Rubbermaid Basket Toolbox

Rubbermaid Basket Toolbox FARM SHOP Tools 21-5-34 Cary Urka, Brethren, Mich.: "As a farmer and multi-trade mechanic I do a lot of welding, wiring, and piping work. To make it easier to carry my tools I converted a Rubbermaid basket - originally designed to hold kitchen cleaning supplies - into a toolbox. The 2-ft. long, 15-in. wide basket comes with a compartment on each side and a handle in the middle. One problem was that when I laid the tools flat in the compartments everything was cluttered and I couldn't find the tool I needed. "To solve the problem I drilled small holes into the handle to hold screwdrivers and pliers. I also riveted lengths of conduit and flat metal into the compartments to make a lot of small pockets that keep various tools and accessories separate. There's even a pocket for my notebook. I keep a utility knife in a pocket that was already in the handle. I also pop riveted a metal tray on front of the basket that serves as a "catchall" for screws, nuts, wire connectors, etc. Everything stays organized and all the tools are upright which makes them easy to see. I carry the toolbox with me in my pickup. I also screwed a length of conduit onto the dash in order to make a handy flashlight holder. "I screwed a Rubbermaid paper towel rack at the back of the pickup cab, just above the rear window on the passenger side. It's handy to have a clean towel whenever you need one. "I cut off part of an anti-freeze jug and screwed it onto the liner on the side of my pickup bed. It's really handy for keeping spray cans of WD-40 lubricating oil. I screwed metal straps onto the liner next to the jug where I keep a crowbar and iron worker sleever. "A set of mobile home steps makes it easy for me to access truck engines. I use a 2-wheel hand cart to move the steps."

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