Here’s a quick roundup of all of the major and minor happenings in the modular tool box industry that we know about.
Some of these developments go back a few months, but most are forward-looking.
I left out rumors and speculation, as there’s enough uncertainty in some of the launch timings as it is.
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Dewalt ToughSystem
We still don’t have an official ETA, but I expect to see Dewalt launch their new supersized ToughSystem DXL drawer-based tool box system this fall.
See Also: Dewalt ToughSystem DXL is a New Supersized Modular Tool Box System
Festool Systainer
Festool has a new mini Systainer Rack coming out, and it fits 6 of their mini T-Loc Systainers.
I have quite a few mini Systainers that I used to use, but they currently sit empty due to my not having an elegant way to organizer or store them. This just might have solved that problem, although I have since switched everything over to Sortimo T-Boxxes and Packout drawers.
Update: I am told that it does NOT work perfectly well with the older style T-Loc Mini Systainers.
Husky Build-Out
It has been 4 months since Husky posted photos of new drawer tool boxes, but Home Depot still hasn’t provided official details.
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I assume it’ll be launching for the winter holiday shopping season.
Klein ModBox
I’ve seen a new-seeming rechargeable worklight, but that’s it.
Developments might be on hold until after a recent patent infringement complaint is ruled on or settled.
L-Boxx
We’re seeing some activity from the Bosch and Sortimo L-Boxx system, aside from Tekton launching select products in red.
We know a new contractor system is in the works, and this rendering of the tool box in Bosch colorway appeared on social media. There have not yet been any announcements in the USA.
Milwaukee Packout
Milwaukee has a bunch of new Packout products on the way:
- Mechanics tool set bundles
- Van and workshop racking
- Side rails and attachments
- Rolling drawer tool box
- Tilting organizer box
- Water bottles
- Insulated mugs
The revised rolling tool box with low-profile handle is also launching soon.
See Also: Every New Tool Milwaukee Announced at Pipeline 2024
Ridgid Pro Gear
Ridgid recently launched new drawer tool boxes, but it doesn’t look like anything new is on the horizon.
See Also: Home Depot Launched 2 More Ridgid Drawer Tool Boxes
Ryobi Link
Ryobi recently announced new shorter Link rails with select accessory compatibility.
See Also: New Ryobi Link System Accessory Rails
ToughBuilt StackTech
ToughBuilt’s Summer 2024 products have been delayed, and we hope to see them soon.
Not to mince words, the company has had inventory issues for months. Despite the 3-drawer tool box having launched in January, I still haven’t seen it in person.
Lowe’s website reports that my local store has 4 in stock, but I’ve learned better than to trust their inventory checker.
Modular Tool Box Systems with Nothing New on the Way
Craftsman TradeStack
Craftsman VersaStack
Dewalt Tstak
Flex Stack Pack – A reader recently once asked if Flex and Stack Pack is a “zombie brand,” and I definitely see where they’re coming from. Flex launched Stack Pack in 2022 and expanded the line with a second wave of products in 2023. We haven’t heard a peep from them in about a year.
Kobalt CaseStack
SK Tool
There’s more, but it’s difficult to say whether a group of stackable tool boxes is part of a system, or if they’re just a stack of tool boxes.
Skil, for example, has a line of connectable tool boxes, but it looks like you can only buy select bundles at consumer retailers such as Sam’s Club and Costco.
Since it doesn’t look like you can buy just an organizer, or just a tool box, I wouldn’t consider it a modular tool box system.
Frank D
I always think it would be interesting any of these programs had trade in programs … I’d switch to StackTech … provided they have the equivalent of Packout organizers and slim versions.
Stuart
You can always convert to another brand over time.
I transitioned from ToughSystem and L-Boxx to Packout. I might eventually part with my Systainers as well, but most have remained independently functional.
eddiesky
Hey Pardon me, but can you help out a fellow NJ’sian, down on his luck? Jonesin for a Systainer or three…
Also, I would like to ask if you have ANY influence with Milwaukee or Dewalt, or others to PLEASE consider a packout/stackable/toughsystem/container that is both a container that stacks/locks AND is a drawer-container that lets you pull it out from the stack as either a drawer with lid OR it can come out and go with you, say from garage to basement, or mobile like to a car/truck and take with you for offsite?
