Furnishing a Workshop, Which Tool Cabinet / Workbench?
Discussion
Coming to the end of a workshop build. It's around 5m wide, 7m deep and 3.5m high with a concrete slab base.
I have a lot of random tools that need a home and have been thinking about tool chests and workbenches to put in the workshop. My first thought was that eBay or Marketplace would be the place to look. But after a few hours looking around it seems that, at best you get a 50% discount vs the RRP, and a lot of the chests / workbenches are tatty looking.
Since all expenses are going through the business it got me thinking about buying new since you get the VAT back and the corp tax writeoff.
Does anyone have any suggestions for furnishing a hobbyist workshop? Certainly have no issues with buying used, but only if it makes sense vs claiming the tax back on new stuff. I'm just surprised that there wasn't more surplus equipment around at lower prices.
How are Costco when compared with more mainsteam brands? I spotted this on sale: https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automotive/Garage/G...
I have a lot of random tools that need a home and have been thinking about tool chests and workbenches to put in the workshop. My first thought was that eBay or Marketplace would be the place to look. But after a few hours looking around it seems that, at best you get a 50% discount vs the RRP, and a lot of the chests / workbenches are tatty looking.
Since all expenses are going through the business it got me thinking about buying new since you get the VAT back and the corp tax writeoff.
Does anyone have any suggestions for furnishing a hobbyist workshop? Certainly have no issues with buying used, but only if it makes sense vs claiming the tax back on new stuff. I'm just surprised that there wasn't more surplus equipment around at lower prices.
How are Costco when compared with more mainsteam brands? I spotted this on sale: https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automotive/Garage/G...
Edited by car user on Saturday 8th February 16:51
The Costco units are pretty good. They usually have them in store if you wanted to check it out.
I've got some Halfords Professional ones which have held up well. If I was to buy again I'd maybe take another look at the Halfords ones again.
Other option is either SGS, or Clarke from Machine Mart. Or keep an eye out on Facebook for second hand boxes (Snap On is kind of stupid money, but I occasionally see good deals on other brands).
I've got some Halfords Professional ones which have held up well. If I was to buy again I'd maybe take another look at the Halfords ones again.
Other option is either SGS, or Clarke from Machine Mart. Or keep an eye out on Facebook for second hand boxes (Snap On is kind of stupid money, but I occasionally see good deals on other brands).
car user said:
How are Costco when compared with more mainsteam brands? I spotted this on sale: https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automotive/Garage/G...
I don't know if you've seen it in person, but the plastic naffness of this is really quite nasty. Yes it's a brand new, massive roll cab for £800, but it's not a nice thing to use.I'd look at the SGS stainless range as they're quite nice, and on my radar for a future upgrade.
https://www.sgs-engineering.com/sgs-41-inch-stainl...
Appreciate the responses. Wasn't aware of SGS at all, but they do look good.
I'll keep watching the local facebook and ebay listings for a while since I do have a trailer for collection.
The snapon stuff is shocking really, there's people asking thousands for abused rusty cabinets with bits missing.
I'll keep watching the local facebook and ebay listings for a while since I do have a trailer for collection.
The snapon stuff is shocking really, there's people asking thousands for abused rusty cabinets with bits missing.
SGS or Crytec power is the same gear, so whoever has the best deal on. I've got a few mates that went SGS & been happy, inc new runners supplied free under warranty.
I think for tool boxes rather than the long roll cab chests the Halfords gear is v good value.
Also some of the US Pro stuff is ok, but check the measurements, lots of it isn't very deep. So it looks the part but doesn't fit much stuff in, tho that's the lower budget stuff, the higher priced stuff is better.
I went a combo of Halfords & US pro & I've got more US pro boxes in my shed.
Is a really good deal on now if you have a trade card at 30% off vs the normal 20% & particularly if you link it to the credit one gets an extra 5% so £265 for a set up that's just off £400 retail.
Is a guy sells new Halfords stuff on Ebay & FB v decent prices but he only has black & I wanted red & I nearly equalled his prices going new as I waited for a deal, tho not as good a one as currently unfortunately.
Personally I don't like the middle box addition, so didn't get one, makes it too tall, but is extra space.
