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tool chest?

Joined
Nov 6, 2013
Messages
322
Location
oxfordshire
im looking for a tool chest, preferably a top box for under £100 and was wondering on any recommendations, obviously I live in England so cant be harbour freight or craftsmen but something like Clarke or us pro will be fine I just wanna know whats good and bad I hate flimsy draws and I want a box at least 600mm wide
 
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chammyman

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Aug 16, 2008
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Glasgow, Scotland
wait for the halfords pro (red and black) to go on special, or spend a bit more on the black industrial ones.

Or ebay for 2nd hand snap on/beta etc.
 

Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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5,796
Location
Sussex, England
To be honest, you don't get much for under £100 new!

The only option new is going to be something imported, and to be honest they all suffer from the flimsy drawer problem!

Ages back I bought a Sealy 'American Pro' box, and it was better made than some others. Mine, however, was the older 'all red' style. The ones I've seen lately are red boxes with black drawers and they are nowhere near the same quality! I'm not sure I'd bother with anything new at that price! I've seen some 'Talco' boxes that weren't bad for the money, but not sure if they're still going!

Your best bet is probably to get something second hand! Good boxes, especially if they are by a well known maker such a Snap On really hold their value, but lesser known boxes often come up at reasonable money on eBay! Worth searching for boxes by Britool, Facom, Mac and suchlike (though the older Britool boxes often go for silly money to collectors)!

Alternatively, if you have a second hand tool dealer nearby, even if it's primarily machine tools he deals in, it's worth seeing what he's got! They sometimes get boxes as part of clearances but can't be bothered to advertise them!

Finally, if you can afford just a bit more, try to get hold of the 'specials' flyers that most of the big manufacturers put out. There can be one awesome deals there! Facom, Hazet and Gedore all put out some awesome offers - stuff sometimes gets knocked out at 50% of retail! Beta is probably of interest to you, their boxes are quite nice for the money, and in their flyer (called 'Beta Action' if memory serves) their prices may be close to your budget!

Even Snap On have a flyer with some awesome deals. About six months back they were selling small roll cabs AND matching top boxes for about £600! Awesome deal and I regret not getting one even though I didn't need it!

As an alternative, pick up a sizeable ammunition box from a surplus shop and make up your own wooden trays to fit it! Good solid boxes, usually with a rubber seal, and work really well in practice! Value factor - high! Pose factor - low!
 

Hogtown

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Joined
Mar 5, 2013
Messages
41
I have no knowledge of the new box options available to a Europe-based buyer, but my gut tells me for $150 used is the way to go. Try ebay, estate sales, classified ads, garage sales, auctions etc..
 

Outlawmws

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Aug 9, 2011
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The Badlands
I have no knowledge of the new box options available to a Europe-based buyer, but my gut tells me for $150 used is the way to go. Try ebay, estate sales, classified ads, garage sales, auctions etc..

I suspect this^^^ is your answer. you are expecting an awful lot for not much ££
 

Outlawmws

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Aug 9, 2011
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39,089
Location
The Badlands
the ad has the now std., "Tell them nothing, and tell them as verbosely as possible" description. No technical specifications and not even a weight (which could be used to compare to other boxes):

Superior quality storage and protection for valuable tools and accessories. Durability and security are amongst the strong features of this eight drawer tool chest which is a popular choice for many professional mechanics.
Heavy gauge steel construction with nickel plated side handles and top lid stays
One piece friction glide drawer runners for smooth operation
All drawers also feature full width aluminium handles, protective anti slip liners and identification inserts
All drawers lock simultaneously when top lid is closed - secured by single tumbler style lock (2 keys)
Full width piano hinge on top lid under which is stored the lift out tote tray
Resiliant red powder coat finish
662x305x422mm

Based on the picture, I suspect that is std Chicom ****; thin, tinny, and useless. Looks to be a re-brand of dozens of other boxes made in the same factory with different branding slapped on. Without inspecting it in person, I would not even bother.

There were a lot of GOOD boxes made over the decades, look used for something substantial, or if you go new, don't buy without touching it in person and checking for things like light weight and thinness of materials, (oil caning of the bottom of the drawers is a good indicator...)

A box that size should weigh at least 40-50 lbs, if not more if it is any good, I'd bet that thing is under 30. (As a reference a three drawer Craftsman from the 50's-60's weighs ~ 40 lb.)
 
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jakemac

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May 21, 2013
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9,035
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New England
I find it odd that there are only 2 reviews in over a year, there should be more by now.

