Dewalt’s ToughSystem tool boxes are good. Very good. Do you know what makes them even better? When they’re on sale.
It has been a while since I talked about the ToughSystem in its own post. But that doesn’t mean I think any less of them than before. I LOVE these tool boxes.
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Update: The price is back up at $48. I’d say check back soon, it could drop back down again.
Much of my sentiments from this long-ago modular tool box comparison still stand. Very soon, I’m going to have to do a Milwaukee Packout vs. Dewalt ToughSystem comparison, and that’s going to be quite tough.
While I like the Milwaukee Packout system so far – check here for lots of photos and more Packout information – I have a lot of Dewalt ToughSystem cases, and they offer a lot while costing less.
Currently, you can buy TWO of these large ToughSystem tool boxes for the price of just one large Packout box.
The last time I ordered more Dewalt ToughSystem large tool boxes was back in 2015. They were $52 each, and there was a $20 off $100 promo at Amazon. I ended up paying $90 for 2, so $45 each. That’s how I ordered most of my ToughSystem cases, during Amazon’s holiday season or Father’s Day promos.
Those same boxes are on sale at Amazon right now, for $38 each.
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Something similar happened last year – Home Depot had a special on a ToughSystem combo set, and Amazon price matched the components. I assume that’s what’s going on now.
These large ToughSystem tool boxes are large, sturdy, and durable. There’s a removable tray. Side handles. A fold-down top handle. It’s waterproof (IP65).
Some of my ToughSystem cases have been in non-environmentally-controlled storage for a couple of years now, and they show no signs of wear. Inside, there’s no rust, corrosion, or anything of the sort.
These are good tool boxes at a fantastic price. I only wish that I needed more so that I could take advantage of this deal.
Price: $38
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(Home Depot will have a 3pc combo for $98 starting around Black Friday.)
fred
$48 when I click on your link – maybe it was a flash sale?
fred
And that’s $48 each!
Stuart
I’m sorry, and I have no idea.
It was $38 for a few days. I penned most of the post late night last night/very early this morning. Put the finishing touch this morning and published it.
It was $38 earlier in the month, popped back up to $48-50 for a day or so, then came back down to $38 and I thought that would be its price for the rest of the season.
Maybe someone bought a couple right after I posted and caused Amazon’s pricing algorithm to hiccup?
Dave
Price tracker: https://camelcamelcamel.com/DEWALT-DWST08203H-Tough-System-Large/product/B005HNJQAU
Stuart
They still showed a $38 price an hour after I wrote my comment above.
The yeti
I just dont see any reason these are better than an old school metal tool box . Personally i wont buy plastic boxes .
Stuart
When is the last time you saw a metal tool box this big? You’re probably not going to anymore, because the amount of material and structuring to give such a tool box proper support is going to drive the weight and cost way up.
What happens if you bump a metal tool box on the ground? It’ll scrape the paint and the bare metal will rust.
JMG
None of my old metal tool boxes ever matched up in size, let alone stacked securely. They also lacked any type of moisture mitigation and if kept in the basement, for any length of time, would rust right along with any exposed steel on the tools themselves.
The advantages of using these cases for me, over metal, are uniform storage on shelving, with the ability to create custom racking for them, as well as the built in moisture seals. They are not perfect, but I have yet to find any particular system that is.
The smaller organizer cases work exceptionally well for storing different sets of hand tools. I.E. masonry tools, drywall tools, tiling tools, etc. It’s too bad Dewalt doesn’t sell a case that size without all of the extra boxes in it at a lower price point.
Brent
Your preference for metal toolboxes sounds like you carry a small-ish number of tools in a single box, in which case a single metal toolbox probably does work well.
I have 10 ToughSystem boxes, including two wheeled carts. I mostly use them for hauling all my stuff to my girlfriend’s house when I’m going to work on her place.
I’m a middle-aged guy so I don’t like carrying 200 pounds of tools unsupported and making 5 trips out to my truck. Why strain my back carrying a heavy toolbox when I can roll them using a sturdy wheeled box?
And I have different boxes with different tools: drill/impact driver + bits + two LED worklights in one; circular saw + blades + safety equipment in another; Sawzall + blades + safety equipment in another; hand tools in a tool bag in a wheeled cart; plumbing tools in another; hardware and electrical parts/components in the clear lidded parts boxes. So I can take the right tools for the job, including power tools, easily.
fred
Having come of age where toolbox choices were wood, metal, fiberboard and flimsy plastic – I applaud the new choice of a “structural” plastic box.
What I do lament is the loss of the metal cases that came with lots of power tools – ones that now come either in bags or blow-molded cases. The old metal case provided both protection and room to carry accessories. Some even had a bit of rubber seal – to ward off heavy rain.
With metal toolboxes that became too heavy to carry – some guys would add a plywood base and casters to pull them around. I recall plasterers carrying suitcase sized fiberboard cases with added wheels. Hand made wooden tool chests and totes were also the mark of a journeyman carpenter. I inherited several steel-banded oak plumber’s chests with loops to hold the lifting straps when they were being lifted up to the working elevation.
Diplomatic Immunity
You really need to post some pics of this stuff Fred. Most here will appreciate seeing these things.
firefly
^^ agreed.
fred
Those Oak chests may still be in the basement of the plumbing business that I used to have an interest in. We long ago switched to Knaack boxes. At one time on union jobs the plumbers had to come to an arrangement with the Ironworkers or Operating Engineers to get their boxes lifted up.
Wooden carpenters chests are now sometimes museum pieces:
http://www.nyhistory.org/exhibit/tool-chest-tools
Diplomatic Immunity
Metal tool boxes seem better for hand tools and organization while plastic boxes seem best for power tools.
tango
As always it cost a arm and a leg for your overseas reader.
Stuart
Sorry.
I shop at USA retailers, so that’s all I tend to look at. Sometimes I look at Amazon UK and DE, but that’s often the extent of my international deal searching.
Forrest V
I’ve periodically been watching the price on these (I can’t decide to pull the trigger!) and it seems that the price seems to yo-yo between $38 and $48 with no consistent pattern.
Carpenter
Home depot in my neck of the woods(Michigan) has them for $40 bucks right now 11/12/17.
ed ski
Darn. But hey, the Xtra large one ($57) states “can’t be shipped to you” on Amazon. WTF?