Drill box

tim.rose2

Active member
Wondered if anyone has found a good source of waterproof hard cases for SDS drills?  Obvious Peli is the gold standard but I'm hoping to find something significantly cheaper which will do.  Bit of time with google and Hurricane or Max boxes seem a good choice at about ?40 for the right size.  Anyone got either and able to comment on robustness?

Cheers
Tim
 

s_allshorn

Active member
I have one of these but don't use it so much. It's ok when I have used it, it's good for if your taking the drill in and out a lot.
https://www.inglesport.com/product-category/cave/bags-containers/waterproof-boxes-cases/

Typically I use a 7L inside a 13L bag. I have a carry mat inside with the drill in but I'm transporting a tiny drill with two batteries so you might need to go larger.
https://www.inglesport.com/product/ortlieb-mediumweight-pd350-drybag/

 

tim.rose2

Active member
Thanks both. 

Drums are an option and I have something it fits in already but what I would really like is a box with handle suitable for permanent storage / general out and about which can also go caving.  Obviously not asking for much!!!

Minimum size is 13" x 9" x 4".  The drill in question is a Bosch GBH 18v + 2 spare batteries.  The largest of those from inglesport is not big enough and they're also rather pricey still (but really good boxes - I have a small one for camera bits).

Currently wrap drill in towel and then in a bag.  I guess I'm looking for some sort of halfway between this and a peli case.

This is the best I've found so far, but was wondering if anybody had found something better:
https://www.trifibre.co.uk/product/max380h115/

Thanks
 

Leclused

Active member
a bit cheaper than peli

https://www.bol.com/nl/p/heitronic-tuinstekkerdoos-5-inputs-outputs/9200000110076783/
 

pwhole

Well-known member
The Trifibre ones look OK - they are significantly cheaper than Peli, but can't help thinking there must be a reason other than 'brand power'. It certainly wants to be a tight fit - my Makita can't move at all in my Peli 1400, and it's had a few scrapes. The 'ask a question' bit was frustrating not to have the answers there, as my first question would be 'does it float'? Fully loaded, I mean.
 

Mark

Well-known member
This any good to you Tim

Peli 1500 - dusty on the outside but good nick
?50.00 + Caver post from Peak District
 

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mrodoc

Well-known member
My brother in law bought a Peli type box some while back that was extremely waterproof. He used it as a drill box. Can't remember the name but this company seems to sell something similar: https://www.solentplastics.co.uk/waterproof-protective-cases/
 

tim.rose2

Active member
Very kind offer Mark, however I'd already taken a punt and have purchased one of the MAX boxes.  As soon as it arrives I'll report back here as to quality etc.  It claims to be robust and waterproof.
No doubt somebody else will snap up that pelicase in no time as ?50 is an absolute bargain.

Thanks Pete - didn't purchase from Solent Plastics but looks like the same boxes.
 

Hammy

Member
Try Ammo boxes on EBay?  Seem good value though I haven?t tried the plastic ones. Remind me of my early caving days!
 

tim.rose2

Active member
As promised a quick review of the box I bought...

It's a Max box 380h115 from Trifibre for ?39: https://www.trifibre.co.uk/product/max380h115/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Shopping_Smart_v1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoab_BRCxARIsANMx4S4Gbf5gOzP0iwhilc7mmbcXVgxn9thwI3ZZSKQRU5LSijvZzNfS89IaAkvoEALw_wcB

First appearances it's rock solid and really well built.  The box is IP67 rated so I've done a very non-scientific waterproofing test; I put a few sheets of kitchen roll in it then hosed it down thoroughly and dunked it in a bucket of water.  No evidence of any water getting in.  Drill, spare batteries and the bag of plug, feathers & drill bits all fit with a bit of spare room for chocolate!  The handle appears to be robust as do the clasps.  First impression, at a 1/3 of the price, this is a really good alternative to splashing out on a Pelicase.  Next test is to see how it stands up to being battered around in the caves on Portland.

50771930837_8dbceaa99d_z.jpg
 

Leclused

Active member
tim.rose2 said:
As promised a quick review of the box I bought...

It's a Max box 380h115 from Trifibre for ?39: https://www.trifibre.co.uk/product/max380h115/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Shopping_Smart_v1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoab_BRCxARIsANMx4S4Gbf5gOzP0iwhilc7mmbcXVgxn9thwI3ZZSKQRU5LSijvZzNfS89IaAkvoEALw_wcB

First appearances it's rock solid and really well built.  The box is IP67 rated so I've done a very non-scientific waterproofing test; I put a few sheets of kitchen roll in it then hosed it down thoroughly and dunked it in a bucket of water.  No evidence of any water getting in.  Drill, spare batteries and the bag of plug, feathers & drill bits all fit with a bit of spare room for chocolate!  The handle appears to be robust as do the clasps.  First impression, at a 1/3 of the price, this is a really good alternative to splashing out on a Pelicase.  Next test is to see how it stands up to being battered around in the caves on Portland.

50771930837_8dbceaa99d_z.jpg

Are you not going to put some foam in it where you've cut out the outlines of the drill and batteries?

 

pwhole

Well-known member
I was going to ask the same - shouldn't there be foam in the lid and base? Not trying to cause trouble - though I have three Pelis ;)
 

tim.rose2

Active member
I bought without the foam as I have loads kicking around I could use.  To be honest rapped in an old towel is likely to be my way forward as that's easier and sufficient for what I need. 

 

AlexR

Active member
Just in the interest of balance (for anyone reading this researching the "how to transport a drill" thing):

I bought a Pelicase for my precious drill when I got it some years ago. It did a great job at protecting the drill. It's also an absolute arse to get trough cave passage, I've fought with it myself and to this day feel guilty for having nearlywhite drag it through Colostomy, Peak. In my defence, I had an equal weight in ropes, but the Pelicase was definitely worse.

My 18V Hitachi now gets transported in a protective pouch of heavy EVA foam (about 1cm thick or so), that in turn goes into a heavy duty Ortlieb waterproof bag. This makes it much more transportable, and me kicking it through various boulderchokes and tight passages has not done it any harm.
 

alastairgott

Well-known member
Don?t feel sorry for nearlywhite, I?m sure he gives out his fair share of dastardly dares. What made you think of nearlywhite/drillcases this evening anyway?
 

pwhole

Well-known member
Ah yes, but there is also flotation to consider - I've sent my drill all the way down the Speedwell streamway in the Peli 1400, just pushing it in front of me, which was a pleasant break from carrying it. You can also sit on it when tired, and hit people with it when they become tiresome.
 

Rob

Well-known member
AlexR said:
Just in the interest of balance (for anyone reading this researching the "how to transport a drill" thing):
...
My approach, unless it's a particularly we cave, is to have a beer, put the drill in the tackle bag and get going. They are seemingly so robust nowadays.  (y)
 

topcat

Active member
Re read AlexR 's post above.

Hard cases are old tech and hammer hell out of the cave, not to mention the blood pressure of the poor sod who had to struggle with them.

Watershed dry bags are serious robust, submersible and you can get foam liners if you think a towel is not enough.  Ignore the price tag because it will be irreverent to you when you use it :)

I put mine in a tackle sack for high contact caves.

Ortlieb are also good, but anything with a roll top isn't really waterproof: useable with care.

The 'landscape ' oriented Watershed bags are easier to access the contents.  We called them Basset Bags when I was into serious paddling some years ago.

TC
 
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