Custom Tailgate Storage // Land Cruiser | I Like To Make Stuff

[@matthewmeyle9143]

Hey Bob, FYI files usually only work on the push, and not on the pull. You'll find your filing will be cleaner by pushing forward at a slight angel to the surface, then lifting the file off the surface to pull it back. This also helps to prolong the time between having to clean shavings out of your file, and thus keeps the teeth sharper for longer.

[@PTechMedia]

If there's obvious latches is not an hidden compartment.

[@wowdogeful]

What I love about this channel is that you also show the things that didn't work out and show us how to prevent these errors👍

[@PhilCaplinger1]

Hi Bob. You could really make it look pro by putting a vinyl edge guard around the lip over the openings. Plus make it safer.

[@PhilCaplinger1]

...and use a clear piece of plastic, if the current one ends up not working so you can easily see contents before opening and avoid any "hidden compartment" laws possibly in effect

[@BEdmonson85]

My thoughts exactly, using some trimlok, would make that look pro

[@barrylee6287]

I've done several projects that left an exposed metal edge and have used clear tubing that is readily available at your home improvement store (by the foot is dirt cheap) and cut it with a razor knife so it easily slips over the metal edge. Friction should keep it on but a little CA glue also helps.you can also buy some velco cloth to line the cavities and make some straps to help prevent things from moving around.

[@darinnetherland3466]

The problem is how the edge is shaped. It’s not flat, so not just any edging will work. You would need to find a way to customize those up/down ridges. I’m sure he’s thinking about finding a way.

[@tshvahn]

Darin Netherland you could easily just use the laser cutter and make pieces to fill the gaps at the edge to give you a flat surface to work with.

[@TheVintageEngineer]

Bob, you should add some Trim Lok Edge Trim to those cut edges. It’s U-shaped PVC that wraps around the edges to keep you from accidentally abrading/cutting your hand arm. Use it all the time when wiring harnesses cross sheet metal edges (even if they aren’t jagged) in the auto industry.

[@hojibob]

I'm an avid hiker and fisherman and I've had an energizer headlamp forever. They're cheap and available almost everywhere, bright, and the battery life is great. I like seeing sponsors related to the channel. Nice project man!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Great to hear that!

[@Ryan-sl2oe]

I'm curious about the first time someone climbs in there to grab something and they put the full weight of their knee over one of the holes.

[@davishms]

why is no one talking about this? this was literally the first thing that came to my mind.

[@BrutalDongshart]

@@davishms That, or someone rear-ending him and sending anything he has stored in there flying towards the back of his head.

[@yallawallahalla]

@@BrutalDongshart yeah that not going to happen in a million years.

[@paulmunro3050]

Welding and spray painting projects for us recently. Don't listen to detractors, have no fear and just go for it and learn from your mistakes, the sense of accomplishment makes it all worthwhile!

[@ClarkTangTV]

Bob I am new to woodwork but always wanted to do. Because of your videos, I was inspired to start a couple months ago, and I couldn't happier. I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU. GOD BLESS!

[@DoItProjects]

Though I may never make a modification to a car, I still get a ton of value by learning from the way you attack and solve problems. Thanks!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Awesome to hear! Thank you!

[@joelclear1578]

As an avid car enthusiast, I appreciate the custom projects on vehicles. Also, love how clean your projects turn out

[@C3DPropShop]

Custom is always the best option!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Defintiely 👍🏼

[@mgd09050]

Currently building a camper van. The first hole I cut was a 14"x14" one for the roof vent. Utterly terrifying! Each hole you cut gets a little easier. Get better every time!

[@72swinger360]

This is awesome. The storage video for your Cruiser was the first video of yours I ever watched. I have a 97 LC too. I've been a subscriber ever since and listen to both your podcasts! My 5 and 8 year old girls and I watch your videos together and help motivate them to come out in the shop and build with me. Thanks for everything and keep up the good work!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you!!

[@realguywithatie2363]

Bob is literally the best at teaching people how to do stuff, that don't know anything. GOOD JOB BOB!

[@JU57US]

I appreciate the PIP advertising. It's unique, and allows me to hear info about your product sponsor while not diverting totally away from the subject video. I wish more channels would do advertising that way instead of complete cutaways that are very distracting.

