Versatool cabinets

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Scanning ebay, as I do regularly, I came across this advert for tool cabinets. They are Versatool with several swing out trays. We have two of their products at the museum, both on wheels, with two drawers and two swing out trays. The quality is superb, and I wish I could afford them. For anyone looking for this sort of storage located in West Sussex, they are well worth a look:

**LINK**

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Makes the £55 (plus 60 round trip miles of fuel at V8 Range Rover thirst) my one cost look a super deal!

Mine is the version made to go with Bridgeport mills. Does anyone know what, or have pictures of, what was intended to go on the shelves with equipment location & carrier fittings?

Clive

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Versatool were made by a company in Peterborough. The cabinets are industrial quality. We had lots in the Standards and Calibration Rooms.

If you can run to the cost, and they are in good condition, go for it. You are unlikely to be disappointed.

Howard

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Is it the same Pinder company that made the slideway guards for CNC mills ?

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

If I had the space for Versatool cabinets of that style I would have a workshop full!

Reminds me of my time as an apprentice, the milling sections Versatool cabinets were well layed out, each mill had its own complete toolkit, accessories etc. carefully stored. The instructor would check at close of play if everything was back in its place. Anything missing and we would all stay until found. It was a joy to work in that section having all the kit to hand. Excellent instuctor as well.

Unlike the turning section, Versatool cabinets again. Tools, accessories, etc just chucked in anywhere. So frustrating not being able to find a chuck key. We offered to organise the cabinets but were told by the instructor that we were there to learn to turn not to tidy. Hopeless instuctor compared with the rest of the guys that I was lucky enough to work with

Sorry to ramble on!

John

[Andrew EvansParticipant @andrewevans67134]

I got one fitted out for a jig borer with felt lined trays. It felt a bit sacreligious but I removed most of the wooden dividers and use it to store drills, milling cutters, chucks, collets etc all neatly layed out. It saves so much time having everything to hand rather than hunting through boxes.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Discipline was reasonably strict in our training school, all machines were fully tooled up. At the end of each day the machines were cleaned down to a good standard and the floor swept, tea break was precisely 10mins and was taken sat on a stool by your machine, the stool was not to be used at any other time. The instructors were all experienced men and knew the job inside out. In my experience the best teachers/instructors have front line experience and this brings to life what you are being taught. I particularly remember our electronics instructor at tech college, he had worked in industry and had many anecdotes about how the theory and reality don’t always work out quite as planned. It was amazing how much stuff we were taught eventually turned up in reality. Unfortunately while we had a good grounding in valves the microprocessor was about to take the world by storm as soon as we left Tech. College. The electrical instructor who turned me to the dark side by telling me that electrical was the trade that was going places must have known that by the end of the 70s robots and PLC controllers would be running the car industry.

Mike

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Sounds like Mike Poole was at Rolls Royce Oil Engine Division for his Apprenticeship, taught by ex Sentinel instructors.

Howard

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