One more thing: someone needs to make a convertor plate that allows packout-systainer or ToughSystem – packout. Can’t be that hard? I guess if you have a big enough bed on a 3D printer… and suppose permission/copyright for how vendors attach… thoughts?
Stuart
Stackable removable drawer rack? Look at Bosch L-Boxx, or the new Systainer mini rack shown above.
Fred
I see an adapter on Etsy that sounds like what you are looking for. If not, email people that make similar stuff and one will probably create something if they think they can get sales.
MFC
Packout has a wood plate that you can screw anything to. I have the DeWalt toughsystem attached to my packout.
Noah
Nice! Best of both worlds. There’s nothing better than mixing and matching to suit your needs.
Tom
Stuart, can I ask why you moved away from tough system and why you ended up on packout? Is there anything that would tempt you to change again? If you’ve already covered this a link would suffice!
Stuart
I mainly had ToughSystem 1.0 and they were a chore to connect.
I was sold when I received my first Packout 4-wheel dolly and I saw how easy it was to attach and remove boxes.
I also parted with dozens of Bosch L-Boxxes.
ToughSystem has no dolly and fewer organizer options. I still like ToughSystem for a lot of individual storage solutions.
But as a system, Packout all the way. It suits my needs a lot better, but not perfectly or completely.
Tony
Lowe’s inventory on StackTech actually may be accurate. Their floor stock people aren’t putting the three drawer systems out because they think they are the xl large storage boxes. So all of these are high up. I had to find them. Even their customer service didn’t know where to look. Yes they a messing this up but the savvy buyer just needs to persist.
Saulac
For Stacktech my local Lowe’s typically has more stock than shown online. You have to willing to drive around a few stores. Real question right now is considered what is going on with TB should you get into Stacktech?
JR Ramos
New patent lawsuit against them, too, with a pending motion for injunction…if that’s granted then it will probably devastate TB for the holiday season and perhaps permanently since they delisted from the stock market. I would not buy into them now if I was expecting to be able to buy or warranty replacements in the future…hope I’m wrong but it just gets worse and worse. Apparently they have not been paying some of their chinese suppliers either and recently in some of the non-typical (for US customers) online channels in Asia have been flooded with what must be legit but abandoned TB products.
https://insight.rpxcorp.com/litigation_documents/15813537
Sam
I’m struggling with this, big Dewalt fanboy here and I’ve liked the backwards compatibility with tough system 2.0 and the original versions, but now I’ve got tough system boxes breaking and my chief desire has been a bottom drawer, rolling with stackable drawers. Right now there are two players in town and neither of them have that product out yet. Pack out feels the most future proof(although I hate paying $10 more because it’s red) but I love toughbuilt’s desire to do it right from the get-go. But right now it seems like I’m gonna be waiting until the holiday season to upgrade toolboxes anyway.
Anybody who has switched to pack out any regrets?
Stuart
Ridgid has a swappable cart base that can be used with their XL sized tool boxes and drawered tool boxes.
If there’s enough demand, I’m sure Dewalt will offer a rolling drawer box too, it would just be a matter of time.
James
Zero. Although it ain’t perfect, it’s phenomenal.
Jronman
The systainers are also launching new mini systainers part of the generation 3 system called SYS S. Now there is S, M, L, and XXL sizes of generation 3 systainers. I’m not sure if the current mini systainers are compatible with the new rack.
Stuart
Those look to be a revision of the mini Systainer, but with dividers in the same style as the L-Boxx Mini https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/l-boxx-mini-tool-and-parts-box-first-thoughts/%3C/a%3E .
I don’t see where the cost savings come from. Festool says that the new rack can also be used with (select?) mini Systainers, which cost $36 for the clear lid and $32 with the solid lid. The new Sys S are $25 each.
It might not be compatible with the older double-latch mini Systainers, but it looks to be compatible with the T-Loc.
The mini Systainers launched between 2012 (when I bought the older style) and 2014, when I started buying a lot of the T-Loc style.
Jronman
You might be referring to the classic mini. My understanding the classic minis are not compatible. I also saw there is a generation 3 of the Sysport
Stuart
Update: I am told that it does NOT work perfectly well with the older style T-Loc Mini Systainers.
Noah
The newest offering from versastack is the rolling 30 gallon tote.
