Craftsman Versatack system tool boxes and organizers are on sale for 20% off at Lowes, thru April 30th 2019. These Versastack tool boxes are compatible with the Dewalt Tstak tool boxes and accessories, and are regularly cheaper anyway.
Here’s a list of the qualifying Craftsman Versastack products, with the online sale price in bold:
- Small parts organizer (CMST17805, 1048630) $22, $17
- Small toolbox (CMST17830, 1048637) $22, $17
- Large toolbox (CMST17825, 1048636) $28, $22
- Tool tote (1048694) $17, $13
- Rolling tool box (CMST17835, 1048696) $55, $44
- 2-drawer tool box (CMST17804, 1069843) $33, $26
- Three piece combo (CMST60406, 1151917) $90, $72
In-store prices were a little higher for some of the Versastack products.
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With this sale, you can get the three piece Versastack tool box combo set, with a small tool box, large tool box, and rolling tool box, for $72. There is another combo, with an organizer instead of the small tool box, but that bundle is not included in the promo.
In you look online, the prices are even better – you can get up to 23% off, depending on the product. Even the 3-piece combo kit is on sale.
Aside from the other 3pc bundle, the sale also excludes the Craftsman Versastack V20 cordless music player.
Sale Ends: 4/30/19
Buy Now (via Lowes)
Buy Now(3pc combo set via Lowes)
Please let us know if you see different sale pricing. Lowes’ pricing sometimes depends on your zip code.
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First Thoughts
I’ve been meaning to pick up some Tstak boxes to compare to the ToughSystem, Ridgid, and Milwaukee Packout systems, and the fact that these Versastack boxes are not only regularly cheaper than the Tstak counterparts, but now discounted by 20%, prompted me to pick some up.
I also had another motivation to buy a couple of Craftsman Versastack tool boxes. I wanted to verify the size of the bins in the TStack small parts organizer, because I know they aren’t the same size as the bins in the Dewalt Tough System organizer. One of my next projects is to design stacking cups for all of these bins, and I need all the sizes to verify they work.
I picked up a few Versastack boxes in-store last week. At one Lowes location, I picked up the drawer unit and was surprised that it rung up at $26. There was no signage in the store at that point. When I got home I looked online and found the sale going on there too.
A few days later I went to another Lowes to pick up the open-top tool box and the small parts organizer, and saw the 20%-off sign. When I got to the register, the two boxes rang up with the 20% discount, but I asked if I could get the online price, which had the boxes discounted by 23% and 22%, respectively. The cashier was able to adjust the price to match what I was seeing at the online store.
Just to compare, I also picked up the Dewalt Tstak small parts organizer. I can confirm that the Tstak boxes and Versastack boxes do indeed lock together. In fact, the only difference I can find between the two parts organizers, besides color and branding, is that the Versastack box uses metal pins in the latches that connect the boxes together, rather than plastic as is used in the Tstak box.
Unfortunately, the Craftsman Versastack line isn’t as complete as the Dewalt Tstak system. For instance, there is no Craftsman Versastack dolly (yet?). But, if you have been waiting to get into the Tstak system or just want to increase your box count, it’s hard to go wrong by buying the Craftsman Versastack version.
Nathan
Ever Since the first mention of the compatibility I’ve been contemplating getting some versastack. Now I have a reason to buy – wonder if it will all be on sale again come father’s day
PETE
Some one mentioned that the versa stack is slightly superior to the t-stak because of the metal hinge as you mentioned as well as a gasket around the edge to make it water/dust tight- probably IP rated but still an improvement. Not to mention it’s cheaper as well.
Carl Sampson
I had bought a couple of these boxes a few months ago to organize specialized tools by task (i.e. hydraulic brakes, engine compression/valves, etc.) and I really like the quality and function you get for the price. These boxes are also made in USA as well.
Robert
Might be off subject a little, but why hasn’t Ridgid come out with drawer boxes yet?
James
How about the bit sets/accessory sets that are compatible too? I’d be curious to see how those work out too. The items tend to be priced higher compared to similar DeWalt or Milwaukee sets, not sure if that’s the reason.
Aaron
DeWalt had a couple of these but they don’t seem to be available in the US anymore. It seems like a really cool idea
Art
I purchased this Versastack tool box combo set, with a small tool box, large tool box, and rolling tool box. I absolutely love it. It has held up great. People are constantly commenting on how they like it when I’m at work. I’m able to keep all my items organized and no more trips back and forth to the truck for another tool. I highly recommend it.
