"Jo - the girl" wrote in message
...
I'm really tired of people (housemates, friends, and family) taking my
tools without permission and then failing to return them. I go to get
some pliars or something and they're not there, it's really annoying.

I need a small portable toolbox/hand box for my tools and need an
opinion. I'm looking for one that's about 16 inches that I can put a
padlock on. After looking at a few it occurred to me that a padlock
might not keep people out. Some of the hinges on the plastic ones
appear big enough that you could push the pins out and open it up at
the hinges even if it had a padlock. What I'm wondering is how
difficult it would be to do that? Would a metal box be more difficult
to get into or does it depend?



When I used to do work in New York City I would keep my tools in a steel
tool box with a padlock. I would also use another padlock on a 20' steel
aircraft cable with hoops that I would loop through the toolbox handle and
lock it down to where ever I was working. I wouldn't recommend a plastic
toolbox if you want security. Sears used to have some steel boxes around
the size that you are looking for with a provision for a padlock.