MK5 Golf GTI

General => Random Chat => Topic started by: th3_f15t on April 23, 2015, 03:36:10 pm

Title: Tool Chests
Post by: th3_f15t on April 23, 2015, 03:36:10 pm
So my home mechanic life is going to the next level as of May when I finally rent a proper workshop space to use as and when I wish. This means, inevitably, that my many, many boxes of tools will need a more serious home so a large tool chest is the only way ahead. Now, I've stumbled upon SGS Engineering before and they've been well rated and they offer a tool chest on Amazon that I like:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GMRP1YK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1D9VPC9Z7FJPG&coliid=I1YFD6Q15NCD67

However, a similar set up from Halfords Advanced range (of which many tools I currently use are from and I really love) is nearly 4 times as much! (Link below, look at the bundle deal.)

http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel/tools-diy/tool-chests-tool-boxes/halfords-industrial-6-drawer-ball-bearing-tool-cabinet

So what's so different between the two that I'm missing? I'm drawn to the Halfords one simply because I know their gear and like it but is it really worth the £300 price hike over something like the SGS Engineering? I'd rather buy only one for my life to be honest but struggling to now justify £400!
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: Golf_GT_TDI on April 23, 2015, 04:10:46 pm
The SGS are half decent for the money. I wouldn't buy the Halfords one, plus once you get to that money maybe look into buying a used Snap-On from eBay etc  :happy2:
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: dazza on April 23, 2015, 04:34:38 pm
The tool chest is cheaper if you buy direct. http://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/tool-chests-cabinets/stc1000-mechanics-8-drawer-tool-box-chest-cabinet  :angry015: amazon
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: th3_f15t on April 23, 2015, 06:08:46 pm
The tool chest is cheaper if you buy direct. http://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/tool-chests-cabinets/stc1000-mechanics-8-drawer-tool-box-chest-cabinet  :angry015: amazon

Not when I have £75 of Amazon vouchers to burn through... :jumpmove: I like the idea of getting a used Snap-On chest, but even second hand they're into the thousands. Mind you, when I was last up AKS I just sat there and stared at their HUGE Snap-On tool chest. It's so large that Alex actually has a foot stool to reach the top parts of it it's that large (I did say I wouldn't tell anyone... Whoops)!

Might take the plunge and get the SGS Engineering one then, I know you quite rate them Daz.
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: andybon on April 24, 2015, 02:24:58 pm
If you have a Costco card, they have some really good tool chests in at the minute.
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: SiofChester on April 24, 2015, 04:17:19 pm
I have the halfords professional one, it's excellent, very sturdy and not broken once despite being a year old and being used nearly every day. I would highly reocmmend it
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: Gti_Mad on April 24, 2015, 04:35:44 pm
Costco toolboxes are solid and good value for money imo, being in the trade if I was buying 1 for home I'd get a Costco 1
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: th3_f15t on April 24, 2015, 08:07:06 pm
Might swing by Costco next weekend and have a look. Just after something that'll suit being used every weekend at most. The more and more I look, the more I song towards scouring eBay for a used Snap-On top box!
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: TForrest94 on May 08, 2015, 09:50:58 am
Might swing by Costco next weekend and have a look. Just after something that'll suit being used every weekend at most. The more and more I look, the more I song towards scouring eBay for a used Snap-On top box!

How did you get on with the costco hunt fist? My minds been thinking of getting one soon
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: Kam88 on May 08, 2015, 09:30:58 pm
i got a halfords one and its brilliant and actually what you get is a decent price also don't forget you get life time guarantee with the halfords advance bits if it brakes take it to them and guess what they will give you a brand new one !!!! never had to replace mine and had it 3-4 years works perfectly  :happy2:
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: lukemk5gti on May 09, 2015, 01:04:06 pm
The snap on ones are used in work. Such a good quality build.

A few of the cheaper ones had the sliders broken after a few months.

