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How to Make a Metal Case

Store wrenches, screw drivers and other heavy equipment in a homemade metal case. Metal cases are some of the strongest cases you can use for tossing metal items in. You will not have to worry about damaging the case and you can keep metal items separated from fragile items. Build a metal case using a MIG welder and sheet metal. It's the easiest type of welder to use, but will still require knowledge and skill to use it well. Building a simple metal case will not require more than an hour of your time.

Things You'll Need

Welding gloves
Welding shield
Welding jacket
Square
Tape measure
2 metal sheets, 1/8-by-14-by-14 inches
2 metal sheets, 1/8-by-8-by-14 inches
2 metal sheets, 1/8-by-8 1/4-by-14 inches
MIG welder
2 hinges, 2-inch

Instructions

- 1
  Lay a 14-by-14-inch sheet flat and position two 8-by-14-inch sheets perpendicularly on top of it. The 8-by-14-inch sheets are on their 14-inch edges, parallel with each other and spaced 13 ¾ inches apart. They are flush with the edges of the 14-by-14-inch sheets. Weld the three sheets together in this position.
- 2
  Set your last 14-by-14-inch sheet on top of the 14-inch edges provided by the 8-by-14-inch sheets so the corners are flush. Weld the sheets together in this position. This is the frame to your metal case.
- 3
  Position the frame upright so one end opens upward. Set the 8 1/4-inch sheet on top of the frame so the corners are flush and weld it to the frame in this position. This is the bottom of your metal case.
- 4
  Weld two half-hinges to one of the 14-inch sheets so the hinges are spaced 10 inches apart and 2-inches away from the corners of the frame. The other halves of these hinges must be able to fold over the edge of the sheet metal that is on the open side of the frame. Weld the other half-hinges to the 8 1/4-by-14-inch sheet so when it is folded down the edges are flush with the sides of the case. This is the lid to your metal case.

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