I bagged that red US pro chest with a tad of a dent which is barely noticeable for circa £70 new on Ebay. Yes not v deep but still a bargain as £160 new retail.
Pic of mine.
I think for tool boxes rather than the long roll cab chests the Halfords gear is v good value.
Also some of the US Pro stuff is ok, but check the measurements, lots of it isn't very deep. So it looks the part but doesn't fit much stuff in, tho that's the lower budget stuff, the higher priced stuff is better.
I went a combo of Halfords & US pro & I've got more US pro boxes in my shed.
Is a really good deal on now if you have a trade card at 30% off vs the normal 20% & particularly if you link it to the credit one gets an extra 5% so £265 for a set up that's just off £400 retail.
Is a guy sells new Halfords stuff on Ebay & FB v decent prices but he only has black & I wanted red & I nearly equalled his prices going new as I waited for a deal, tho not as good a one as currently unfortunately.
Personally I don't like the middle box addition, so didn't get one, makes it too tall, but is extra space.
I bagged that red US pro chest with a tad of a dent which is barely noticeable for circa £70 new on Ebay. Yes not v deep but still a bargain as £160 new retail.
Pic of mine.
Edited by iguana on Friday 14th February 21:36
Edited by iguana on Friday 14th February 21:39
The bench style rollcabs look quite good, doubt the bench area is very deep though so depends what work you do but lots of storage.
https://www.sgs-engineering.com/stc7200b-stainless...
https://www.sgs-engineering.com/stc7200b-stainless...
I've got the Halfords Advanced triple stack. Quick look at the Halfords website shows it's on offer for £560.
I've got no point of comparison as it's my first proper tool cabinet, but it's done me well over the last few years and reviewed well on YT.
For me, it was important to be able to see and feel before buying, so Halfords allowed for that. In that vein, you could also check out Machine Mart and Costco.
I've got no point of comparison as it's my first proper tool cabinet, but it's done me well over the last few years and reviewed well on YT.
For me, it was important to be able to see and feel before buying, so Halfords allowed for that. In that vein, you could also check out Machine Mart and Costco.
You could make a workbench.
Lengths of 2x2 timber cut to required length.
Put lengths side by side until you've got the required width.
Drill all to insert threaded rods.
Countersink the outer two (one each side) to accommodate nut & washer.
Apply glue & clamp up using the threaded rod (the rod stays in place)
Once set plane as required to flatten.
To set up I used a batten screwed to the wall to support the back & angle iron strip attached to underside of top with legs of angle iron bolted to that & to the ground to support the front.
Gives plenty of storage space underneath too.
Not expensive to make, very strong & you can either seal the wood & use as is or attach flat metal sheet to the top.
Lengths of 2x2 timber cut to required length.
Put lengths side by side until you've got the required width.
Drill all to insert threaded rods.
Countersink the outer two (one each side) to accommodate nut & washer.
Apply glue & clamp up using the threaded rod (the rod stays in place)
Once set plane as required to flatten.
To set up I used a batten screwed to the wall to support the back & angle iron strip attached to underside of top with legs of angle iron bolted to that & to the ground to support the front.
Gives plenty of storage space underneath too.
Not expensive to make, very strong & you can either seal the wood & use as is or attach flat metal sheet to the top.
I have a very handy mini SGS tool chest on my desk at work.
I have an old Sykes-Pickavant(?) tool cabinet in my garage that I bought used about 15 years ago and various other stacked on.and adjacent to it.
If I was buying a new set I'd look at Halfords.
I have an old Sykes-Pickavant(?) tool cabinet in my garage that I bought used about 15 years ago and various other stacked on.and adjacent to it.
If I was buying a new set I'd look at Halfords.
Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 19th March 12:45
and never had a single issue. If you can get a trade card and wait for a sale they can be surprisingly inexpensive too.Another shout out for Costco stainless steel rolling stuff. The one I have is on their US website; it's called Trinity. But on the .co.uk site it seems badged as Hilka. I've had mine for years. Really sold.
Build a solid wooden bench and screw it to the wall. Get a nice vice and stick a solid timber under it (down to the floor), so you can beat on things if needed.
Build a solid wooden bench and screw it to the wall. Get a nice vice and stick a solid timber under it (down to the floor), so you can beat on things if needed.
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