You get what you pay for. I'd buy snap on second hand (and will be doing so when I get a bigger work space).
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: Kam88 on May 09, 2015, 01:14:57 pm
you buy snap on at SUPER INFLATED price with life time guarantee they brake they swap them

buy halfords at reasonable price which also have life time guarantee they brake they swap them

yes snap on are nice and pretty and good quality but the halfords stuff does the same thing with same guarantee

now maybe am being tight or stupid but why would you buy snap on?? at them sort of prices when you can get cheaper with same guarantee ????
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: vRSAlex on May 10, 2015, 08:46:06 am
Halfords don't sell boxes big enough. I would have to buy 10 of their biggest ones to get all my tools in.

So that's why people buy snap on.  :P
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: Kam88 on May 10, 2015, 11:05:01 am
Thats slightly different am talking about for people who can fit it  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: Pretzel on May 10, 2015, 11:43:51 am
Halford one will be fine, excellent quality for the money
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: th3_f15t on May 10, 2015, 12:05:20 pm
Halfords don't sell boxes big enough. I would have to buy 10 of their biggest ones to get all my tools in.

So that's why people buy snap on.  :P

Alex, you need a bloody stool to reach the top of yours! You might of been better with some shorter ones from Halfords, you know, health and safety and all that.

In another subject, what's a good brand of drills and impact guns to use? I've heard the brands Matika and Hitachi are worth looking at?
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: Golf_GT_TDI on May 10, 2015, 01:24:11 pm
In another subject, what's a good brand of drills and impact guns to use? I've heard the brands Matika and Hitachi are worth looking at?

Drills... Makita get my vote
Mains: I have the HP2051 (has speed dial with 2 speed gearbox and metal gear housing) not so relevant but I also have the HR2610 SDS+ drill
Battery: I have the DDA351Z 18v angle drill (very handy for tight spaces) and the DLX2005M (18v drill and impact kit)

Impact guns...
Snap-on (air or battery, all great)
Draper Expert (great if on a budget but only consider their Expert ones, the 1/2" air one is awesome)
Others to consider... Ingersoll-Rand, Chicago Pneumatic
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: Kam88 on May 10, 2015, 02:44:54 pm
Makita is great  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: mk5-beast-91 on May 10, 2015, 04:15:41 pm
Makita get my vote to. Great drill and never let us down at work.
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: th3_f15t on May 10, 2015, 06:03:18 pm
Thanks peoples. My uncle who's been an engineer all his life also recommended Metabo to me, any thoughts? Shall certainly look at 18v cordless Nikita drills and impact wrenches.
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: 4ndy on May 10, 2015, 08:06:58 pm
Thanks peoples. My uncle who's been an engineer all his life also recommended Metabo to me, any thoughts? Shall certainly look at 18v cordless Nikita drills and impact wrenches.
Your uncles correct in recommending metabo  3 year warranty. Used by Sellafield engineers for as long as I remember Great prices  Oh Im sure most of their stuff is German :happy2:
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: Golf_GT_TDI on May 10, 2015, 08:59:00 pm
You can't really go wrong with them either, a little brand choice comes into it hence I went Makita  :wink:
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: MAT ED30 on May 10, 2015, 09:30:38 pm
Snap on for me too great product but it's not cheap to buy
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: andyR43 on May 11, 2015, 08:18:06 am
Be very careful buying Makita if you are going to use them a lot as the battery life span is shocking!! I'm a shop fitter by trade so use my tools a lot every day and I have killed countless LXT batteries. I know Makita now have a warranty on their batteries but it is still a right royal PITA when they die. Just google "LXT battery issues" as it's a well known issue.
My vote would be Milwaukee cordless drills.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: lukemk5gti on May 11, 2015, 09:23:47 am
I've opted for Milwaukee over the past few years after they changed their batteries. Both my battery drill and impact gun are now Milwaukee and the batteries are interchangeable across their range.

For the larger 18V drill I have a spitt but would have preferred my older Hilti.
Title: Re: Tool Chests
Post by: th3_f15t on May 11, 2015, 05:52:55 pm
Thanks for the tips guys. I doubt I'll use it like a workshop mechanic but I want something that'll last me years with some good care.