Has anyone sanded down the inside of a bass mafia 2.0 deep box? And by sanded i mean take out all the dividers and cut away at the walls till there barely noticeable and then sand the walls down by hand till there smooth basically making it a huge open core box. my question is what grit should i go about getting? I didn't wanna drop $50 on a buzzbe box nor a battle box from tackleworkz. 

I was thinking to sand it down 400 to 600 grit, then maybe 800 or 1000 to smooth the plastic out, would that be a good start? (Not sure how to add to my post so I'll just add it in the comment section 😅)

I have never done it before. BUT if I were to do it, I think I’d use a Dremel Tool. I’m pretty sure I could find just the right bit to have it come out the way I wanted it to. 

My patience would be tested and admire your determination.  I'd find a way to break out something in the center and bend a longish metal sawzall blade flat to the bottom and clear out large sections quickly, should get 80-90 percent done.  Dremel or 60 grit for the nubs.  This will scuff the bottom.  If I had a hot knife, that would definitely get a test first.

 

scott

Why go through the trouble of doing that when Plano has one already - $11 on Amazon

3700 Open-Compartment Deep

or if you want waterproof, this one is a 4 compartment but there is only 1 molded divider.  And at this price I might just order another one.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Plano-3741-Deep-Waterproof-Stowaway/dp/B00469AX62/ref=sr_1_7?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rW77dAqzbJrz6fDaOPD1C0waAf9OA7UGI1BfSiCpnbdxnWjKK5Rc6IHX2MyuTOE781MvXzvQjClVZsVYCjt-cOzaP3hX6vr4CvM8FPQyjYJge541hWRjBnqkHFAAEP_Kp_alJZ3tUYlL09R3g-Pa8xaijKmcBotHV1dY0UQDVRj_hsZZ3TqypkhvBEckLSGAeAK1l-h6hao6tKZgcRfDHfZRqzGUMksokUiyBIP93yoB4yLZN6eqdf8x6O57nWM7aKr1tv4qkHGnUy0Z3VR9DRfeUK2IMjxQ_6vbxH9eZNM.OB8xfkgll8CJ2PN3J9zOV5wKG5JiA9ukPz3KrMee4VQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=plano%2B3700%2Bdeep&qid=1733327086&sr=8-7&th=1&psc=1

If you decide to cut, read on…

 

I used a dremel to do something similar with a smaller box. Word of warning about that, be patient - it’s like working with a knife and butter, or maybe a better analogy is cutting pine. The bit will want to wander, heat with make things seem easy, until it slips. But with that said, I spent all of 10 min cutting dividers out and using a sanding bit to smooth the cuts. Super easy. Could I have bought another? Sure. But where’s the fun in that? 😀

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Why go through the trouble of doing that when Plano has one already - $11 on Amazon

3700 Open-Compartment Deep

Because i have big soft bodies swimbaits that are either extremely long, or have a wide body. I have looked at that box, and it wasn't quite deep enough.

1 hour ago, raydomz said:

If you decide to cut, read on…

 

I used a dremel to do something similar with a smaller box. Word of warning about that, be patient - it’s like working with a knife and butter, or maybe a better analogy is cutting pine. The bit will want to wander, heat with make things seem easy, until it slips. But with that said, I spent all of 10 min cutting dividers out and using a sanding bit to smooth the cuts. Super easy. Could I have bought another? Sure. But where’s the fun in that? 😀

Thanks! I'll definitely keep that in mind.

5 hours ago, softwateronly said:

My patience would be tested and admire your determination.  I'd find a way to break out something in the center and bend a longish metal sawzall blade flat to the bottom and clear out large sections quickly, should get 80-90 percent done.  Dremel or 60 grit for the nubs.  This will scuff the bottom.  If I had a hot knife, that would definitely get a test first.

 

scott

I'll keep that in mind. 

