Toolboxes

When it come to storing your garage tools, you can’t beat one of these. But which of our 10 toolboxes on test makes the cleverest buy?

Auto Express Car Reviews

March 2007

Box clever with your tools and you’ll always know where they are when tackling your next DIY motoring job. Tools that come in a pre-formed pack with a slot for each piece are fine – but buy one extra socket, screwdriver or spanner and there’s no space for them. However, with a toolbox there’s room for extras and all your kit is in one place rather than in several packs littered around your garage. Which holdalls, though, are the super storers? To find out, we put 10 to the test.

The Test

Biggest is not always best – but it is a good start. We checked how much each box could swallow, plus how well each unit kept different sizes and types of tool apart.

Small lidded compartments also won favour, as they’re great for housing accessories such as fuses, fasteners and connectors.

As well as overall capacity, we measured the space each product took up when fully opened. Finally, we assessed handle comfort and determined whether the box could cope with a selection of common car tools – hammers, a breaker bar, grips, a spanner roll and a screwdriver set.

Verdict

Chain store Halfords is bang on with its Stanley-made 776914. It’s the right size – not excessively large, but big enough to get everything in. Its low weight, neat compartments and competitive price seal the deal. B&Q’s 50cm Value box is recommended for being well made, cheap, and a useful size. Black & Decker’s Workmate series box is the biggest here, yet comes at a great price.

1. Halfords 776914
2. B&Q Value 50cm Tool Box
3. Black & Decker Workmate Series 66cm Toolbox