[@connahjones8178]

i agree, i find myself just skipping other channels sponsor but not here

[@jigmischief1032]

Spot on, mate. I've been thinking about doing this for ages, but have been understandably hesitant about cutting into the tailgate of my ride, like you mentioned. My tailgate is much less complicated inside than most, and after watching this vid, I'm now confident at having a go myself. Much appreciated 👍🏽

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Nice project! Reducing the noises with foam was pretty smart!

[@kcubs222]

Have several designs for the pickup, unfortunately, it is the wife's pickup. So I picked up a used junk yard tail gait and practiced on it to get confidence. Once I got confidence I bought a second used tailgate to cut out the matching doors, similar to what you did, but used them as doors on my original. The foam is an excellent idea, I will be using that tip! I used neodymium magnets to hold my tools. thank you for inspiring other

[@kpj54256]

Could have also used the cut out pieces as the covers for it. Great build. If that plastic stuff warps, Aluminum Diamond plate would look good and support a person if you wanted to just sit on the tailgate.

[@frankcicalese2592]

Wonderful idea! I'm going to look into do that to my pick up. I have done something similar to a full size van, but it was a the side door step. Most full size vans have a step inside the side cargo doors. Looking under the van there is about 6 to 7 inches of clear room between the back side of the riser for that step, and the van's frame rails. I cur the face of the step our leaving enough material as to not weaken the floor load capacity, and formed a metal box to add under the van's body at the back side of the step's riser. It was approximately 7" high, 6" deep, and 4 ' wide. I was the perfect storage place for hinges, fasteners, and other hardware for my door business. I smoothed the cut edges, with a file, much the same way you did, primed and repainted them, and added a rubber edge cap to the entire opening. I also primed and painted the outside of the box I built to create the storage been, and lined it with carpet as a sound buffer. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of this as I did it to my brand new 1976 Dodge B200 Tradesman Van.

[@EvanAndKatelyn]

Now you'll want to add secret storage pockets to ALL the things! No surface is safe...

[@JohnMadeit]

EvanAndKatelyn you mean all surfaces will become a secret safe 😋

[@gorillagoalie23]

EvanAndKatelyn you guys are awesome!

[@TWX1138]

Be careful adding compartments if you cross international borders or spend a significant amount of time in the frontier region close to the international border. If these compartments aren't extremely obvious then border officials might attempt to seize the vehicle, claiming that it's being used for smuggling or otherwise hiding contraband. Tailgate is probably safe, especially with big, obvious latches, but I would hesitate to add them to the interior.

[@breadthroughthefire]

Lol

[@bjk12385]

That is a great point!

[@MrAndi1281]

i really like the way you integrate your sponsors into your videos. They are not just random stuff like yet another squarespace promotion or other weird tool where you have to find the connection between the promotion and the audience.

[@cidadaoPPT]

I’m always very scared about doing projects that I haven’t done before. That being said, the best learning opportunities I had also came from those projects, as well as the sense of accomplishment. TLDR: don’t let fear of the unknown stop you 🙂

[@gorillagoalie23]

I'm starting Saint Joseph's Woodshop and I'm scared to start every project. Once I get started I feel a little better but I'm still nervous to start the beginning of every big step. I've built a massive bookshelf with a storage bench between the two and a deck and a few other things like gates for a 3 foot crawl space. Stuff like that. And Evan and Katelyn I love y'all channel too. I love y'all relationship. God really knew what he was doing when he matched you two up. Thanks Bob, I love your channel and look forward to all the cool new things you do. Keep up the good work!

[@bocchieri]

nice hack! i always have 'first cut syndrome' whenever starting a big project

[@SawyersMusic]

I always have doubts about my own ideas, but my biggest was when I build my own garage workshop in my backyard. I wanted it to be different from every other garage ive seen. Custom. 10' walls vaulted trusses leaving enough room for a storage loft, everyone said it wouldn't be worth it but now I have nothing but tools in my workshop and all the junk is up top. It all worked out in the end

[@nolanhennig3112]

Look up star board. It's what I use to make doors on my boat and it is super resilient and not too expensive. Also great video!!

[@theluddite]

Hi Bob, love the video and your enthusiasm to jump in and try stuff. My project that I sweated over was pour in place concrete counters in our kitchen. My wife asolutely didn't want seams so pour in place was the only option. The moment before I poured the first bucket, knowing that if this didn't work our new cabinets were toast...palms sweating.

