Craftsman has announced a new line of V-Series metal storage products that are “built for the Pro” and made in the USA with global materials.
Like the Craftsman V-Series tools that launched in 2021, the new storage products are built for more demanding users.
The new Craftsman V-Series storage products will launch in 3 sizes, starting with a 63-inch mobile workstation and followed by chests and roller cabinets in 41-inch and 52-inch widths.
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Craftsman Design Philosophy
Kelly Domino, Group Product Manager at Stanley Black & Decker, said:
We were very intentional when designing CRAFTSMAN V-Series Tool Storage to ensure we built a high-quality box that delivered everything the Pro needs to make their job easy. From ample storage space to security to integrated power to suspension loaded casters and more, we’ve got them covered.
Craftsman V-Series Storage Features
The first of the new line of Craftsman V-Series tool storage products, a 63-inch mobile workstation, CMSTVS6311BK, is described as being suitable for a master mechanic.
It features (11) full-extension soft-close ball bearing drawers – (9) that can each support up to 150 lbs, and (2) that can support up to 200 lbs.
The top full-width drawer has double slides for up to 200 lbs of load capacity.
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The deep bottom drawer has double ball bearing slides for higher load capacity, and can fit bulky tools or equipment. As depicted in the product imagery, it’s a good fit for power tools.
The top worksurface is made from 2/3″ butcher block.
The workstation has (4) 6-inch x 2-inch casters, each with a spring suspension. This is a feature not normally found on consumer tool storage products.
Casters with spring suspensions typically provide for more cushioned rolling over a workshop floor. In my experience, they also provide better support on uneven floors, where casters without suspensions might not all make full contact.
The workstation can support up to 3,000 lbs.
The workstation has a built-in power strip, with (6) AC outlets and (2) USB charging ports.
A keyed tubular locking system helps to keep your tools secure.
The workstation comes with a set of pre-cut embossed drawer liners.
The Full Line of V-Series Storage Products
- 63-inch workstation (CMSTVS6311BK) – available now
- 41-inch chest (CMSTVS4108BK)
- 41-inch roller cabinet (CMSTVS4111BK)
- 52-inch chest (CMSTVS5210BK)
- 52-inch roller cabinet (CMSTVS5212BK)
The 63-inch workstation is available now, and the 41-inch and 52-inch V-series metal storage products will be launching in Fall 2023.
MSRP: $1,799 for the 63-inch workstation, $2,398 for the 41-inch cabinet and chest combo, and $2,798 for the 52-inch cabinet and chest combo.
Digging Deeper
Craftsman’s V-Series metal storage products feature increased depth compared to their S2000 series line, to 21″. Additionally, it offers higher load capacity, with 150-200 lb drawer slides compared to 100 lb for the S2000 series.
The V-Series storage products are built with I-frame construction and 16/18 gauge steel for the top, bottom, and sides depending on the part and strength required. Steel as thick as 14 gauge is used in the construction.
They also ship fully assembled, which will be appreciated by anyone who has had to install casters to a large roller cabinet or mobile workstation before.
Craftsman highlights that the new V-Series storage products have industrial quality casters and drawer slides, and the increased size and capacity to suit Pro end user needs.
Jared
Interesting! I suppose this means V-Series Craftsman is still an ongoing concern. As far as I know, after it launched there wasn’t much for subsequent releases. It also never came to Canada. I thought it might just be an experiment that would fade away – a whole new product category gives me a different impression.
Also mid-tier or “budget pro” tool boxes seem like an underserved category. It seems like everything is homeowner-grade or mortgage-your-house-Pro. It’s nice to have a new option made with more substantial materials.
Is there any connection to existing SBD tool boxes (e.g. like how the V-Series tools seem to look a lot like Facom offerings)?
Stuart
From what I’ve seen, Craftsman V-Series availability has improved, and this is the first new product I am aware of since the initial rollout.
I believe these were designed from scratch; the USA (with global materials) production supports that. While many of the V-Series hand tools appear to be identical to – if not heavily inspired by – existing tools from SBD’s European pro-grade hand tool brands (which I’ve wished for over the years), the storage line looks to be brand new.
