Tool cabinet recommendations.

- · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Oct 2013 Karma :

Hi, I've reached the stage where my tool collection has outgrown my current array of plastic toolboxes and empty biscuit tins. Laughing

I'm planning on getting one of the cabinet style ones with the detachable drawer unit on the top, probably starting with the upper drawer unit first then adding the cablinet on casters later.

The main two contenders seem to be Halfords Pro and Clarke. Has anyone any experience of these, or even the cheap Ebay alternatives?

Cheers.

UnknownStuntm... · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Karma :

Halfords Pro? The red ones with black drawers? I have one of them, it's pretty neat. Ball bearing drawers that lock with the top opening meaning just one key. Solid construction. Only thing I could moan about is the liners are shite, but you'd probably spend some time organising something else anyway.

And get a trade card before you buy it. MASSIVE discount.

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

I've got one of the Sealey American Pro Ball bearing £99 jobbies on eBay.

Works perfectly as long as you keep something in all the draws.

Would definitely recommend.
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BTTD · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

Halfords - the red ones with black draws. Got a few of those, no complaints from me. Check online for the buy one get one free bundle!

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_209113_langId_-1_categoryId_255214

Fizzer Thou · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Aug 2011 Karma :

These are a good price at the moment and not going to break the bank

https://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7004487.htm

Or there is a good selection at MachineMart

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/tool-chests-cabinets/type/any/module/shopcategory/page/1
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UnknownStuntm... · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Karma :

- · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Oct 2013 Karma :

Islander · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Aug 2012 Karma :

I've got one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Redline-32730-8-Drawer-Roller-Cabinet-Tool-Chest-By-Draper-Tools-Black-/231079018320

It's not at all bad for the price. Thumbs Up

Quornholio · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2011 Karma :

I bought one of the cheapy Halfrauds ones (well, the mrs did, for our anniversary Embarassed

) and it's Ok. Not great, but does the job. Not as well built as Snap On etc. But will be fine as long as you're not a ham fisted monkey.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

The Halfords ones are regularly on special offer, so don't pay full whack.

I've got the red Halfords Pro stuff - the top one and the middle one of the set - and they're lovely. Cheapy non-ball bearing ones are rather unsatisfying.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I have a Clarke CTC500B In the back of my van to keep various bits of work equipment in. It has five big, deep drawers in which you can keep a huge amounts of stuff.

Highly recommended by me.
https://www.clarketooling.co.uk/tools/CTC500sssB_ToolL.jpg

I also have a Halfords 8-drawer tool centre.
https://washford.scene7.com/is/image/Washford/265400?.jpg

The top bit is good, the bottom bit, less so in that the cabinet bit is a waste of time, I have other cupboards I can put big stuff in, it's the small, easily scattered stuff that needs putting away.

I have a lot of weight in all the drawers and they slide in and out no problem.

If I was buying afresh, I'd have the clarke toolchest with the top part of the halfords one on top of it (I suspect clarke do something similar though).

Go on ebay, you can pick them up for a good price if you don't mind one with a ding in one of the panels (which face-it, will happen within the first few weeks of it arriving anyway).
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stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

I've got the Halfords stuff (non ball bearing) for most of my tools. I would however just for home use and tool storage buy any cheap metal toolbox, as the quality of your tools are far more important and worth spending money on than the tool storage arrangements.

In fact an old steel filing cabinet with some foam or rubber sheet to line the draws or even old carpet tiles, would be more than sufficient for just a home tool storage box. It's less obvious in an open garage too that you have a decent tool box/set of tools. A filing cabinet with a lock on is no more or less secure than most roller draw tool cabinets, and you could always fit castors to the bottom to make it moveable.

Good tool storage is nice to have, but if starting out the money should be spent on the best quality tools you can afford and not on their storage box etc. Also regarding security don't get hung up about locks and strong tool box's. The only decent form of security is to stop them getting into the garage in the first place. if that's very hard to do, then I'd consider a big Van safe tool box before a tool cabinet if I was worried about my stuff.

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

Don't discount the humble Bisley 10- and 15-drawer cabinets, you can get them pretty cheap on ebay. I have bought three of the 15-drawer units and it has cleared up most of the odds and sods and many of the tools around my workshop. Cut labels from paper (folded over so they don't drop through) and you can separate all your small stuff into separate A4-sized drawers all labeled up without having it stashed away in boxes, and keep your toolbox un-cluttered.
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Hetzer · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Karma :

I have two of the red Halford units and they've been 100% in the five years I've had them. Not really much that can go wrong with them though.

Wheeled 4-drawer base unit with a two-door cupboard underneath and a 4-drawer chest on top with a lidded top bit.
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andym · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Karma :

Interesting tread, I currently have 2 small plastic tool boxes and a large cupboard full of tools atm.... some of the tool cabinets shown here would be very handy when I move as I doubt I'll have space to leave tools on the driveway, stairs, cupboard, kitchen, living room and occasionally some in the tool boxes.

Since I'm a cheap scabby C**t, I'd happily buy the argos 1 for a test ride

Quornholio · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2011 Karma :

I've just looked on Halfords now, and it doesn't look like they do the one I have Confused

I have the bottom cabinet of the 8 drawer thing (two drawers and the double door cupboard), but the top doesn't have the 3 mini drawers at the top, it has full size drawers. Confused

recman · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Mar 2012 Karma :

- · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Oct 2013 Karma :

Some really useful info, cheers! Smile

I'm going to ask family to club together for the Halfords Pro 4 drawer with lift top box for Christmas, then when they do one of their silly sales I'll get a bottom cabinet in the new year.

A good point about the cabinets too, It would be far more useful to me with drawers rather than a big cupboard.

Hetzer · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Karma :

The cupboard is useful for cans and bottles of stuff.
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Xenocide · Scooby Slapper Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Karma :

I'd say avoid the american pro one (rebadged sealey and others). I've got one and none of the drawers open properly unless you pull up on them. They're not that big. It's flimsy and one of the wheels fell off moving it about.

Yeah it's 100 quid but i'd suggest spending a bit more on a) one with a bigger foot print b) One made of thicker metal.

It's something you're always going to have so you may aswell buy properly - I wish I did!
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Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

I use a couple of these:-

https://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j71/Drewskovitch/_12_zps59fe2741.jpg

I can move them on a sack barrow if needed and they don't scream - "I'm full of expensive tools - please steal me" Wink

When I got mine though, you could still find them cheap. Not so easy now sadly.
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mentalboy · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2012 Karma :

Supermoto_Fan · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Karma :

Just ordered the 5 drawer with cabinet from halfords, on offer at £49.99, been needing one for ages now, will report back when it arrives
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ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :