Weather Guard Van Storage System – Installation and Use

In my last article about the Weather Guard tool storage solutions, I brought you through the steps of selecting components to customize your particular van storage system with the online van configurator from Weather Guard.  You can review that article viewed here.

Today I will walk you through the assembly, installation, and use of the system.

Weather Guard – Durable Components

When unboxing the flat-packed shelving systems and components, the first thing I noticed was the quality and durability of the finish and the materials themselves.  The 18 gauge steel components are rigid and structural, yet not overly heavy enough to create a weight concern for anyone running a 1/2 ton van.  The side panels are folded 90 degrees along both the front and back edges for strength. WeatherGuard predrills these panels with holes, offering many adjustments for the shelving installation.

Shelves

The shelves are all hemmed and slotted to receive the supplied dividers. Also, WeatherGuard punched the shelf pieces for easy installation of the optional locking cabinets. Using the supplied captive nuts at each corner, the user can quickly assemble the shelves using only a ratchet and socket. WeatherGuard even makes its toolbox with captive nuts for easy installation.

Drawers

I selected the toolbox drawers with all-steel construction, mounted with full extension drawer slides, and a slide lock under the integrated handle. The slide lock ensures that the drawers will remain closed while in transit until you want them open.

Powder Coated Materials

All of these major components are finished with Weather Guard’s Brite White ARMOR TUF powder coat, giving this system a great look in addition to impressive durability.  WeatherGuard paints the smaller steel accessory components in a bright red powder coat, keeping with their branded color scheme.

Accessories

I did not select any of the plastic bin storage units or parts cases for this installation.  I can only expect that these components are of the same quality as what I received – the quality synonymous with the Weather Guard name.

This review will touch on flooring protection, shelf liners, and security accessories for the Weather Guard van storage system.

Weather Guard Van Storage System Assembly

More often than not, I assume users will have their systems installed by one of the authorized distributors in their local area. If you are considering having the factory approved installation performed for you,  my observations and comments may not be as relevant. What I hope you pick up are some insights into how the system works. My installation experience can be important if you decide to make some adjustments to a dealer-installed system. You may want to change the location of an installed component or change the shelf’s height. These adjustments are common when a user starts fitting up the new system and deciding what goes where.

Read Instructions for Install Tips – Please!

Before you tear into the bags of hardware, grab a socket wrench, and start slamming pieces together, please read and pay attention to the Weather Guard instructions.  There, I said it.  No one wants to admit they need the instructions for anything, right? Trust me on this one. Reading the instructions will save you the time of taking your finely assembled shelving unit apart to put it together correctly. I know this from experience.

I could sit here and tell you I read the instructions cover to cover before I began, but I’m a typical guy with a knowledge of tools and construction. In my case, I read as far as I thought I needed to understand what was going on. Then I started assembling the system. I ended up taking sections of my completed work apart multiple times.

The Weather Guard folks point out all the quirks and tricks in the instruction manual that allow the user to assemble the units in one shot correctly. So take the time to read the manual, my friend. You will thank yourself later.

Pre Install Tip – Plan and LayOut The Bottom Shelf Carefully

I noticed that Weather Guard details the all-important bottom shelf location for each type of van in their instruction manuals. I recommend you pay close attention to this particular procedure. The most crucial step is the location of the bottom-most shelf/component.  The height requirement can often vary due to clearance over the wheel wells.  My initial thought was to mount the bottom shelf as low as possible to get the most vertical storage possible.

While this proved right on the driver’s side shelf unit, which is mounted directly behind the bulkhead, the rear-mounted units require a different approach.  Also, due to the taper integrated into the top of the side panels, one shelf lacks the full depth of the others.  This shelf must be installed at the very top of the unit.

Assembling The Shelves

Once the mounting locations are decided, the shelf assembly is a breeze.  You will need to slip the shelf between the side panel’s front and back leg at the desired hole location and attach it with the supplied mounting bolt.  The captive nuts on the shelves are a straightforward and thoughtful addition. For me, this demonstrates the effort and thought that had been put into engineering this system.  The Weather Guard system completely eliminates the three-handed task of fumbling with tools and hardware while holding the shelf to attach everything. I cannot overstate what a time and frustration-saver this engineering solution provides. Well done, Weather Guard,  well done.

Attaching The Back Panels and Storage Unit

Attaching the back panels and locking doors to a shelving unit will create a storage cabinet. This assembly process is more time consuming due to the sheer number of nuts and bolts involved.  But the finished assembly is a well-fitting, secure, and enclosed cabinet.  WeatherGuard outfits the door with a quarter-turn locking D-handle assembly. Also, they provide a braided steel cable tieback to keep the door at a 90-degree angle when open.  I find this is a nice feature to prevent the door from slamming down. Additionally, it provides a convenient place to set down small objects while searching through the cabinet, looking for other items.

Shelf Brackets

Within the hardware kit, you will find brackets for mounting the assembled shelving units into the van.  It is worth noting that you will need to install the base mounting brackets regardless of whether or not you purchase the installation kit or not.  I attached these to the assembled shelving units, flush with the side panels’ bottom edge before setting them in the van.  The upper mounting brackets are more of a universal, adjustable type bracket. The installation kit allows me to omit these standard brackets. In my opinion, the standard top brackets limit the flexibility and use of the top shelf.

Weather Guard Van Storage System Installation

The most time-consuming part of the Weather Guard van storage system installation process was the planning and prepping. It was essential to pre-plan and think through the installation steps. (Of course, thoroughly reading the manual might have cut down on the planning time.)  As previously mentioned, this step will most likely be handled by your local distributor, but I’ll walk you through my experiences.

There wasn’t anything too tricky about the install, and the specialty tools required were actually included with the hardware kit.  With a measuring tape, drill, bits, sockets, and wrenches, a professional can do this with knowledge of the tools in a day or two. The installation time, of course, will depend on the amount of gear you purchase for your van.

Second Set of Hands To Get Started

The initial installation stage was much easier with two people.  Measurements must be taken from a given point that can be coordinated on both the inside of the van and the undercarriage. This is critical to ensure no interference with brake lines or fuel lines. Careful measuring and coordinating the locations pay off when drilling holes through the van’s floor.

In this case, I had help, and we determined a good benchmark would be the rear bumper and the centerline of the van.  Having a helper saved me a tremendous amount of time and avoided mistakes.

In my installation, I had to shift the driver’s side unit slightly to avoid wiring underneath the vehicle.

Once I drilled the mounting holes, I installed squish nuts supplied in the kit with the necessary tools to install and seal them onto the floor permanently.

Get The Installation Kit Designed For YOUR Vehicle

Earlier, I mentioned that installation kits are specifically designed for your vehicle.  The custom installation kit takes the storage system from “generic” to the next level of specificity.  For example, Weather Guard replaces standard angle brackets with a custom mounting rail fastened to the vehicle structure at the van’s roofline.

In my installation, I used several existing factory holes in addition to drilling a few new ones.  Weather Guard provides the installation kit with squish nuts that are permanently installed into the mounting locations. I found this installation to be a simple task with a bolt and washer for each nut.

Many van storage systems use a generic one size fits most design approaches. This is not the case with the Weather Guard van storage system. Each component is designed to work seamlessly with the factory structural supports of your vehicle. This eliminates wasted space while maintaining strength and security.

Weather Guard Thermoplastic Rubber Floor Mat

I chose to include the WeatherGuard model 89021 thermoplastic rubber floor mat. I like this rubber floor mat and consider it a great addition to my van. The mat keeps things in place on the floor where I put them and prevents loads from skidding along the van floor. Also, I find the mat reduces the rattling noise of any items on the floor. The mat protects the floor from scratches from objects I load in and out daily.

The floor mat expands and contracts in differing temperatures.  I advise you to carefully follow the installation instructions to find the recommended hole sizes and understand the shelving mounting hardware’s clearances. You need to adhere to the instructions to eliminate possible thermal expansion issues.

Mounting The Shelves With Shim Bushings

Installed the shelving units in the van is very easy. I selected the appropriate shim bushing from the hardware kit to level shelving on the van’s floor.  Weather Guard supplies differing shim thicknesses to install the shelving level. Whether the hole lands on or between the raised profiles, I found the shims can accommodate most vehicle floor systems.

