Portable Tool Box Drawer System ? Milwaukee/Dewalt Toughsystem?

[Catcher1984]

I’m planning to not have a garage for the next year or two and would like most of my tools mobile/portable.

I was wondering if anyone has most of there tools in a portable system or box and how they’ve laid it out. Also I’m not dead set on the Milwaukee or dewalt systems but the drawer style seem the most convenient, if there’s a better alternative I would like to know, thanks!

 

[tarbellb]

Budget concerns?

Milwaukee offers a lot of features, but comes with a huge price tag and a lot of extra weight.

DeWalt isn't much better in any regard, and not nearly as diverse.

Go Ridgid and add canvas tool bags and cases for organization.

 

[alinc100]

I am fond of the Craftsman Versastack/Dewalt Tstak system. It's a bit harder to find, but the pieces are lighter weight,more easier to move,customize,etc. I've not owned the Milwaukee Packouts and only had the Dewalt Toughsystem long enough to compare to the Versastack/Tstak(my laser in a Tstak,was a driving concern) When I found the Tstak and the TOUGHstack were in no way compatible I quickly sold the TOUGHstack for the cost of my investment. As Tarbellb points out the Packout and Toughstack come pre-loaded with quite a few pounds of plastic. Here is my current ,at work setup. I have 30ish pieces between the car,basement and garage to support the tasks at hand. Depending upon the job I have everything from an air compressor,porta-band,wrenches,pliers,plumbing supplies,pencils and crayons, to earplugs and band-aids stored in the system. I would also consider what type of tools you are planning to store/haul/carry as in my world it would be a factor. Extreme example : I wouldn't be loading Tstak/Versastack drawers with 3/4" drive sockets and drive tools, but I do have some of the bigger flip top/wheeled/non wheeled with framing nailer,finish nailers,air comp,etc.

 

[SnapOnSnapOff]

I am fond of the Craftsman Versastack/Dewalt Tstak system. It's a bit harder to find, but the pieces are lighter weight,more easier to move,customize,etc. I've not owned the Milwaukee Packouts and only had the Dewalt Toughsystem long enough to compare to the Versastack/Tstak(my laser in a Tstak,was a driving concern) When I found the Tstak and the TOUGHstack were in no way compatible I quickly sold the TOUGHstack for the cost of my investment. As Tarbellb points out the Packout and Toughstack come pre-loaded with quite a few pounds of plastic. Here is my current ,at work setup. I have 30ish pieces between the car,basement and garage to support the tasks at hand. Depending upon the job I have everything from an air compressor,porta-band,wrenches,pliers,plumbing supplies,pencils and crayons, to earplugs and band-aids stored in the system. I would also consider what type of tools you are planning to store/haul/carry as in my world it would be a factor. Extreme example : I wouldn't be loading Tstak/Versastack drawers with 3/4" drive sockets and drive tools, but I do have some of the bigger flip top/wheeled/non wheeled with framing nailer,finish nailers,air comp,etc.

I'd have that tipped over and shattered to pieces within a week. I own a TON of packout boxes and a Dewalt toughsystem. The packout is what you want for a construction site. You can try to break the tool boxes and fail. The organizer tops I bet could be cracked if forcefully thrown to the ground. The Dewalt is nice, and I even prefer it's connection style MUCH more, but in the end the packout stuff can't be beat for portable storage.

 

[alinc100]

I'd have that tipped over and shattered to pieces within a week. I own a TON of packout boxes and a Dewalt toughsystem. The packout is what you want for a construction site. You can try to break the tool boxes and fail. The organizer tops I bet could be cracked if forcefully thrown to the ground. The Dewalt is nice, and I even prefer it's connection style MUCH more, but in the end the packout stuff can't be beat for portable storage.

I'd say you and I work in different facets of construction. I've only offered an opinion on what I know and have used. Every situation is different. The OP hasn't specifically said which tools they are looking to store and organize. We as forum members can only respond with what we know.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I went dewalt tough system, it's the only one designed for racking. My work truck has racks that I can take the boxes on & off & fold in the brackets if I need the space. You can set up a racking stand almost anywhere & their mobile cart allows the convenience of removing boxes individually.

 

[username2]

I’m planning to not have a garage for the next year or two and would like most of my tools mobile/portable.

I was wondering if anyone has most of there tools in a portable system or box and how they’ve laid it out. Also I’m not dead set on the Milwaukee or dewalt systems but the drawer style seem the most convenient, if there’s a better alternative I would like to know, thanks!

Hard to tell without knowing what the point of the tools is or how. many.

