Tool storage/transport

[oz0707]

What do you all use?
I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with makpac boxes and a trolley. I was going to get the makita trolley but potentially thinking just getting a standard sack barrow. I can prob screw some ply or osb to bottom to lock first box in. Half the price and more versatile.
Do the mak trolleys lock the first box into base or just hold in position?
Can you open the kids with the boxes stacked or do the lids bind on the back of trolley?

[kellys_eye]

Each box locks to the one above and you have to undo the one you want from the pile to access the contents. If you want it to roll/pull along then that's even more expense.

I looked at that system and discounted it on price alone since Screwyou are (were?) doing an offer on a basic Stanley pull-along toolstore for £34-ish - I bought three...

[arco_iris]

That's right what K-E says, you can only access the contents of the top one - also a Makpac needs 30mm clearance behind it (say, from a wall) for the liid to open.

Trucks of any type are only any use to move ALL your kit at once across a distance of level ground, e.g. doing a big job at the top of a block of flats. No use if your van is parked close by, no use if you only need one or two particular tools, e.g. circular saw & a drill driver, don't need the angle grinder today.

[oz0707]

Just ordered 7 of the boxes. I know you have to destack the boxes but 1 interlocking unit 5ft high on a Sack barrow sounds easy to me.
I was on a big job the other week. Parking right next to it. Still a lot of loading out when you can only carry 2 items at a time. Ballache morning and night

[ayjay]

I was on a big job the other week. Parking right next to it. Still a lot of loading out when you can only carry 2 items at a time. Ballache morning and night

I always commandeered a wheelbarrow in those situations: second fixing was four trips carrying tools by hand, just one with a wheelbarrow.

[oz0707]

I've resisted long enough. I'm like you ayjay have always made do with what's available. Resent spending money on gadgets and gimmicks. These interlocking boxes do seem good though and next best ones are Festool at a lot more dollar.
What do we think to a standard sack barrow and sone bungees or straps?
England not looking great atm.

[kellys_eye]

I used to carry my tools in shoulder bags - jumping on and off boats constantly (electronic repair in marinas) - until one day the jump ashore compacted a spinal disk and I was crocked 'for life'. Anyway, it ended my life working the boats so I had to pursue another course which, as it turned out, proved even more successful - making curries!

Although I no longer do the boats I still do a lot of DIY so bought the trunks to keep the various bits sorted (one for electrical/electronics, one for woodwork/plumbing and one for mechanics) as I simply can't lug a bag of tools anywhere now.

Can't help thinking that the likes of Festool and Dewalt just sell their boxes on the basis of their name being blazoned across them - they're still only lumps of plastic and the three tiered pull-along I got costs LESS than ONE box from Festool etc.

[Grendel]

Can't help thinking that the likes of Festool and Dewalt just sell their boxes on the basis of their name being blazoned across them - they're still only lumps of plastic and the three tiered pull-along I got costs LESS than ONE box from Festool etc.

It's the names on them that is one thing that puts me off them. Might just as well put "contains expensive tools , please steal" . The other thing is that they are just a box and i resent paying for something made of plastic for something i can make myself out of timber. If a person is capable of using the tools inside then making the box shouldn't be a problem. I have boxes made of ply. They look cheap enough to make them less likely to walk and cheap enough to wipe brushes out on , they're strong enough to stand on or use as an impromptu sawbench and they are the same size should i need to stack them on a trolly.

[kellys_eye]

Might just as well put "contains expensive tools , please steal"

Quite - my boxes say "cheap box, cheap tools - don't bother"

(but it does contain Erbhauer cordless stuff)

If a person is capable of using the tools inside then making the box shouldn't be a problem.

I'm amazed there aren't people out there making and selling them too. You can get picnic benches by the dozen (when they are available) but no-one appreciates the strength of a simple ply box. Made stackable and with a clip-on top lid all sized for a robust barrow and you have something made-to-measure, cheap, long lasting and something that, since YOU made it, will likely actually be appreciated and looked after.

More fool me for not making my own too

[oz0707]

At less than 20 quid a box I think I'm better off with the plastic. Already made and interlocking. Time is money!

[ayjay]

The first toolbox that I made for myself was so bloody heavy I didn't want to lift it even when empty. I think it was 6 X 1 s/w and 12mm ply.

I made the next one from a couple of old s/w door panels that were about 9" wide and 5/16" thick - all dovetailed corners - and then some 6mm ply - that survives to this day, complete with pull out drawer and turn button fasteners in the lid for my Sandvik 288 saws.

[Job and Knock]

I've been on Systainers and Makpacs as well as compatibles like Metabo Metaboxes and whatever Hikoki call theirs for something like 10 years now, gradually moving my stuff over to them. The ability to clip two, three or even more tool boxes together to haul stuff around makes a big difference to me and got me away from the ten box tango I had to attempt every other time I went on site

More than half the tools I buy these days come in Systainer-compatible boxes in any case

It's the names on them that is one thing that puts me off them. Might just as well put "contains expensive tools , please steal" .

But a manufacturers box saying Bosch, Makita, Hilti, etc in big bold letters says just the same - but can't be clipped to other boxes for moving it (we're back to the ten tool tango, here...) whilst the biggest adverts to the thriving "fraternity" are the vans, hard hats high viz jackets and pull along tool chests. They always were

BTW Makita Makpacs are just blue and only say Makita on the top (which you could just paint out although the teal colour of the box is more of a give away than anything else), whilst it you want one Tanos will sell plain Systainers in a variety of colours

[oz0707]

Which trolley if any do you use j&k?
What do you think to my standard sack barrow idea

[Job and Knock]

I currently have a piece.of plywood with four castors screwed on the bottom and some 2 x 1 softwood round the edges on top! Cheap as chips (scruffy) site solution, but it has persuaded me that a sack truck solution is probably better for me than a dolly. Not decided on whether I'll go cheap or "pro" yet, though

[oz0707]

Well the 7 makpacs turned up today. Though it might be too good to be true at 93 quid exc vat but they arrived. Have the inlays in them still for a impact and drill so maybe the place are selling the naked tools then knocking the boxes out for extra margin? Might get a couple of quid per inlay myself on eBay? So I've got 8no. Type 3 now. Unfortunatley rear handled saw doesn't fit, think nail gun will also be a squeeze so can see I'm going to need 2 or 3 type 4 boxes too.