I have been building a new home tool kit for a distant family member who just got married and are moving into their first-ever apartment.
Everyone needs a basic set of household tools – homeowners and renters alike. I gave some quick thought to the tasks the couple might encounter, and got to work picking out a basic starter home or DIY tool kit.
Each tool decision required some thought, and I’ll go over things separately.
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Here, we’ll talk about why I picked the Dewalt ToughSystem 2-drawer tool box to be at the heart of the tool kit.
Shown above are 2 tool boxes. 1 is going to my uncle-in-law, and 1 is filled with the household tool kit.
To start off, where do you think the tools will go? If I provided a tool bag or box, it would likely go in the bottom of a closet, where it might be quickly covered by shoes, boxes, or random stuff.
If I don’t provide a tool bag or box, the tools might be spread out between a kitchen drawer or cabinet, with the rest tossed into a closet.
With the Dewalt ToughSystem 2-drawer tool box, they can place it at the bottom of a closer AND still be able to grab whatever tool they need.
It was maybe 18 years ago or so when I upgraded to my first tool chest – a Craftsman Quiet Glide intermediate chest from the scratch and dent section at Sears. I emptied my hand-carry tool box into the intermediate chest, which I placed on a shelf, and never looked back.
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The ToughSystem tool box has side handles and is fairly light to move. Intermediate chests are near-impossible to find in smaller depths anymore. Plus, I found the 2-drawer configuration here to be perfect for the application.
This is a tool box they can easily carry over to their next apartment, or to their first house.
Sure, it’s overkill, with its ball bearing slides and drawer seals, but it’s more convenient than anything else I could have come up with.
And, to be honest, I had extra boxes.
Dewalt was a ToolGuyd sponsor last year, and I couldn’t pass up the promo-pricing on these drawers. I bought a couple of 2- and 3-drawer tool boxes, and found I strongly prefer the 3-drawer. Dewalt also sent over a couple of samples that arrived later.
I emptied out these 2-drawer tool boxes a week ago, during a major workshop cleaning and reorganization session, and it hit me last night how perfectly suited they are for a starter tool kit.
I was planning out how I was going to reuse these boxes. If not for the idea to pack the home tool kit into one of them didn’t come up last night, I’d have my own tools packed into them again in short order.
The Dewalt ToughSystem tool boxes and accessories are designed for modularity. They’re also designed for jobsite durability and portable use. But that doesn’t mean one can’t pick and choose how they want to use the different components.
The drawers can fit a lot of stuff.
There was some overflow, due to my including everything in their unopened packaging, but all of the tools should fit nicely with room to spare.
Part of me feels that the ToughSystem tool box is wasted on a young renter. But on the other hand, it’s something that will travel with them. It also offers quicker access compared to a tool bag or box, and in many cases greater capacity.
I think the price is a bit high for less frequent users, and more reasonable if it’ll be accessed regularly.
One thing I really like about these drawers is that, while the ToughSystem tool boxes are designed for portability, there are no safety latches to move out of the way. The drawers have active locks, and it’s still easy to open a drawer with one hand in a single motion.
I feel hesitant in encouraging these as the basis for a starter DIY or household tool kit, only because the $99 promo price might be hard for a young homeowner or renter to justify. There are plenty of less expensive options.
However, this seems to be the most convenient. I have other spare tool boxes I could have packed the tool kit in. But this seemed like the best solution.
It sucks to part with these tool boxes, but I know they’ll go to good use, or at least that’s the hope. So, one is off to the new couple, and the other to my uncle-in-law, as a test to see if my idea of using this as a standalone tool box proves to be practical.
If it works out well, the Dewalt ToughSystem 2-drawer tool box might be the starting point for all of my future starter DIY and home tool kit gifts.
Price: $99 (at the time of this posting)
This box is regularly on sale for $99.
Update: I only noticed from the images that I somehow cracked the top tool chest (right side). I’ll swap that one out. These tool boxes – and others – are durable, but not indestructible.
Less Expensive Options
The Dewalt large ToughSystem tool box is $68 at Home Depot right now. It can probably hold more than the 2-drawer tool box, but seemed less convenient.
The Dewalt One Touch tool box, DWST24082, is $32 at Amazon right now, with free Prime shipping. I tested it years ago and was happy with its construction and easy access.