Aaron
My tstak looks like it’s sponsored by McDonald’s because of both red and yellow in it. I have two stacks on top of my big shop tool chest that has 6″ high drawers. The most exciting part is the double drawer units.
With this sale I got 3 of the double drawer boxes (now total 4). They have legit drawer slides. I have one drawer designated for screwdrivers, one for screw bits, etc.
These drawers are not good as portable small parts organizers because the drawers dont have tops– the screws can hop over the sides and get jambed in the chassis. They are really good for tools at the bottom of a stack. The deep drawer units are great too but they don’t come in the red branding.
The case I have the most of is the open tote. The center handle is great. If you stack another case on top of the open tote things won’t fall out. And they are cheap for being part of the system.
The case I’m never quite sure about is the rolling base. It’s big enough that it is hard to organize and it plays a weird role: it’s the case that will always go in since it carries the others, but you have to take everything off before t you can get tools out of it. I feel like I’d be happier if I just took my stack of drawer cases on a dolly with whatever tool cases and totes at the top of the stack. That way I don’t have to unstack the drawers. Still a work in progress.
Vards Uzvards
Instead of the large wheeled unit (CMST17835 | DWST17820) you can get a DeWalt-branded TSTAK cart (DWST17889), or even trolley (DWST17888). Then you’ll be able to put a few drawer units at the bottom of your stack, with either a tote, or a large deep box (either VersaStack one, or DeWalt DWST17814) at the top.
Mike
So I picked up the cart DWST17889 when amazon dropped the price to $35… It just so happens that I picked up 2 12″x18″ furniture dollys at Harbor Freight the day before for $7 each. (https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-x-12-in-1000-lbs-capacity-hardwood-dolly-63098.html)
The goal was to place a stack of 4-6 Boxes on the cart in the garage so I can easily roll them around to where ever is needed. If they need to go on the road, I take the boxes and transfer them to the wheeled cart… (the 4 wheel trolley is on my buy list if I can find a deal. Home depot is out / has dropped the combo I want https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-TSTAK-VI-17-in-Tool-Box-TSTAK-II-Tool-Box-TSTAK-III-Organizer-and-Trolley-Storage-System-Combo-Set-4-Components-DWTSTAK08/301839424)
So I had 2 stacks, 1 of 4 boxes and the other of 3 boxes of craft supplies and small tools that fit under my paint/sculpting bench. I was counting on 3 boxes and the cart fitting but when I added my cart to the 3 box stack it was barely too tall. The culprit was the 2 draw box which is about an inch taller than the other similar (shallow) boxes. So I moved the stack to the much cheaper furniture dolly… Works like a dream for 1/5th the price.. The size is perfect (see below) taking up the same space as the boxes and about 1.5″ less height. The carpeted surface of the dolly meant the boxes did not want to slide off as I wheeled them around the garage and overall it felt stable.
So is the tstak cart worth $35 when I can get the HF wheeled dolly for $7… I say it depends.
The TStak Cart’s base extends 2″ in all directions out from the footprint of the boxes. Bad if you want to save space and put stacks of these side by side. But good if you are concerned about the stability of a taller stack of tools especially if your stack is top heavy.
The Cart’s wheels are significantly bigger than the generic dolly. In my brief informal testing both are fine wheeling around a clean garage floor. The bigger wheels mean the TStak should handle debris, cracks, power cords easier without getting hung up. Also the cart’s wheels lock. The $7 dolly wheels don’t
The cart is slotted specially for tstak boxes and the clip securely in place.
So taking the above into consideration I would say if you want to put a few boxes on a cart and roll it around what is usually a clean smooth surface … The generic dolly will work fine. However, if you frequently have to roll over cracks, cords, screws, nails and other debris or you are going higher and stacking more boxes on the cart… get the cart and not a generic dolly. I can definitely see the generic dolly either tipping over or the boxes sliding off if you are pushing it along and the wheels get caught and suddenly stop rolling. While that could still happen with the Tstak cart, it is designed to prevent it.
