Lockable Metal Battery Box?

[Squirrel Tooth Alice]

Hello,

I just bought a well-used Vermeer 935 chipper with a rusted-out battery box. I am shopping for a replacement box and I see plenty of plastic options, but they have nylon straps to hold the lid on, and no way to lock it.

There are some aluminum options too (Summit Racing & eBay) but again, they are not lockable. I kind of like the idea of being able to lock the lid, since new batteries cost a small fortune.

I did find some lockable metal boxes, but they are about twice the size of what I am looking for and space is at a premium on this little chipper. Would like to go with the same size as the original (13” long x 8” wide x 11.5” high) or thereabouts and would prefer something ready-to-go on the shelf.

Any ideas other than fabbing a lock mechanism and / or welding a new bottom into the original box? Pictures below (gotta love rattle-can paint jobs on auction equipment… they even painted the bottom of the battery for me!).

Thanks!

 

[dstig1]

You try Northern or Surplus Center? Those would be where I would start...

 

[2manyrocks]

Even a cheapo metal tool box costs money today. I'd redo that box.

 

[AndyMA]

Why no add a lock to one you can find?

 

[Squirrel Tooth Alice]

You try Northern or Surplus Center? Those would be where I would start...

I have not. I'll give them a try, thanks.

Even a cheapo metal tool box costs money today. I'd redo that box.

That's beyond my abilities, but I'm keeping the old one around for now in case I need to hire someone to repair it.

Why no add a lock to one you can find?

That's Plan B, I think... if I can't find one already set up to accept a lock.

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Amazon, search “locakable metal battery box”