2 hours ago, LouisianaAngler24 said:

Because i have big soft bodies swimbaits that are either extremely long, or have a wide body. I have looked at that box, and it wasn't quite deep enough.

So 2" isn't deep enough - would 3.25" do you?

ProLatch® Bait Container StowAway® 3700™

 

 

Give flush cutting dykes a try. I mod dewalt power tool boxes with them. Can't tell you on the sanding, it was function over fancy.

If you go the dremel route wear glasses. I have found that cutting certain plastics toss small bits everywhere and be aware as for a split second, that plastic can get hot enough to burn your skin. I found that out the hard way. 

22 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Why go through the trouble of doing that when Plano has one already - $11 on Amazon

3700 Open-Compartment Deep

Those are what I use. I pick mine up directly from BPS but yea, they’re cheap enough. 

15 hours ago, PondProwler9000 said:

Give flush cutting dykes a try. I mod dewalt power tool boxes with them. Can't tell you on the sanding, it was function over fancy.

Those will definitely work, my old man is in the construction business so ill steal his lol.

2 hours ago, spartyon8 said:

If you go the dremel route wear glasses. I have found that cutting certain plastics toss small bits everywhere and be aware as for a split second, that plastic can get hot enough to burn your skin. I found that out the hard way. 

 And a mask, long sleeve work shirt, and working gloves as well. I'll definitely be aware on the plastic getting hot. I do have welding gloves laying around so ill probably wear those.

I've ripped a lot of ABS on a table or free form for work over the years, and a fine tooth blade has always worked best.  A rip blade will chunk and snap the brittle plastic, and an abrasive wheel will gum up almost immediately.  Might be useful info if you have attachment options for your dremel.

 

scott

I would just pull the dividers out and use it like that.

12 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

I would just pull the dividers out and use it like that.

Ive tried that, my rago swimbait wont fit between the walls.

3 hours ago, softwateronly said:

I've ripped a lot of ABS on a table or free form for work over the years, and a fine tooth blade has always worked best.  A rip blade will chunk and snap the brittle plastic, and an abrasive wheel will gum up almost immediately.  Might be useful info if you have attachment options for your dremel.

 

scott

Thanks! Thats definitely helpful. I do have a dremel and different attachments to play around with. If i dont have a fine tooth attachment I'll be heading to the hardware store. 

3 minutes ago, LouisianaAngler24 said:

Ive tried that, my rago swimbait wont fit between the walls.

If that's the case I would solve that issue with a different box or the LIV bags.

I have one of the older Bass Mafia deeps when they were black and orange and I hate that thing . True you could drive a truck over it but so could you with a Busbe and it doesn't weigh 5 lbs,

On 12/4/2024 at 2:49 PM, MN Fisher said:

So 2" isn't deep enough - would 3.25" do you?

 

1 minute ago, Aaron_H said:

 

🤣🤣🤣🤣

This is what my buddy uses for swimbaits. It's a Dewalt small parts box. I have the smaller version. I use it as a grab and go for my kayak. 

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Plastic-10-Compartment-Deep-Pro-Small-Parts-Organizer-DWST14825/203367153

 

After reading the description on HD website, I believe my buddy had do some work on this as well. I think some of the trays are none removable. 

On 12/4/2024 at 6:53 PM, PondProwler9000 said:

Give flush cutting dykes a try. I mod dewalt power tool boxes with them. Can't tell you on the sanding, it was function over fancy.

I do exactly the same when I repurpose a utility box. rough cut using the poison of your choice and then finish up with the flush cut pliers. It's time consuming but will yield good results.

 

A Dremel works well but it's also much easier to make a mistake.

Years ago, when young, I had an electric wood burning pen...

 

oe

 

6 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Years ago, when young, I had an electric wood burning pen...

 

oe

 

My older brother used his to burn off warts 😬 

On 12/7/2024 at 1:06 PM, Eric 26 said:

My older brother used his to burn off warts 😬