need a toolbox, suggestions?

[tobytools]

evening gents,
im looking to get a portable tool box,
To take to and from college and to the shop, my big tools are either in shop or home. what i need the box to hold is my, chisel roll, marking and measuring tools, block plane scrapers spoke shave and saw.
humping the tools around in my bag is getting a tad annoying and not good for the tools to bang around,
you are probably thinking that a plastic stanley tool box is a waste of money and the condensation will rust my tool, you may even think i should make one to suit my tools and it would be good practise ect. i would like to do the latter, truth is i don't have the time to make a portable tool box. so i need a ready to go one. any recommendations?
my tutor recommended this one
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-193968- ... s=tool+box
the mixed reviews are a bit worrying to say the least, quality control isn't the best with Stanley these days.
any suggestion would be most appreciated.

thanks in advance
TT

 

[Cheshirechappie]

How about a rummage in Ebay looking for 'Carpenters Toolbox' or such like - the sort with the fold-down front and a couple of drawers in. There must be hundreds of those knocking about, though finding one reasonably local or deliverable at sensible cost may restrict the options a bit.

 

[PAC1]

Make one. As an apprentice I made two a large chest that you cannot pick up and a smaller one like this https://oldhaml.wordpress.com

 

[woodpig]

I've got a couple of these, one has a single tote inside and the other has two. One is by Stanley for sure, the other may be a Wickes version.

 

[woodpig]

Should have said. One of them was bought for Archery equipment and makes a handy seat when you need one!

 

[Fat ferret]

Make one, you wont buy anything as good for the money. I know you don't want to but it's the only way to get a box for your tools, for example mine is 27" long so my saw fits in. I made it very quickly from cheap ply and screwed it together.

https://flic.kr/p/qgbUS6

Keeps everything together, stops the chisels fighting and the top can be used as a bench hook. Heavy though, take the planes out for going upstairs!

 

[Penny]

my tutor recommended this one
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-193968- ... s=tool+box
the mixed reviews are a bit worrying to say the least, quality control isn't the best with Stanley these days.
any suggestion would be most appreciated.

thanks in advance
TT

Your tutor is having a laugh. I had one of these. The lid hinges kept coming apart and then broke. The bottom bit with the wheels is so flimsy that as soon as any weight is put in it it distorts meaning that either you can't get the catches to the top bit done up, or they pop off. The catches for the top lid are not straight and the rotating drawer gets stuck, even when empty. best avoided all together.

 

[Ed Bray]

Should have said. One of them was bought for Archery equipment and makes a handy seat when you need one!

How the hell do you get a bow in there?

 

[lurker]

I am amazed that someone at college, I assume studing some form of woodwork would consider any other option but making one.

 

[woodpig]

Should have said. One of them was bought for Archery equipment and makes a handy seat when you need one!

How the hell do you get a bow in there?

The bow went in another case, although taken apart it would fit. The toolbox was for all the other bits and pieces.

 

[G S Haydon]

Hi Toby

I have used this one for years https://www.stanleytools.co.uk/product/147624. I used to have two but distilled my kit down to fit in one. Nothing wrong with buying a good tool box! If you have spare time then making a box is nice and if part of the college course is making a tool box is even better. The only instance I made a nice tool box was for my "spare time woodworking". I've never had the time to to justify making a nice box for my day job.

 

[Zeddedhed]

For a site box I use mainly Festool sys rollers as most of my gear is green. I also use one of these https://www.stanleytools.co.uk/product/147616 and find it OK. Great for getting up and down stairs etc. I prefer all my stuff to be on wheels. This box has had some bad reviews (bits breaking off etc0 but I've had my current one for about four years and although it now looks a bit battered it's still going strong. It swallows a lot of gear too.

Personally I wouldn't bother making one for site work - it'll get knackered in no time and you can't possibly make it as light as a modern box.

 

[paulm]

I got a couple of these to put my woodturning kit, tools and chucks etc into storage for a while http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-FatMax- ... y+tool+box

Good, solid, well made gear, can't fault them, chuck a vci pot in if worried about rust/condensation and good to go http://www.axminster.co.uk/toolguard-vci

If worried about weight there are some decent folding sack trolleys on the market that are not too expensive.

Cheers, Paul

 

[blackrodd]

Saw you're first box and found this a bit cheaper, ---
HTH, Regards Rodders



http://www.diy.com/departments/stanley- ... 11211201:s

 

[n0legs]

I have and can recommend the Tough System from DeWalt.
Very very good.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=dewal ... B500%3B500

 

[toolsntat]

for-sale-carpenters-toolbox-and-contents-100-t69808.html?hilit=%20toolbox

You have pm Toby :wink:

Andy

 

[tobytools]

Thanks everyone for you suggestions and opinion.
I'm regards to building my own, I agree I could build to fit what ever I wanted. But it's not an option for college.
As graham says it's better suited for spare woodworking time. And I have plans for a tool cabinet but that's way in the pipe line.

Again thanks for suggestions I will now be reading various reviews and trying to make a decision.

TT

 

[Woodmonkey]

I have the Stanley one you linked to and have found it to be great, although I don't do a huge amount of site work so it doesn't get used loads. I don't think you could make one as light or portable (or cheap)

 

[woodpig]

I got a couple of these to put my woodturning kit, tools and chucks etc into storage for a while http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-FatMax- ... y+tool+box

Good, solid, well made gear, can't fault them, chuck a vci pot in if worried about rust/condensation and good to go http://www.axminster.co.uk/toolguard-vci

Paul

Agreed Paul, for hand toted tool boxes these are about the best around IMO. The 28" gets a bit heavy when full but they also make a 24". If you ever need to keep tools in a damp environment these can't be beaten.

 

[morfa]

I started a similar thread last year which you might find useful:

tool-storage-t84777.html

They either seem to be stupidly expensive (and good, eg systainer) or cheap and nasty. Not much of a middle ground.