Whether you require the tools for small household jobs that spring up from nowhere, or rely on a variety of general purpose and specialty tools for the workshop and the weekly paycheck, having everything neatly organised is one way to improve workflow and keep all those tools intact. You won’t be spending unnecessary time looking for what you need, as everything is right there where it should be. And there’s an element of safety as well. Nothing will be lying on the floor or in hiding and waiting to jump at you. No slips, mishaps of any sort, or damage to parts and anything you’re working on.

There are different tool storage solutions on the market. And all will be intended for different uses and different people. From small, basic kits that anybody can use, to a full-on tool chest kit primed with all the needed tools for your line of work. And then some more. Of course, there are also cabinets, workstations, dedicated workbenches, portable tool boxes, job site boxes, ute boxes, hard cases, tool bags, and hundreds of accessories that make them want you to part with your cash. Most tradies will have several ways and storage options to keep tools safe, secure, and easily accessible at all times.

No matter if you’re working from your garage, the workshop or using your ute as a mobile workstation, there are dozens of ways to have everything handy when you need it.

Kitted Tool Chests and Cabinets

If you’re a working pro, and tools are what bring home the bacon, then the easiest option is to have a kitted tool chest or cabinet kit with all the right tools. Choosing what’s right will depend on the complexity of your work, and the tools that you’ve already accumulated over the years.

Kits can be basic affairs with simple screwdrivers, sockets and socket extensions, wrenches, ratchets, and half a dozen hex keys mixed in with a couple pliers and packaged in neat, plastic cases. Cabinets and chests, however, go a few steps further, in that they have a wider selection of tools that are also built to a better standard. Tools here are made from materials and production processes like forging that is meant to take a beating and still last a lifetime. And they’ll come in sizes and variations for any type of job.

The chests and cabinets themselves are also miles away from the simplicity of smaller and portable hand tool kits. They have a more thought-out layout, with handy features like spring-loaded drawer slides, thick foam matting that serves the dual purpose of keeping tools both organised and free of damage, usable and padded surfaces that double as miniature workbenches, and much more.

The build is also on another level. There’s the use of treated and coated thick gauge steel, that will work in any environment and won’t succumb to corrosion from water or oil, or dent on impact. The heavy-duty structural design boasts clean welds for neater looks, reinforced sides for more strength, and rolled drawer edges for both strength and safety.

Designs and Functionality

Chests and cabinets are differently sized and hence differently designed. Top chests for instance will have a varying number of drawers. And these can be arranged in single or multiple banks, and at different depths. Drawers at the bottom are often additionally reinforced and meant to house heavier tools or parts. Drawers at the top are meant for smaller tools and those that are used most often, such as sockets. And the whole setup is logically arranged. If these are to be used in the workshop, then they can be combined with other tool storage solutions, like wall-mounted tool kits or more portable cantilever kits.

Another consideration is mobility. Roller cabinets, for example, are designed atop durable castor wheels and intended to safely and quickly move your tools anywhere in the shop or job site. They’ll have angled and grippy side or top handles for easier maneuverability.

Tools in Tool Chest Kits

So-called mechanic’s kits are the most common and each kit specifies the number of tools it comes with. Starter kits that are still well-featured with most of what you need have 100 or more pieces. And these can be complemented with smaller and specialised socket or spanner and wrench sets, depending on your needs. If you want a fully-kitted chest or cabinet, then kits with 500+ pieces are also sold.

Also, take into account that tools in Australia are often specced in the metric system, but kits in SAE units are also common. What exactly you’ll find packed in the chest or roll cabinet naturally depends on the size. You’ll find ½”, 3/8”, and ¼” drive sockets in different widths and depths, as well as socket ratchet extensions and handles, in addition to drive in-hex socket sets with short and long splines.

The range of spanners and wrenches is impressive, too. Ring, open-end, and ring and open-end combo spanners in different sizes will cover most jobs, and standard or flex head geared wrenches work well in tighter spots. Hex keys in all standard metric and SAE sizes are here too, as are a variety of screwdrivers.

Philips head, slotted, pozidrive, hex head, and Torx screwdrivers feature in all tool chest kits in different sizes and lengths, along with adaptor kits. The comprehensive list is enriched with punches and chisels, a range of pliers and snips, feeler gauges, knives, and basic but versatile tools like inspection lamps, measuring tape, telescopic magnets and inspection mirrors, as well as hammers, hacksaws, and pry bars.

Since this is an investment, with all tools produced to precise specs and made from quality forged steel, look for kits from respected tool makers. Well-known local brands with decades in the tooling business are your best bet if you’re after quality, longevity, and tools ready for any job.