Lowe’s has caught up to Home Depot and now has 6 different modular tool box systems.
Here’s the full range: Craftsman Versastack, Craftsman Tradestack, Kobalt Casestack, ToughBuilt Stacktech, Flex Stack Pack, and Klein Modbox.
You can find most of them at Lowe’s stores’ tool deals and holiday gifts center.
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The Klein tool boxes can be found in the “pro” seasonal area at my local store.
Lowe’s stores gave their tool box systems a lot of shelf space in the promotional tool deals section.
They have Craftsman Versastack 3pc tool box combos with add-ons nearby, but other than that, all of the tool box system components are arranged and sold separately.
All of the tool box systems (except Versastack) are discounted right now as well, with “buy more, save more” offers on all of the brands’ different components.
The presentation isn’t as user-friendly as could be, with some of the tool boxes and organizers positioned out of easy reach, but at least they were there.
It remains to be seen what Lowe’s is going to do come January and it’s time to reset this part of their stores.
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With no less than 6 different tool box systems, Lowe’s will need to find a way to facilitate comparison and quick inspection throughout the year.
Hon Cho
That’s a lot of shelf space for a product category that probably doesn’t generate a ton of revenue/profit. My guess is this is a “shootout” of sorts to see which of the brands sell the most. I suspect only two, maybe three, of those brands will get in-store shelf space beyond the holiday season.
Peter
Yeah sounds like a lot of space.
But I guess they did their research and figured out that their customers are very brand loyal down to the boxes.
Birdog357
I’m not. I’m a Kobalt guy, but if I were to get into the modular toolbox game it would be Packout. The system is more mature and more adaptable to other uses. We build “drawers” that you can drop a packout onto. My boss even used them in his adventure van kitchenette.
Bonnie
Eh, given how many companies are tripping over themselves to get into this market I think it probably does generate a lot of revenue. Six competing lines is excessive though, I think HD normally has three lines and has for a long time.
Hon Cho
Likely tempting revenue numbers for the manufacturer, given how many manufacturers have jumped into the market. I’m sure stocking decisions by retailers are affected by how much margin the manufacturers are willing to give the retailers. Heck, the box manufacturers might be playing the grocery card of paying the retailers for shelf space.
eesss
hd has a lot as well.
tti 3 brands ie milwaukee, ryobi, ridgid , each has their own competing stack systems.
dewalt has 2 stack systems , ie tstack and tough system.
hd also carries house brand husky.
Hd has been carrying at least 6 different stack systems.
Hopefully there will be some fallout and I can score some systems for cheap.
krashtd
HD has Milwaukee Packout, DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0, Ridgid PRO Gear 2.0, Ryobi LINK, Husky Buildout, and Husky Connect.
Munklepunk
And DeWalt tstak
Michael Hammer
My HD got rid of TStack years ago.
David a
Hd has Dewalt tough systems 2.0 , Ridgid progear, milwaukee packout, husky connect, and ryobi LINK systems, plus still carries and sells some Dewalt Tstak accesories, so they’re at 5+ themselves.
Chris Wilson
Manufacturer profit must be through the roof, its just plastic.
As the stores identify which lines to continue carrying, it is the customer who picked ‘wrong’ that will be the ‘loser’.
Steve
I agree. Once they get the molding set up they can make these pretty easily and charge a lot. There is no heat treating or complex manufacturing like we see in power tools.
Steven
I have invested in Flex Stack Pack. I can’t be happier. It answers all my needs in storage and mobility at the same time. It is very sturdy and locking mechanism is absolutely the best of all. I like the fact that there are lots of accessories I can attach. I love the rolling base and it is so nice to have breaks on the wheels. I would especially note the fact that the handle of the main unit is removable and I can place it even in my wife’s suv trunk
Angi
As. Tool CSR at Lowes I love the Flex stack out best of all ours new lines.
Bob
I looked at them all and chose to sell my Milwaukee pack out and pick Flex Stack Pack. I’ve been impressed with it so far.
MFC
Versastack, Tradestack, Casestack, Stacktech, Flex Stack Pack
Try to say that 5 times fast.
Peter
Autsch! 🤣
Rob G Mann
Gesundheit!
