French Fit Tool Storage

[Bill Fleming]

Hey folk,

I am am planning to make some trays and small boxes that are “French Fit” for tool and instrument storage. I am wondering if there are woods to avoid or are preferred. Also, should I apply a finish?

My concern is to avoid rust/moisture damage.

Any thoughts or experience?

Thx

[Lee Schierer]

I would apply a finish for moisture protection and wear resistance. Apply finish to both sides after making the cutouts to reduce the chance of warping.

[Dan Hahr]

Moisture absorption is a real problem with enclosed wood containers that have unfinished steel or cast iron lying flat against them. Either finish them with something that prevents moisture absorption or coat the wood with a non drying oil. Not sure which is best but I made my son a box for some vintage hand planes from red cedar and they were great for a while, but one day the planes came out with a solid coat of rust where they touched the wood. I guess the humidity shot up and then it got placed where it couldn't dry out..
Dan

[Rod Sheridan]

Bill, I wouldn't use wood at all.

At work we use a foam that's built for this application, you should be able to buy it on line......Rod.

[Dick Mahany]

I used "Kaizen Foam" from Fastcap and recently fitted many tool cabinet drawers and tool cases. Easy to work with and I should have organized this way years ago. No moisture problems.
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[Frederick Skelly]

I used "Kaizen Foam" from Fastcap and recently fitted many tool cabinet drawers and tool cases. Easy to work with and I should have organized this way years ago. No moisture problems.

I do the same thing. I order the foam from Woodcraft. Works well for me.
Fred

[Bill Fleming]

The foam is a great idea. Does it have any rust prevention properties? Do you cut it with a knife or router? Or perhaps a cnc?

Any idea about longevity, I recently opened a drafting set from college that was put away for like 40 years, the foam was dust.

[Dick Mahany]

The foam is a great idea. Does it have any rust prevention properties? Do you cut it with a knife or router? Or perhaps a cnc?

I recently opened a drafting set from college that was put away for like 40 years, the foam was dust.

The foam has been around for years, however I don't know if it lasts forever, although certainly seems like it should. Cuts easily with home center razor knives and is easy to form finger depressions with a soldering iron. I found that Fast Cap didn't charge for shipping this bulky material for orders of $100, so I went for it. Several thicknesses available and I used some of each.

I also used it to line a few systainers and tool boxes.

Funny about the drafting set...........here are a few of my left overs from the mid 70's...............but they still work great. Now where did I put that Steatdler pencil and erasure shield?
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[Jim Becker]

Dick, interestingly, not two days ago, I just resurrected my drafting stuff from the same mid-70s from a box of art supplies from the same era. LOL

[Bill Fleming]

Just went and looked at the Kaizen Form at FastCap, looks like a great solution!

[Martin Wasner]

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Ah, now I understand "French fit". The drawer is France. The tools invade like the Germans and entrench themselves. Then won't leave until an American takes them out.

[Frederick Skelly]

Ah, now I understand "French fit". The drawer is France. The tools invade like the Germans and entrench themselves. Then won't leave until an American takes them out.

THAT was pretty clever Martin!

[Rod Sheridan]

Funny about the drafting set...........here are a few of my left overs from the mid 70's...............but they still work great. Now where did I put that Steatdler pencil and erasure shield?
377475

HaHa, that's great, don't forget that big round heavy drafting pencil sharpener................I have all that stuff as well as the pens for inking drawings.............Regards, Rod.

[Bill Fleming]

HaHa, that's great, don't forget that big round heavy drafting pencil sharpener................I have all that stuff as well as the pens for inking drawings.............Regards, Rod.

Ha, reading/writing this while looking at the sharpener sitting on my desk!!! Have a great day to all and thanks for the suggestion about foam...

[Jim Becker]

ah, now i understand "french fit". The drawer is france. The tools invade like the germans and entrench themselves. Then won't leave until an american takes them out.
roflol!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shawn Pixley]

I used "Kaizen Foam" from Fastcap and recently fitted many tool cabinet drawers and tool cases. Easy to work with and I should have organized this way years ago. No moisture problems.
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Beautiful!

My only caution would be that the foam breaks down over time. I had a guitar road case with this foam fitted to the guitar from the 1980’s. It broke down a few years back to the point where it is currently unusable and threatens the finish of anything touching it. Still, I would cheerfully do this to my tool storage.