It now seems to be common to see wheeled tool chests in both pro and private garages usually with a further drawered tool box sitting on top.
Halford have inexpensive sets, their proffesional sets with ballbearing runners, did not look that strong to me and their industrial sets which to be honest did not feel that much heavier on inspection. I did get a Halfords tradecard off then that lowers prices on these items.
MachineMart have their Clarke Mechanic set which is their entry level and their HD set which from a WEB inspection appear to be a bit heavier but as yet I have not seen them in the flesh.
At the local garage today the mechanics all have large SNAPON cabinets at around £2,500.
I have loads of tools and would consider myself a heavy private user, not a proffessional user but having a two post lift as you can guess there are a lot of guest cars turning up and using the tools.
I want something that will last say 15 years and by that time I will let the motor trade take over the car maintenace.
Has anyone purchased this type of kit in the past few years.
My Snap On top box is now just over 40 years old, the 3 draw unit under it is about 10 years old and they both sit on a Snap On Roll Cabinet bought off eBay. The latter is listed at over £2000 but I got it for £350, it meant a tank of fuel and a drive to get it but I have time so what the heck.
Thing is Eddie that most Snap On cabinets come apart to component parts, they can be washed out and lubed and even painted (how about to match your car?) and can look really trick. New drawer liners and in draw spanner racks and my Roll cab is as good as new for another £50. Lots of fun to do as a winter project. Given the number of thefts from garages I was always anti buying used Snap On kit but then realised this stuff is outlasting the mechanics who bought it. No one in my family has any mechanical inclinations so all my kit, boxes and hand tools that have taken a lifetime collecting will all end up on eBay no doubt whilst I am pushing up daisy's ;-).
I have a Halfords basic non bearing drawer unit that I keep my " everyday" tools in. Had it a few years and it is great. I have a decent range of tools so didn't buy the one with tools included. I have put non slip mat inside and have sockets etc on storing/organising strips from Machinemart. The Halfords range of tools/cabinets etc seem to get good reviews. I have a couple of "one off" sockets from them that back this up. If I was using the cabinet every day then the roller bearing one would have been my choice. Once a year I spray the drawer runners with a dry silicon lubricant and this keeps them smooth. I also have inherited my dad's tools including his wheelwright stuff, and they are in their original boxes ( socket sets etc) or his toolboxes. Lovely wooden toolboxes/chests full of woodworking stuff. Some of the tools are my grandad's and 100 yrs old but still excellent. Next year we plan moving house so an opportunity to set up the garage again, gets her kitchen and I get my garage!
I always find these plastic moulded took trays that fit in the draws a bit of a pain anyway as it takes some effort to locate the tool - I've a spanner tray and forcing the spanners into their correct 'hole' is definitely more trouble than its worth with the lugs just so unforgiving
It's nice to see everything is complete and back in its own place but probably unnecessary - they could just be lined up on a non slip mat as in sospan's tip
socket sets probably a bit different as you need to get quickly to the right size by eye and their adjacent sizes
2008 XXVII Platform, Bugatti Blue Roadster 4 Seater
I have a Snap On roll cab and three draw unit, both of which were second hand via the Snap On man - so it is worth a phone call to your local rep. If he doesn't have anything suitable at the time, he can keep his eyes peeled, or even put you in touch directly with someone who is upgrading their gear, and has kit to sell (which was how I acquired the roll cab).
Poking though my tool boxes this week I picked up an adjustable (I know not one for the purists - but a great get me out of trouble fast stand by!)
A long term trusty pal - and realised that I have had it for over 50 years!
It is stamped Gordon Tools Chrome Vanadium.
It was second hand when I got it - so it will be a lot older than 50 - but thats how long I have had it.
My dearly departed FIL was a mechanic and gave me lots of old tools - so very possibly I have tools that are over 80 years old - but the Gordon is "my" oldest.
gets her kitchen and I get my garage! 
