Tool cabinet/chest

[MisterTee]

I’m thinking of investing in a tool cabinet or chest and just wondered whether anyone has any recommendations.

Anyone own or use any US Pro equipment? They appear good value, but, as the old saying goes ..... buy cheap, buy twice.

Cheers

Andy

[Beverley Grove]

I like mine, it's reasonable quality, good for the price. They are not particularly big, suited more for the hobbyist and domestic garage rather than pro use.
Get one with a top toolbox as well, you'll run out of storage quickly with just the base roller cabinet.

[magpies]

Halfords Professional are a good quality tool at reasonable price - especially ebay pre-owned. I have a set of 1/2" drive socket set

Sealey are good budget set and I have a 3/8" socket set

Spanner wise I have Halfords, standard ring/oe combinations and also ratchet ring. I have a set of 'short combination.

I've had all these for 20 years (following all my tools being stolen from the back of our Rally Service vehicle) and used extensively at home when building / rebuilding cars.

[phillpot]

Beverley Grove said:

I you'll run out of storage quickly with just the base roller cabinet.

How did we manage with these before all these fancy cabinets came along?

[MisterTee]

Phillpot - that’s precisely what I’m using at the moment, plus socket sets in plastic cases. I can never seem to find what I’m looking for which is why I’m considering something a bit bigger and with the ability to organise my tools a bit more.

Magpies - I have a few bits and bobs of Halfords Professional and they are decent kit for what I will use them for. Ratchet ring spanners are definitely on my ‘to buy’ list.

Beverley - yeah that’s the kind of thing I’ve been looking at. I only have a small garage, so don’t want anything too big.

Edited by MisterTee on Sunday 19th July 19:32

[Beverley Grove]

phillpot said:

How did we manage with these before all these fancy cabinets came along?

Ah yes, I used my cantilever toolbox I made as an apprentice for years. It was a sad day when I pensioned it off but having spanners laid out in a drawer in size order is now a delight
Kev

[v8s4me]

I've had my Halfords one for many years now and all the drawers and other bits still slide smoothly. Make sure the drawers run on roller bearings and watch out for "Snap-on" bargains on eBay, the logos on there as well for a few quid.

[fozzy280472]

I have a large Snap on roll cab , mid draws and top box set up from when I was using my own tools at work , the Snap on boxes are of very good quality but we're horrifically expensive .
I also have the same sort of set of boxes for my "S" and other car tooling but these were from Halfords and I can thoroughly recommend them . Very reasonable price and reasonable quality too . If they are for storage and generally stay put in the garage I'm not sure you need to spend Snap on money really.
I find it easier to use drawers chests than smaller cantilever boxes if in the garage but the smaller boxes are easier for portability.

[Blue 30]

Thumbs up for Halfords from me too.
See if you can find a friend who has one of their trade discount cards. And/or look out for their offers.
Oh, Homebase had a decent 6' wide roller cab that is also a bench. Useful for up the front of a small garage.

[MisterTee]

Great, thanks for all the replies.

I hadn’t even considered somewhere like Homebase, to be honest, but some of their stuff looks good. Now need to compare prices ...

[alock]

Mahinemart have a good range you can actually look at in store. The pro/industrial range are similar to the pro Halfords stuff, but you get more choice of size, colour, and drawer options.

[WotnoV8]

If you’re a TVRCC member you can get 10% off instore purchases at Halfords (download the voucher from club website). Also check out Machinemart’s range of tool chests.

[Stigproducts]

Costco are worth a try. They have stuff that is good value, quality almost certainly excellent, price will depend on what they have. Check online too but they usually have one in store. I have a stainless steel one from there which has been great and I still can't believe how cheap it was.

[Quikcurl]

I can second the Costco tool chests - decent price, decent quality. I also have a stainless chest from SGS engineering, also excellent quality and reasonably priced.

[phillpot]

Stigproducts said:

Costco are worth a try.

Quikcurl said:

I can second the Costco tool chests

Do you need a 'Trade Card' for Costco?

[Colin RedGriff]

I was tempted by the Costco one too but in the end went for one from SGS which I have been very pleased with. Only problem is the woden top is too nice to put dirty bits on!

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/stc7200b-stainless...

[QBee]

Socket sets - I would keep an eye on the Halfords Professional 140/170/200 piece sets.

I say that because they regularly have offers on them.
I spotted such an offer about three years ago and bought myself one as a Christmas present.
Made a change from socks, bottle openers and DVDs

Great range of spanners and sockets in different drive sizes, included ratchet ring and plain ring spanners, plus hex drives and star drives, 6 sided sockets for those awkward bd rusted solid TVR nuts, I am never without the right socket (except the 30 mm socket to change to otter switch, and the newer sets include these bigger sizes now)
And I have never broken one, despite trying hard.
Here's the 175 piece set, currently £50 off. The contents list will make you want one.

link to 175 piece set

[Quikcurl]

phillpot said:

Stigproducts said:

Costco are worth a try.

Quikcurl said:

I can second the Costco tool chests

Do you need a 'Trade Card' for Costco?

You need a membership, yes, but they do individual membership as well as trade.
Can’t help more as I got mine through work!

Colin RedGriff said:

I was tempted by the Costco one too but in the end went for one from SGS which I have been very pleased with. Only problem is the woden top is too nice to put dirty bits on!

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/stc7200b-stainless...

That’s the one I have too! The wood is definitely too nice to get dirty!

[Oldred_V8S]

phillpot said:

Do you need a 'Trade Card' for Costco?

You need a card Mike but Costco seem to give them away to anybody these days.
They used to come into our office and sign-up anyone who wanted one.

[RayTVR]

If you want a cheaper option - I have something similar and its fine for home use;

clicky