[@OurDailyBrad]

Project I was scared to start: 1500 sq ft of LVT flooring that had 6 corners and 7 doorways to deal with. Basically our entire basement. The material sat there for 5 months, but we got started on the 2nd, finished it on the 3rd, and it looks great. Of course, now I have to do all the trim work. Suggestion for your tailgate storage: How about adding a cargo net to the outside of the panel between the latches to quick-store stuff like straps or bungees?

[@alvitiello9134]

I love the idea using the space in the tailgate if the plastic sheet don't work out you can use aluminium sheet and glue carpet to match your interior. I'm doing that to my pickup truck for my ratchet straps and logging chains . 👍👍👍👍👍

[@2-old-Forthischet]

Good idea! I might try something like this on my rear doors of my Chevy cargo van that will rid me of those silly plastic door panels. Something that may work well in your application is an aluminum diamond tuft panel or just a regular aluminum panel. I used those to make a walk way on the boat trailer tongue so I don't have to do a balancing act. They hardly weigh anything at all.

[@tsuchang1]

I've known for a while that you are a gutsy guy and this reinforces that opinion. Good job.

[@caiosaka1]

nice! Two ideas to this "car mod" would be: 1. separate doors (to each compartment) 2. use the finish of the panel (fabric-like material), to make it super-secret hahaha

[@adamquandt3664]

If the PVC ends up not lasting I would suggest something like Alupanel or Dibond. These are composite core materials that are sandwiched between two (typically) aluminum sheets. I’ve used these materials in the past for outdoor signs, door panels and a number of different applications. They are more rigid than just a sheet of pvc, lightweight, easy to machine, come in a range of thicknesses & colors and are well balanced due to the aluminum faces on either sides. One thing to note, even though they are more rigid than a pvc sheet, they can kink if flexed or bent at an aggressive angle or radius. Just something to keep in mind. Another composite material that might be worth looking at would be Skatelite. Food for thought. Thanks for the content!

[@JackmanWorks]

Interesting edit on this one Bob, I dig it!

[@brazwewn]

Love the old school car ramps in the background. Reminds me of working on cars in my dads shed when I was a kid.

[@tharemyhopkins5873]

Excellent utilization of dead space! My "fear" is cutting away drywall to mount a really heavy floating shelf bracket right to the studs. Measure 15 times, cut once I guess ;)

[@Rhewtani]

I got rear ended recently and my rear latch of my hatchback is "locked" in place. Been going back and forth on whether it's worth letting the body shop touch it, since all they've promised to do is beat out the dent and repaint. This has really given me the confidence to fix it on my own.

[@Graham8888]

Really helpful video. Great tips. Plus great Foo Fighters top. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@dawsonyoung5287]

My first cut syndrome was redoing my exhaust! I'm only 19 and slowly learning to work on cars and I really wanted to take my exhaust apart and install my own custom version. Started it today and got all my parts removed so tomorrow I'm going to rebuild it with my own piping and muffler! Excited to take on the challenge now that I have started.

[@AGlimpseInside]

Great use of space Bob!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks man!

[@luv-lu]

I have never had any intention to make anything I've seen Bob make buuuuuut I watch all his videos as I find them almost satisfying and very interested

[@TDepatie]

Friggen loves this project

[@frazahmad5268]

Awesome use of dead space in your truck. Nice ideas thinking outside of the box I like it.

[@vincenzoguglielmo230]

Coming from someone who does a good amount of DIY household things, YES a lot is scary at first! I think the biggest challenge is having the correct tool for the job and having some experience with it. I've hacked a number of projects in the past with very weird combinations of things but I think that's where being a nervous mess about some projects comes from.

[@baloneyjusticecheezedog]

That's a really well thought out space.. If you ever replace that top you are worried about, you should use the stock cover for the next one. Just secure it with pop rivets.

[@Brandlin]

Using pop rivets in thin materials or softer plastics - you'll get a more durable and longer life join by placing a washer on the expanding side of the rivet. :-) Hope that helps!

[@juridzh]

I had the same thought watching. Placing rivets from the other side(cap to plastics, expanding side to metal) would do fine too i think.

[@monstrositygarage]

rivnuts would be the ultimate fastening option.

[@meymoto4810]

Hey! Take some rubber vacuum hose, cut / split it in half, and press it over the sheet metal edges that you knocked down with a file. Quick and easy way to keep them covered and from ever having to worry about slicing a fleshy bit on one!