Although it’s a few months old now, it made me happy to know they released a new box this year! It can hold 2 stacks of versa stack (or tstak) boxes, sort of similar to the big xl packout rolling tool chest.
aaron+s
Thanks! That’s wild I didn’t even know that existed. Interestingly they’ve sort of half addressed the bottom of the stack wheelie bin issue by making it so you can have one stack on there and open the front. Seems like it would require some strange workflows to have it really make sense but cool to see them try anything at this point!
Noah
You can open it 2 ways! The whole top opens up, or you can open the side closer to the bottom. It’s a nice access point. The box is surprisingly sturdy, but the weight limit is only 110lbs which I believe is for the toolbox itself and whatever you stack on top. 110lbs is not much, and I’m sure I’ve carried about twice that amount around in/on it. I’ve also left it outside many times in the rain and it stays dry.
Evan
I don’t know how official this is, but the Q&A section for the existing Husky Build-Out toolbox has a number of people asking about the timeline for drawers. Husky has responded saying “Q4 2024” a few times.
Chad
I wonder why flex hasn’t taken advantage of their polisher customers and come up with specific boxes built towards detailers/polishers. It would seem obvious. You can even buy flex boxes at detail suppliers, but they are the same boxes. Maybe it’s just me, but I had to custom build my boxes to fit and carry what I need for detailing. Yet flex makes boxes and makes polishers. Maybe it’s like one hand doesn’t know what the other hand is up to.
Stuart
I’m under impression that they’re completely different departments.
Jeremiah McKenna
Milwaukee makes polishing tools as well, and they make Packout. The Packout is the most versatile and durable system with the most aftermarket/3rd party support on the market.
Not to mention they actually respond and respect their customers.
Ron
I want to buy StackTech drawers and 4-wheel dolly but can’t.
Now I’m wondering if the 4-drawer unit will make it to stores before the 3-drawer. I got the large organizer but now wondering if I’d be happier with the more shallower and lighter unit. On the plus side, I could always take out the divider boxes and use it as a tool box with a see-thru lid.
I see that DeWalt’s much heavier and larger new system has a seal on all drawers. Now THAT is looking better for my needs. I’m going to try both the DXL and the StackTech though.
Terry
Does SBD / Craftsman not have any desire to compete with Milwaukee? I don’t get why they sit idle while Milwaukee streams ahead. Seriously thinking about selling my Craftsman VersaStack system and jumping on the Milwaukee train.
Stuart
ToughSystem seems to be in active development. Dewalt launched a new workshop storage system last year, and double-sized DXL is coming out soon.
Tstak and VersaStack still sell well, and I’m not sure about Tradestack.
What else does the VersaStack system need? It’s not as strong as ToughSystem or Packout, which makes things like deep drawer tool boxes impossible.
Noah
As I said above, versastack did release a new rolling large tote a few months back which can hold two stacks of versastack/tstak boxes:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2S74GXR
Tstak/versastack has so many options already, but would love to see more! They are the best smaller alternative to packout imo.
Would also love to see more from Tradestack
Andrew
Rigid seems to have discontinued the two drawer box, or at least all the local stores in MN dropped them to $49, and they no longer show up on the Home Depot website. It’s a shame, because I’ve started using them for most of my frequently-transported tools, especially mechanics tools and more general home repair/maintenance tools.
I know I can make a two drawer and four drawer out of a pair of three drawer units, but I already own one four drawer, and don’t know that I would need more than one more, but I was looking at a couple two drawer units for power tools that travel with me often.
Perry
I’m not sure if it’s new, but the versastack CMST17828 organizer has popped up in my Amazon searches recently. its a 20 compartment organizer with removable dividers that looks to be the same length/width as the large bit boxes and ratchet/socket set boxes, but thicker.
Terry
Stuart, You write in part… Modular Tool Box Systems with Nothing New on the Way… Craftsman VersaStack. This makes me think the VersaStack system is either dying or stagnant. We often see new products and pipeline announcements coming from Milwaukee about their Packout system. This is exciting and I wait in anticipation for the next thing. It makes me feel like I’m on a winning team. I go to Lowe’s and there’s nothing new with VersaStack. Same old things from Craftsman. Boring!
Stuart
Objectively, it does appear to be stagnant.
Subjectively, I think the context, target audience, and competition matters.
Flex not expanding their Stack pack modular tool box system since one year ago is significant and very concerning to me.
Craftsman not adding much to VersaStack isn’t as big a deal because they’re not competing against the likes of Milwaukee Packout. VersaStack is a smaller, lighter duty, and less expensive system.
