What toolbox? £300 budget for a home mechanic
Discussion
I bought a very similar one from Halfords two years ago for about £50 too. Not exactly built to withstand an airstrike but has done me fine during some pretty abusive missions plus the top box is light enough and yet sturdy enough to lift into the car without resulting in a hernia. I also have two big 3ft deep, wooden topped metal units that serve as a workbench and also storage cupboards and drawers so the tool box is really for sockets and so on... the heavy kit goes in the cupboards.
The lot stands me at under £100 which I'm happy with
The lot stands me at under £100 which I'm happy with
Sealey sold this as "American Pro"
It's about 20 years old now and replaced about 4 cantilever tool boxes that I could never find the tool I wanted without going thro all of them, ok it's not a snap on but nothing has broken or failed, and it gets regular used on a brick weave drive which rattles most things like jacks to fast failure.
It is however fading to a nice pink colour
Was the best investment I'd ever made till I bought a Portamig Welder but still comes a close second
It's about 20 years old now and replaced about 4 cantilever tool boxes that I could never find the tool I wanted without going thro all of them, ok it's not a snap on but nothing has broken or failed, and it gets regular used on a brick weave drive which rattles most things like jacks to fast failure.
It is however fading to a nice pink colour
Was the best investment I'd ever made till I bought a Portamig Welder but still comes a close second
I would agree that these days stuff like Halfords professional, Clarke, etc are just as good as the expensive boxes/tools.
I bought a large halfords roll cabinet and top box with ball bearing drawer runners 3 years ago and it's as new now despite a bit of use. Think it was on offer for about £250 at the time.
10-15 years ago, if it wasn't Snap-On, Teng, Facom etc and cost a million quid then it was cheap crap that broke... But now there are a lot of companies making really good quality tools for a decent price.
I bought a large halfords roll cabinet and top box with ball bearing drawer runners 3 years ago and it's as new now despite a bit of use. Think it was on offer for about £250 at the time.
10-15 years ago, if it wasn't Snap-On, Teng, Facom etc and cost a million quid then it was cheap crap that broke... But now there are a lot of companies making really good quality tools for a decent price.
It's not Snap On by any means and is made of pretty thin metal however the drawers are smooth and I'm happy with it. Not overly keen on the "up and over" bottom door, needs careful use to be sure it won't break but the drawers are fine.
Was using the roll cab as a work bench the other day to flare some brake lines:
Based on my use so far, I'd buy a second one if I run out of space (and still only be the same price as the cheapest one Halfords do, which is very similar to this)
Was using the roll cab as a work bench the other day to flare some brake lines:
Based on my use so far, I'd buy a second one if I run out of space (and still only be the same price as the cheapest one Halfords do, which is very similar to this)
Way outside your budget, but I have this one
Realise that posting something twice your budget looks like a p1ss take: I only mention it because (1) it's massive and will stop you getting annoyed when you run out of tool space and have to buy another (2) it's very good quality - had mine for 10 years, it's like new (apart from stickers!) (3) it's very easy to move around the garage.
Others available
Realise that posting something twice your budget looks like a p1ss take: I only mention it because (1) it's massive and will stop you getting annoyed when you run out of tool space and have to buy another (2) it's very good quality - had mine for 10 years, it's like new (apart from stickers!) (3) it's very easy to move around the garage.
Others available
EggsBenedict said:
Way outside your budget, but I have this one
Realise that posting something twice your budget looks like a p1ss take: I only mention it because (1) it's massive and will stop you getting annoyed when you run out of tool space and have to buy another (2) it's very good quality - had mine for 10 years, it's like new (apart from stickers!) (3) it's very easy to move around the garage.
Others available
There are some real nice boxes on there... Payday was kind but I've already been spending it on powdercoating wheels and buying another set of Sunflowers for the E36. I'll see how much space I have after gutting the garage at the weekend Realise that posting something twice your budget looks like a p1ss take: I only mention it because (1) it's massive and will stop you getting annoyed when you run out of tool space and have to buy another (2) it's very good quality - had mine for 10 years, it's like new (apart from stickers!) (3) it's very easy to move around the garage.
Others available
Haven't bought anything yet, but after seeing the Clarke HD 9 drawer top boxes at the weekend I think that's what I'll go for. I can't see myself needing anything else for a bit!
Halfords had posted these up at the weekend, so I went to have a look.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I have to say the quality of them felt shocking compared to the Clarke HD. They had locked the Industrial ones oddly so I couldn't test them.
Halfords had posted these up at the weekend, so I went to have a look.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I have to say the quality of them felt shocking compared to the Clarke HD. They had locked the Industrial ones oddly so I couldn't test them.
ked off with my cheapie although all i really need to do is remove the castors, grease them up and refit so that they actually swivel properly.DanielJames said:
Haven't bought anything yet, but after seeing the Clarke HD 9 drawer top boxes at the weekend I think that's what I'll go for. I can't see myself needing anything else for a bit!
Halfords had posted these up at the weekend, so I went to have a look.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I have to say the quality of them felt shocking compared to the Clarke HD. They had locked the Industrial ones oddly so I couldn't test them.
Halfords are now doing the 4 drawer, 7 drawer and 5 drawer Professional stuff for £249.99 combined - seems like a good deal to me although not sure on the quality statement you make having not had a good look at themHalfords had posted these up at the weekend, so I went to have a look.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I have to say the quality of them felt shocking compared to the Clarke HD. They had locked the Industrial ones oddly so I couldn't test them.
thatdude said:
Halford Professional tools are very good. I have a large set which I use on my motorbike and car, and it serves me very well. I've bought some pliers (of all shapes including waterpump pliers) and a torque wrench for axle bolts, caliper bolts etc. Sometimes halfords to a sale on their tools, that's when I got my tool kit and it was significantly cheaper
+! for Halford Professional range.They are actually pretty decent (I've yet to break any).
- my spanners and sockets get regular punishment and keep on going, decent stuff indeed.y2blade said:
thatdude said:
Halford Professional tools are very good. I have a large set which I use on my motorbike and car, and it serves me very well. I've bought some pliers (of all shapes including waterpump pliers) and a torque wrench for axle bolts, caliper bolts etc. Sometimes halfords to a sale on their tools, that's when I got my tool kit and it was significantly cheaper
+! for Halford Professional range.They are actually pretty decent (I've yet to break any).
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