[@KnifeHandWoodDesign]

Im alway scared when i start something i tend to rush into things to fast. So i tend to mess up but then i just roll with it slow down take my time and it usually turns out amazing. Also helps my dad is a master Carpenter, my step father was a Master electrician and my uncle is a master plumber. Oh and my father was also certified mechanic so i learned a lot from them.

[@fedor5664]

mespenschied maybe get something of the junkyard for a thing you can try on

[@realguywithatie2363]

you must have some great teachers then!

[@fedor5664]

Real GuyWithATie yeah i m totally not dutch

[@ryleighlawrence6189]

mespenschied man you're really lucky! My dad isn't handy at all but my grandfather was a general contractor and electrician but doesn't bother doing either anymore cause he is 70 years old and my dad never wanted to learn anything from him so this is where I have to learn. Plus experimenting

[@wangchong000]

mespenschied and you are a master baiter

[@AGHRMatt]

Good job. That's actually pretty old school. Back in the 1970's, we used to line the tail gates of our Datsun pickups and put a cover on the inside. It functioned as a storage and a comfortable place to sit at campouts.

[@oxintheshop]

I know it was filed down but.... what about using the rubber trim things to put around the metal opening. Lol also don’t look at this in a few days and wonder why suggestion are being commented because you asked for it lol. Cool addition to the vehicle.

[@GamingDad63]

The definition of a feel-good video. Nice to sit down in the evening, have something cold to drink and just relax to :)

[@JohntheSchreiner]

Hey Bob, I'm curious how it holds up to driving and vibrations. To me it looks like if you're driving on some rougher roads, it would be making a bit of a rattle. Though I suppose a weather stripping or something similar could be put on the door which would stop that pretty quickly. Awesome use of dead space though. I'd like to do something like that on my truck, but my tonneau cover leaks like a sieve so any storage back there needs to be completely weather proof.

[@linod7265]

Hi Bob, some time ago,put a flexible solar panel on the hood, to keep the battery on top energy, it worked pretty good, extended the life. The car seem real futuristic with a solar panel attached with 4 screews. When you have the drill in one hand,and the surface is the paint of your car, there are many memories and thoughts , like If this doesn't work? How Will you fill the holes? The next step is really worthy. The uses bring so many upgradres to a simple car. Like unplug the alternator, and select when to charge by solar or with gas. With solar gives a little more milage and Power to the car. Or can start the vent in automatic when the cabin is over 30° celsius. Well it bring so many usefull things to your car.

[@rich071984]

I am planning a blu-ray rack thats 1m tall by 2m wide with 3 shelves in between, each shelf having an led strip at the back to light up behind the blu-rays, I plan on using pocket holes to hold the shelves on to the sides, with upright supports for every shelf, never built anything like this before

[@Iliketomakestuff]

You can do it, and you'll love having something unique and useful for YOU. Go for it!

[@kallieholt2676]

I just cut a super simple cargo cover for my rav4 to hide my tool bag and garden tools in the back truck. You’ve got me thinking about how to really optimize the space and maybe add custom organization. Going to watch your toolbox video next. Your content is very inspiring and well... aspirational as I don’t have many tools at my disposal right now to do such advanced projects. Youve got me thinking though thanks!

[@stephan720]

Hey Bob you're so cool and your work is really innovative and you motivate me. Thanks Bob

[@xamuelix]

A regular pencil eraser works very well on most surfaces to remove sharpie marks. It's also cheaper than acetone and less nasty! Thanks for all of your awesome content! I'm always learning a ton.

[@AlphaChimpEnergy]

Great project. I bet mine would get ripped up when I slid something heavy across the tailgate.. I bet that material they make cutting boards out of would be the next best thing and magnetic latches.

[@beeharle1327]

Hey Bob. This is an awesome idea and I love it. I have a lot of projects waiting for me in my workshop but the scariest is a trunk from my great granddad. He took it with him wherever he went in WWI and it is so special. I'm going to refinish it and give it to my granddad for Christmas but I'm so scared I'm going to break it because it's a beautiful piece of furniture with so much history

[@charlesmeadows6869]

Love the Foo fighters shirt

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks! My wife gave me that recently. She's awesome.