Peter
😂
Mateo
My Lowe’s still refuses to carry stack tech. They won’t even allow you to order it to the store.
Bob
The Bentonville AR Lowe’s is the same way.
Mopar4wd
I was surprised that the Lowes near me actually has a fair amount in stock and on display.
Perry
The Klein mod boxes already have dust on them in a corner at my local store, there’s one set each of the kobalt and flex boxes on the floor and no toughbuilt boxes. The craftsman lines are the only ones stocked. It’s a small lowes with no real competition (two ace hardwares, a tractor supply, and a small chain lumberyard that only carries a small selection of Milwaukee tools) so I assume they’re stocking what they know will sell and testing the others.
Mnoswad
Stack tech is going to get my dollars…but only after I see the drawers units in person. Also hoping they can really trim the weight of the boxes down. I think the small main box is actually a couple pounds heavier than the competitors. I do t need the metal corners for example. The Klein boxes are a nice balance of sturdyness vs weight, but that orange isn’t happy for me.
Jason
Stopped by and picked up some Versastack on promo and wanted to look at some of the others, couldn’t find the Flex at all. Kobalt had just the 3 piece and the Klein’s up by the contractor desk looked like they hadn’t sold a single unit (conjecture but very full and dusty).
Plenty of craftsman and dewalt but it wasn’t organized the best and the promo just listed the item numbers instead of the pictures so it was a pain to see what qualified
mizzourob
As for the Kobalt Case Stack it seems that there may have been some hesitation as the accessories have never been carried in store and are still on-line order only. The Flex acessories were in store and now appear to have limited on-line availibility. However, the Klein ModBox line has all the accessories in store and they do not appear to be selling well (or Lowes staff does a great job restocking those items onto sales hooks).
Mark+S
That is a good point. One would think they should have accessories for all available while they ate trying to push all these different makes/models. The Flex stuff was in a couple of the L stores I frequent, then all of a sudden it was clearanced out and then gone. One of the local L have the Flex “tape measure” bracket on sale at $9.98 when I think it is or was about $40 online (I think!, didn’t check while I was typing, haha).
But all in all, too much to choose from for sure!
William Adams
All these choices, and there still isn’t a unit with a base wheeled unit w/ drawers.
I tried the Husky Rolling Connect thing where you had to unstack to get to the bottom — it just doesn’t work for me.
Barring some major development, I’ll be getting myself a Tanos MW 1000 Mobile Workstation for my birthday next year.
TonyT
Hopefully some solutions coming soon, with, IIRC, Ridgid’s drawer unit that can use the new wheels, and ToughBuilt Stacktech.
I’m basically holding off any major purchases until I see what pans out – for me, either drawers OR cabinet on the bottom would work.
There’s also the option of using a dolly, but those are pricey and aren’t a direct replacement.
Mark+S
I just noticed today at one of my local HDs that a giant sign went up on an endcap for the Packout rolling cart setup, 2/3 drawer units and the little “workbench” on top. They show a big picture and it’s on sale with buy more/save more pricing. It’s almost like they are trying to sway people that say the same thing you did here, that there’s no wheeled drawers. Of course technically this setup still isn’t totally ideal, but it’s a close start.
And seeing the Milwaukee 3 drawer unit in person kinda made me want to buy it….kinda. $179 still seems a bit too steep though.
Mike McFalls
William, I am not sure where you are located but I have a base unit MW1000 in great shape and 4 total (not 1 like the base unit comes with) sliding shelves. I’m in the north Jersey area and I’d give you a good deal on it- it’s barely used and I been trying to trade it for a Festool sysport as the mobility didn’t work for me.
ColeTrain
I wish they would dedicate a lot of that space to one manufacturer and carry as much of the lineup as they can. After all they are all the same product, just a bunch of empty waterproof boxes with spaces molded inside for dividers but do not come with any (incredibly stupid). I understand their commitment to Craftsman and Kobalt but to have all of that similar product go unsold and take up that much floor space seems like bad retail practice. Since Lowe’s and toughbuilt both seem to be struggling, people like shiny new things and given toughbuilt is apparently coming out with a whole bunch of stuff in the next few months they should both swing for the fences together and offer everything in store. I switched from the rigid stuff to toughbuilt strictly for the future release of the transporter accessories actually being different and useful but what do I know, I find more to dislike about all these toolboxes then actually like about them.
