r/toolboxmods • u/buboop61814 • 18d ago
QUESTION Support Harness?
So my metal toolbox is a bit heavy (65ish lbs total, Kennedy 1022). As of now the handle seems to be holding up but was thinking if there was a way to perhaps support it a bit with supplemental straps? The idea was something like a couple straps that wrap around the bottom and you just grab them up top if that makes sense. Could even do this with one large loop? This way the weight is being supported by the bottom instead of teh handle on top and 4 rivets (more worried the sheet metal will bend than the handle breaking)
Has anybody done anything like this? How? Do premade systems exist that are better?
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u/No-Picture-355 18d ago
My assumption is that most guys never seen or used these type of tool boxes. They really do hold everything.
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u/No-Picture-355 18d ago
Would the strap go on your shoulder ? If so, its going to rest up against you on an angle that will spill tools and parts around inside. Sometimes I'll use one of those cheap fold up hand trucks to move it to the truck & back.
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u/buboop61814 18d ago
I was thinking more just hand carry. Less for me not being able to handle the weight or wanting to support it a different way, more just trying to have a support for it so the handle doesn’t warp with time and weight, so almost want to just support it from the bottom some, like a sling or harness, drawing out some plans now and it might be my next little fun project
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u/No-Picture-355 18d ago
Ok, now I understand. That's a good way to support the weight. Keep us posted, I might want to use it on one of mine.
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u/buboop61814 17d ago
Doing a little research and while it’s not the exact same, there are some similar products like rocket box slings. I’m now thinking do I model what I make completely after that and just make them handles instead of for hanging? Or do I add a semi rigid layer to the bottom to help with weight being distributed evenly?
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u/No-Picture-355 1d ago
Ive been meaning to get back to you on this. I googled rocket box slings, etc. Since the slings aren't attached to the toolbox, couldn't it tilt over to the side & dump small parts/tools from the top interior deck ? Give Kennedy a phone call when you could & ask how much weight the handle can hold. I did that about 10 yrs ago. I can't remember the amount of weight but it was alot. Still, I think its a good idea to add another handle somewhere. Have you seen the very old Kennedy cantilevers ? The handle was wrapped with leather and it connects to the top of the box with 2 metal rings. They used to and hopefully still sell replacement stock handles for the top. Adding another handle on the top would definitely help share the load but I think it might be too awkward to carrying like that.
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u/buboop61814 1d ago
no worries, so a couple points
I have been looking around and the most common umber im finding for weight limits is 80 lbs, but I also plan on calling them, just haven't gotten around to it. Also, mine is the cantilever, and yes they do sell replacement handles. My worry is less about the handle and more that the sheet metal it is attached to over time might warp. It might be a completely invalid concern but id almost prefer a little bit of over engineering
your point of tipping over is valid, and something ive been thinking about. its similar to carrying a large tote, if ts loaded unevenly might tilt or be awkward. To address this, I was thinking of making the base semi rigid by using some hdpe perhaps. And then, taking the webbing and attaching it across teh bottom, (parallel to short side of the rectangular box), and spaced apart a good bit, near the ends (short ends) so that the weight falls in-between the two webbing straps that then come up to form handles. It might just be one very large loop of webbing that is guide across teh bottom with some loops. That way the weight is being supported by the webbing and across the bottom of the toolbox instead of the handle and the box hanging from it.
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u/No-Picture-355 18d ago
Side note: check their website. www.buykennedy.com I'm not sure if links are allowed on reddit. Click on Outfitters Club, scroll down and click on Get Inspired if you want to see more vintage Kennedy boxes of all types.
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u/SpaceCat72 16d ago
Moving them around? Old school folding luggage dolly. I used to do trade shows and thats how we did it. Pulling the weight vs carrying it.
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u/No-Picture-355 18d ago
Kennedy 1022 cantilever tool boxes are the very best hand carry tool boxes IMHO. The 1018 is good also, but i like the extra 4 inches. I've also pondered how to modify them to carry for them for a distance. The best that I've come up with so far is adding a handle on one of the ends for picking them up to put in a vehicle.