Low Weight - Easy Drawer Solution

[95RRC]

I thought I would post up my solution for others to see. I was struggling with a drawer system for my Sankey Trailer - due to it's construction I thought I would try and keep the drawer weight, and shelf weight to a minimum.

The shelf was quite easy of course, I ran tubing around and put the shelf up. The drawers required a bit more design/thought.

First - I looked everywhere for a good solution. I didn't want to use steel as my welding/brazing skills are not good (and it is heavy), I didn't want to use wood (heavy) so I looked into Aluminium and found this company: www.eztube.com - Not only was it exactly what I wanted, but they have everything I needed - and the shipping was extremely quick with standard FedEx.

So I designed the system using EZ Lock plastic attachments for all corners - all you do is hammer them in. I thought I would go up to Home Depot and try their aluminium tubing, but it is not the same, and the price was not that much different. So buy the EZ Tube stuff. The only part of the build that caught me up was when to use a 3 way vs a 4 Way connector. I did have to break a couple to redo it...all you do is break it off then punch the connector part further down the tube.

So design completed, build done. I made the drawers out of wood because I could not find sheets of Aluminium and got tired of looking. Then I put some thin panel material on the outside and carpeted everything in the indoor/outdoor carpeting.

Finished it off and installed it. Found I had a great place to relocate the fire extinguisher.

All I need to do is get the drawer handles on and fit the two deadbolt slides I have to lock them closed.

 

[95RRC]

Some photos of the system installed

 

[JET4]

very nice, I like it

 

[MANUCHAO]

Most decent metal suppliers should be able to cut and bend to whatever size you need want.. Aluminum 5052 (i think) is easily bend can be welded and rust proof...

 

[95RRC]

Yeah maybe,but why mess with bending etc or finding anyone that can do it, when all you need is the simple connector system?

 

[Haf-E]

This could be a great way to build up a shelf system for use with some off-the-shelf plastic boxes such as the ones offered by office depot - the "really useful boxes" ones that are available in a variety of sizes and have pretty vertical sides and not too much structure to waste space.

 

[mep1811]

So the drawers just slide on the aluminum right angle pieces ? Can you post up pictures of the deadbolt slides?

 

[95RRC]

So yes - there is a pice of tubing with a right angle extrusion slide on it. see here - http://eztube.com/product/aluminum-tube/100-110-aluminum-extrusion

The drawers are made to slide on that - and they do just fine, with the added benefit of "locking" the top onto the lower one when it slides out, so the drawer tilts down for the vertical challenged ones to see completely inside. Rather awesome!!!

I was thinking about doing this for those plastic containers - which would cut down on the weight even more - but I had to have a "custom" size for the drawers, and ended up doing it myself out of wood. But I am going to continue to keep my eyes ope for a nice hard plastic case that is 12x9x28 to see how it would work.

I am now going to build a set for the back of the Range Rover...these are easy to do and extremely light. I love them.

Here are the pictures with handles and locks. Sorry but the sun was not cooperating with trees to give the best lighting.

 

[95RRC]

This could be a great way to build up a shelf system for use with some off-the-shelf plastic boxes such as the ones offered by office depot - the "really useful boxes" ones that are available in a variety of sizes and have pretty vertical sides and not too much structure to waste space.

Yes - actually if you bought the ones with the lip on the edge you could "hang" them from that lip on the extrusion and then slide them in/out. Great idea! The only issue for me in doing that is the functionality of a drawer is much better than a box - having to bring the box all the way out to get at anything. But maybe you could find some that have removable lids.

 

[4x4x4doors]

Nice find and execution. Reasonably priced, too.

 

[nickmimi]

very nice. thanks for sharing.

 

[grimbo]

I looked into that system but in the end just bought a filing cabinet off eBay for $2. It's sturdy, lockable, big drawers, doesn't rattle and did I mention it was $2

 

[inter]

good solution,
I built skeleton from Al too, but made the drawers out of PVH.