That’s actually how this post started off – I was lamenting about not hearing any news about a 3rd wave of Flex Stack Pack products. I did a quick roundup of what competitors were doing, and decided to focus entirely on that instead.
Jeremiah McKenna
Another way to look at this is the fact that customer retraction is a real issue right now, and a recession is a serious thing to overcome. It’s hard to release new products when people aren’t buying what you are already offering.
Matt
I think StackTech has been the biggest disappointment I’ve had in years! I had such high hopes, but alas inventory shortages are their Achilles heel!
KMR
The lack of StackTech inventory is a symptom of ToughBuilt’s greater fundamental business issues. They’ve continued to fail to file quarterly earnings reports, they still haven’t filed their end of year 2023 comprehensive report, they’ve now been delisted from NASDAQ (as of about 2 weeks ago).
I don’t feel that Stuart’s puff piece a month ago with the ToughBuilt CEO was in the best interest of ToolGuyd readers as it did not explore ToughBuilt’s issues in significant depth. I am aware, that given the situation the company is in, the CEO wouldn’t be able to make specific comments on financial issues. Stuart made a positive remark about the stock’s recent performance (then in July), when delisting was already mostly a certainty, and now the stock sits at an all time low. That certainly isn’t “investor sentiment is building confidence” in ToughBuilt, or however Stuart worded it at the time. Overall, that July blog post painted far a picture that was far too rosy.
If Stuart wants to do his readers a genuine service and provide an update on StackTech inventory, he should ask the CEO to provide him with a BOL # for any inbound StackTech shipments that Stuart can verify in US Customs records. Stuart doesn’t have to disclose the supplier or shipment details to us (the readers), but just knowing if there is real inventory coming, would do a lot to assure readers about future availability of the StackTech line.
The holiday shopping season kicks off in ~2 months, if Toughbuilt doesn’t have as promised new inventory / new StackTech options inbound now or within the next few weeks, they’re not going to have it on the shelves for one of the most important sales seasons for a company like theirs.
JR Ramos
They had a patent suit filed against them and were made aware of the intent in June…that may have something to do with the lack of stock and promised introductions with StackTech, too…but then all the other crap piled on top of what was becoming a big pile.
Stuart
Here’s how I stand regarding ToughBuilt right now.
Tool user? Love it, gimme MORE, but the pricing is too high, wake me up in November.
Blogger? I feel that if I say the wrong things the dominoes will fall.
Optimist? I really like the people I’ve spoken and worked with, and have faith in them. I think they fiercely believe in their products, and I think they’re doing everything in their power to emerge from this growth opportunity in a strong way.
There’s demand and interest, which is always the hard part.
Pessimist? Maybe they bit off more than they can chew.
Realist? There are multiple ways the next few months can play out. I’m rooting for ToughBuilt and StackTech, but there’s a chance it’ll take a lot longer until supply can meet demand.
I think that their initial focus was on creating interest and demand. The obstacles they’ve faced – and continue to face – are new to the company, and it’s going to take time to clear them.
It’s a complicated situation.
JR Ramos
That was very well said.
Philip+Proctor
“Yoooooooo I heard you like Packout so we made you some Packout to put your Packout in. Add foam and you’ll have about 10%of the storage space for the volume you waste in your van.
Mike P.
I wish Ridgid would release a 4 wheel dolly like Milwaukee. It already exists in patent drawings with Keter so I don’t understand the hold up especially with the new drawer offerings
Stuart
It’s up to Home Depot.
Liza
Would love to see Packout release a double-wide dolly similar to the DeWalt DXL.
If I could stack two sets of Packout drawer boxes back to back for a total of 4 drawers at 2-high with the wood worktop on one side and maybe a crate on the other that’d be amazing.
Or even if they also released a quick release double-wide worktop to attach to the top of the two stacks of drawers – that’d be ideal for my auto shop setup that I need to be mobile for transit.
For now will probably have to grab the DeWalt DXL dolly and worktop and do the same with my toughstack 2.0 boxes.
Not sure if that’s ever going to be in the pipeline for Packout but I’m crossing my fingers for it.
Thanks for the updates, Stuart!
JR Ramos
Anyone interested in or waiting on StackTech (or frustrated by the rollout and delays), could be some bad (worse) news for TB.
I really think they will probably go under but I hope not.
