Toolbox quality
02-10-2018, 10:22 PM
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Toolbox quality
in the near future I’m going to be looking for a new toolbox,
how to you judge what makes a quality box, steel thickness, robustness, how well,the roller bearing drawers function?
obviously snap on and mac are the big guns here but as it’s just a hobbyist box they are way above what I’d be looking to pay
So Iv been looking at the US-Pro boxes, they seem fairly cheap for the size of box. They have an economy one just now for 170 or so, will it just be cheap crap and not worth the hassle or would it be worth a punt for a box that’s only really used every other weekend. Around 5/600 would be my limit for a box. Looked at the Kirkland one in Costco aswell and its in th running to.
how to you judge what makes a quality box, steel thickness, robustness, how well,the roller bearing drawers function?
obviously snap on and mac are the big guns here but as it’s just a hobbyist box they are way above what I’d be looking to pay
So Iv been looking at the US-Pro boxes, they seem fairly cheap for the size of box. They have an economy one just now for 170 or so, will it just be cheap crap and not worth the hassle or would it be worth a punt for a box that’s only really used every other weekend. Around 5/600 would be my limit for a box. Looked at the Kirkland one in Costco aswell and its in th running to.
04-10-2018, 08:47 AM
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I have a trade card, I did look at them but thought the box felt a bit flimsy and the drawers didn’t slide that well. that was it empty. Maybe worth another look if you think yours is good
04-10-2018, 08:52 AM
#5
cossie fan (unluckerly)
Go to Homebase they sell some good ones in there they sell the stainless ones as well. A few guys at work have them. There not as deep as the snap on or Mac box’s and the lock systems are not as good but perfect for what your after
04-10-2018, 11:45 AM
#6
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I like those stainless ones they do with the work top. I have been looking at a foam cut out company and I am tempted to do foam cut outs for the major drawers and most used tools like the 10mm, 13mm spanners etc and a draw with the angle grinders all neatly laid out.
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04-10-2018, 08:21 PM
#8
Not entirely sane
Halfords Industrial is their best range, normally in black but they occasionally do different colours. I have the Professional roller cabinet, mid and top boxes along with the side cupboard and drawer unit. Only problem is not being able to specify lock numbers so you might end up with all different keys.
06-10-2018, 05:04 AM
#11
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
I would go Costco all the way anything ever goes wrong with toolbox as long as your still a member get your full money back no quibbles. (I would say that though as worked there 18 years and use the boxes in our tyrebay)
06-10-2018, 07:12 AM
#12
cossie fan (unluckerly)
there pretty much the same ones they sell in Homebase far better than the Halfords ones to be fair
06-10-2018, 10:02 PM
#13
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An old work colleague has just bought one of those large stainless roll cabs with hard top and to be fair it's a nice bit of kit. Used all day everyday by him and his apprentice. Ok the draws aren't very deep but there's plenty of them! He sold his snap on roll cab as it wasn't that big a model and he bought this and had ££££ left over! I paid £7k Just for my toolbox and I'm still paying for it monthly 4 years later. Never again.
07-10-2018, 06:56 AM
#14
cossie fan (unluckerly)
Yeah I’d never buy a new snap on box Fook that. All the youngsters at work strap them up costs them thousands! I’m happy with a second hand one lol far better deal
11-10-2018, 10:09 PM
#15
If you are still looking check out SGS engineering, they have a huge stainless roll cab and stainless top for under £500. Very very good.
Last edited by RobbieR; 13-10-2018 at 02:21 PM.
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13-10-2018, 12:30 PM
#16
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I like the look of the 96 inch one and may get that to replace one of my benches as I am sure I could store more that way
14-10-2018, 01:21 PM
#18
Regular Contributor
Sorry to lower the tone guys, but having a limited budget, I bought a Workzone cabinet from Aldi for 140 quid, and was really impressed by it! so much so, that I got the top box to go with it 
Cabinet is still available too
Cabinet is still available too
14-10-2018, 03:06 PM
#19
Halfords Advanced aren't bad - not worth the retail on them, but if you have a trade card or get one on special they're a passable box. Same with Clarke from Machine Mart, but only the HD models - don't touch the regular models. I had one, destroyed it inside 4 or 5 months, and both through misuse: my toolboxes used to live on vans and the Clarke box was such low quality, flimsy "steel" it twisted and distorted very quickly, making the drawers a pain to use. Plus, the drawers aren't very big or deep. Stay away.
As a hobbyist, I'd say your best bet is a second hand box. Sure, a nice shiny new one is a lovely thing, but for the same money, often less, you can get something twice as good quality. My Snap On box was £112 I think (could be wrong, it was 14 years ago) and it's lived on numerous vans since - it's had a hard life; it's been wedged in, bolted down, had holes drilled in it, hard it's lid and front flap removed, been stood on, "persuaded" into tight fitting spots with size 11 boots, and whilst it's not pretty anymore, with faded/missing paint and a few wounds, it's still as straight as the day it was made: every drawer runs perfectly, everything lines up, and it sits properly on every flat surface I put it on. I've had it 14 years, and I'm pretty sure it's an 80's model, so can't grumble at that.
As a hobbyist, I'd say your best bet is a second hand box. Sure, a nice shiny new one is a lovely thing, but for the same money, often less, you can get something twice as good quality. My Snap On box was £112 I think (could be wrong, it was 14 years ago) and it's lived on numerous vans since - it's had a hard life; it's been wedged in, bolted down, had holes drilled in it, hard it's lid and front flap removed, been stood on, "persuaded" into tight fitting spots with size 11 boots, and whilst it's not pretty anymore, with faded/missing paint and a few wounds, it's still as straight as the day it was made: every drawer runs perfectly, everything lines up, and it sits properly on every flat surface I put it on. I've had it 14 years, and I'm pretty sure it's an 80's model, so can't grumble at that.
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