It looks to be a mid to lower quality box, but could be a surprise gem like the Harbor Freight boxes over on this side of the pond. :dunno: I'd want to look at it in person to be sure. One concern is the lack of dividers in the top tray for organizing, but more important, they add strength to the box. The friction slides don't bother me as much. There are plenty of quality boxes that use that system, the tell tale will be how sloppy the action is. At a little over $160US, I'd want to get my hands on it before pulling the trigger. Or better yet, track down someone who has one, so they can give you an honest assessment of it's longevity.
 
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Veto

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Apr 3, 2013
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81
Location
Denmark
I bought a Teng Tools TC806SV top chest for £135 on eBay about 6 months ago, brand new in box, and a TC803SV middle chest for £90 from the same seller, also brand new in box. I'm actually surprised at how good quality they are, I did not expect anything at all, but they are pretty solid.

TC806SV
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Teng-Tool...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2c7682503e

If you can find similar deals on the TC806SV (8-series) then I would say you should go for it, great boxes for the money. From what I can find, it's only 7-series boxes that are sold in that price range, TC706.

I've heard good things about the US.Pro-Tools boxes, but they are mainly concerning their bix boxes, not the chests. I actually might buy a 4 drawer top chest from them soon, just to try them out as a travel box when my friends need a hand.
 

zkling

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Jan 23, 2007
Messages
16,939
I'd definitaly check the used route before purchasing something new. I'm not familiar with what Classifides you have over there. Do you have a craigslist or the sort? You could always check eBay classifieds, but the chances of getting a deal there are kinda slim. How about a "boot sale"? Hopefully some of the local members will chime in with suggestions for you. :beer:
 
OP
B
Joined
Nov 6, 2013
Messages
322
Location
oxfordshire
thanks for the suggestions i went to halfords a while back and had a look but they all seem a bit **** and flimsy, i would have gone for the clarke because a guy i work with has a big 14 draw unit hes had for a few years and its still like new, i have found an oldish britool 9 draw top box and is nice a few dinks and scratchs but i dont mind its only going to get scratched anyway, he only wants like 50 pounds as well so i might go for that, are britool any good?
 

richfinn

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Jan 29, 2011
Messages
4,809
Location
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
I just got a decent Blue Point tool cart with drawers a shelf and prybar/screwdriver rack on the side for £140.

Nice mobile starter box and you will get tired of carrying a chest around or running back and forwards to the work bench.
 

dazcapri

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Mar 18, 2011
Messages
76
Location
durham uk
thanks for the suggestions i went to halfords a while back and had a look but they all seem a bit **** and flimsy, i would have gone for the clarke because a guy i work with has a big 14 draw unit hes had for a few years and its still like new, i have found an oldish britool 9 draw top box and is nice a few dinks and scratchs but i dont mind its only going to get scratched anyway, he only wants like 50 pounds as well so i might go for that, are britool any good?

the old Britool stuff is Quality the newer stuff isn't so hot.Keep an eye on E bay I bought an old 6 drawer Taskmaster roll cab for £60 a couple of weeks back,Gumtree's worth a look as well there was a Sealey top box on there for £60 a while back neither of them top range stuff but cheap enough as starter boxes and you can always sell them when you upgrade
 
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N.I.

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Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
332
Location
Northern Ireland
I went down the Halfords Industrial route and can give you a bit of feedback on them.

I currently have 4 bottom roll cabs. I just bought them as I needed them and when they were on offer. Now and again they do the top and bottom for £300 (I just flogged the top).

I consider them the best of a bad bunch and don't think they are worth more than £300 for the pair. It is also worth pointing out that the last couple I bought certainly were not as well made as the original, a couple of years before.

The draws aren't bad. They have a fair bit of side to side slap but are strong enough. I have over 30kg in a couple of drawers and they are still holding fine. I wouldn't push them beyond this as they are starting to bow a bit.


The Clarke Hd and US PRO on ebay also seem to get a good review, but I never had the chance to see one in person.

The second hand market is **** in N.I. but what I would like is a good second hand Lista.
 

Bigplum

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Nov 9, 2013
Messages
564
Location
Cotswolds England
I'm not a fan of the halfords stuff , very light weight , the sides of the boxes deflect with mild thumb pressure, god knows what they would do fully loaded with kit.
At my local car boot sale in Cheltenham , a chap sells the halfords customer returns , busted runners, deformed casters , you get the general idea
The old saying that if you buy cheap you buy twice comes to mind

Spend a little time trawling EBay or gumtree , there are also good pickings at Autojumbles
( try the 4x4 jumble at Newbury show ground , I've seen tidy and scruffy snap on boxes there)
 
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