Tool boxes like this are inexpensive, but it’s hard to go back to them for storing hand tools after using drawers.
For the home tool kit build, there’s a cordless drill, charger, and battery involved, and a couple of long-handled tools. Tool trays can only fit so much, and it’s practically a law of physics that the tool one needs will always be at the bottom.
Chip
What a nice gift!
I have given multiple husky wall mounted trifold boxes with basic hand tools.
Plastic is inferior ,to the old metal and harder to find folding cantilevered boxes.
Tool bags that come with smaller cordless sets that can unfortunately get covered up.
And that is where a wall mounted box is usually easier to access.
I own about 50 packout which are nice for moving dedicated task boxes around.
That being said modular boxes without a complimentary ecosystem, isn’t a great idea for a single item.
My husky 42″ box is very useful in my garage, but not something you want to move very often.
Stuart
There aren’t many competitive non-modular options, and the modular aspect doesn’t really get in the way.
MM
I agree the drawers are often nicer to use than the flip-top box, but I think a lot of the benefit comes from frequent use as well as the kind of drawer, and that might not apply to a new homeowner.
I had many friends in college & shortly thereafter who were gifted something like the “Dewalt One Touch” box you mentioned with a bunch of basic tools in it. Exactly like you predicted these boxes were soon relegated to closets and various junk piled on top. But that’s okay because they didn’t need the tools very often. When they did need tools they’d go to the closet, grab the whole box easily thanks to the handle on top, and then carry it to wherever they were working. When they were done they’d put the whole thing back.
How would it go with these drawers instead? The person would go into the closet, get down on the floor and move shoes & whatnot away from the front of the drawers in order to be able to open them. Then they’d open said drawers and look around for the tool they need…while still kneeling on the floor or bending over. Once they found the tools they need they have to stand back up and get back to work. There’s no handle on top to simply take the whole box with you. A drawer that’s near waist height or a bit lower is very convenient to work out of. One that’s on the floor in the back of your closet is not so convenient to work out of. Now if the closet has good organization built in and the tool drawers can sit on a shelf where it’s easier to access it becomes a lot more attractive.
Stuart
Let’s say they buy a new lamp and the cord is secured with a cable tie. No one wants to unbury an entire tool box from a closet to retrieve cutters. Open closet, open drawer, grab pliers.
I’ll check back in a year or two and see how well it worked out for them.
MM
My worry is this: if an ordinary toolbox would get buried in the closet because of disuse why would one with drawers be any different? I’ve owned drawer-type closet organizers before, though the kind from a home store and not tool-related. The first thing that happens is that something gets put in front of them, blocking access to the drawer. If they keep their closet well enough organized that they only place things on top of the drawers but not in front of them they probably wouldn’t be the sort to truly “bury” a standard toolbox either.
Cable tie on the new lamp? That’s a job for the stout scissors in the kitchen junk drawer. Those are far too useful to hide away in the closet.
Ts
These drawers are pretty long in Y, I can’t imagine you’d fit much in front in a standard cupboard? Also much easier to move a few fallen bits in front than the whole stack of stuff on top! Making an easily removable insert tray for the top drawer with smaller things in it could be a nice final touch.
Rog
I LOVE the Dewalt 2-drawer boxes. I have quite in the garage and they’re awesome
JR Ramos
I think I’d look to Tstak/Versastack. The 4″ toolbox for the drill/charger/batts/bits, plenty of room (it’s actually surprising how much of a kit you can cram into those if you want). The DeWalt is still regularly sold for $18 on Amazon and the Craftsman is always still more expensive (but does have the useless lid gasket). Add a 2-drawer for $35 and maybe an organizer for hardware storage. Biggest disadvantage is the width, which may not fit as well on some closet shelves. But the tool case with drill can go straight to a job with or without the organizer and the drawers can sit there unless they need to come with.
Otherwise I’d look at something like the $60 Husky/Craftsman 3-drawer metal boxes which are great, albeit a bit heavy to lug around and I don’t think the drill would fit in there nicely.
But anything that is useful and functional and is gifted will be appreciated even if they don’t become a handyperson tool user.
When I first started out I bought one of those Rubbermaid short step stool boxes and still have it. It was super handy and served me well for some years until I started to need and use more tools but as a general household kind of thing it was almost ideal. It was relegated to bicycle tools and made a great seat for doing small bike repairs and maintenance with most things needed fitting in there with room to spare. I don’t know if they’re still available but last I looked some years ago the price had become a non-starter for most people.
