Many old tool chests have what I’ll call trays. If I am looking into the chest, they would run left to right on ridges on each inside side of the chest. They then slide front to back (or back to front) in order to access whatever is below. Some had two layers deep, some three. Unless you move these things front to back perfectly (which is impossible) they get crooked and jam. You have to carefully work to move each side front to back at the same time.
Anyone know how to “grease” the sides so they won’t jam? Obviously grease is not good, but I trust you get my point.
Or, who should I ask about this?
Alan – planesaw
Replies
Candle wax
Do not use bee's wax because it is sticky in this application.
it is certainly possible for the trays to slide well. I have seen Jim Kingshott flip his around like they were on ball bearings. Two or three levels together at a time and him using one hand to flip 'em about while he is holdin' a plane or mallet in his other hand. Just as pretty as ya please.. He made himself a very nice tool chest and he really knew all the tricks as well. I think part of it is having a good fit so the trays can not get angled enough to jam as well as the wax. I bet he used oak for the secondary wood rather than the softer stuff we use for secondary wood here in the USA.
PS:
The other thing that may work is mutton tallow. I have no experience with that. Seems like there was a discussion about it here a year or two ago.
Ah . . . here we are ( I would stay with the candle wax meself.)
http://forums.finewoodworking.com/fine-woodworking-knots/hand-tools/russian-tallowbeeswax-question
Thanks roc,
I'm looking for all options. What doesn't work on this, might work on something else.
Alan - planesaw
Thanks roc,
I'm looking for all options. What doesn't work on this, might work on something else.
Alan - planesaw
Options
On my planet, we use small anti-gravity buttons, inset into the bottom and sides of such trays. These keep the tray floating equally centered. They also come in varying strengths, to allow for the weight of the tray contents.
I don't think they are available here, however. ;-)
Is that what those are for ?
I found a couple of packets of them at a yard sale on Sangradulistic Prime. I put them on my vest.
Problem is when ever I loose weight I walk funny; kind of bent over backwards like. I always wondered why.
I have heard tell Apple is about to release a new button this Autumn, the iButton, maybe it is for tool box drawers.
Probably weight sensing and so, no doubt, self compensating.
I can't wait to get some and put them on my vest.
Grease
Mohawk sells a product called slideez for wood -
SA
Frictionless Tape
There are also frictionless tapes around. It can go on the bottom your drawers where it won't show. I used it on drawers in a workbench built around three years ago and it still performs very well.
Here's just one lisitng
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=214
Thanks SA.
Hadn't heard of it before.
Alan - planesaw
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