ITCD
Lowe’s announced a net income of nearly $2B for their third quarter, they’re doing fine. Toughbuilt definitely isn’t though, their last 10-Q had some doom and gloom in it.
It does seem confusing to have so much but on the other hand you can’t wander very far in any toolspace without someone rattling off about their Packout like they just witnessed the discovery of fire and the invention of the wheel at the same time. Which makes everyone else wanna hop in on making modular portable storage, and makes stores wanna sell it.
Bruce
I really don’t understand modular tool box systems like this. It takes up space in the truck making it almost impossible to store anything else in the truck. You have to un-rack the box just to get whatever is inside. They all look the same so now you have to figure out what box has what you want. It’s a nightmare of heavy, hard to move, and space wasting expense.
Rich
It depends on your situation. If you’re like me and you live in a city where leaving your tools in the truck at night is foolish, these systems make a lot of sense. They make loading up in the morning and getting into the jobsite much faster. It also makes is a little easier to make sure you don’t leave things behind.
Tony
Two packs of 99cent sticky letters worked for me. Not had time to test out my thrift store circut.
The box marked 2nd AID might confuse a few people. We used a first aid box to store our angle grinders for over 10 years, seems a shame to forget that.
R1, R2, and R3 are Ridgid. M18 and M12 are team red but I might have to go M18-2 next year. Ryobi just have a unmarked rolling chest not wasting stickers on ryobi lol….
Dave
My exact thoughts Bruce… tried modular stack boxes, went back to a few crates and a few Veto Pro Pac tool cases, and I’m a lot more efficient and organized.
Mopar4wd
I have started to see more guys using these now. For small jobs most guys still use a tool bag it seems, but on bigger jobs these sit inside a door of the van or bed of the truck and they just grab the ones they need. HVAC guy at work the other day had a packout with drills in the bottom another one with test gauges above that and another above that with some basic hand tools. Later I saw him grab a small half size ones with fittings and terminals out of his van. While its a little annoying to split the stack in practice it seemed faster then when I have to dig to the bottom of my toolbag.
FRANCISCO HERRERA
I see a bunch of talking down on this boxes for storage and mobility solutions….yet non of you have came up with a better materials to offer … Us contractors and blue collard workers value what gets put on the market and at the box stores . if you don’t like them don’t buy them….as for me I will buy every single one and dedicate to its own trade…..
Mopar4wd
My local Lowes has the Toughbuilt on display they seem really well made but out of my price range for a tool box. I’m mostly DIY so I will stick with Verastack and T stak.
Last few weeks I have been at a site managing cabling up of some equipment and had to make runs to several different electric supply houses for parts and tools. All 3 places had Klein boxes displayed up font so I’m thinking Klein is really pushing them.
Chris Ludston
I’ve been looking at Husky Connect, Rigid, Mil packet, and Dewalt tough….
Milwaukee seems to be the best, most versatile. But at a higher price. Husky seems ok. I’ve always liked Rigid.
Besides trying to figure out which best fits my needs…
I’m having a hard time picturing me using them on a daily basis. That’s a lot of wasted space, in a van or truck.
Maybe for builders, or those who spend days at a time at the same worksite, or only have 1 specialty trade.
But as a maintenance worker, dare to say “handyman”, who must carry enough tools to handle every situation I encounter daily, how will I use these ?
I’ve spent the last 6 months, imagining the perfect set up, in my van… hoping to have it ready before winter.
I can’t come up with any situation, where these modular sets make things more convenient for me.
The small parts organizers are the ones that make sense to me. From wire nuts and screws, to molleys, anchors, and specialty screws, they’re great.
I carry everything from wire nut, faceplate screws, to toilet bolts, lag bolts and self tappers.
As for drywall and construction screws, it’s easier to carry them in a small covered tote, or milk crate, in their original boxes.
One small tote or milk crate can hold a boxes of every bolt/screw/nail I might need.
I use 1 Husky backpack type bag for typical tools I use at every job. Screwdrivers, wire stripper, channel lock, sm speed square, hammer, small box of driver bits/drill bits, torpedo level, etc…
Have a large Husky bag for basic plumbing, another for specialty plumbing, like lead/oakum, mixing removal, spanner wrench, etc.