Pro and industrial users sometimes buy consumer-grade storage products, and DIYers and home users sometimes buy professional and industrial-grade storage products.
I agree that the mid-tier is underserved, and I’m happy to see more options.
Joe E.
These boxes look very nice. I have a couple of newer Craftsman 2000 series boxes from Lowe’s that have been great.
My question is, how does the warranty work on V-Series tools? If you crack a socket, are you at the mercy of a 1-800 number? As far as I know, the ACE stores that carry the line do not sell singles.
Stuart
I’ll see what I can find out.
Chris
I’m sure they can order singles for warranty purposes. But it could be a week or more before you see that socket.
TomD
If you’re friendly with the store they sometimes will bust open a set and give you the needed socket, stick your dead one in the set, and send the whole set back.
Bob
This seems to be a tough market segment that SBD is going after. Mid tier, domestic produced, “professional” quality (whatever that means) tool boxes. You have to balance the expense of domestic production and high enough quality but still keep the price within striking distance of the imports.
The color scheme and design look very current. I prefer chrome or aluminum handles (scratches/wear hides easier) but that’s just personal preference and I realize it’s a dated design. Butcher block and USB/power strip is a nice touch. Spring locking casters look nice. 21 inches is not deep enough. One would think they would go deeper if nothing else to exclude the imports (tariff on shallower imported boxes. Not sure what the depth cut off is for the tariff? )
Not sure where they land on price point. I’m honestly not aware of any mid level quality domestic produced boxes. I only know the high-end Mac, snap on and lista stuff in that category. Which is amazing, as it should be, but you gotta sell a kidney to afford it. Probably two kidneys with inflation nowadays.
I’ll admit I’m a bit leery on craftsman stuff recently. I feel they’ve just been trying to leverage the brand recognition. Although I think the V series was a genuine attempt at better quality.
I’d have to see these boxes in person before I pass final judgment. Which brings me to my next point where do you buy these? Lowe’s? Online only?
Stuart
They’ll be available at Lowe’s, and I would guess other retailers or distributors that carry the Craftsman V-Series hand tools.
Bob
Oh good. Lowes are pretty ubiquitous so that should help availability and warranty.
I have to check them out next time I’m at Lowe’s.
Definitely not a lot of competition in the space but like I mentioned its a hard spot to compete in.
Derek
What’s going on with the butcher block top? It looks like veneer around the edges, not real wood.
Bob
I think you’re right! I was staring at that butcher block for a while. I couldn’t quite figure out what was off lol.
I guess I kinda consider that a wear item so if they cheaped out on it I’d just replace it with plywood eventually anyway. Although one could argue why not include a rubber mat on the top vs the cheapo fake butcher block?
Lack of a charging drawer is kind of a big miss as well.
Not deal breakers to me as long as the drawer slides and the overall construction is stout.
Leo B.
It does, yeah. Hopefully at least a veneered utility pine or poplar or something, not particleboard.
fred
It doesn’t look much like real butcher block at all. But i guess that the term “butcher block” has enough leeway to include anything that looks like strips of wood glued together.
One of my kids wanted me to install a “butcher block” countertop and I made the mistake of assuming what she wanted then sourcing a glued-up slab (end-grain squares) of hard maple 2’x3’x2″. When I arrived with it, I was told that what I had was not “butcher block”! I used it elsewhere and let her pick a countertop made with strips of birch.
Earl
It is actually real wood, just has a really nice finish that does make it look like a laminate or something.
Derek
That’s not end grain on the end of the board.
Earl
The top on the product I saw in person at Lowes was different than the image above, it’s probably a computer rendering.
eddie sky
I saw the same on the edges..almost looked like pressure-treated top.
Which bring SuperPicky me to ask: if this is a mechanic’s tool chest, why is it wood instead of metal/stainless top?
We work with oils and greased parts and paint. This just makes no sense for wood top in a garage-shop space. Right?
