Craftsman has come out with a new Versastack tool bag that stacks on top of their other modular Versastack tool boxes and organizers.
Jon wrote in:
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Saw this at Lowe’s today. Haven’t seen it anywhere else. Craftsman Versastack Tool Bag, priced at $39.98, was $49.98.
My local Lowe’s stores don’t have this on display yet, but the new Versastack tool bag has appeared online, with Lowe’s attaching a “hurry! low in stock” disclaimer.
The new Craftsman Versastack tool bag, CMST17622, is a 17″ tool bag with zippered main compartment and 29 different tool pouches and slots.
It has an impact and weather-resistant base, and the bag itself is made from 1680 denier construction.
The Craftsman tool bag sports “high visibility” zippers and pocket accents, large handle loops, and a padded shoulder strap.
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Additional features include a tape measure clip, ID holder, and buckle straps for securing a level or other similarly shaped tool.
Price: $40
Discussion
I know what some of you are going to say – yes, Craftsman’s tool storage engineers were likely inspired by Milwaukee’s Packout system of modular tool boxes, organizers, and tool bags. But where did the idea for Milwaukee’s Packout system originate?
Years ago when the Dewalt ToughSystem was launched, did they borrow from Festool’s Systainer, or other brands’ modular tool boxes?
I remember the search I went on a few years ago, to buy the perfect tool bags. I ended up with a Dewalt rectangular-shaped tool bag, Stanley tool bag with hard plastic handle rings, and a Stanley FatMax tool bag with rubbery plastic bottom base.
Here, it looks like Craftsman took a solid tool bag size and style, spruced it up just a little, and added a hard plastic base with Tstak/Versastack mounting tabs.
I haven’t seen or handled the new Craftsman tool bag in person yet, but I don’t have any reason to be anything other than optimistic.
As with many other tools that first hit the sales floor in November, keep an eye on the pricing.
Aaron
I will probably get one of these, but I wish it was a backpack instead. If I’m going to put a case under it I don’t want to one hand it. Maybe the clips are just so it doesn’t fall off the stack…
Aaron
My store has 5 listed in stock
Stuart
Mine too. I think the “hurry, low stock!” is just some seasonal artificial hype.
Philip Proctor
I’ll take a Tough System compatible version with center storage like Veto Pro Pacs please.
Stuart
Well, Dewalt is revamping the entire lineup, with ToughSystem 2.0 due to be announced sometime this month or so.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-toughsystem-modular-tool-boxes-2020-update/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Philip Proctor
Fingers crossed
Jared
I want an open top electricians bag in the same style please
Big Adam
There’s a TSTAK option that would suit you:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-tstak-soft-storage-tote-450mm/989hg
Jared
Oooo. Not quite the style I was envisioning, but that could work. Thanks!
Perry
I’ll buy this one. I already have the stanley/dewalt/craftsman boxes, so this is perfect for the top of the stack.
I’ll probably buy two actually, one for my electrical tools (like Jared, I’d like to see an open top) and one for my finish carpentry/cabinetry tools
blocky
I would love to see a picture of the interior.
WHY is that not common practice for product shots of tool bags and pouches?
Brian M
I looked at it, it’s actually nicer than I thought it would be. Interior is just a typical opening bag with like four pockets on each side and two on the ends. On the backside of the bag there are 8 double-stacked pockets, so two lines of four pockets. The base is rigid.
It is DEFINITELY not comparable to Milwaukee Packout, the quality is more on par with CLC or AWP, it’s better than HF. I don’t have a ton of confidence in the Versastack clips for the bag because it’s going to be a bit top heavy and has the potential to be loaded up pretty good. Would be nice to see Dewalt to make a bag to compete with Packout but the problem is that Dewalt’s bags are made by CLC so they might not even be able to do it.
I hope I’m wrong with the Versastak clips, it’s a potentially really awesome system because the drawers box under the bag would be fantastic.
Michael Douglas
the price has dropped to $29 at my local Lowes
I already have the same product as Dewalt branded (bought in /europe)
cheers
dandLyons
I have the TStak boxes and this is a useful addition. It has lots of pockets outside and some inside to insert tools vertically.
I picked one of these up in store but it seem to take forever to find.
The store had stock according to the Lowes website. But I couldn’t find it despite a couple of rounds through the isles. It took about another 30 minutes to locate with the help of a clerk. They weren’t displayed with the toolboxes or tool bags. The first clerk didn’t know where they were and went looking up in the high shelves. It turns out they were in the “main isle” which apparently is the wide isle straight in from the entrance heading toward the back of the store. It was not in the center of the so-called main isle with most of the Black Friday displays. The display was actually off to the side toward the garden department and facing the back of the store. The cardboard display packaging was one bag wide (~18″) stacked two high & two deep. Fortunately the first clerk asked a second clerk who knew exactly where they were. In hindsight, ordering online would have been a lot easier.
Incidentally, the clerk said they had 4 in stock (which they did) where my check of the website showed only 2 pieces. So online inventory info may not be correct.