Use bags for meters and circuit tracers, one for finish carpentry, one for hammer drill (Mason bits stay in that bag. A bag for angle grinders, AC and 18v & disc’s.
Then I use milk crates for everything else.
One for electrical (wire,boxes,conduit fittings, outlts,outlets,, etc.
One for plumbing parts. One for all my bulk screwball boxes. Etc….
I carry both small n large tool belt.
Use milk rates again for power tools.
Bats, charger, drill, driver, in 1 crate, saws in another. Keep corresponding bit/blade sets in each crate.
That allows me to leave most used in front, easy to access, stack the rest accordingly.
Allows for easy removal, when I switch from work mode to fishing mode, and need to carry a weeks worth of gear, for me, dog, boat, etc.
I just can’t figure out how any of these modular or pack out sets would be a benefit.
Maybe use a modular instead of a bag, like for angle grinder, specialty plumbing…
But, then if I only need to pull a mixing valve cartridge, I have to move the other big modular cases from the stack, open the whole lid, just to grab the removal tool. Bags seem like the easiest way to go. And, they flex, to fit in odd shaped areas.
There’s no wasted space, like there would be if I had a solid case for each.
The modular cases seem like a great idea, in theory. Once your out in the field, start adding up all the time ot takes to move, open, then restack solid, heavily loaded cases, it becomes a huge waste of time.
I imagine the pack out systems are great in certain situations, if your on a build out, or new construction, and only need a certain set of tools, to get thru a whole day.
But, has anyone found a practical way to use them, if all you do is service calls, and never know what you’ll be working on, hour to hour ?
I can’t be carrying 5 pack out boxes into a location, when I only need 1 or 2 tools from each box.
I’m thinking about mounting a small tool box stack in my van. Something like a 2 pc craftsman box. A box that has strong, locking drawers.
I can leave everything as I have it now.
Use the tool box drawers to store the smaller tools I use most often.
Like 1 drawer for meters, Laser level, clamp ammeter… a drawer for tools like a faucet wrench and mix valve cart. puller, and so forth.
Once I arrive at jobsite, I can grab my go to pack, loaded with basic hand tools. Open a drawer, grab the puller or meter I need, and I’m ready.
I’m not wasting time, moving modular boxes around, just to get 1 tool from each.
For your average builder, or specialist in a single trade, modular boxes are great.
I cant find one single benefit, if you never know what tool you need, and jobs vary several times a day.
I’d love to hear if anyone uses modular boxes, when your tool requirements change several times a day, like mine do.
How do you use modular box setups, if you replace a closet flange in the morning, install a light fixtures at the next job, replace worn overhead gargae door rollers at 3rd job, then patch drywall at another, before heading home?
I can’t find a way to make modular boxes work, in my line of work…
I need to keep things organized, but can be spending time, hurting my back, moving a stack of boxes around, to get one or 2 tools from each.
Plus, think about all the wasted space in each box.
If I used modular boxes, stand back and picture all the empty space in each box.
Sure, milk crates can have space, if not packed all the way, but then u stack full crates on bottom, set tool bags in the half full one on top.
Milk crates are a real pain, for small tools like screw drivers, or things like that.
But I put tools like my rivet gun, 2lb sledge, average pipe wrench, vice grips, c clamps, large adjuatable… tools I need to carry, but may only use once a month, if that.
I use quare kitty litter buckets for paint and drywall hand tools. Can even set a square bucket in a milk crate, on top of other crates.
I’ve been buying older minivans, because they get trashed after 1 or 2 years of loading materials and ladders. The milk crate and square bucket set up has been the best I’ve come up with.
4×8 sheets and big ladders have to go on the roof.
But, using milk crates, I can slide 2x’s and 6 or,8 ft ladders over the crates.
I’m finally gonna take the leap, move to a nicer minivan, in hopes of avoiding mechanical breakdowns. And I want to set it up right, from the beginning.
Please share your thoughts about tool storage.
I’d like a full size van, or like a Dodge Ram Pro Master, with high roof.
But, then I’m dealing with B or D tryck plates, and terrible gas mileage.