Personally, particularly for automotive stuff, my strong preference is to go to tool bags, perhaps with tool rolls. Transport well. Light. Don't slide around and do bodywork for you while in the trunk. Reasonably cheap. I think they're usually more compact than those plastic cases.

 

[Catcher1984]

I am fond of the Craftsman Versastack/Dewalt Tstak system. It's a bit harder to find, but the pieces are lighter weight,more easier to move,customize,etc. I've not owned the Milwaukee Packouts and only had the Dewalt Toughsystem long enough to compare to the Versastack/Tstak(my laser in a Tstak,was a driving concern) When I found the Tstak and the TOUGHstack were in no way compatible I quickly sold the TOUGHstack for the cost of my investment. As Tarbellb points out the Packout and Toughstack come pre-loaded with quite a few pounds of plastic. Here is my current ,at work setup. I have 30ish pieces between the car,basement and garage to support the tasks at hand. Depending upon the job I have everything from an air compressor,porta-band,wrenches,pliers,plumbing supplies,pencils and crayons, to earplugs and band-aids stored in the system. I would also consider what type of tools you are planning to store/haul/carry as in my world it would be a factor. Extreme example : I wouldn't be loading Tstak/Versastack drawers with 3/4" drive sockets and drive tools, but I do have some of the bigger flip top/wheeled/non wheeled with framing nailer,finish nailers,air comp,etc.

Yes something like that would be great! I’m planning to just have Sockets, ratchets, extensions, pliers, wrenches, and various hand tools(picks, punches, chisels). Plus M12 driver + drill.

How heavy do your dewalt tstacks weight? How many of the drawer style are you able to stack up? I’m guessing I’ll need abt 6 of the drawer style (3 of the 1 drawer, 3 of the 2drawr) wondering if it’s useable like this.

I see most people putting a lot of cordless tools, hardware, and things but I don’t see many people using them as a substitute for a “real” toolbox with socket sets, pliers, wrenches etc.

I alsofound some rough internal sizes, and it looks like 2x Tstacks would be about equal in height vs 1 of the 2 drawer styles from toughsystem/packout. Also the cost would be about half ~$60 vs $120. But the tough/packout have about 3-5” more inches lengthwise.
tstack 1 drawer 13.5” x 9.3” x 3.8”
Tstack 2 drawer 13.5” x 9.3”x 1.7”
Tough system 2 drawer: 18.3 x 10.2 x 4 Toughsystem 3 drawer: 18.3 x 10.2 x 2.6
Pack out 2 drawer: 16.3 x 12.5 x 5
Pack out 3 drawer: 16.3 x 12.5 x 3

The biggest thing is if my tools will fit and the weight, I just saw a YouTube video of a guy would made wooden boxes of the dimensions and laid his tools to see how many he needed. I might do something similar with cardboard boxes. Also wondering if those 3 or 4 Drawer Craftsman/Kennedy type metal boxes are heavy? I know the larger ones with side handles can get pretty heavy.

 

[Zewnten]

Yes something like that would be great! I’m planning to just have Sockets, ratchets, extensions, pliers, wrenches, and various hand tools(picks, punches, chisels). Plus M12 driver + drill.

How heavy do your dewalt tstacks weight? How many of the drawer style are you able to stack up? I’m guessing I’ll need abt 6 of the drawer style (3 of the 1 drawer, 3 of the 2drawr) wondering if it’s useable like this.

I see most people putting a lot of cordless tools, hardware, and things but I don’t see many people using them as a substitute for a “real” toolbox with socket sets, pliers, wrenches etc.

I alsofound some rough internal sizes, and it looks like 2x Tstacks would be about equal in height vs 1 of the 2 drawer styles from toughsystem/packout. Also the cost would be about half ~$60 vs $120. But the tough/packout have about 3-5” more inches lengthwise.
tstack 1 drawer 13.5” x 9.3” x 3.8”
Tstack 2 drawer 13.5” x 9.3”x 1.7”
Tough system 2 drawer: 18.3 x 10.2 x 4 Toughsystem 3 drawer: 18.3 x 10.2 x 2.6
Pack out 2 drawer: 16.3 x 12.5 x 5
Pack out 3 drawer: 16.3 x 12.5 x 3

The biggest thing is if my tools will fit and the weight, I just saw a YouTube video of a guy would made wooden boxes of the dimensions and laid his tools to see how many he needed. I might do something similar with cardboard boxes. Also wondering if those 3 or 4 Drawer Craftsman/Kennedy type metal boxes are heavy? I know the larger ones with side handles can get pretty heavy.

