You have to watch the prices in Screwfix like a hawk !! – sometimes they have the most amazing offers. I was in there this morning and saw this ….
Did you notice in small print, it’s 2 for the price of 1…..!!! £13.50 per tool box.
If you’re new to radio sailing, and most probably have come from another branch of the sport such as dinghy or keelboat racing, you’ll try bringing your old toolbox and tools with you. I did. It was quickly a hopeless venture 🙂
In the radio sailing part of the sport, we have special tool and toolbox requirements.
- large variety of bits and pieces, usually smaller sizes
- unexpected calls on the toolbox for a huge spectrum of reasons, usually in a hurry, often in the rain
- tools/parts smaller and often more delicate.
- no rummaging, a need for speed, a protected environment for delicate things
Out goes the big keelboat toolbox! No rummaging under the spanners plus we need to see where all the bits are at a glance.
RW and Rj got stuck into this subject last winter, but neglected to publish the results. We tried for a short period those toolboxes with cantilevered fold out trays. Such boxes around here are of appalling quality to be honest, plus we didn’t want to swing out the cantilever trays in the rain and everything gets wet all at once.
Conclusion:-
- lots of nice small sealed trays is a good thing
- Reconfigurable trays is an excellent idea
- clear windows so you can see what is stored where in about 1 second flat, all in the car boot !
- weatherproof and probably not metal construction
- solid, sturdy, high quality but not costing the earth
We ended up testing two almost identical products, same dimensions almost. In the trade they seem to be called “Organisers” not “Toolboxes”. Both brands feature little locks on the sides to enable you to stack one on top of another securely – might be a consideration in your car boot….
In the end, RW and RJ concluded that the Dewalt model (left of photo) is slightly better. Note the long side compartments for screwdrivers, pens etc. Note also that the Stanley model (right of photo) places the handle grip in an area, where in the Dewalt you can remove the storage compartments to get your 12 inch rule, surgical tweezers and long things in.
This is the Screwfix Link to the Dewalt offer of the month.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-tstak-organiser-dwst83497-1-4-6-x-13-/472kj
When we did our trials, the Dewalt was £40 and the Stanley was £20. RJ and RW quickly agreed that the Dewalt was best for radio sailing and, I think, despite the extra price RW has four of them!! Really sturdy, high quality, each very visible compartment is sealed when. the lid is down.
For myself, I’m using both and find I can carry tools and spares for 3 classes in two of these boxes. So I’d say £29 for the Dewalt is great – but that’s until I saw £13.50 for the Stanley.
What do you think?? A good opportunity to sort out your tools and spares?
Screwfix tends to have short lived offers. Move fast if you want a couple.
Did you see our “hack” toolbox for carrying your Futabas safely??
Datchet Radio Sailing - Making It All Much Easier !! 