I decided that I needed to look at my hand tools as a kind of new years resolution. In 2010 or 2011 I bought a big 150-piece socket set that included metric and AF sockets, ideal for the Series III I had at the time. I can't find a full picture of this set for some reason, this is the closest I could find:
I've had that socket set ever since and it's been great. I've even had a few parts replaced under the lifetime guarantee but the hinges are now busted, the latches are worn out, the long 1/2" extension ball detent fell apart and the 3/8" ratchet has worn out. I can't find the old receipt, nor can I really be bothered to look any more.
With the hinges busted the set is open and has gathered condensation water that drips off the roof of the bobtail and some parts are going rusty. I also have no proper way of securing it for off road driving so it was time to do something. I bought a small 3-drawer tool chest in something like 2017 that now houses screwdrivers, impact sockets and extra stuff. A good set but not big enough to house all of the bits from the socket set. Looks a bit like this:
Anyway, I saw that Halfords were now selling an empty case - with much improved hinges and latches - for their modular tool sets. The case holds three modular sets or can just be customised however you like. Seemed ideal so I picked one up. Obviously it comes without tools but the second picture gives a decent scale.
It's a fair bit bigger than the old socket set and is only single sided, but as modular sections can be removed that's fine. I originally intended to just get some Shadow Foam and re-house my existing tools, but then I saw that their 3/8" modular set had 6-sided sockets. You maybe can't tell from the picture further up but other than the impact and 1/4" sockets they were all 12-sided. Sometimes essential but regularly a pain.
I picked up the 3/8" set with 100-tooth ratchet...
...and will most likely add this 1/2" set too before long as these sockets are also 6-sided. No discount sadly, maybe there will be at some point.
I'll order some Shadow Foam for the drawers in the chest and to transfer my spanners. 1/4" stuff can go in the drawers. Once organised I can figure out how to hold them all down safely, maybe I'll make a raised floor so I can slide the Halfords case underneath.
In other news, the Sealey tool kit that I built up over advent is nice. My only complaint is that they gave me a bunch of hex keys before they gave me the holder, so they were just floating around in the case for a week or so. Not too smart.