I tried the packouts per a coworkers recommendation and hated them. Always hanging up when trying to get to the right box so you had to stack and unstack all of them. The 2-3 drawer "portable" boxes get very heavy quickly but I had one with a lift frame so the crane did all the work. I use a cantilever box from Trusco now, works great and lighter than the "portable" or benchtop boxes. I also use old sawzall cases for making my own tool kits. Built and angle iron rack to hold them with a rod in front to stop the boxes from sliding out. This is in a F150 I'm using as a service truck.

 

[alinc100]

Yes something like that would be great! I’m planning to just have Sockets, ratchets, extensions, pliers, wrenches, and various hand tools(picks, punches, chisels). Plus M12 driver + drill.

How heavy do your dewalt tstacks weight? How many of the drawer style are you able to stack up? I’m guessing I’ll need abt 6 of the drawer style (3 of the 1 drawer, 3 of the 2drawr) wondering if it’s useable like this.

I see most people putting a lot of cordless tools, hardware, and things but I don’t see many people using them as a substitute for a “real” toolbox with socket sets, pliers, wrenches etc.

I alsofound some rough internal sizes, and it looks like 2x Tstacks would be about equal in height vs 1 of the 2 drawer styles from toughsystem/packout. Also the cost would be about half ~$60 vs $120. But the tough/packout have about 3-5” more inches lengthwise.
tstack 1 drawer 13.5” x 9.3” x 3.8”
Tstack 2 drawer 13.5” x 9.3”x 1.7”
Tough system 2 drawer: 18.3 x 10.2 x 4 Toughsystem 3 drawer: 18.3 x 10.2 x 2.6
Pack out 2 drawer: 16.3 x 12.5 x 5
Pack out 3 drawer: 16.3 x 12.5 x 3

The biggest thing is if my tools will fit and the weight, I just saw a YouTube video of a guy would made wooden boxes of the dimensions and laid his tools to see how many he needed. I might do something similar with cardboard boxes. Also wondering if those 3 or 4 Drawer Craftsman/Kennedy type metal boxes are heavy? I know the larger ones with side handles can get pretty heavy.

The drawers are pretty lightweight, I don't think I'd put many socket sets in them. Certainly not a 1/2" drive set but you could likely get away with 1/4" and 3/8" . I've had a couple smaller drawers sag, a clamp and a few hours in the sun and they're good to go again.The smaller drawers are pretty shallow ,but I have wrenches,pliers,tin snips,etc in them. Obviously larger wrenches won't fit due to length. A wrench roll in the larger square.deep toolbox solves issues like this.The flip top boxes,while not as convenient as drawers would hold heavier items more easily. I can easily stack 6-8-10 Tstak/Versastack boxes together

 

[Catcher1984]

I actually got some free Husky Connect 22” cantilever organizers and liking them so far(I got three of them from a friend). And I saw they sell a 2 drawer style, does anybody have these or familiar with them? Informations pretty light. I probably want to use them in conjunction with the tstacks.

Annndd I’m picking up a tower of 8x dewalt Tstacks used for a 100$. It only has one each of the drawer style but i don’t think I can pass this deal up. Looks like the guy selling them has one of each style from 1 to 7 or something

 

[Theronswanson]

I'm in the Rigid platform and it seems like they refuse to come out with a drawer box. I liked the price point of the Dewalt over the Milwaukee. That being said, I've been real impressed with the Craftsman Tradestack box. About 20 bucks cheaper than the Dewalt and built very well. I believe the Versastack box will mount to that as well.

 

[danski0224]

I’m planning to not have a garage for the next year or two and would like most of my tools mobile/portable.

I was wondering if anyone has most of there tools in a portable system or box and how they’ve laid it out. Also I’m not dead set on the Milwaukee or dewalt systems but the drawer style seem the most convenient, if there’s a better alternative I would like to know, thanks!

I just have the basic Ridgid boxes, and put the tools in there.

I have been using additional cloth zippered bags inside for groups of smaller items.

I have repeatedly looked at Milwaukee Packout, and do not want to pay the Milwaukee Tax.

While I do not own or use any of these boxes with drawers, they do not seem to be durable enough to handle much weight in the drawers.

I have many DeWalt cases with the clear lids for fastener storage. I do like the Milwaukee version, as there is no "hole" or lost space for the handle like the DeWalt version, but that did not exist when I bought mine. A 3D printer could be one way to make custom sized insert bins. My employer has provided the Milwaukee bins for some people, and they seem to be just about indestructible.

