i now have a large collection of tools living in my garage which is growing each month. I have tried to keep each "set" in their original containers as theer were so many and i didnt want to just throw them into my tool box.

I have tried to buy quality products so would like them to last so am looking at various storage methods as the original packaging idea is taking up to much space. I looked at tool boxes and decided that theya re too small for what i want so then started looking at tool chests. I heard that halfords did good sets but when i went in there only their top of the range set looked worthy of purchase (and at a high proce aswell).

I have since seen a very nice looking set by Homak in Costco it was £350 (£50 more than teh halfords option) and was very well built.

Still not sure that as a DIY enthusiast with a few tools i can justify this sort of outlay but i cant come up witha more ecconomical solution other than leave as is or throw into a new small tool box.

The other part of me says spend the money it will last your entire life and protect your tools?

Any ideas?

I bought a cheap halfords one (offer at £50 i think), whilst the drawers dont open like they are floating on air, its very good quality and seems to be lasting well (ive had it about 4 years now)
Similar to this, but Mine has 1 lift open top, 4 drawers on below that, then 2 on the top of the base unit with the lift open lower half.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_811705_langId_-1_categoryId_255214

in the background here:
http://loggyboy.com/images/Raw/KitHome/InGarage1.jpg

[Edited on 16-1-13 by loggyboy]

Very interesting as that is the one I originally went into halfords to buy. It looked extremely bad quality in the shop but if you rate it then maybe it was just because it had been out together quickly and so appeared less stable.

I like your roll cage. Who did it for u?

I just have Halfrauds boxes, work for me and my hotch potch of tools. Mine are the Pro boxes, and are very good quality, bought them about 5 years ago. I recently bought a Pro box from Halfrauds for work, and the quality is crap compared to the ones I have.


The Costco boxes you mention, look very good quality for the price.

I added some rubber liner roll (dont buy the expensive halfords stuff, ebay or wilkinson) and with the weight of the tools in it, it looses most of its 'clunkyness'

Unless you use them all day everyday, you dont 'need' the roller bearing pro jobbies, they are just 'nice'.


[Edited on 16-1-13 by loggyboy]

my brother uses the machine mart heavy duty ones for his work and swears by them
they arn't as nice as the fancy ones, but they are solid, do the job just as well and alot are cheaper
(and the VAT free days help alot too )

even the normal machine mart ones I've seen arn't that bad and they are even cheaper



for myself I've just got really, really cheap and nasty Draper ones (they arn't even square, and need wedged to stop them rocking! ) but they are good enough for all I need them to do...
they came with one of those special offers with all the tools included - of which about 2/3 of the tools are actually worth having, but I got them so cheap it was still a good deal and the chest & cabinet were effectively free

[Edited on 16/1/2013 by mcerd1]

I have a Halford Industrial chest (ooer missus) and a cheapy Screwfix cabinet. The chest is excellent quality and bought with my trade card whilst it was on offer, cost me just over £100. The cabinet is fine to plonk the chest on and sturdy enough to clatter about my workshop and yard!!

Halfords did have this:

tool chest

and this:

top box

On sale for £300 for the pair, which in my opinion is a bargain I snapped a pair up, but it looks like the offer has ended now

I was always reluctant to spend so much on storage, but I must say its fantastic to be able to go straight to a drawer and find exactly what you want all nicely laid out (drawer liners keep everything nicely in place).

[Edited on 16/1/13 by FASTdan]

You will soon forget how much they cost when you have been using them for a few weeks and realise how useful they are. I have some of the mid range Clark ones (non roller drawers) and wouldn't be without them now.

quote:

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Originally posted by chris-g
You will soon forget how much they cost when you have been using them for a few weeks and realise how useful they are. I have some of the mid range Clark ones (non roller drawers) and wouldn't be without them now.

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The ones I have are the professional range, the CTC103, 107 and 109. They are better quality than the cheaper stuff in the Clark range which for home mechanics use is fine. Will it last for ever? That depends how its used and looked after. You need to go to the various retailers, see the various options in person and determine for your self which best suits your budget/quality requirements.

Not sure if you've seen this on eBay and its seems a good price.

LARGE TOOL CHEST TOP CABINET TOP BOX AND ROLLCAB BOX US BALL BEARING SlIDES

[Edited on 16/1/13 by Brett Jones]

This set has been recommended before and they have a shop in Croyden......might be worth having a look?

Thanks. I know the shop well their tools and consumables are actually very good quality but very cheap. A lot of the tradesmen on site use and recomend them.

With the base unit it weighs in at £330 so may have a look and compare with the Costco unit.

Is this sort of money good for such a unit?

have you considered a second hand snap on one? off flea bay

On ebay there is the seller called usprotools and they have some good deals. Item 180988103278 (US PRO TOOLS ECONOMY TOOL CHEST BOX TOP BOX ROLLCAB TOOL BOX ROLLER CABINET ) looks a good deal and they've been good with my limited dealings with them. I've just purchased one of their "45 US Pro Single Top Tool Box Chest" as an additional box and it is good vfm.

Jed

+1 for the machine mart ones.

I've got three now, and have used the cheaper ones and always go back to the good ones. they need to be strong and heavy. Also,you'll be surprised at how many drawers you need.

they seem to be on price for the quality with everyone else.

quote:

---

Originally posted by mcerd1
my brother uses the machine mart heavy duty ones for his work and swears by them
they arn't as nice as the fancy ones, but they are solid, do the job just as well and alot are cheaper
(and the VAT free days help alot too )

even the normal machine mart ones I've seen arn't that bad and they are even cheaper



for myself I've just got really, really cheap and nasty Draper ones (they arn't even square, and need wedged to stop them rocking! ) but they are good enough for all I need them to do...
they came with one of those special offers with all the tools included - of which about 2/3 of the tools are actually worth having, but I got them so cheap it was still a good deal and the chest & cabinet were effectively free

[Edited on 16/1/2013 by mcerd1]

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quote:

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Originally posted by FuryRebuild
+1 for the machine mart ones.

I've got three now, and have used the cheaper ones and always go back to the good ones. they need to be strong and heavy. Also,you'll be surprised at how many drawers you need.

they seem to be on price for the quality with everyone else.

quote:

---

Originally posted by mcerd1
my brother uses the machine mart heavy duty ones for his work and swears by them
they arn't as nice as the fancy ones, but they are solid, do the job just as well and alot are cheaper
(and the VAT free days help alot too )

even the normal machine mart ones I've seen arn't that bad and they are even cheaper



for myself I've just got really, really cheap and nasty Draper ones (they arn't even square, and need wedged to stop them rocking! ) but they are good enough for all I need them to do...
they came with one of those special offers with all the tools included - of which about 2/3 of the tools are actually worth having, but I got them so cheap it was still a good deal and the chest & cabinet were effectively free

[Edited on 16/1/2013 by mcerd1]

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Only 5 min from me so might take a look

quote:

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Originally posted by Brett Jones
Not sure if you've seen this on eBay and its seems a good price.

LARGE TOOL CHEST TOP CABINET TOP BOX AND ROLLCAB BOX US BALL BEARING SlIDES

[Edited on 16/1/13 by Brett Jones]

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If u do let me know what they r like. If they r good quality then they r very good value

I have just seen the clas ohlson set. Very good quality and in the sale for £250 for top and bottom set which given that it's £100 cheaper than the Costco may be the best option. Shame about the colour though.

On the reviews people say that they got the top box free when buying the base unit. Anyone know how you get this deal?