BigTimeTommy
Nice kit but I’d say any renter should be making their landlord do any work rather than spending their own time and money on it. Nice for a basic homeowner kit, maybe even a little overkill.
Chet Morton
I think it’s more for assembling and repairing personal property vs the “Bad idea jeans” commercial from 90’s SNL where one guy is renovating his rental with high end finish’s. It also reminds me of when I was renting and had maintenance out to repair a condensate trap that had previous been duct taped. He asked if I tried to repair it and I just looked at him and said “No, I rent”.
Stuart
Agreed. But a lot of tools still come in handy for day to day tasks.
Heavy scissors can be used for opening plastic clamshell packages or cutting away hair caught around a vacuum roller.
A utility knife is useful for opening and breaking down boxes.
Screwdrivers can fix loose drawer knobs or assembling furniture. Mallets are used for assembly tasks, such as for wire shelving or popping stem casters in place.
Fork fell into the garbage disposal? Long nose pliers. Buying windows shades or curtains? Tape measure.
BigTimeTommy
All useful stuff and the rubber mallet is definitely a thoughtful addition.
Michael F
Just two years ago I bought my Father-in-law tools as a Father’s day gift. They were moving into a brand new farm house they had built on 16 acres and he was going to be tackling projects he had never tackled before in the suburbs. I also chose DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 as the storage solution, but just went with the basic 3 pack starter set that comes with the rolling base, medium box, and small box. I filled it with some PPE, a few basic hand tools, and a power tool starter kit with the DeWalt Atomic Impact, Hammer Drill, and Circular Saw + 2 of the compact PowerStack batteries.
This seems like a great gift!
Trevor
Distance family member or.. distant family member ?
Stuart
Sorry, distant. Thanks! *fixed*
Dustin
Nice little set up! Love this site and all you do over here.
Nathan
I get the thought process but might would have gotten a hart box setup from wall mart for cheaper. But yes I like drawers
Though my first tool box was a John Deere 2 drawer with lift up lid. I’m sure it was made by someone else but it followed my dad and then me and as far as I know it came attached to a 4020 tractor in 1961
Stuart
Maybe I would have searched for other 2-drawer options, but this one worked well, and I already had these on-hand.
Scott K
This looks like an awesome first toolset and the thought that went into this definitely pushes it over the top. For what I do, I’m generally happy with my pegboard and misc drawers. This sentiment changes when I have a project outside or upstairs that requires packing up a bunch of tools – this is when I start questioning if a modular system makes sense. I don’t think I Can justify the cost right now.
Stuart
With all my modular tool boxes, I prefer bags for specific common around-the-house tasks. For example, I have an electrical bag and a bag for stud-finding, drilling holes, and installing drywall anchors. But if I need to clean out a drain or similar, I just grab what I need from the nearest tool box.
Scott K
I have a few Dewalt and Stanley parts organizers and one is full of anchors and screws for walls, one is full of wood screws, and the other has been used a few different ways. Some tools are almost never used where they’re stored like my circular saw- that may be nice to have something better than the bag it came with.
Farkleberry
I’ve found specialized bags or totes to be the best compromise as well.
I would consider a do 90% of typical handyman setup to be a task while the other 10% takes up exponentially more space.
If modularity may not be utilized, space efficiency, portability, access, and security (think falling out not theft) jump out to me.
I’ve found modular tool boxes challenging in terms of space efficiency and sorting by task, where bags seem to excel in these areas.
Even traditional tool boxes with trays can be challenging, and they’re typically bulkier and more likely to ding up walls, etc in an apartment.
I think the portability of a bag (or tote) makes a lot of sense. Being able to take most of what you need to the work, whether in the apartment, parking lot or friend’s apartment/house is a big advantage.
Drawers are great, and kitchen drawers at a convenient height under a work surface replaces a workbench in the garage. Even a scissors, etc. junk drawer might not make the cut in a small apartment kitchen, though.
As referenced above, if these drawer boxes end up on the floor in a closet, that height is not as convenient for access, though they’re young and limber.
A bag (or tote) can be stored on the floor out of the way, then quickly and easily brought to a table or work surface to retrieve and restow tools.
