ebswift
Member
Hey all, I just started my first replica build. I am soon to start engineering study and I actually work in an engineering school, plus I need to learn how to draw, so I thought what more fitting thing to have than a toolbox from one of our favourite engineers.
First things first was to find all the references with measurements (lots of googling). Next I found some drawings posted on these forums and started working from there. To proceed I had to learn how to draw from scratch, this was challenging... Once I replicated some of the drawings I went back and checked the references. Some things didn't match up, like number of tabs for the lid, number of rivets, some of the overall measurements and the general bracket setup and mitre joints.
I figured at that point that I'm either replicating this box or making my own. If I was going to make my own it would be fully customised for me, but that's not what this little project is about. It's a Savage Toolbox, not an ebswift toolbox. So this led me down the path of re-doing everything humanly possible to spec, not OCD-like, but visually-close-enough-like. All the files are saved in a Google Drive folder so they're backed up on the cloud. I can retrieve them from work or home and a computer crash won't result in their demise.
Next up was sourcing parts. Latches came from part numbers on this forum (had to import from US), hinges came from a local supplier here in oz from ebay. I'm still working on getting handles, they're important but tricky in oz... The design was built around bits I could actually get. For the handles I might end up just going for generic plastic ones designed for other things from what I can source in oz. The other possibility is Vinnies, finding old leather suitcases or something.
So using Autodesk Inventor, learning from scratch, I came up with the 3D design, replicated the hinges from their measurements, and got it to a point of being able to animate the lid design to check everything. I did a short video of that here:
From the Inventor drawings, I created dwg files and approached two companies here in oz for cutting the sheets. Neither got back to me. So, I contacted a Chinese company and they were happy to work with me. Sent the drawings, got quotes, and a week and a half later I have the laser cut sheets, holes and all.
They turned out rather nice I think, and they show that my drawings at least translate into reality.
A friend has some laser cutting gear (not for metal), so he will help make Savage Toolbox decals for the lids, as per the reference photos. The gear won't work on the 6061 aluminium from my research (it can really only etch powder coat). I'll get some help from a good bloke in our workshop at work to get me going on doing mitre cuts in the angles and start riveting (hopefully this week).
So, just gotta source handles, complete the build with the bits I have, then add the handles & latches as they come through the mail. I will follow this through to completion, I don't really want to go for First Order Retrievability, I'm not really specialised to need/want that at this point in time. Likewise, the scissor lifts would really be overkill for my needs, I just want to complete a Savage Toolbox to satisfy my own challenge of learning to draw, dealing with manufacturers to cut my drawings and end up with a damn cool toolbox!
Proof will be in the pudding .
First things first was to find all the references with measurements (lots of googling). Next I found some drawings posted on these forums and started working from there. To proceed I had to learn how to draw from scratch, this was challenging... Once I replicated some of the drawings I went back and checked the references. Some things didn't match up, like number of tabs for the lid, number of rivets, some of the overall measurements and the general bracket setup and mitre joints.
I figured at that point that I'm either replicating this box or making my own. If I was going to make my own it would be fully customised for me, but that's not what this little project is about. It's a Savage Toolbox, not an ebswift toolbox. So this led me down the path of re-doing everything humanly possible to spec, not OCD-like, but visually-close-enough-like. All the files are saved in a Google Drive folder so they're backed up on the cloud. I can retrieve them from work or home and a computer crash won't result in their demise.
Next up was sourcing parts. Latches came from part numbers on this forum (had to import from US), hinges came from a local supplier here in oz from ebay. I'm still working on getting handles, they're important but tricky in oz... The design was built around bits I could actually get. For the handles I might end up just going for generic plastic ones designed for other things from what I can source in oz. The other possibility is Vinnies, finding old leather suitcases or something.
So using Autodesk Inventor, learning from scratch, I came up with the 3D design, replicated the hinges from their measurements, and got it to a point of being able to animate the lid design to check everything. I did a short video of that here:
From the Inventor drawings, I created dwg files and approached two companies here in oz for cutting the sheets. Neither got back to me. So, I contacted a Chinese company and they were happy to work with me. Sent the drawings, got quotes, and a week and a half later I have the laser cut sheets, holes and all.
They turned out rather nice I think, and they show that my drawings at least translate into reality.
A friend has some laser cutting gear (not for metal), so he will help make Savage Toolbox decals for the lids, as per the reference photos. The gear won't work on the 6061 aluminium from my research (it can really only etch powder coat). I'll get some help from a good bloke in our workshop at work to get me going on doing mitre cuts in the angles and start riveting (hopefully this week).
So, just gotta source handles, complete the build with the bits I have, then add the handles & latches as they come through the mail. I will follow this through to completion, I don't really want to go for First Order Retrievability, I'm not really specialised to need/want that at this point in time. Likewise, the scissor lifts would really be overkill for my needs, I just want to complete a Savage Toolbox to satisfy my own challenge of learning to draw, dealing with manufacturers to cut my drawings and end up with a damn cool toolbox!
Proof will be in the pudding .
Last edited by a moderator: