Kitchen Kit/Chuck Box

lupinsea

Observer
Wow!

VERY nice guys! I love the metal and wood construction.


This weekend my neighbor helped me cut my chuckbox on his CNC machine. I prepped all the panel drawings, then he loaded the CAD file into his CNC software to set various parameters, then the machine did the rest. Cuts, dados, skeletonized panels for weight reduction, the works. We did a test fit with a junky scrap panel (not shown) and everything came out pretty much perfect but for some minor tweaks. Built out of exterior rated ACX 1/2" fir plywood (sourced from local lumber yard so it's higher quality than HD or Lowes material).

6.5 lb. of weight were shaved out of the chuckbox by doing the skeletonizing and cutting panels back where I could. Total weight should be ~28 lb. empty.

My friend who runs the cabinet shop wanted one and another friend of mine wanted one, too. So we just slapped another sheet of plywood on the CNC machine ran the cut program again. It was like hitting the copy button on a photocopier. LOL. It was simply mesmerizing to watch the machine cut out the pieces. We also cut out the pieces for my friend's cargo deck system for his Wrangler, too.

Anyways, a bunch of work ahead for finishing and such but this is a start.


chuckboxcnc5.jpg

The machine cutting out the skeletonized holes for weight
reduction and the dados for the adjustable shelves.


chuckboxcnc7.jpg

The sheet all cut out with all the pieces needed for the chuckbox.


chuckboxcnc8.jpg

L to R: The outter box pieces, the internal shelves, the
chuck box pieces and interior partition, and the door pieces.

In the back ground is a mock-up we did a test cut on. That's
what the base will look like when it's put together.

chuckboxcnc9.jpg

The whole chuck box, all wrapped up to go home.​



.
 

lupinsea

Observer
Cant wait to see it all put together

Yeah, me too.

I sanded all the panels last night, including getting the fuzzies off the edges so they'll glue down well in the dados. I won't clog up this thread with anymore progress shots and instead save it for a proper write-up (which I can link back to here).

Thanks for your indulgence with the last several posts, guys.
 

Montana Cruiser

Adventurer
Yeah, me too.

I sanded all the panels last night, including getting the fuzzies off the edges so they'll glue down well in the dados. I won't clog up this thread with anymore progress shots and instead save it for a proper write-up (which I can link back to here).

Thanks for your indulgence with the last several posts, guys.

Will be looking forward to it.
 

demonslaer

Observer
anyone try to make one out of fiberglass & 1/8 plywood or abs plastic vaccum fourming. I built molds for both for years back in the late 70's early 80's. made everything from boats to camper tops.
 

lupinsea

Observer
No. . . but don't let that stop you. I think it would be awesome to have some kind of molded chuck box. I can see lots of possibilities.
 

lupinsea

Observer
The basic chuck box and base is now assembled. Doors are on and the flip top panels are on, too. I still need to source the latches to keep the doors closed and finish the wood. . . I'm leaning towards tung oil unless someone has other suggestions.

Sorry, can't help posting these progress photos:



progrespic01.jpg

I was playing around with this after I got it screwed together. It takes about
15 second get it set up and ready for use. Very smooth and easy.



progrespic02.jpg

Here it is next to the cargo deck table. As you can see, both the
chuck box and table are the same height. Together, there is 6'-6"
worth of counter top edge for the work space. Not too bad for a
cargo desk who's other job is to organize the gear in my Jeep and
a chuck box that folds up to a 15" x 20" foot print.
 

Herbie

Rendezvous Conspirator
Seconded. An Ikea-style flatpack of even just the straight-from-the-mill cuts that could be DIY sanded/finished (and we source the hardware) would be INCREDIBLE. I'd pay for sure.
 

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