I stopped by a Rockler store after work today to look at knockdown hardware but came away with more questions than answers. I need help! Here’s the story:
The plan is to build a knockdown rolling cart/toolbox, where you basically can lift the toolbox off of the cart, and knock down the cart very fast. I work in remodeling, so I’m trying to avoid the more time-consuming bolts/wingnuts, etc (OK, it doesn’t take that long, but…), and also avoid the other knockdown fasteners like the blum fasteners or those screw-turn locks, which seem better suited to cabinets and things that don’t get taken apart very often.
The vision I first had was the cart sides and ends meeting in a snug joint and then some kind of spring-loaded or tension latch/clasp to lock the joint. I don’t know what hardware would work for that, though.
A friend also has suggested a fixed cart bottom with hinged sides, if that makes sense, and then some way to lock the frame ridgid.
Does anyone have other fast, strong, and durable knockdown fastener ideas?
thanks!
GO
Replies
How about two long sides that fit vertically in slots in the base. The long sides have vertical slots in their top edges that interlock with vertical slots in the bottom edges of the short sides. The short sides slide down vertically into the slots in the long sides and have cleats on the inside. The tool box rests on the cleats and its weight holds the whole thing together. No fasteners required.
This might not be stable enough if you need to use the top as a work surface or if you will be rolling it around on rough surfaces.
For speed I just use hex head bolts and T-nuts for the hardware. Then I get out my cordless drill to assemble/disassemble quickly. It's pretty fast.
Also, I had great luck recently with adding alignment pins to a knockdown bench. Get hanger bolts (screw thread on one end, bolt thread on the other) and drive them in to one piece with matching holes in the other piece. If you put them in the right places this can be used to align pieces and hold the assembly temporarily--making it a two hands task. Then use the bolts/T-nuts to snug it up and take the load forces.
Have you thought about using sliding dovetails ?
Steve - in Northern California
4 ideas:
John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
Agree with the above posting. The KD bed brackets were the immediate thing that popped to my mind, but John O'Connell has sat down and thought through things well
Cheers,
Edited 5/18/2002 9:27:10 PM ET by eddie
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