A new Craftsman TradeStack tool box combo popped up on Lowe’s website, and it’s apparently well-stocked at local stores as well.
New retail launches in late-October typically preclude holiday season promos, but it’s not yet clear that’s what’s going on here.
And yes, I know some of you are tired of hearing about tool storage developments, but this is an increasingly competitive space that will continue to make waves in the industry.
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TradeStack is Craftsman’s modernish tool storage system. It’s larger and better featured than VersaStack (and Dewalt TStak), but doesn’t quite approach the strength or breadth of Dewalt’s ToughSystem system.
(In case you didn’t know, Craftsman and Dewalt are both owned by Stanley Black & Decker.)
I felt pretty good about the system when it first came out – see Craftsman TradeStack Tool Box System Review. They’ve expanded it a little since then.
The new combo features a TradeStack open tote-style tool bag, large tool box, and rolling tool box.
Its current price of $239.94 is a bit high in my opinion, but I suspect it’ll come down quite a bit.
This wouldn’t be a top-5 modular tool storage system pick for me, but it has its merits.
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mizzourob
It seems that in the era of too many plastic tool box systems, the Tradestack is the least complete and should be on the chopping block for space of Lowe’s. Could this be a clearance (albeit poorly priced) to push out remaining inventory?
By my count Lowe’s has at least five other options: Craftsman VersaStack, Flex StackPack, ToughBilt StackTech, Klein ModBox, and Kobalt CaseStack.
Aaron+S
by my count its the third best stanley black and decker system sold by lowes, the fourth best “lowes exclusive”
I have some of the open crates from a decent sale a while back. The way the latches work eats into the front to back dimension of the box really doesn’t work well with the shallow and wide shape. They somehow feel larger than toughsystem on the outside but smaller than tstack in usable space
andres solis castillo
This isn’t new, just newly package together. The basket has been available for quite some time. I’m also questioning this set up, are they trying to get rid of the system? Feels like some afterthought, basically let’s put this together to sell more/liquidate. I’m willing to bet the versa stack sells more units, as it’s already fleshed out. Since it’s just a Tstak in red, it’s compatible with DeWalt/Stanley. Also it’s cheaper entry price, I can find the Tstak drawers under 30$ consistently.
Stuart
No, it’s NOT “just a Tstak in red.”
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/craftsman-tradestack-tool-box-review/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Andres
Re-read what I commented, Versastack is most definitely Tstak in red. I own both and both fit each other’s system, I also own stanley fatmax tstak. Same system in full black.
Same system, same features, only unique offerings from craftsman is the 3 drawer tool kit. That also fits dewalt/stanley.
Tradestack what you linked is not, I know that. Just commented that I bet craftsman is selling more versastack vs trade stack.
Stuart
Sorry, I read your comment twice, and both times missed the “versa stack.” Either I’m so used to seeing it as VERSASTACK OR VersaStack and glazed right over, or I projected a recent “aren’t they the same thing” question into your comment.
Andres
It’s all good. unfortunately stanley b&d loves rebranding their various tools, toolboxes and designs across their vast holdings. Tradestack is definitely unique to craftsman, well at least I can’t find any other similar products in the line up.
Aaron+S
versastack is actually slightly better than the dewalt boxes. the single unit boxes have waterproof membrane and the drawers have a slightly improved interior layout. The latches have metal pins.
Andres
There is two versions of dewalt Tstak, 1.0 and 2.0. Craftsman got the 2.0 with the addition of the weather seal. If I remember correctly you can install the weather seal on the dewalt Tstak 2.0 because it already has the cutout. they also came with metal pins as the 1.0 where plastic and prone to cracking.
JR Ramos
Yeah, easy to add some EPDM or poly foam rod into the channel if you have Tstak and don’t want the red. Latches were updated and now match and they’re ok. I only have one older Tstak 4″ case but comparing it with a couple of the newer 2.0 ones there’s hardly a meaningful difference. Over the last 4-5 years I bought several Versastack pieces and a few new Tstak pieces and they’re identical other than the seal…but that seal doesn’t really keep water out with 100% assurance. I can’t tell a difference in the drawers although the one Versastack 2-drawer I have does feel like it latches a bit nicer somehow. Decent cheap boxes, especially that 4″ case (and especially when you find those for $16 or $18 on sale) in DeWalt…the Versastack never seem to have good prices in comparision.
Noah
Tstak 2.0 has not come to the US for some reason, possibly since we have versastack here?
JR Ramos
You know, I just now realized that what I was thinking was 2.0 was just a roman numeral chain on some boxes that I never even noticed. I have so many of the 4″ cases and those say TSTAK II on the labels and I assumed that was the 2.0 everyone mentioned. Apparently not! Never noticed that they had III and IV and V for some other boxes…but not all of the products have that roman numeral. Weird. I found just one decent video from a bloke in England I think that showed a new 2.0 deep case and he compared it to older Tstak boxes. Really looks exactly the same in all important aspects other than the lid seal and a new taller latch that doesn’t appear to be any better functionally than the old ones on both DeWalt and Craftsman. Looking close at mine I did notice that there is an added oval extrusion under the front of the lid with screw bosses on the Tstak but not on the Craftsman but other than that the moldings are precisely the same. Makes me wonder if the FatMax boxes are any different but we don’t seem to get those here.
