Thanks for giving this a think. Agree that the 3.0 HO batteries are overkill for the impact driver; I'm just getting in to M18 and sharing batteries with the hackzall that can use the addtional power.
Question to those who like the softside bags...why? I'm always looking for hard sided carrying options, but have never considered bags. What's the advantage to bags?
With ME my one my general reason is I am not transporting needless multiple hard plastic boxes that also slide all around in the back of my rig. A different few tools can be put in one soft bag and/or one bag can easily hold a pile of batteries. I only usually need to carry one or two multi chargers total for most any job. Some tools just lend themselves nicely to different bags style for storage like my 2731 circ saw or grinder, OMT or hackzall.
And most of the blow mold boxes don't easily lend themselves to storage with any xtra accessories really. The fit is tight and pretty much only hold what they designed for. That's been a major ***** for years and probably one the main reasons for the customizable packout case
I can often easily use one softside bag for an loose impact wrench and battery and also fit in an impact socket set in a blow molded case drop it behind my driver's seat
I have at least 4 different size soft side bags (all Milwaukee) But of course I have others brands and sizes too I sometimes use.
A lot of times I don't use any individual storage. And more often than not many working guys I'm around just load up their truck box or bed...
yup at the end of the day you just pick up, pile up, and go
I have to say though I work with different tradesman I know one plumber that has built racks in his new transit van and where the plastic latch boxes for are neatly and tightly stored during transport. It keeps him well organized and of course very professional looking.
Though availing yourself to certain proper storage techniques can keep your tools looking new longer for sure... I admit the brand new Gen 3 impact driver Milwaukee sent me last summer to replace my Gen1 I tossed in bucket with some other stuff ya so now its all scarred up on the nose cone already.
When I was young I always had a hip roofed metal tool box on the passenger side floorboard in my pick 'em up. For those just in case mechanical jobs

Was kinda always in the way

and of course noisy bouncing around and I remember how when my cousin came back from his stint in the Navy back then all his tools were in rolls and soft side canvas bags after that because that's what they had done.
Of course at home and in the off season in my own garage I like to have drawer and shelf storage for most all my tools...but I still don't use the plastic blow mold boxes
