Check out my box....... Metalworking waste Of Time " OT"

I was hanging out with my father in law at the local Farm supply store (fleet farm) and he wanted to buy this $100 dollar plastic box for his trailer to keep his rachet straps etc in.... I stupidly said "don't buy that crap" , " I'll build you one for free and it'll be way better", DAMN!!!...... I opened my big mouth again...... I had some 1/8th inch aluminum and attempted to bend it up, with no luck, it was too thick...so here I go..... Cutting ,welding ...cutting , welding .... buy some angle, and cut some more.... more welding , some drilling, and 70 Hours later here it is, a fabricated aluminum box to hold straps and stuff on a dumb assed $200 trailer ........ I should learn to shut up sometimes....... LUKESTER

 

it's pretty...but it needs a flame job - good to keep father inlaws happy in the long run

 

You gotta think about the future ramifications of things though... that box may very well be around 50 years from now. I imagine it's more likely to be kept and valued more than some crappy plastic box. My boss had a friend build him some work benches out of oak... they're massive, and heavy, and will probably still be around 100 years from now. Besides, sometimes it's fun just to make something useful...

 

That's one mighty fine lookin' box you made! I'll bet he's stoked, isn't he?!

 

looks real nice dude!! me likes

 

Let's see, 70 hours labor, at $40 an hour (cheap!), plus materials, so you're saying, almost $3000 for a box that could have costed $100, to be used on a $200 trailer.

Us car guys ain't very much smart, sometimes!~

 

Dude It's the thought that counts

That is one awsome looking storage box though. I'm sure your father in law is real proud of you too.

 

Looks good. Now use some Alcoa "Gutterseal" to seal it up. Made out of powdered aluminum, good shit...

 

thats a good looking box. i would give him the $100 to go buy the other one and keep it.

 

Luke Baby,nice work as usual! What are you doing now? work wise.Are you doing any side work? Ive got a 1932 Ford pick-up cab and a boxed tube, steped frame.Front end is a suacide set-up.Just wondering if your interested in any work.Pm me.
Happy Holidays
Chuck E CheeseWad

 

"This is my box! This is my box!
I never travel without my box!!!"

Now, what the hell was that from??? Some story we had to read in high school...now it's gonna be stuck in my head ALL day!!!

Thanks ALOT!!

(Great job, by the way!! )

 

And the lessons you learned making this one will pay off later.
Put a couple pics in your Portfolio.
Even if you don't get work directly from this,
it will add to your credibliity and reputation as a Craftsman.
One question...If this is for an open trailer,what stops water from collecting on the lid ?

 

I need one of these for my $200 trailer, but I don't have any inheretance for you to look forward to.

Flatheads forever!!