Most of my work is in the city.
And I can’t park B plates on the street after certain times.
Minivan may not be the best, but think it’s the only way to go, in my situation.
I even thought about having 2 vehicles. Personal car or pick up truck,, and a work van.
But I’m still dealing with B plates in Chicago, and poor gas mileage, when I work.
I fish a lot in spring and fall, so switching from work mode to fishing trip mode, 10,20 times in spring and fall, is a real pain.
So milk crates makes it fairly simple to keep everything organized, and easy to empty when fishing gear goes in.
Many others have told me there is no way to have a multi purpose vehicle.
Your always sacrificing something for the other.
So far, they’ve been right.
I’ll never stop trying to find the perfect set up that meets all my needs.
The closest thing I can imagine is a High roof, 2500. I can keep tools loaded low, make a cover over all the tools, that fold up, or slide open to access tools. And have a flat platform for either materials, or, all my fishing gear, over everything, without needing to unload everything when switching from work to play.
I’ll need to unload fishing gear. But tools will always be there.
Sorry for the long book, but I wanted to be as detailed as possible.
Try to find the best way to set up my new minivan.
I know I’ll get hell for using a minivan, as a contractor, but, it’s the only thing that works, I’m my situation.
I’m getting 20,25 miles to a gallon, in the city. And, I don’t have to worry about license plate restrictions. Plus, it’s easier to find a parking place, since it’s not a full size van or truck.
Thanks.
That One Guy
So,… WOW! 1st I’ll tell you I do maintenance for a property management company and I also maintain pools, mow lawns, and do everything from swap light fixtures, to full on demo kitchen and bathrooms and rebuild from studs to finish wax on new floors and I rock a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan that has not once let me down. Paid $800 for it 2yrs ago.
My storage solution is the black storage totes with yellow lids and I have one for plumbing, one for electrical, one for paint/drywall, one for tools: saw, grinder, sander, sawzall…
I built a wooden platform that those totes slide under with left side turned sideways and right side faced small end.
In each of those totes are a pack out divider tray thing with lid and I keep nuts screws trade specific small repair items in those.
Then I have a Tupperware box or two of switches receptacle faceplate covers ect… For plumbing it’s boxes with pex fittings, one with copper one with sink/faucet parts one with sealant, glue, caulking basically it’s all kinda sorted to job type and stuff like wire or supply lines are just tucked on the inside of the larger tote.
NOTE: I don’t stock items like a trade specific vehicle. One of those might try to have extra faucets or even a couple of extra supply lines in different lengths. I have basic parts that have been collected from previous jobs or very small quantity of common normal wear and tear items. My only solution towards any client is I’m going to repair whatever is not working this time and I won’t be back out 2nd or 3rd time because I will use the correct part and if I don’t have it then unfortunately I go get it. If the repair is going to be not worth the cost then I offer suggestions for replacement at different price points and offer to explain the difference in price/quality and let them decide not what would get me more money due to margin or incentives from the supply house.
I have a backpack and a 11″ maintenance tote/bag that I carry the hand tools, tape measure, hammers, wrenches, drill, ect.
That rides at the back of my van. Then on the driver’s side I have my snapper lawnmower with bag and weed eater leaf blower and gas can/ trimmer line.
Behind the passenger seat is a couple of 5gal chlorine buckets that I store extension cords and drain snake line in another one. The lids on those have a lock that you pull up and twist to get off so once they are closed if anything moves lid stays on.
I can lay 4×8 sheet of drywall or plywood across this platform that everything else is in its own section. Things don’t rattle. I carry shovels, rake, closet auger, push broom. Reg broom inside a 4″ x 4′ PVC that I screwed down to the top of platform. My shop vac which I store the hose inside of the vac and I also have a 3/8″ x 50′ electric sewer machine.
I can have my mini van empty of all my work tools including the platform (which is 3 sections one along the back and 2 behind the seats) in about 30min. I can also return the two middle seats and the 3rd row bench in another 30min including a quick vacuum of the floor.
I average 4 maybe 5 jobs each day and get close to 18/19mpg. I couldn’t imagine trying to do all that in a truck and worry about exposure to theft and weather. Not in a full size van either gas would eat my lunch. New transit or other type vehicle…pass on that payment and full coverage insurance.
