchase.

Pat

Hi Pat,
Fred said they maybe seconds, so they could need some work depending on which one is picked or left.

Dave

Dave, most seconds have cosmetic blemishes. The toy box in my shed has plenty

The Kingchrome jobbies are constructed from finger joint pine .

If I was to bother to store my good tools in a wood box,it would want to look a darn sight better than the Kingchrome effort.

It looks cheap because it is.
$50 sounds about right.

Grahame

I looked at the catalog......if those drawer-pulls are metal then the hardware on the chest could be worth $50 retail.

Sad really.

Guys you need to look at the toolboxes carefully. You may well be disappointed buying from a catalogue illustration.

At first glance , its Hey! this is great, I have always wanted one of these etc.

At first glance I was attracted for the moment.
Then my eye caught the finger jointed timber and then tacky laquer job, not much better say than those little ply boxes that the verniers and micrometers come in.Check the hardware is it brass plated, not solid brass. Let the buyer be ware.

Looking at it from outside of the box ,we are in or on a Woodwork Forum. Maybe some contributor out there might come up with a better finished model that if made in decent numbers might be attractive to our interest group.Its a bit different I know , keep the money in Oz and give some one here a go.

I would happily pay a bit more than that say $300 or more for a half decent box of the same dimensions.What say the group?

Grahame

I'd be interested in the hardware alone. With shipping/postage it would make the chest uneconomical for me. But the hardware, hinges, pulls etc. would be easy to send.

Do we know anybody that can make things out of metal?

Preferably brass?

Try here

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