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I'm a Yorkshireman and whilst I love the look of the proper fitted cabinets, I couldn't bring myself to part with all that cash. So - I bought two matching tambour cabinets (slidnig doors, rather than hinged). I also bought a cheap Hilka workbench and fitted a Halfords Industrial toolchest into it and some thick oak worktop, lifted from Gumtree for £25! Tool tidying is by virtue of socket trays and spanner racks - not as neat as shadow foam, but I can fit a lot more in Quite pleased with the results

I picked the fancy set! It's super strong and gave me lots of storage space when I had to reduce the amount of the cabinets due to the 911 arriving after lockdown. To keep the cost down the tall cabinet on the left of the picture is a Sealey but cost around £230 new as it's not part of that professional set. If you do go for the fancy set I would advise having a second pair of hands. It's really easy to fit (just nuts & bolts) but the work surface is very heavy making minor adjustments to set the bolts difficult. Also the two/three units at the top are cumbersome and I wish I'd got a mate to help.

Thanks all for the ideas and garage photos, they've helped a lot. I'm leaning towards making the workbench first, and then seeing what tool racks I can build into it, much like NigelO has done as he has the same Halfords Industrial tool chest as me, and it looks quite smart. I'm likely to have a galvanised steel worktop though, as Woodford Trailers will bend one for me so the workbench has a nice rounded front edge and a secure upstand at the back. I've used them in the past for this, and it made a really nice looking bench. I've also spotted some of the sliding door cabinets on eBay that aren't very far from me for not a lot too, so I reckon I'll start there and work up to wherever I need to be. That should let me spread the cost, so I can pretend I'm not spending a fortune on cupboards!

Who makes the 911 kit now? 😜

Chesterfield is in Tier 2 and we can meet in groups of 6 outdoors, so we had a crack at it today. It was largely successful, I for one felt safe and therefore we shall try and operate like this until things change again. If you are in tier 1 or 2 and you wish to join us, please register your interest and I will do my best to accomodate you. Use PM, phone, text or on here, whichever way suits you best. Here is our day today, I hope you enjoy the photo's and it gives you a moment of escapism x. Honda Boy, Rob, arriving you knew a Honda engined Westfield would be involved didn't you? At 8.40am this morning we were struggling to park at Hassop, don't folks want a lie in bed anymore? Shortly after a local guy in a beautiful Bentley arrived, it is a 4.5 litre straight 4, after today it is coming off the road for the front suspension to be sorted. And now he has seen Rita he said he was going to polish it too, a compliment indeed. The Lotus club soon arrived, they were in limited numbers too And the car park just kept getting better We went on our route, when we touched the Sheffield end of the Peak District it got busy, so we swerved it and went on the quieter roads. Lights on boys, it was dark under the trees We had a pit stop at The Barrel Inside the real fire had just been lit, it looked very warm and inviting, but we have to be outdoors only, so we admired the view instead. Back on the road we wiggled a route to finish at The Bull I Thorn and the inevitable happened. Martin danced like an Egyptian, er no, we ate cake. Bull I Thorn Soon, Bill wished us a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, probably a happy Easter too and made his way home. Greater Manchester will surely be in Tier 3 very soon and that will mean no mixing with other households for Bill, so after getting the dust out of my eye I waved a goodbye to him. Good job Rob was on hand to quickly change the subject and get on with the day. It has been a great day with the lovely cars, a Crossflow, a V8, a Duratec, a Honda and our Zetec making an excellent and interesting collection of Westfields. Hope to see you all soon.

Is that the famously RWD Mondeo estate? 😄

Hi all All being well ill be able come join you for a run out at some point just waiting for some wheels to arrive then I good to go 👍

Well I guess that’s nearly 25 years ago - so must be a “new” innovation 😁

Dawn - first to see the Sun...

I had exactly the same problem and when I did get lucky and pick a 13mm not 1/2" on the first go I'd find it was the 1/4 drive when was using the 3/8 ratchet! It was really easy to cut using a scalpel which if I remember correctly was free as I ordered 2 packs of the easy peel foam. Hardest bit was deciding on the layout!

As long as I stay in a tier 3 area and maintain a safe distance, 2mtrs is good, 3 mtrs is better that's my current motto

@a15cro

It's stalled again, and don't have anything on from that last one, so I'll go back one and pick out the Eyes... (You'd have to be a Kiwi to 'get' the cameos and local references in the vid)

Just use the skoda and use the rest of the money for trackdays

Have had their 'Constellations' album since it came out. Found them via Jim Mortimore's Dad, Malcolm, who was once drummer for superb 70s prog band Gentle Giant. Don't think Jim is in the band any more though

@IainCameron, Whilst I wouldn't say I have the Northern affliction of short arms and deep pockets, I definitely understand the dislike of throwing things away. Having said that, the old kitchen cupboards that currently inhabit the garage will be going as I know they won't last the test of time nor the battering I will need my workbench to withstand. I pretty much need to build the workbench myself to get the size, shape and sturdiness I want. I shall have a look at your build thread and see what you've got! @KenP, I am in need of some of the foam, or something like it, as my collection of metric and imperial sockets has an annoying habit of rolling about in their tray no matter how carefully I put them back. Was it hard to cut or shape at all? Or easily cut with a stanley knife?

On a similar path...

Best thing I've done recently was investing in some shadow foam to make the best of the limited storage I have. It's saved me so much frustration looking for tool as well as fitting more in. I'd definitely recommend it for whatever storage you go for.

If you've had more than a minor squint at my build diary (or my photo on the 'Show us your garage' thread), you will probably be able to guess that I've made or salvaged just about every element of my workshop, including the building itself (which was a 22m long new-build stable/workshop combo to keep the Rev Limiter at bay). I'm deeply envious of the top end of the market, and I'm sure it works exactly as it should, it's just that (a) I get a huge deal of satisfaction from making my own stuff, (b) I can't bring myself to throw stuff away, even if it's a set of kitchen units from a house I'm demolishing, and (c) I have no experience of brand new shiny stuff to compare with, having inherited my Glaswegian father's miserly short arms and long pockets! But I have to say that @Andy_R's workshop has got me thinking!

So - still hobbling about but the driveway looks a little different now! Just need a new driveway now 🙂

Bernard, hopefully you will be fixed up with a suitable 2nd. hand item, but if not, then try ARF (stands for Alloy Racing Fabrications) who if memory serves me correct are in Newark way. They do brilliant alloy tanks at very reasonable prices. I have no connection other than as a satisfied customer.

Happy B day Russ 🎂

MHR Russ! 🎂

I use old Bisley office filing cabinets for a lot of my tools and parts storage. They come in different sizes from 2-4 draws and there’s even multi draw options. you can pick them up cheaply for £5-£10 depending on the size and they’re virtually indestructible.

Got one

Me too Julie, I'm available