Toolboxes

colm_c

I have one decent size toolbox, but its full and I can never find what I'm looking for without emptying half of it out! I also have various carry cases for bits and power tools.

Any recommendations?

Its only for DIY, no professional or heavy usage.

Lumen

The Halfords Professional tool chests are great for the money. I have two.

tricky D

Dealz or Star Buys have "standard" sized ones for less than 20 euro. Exact same as the Stanley ones which are almost twice the price.

the_pen_turner

what kind of tools. carpentry , mechanic, painting etc
personnally i couldnt cope if my tools were all mixed up . i have a box for each area like that. painting in one, electrical , plubing etc. its amazing the amount of tools and bits and piece that you gather up for each area.

colm_c

the_pen_turner wrote: »

what kind of tools. carpentry , mechanic, painting etc
personnally i couldnt cope if my tools were all mixed up . i have a box for each area like that. painting in one, electrical , plubing etc. its amazing the amount of tools and bits and piece that you gather up for each area.

Yeah, all mixed up, thats my problem!

Going to have a look online to see whats smaller toolboxes are available.

my3cents

I warn you its possible to go over the top with toolboxes, I must have 20 or more not including the boxes that socket etc sets come in.

I was actually thinking about posting a similar question as I have a problem with some toolboxes I have being to heavy to move and so jammed with tools I can't find the ones I want. I already have toolboxes for tools I don't use very often (example, suspension spring compressors, valve seat removal tools, pullers etc etc) so I was looking for tool boxes with drawers but that won't work as being near sea metal tool drawer systems go rusty.

What I will probably do is get a few more cheap plastic toolboxes and divide up the stuff in the really heavy one. The problem is that tools always find their way into whatever toolbox is used most on the chance they are going to come in handy. What would really suit me is some very very strong transparent Tupperware type containers I could stack up and still see what was inside.

For woodworking tools which by their nature can be killed dead by rust I find these Stanley waterproof tool boxes really good, 23 inch and the 28 inch which I like as it is long enough to hold most woodworking saws. I give the open box a waft of WD40 as I put the woodworking tools away.

my3cents

colm_c wrote: »

I have one decent size toolbox, but its full and I can never find what I'm looking for without emptying half of it out! I also have various carry cases for bits and power tools.

Any recommendations?

Its only for DIY, no professional or heavy usage.

As for finding stuff have you ever thought of using a tool roll or rolls inside the bottom of the tool box to keep tools together.

I often find that there is far to much room in the bottom of a toolbox but not enough in the tray or trays above. Putting smaller tools that end up in the bottom in a tool roll makes then easier to find but does mean you have to open up the roll to look each time.

Shaunoc

there are nice but very expensive Dewalt stackable toolboxes
out of my budget though or need

my3cents

Shaunoc wrote: »

there are nice but very expensive Dewalt stackable toolboxes
out of my budget though or need

I have one that came with a drill set, they are fine for power tools but they are just too big and cavernous for tools like spanners and screwdrivers.

I looked into getting a few of these and there is one with drawers in it https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeWalt-T-Stak-Storage-2-Shallow-Drawers/dp/B009IX0OTC/, but I want to take a look at one first as I'd be worried in my damp salty environment the steel draw slides would rust.

the_pen_turner

Shaunoc wrote: »

there are nice but very expensive Dewalt stackable toolboxes
out of my budget though or need

i have several of those tough boxs. they are brilliant.
they are actually cheap compared to the others out there. festoll systainers are the same price but only 10% as strong. milwaukee pack out is just released but is twice the price but claims to be a bit better than the dewalt. the industrial boxs are indestructable but shockingly expensive

ept in carlow had an offer of a ds300 for 30 euro inc vat in a sale a few weeks ago. thats very cheap. if you buy them in the uk you can get good deals

listermint

Don't bother with another toolbox. All my tools hang on the wall I got a took hanging set with loads of small boxes for bits and bobs.

I've a tool box for if I'm mobile bit its pointless getting another box you'll just chuck them all into the new one and you'll have more of finding nothing.

Everything on display in the shed wall is handier you can see what you have then

jack of all

I have some of the Halfords rolling tool chests, plenty of storage space and easy to find what you want. I use some cantilever-type steel toolboxes for plumbing and electrical stuff, and woodworking tools go in tradtional timber toolboxes. Tool rolls are a nice idea but I find that they promote rust, especially on old carbon steel tools, regardless how careful you are about keeping them oiled.

goz83

Tool boxes only work if you are regimental about using them properly. Each box for a specific trade/category and then not filling it up.

I’ve half a dozen lage tool boxes from Aldi/Lidl and they are great....but I have the same issues with stuff being mixed up.

So, i’ve had shelving built in the side entrance of my house and my shed. Most things are easy to find now. I have some tools hanging on the wall and paint stored on the top of the shelves. The problems I still need to sort out are that some tools are still mixed up in boxes and unfortunaly some (mainly chisels) are rusted to death.

Power tools take up a lot of space in boxes, so try hanging these up if possible.

Lex Luthor

Have bought numerous toolboxes for work and DIY over the years
My opinion on Halfords is that the drawers are poor quality bearing rails

Recently bought from us pro tools through uk online
Prices are reasonable and quality is excellent
They have an extensive range aswell

Shaunoc

goz83 wrote: »

I’ve half a dozen lage tool boxes from Aldi/Lidl and they are great....but I have the same issues with stuff being mixed up.

i find the lidl/aldi ones warp and cannot close after sometime. I have several small & medium ones and think they are flimsy
i'm not in trades work so grand for storing my bits and bobs but no way would i use them if i was in trades

Heavy handed

I use festool systainers and sortainers. Keep the lot on a cart so can roll it around to where I’m working. Yes there a bit expensive but I’m gone from having tools all over the place and digging tools from the bottom of tool boxes to having pull out drawers with everything to hand. Ultimately depends on the size of the tools you want to store.

goz83

Shaunoc wrote: »

i find the lidl/aldi ones warp and cannot close after sometime. I have several small & medium ones and think they are flimsy
i'm not in trades work so grand for storing my bits and bobs but no way would i use them if i was in trades

Funny, I’ve had mine years and used them in the trade no bother. I find them to be great, except for the ones with extending handles, as the handles can be a bit awkward to close. A shot of chain lubricant sorts that right out. Maybe the quality has changed?. It’s been at least 5 years since I bought one.

I have a halfords toolkit....the one with a range of sockets and spanners in a briefcase type case. While the kit is great, the case is terrible and I wouldn’t buy from them again. The plastic has cracked, the clips don’t close properly and the crappy sponge which is supposed to keep the pieces secure is useless.

dodzy

Halfords cantilever down to 18€. Well worth it if you bring select stuff around regularly.

gr8 m8

Hello.

I have a fair assortment of tool storage. My main tool collection is kept in a big black tool chest with 3 tiers all with drawers that I got from halfords on offer for €400. It's a solid piece of kit to be fair to them.

My most used tools are split between an electricians satchel where smaller tools live like adjustable spanners, multihead screwdrivers, etc. And a bag that holds my more robust tools like vice grips, small selection of spanners, chisels, etc.

After that I keep equipment for specific tasks in tool rolls and put them in a bag that keeps a selection of consumables for that job. One bag might be for fencing, one for plumbing, tractor repair, etc.

For nuts and bolts and screws and nails and all that I keep them in nescafe azera coffee cans because they are usually silver or other bright colors and have orange tops so if I leave one down I can easily see it again.

That's what I do anyway!