Once I mounted the base brackets to the floor, I was able to mount the supplied angle brackets to the upper mounting rail. The predrilled holes along the back edge are another great example of the thought Weather Guard put in this product.

Weather Guard Van Storage System Accessories

Weather Guard offers a full line of trade-specific accessories.  I ordered a caulk tube holder, ladder bracket, 3 hook bracket for electrical cords, a 5-gallon bucket holder, and security screens for the rear windows. The accessories bolt directly to the shelving units with supplied hardware.

I mounted the bucket holder to the floor the same way as the shelving units. I installed the security screens by mounting them directly to the rear door frames with the supplied self-drilling screws.  As the final installation step, I added in my shelf liners and dividers and loaded my storage system up with my tools, boxes, and other items.

Weather Guard Van Storage System – 3-Month Look Back

At this point, I have used the Weather Guard van storage system for three months.  I am incredibly pleased with the system and the shelving components and accessories have performed with no issues.  To date, I have not had to adjust the drawers or doors, and none of the mounting hardware has needed retightening.  Even under heavy use, the powder coating looks as good as the day I installed it.

The shelving dividers work well to keep tools and boxes in place. The depth of the shelves has kept items from sliding off the shelves.  With the 16″ depth units on the driver’s side and 13″ on the passenger side, I have encountered no issues fitting materials or large tools on the floor between the shelving units.

Room For Improvement?

I have very little to suggest as improvements to the Weather Guard van storage system. I can only offer a modification to the shelf mat systems. The mat does not stay in place without enough shelf dividers to hold it in place.  It slides on the powder-coated shelf and could take a light toolbox or other stored materials with it. Strategically placed dividers can pinch the mat onto the shelf. I have added double-sided tape to keep the mat laying flat in the absence of the dividers.

Overall Impression

Overall, I am extremely happy with the quality and usefulness of this system.  The shelving easily holds my toolboxes as well as larger loose tools.  The drawer system keeps smaller tools handy, and the enclosed cabinets house smaller products and other tools keeping them secure during travel.

Weather Guard Van Storage System Installation is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Weather Guard Van Configurator

As a contractor, there aren’t many things more important to -us than our tools.  Because of this, the way we store, transport, and care for those tools should be a high priority.  We have all seen that van or truck that pulls up to a job site and opens the doors with tools or materials falling out. In addition to a safety issue, you know that this contractor will constantly be shuffling through that mess. He will spend valuable time digging to the bottom of the pile of things in the back of the van, looking for that one item he needs at that moment. He is doomed to repeat that process over and over again.

Now imagine a neatly organized, well laid out, rugged storage system designed specifically for your van and tailored for the specific work you do.  Tools organized where they belong, materials exactly where you placed them, and open floor space to boot!  This scenario enables an increase in work efficiency and allows for more effective utilization of your vehicle. Where going to show you how to customize your van using the Weather Guard Van Configurator.

The Weather Guard van storage equipment makes this all possible. You can customize their system with the Custom Van Configurator, on the Weather Guard website, to find the exact tool you need. Designing a custom van interior configuration has never been easier. Let’s take a look at what’s available.

Customize Your Work Vehicle  – 7 Steps

Head on over to the Weather Guard website www.weatherguard.com, and click on the custom configurator tab to get started.  The process is super easy to create a login. Once you have done that, the rest is fun and easy.

The Configurator

• Step 1  is to select your specific van make and model and configuring the custom storage solution that suits your needs. With six (6) major manufacturers represented, some with multiple models, you are sure to find your specific vehicle and, in turn, a configuration for you. For this review, we’ll be looking at the Ram Pro-Master, specifically a 2019 1/2 ton (1500) 136″ wheelbase, high roof.

• Step 2  immediately impresses the user with a list of pre-configured packages designed for multiple trades, from commercial shelving or general service van, to more specific configurations for cable/plumber, HVAC/mechanical or electrical contractors. Simply selecting one of these configurations put together by the pros at Weather Guard would suit many contractors’ needs. The ability to add on to one of these configurations is the icing on the cake.

Make it your own

 Let’s say you search through the preselected configurations on the website, and you don’t see quite what you are looking for.  Or maybe you’re a specialty contractor with specific requirements for storage.  Weather Guard has you covered as well with the custom configurator and the ability to select the pieces and parts you want in your van.

• Step 3  gets you on track to a fully custom installation beginning with one of three bulkhead styles to create a safe, secure storage area. From here, your custom storage solution starts with selecting from a seemingly endless selection of shelving sizes and configurations. These include open shelving, available 13.5″, 16″, and 24″ deep, closed, lockable storage cabinets with solid steel doors. The system even provides drawer units with full extension drawer slides and slide locks to keep the drawers closed during transit.

Detailed Storage Designs

I can not emphasize enough is the quality and detailed information available on the online van configurator.  Weather Guard has created an exceptional product offering. While customizing a storage solution for your application, the program automatically keeps track of what components you’ve selected and what amount of space you have left for additional items on both sides of the van based on your original make and model specification. For example, once I select my van from the list, the application shows me what is available for space on both the driver’s side and on the passenger side between the side and rear doors. This brings us to the next step.

• Step 4  will open your mind to the endless options Weather Guard has put together for the end-user. While selecting components, the configurator will show you a 3D representation of the van’s components and show the space remaining for additional shelving or other accessories.  This allows the user to drag and drop shelving units and accessories and see what your van will look like before ordering any actual parts.

• Step 5  brings you outside the van for ladder rack storage. There are multiple options, from basic crossbars to the Easyglide2 drop-down ladder rack system.

• Step 6  The accessories. Now that you have selected your primary storage and shelving units picked, it’s time to get down to the specifics.  From a rubber floor liner to caulk or spray can storage, choosing all the right accessories will truly make this work van yours.  Conduit storage units, locking shelf doors, extension cord hooks, and bucket organizers are just the tip of the iceberg.  Small parts bins and locking drawers with full extension drawer slides can undoubtedly help with productivity, keeping you from searching around for the things you need to get the job done.  Now you have completed your virtual design.

• Step 7  Fill in your zip code, allowing the configurator to give you a list of local distributors to purchase and install your new custom storage solution.  The application lists the distributors by distance from your zip code from 10 to 100 miles, ranked by the closest first.  These distributors will help make your 3D online configuration a reality.

Weather Guard Custom Van Pricing

Pricing is not listed within the configurator, so contacting your local distributor is a must to finalize your purchase.  Your van’s installation time will vary depending upon the configuration and amount of components. I can not see why most of these installations wouldn’t be completed in one day.

The commitment to create your custom work van could be as little as 30 – 60 minutes, depending upon your computer knowledge and if you select one of Weather Guard’s pre-configured systems.  I spent a total of roughly 2 1/2 hours working through the program, scanning all the configurations and options before assembling what would become my final assembly.

Overall User Experience

Overall, the configurator was easy to work through, and the online tutorial will spell out the process perfectly.  The website ran the program seamlessly, and the 3D representation of the van and the Weather Guard pieces and parts mocked up within gives the user a real-time feel for the finished configuration.  The user can manipulate the 3D view around any axis and visualize the van interior from any angle. This certainly gives the user one confidence in their selections.

For our review, Weather Guard systems allowed us to purchase directly for our 2019 Ram Pro-Master. That way, we can experience the installation process on our own, and allowing us the first-hand experience of the assembly and installation of the products.

Be sure to check out the second installment of this review, where we’ll dive into the installation and use of the Weather Guard storage system we selected.  We intentionally put this to use in a work van for an extended time to get a real-life experience to accurately depict what to expect from the Weather Guard system.

Weather Guard Van Configurator is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Sigma 26” Tile Cutter with Pull Handle Review 9745

About 4 years ago now, I purchased this Sigma 26 Inch Tile Cutter, also known as a tile board, or a dry snap cutter. This snap cutter is designed to score and snap tiles, either ceramic, porcelain, or even glass, and due to its convenient size, it will save time and effort over constantly getting up and outside to the wet saw for straight or diagonal cuts.