[@AdamsLab]

Great idea for making use of otherwise wasted space. Any time I'm cutting or drilling into something it's scary... Mostly when the thing I'm cutting/drilling isn't mine. I just helped a friend hang a TV on their wall and must have checked the stud placement 15 times before actually drilling the holes. One tip if you need to "see" where you can't, like when you were figuring the placement of the latches, is use a GoPro as a remote viewing camera. I've done this a few times when running cable (to make sure it went though) and to check brake lights after replacing the activation switch. Great video as always.

[@GeorgeInAShed]

riveting.

[@mandmnickels6653]

I just cut a similar (and equally terrifying) hole in a home appliance. I used automotive door edging to put a nice finish on the cut sheet metal. Easy to apply and it covered any irregular edges.

[@georgibaldjiev4469]

0:46 damn, nice techniques :-)

[@gclem6132]

Nice job man, I'm a classic car builder and I'm always customizing stuff. I love to see people giving it a try themselves, with a little time and work most people can build some cool stuff

[@fixins]

Sees Bob and Land Cruiser and hits the like button!

[@adams2984]

Adam Payne, I did the same. I have a Fj62, so when I see someone doing something like this I’m very interested. Love to see him make a platform bed with storage boxes underneath. Hint hint.

[@cordcd7]

I have an FZJ80 and saw the tails and got excited!

[@KyleM_from_the_Ozarks]

SAME! I've read through just about every thread dealing with this on IH8Mud, and am still trying to get the courage to do this on my FJ80.

[@Polarzbek]

I've had a few things I was scared to start recently related to woodworking. Honestly though, your channel (and others) have helped give me the motivation to just try some things. Now I've made a few projects and am loving the challenge and fun it brings. Thanks for being awesome and inspiring schmuck's like me!

[@lilbud951]

Hey Bob, is there anything stopping what you put in the compartments from sliding into the middle of the track door? Like where you said the electronics were for the door latch. Could stuff sliding around in there possibly damage the electronics in there?

[@reaganharder1480]

I'm assuming the electronics is mostly just wires. Though, those could still be torn or otherwise damaged if he puts heavier and/or sharp objects in the back. Personally I'd put some sort of barrier in there to keep stuff from sliding away from the holes. Keeps things easy to get out later as well.

[@emailausdrucker]

G10FR4 would be a perfect material for the cover. Brilliant idea.

[@zachbrown7543]

#NotificationSquad

[@trevhaydon5090]

I loved this project, Can never have enough storage. All the best from North London. UK

[@Stevenowski]

Have you thought of anything to keep your stored items inside your tailgate from sliding around and banging into your wiring harness causing short circuits or your taillights to stop working? Perhaps double or triple the thickness of the foam between the two cutouts! I like your idea, but I will not do it for my truck because I go in and out of it a lot when camping. I would have to use a thicker material as you described.

[@Cameron2874]

Good call. Or you could use wire mesh and build a cage around wiring harness to protect it from bouncing projectiles.

[@supermike0822]

It's an older truck, so most do not have wiring inside the tailgate... they're on the fenders. The only thing inside this 'gate was likely the mechanical handle and locking mechanism.

[@JackCloudie]

I don't think his tailgate has any wiring harnesses to worry about. Doesn't look like any lights were in it.

[@EliteAztec]

I'll leave some material to bend inwards to make lip then glue the foam against it.

[@SgtJoeSmith]

No wires. Tail light wires come up behind tail lights

[@royklein5481]

Bob you can try door edge guards to keep from cutting your hands, they are flexible so they can be used on the curves and should work on the ribbed parts too. Also they are really flat so it won't push up on your plastic door.

[@joshwilson7091]

More car improvement please!

[@phil.pinsky]

I don't have a project like this, but I'll tell you what I do appreciate; your problem solving approach. Always level-headed and cool. Keep up the great work!

[@18magicMARKer]

probably easier to just use magnets as your "latch"

[@damiengarcia1333]

Great Job... I like the fact your a DIY project person jumps right into it.

[@djstender1957]

"Working in the hot"

[@251cchavers]

Cool idea. Since you asked, I think it would be cool to add some pinch weld molding to the cut edges. I think that’s what it’s called. We used to put it on our mini trucks we would hack up.

[@issaalqutaibi2085]

gonna be useful to cross Mexico border

[@cheemsdoge977]

Bob will help u

[@MidwestAdventureTeam]

border agents find smuggled drugs in tires and frame rails all the time but yeah they would never find it in the tailgate with the obvious door......

