Facom Chest....am really tempted, anyone got one?

[udderlyoffroad]

Ok I've searched on here but not found much actual feedback from people who own them...

Basically, am all set to 'pull the trigger' on one of these Facom chests. Not cheap by any means, but pretty good value compared to some of its competition, by European prices anyway.

Anyone on here actually own or use one?

More than one of the companies I work with use these as their standard box, and the techs tell me they're fine. They usually mount a wooden top with a small vice bolted to it - more as a third hand to hold make-off or flaring tools etc than an actual 'pounding vice'

The locking drawer handles are important to me, as I'd like to roll it round on my not-so-level drive, as well as load it onto my trailer and take it round to buddies' places for wrenching sessions. Therefore, it can't be too big, just has to contain all the frequently used tools. I've already got a less-mobile topchest combo that basically doesn't move from the back corner of the garage. That'll get rebuilt into a 'hutch' when I remodel the bench.

I want this thing to 'see me out', I don't make my living turning wrenches, but equally it's not impossible that I won't in do so again in future. Or at least, as a sideline...

As you can tell, this is going to be half-way between a service cart and full blown tool chest, and I think that'll work for me, but I wanted to see others thought?

One thing that kills are the accessories available for it, they want over $300 for a waste bin combined paper towel holder to fit its built in pegboard. S**w that, I'll make my own!!

Matt

 

[colin39]

Our mac men , here in the y-uk, use them on there vans, now you maybee thinking what does 5his have to do with question? Will our had an accident at 60mph and numerous thing got broke except the jet+ tool box. Im impressed.

 

[Dave455]

I havn't seen these 'roll carts' but I have seen the 3 and 4 drawer chests, and they're o.k.

They are what they are really, which is a mid price chest. Better made than the cheapo things you see with thin poor quality steel, but not as good as say a Snap On or Mac chest!

With things like tool chests, the price rockets up when you have to ship them any distance, and so I suspect that this is an expensive chest in the U.S. and a lot of folks will say it's not worth it. It probably isn't, over there, but I know you can pick these things up for a fraction of the Snap On equivalent in the U.K. and that's better value!

Don't know where they are made at the moment though. The older one I saw was half decent, they may not be now...!

 

[gti]

Just to say that i also want one

 

[colin39]

Oh and they are a plastic frame

 

[Pol]

Hi,

I used a chest like this few months ago.
If I remember well, it was a Jet+3. The smooth drawer slides were a real pleasure
As you said they are not cheap, but they are well made. Except one part: the hooks used to lock the drawer, if they are made in plastic they are a little bit weak for a hard use.
But I think that if you respect your tool chest, they are going to live old.
Then, even if it's heavy loaded, you can roll it easily in your workshop.
I used mine everyday, and I never had any problem with it.
I totally share your opinion about the overpriced items they sell.

Tato,

Pol.

 

[Pol]

Don't know where they are made at the moment though.

It is said on Facom website that they are made in France, at Feuquières en Vimeu.

 

[willhollin]

I've got a Facom Jet.7GM5 I want to sell!

 

[Monte]

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[udderlyoffroad]

Our mac men , here in the y-uk, use them on tWill our had an accident at 60mph and numerous thing got broke except the jet+ tool box. Im impressed.

Oh and they are a plastic frame

Given they appear to be surviving crashes, hopefully a plastic frame won't matter...

They are what they are really, which is a mid price chest. Better made than the cheapo things you see with thin poor quality steel, but not as good as say a Snap On or Mac chest!
.!

Well, we got 3 posts in before somebody mentioned snap on
Naw but seriously, I don't have SO money. Interestingly, I very rarely see anyone with an SO box, but I do see many techs working day-in, day-out with Facom, Gedore or Stahlwille. Possibly it's because, as you alluded to, the 'Merica brands are pretty poor value here* (in terms of bang per buck).

*By here I mean the Netherlands, which is where I'm working at the moment. As I type this at Schipol airport, maintenance guy has just shot past me on a threel-wheeled electric scooter, towing a Stahlwille chest. closely followed by another scooter, this time with a smaller topchest being used as a seat!

I've got a Facom Jet.7GM5 I want to sell!

I think the *M5 series is a bit too long for my application...Why are you selling?

 

[Dave455]

Given they appear to be surviving crashes, hopefully a plastic frame won't matter...



Well, we got 3 posts in before somebody mentioned snap on
Naw but seriously, I don't have SO money. Interestingly, I very rarely see anyone with an SO box, but I do see many techs working day-in, day-out with Facom, Gedore or Stahlwille. Possibly it's because, as you alluded to, the 'Merica brands are pretty poor value here* (in terms of bang per buck).

*By here I mean the Netherlands, which is where I'm working at the moment. As I type this at Schipol airport, maintenance guy has just shot past me on a threel-wheeled electric scooter, towing a Stahlwille chest. closely followed by another scooter, this time with a smaller topchest being used as a seat!

Yes, they do have a plastic frame, that's part of what makes 'em a 'mid range' chest! At least it's honest plastic, you can see where it is, and it seems to be relatively sturdy!

I do see a fair number of Snap On boxes around, but that's probably a reflection of the sort of places I hang around!

Bear in mind, that unlike much of the U.K, European aerospace companies tend to provide all the tools, and the boxes to store them in, and probably even the tool control systems! Their choice depends on a number of factors, including price, and many tool manufacturers offer a really good deal to firms they want to see using their tools! Once the deal is done, everybody will be using the same, but they won't have personally chosen it!

If you havn't done so already, find out which boxes are in the Facom special offer flyer at present! There are often some very good deals there, with stuff being knocked out, often at half list price! I was very tempted by one of the smaller Jet chests a couple years back, and would probably go for it if it came up again!

 

[espyking83]

Bad *** little carts!