I bought this cutter based on perceived quality, and after regular use, I am not disappointed! Most of the tool is made from both cast and extruded aluminum with few plastic parts, making it not only super durable but lightweight as well. This is the first pull style cutter I’ve owned, and the change from push to pull was a relatively easy one. A great advantage of a pull cutter is the measurement rule is close to the operator. The Sigma is designed with a comfort grip handle. Combining that with a single 10mm thick rail makes scoring and breaking thick or hard materials a breeze.

How The Sigma 26 Inch Tile Cutter Works

The Sigma 26 inch tile cutter works by first scratching a straight line across the surface of the tile with a hardened metal wheel and then applying pressure directly below the line and on each side of the line on top.

In this case, the cutting wheel and breaking jig “carriage” are combined at the base of the handle that travels along one single beam to keep the carriage angled correctly and the cut straight. The beam is height adjustable to handle different thicknesses of tiles.
The base of the tool has adjustable fences for angled cuts and square cuts and fence stops for multiple cuts of exactly the same size. The scoring wheel is easily replaceable.

Sigma 26 Inch Tile Cutter 9745 Features

There are plenty of features built into the Sigma 26 Inch Tile Cutter, some similar to most, but others unique. It is these unique features along with the quality of the tool that makes this Sigma a great choice. Some of these features are as follows:

• Easy-grip handle
• Spring-loaded breaker table
• Swiveling ruler bar from angles of -45* to
  +45*
• Legible ruler bar with 1/16” imperial
  increments as well as metric measurements
• Locking measuring guide for repetitive cuts
• Raised angle degree marks at 5* increments
  for ease of legibility
• Positive stop detents at 0*, 15*, 30*, & 45*
• Adjustable rail

Couple the precision of these measuring parts with the aforementioned strength of the rail and you’ve got a snapper that can handle delicate 1/16” think material all the way up to hard, 3⁄4” porcelain pavers. Even cutting small “slivers” from common materials is done with ease on this Sigma.

Tile Cutter History

The first tile cutter was designed to facilitate the work and solve the problems that masons had when cutting hydraulic mosaic or encaustic cement tiles (a type of decorative tile with pigmented cement, highly used in the 50s, due to the high strength needed because of the high hardness and thickness of these tiles).

Over time the tool evolved, incorporating elements that made it more accurate and productive. The first cutter had an iron point to scratch the tiles. It was later replaced by the current tungsten carbide scratching wheel.

Another built-in device introduced in 1960 was the snapping element. It allowed users to snap the tiles easily and not with the bench, the cutter handle or
hitting the tile with a knee as it was done before. This was a revolution in the cutting process of the ceramic world.

The spring-loaded breaker table, height adjustable rail, and swiveling ruler are just a few features of the Sigma that further demonstrate the evolution of the tile cutter as we know it today.

Conclusion

My overall impression of the Sigma 26 Inch Tile Cutter is a great one. These days 12” x 24” tiles seem to be the norm as 12” x 12” or even “4 1⁄4’s” used to be. Having the ability to complete the majority of my cuts in my workspace is of utmost importance to me and my time management strategies.

This Sigma 9745 has lent itself well to that task and has performed just as expected throughout the past few years. If I had a complaint, it would be the difficulty of lining up the cutting wheel with the mark on your tile to cut due to the visual obstruction of the rail. That being said, that is not necessarily a Sigma problem, as it is more of a single rail tile cutter problem. Tile cutters fitted with a dual rail system tend to make this task a bit less cumbersome. Honestly, once you become accustomed to the cutter, and understand where the wheel falls, you’ll find this task easier and easier, until you don’t even consider it an issue any longer.

Sigma 26 Inch Tile Cutter Price

At around $440 at the time of this review, this cutter will pay for itself in no time at all. The beauty of buying a quality tool such as this is there are replacement parts readily available in case you find yourself in need. One thing I would suggest is a replacement cutting wheel, as this is certainly one of the most critical parts of the tool. You never know when you might need it, although the one I purchased with this cutter is still on the shelf in its original packaging, awaiting the time I need to call it to action.

Sigma 26 Inch Tile Cutter is a post from Tool Box Buzz