[@timhodge3370]

I just redid my whole front porch! The last one was falling apart, turns out that 90% of the issues were on the surface! It was my first big project like this 100% solo and I think it turned out well, took the existing structure, beefed it up and then refreshed the decking, with a few improvements. So glad I faced that fear and jumped in!!!

[@JoeGP]

over the past 2 years i've done a lot of "scary" things, from moving, to learning how to weld in order to build a fence, to learning how to drywall, tile, paint, etc. in order to finish the interior of our new house. They were all easier than i thought but they also all took a lot longer than i thought (or of what a professional would have taken). This month i'm gonna try and convert a bicycle into a tricycle for my mom.

[@MyJdray]

Awesome video bud! You can also use nutserts instead of rivets to make it bolt in on the things you want removable. On the edge for the tailgate take that you're worried about cutting your hands on, take some small vacuum line and put a slit down the side with a razor blade and wedge it on to the edge for a rounded rubber edge. Remove and add some glue to keep it from coming off. Great idea, love your videos! Rock on man!

[@kengreek625]

Really like the idea of using rivets to attatch the piano hinge! And love the Foo Fighters tee shirt!

[@RVwithTito]

Definitely got me thinking about what I can do with my tailgate. Thanks for the ideas!

[@dakotafrench9001]

Hey its rare that i ever comment about the sponsorships in videos but i wanted to let you know i really liked the way you edited in the energizer ad. It was not too abrupt and it didnt make me annoyed it was happening. Great job man!

[@dougvinish5661]

Hey Bob; awesome video, yet again. To answer your question to the crowd, I always have a huge fear of things like adding an extra spigot to the outside of my house; or moving a wall sconces location in a bathroom to being a ceiling fixture instead. Things that require me to guess at what's in my way, rather than knowing or being able to be relatively certain of the obstacles. Thanks!

[@TheBlyzzrd]

I have little to no experience with soldering, and I got these new pickups for my guitar. I won them in a raffle and I wanted to put them on my guitar but had no idea what I was doing. I was worried that I would ruin the tone and would have to take them to a shop and pay out of pocket. So I did a little research and it seemed to be really easy. I took the risk and it paid off as a learning experience and now I have sweet pickups

[@noeatnosleep]

Bob, was a metalworker in my past... I highly recommend snagging a harbor freight pneumatic rivet puller. They're sub $100 and will last a while. As many rivets as I've seen you pop lately... you'd really really enjoy using it.

[@StamosTee]

You did a great job there. And that's a great improvement, tailored to your needs. Great project!

[@Aussie_diver]

What a great idea never thought about doing that for extra storage I know what I’m doing this coming weekend. Huge thumbs up mate. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@deejayqueue]

Some rubber or PVC edge trim will cover those sharp edges and give the whole thing a factory look. You can do the edges of the pockets and the perimeter of the lid and it'd look great!

[@sneakylemon8513]

I recently fixed up my loft with help from my dad. I was really worried because we were going to have to drill into walls and use power tools and we're total amateurs so I was worried it would be terrible or we'd get injured but it actually came out really well so now I have a new space to do all of my little projects. So thank you for the inspiration :D

[@Roots-Of-Knowledge]

nicely done, you are right with your suspicion about the plastic bending with time.. but i will worry more about the stuff you have inside messing with your electronics connections and wires, make sure that you have the compartments divided or blocked to avoid things from moving to the center of the tailgate.. thnanx for sharing !!

[@1Trueone55]

I would create walls in the center to keep objects from getting to the main door latches. Plus I would have left the body mount holes as mounting points and used the metal that was cut as the lids for the storage areas. Also would recommend using an edge protector so when you have to dig deep in the middle you're not scraping your firearms.

[@ecrusch]

Nice engineering. Good measuring. Great project! Thanks Bob.

[@aarontech]

good idea :D I've found if you drill a hole in each corner or wherever you have two edge angles coming together you can run the angle grinder upto the hole and you don't get the overcut, much cleaner too as you get a nice rounded corner :D

[@hugestudiosdenver]

Like Phil says adding weather stripping around the metal edges as well as the lid edge may soften and quiet any vibration sounds...

[@kbarry29]

Great project. If you find that the rivets pull out of that material, you could use longer rivets and matching rivet washers. They always help tear out in thin materials and hinges.