MichaelHammer
I am deeply invested in Tsak and expanded into versastak as soon as they hit Lowe’s. They are indistinguishable as far as quality. Aaron is quite right about the two drawer units mobility issues. I have pretty much abandoned them. The deep drawer are the cat’s meow as most tools fit in them and alleviate the necessity of unstacking to get to tools. If you’re serious about efficiency, they’re the only way to go for tight space residential remodeling.
Corey Moore
I’m heavy into tough system, like 60″ gang box, dolly, and a dozen boxes deep lol but I’m very intrigued by tstak/rebrands for potentially more consolidated tasks. As soon as I have a garage/shop, I’m sure I’ll be investing. Especially with all the positive feedback I continue to see on here.
Sam
Are there any finish carpenters/ cabinet makers / installers that use these type of boxes ? How do you like them ?
Tim
Not sure if the two brands are EXACTLY the same on the inside, but this looks like an nice idea to customize it.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWST88801-TSTAK-Foam-Insert/dp/B00PS1AJT8
Steve
Lowe’s must have sold out of them because they are back up to full price of 89.00
Mike
General thoughts…
I am a computer installer/technician and hobbyist maker/craftsman. I currently have about 20 different Tstak/Versastack components and frequently swap boxes in and out of the back of the truck. I wanted a rolling toolbox system for a long time do the need to carry tools, parts, supplies and the stress on a bad back (only one disk replacement surgery so far).
Dewalt and Stanley boxes are not weather tight… Keep them outside in the rain and they will get wet inside. I’ve heard the Craftsman line added a gasket… I hope this helps,
The plastic is sturdier than what some crafters are used to but not as sturdy as some construction workers expect. They are made for the hobbyist / professional technician … not the guy doing diesel maintenance on construction job sites… IE dewalt/stanley specifically does not want these to compete with the ToughSystem… Which are 2x – 3x the cost and much more rugged/heavier/weatherproof.
Craftsman Versastack and Stanely and Dewalt TStak are all compatible.
Peeves…
The clear top on the small parts organizer makes it a natural for the top of the stack. Two problems with this. First, I like a handle on the top of a stack. If I need to remove 3 boxes off of my wheeled cart to get something out of the cart, a handle on top and in the front make a stack of 3 loaded boxes fairly easy to manage which saves time versus taking 3 boxes off one at a time. Second, the long handle boxes must go on top of a stack as there are no clips to add boxes above them. The lid prevents a lot of longer bits or driver bits from being placed in the bit holder in front, but does not come down so far as to hold most bits in place. I glued some of the scrap foam to my lid allowing the lit to close and hold bits in place. The four compartments along the side are just a bit too short for for a lot of tools I would have liked to have included there. I may yet cut out the divider on one side to allow a few longer items to go in there.
Next Peeve… The long handle boxes must go on top… Yes this is a repeat. The long handle box is available in a deep and a shallow version. They both have a small parts organizer built into the top and a fair amount of space for larger tools inside. They are my favorite boxes as most of this system is either open space or small parts organizer… Having both in a single box means I can have my drill and extra batteries, charger etc in the box and have misc bits, mag holder, stops in the organizer on top keeping things neat and all contained in one box… But because of the handle/top design i’m limited to one of these boxes per stack.
Next Peeve… The rolling toolbox… Yes it’s the most versatile. Yes it’s the base of every stack. Yes, the whole point of buying into this system was so this box could save my back… Damn if I don’t hate haveing to take 3 or 4 boxes off to get inside of it.
Last Peeve… Availablity. So for the 5 parts they carry. Menards has the Stanley FatMax line and usually has the cheapest prices. HomeDepot and Amazon both carry a fair selection of Dewalt TStak but both tend to be out of items frequently. Lowes carries the Versastack units which “might” be an improvement over the Stanley/Dewalt units and are sometime lower priced. I just wish all the various items in the line were available everywhere… Having to go to 4 different stores to buy 4 different boxes is plain stupid.
Mike
Note I would love for the rolling toolbox to open away from the handle… Maybe add a widget that you could clip to the top of the stack that would serve as a “kickstand” so if you opened the toolbox with boxes above it the stand would fold down and hold them level with the top of the rolling toolbox.
Matt
Has this deal ever come back up again?
Benjamen
I haven’t seen this specific deal, but I have seen things like the old TSTAK like small parts organizer for under $20. Maybe that’s because the new lower profile one is replacing it, at least on the store shelves?
And the three piece combo is $80 right now, maybe it’ll drop more as the holidays approach.