The Ford Barn

GJRoberts · 12-28-2015, 09:24 AM

Does anyone have experience with the 1930-1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box that mounts between the front frame horns? I have seen several that were hand made over 20 years ago, and they were fantastic. I now see newly manufactured ones for sale for around $225. They are designed to look like an original part of the body, rather than a clunky box shape.

Jim Huseby · 12-28-2015, 10:22 AM

Some years ago I designed a tool box that matched the shape of the frame horns. It can be identified by some small ribs and a hidden hinge in the front so if it didn't get latched properly, it wouldn't blow open. I tooled up and manufactured about 200 of them for MikesAfordable Model A parts supplier out of Georgia. He may still have pics of them in his catalog.

denis4x4 · 12-28-2015, 10:27 AM

Here's mine...a $20 tool box and some 1/4" X 2" strap.

inex01 · 12-29-2015, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denis4x4

Here's mine...a $20 tool box and some 1/4" X 2" strap.

That is a super idea!

town sedan · 07-03-2024, 02:08 PM

I read somewhere that the maker of a front sloped toolbox stopped making them due to complaints but he was willing to dispense the drawings for it should anyone wish to make their own. Are YOU that person? if so, do you still have the plans and are you willing to share them?

Werner · 07-03-2024, 03:40 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by town sedan

I read somewhere that the maker of a front sloped toolbox stopped making them due to complaints but he was willing to dispense the drawings for it should anyone wish to make their own. Are YOU that person? if so, do you still have the plans and are you willing to share them?

Guten Abend,

A gentleman here in the forum rebuilt the box for me using O-tools. Maybe he'll get in touch? (I don't know if he wants to give you his address.)

mcgarrett · 07-03-2024, 04:04 PM

Werner, love the sleek, aerodynamic lines of your toolbox. Would like to have one like that on my Roadster.

1930ModelAcar · 04-01-2025, 07:45 PM

Anyone know how I can still get this tool box. I talked to him and he said he had one but after that never got a reply back

Chris Haynes · 04-01-2025, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1930ModelAcar

Anyone know how I can still get this tool box. I talked to him and he said he had one but after that never got a reply back

Call Skyler at 785 691 6747.

Y-Blockhead · 12-28-2015, 10:27 AM

I have the tool box sold by Mike's. http://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/T1005.html I think it looks better than the square box because it blends in with the front end. I carry my jack, some tools and other items in it. The thing I don't like about it is since it is hinged at the front if you pull the lid toward the front of the car hard enough you can open it. (Effectively bending the lid.) But I suppose if someone want to get in bad enough they could get into almost anything...

C26Pinelake · 12-28-2015, 10:35 AM

I ordered two from Mikes and returned them as I was not satisfied with the quality. They were somewhat flimsy and looked home made! Wayne

Tom Wesenberg · 12-28-2015, 10:46 AM

I'm surprised no one has made a tool box that fits under the running board. It would slide out and only need to be a couple inches thick to hold a lot of tools. It would be completely out of the way of the spare tire and hand cranking the engine.

Houdini · 12-28-2015, 11:16 AM

inex01,
How does the toolbox you have attach. Does it come with some type of saddle clamps that slip over the bumper brackets, or do you have to drill into them to provide a mount?

How do others support a toolbox, with clamps or do you drill and bolt on brackets? the steel on the bumper brackets is very hard to drill through.

katy · 12-28-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

How does the toolbox you have attach. Does it come with some type of saddle clamps that slip over the bumper brackets, or do you have to drill into them to provide a mount?

How do others support a toolbox, with clamps or do you drill and bolt on brackets? the steel on the bumper brackets is very hard to drill through.

The answer can be found on page 170 of Bratton's catalogue.

DougVieyra · 12-28-2015, 12:17 PM

The square box tool box is MUCH larger than the 'contoured' (and more aesthetically pleasing) box sold by Mike's. In wanting to Keep my '28 Phaeton as stock as possible, I chose Mike's 'Contoured' box for it's looks, even though it holds much less tools and supplies than does the square box one.

On the other hand for my 1931 Coupe, built up as a daily driver 'Touring A', I was less concerned about original appearances. So for that car I installed the much larger capacity Box type. I have had this larger square box in service for over thirty years, and I LOVE it. With careful packing, it holds a huge assortment of items. It was especially useful when I drove from California to Alaska and back. I believe that these type of front-mounted tool boxes are still available at some of the Parts Suppliers.

Additionally, the square box that fits snuggly behind the front bumper, makes an excellent sitting chair for frequent 'fireside chats', as well as a handy shelf to set stuff on while parked.

So having and using both types of boxes, if I had to choose only one - it would be the square box. Once you get past the fact that it does look like an 'after thought', it is infinitely more useful.

P.S. - Do be mindful, that when you install either box, you lose the ability to access your crank hole, and thereby you lose the ability to use a hand crank to turn over your engine - for timing, starting, etc.