I have been considering tool rolls, but have not bought any.

DeWalt was the only game in town for a modular system that can be mounted in a vehicle and stowed away when not in use. I believe that Milwaukee has recently released something similar.

Festool/Tanos/Bosch boxes have a lot less wasted internal space than just about anyone else, but they are not quite indestructible, either.

 

[turbodave]

DeWalt recently released an adapter plate that allows you to connect T-stak/VersaStak, Tough Case, and the Pro parts cases to Toughsystem boxes. https://www.dewalt.com/product/dwst08017/dewalt-toughsystem-20-adaptor?tid=576956

There are also some other new Toughsystem boxes coming out so it's good to see the options improving, but still way behind all that Milwaukee offers. On the jobsites I've been to all the boxes are usually Milwaukee.

I have a few Toughsystem 2.0 cases and I like them for when I need to haul tools to a project, but I don't like working out of them in in my garage. Inevitably what I need is at the bottom of the stack.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I actually got some free Husky Connect 22” cantilever organizers and liking them so far(I got three of them from a friend). And I saw they sell a 2 drawer style, does anybody have these or familiar with them? Informations pretty light. I probably want to use them in conjunction with the tstacks.

They had the 2 drawer Husky boxes the last time I was at Home Depot and they seemed decent. Wish Milwaukee had a shallow drawer offering, then I might have stuck with the Packout boxes. I just ended up with too many tools getting buried in deep drawers.

Now I'm eyeballing those Dewalt TS2.0 two and three drawer setups...

 

[AJHD]

My living situation will be changing soon (yet again) and I'm also no longer working in a shop (now or in the future). I simply don't have a need for a traditional tool box and it complicates moving again.

I'm in a 1 bedroom apartment and I don't have a garage. Currently my HF 44" is in my living room and I sold my Husky cart. I'm still trying to downsize and consolidate my tools.

Anyway... It would be beneficial for me to have a portable tool storage system.

Like the OP, I was looking at the Milwaukee PackOut and Dewalt ToughSystem. But I'm also considering alternatives, given current prices. Weight vs capacity is also a concern.

I've used the Rigid containers in the past, which worked but lacked organization, each container quickly got really heavy and they are more expensive now. I've also used tool bags while moving or switching between boxes, but only temporarily and far from an ideal or "permanent" solution.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have no idea if these are any good but, I saw this infomercial release on vehicleservicepros.com

StackPath

 

[mrvm]

I see most people putting a lot of cordless tools, hardware, and things but I don’t see many people using them as a substitute for a “real” toolbox with socket sets, pliers, wrenches etc.

I use the Packout drawer units in my truck to keep small tools organized but they do tend to sag and rub the drawer below when loaded with basic hand tools that are not close to the drawer limit. My Dewalt drawer units are used for non-mobile garage storage. They are made from a different material (25lb limit) or stiffer plastic. Both systems use the basic roller box that holds larger, heavier, bulkier tools but will require taking the stack apart to gain access to them. Using the optional dolly eliminates that task.
Ridgid makes good competitive tool boxes at a lower cost and the drawer units are expected this year.

 

[AJHD]

Ridgid makes good competitive tool boxes at a lower cost and the drawer units are expected this year.

I found a random video on YouTube about Rigid's version of the drawers, but can't find anything else about them. I'll definitely check those out in person whenever they become available. I'm curious what they will cost though. Speaking of which...

I'm 99% going back down the Rigid route simply because I'm not paying the price tag demanded by Milwaukee or Dewalt with or without drawers. I'll sacrifice some organization and I'd definitely be concerned about any drawers sagging. That's unacceptable.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I found a random video on YouTube about Rigid's version of the drawers, but can't find anything else about them. I'll definitely check those out in person whenever they become available. I'm curious what they will cost though. Speaking of which...

I'm 99% going back down the Rigid route simply because I'm not paying the price tag demanded by Milwaukee or Dewalt with or without drawers. I'll sacrifice some organization and I'd definitely be concerned about any drawers sagging. That's unacceptable.

I bought a set of the Rigid drawers this week with plans of using them in my new truck. As a truck box I’m not in every day or multiple times per day I don’t need to take up that much space for the limited amount of organization the drawers give. The medium Rigid box is 6.5” tall, the drawer unit is 16.2” tall for 9” of drawers. The footprint of the drawer unit is also a little larger than the medium box. I ended up filling the medium box with the essentials I want for the truck, including a M12 screwdriver, M12 Stubby impact, and M12 Rover light. The box is on the heavy side when loaded, but the drawer unit full would be much heavier.