E Jensen
I had the same thought.
Josh
My local Lowe’s has a handful of them out on display. I checked it out for as long as a bored 4yo would allow me too. Looked decent and seemed well built, not high end but a step above the standard craftsman offerings for sure.
Stuart
Paint sample cards works wonders when it comes to holding the attention of a small kid. They buy a couple of minutes of anticipation and then a couple more of relatively calm browsing time.
Chris I
Why don’t you just say ‘wife’ instead of calling her that?
andres+solis+castillo
Better then the 2000 and 3000. Only a few issues, where do you buy them? how Many lowes are actually carrying them? Craftsman needs to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. They should deff go for the mid USA made market. They also need to relese a tool cart.
S
Definitely interested to see pricing, as I’m in the market for a replacement box. My current migrated from garage duty to work duty. But I can’t help notice that these boxes look early similar to the husky boxes.
I priced out most box sizes I’m interested in, and was surprised that husky’s mid grade box option at just over $1,000 is still one of the best deals on the tool market, across Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, Harbor Freight, and Menards.
Saulac
Stuart, with all the posts about Craftsman recently, would you please remind me about which Craftsman is which? You talked about SBD (?) bought the right to the name, but Sears still can use it…Has thing changed?
Stuart
Stanley Black & Decker owns the Craftsman brand.
Under the 2017 acquisition arrangement, Sears is allowed to continue developing, sourcing, and selling Craftsman products under a licensing agreement.
Stanley Black & Decker sued Sears in 2019 due to a breach in the licensing agreement (Sears was advertising that they were “the real home of the broadest assortment of Craftsman”). I don’t know if the licensing agreement had changed because of this.
For anything Craftsman-related, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, I’m talking about the brand as it currently exists under Stanley Black & Decker ownership.
Harry
Nice looking boxes but at 21 inches deep, too narrow. I find it odd that there are only enough Craftsman V series tools available to fill a drawer or two but, we have these large V Series boxes. just seems odd to me,
Chris I
I thought that was a joke when I read that. Who makes boxes that small anymore?
Munklepunk
And with full extension drawers that’s close to 40″. In a smaller garage that could be a extra space that isn’t available. I know they if my tool chest were an extra 3″ deeper I would have to rearrange my whole garage because my car wouldn’t fit
xrh07
Who doesn’t make boxes ~roughly~ that small/shallow? SnapOn offers a 20″ deep Heritage series lineup, Matco offers some 22″ options. And Mac’s Edge series is also 22″ deep. Those are all still Pro brands.
Most prosumer and/or big box store brands offer 20-22″ options as well. Some Husky boxes are 22″ and so are the U.S. Generals. Toolvault, Montezuma and Homak probably all offer some narrower config boxes as well.
Where does this mindset that a toolbox needs to be 30″ deep come from? Some people actually are better off with a narrower box in certain workspaces and then you add onto the sides and build up instead of just going deep and blowing your whole wad on the base cabinet IF you have the space in those dimensions for it. As long as you watch your $$ to cu/in costs, it really doesn’t necessarily matter how deep the box is as long as you aren’t paying virtually the same price and also getting less depth. Buy a box that you can add onto. Simple stuff.
I’ve got the room to better accommodate height and width. Rather not have the box stick out anymore than ~24″-25″ from the wall because that’s going to crowd out my large welding table (and the walkways between it and the workbenches/toolbox which is then going to encroach on the lane where we need to service the trucks and farm machinery.
Julian Tracy
The current Craftsman 2000 and 3000 boxes are flimsy lightweight junk as far as I can tell from the displays at Lowes.
I have an older Craftsman “Edge” 8 drawer toolbox and it’s supposed to be a premium box and had a lifetime warranty. Had some slides go bad and called Craftsman and they told me point blank that they no longer serviced the box or the warranty as they switched suppliers.
Craftsman sucks and their tool boxes are basically never the best choice, unless maybe you get them used or on clearance.
Husky boxes have been fairly dependable and unlike Sears (or Lowes), HD isn’t going anywhere.
