Cabinet tool chests

[wemorgan]

I'm looking to buy a cabinet tool chest. £100-£150. Something like in the link below.

Are there any pearls of wisdom I need to know before I click the buy-it-now link?

Thanks.

DRAPER 8 DRAWER RED METAL TOOL CHEST ROLLER STORAGE CABINET TOOL BOX 34585 | eBay

 

[developer]

Draper used to be at the cheaper end/lesser quality of the tool spectrum, though I've not bought anything recently, so things may have changed.

 

[Alex]

Forget Draper.

You want:

Lista (Made in Switzerland)
Bott (Made in the UK)
Dexion (Made in the UK)
Polstore (Made in Italy)
Vidmar (Made in the USA)
Snap-On (KRL Series, Made in the USA)


Check out eBay member XS-Storage:

Bott, Bisley items in XS-Storage store on eBay!

They sell some pre-owned and B grade Bott direct from factory and for a lot less than new stuff. Excellent service, superb quality cabinets.

 

[martyz]

Looks real good value.For home use? if so perfect

 

[gaz_l]

As John says, Draper is stuff is cheap for a reason. It won't be brilliant quality, but probably OK for occasional use.

If you bought something that size from a top-end manufacturer (Snap-on, Facom etc.) I doubt you'd get change from a grand.

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[flango]

They are carp quality paper thin if you dont want to spend snap on money check out the clarke hd series at machine mart great value for money and miles better than the draper in op

 

[developer]

Interestingly, some Wickes own brand power tools are rebadged Draper gear and I've never rated them either.

 

[Palfrem]

Costco have a reasonable range that may be worth a look

http://www.costco.co.uk/view/category/uk_catalog/cos_8,cos_8.8,cos_8.8.4

 

[chubbs111]

believe it or not but halfords professional range is very good

 

[BlueQuinn]

I bought a Clarke CT1300B from Machine Mart, principally because it was narrower and would fit in the space I had. It's great. Very sturdy, considering that it's in the budget range, ball bearing drawers, etc. lots of space.
Clarke CTC1300B Mechanics 13 Drawer Steel Combination Tool Chest & Cabinet Set - Machine Mart

You need to buy liners and dividers separately though, which adds to the cost.

 

[Charles Morgan]

believe it or not but halfords professional range is very good

It is very good - I bought a wheeled cabinet and two stack on chests (another 12 drawers) for the total of £250 in a bundled deal, they are very solid and nicely put together.

It's revolutionised my garage storage!

 

[renault12ts]

I'm looking to buy a cabinet tool chest. £100-£150. Something like in the link below.

Are there any pearls of wisdom I need to know before I click the buy-it-now link?

Thanks.

DRAPER 8 DRAWER RED METAL TOOL CHEST ROLLER STORAGE CABINET TOOL BOX 34585 | eBay

Looks good at that price point.

 

[V12]

I bought a £2k snap on tool chest when I was 17 and regret it all the time.

Just get something with ball bearing drawers (so you can load it with some decent weight) and as long as you take care of it, it doesn't matter that much.

Thieves will get into any chest easily so don't worry about fancy locks or really thick metal.

Have experienced lots of draper tools and most are pretty rubbish.

To reinforce the advice above, halfords pro are very underrated and often on decent offers if you watch their website.

 

[V12]

Forget Draper.

You want:

Lista (Made in Switzerland)
Bott (Made in the UK)
Dexion (Made in the UK)
Polstore (Made in Italy)
Vidmar (Made in the USA)
Snap-On (KRL Series, Made in the USA)

Check out eBay member XS-Storage:

Bott, Bisley items in XS-Storage store on eBay!

They sell some pre-owned and B grade Bott direct from factory and for a lot less than new stuff. Excellent service, superb quality cabinets.

For under £150?!?!

 

[Alex]

For under £150?!?!

Yes. eBay.co.uk.

 

[flango]

I bought a £2k snap on tool chest when I was 17 and regret it all the time.

Just get something with ball bearing drawers (so you can load it with some decent weight) and as long as you take care of it, it doesn't matter that much.

Thieves will get into any chest easily so don't worry about fancy locks or really thick metal.

Have experienced lots of draper tools and most are pretty rubbish.

To reinforce the advice above, halfords pro are very underrated and often on decent offers if you watch their website.

I bought a snap on top box when I qualified in 1984 30 years later I still have it and its in use regular

 

[wemorgan]

Thanks all for the recommendations.

Halfords are doing a bundle deal. Base 6 drawers on casters and 6 drawer top box for £299. It's more than I originally wanted to spend, so will have to give it some thought.

Halfords | Halfords Industrial 6 Drawer Ball Bearing Tool Cabinet

and

Halfords | Halfords Industrial 6 Drawer Ball Bearing Tool Chest

 

[SL300-24]

I have a Draper box similar to the one that Will posted originally. I have had it about 6 years and had no problems. For a home mechanic they are fine. Keep the tools tidy and organised fine.
Not great on the security front (are any?) and the bottom box front cover feels a little flimsy when you open it although the complete unit is fairly sturdy.
I also have a Clarke top box which to be honest is no better quality. For a weekend mechanic I would recommend it at the price.

 

[developer]

It's more than I originally wanted to spend, so will have to give it some thought.

This frequently happens Will - you'll soon apply some man maths and it will feel fine, I'm sure.

 

[Charles Morgan]

They are doing a special on the professional (the industrial is the next level up and I'd say the Pro is all you need) too - about £50 cheaper. I'd keep checking in as I got another chest bundled in for the same price, they keep doing it.