How to Build a Slip-Seat Box

A slip-seat box is a metal box made to hold a CB radio and other electronic equipment. Truck drivers will keep a slip-seat box for transporting their personal electronic equipment from one company truck to another. Slip-seat boxes are meant to be lightweight and easy to transport. Slip-seat boxes can be purchased from companies that specialize in trucking and CB equipment, or you can make your own custom slip-seat box for a fraction of the cost.

Gather all equipment you plan to install in your slip-seat box into one location. Align the equipment so that speakers are all together on one side, the cords are all together on one side, and knobs are all on one side.

Measure the dimensions of your stack of equipment. Purchase a custom-made aluminum box in these dimensions. Your aluminum box should have a flip-top lid, handle on top and at least two lockable clasps. Aluminum boxes can be ordered from specialty stores that cater to truckers and contractors. These stores can be found by contacting a local trucking office.

Set the equipment inside the box to check that it fits.

Cover the exterior of the box with painter's tape on all sides where you will be making cuts.

Remove the equipment from inside the box and set it up on the work table, to the side of the box.

Measure the size of your equipment on all sides. Use a pen to draw on the painter's tape over the outside of the box the outline of the equipment as it will appear when it is placed inside the box. For example, on the side where your radio face and dials will be located, draw the outline of your radio where it will appear inside the box.

Measure the location of each place on your equipment where you will need to gain access to the equipment from the outside of the box. For example, measure the placement and size of the radio face on your radio. Measure the distance of the radio face from the sides and bottom of the radio, and measure the size of the radio face itself. Transfer your measurements to the side of the box where you drew the outline of the radio, and draw the shape of the access window as it should appear on the side of the box. Use a T square to make straight edges and a compass to make perfectly round circles. Repeat this for every side of the box where you will need an access window to your equipment.

Cut the first window from the box. Use a rotary tool with a 1.5 inch reinforced cutting disc to make the first cut into the box, then switch to a jigsaw to cut the rest of the outline of the window. Cut all windows from the box using this same method.

Remove the tape from the outside of the aluminum box.

File down the edges of the windows with a pen file.

Line the edge of the windows with a strip of U-channel to prevent the sharp cuts in the metal from cutting your hand or damaging your equipment.