And HF US general boxes beat any DIY house brand for both price and durability generally.
Munklepunk
They have had one on the Craftsman website for quite a few months and it’s linked to Lowes for awhile. I really like the color combo, but Craftsman big toolboxes have good colors. I just wish the 1000 and 2000 series weren’t complete over priced tinfoil boxes because they could have been matched with husky or us general at their prices, but their style and drawer layout I liked more
G Greene
“The top worksurface is made from 2/3″ butcher block”
So the top is 0.66″ butcher block?
Are you referring to the width of the strips making up the butcher block as being from 2 to 3″ in width?
Stuart
My understanding is that this is the thickness.
From the Lowe’s listing:
Chip
Honestly craftsman (whether mechanical or static )in every iteration possible,is dead to me.
Will they be around in 10 years for a part needed, I highly doubt it.
I did buy several collapsible magnetic trays on clearance, but that is it.
Allan T
Since these boxes are aimed at pro users you would think the drawers would have individual draw latches similar to the grip latch Craftsman used to have. It is a nice feature to have without having to lock the toolbox up.
JoeM
Is it, at all, weird that I think they look rather beautiful? Dunno if that’s an aesthetic thing from now, or a memory of the Bob Villa commercials from the 1980’s Craftsman from Sears sets. Bob always talking about getting quality tools you need, with unlimited warranties, and long-term payments to pay them off. But these really do look like the commercials, as well as having a more modern, updated standard look.
If they are anything like the DeWALT Yellow or Black sets SBD made/had made years ago, I would expect nothing less than a solid, quality build from these Craftsman sets, just with a significantly wider range of products than DeWALT ever released.
I have honestly never seen Castors that had shocks before. I like that feature, and I like this move toward restoring Craftsman to the place it was before all the Crazy happened with Sears. Forget the USA Made bit for a second, I’m talking about Cabinets and Hand Tools that the owner can be proud to show off. If I had a Garage/Workshop to work in, Craftsman may just make an appearance in there as my main storage, especially with this design. Now we hope they can get enough of a foothold to bring their hand tools, sockets, wrenches, etc. up to this level and overcome the mistakes of the past!
Mateo
Considering how tribal and brand loyal tool guys are, especially in the mechanic space, I’m wondering how the death of the dream of US craftsman tools will play into their tool storage success. Harbor freight guys will buy USG, and you’ll always have guys that just grab deals and piece anything together, but this as a higher end US offering seems like it’ll struggle without “pro level” craftsman tools to partner with. It’s gotta tango with the used market of the tool truck brands that can ride the reputation of their tools.
Harry
SBD could easily rebadge the entire USAG line up as Craftsman V Series in the USA and that would provide professional grade tools for their new V series boxes. SBD could also rebadge select FACOM specialty tools and heavy duty items such as pullers the same way to provide a full lineup of possibilities. I think the problem is that SBD doesn’t know what to do with the V Series or Craftsman for that matter. I also wish SBD would fix their screw up of not including 15 & 18 mm sizes in some of the V series wrench sets too while they’re at it.
Stuart
If I were in a leadership position at SBD, I would test the waters with core tools – just as they’re doing now. Otherwise, having a vast catalog of SKUs sitting in inventory at participating retailers and distributors would be counterproductive.
Andres
Testing the waters lol. They been testing the waters since they bought the brand. Craftsman is an established brand, they should not be testing anything. Know your buyers and what they want. Everyone knows what craftsman buyers want, it’s complain about in every post/review/forum/Facebook account.
JIM SCHULTZ
“made in the USA with global materials”, first sentence in your description of this item.
I have seen the above quote on numerous web sites. This makes me think that the product was manufactured elsewhere and only ASSEMBLED in the USA. Am I correct in my assumption?
Stuart
Generally, from what I have seen, certain components might be imported, such as the caster wheels or drawer slides, with the steel fabrication, assembly, and finishing done in the USA. I can’t tell if raw steel material sourcing is domestically sourced or imported, as there’s no brand or origin labels as with casters and ball bearing slides.