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, California

Tom Wesenberg · 12-28-2015, 12:54 PM

I find all the tools I need to carry fit under the front seat, as well as the spare parts, such as coil, and distributor. If you don't want to lift the seat for the tools, just pack them into an old suitcase, and that way they can be carried to your friend's car being worked on, or to another car you might drive.

Jwilli · 12-28-2015, 07:34 PM

Does not meet the approval of the purist, but it serves the purpose.

Mike V. Florida · 12-28-2015, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jwilli

Does not meet the approval of the purist, but it serves the purpose.

Purists don't approve of any tool box.

1927reocpe · 12-29-2015, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Purists don't approve of any tool box.

( Until they break down and need some tools)

Mike V. Florida · 12-29-2015, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1927reocpe

( Until they break down and need some tools)

If built right they don't break down.

12-28-2015, 09:24 AM	#1
GJRoberts Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 32	1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box Does anyone have experience with the 1930-1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box that mounts between the front frame horns? I have seen several that were hand made over 20 years ago, and they were fantastic. I now see newly manufactured ones for sale for around $225. They are designed to look like an original part of the body, rather than a clunky box shape.

12-28-2015, 10:22 AM	#2
Jim Huseby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box Some years ago I designed a tool box that matched the shape of the frame horns. It can be identified by some small ribs and a hidden hinge in the front so if it didn't get latched properly, it wouldn't blow open. I tooled up and manufactured about 200 of them for MikesAfordable Model A parts supplier out of Georgia. He may still have pics of them in his catalog.

07-03-2024, 02:08 PM	#5
town sedan Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2024 Posts: 7	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box I read somewhere that the maker of a front sloped toolbox stopped making them due to complaints but he was willing to dispense the drawings for it should anyone wish to make their own. Are YOU that person? if so, do you still have the plans and are you willing to share them? Last edited by town sedan; 07-03-2024 at 02:10 PM. Reason: misspelling

07-03-2024, 04:04 PM	#7
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Corsicana, Texas Posts: 1,306	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box Werner, love the sleek, aerodynamic lines of your toolbox. Would like to have one like that on my Roadster.

04-01-2025, 07:45 PM	#8
1930ModelAcar Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 1	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box Anyone know how I can still get this tool box. I talked to him and he said he had one but after that never got a reply back

12-28-2015, 10:27 AM	#10
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 6,648	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box I have the tool box sold by Mike's. http://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/T1005.html I think it looks better than the square box because it blends in with the front end. I carry my jack, some tools and other items in it. The thing I don't like about it is since it is hinged at the front if you pull the lid toward the front of the car hard enough you can open it. (Effectively bending the lid.) But I suppose if someone want to get in bad enough they could get into almost anything... Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 12-28-2015 at 10:59 AM.

12-28-2015, 10:35 AM	#11
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box I ordered two from Mikes and returned them as I was not satisfied with the quality. They were somewhat flimsy and looked home made! Wayne

12-28-2015, 10:46 AM	#12
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box I'm surprised no one has made a tool box that fits under the running board. It would slide out and only need to be a couple inches thick to hold a lot of tools. It would be completely out of the way of the spare tire and hand cranking the engine.

12-28-2015, 11:16 AM	#13
Houdini Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Central Texas Posts: 113	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box inex01, How does the toolbox you have attach. Does it come with some type of saddle clamps that slip over the bumper brackets, or do you have to drill into them to provide a mount? How do others support a toolbox, with clamps or do you drill and bolt on brackets? the steel on the bumper brackets is very hard to drill through.

12-28-2015, 12:17 PM	#15
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,733	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box The square box tool box is MUCH larger than the 'contoured' (and more aesthetically pleasing) box sold by Mike's. In wanting to Keep my '28 Phaeton as stock as possible, I chose Mike's 'Contoured' box for it's looks, even though it holds much less tools and supplies than does the square box one. On the other hand for my 1931 Coupe, built up as a daily driver 'Touring A', I was less concerned about original appearances. So for that car I installed the much larger capacity Box type. I have had this larger square box in service for over thirty years, and I LOVE it. With careful packing, it holds a huge assortment of items. It was especially useful when I drove from California to Alaska and back. I believe that these type of front-mounted tool boxes are still available at some of the Parts Suppliers. Additionally, the square box that fits snuggly behind the front bumper, makes an excellent sitting chair for frequent 'fireside chats', as well as a handy shelf to set stuff on while parked. So having and using both types of boxes, if I had to choose only one - it would be the square box. Once you get past the fact that it does look like an 'after thought', it is infinitely more useful. P.S. - Do be mindful, that when you install either box, you lose the ability to access your crank hole, and thereby you lose the ability to use a hand crank to turn over your engine - for timing, starting, etc. - Doug Vieyra, Eureka, California

12-28-2015, 12:54 PM	#16
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: 1930 1931 Model A Ford Accessory Tool Box I find all the tools I need to carry fit under the front seat, as well as the spare parts, such as coil, and distributor. If you don't want to lift the seat for the tools, just pack them into an old suitcase, and that way they can be carried to your friend's car being worked on, or to another car you might drive.