Shop update #440 (4-15-26) Bluetooth Speaker build

I recently found out about people making bluetooth speakers out of the mini toolboxes from Lowes.  My brother’s birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks so I decided to build one for him as a birthday present.

I picked up a toolbox from Lowes, and the rest from Amazon.  A 200 watt 2 channel amp, a latching push button switch, a power adaptor for Ridgid batteries, and a set of 4″ speakers.

I started out by cutting some scrap 1/2″ plywood down to size to fit in the top compartment.

I then measured and cut 2 – 4″ holes into the plywood.

I cut down a paint stirring stick to fit into the grooves on the sides of the drawers to push the tabs back to be able to take the drawers out.

I then used some acetone to remove the KOBALT branding on the bottom drawer.

Once the drawers were removed, I used my dremel tool with a cutoff wheel to cuts holes in the top compartment of the toolbox.  Can you tell which hole I finished first?

The next step was to test fit the speakers and cut the top drawer to fit.

The amplifier was then installed in the top drawer and the power button and battery adaptor in the back.

I definitely learned a lot during this build and the next one will be even better!

Side note, all of the speaker builds of this type that I have seen on the internet have the amp and power button installed in the bottom drawer.  I spent some extra time and effort to keep it empty so it could be actually used to store some small tools.