A tote is very space efficient, portable and the tools are very accessible as long as you know what’s in there, a big if for DIY newbies. It’s a nightmare when they tip over and dump everything out, though. A bag is more secure, but less accessible, both to hand and visually. A backpack (or something like that structured bag) with a zip up cover revealing everything arrayed out vertically, or even on separate cards seems like a good compromise on space, portability, access and security.
In the picture, the drawers have everything in the package which is how a gift probably should be, but they’re not ready to use. Maybe this is where the drawer unit would excel – as a warehouse to refill bits, etc., or grab the larger or 10% tools to put in a generic bag that folds flat to take alongside the 90% handyman bag.
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Alexk
I love this topic. What tools are needed and how to store them. For some reason, the tool backpack really appeals to me. It sits on the floor of a closet and just grab the strap with one hand and bring everything with you to your project, and put it back in its place when done. The drawers would be great, but because it has a flat top, if it’s not on a shelf, maybe a lot of boxes or shoes would be on top of it?
Stuart, how about a post on “ The Kitchen Drawer”. I think that is where the most basic tools are. Maybe we all can come up with suggestions to put together the best basic kit that can fit in one drawer.
MM
If you hadn’t seen it yet this is an excellent article Stuart did along a similar theme couple years ago:
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/best-basic-tool-kit-for-diyers/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I like the “kitchen drawer” tool list article idea.
Jared
Jun 21, 2024
I think this will work great. It’s easy to imagine scenarios where different tool storage would work better, but that doesn’t mean this one is wrong.
The two drawer box should organize and hold sufficient tools, and keep them easy to access, in a way that could prove very handy. It’s not going to be ruined if someone clumsily tosses some shoes or other items on top.
Plus it leaves an upgrade path if your recipients decide they need more storage. Maybe more drawers is a bit ambitious for people who aren’t into tools – but what about an organizer for loose fasteners?
Stuart
I figure they could pop some anchors or picture hangers into a ziploc bag that gets tossed into a drawer.
Organizers are great, but it seemed like too much for this kit.
NoDak Farming
Projects like this are fun. I recently visited four stores to curate a small collection of tools, to donate to a charity silent auction event. And putting a collection of tools together for a known relative, would be just as rewarding. When it comes to tool storage though, it’s going to be tough to find one tool aficionado suggesting to another tool aficionado, that it will be handy for them to have a drawer unit on the floor in their closet. MM laid out the scenario perfectly. Drawers on floors are cumbersome. That’s not to say this isn’t a thoughtful gift. Especially if the new apartment renters are assigned a garage stall. Those rubber sealed drawers would be perfect in a rental garage. And they will always have the option to build on the system, as they need.
At one time when I was busier with home projects, I had a Bucket Boss. (And it spent some time in some closets) Bucket Boss organizers used to be more popular but are now mostly replaced with structured tool bags. A person can get busy with projects, but there are fewer misplaced tools because, “everything has its place, & every place has its thing”. All those pockets help to easily force organization. And the grab-&-go functionality is nice.
I am personally determined to have some of those ToughSystem drawer units for myself someday. I want some that are stacked and then mounted to an upright hand cart. I have plenty of mechanic projects that don’t fit in the farm shop. So the tools have to come outside, and having the ability to close a sealed drawer would be awesome.
MFC
You did it now Stuart. You just created a junky.
They can’t just have the 2 drawer box. They need the wheeled base and another chest for on top, and if they’re doing that then they need power tools to go into them.
Give a mouse a cookie…
eddiesky
I want a ToughSystem Drawers unit that allows the drawers to be portable (Pull out, has lid). Like bit storage, fasteners, etc. I picked up the DeepPro Organizer but it doesn’t clip to my larger ToughSystem DS400 box.
Also, Dewalt’s website is slow as a dog. I’m on 10Gb (actually faster as work’s main feed is an institution) and their pages are just slow.
Looks like I should have gotten the ToughSystem Organizer DWST08202 never in stock at HomeDepots nor online. Looks like its EOL.
Now, if someone could make a mate-device for the Milwaukee packout Organizer48-22-8430 to connect to my Toughsystem… Or makes a unit with 2 drawers where the drawers are removable organizers…. Wonder if all’yall know of what I am asking?
Daniel
If you add 5 to your cart the price drops to $80 each.