I have a few organizers from each but I’m not a big organizer box user so I’m not going to examine those…did like the “new” long trays in the Versastack version though. But the tool boxes/cases…either way, can’t see any important difference at all besides the lid seal, which isn’t a reliable solution really.
MattT
VersaStack is a bit more than TStak in red, or it least it was when I was actively buying. The VersaStack units I saw and bought were, weirdly, higher-spec-ed than TStak, with metal hinge pins and weatherstrip sealing the lids. Have TStak boxes been upgraded to match?
Andres
Tstak has ver.1.0 and 2.0 like I explained on one of my comments.
Noah
Versastack is TSTAK in red but with IP 54? rating because there’s a gasket that keeps water and dust out. I own all 3, versastack, Tstak, and Tradestack because they all work together with the included adapter that comes in the rolling Tradestack boxes.
It may not be the best modular system but here’s why it’s good: weight, size, build quality and price. Go on YouTube and watch the review of vcg throwing Tradestack boxes off a roof and running them over multiple times. There was very little damage. I can verify that the Tradestack boxes are tough. I have 2 rolling boxes that I leave outside year round in the Northeast and I live close to the ocean and I’ve never seen even a drop of water get inside. I have one that lives in my truck bed pretty much permanently. The open top tote in this kit is where I keep all of my hand tools and I have no complaints about that either. The worst part of the system imo are the drawer boxes. They seem to stick a bit and I actually perfect the tstak drawers.
Joe E.
If only Craftsman would put this much energy into bringing better quality pliers to retail… 🙄
Andres
What energy? They just paired a already available tote/bag to the base kit. Is such a lazy low effort offering.
Joe E.
True, same with how they rebranded their crappy Stanley pliers by changing the color from yellow to red.
Farkleberry
The unusual size of the tote jumps out.
It seems the Trade stack is comparable in size to most of the competition, but the unique one handed latching/interlocking system has precluded any half size, “compact” boxes, organizers, totes, etc.
This tote seems like it would be quite awkward and heavy when loaded up with a bunch of hand and power tools.
There doesn’t seem to be a shoulder strap either, so you’re always carrying a heavy load with one hand, and kind of far to your side.
While the pack out crate is roughly the same size, has only two side handles, and is still a ripoff for what it is, I think it’s better suited as a catch all bin on top of a stack or detached and wandering around. Throw in a few boxes of fasteners and tools, etc. not used enough to warrant their own boxes/drawers/organizers, then crate can be packaging/trash bin too as you work, and is easy to clean out later.
The pack out 15 totes are the most space efficient, as 2 of them (or 1 next to ammo can, compact organizers, etc), utilize the whole footprint, unlike the 10″ or 20″ totes. They also seem like the sweet spot of overall size, configuration and loaded up weight.
When all the pockets, etc. are loaded up, the heavy duty, padded strap (and your shoulder) get a workout, but leave both hands free.
The long thin shape, with one padded side make it easy to go through doorways.
Basically the 15″ pack out tote is a great even if you only hang organizers off the bottom. I haven’t tried the 3 compartment “structured”, but think I would prefer the originals 2 compartments and certainly price.
This Trade stack has one handed opening from front going for it. Do any other systems have that? I imagine a Packout 2.0 could offer this feature.
The downside of no compact size stuff is not worth the trade off here. The cost savings vs the others would not overcome the cheap, weak hinges. Even with a lifetime warranty, on a budget, I’d go with something else.
Aaron+S
when first released the stack combo came with an adapter so you could use it with versastack and the small toughcase II boxes, but adapters are pretty mediocre in practice and I don’t think it was ever available separately
Farkleberry
Right, good point.
A questionable workaround, but it’s necessity highlights how odd it was to introduce a modular storage system without the ability to develop their own compatible half size products.
It would seem possible, since the front latch looks to have two side tabs and the rear of the box has a static lip on each side. In practice , it’s probably too flimsy with just two little diagonal catches in half size.
I still think Packout, and now maybe Makita, have the best idea with multiple modular engagement points with a front facing locking latch. You still have to pull the box you want forward first, so the Trade Stack is easier in this respect, but the strength and versatility in mounting small objects seems the best current compromise.
The other front facing locking latches seem ok in use, but they are likely less robust, more difficult to clean out when jammed with debris, and only have a half stack module footprint, unlike the coffee Mug size module’s strength and versatility of Packout/Makita.
The side locking systems are perfectly serviceable, and often simple, robust and multifunctional. When you have them tucked away or stacked side but side, access is obviously inferior though.
Chuck
For the price, I wonder who buys this over ToughSystem.
I was using some ToughSystem but bought into Tstak to save space, and it fits what I need. If I needed something bigger I’d pay the small premium to go back to ToughSystem.
Ronald Simpson
I got this setup on black Friday, for $99. And bought the suitcase box for $31. I think i have an awesome box setup for an awesome price. Bought a few setups that had the basket instead of the middle box at a lowes about 45 mins away for $65 that were being clearanced out. The two local Lowe’s only had one tradestack with the basket setup for $121. Just be on the lookout for sale’s and clearance’s.
Huy
They were out quickly on Black Friday, no rain check.