My van looks like a normal minivan no major scratches or dents. Doesn’t leak fluids, doesn’t smoke or would make anybody want to mess with it.
I would say to get supplies or tools for a particular job takes me no more than 5-10min max.
I do own a separate SUV that is my personal vehicle because you can claim all that milage and maintenance costs for the work vehicle.
Joe F
I’m doing a little different type of work but I set my boxes up like this.
Running toughsystem 2.0
Cleartop half organizer batteries
Cleartop organizer has my drill and impact driver with 3 bit cases: #1 is my “master” phillips/flat, hex, torx, 1″ and 2″ bits, #2 is the medium toughcase holds a 90 degree adapter then varying lengths and styles of bit holders extra phillips/flat/torx 1″ bits, #3 is 3″ long bits, a blue zipper pencil case with spade bits, and a black zipper pencil case with regular drill bits larger than 3/8
Small tool box hammerdrill and bits, flashlight, tape measure, holesaws, auger drill bits, oscillator tool and blades
Medium box is saws and accessories
6.5 circular for demo work, 7.25 for framing, sawzall and blades
Large bottom with wheels is Miscellaneous/oversized/job specific for that day. Changes semi frequently.
Then i have a “electricians bag” square open top that has my non powered commonly used tools.
Work at an apartment complex going in and out of 4-5 step units with the occasional 20 step upper 1 bedroom unit. Try to keep the rolling box light for those times.
Personal opinion having a super stack of may look cool but organizing by tool function and reducing boxes down to bare minimum by function helps overall.
Original plan was to making everything spiffy by tool shadow foaming and having 10 boxes and just wasn’t practical for work because of the aforementioned variances in tools function. And didn’t want to take 5 boxes to pull 1 tool out of each.
Also note while I only listed on 1 box I keep a tape measure in all but the drill/driver box
Frank D
Lowes may technically “ carry “ all of these, but Flex is a no show. Klein has the new space near the pro desk but the orange color seems off …and not interested in just something similar. Better and good value or bust.
Greenman Construction
I recently invested in Rigid boxes, got a large with wheels and 2 medium boxes. While the medium boxes fit snug and perfectly under my truck tool box I’ve yet to make continuous use out of them. I’ve switched up their purposes from bit box holding to all my Dewalt batt tools, and now they sit in my workshop. The best use I’ve gotten from them is to store tools I’m concerned about rust infiltrating being they are air sealed.. but actually only one being utilized in my shop and one under my truck toolbox storing tools not used do often I.e. lasers, specialty tools, and specific items for my truck. I definitely wouldn’t notice a difference if I never got em. Then went and got Craftsmen Stack drawer boxes, 1 large and 1 smaller and again sit empty as I’m struggling to make best use from them. I got a dollar to a donut in 6 months that both of ‘em will become “junk drawers”…. If my wife asks , they are very useful and don’t recall how I managed before I got em….( just do my spontaneous purchase privileges don’t get revoked)
Bobcat
The toughbuilt is the best by far and they are coming out with a big drawer rolling box which is winner winner chicken dinner
Bruce
I don’t care which brand as long as it gives me what I want and need. I used packout because it gave me best socket carrier at time I bought it. Give me a full flex wrench set with a carrier like the packout and I will buy it.
blocky
In a dense field, I’d love to see a non-stanleybd company jump in with a system that goes directly up against Tstak with the aim of producing a premium 3/4-sized lineup.
Vards Uzvards
How about this, which *mizzourob* mentioned in another thread?
“Harbor Freight Bauer, Menards Masterforce, and Container Store Tactix are all clearly the same OEM and are intercompatible.”
Jim
I was at Lowe’s yesterday. They were loading all the Kobalt CaseStack
pieces on a large, multiple shelf cart and bringing in a similar cart loaded with Toughbuilt StackTec.
No idea what was happening, grabbed my stuff and left. I snapped a pic but don’t know how to share it here.
I hope I’ve got the names correct.
There are enough variations of Tough and Stack that I’m confused.
Lowes makes me nervous with how uncommitted they seem to be to almost any brand or platform.
I would hate to buy into one of these, not inexpensive, systems only to find that it’s no longer supported.