Aldi 3 drawer steel toolchest

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

Bought one of these **LINK**

along with the shopping this morning.

While not super high quality, it seems reasonably well made. It was well packaged & undamaged when unpacked. The outer chassis & lid are approx. 0.8mm steel, with the drawers being approx 0.7mm. All drawers & the top area have liners, with the first drawer being segemented for small parts or tool storage,

A drop-in bar secures the drawers when the lid is closed (the bar is in it's "parking" position on the left of the picture – it locks the drawers when inserted in the slot at the back) & two keys are supplied for the lock. Not sure why there is a "mousehole" in the back wall on the right – any ideas ? Finish is satin red & appears well applied. According to the Aldi link, black units were also available, though my local store only had red.

Another step towards organising the garage / workshop & reasonable value for £40. At the time of writing, these are still available to mail order from the Aldi website if you don't have a local store or they are OOS.

Nigel B

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

Nice find Nigel, I have something similar – blue colour though, and three drawers at the top. They work Ok for my use.

Thor

[Brian GParticipant @briang]

Perhaps the hole is to allow a drill or screwdriver to be charged whilst locked in the chest?

Brian

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Mouse hole could be a tooling aid for locating on the press tool/folding jig.

[Brian Sweeting 2Participant @briansweeting2]

Mousehole could provide a means of securing the toolbox to the workshop perhaps.

Edited By Brian Sweeting on 27/04/2018 14:42:27

[michael coleParticipant @michaelcole91146]

Handy if there is no machine mart close to you, their version very slightly smaller is only £32.39

[Gas_mantle.Participant @gas_mantle]

This one at Halfords looks similar, it doesn't appear to have drawer dividers but it is cheaper.

**LINK**

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Obviously to let the mouse out when you lock up.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Perhaps the mousehole is for gynaecologists to access their tools.

Mike

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Gas_mantle. on 27/04/2018 15:32:59:

This one at Halfords looks similar, it doesn't appear to have drawer dividers but it is cheaper.

**LINK**

The Aldi one seems quite a bit bigger and is lockable. But quality of hinges, drawer runners etc is important as well…

I expect screwfix, machinemart and others all offer variants on a theme.

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Posted by not done it yet on 27/04/2018 19:08:38:

Posted by Gas_mantle. on 27/04/2018 15:32:59:

This one at Halfords looks similar, it doesn't appear to have drawer dividers but it is cheaper.

**LINK**

The Aldi one seems quite a bit bigger and is lockable. But quality of hinges, drawer runners etc is important as well…

I expect screwfix, machinemart and others all offer variants on a theme.

Halfords one is lockable.

Martin P

[JonParticipant @jon]

Just keep popping in to local Halfords they have sell offs now and again.

Went one day 4 drawer lockable £20, went in next day had to pay £28 for the top one in this. http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/storage/tool-chests-cabinets/halfords-8-drawer-tool-centre

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

The link only says the drawers are locked when the lid is closed. I have one like that – drawers are secure while carrying, but are not petty thief proof as the lid catches are not lockable.

Or do the lid ctches lock? I didn’t think so.

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by not done it yet on 03/05/2018 23:47:45:

Or do the lid ctches lock? I didn’t think so.

If you look at the 360 deg view and rotate it, there seems to be padlock loops at each catch (I guess you could get away with a padlock on just one).

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I picked one up on the way home yesterday and they are reasonable value for the money

The key is taped under the side handle, it unlocks the top and then a vertical steel flatbar is completely withdrawn from the rear to let the lower drawers open

It looks like the generic 600 x 260 x 340 mm ones on ebay which have various configurations and go from 50-70 bananas (same hinges, clips too)

Would buy another, they are perfect for putting onto a heavy duty shelving unit and giving you space efficient storage

(They also deliver it to your door for nuffink which must be worth another fiver)

Edited By Ady1 on 13/05/2018 12:50:06

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I also noticed a heavy duty (200kg) hand truck for under 20 bananas

You only need one occasionally but they are hugely useful for shifting stuff

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Posted by Ady1 on 13/05/2018 12:59:43:

I also noticed a heavy duty (200kg) hand truck for under 20 bananas

You only need one occasionally but they are hugely useful for shifting stuff

 

 

A real Aldi bargain.

I have used one of those for a couple of years now they are very good and robust.

On mine the wheels are of the split rim type and the holding nuts/bolts tended to work loose, (have to say it is used over rough ground) I replaced the plain nuts with a self locking type problem solved!

 

Edited By V8Eng on 13/05/2018 14:35:02

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I was in Halfords last weekend and bought a Halfords one reduced from £75 to £35 larger than the ALDI one with provision for padlocks on the lid clamps,now got to sort all my lathe tooling to put in it.

Martin P

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I was in Halfords last weekend and bought a Halfords one reduced from £75 to £35 larger than the ALDI one with provision for padlocks on the lid clamps,now got to sort all my lathe tooling to put in it.

Martin P

[JonParticipant @jon]

Not sure how long had my Halfords jobby perhaps 12 years may be more. Told you so above, keep popping in.
Lid locks and theres two side bars to lock all 4 drawer heights (3 at top and 3 larger below.) Red paints faded one side looks matt the last 6 years or so but who cares good value.
Obviously these are made with other brand names on but not sure if theyre the same size.

Just holds a small sample of files, rasps, pliers, sockets, torx drivers and allen keys never locked.

[Author]

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