The Dewalt TStak tool box is usually priced at $20, and it’s absolutely a fantastic buy. It seems that whenever anyone talks about TStak tool boxes on social media or online forums, we see a lot of the same times of comments.
“Dewalt ToughSystem is stronger.” Yes, that’s true. But ToughSystem tool boxes are larger and pricier.
“Milwaukee Packout is better.” This is also true, but again – these TStak tool boxes are smaller, lighter, and much less expensive.
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Dewalt TStak tool boxes are a nice size for smaller cordless power tools, corded tools, or miscellaneous tools and supplies. They are also well-constructed, with metal latches and comfortable handles.
This “TStak II” box is a great starting point for anyone that just needs a basic tool box. You don’t have to connect it to other TStak tool boxes or accessories, although you can, and it is also compatible with the Craftsman VersaStack system.
This is not a fancy tool box, but that can be a selling point as much as it can be a complaint.
Price: $20
The “long handle” TStak is also a good tool box.
It’s a little pricier, but features a handy top compartment organizer that’s perfect for small parts and power tool accessories such as screwdrivers.
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Plus, the top handle can be more comfortable to carry. The downside is that you cannot stack other TStak tool boxes or organizers on top of this one.
Phil
The Dewalt 13 piece drill bit set (DW1163) is back in stock at Amazon for $7.97 if you missed out on the first round. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004RGVF/
Picked one up to go with the DWA1184.
Stuart
Thanks! I updated the comparison post.
Corey R
I have taken to using the basic box and the deep drawer box to make full tool kits with consumables in the drawers. For instance, my network cabling kit has my tools in the top, and each of the containers has Cat5e/6a/etc cable ends. Makes it very nice to have everything I need in one inexpensive grab-and-go configuration.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BF4VUKO/
Matt C.
I have the Tstak II for all of my tools in the trunk of the car. It is perfect for my needs. I think these are great DIY level tool boxes. They’re good enough…. Big enough… and price is right. The Milwaukee pack out boxes are nice and shiny. But I just can’t justify the cost for the limited amount of use they would get as a DIY’er.
Steven B
I tried Tstak. I actually LOVE those small boxes. Unfortunately, the large ones are too weak to hold tools. For example, I have a basic belt sander. I put it in the large box and I can feel it flex when I pick it up. The plastic is too thin. They’re also not wide enough to hold my DeWalt reciprocating saw or rotary hammer.
ToughSystem is too bulky and is too job site oriented. I am not going to haul mine 2 blocks from my truck every day. I need something to store my tools systematically in my basement workshop. The TSTAK is perfect, except for 2 things: The boxes are too weak and there’s no weather sealing. I don’t need heavy-duty weather sealing, like ToughSystem, which is designed to be left outside in a rainstorm. I just want to slow the rust in a garage.
DeWalt really dropped the ball with TSTAK. If they released TSTAK 2.0 in the USA and just made the larger toolboxes a little stronger…or offered a heavy duty version…nothing to take to job site, just something that won’t warp when holding a belt sander or circular saw, they’d be perfect for enthusiast users like myself.
I ended up overpaying for the bulky ToughSystem boxes. They’re overkill, but protect my tools from basement humidity and they fit all my tools. I like the design of the TSTAK boxes so much more, but in the end, had to go with something else, especially since the 2.0 boxes are not available in the USA.
Aaron s
Lots of the tstack2 improvements like gaskets and better side latches made it into the Craftsman versastack. Take a look if you make it into a Lowes
MoogleMan3
Came to post this. I love the craftsman variants. I have the craftsman version of the box mentioned in the article and the side latches have metal hinges, whereas the dewalt one is simply plastic tabs.
The craftsman version isn’t currently on sale though.
Vards Uzvards
$19.99 for the TSTAK box on Amazon.com – this is a pretty standard price, throughout this year. The red-topped VersaStack box at Lowe’s is pushing up to $30, and never went down to under $25 lately, as far as my observations go. On Amazon.com you could buy a deeper version of TSTAK for under $25, just a month ago, and even now it’s only $26. But, yeah, latches without metal hinges …
alex
Tstack is perfect for finish work while the tough system is better matched to rough work. It make sense to offer two systems. I just hope they don’t discontinue the tstack system in NA and replace it with the versastack. Can’t stand the red color :-p I would love a more premium Dewalt version.
Aaron s
My red and yellow stack looks like I’m sponsored by McDonald’s
Sean Naughton
I’m lovin it!!! 🤣
MT
I’m a home DIYer, not a pro, and the VersaStack/TStak boxes to be perfect for storing and hauling around my stuff. I prefer the Craftsman VersaStack boxes because they use metal hinge pins where Dewalt uses plastic, and their boxes feature sealing against water and dust. (It’s interesting to me that these superior features are found on the Craftsman versions, and not the Dewalt, or both.) I also happen to like the red.
The Packout and ToughSystem boxes are definitely more robust, sure, but for my uses I can’t justify the expense. The VersaStack/TStak stuff is cheap enough for me to give each tool and its accessories its own box, but doesn’t feel cheap. I’ve loaded the boxes up pretty good on occasion and never noticed any flex or anything that made me think the box wasn’t up to the task.
I just hope the VersaStack/TStak stuff sells well enough for them to keep it on the market.
JoshW
FYI, the Tstak boxes on Amazon right now all have the metal pins. They’re all coming in from the UK for whatever reason and are apparently better than what we got. Get em while you can, ik I am.
JoshW
Also, the same seals that are in the Versastack fit in the Tstak, sure it wouldn’t be hard to find the foam used as seals in bulk and for cheap.
Noah
Im trying to find something that would work. It’s funny how the boxes are so similar yet just that gasket is all that’s missing. They dropped the ball. Tstak 2.0 has been out in the UK and it’s water proof. Yet still same boxes. Except for drawers, for some reason they couldn’t figure out how to make the drawers water proof. Come on, dewalt!
Perry
I honestly prefer the tstak/versastack over the “pro” box systems. They aren’t overly complicated, the single drawer boxes are great for holding a drill/driver set, and the big box fits my makita drill, impact, multi-tool, 6½” circ saw, and small recip saw.
I stack the drawer boxes on the wheeled platform, and the big box on top, so I don’t have to un-stack everything to get to the lower boxes
Paul Nickell
I’m an avid DIY’er and jumped into Tstak boxes a few years ago and I do love them. However, I have 2 of the Deep Long Handle box with organiser on top which is just what I wanted. One box I can pick up to go for quick jobs with everything in one place.
The only problem I have is the top lid of the organiser has broken on the 2 boxes I have. Its held to the box by a small bit on either side and one just snapped off on each box. (at different times) I contacted Dewalt directly as the 2nd one was only a month old. I sent photos as requested and I felt like they had no idea what part I was talking about. I said just send me a new lid. I’ll pay if you want as I want two of them. That’s just far too easy.
They ask me to send the whole box back to them for inspection then 2 weeks later said they will send me a new box as they can’t fix it! I know its good customer service but a poor policy.
In an age where we can buy every repairable part for every Dewalt tool, just sell me the lid.