Meridian International filed a patent lawsuit against TB recently alleging issues with two patents – one of the latching system and the other, surprisingly is about a tool bag connection that apparently TB collaborated with Kobalt on to some degree or another. There is an impending motion for injunction (which would be a stop sale, basically) that will be heard in a few weeks. If that injunction is granted, which it likely will be if there is any merit at all to the infringement, then it’ll ruin TB’s holiday season hope and might very well put them under completely. The lack of other products may stem from (what is admittedly hearsay) not paying their Chinese suppliers/manufacturers and thus not getting product shipped to them. There are some lesser known and/or inaccessible online shopping platforms in Asia (difficult or not possible for US shoppers to purchase from) that apparently have seen a flood of TB products recently, which presumably were released by the factory(s). What a mess.
Meridian also filed suit regarding the same patent against SK Tools USA a few weeks before the TB suit. It’ll be interesting to see where they go.
https://insight.rpxcorp.com/litigation_documents/15813537
Stuart
Thanks, I haven’t seen that yet.
It looks like this is the patent in question: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11986946B2/en .
I didn’t see an SK complaint yet either.
JR Ramos
It’s such a pain these days to find any pleadings without paying on pacer…here’s the basic case info for SK: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/pennsylvania/pamdce/4:2024cv01036/142709
I was rather surprised to read about this intertwining of TB and Kobalt. I wonder if this explains some of the lack of the Kobalt stock in Lowe’s, too.
I think TB has had it, though. My local stores did finally do a reset of sorts and have the boxes on the rack, but not many and they’re compressed (Versastack seems to be nixed unless they moved it elsewhere but that made room, and virtually no Flex either). Still just 3 or 4 TB hand tool products on the pegs….mini level, screwdriver sets (faded from the lights), that folding japanese saw, and something I forget. Between that and Menard’s dropping them (and only a couple items even available from HD online) I just don’t see how they’re going to survive given the suits and the supplier issues. I think they’ve been snowing people with positivity and marketing. I do wonder about the sudden pull to delist…either they didn’t like that new investor lady who bought a big chunk, or this was their exit plan all along to attempt to dilute again, raise what they could, and walk with the money. I picked up a couple things from Menard’s for dirt cheap even with shipping and I’d like to get a few more things and a couple clip-tech pouches but it’s looking like ordering from China is about the only way left for the foreseeable future. Maybe it’ll all play out otherwise and they keep going and bringing good products to market…hope so.
Stuart
Thanks!
Regarding Pacer (I understand your frustration), see this page: https://pacer.uscourts.gov/pacer-pricing-how-fees-work
“Users are billed on a quarterly basis if they accrue more than $30 in the previous quarter.” Below that, they’re waived.
JR Ramos
I am more familiar with pacer than I wish to be. Always had mixed feelings about it since it was instituted but it offsets the costs to the court. Access to public records is a real mish mash from federal, state to state, and even counties within a state…it’s a mess.
doneanddusted
You know, I want to like this stuff as it’s kind of cool, especially that giant Dewalt system, but I can’t think of a use case if you’re like me and never need to break down and move boxes outside of my garage.
It would be like buying a jillion Pelican cases and filling them up with tools to stick on a shelf. Both a space and time waster to actually use. Metal cabinets with drawers are simply denser in terms of storage.
I’ll tell you want I want is Harbor Freight to either make a line of intermediate cabinets or (better yet) a really inexpensive knock-off of a Hazet Assistent.
BobSaca
I was curious about the Hazet product so I did a quick search and it looks like Home Depot carries a version made by Beta, the company Stuart covered recently. It’s showing me $499 with free delivery. Not “really inexpensive” but it looks to be about half the price of the bigger Hazet and made by a reputable company
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Beta-15-in-2-Drawers-Folding-Tool-Utility-Cart-for-Portable-Use-Gray-Tools-Not-Included-C27S-G/305573542
doneanddusted
I’ve seen those on the interwebz but would like to see one in person.
There also used to be Japanese knock-offs I think, I also wouldn’t be surprised if other German firms made such stuff in the 1950s-1960s before tool boxes got so large.
The design is clever in that there’s so much that *isn’t* there. It’s basically a stack of drawers and a couple of supports. The modular tool box systems that are the start of all this are basically the opposite it seems…maximization of of storage substrate. Way too much bulk I think.
Hmmm. Maybe a good wood shop project. Make something like that that looks like fine furniture.
Stuart
I’ve always been curious, but not quite convinced to pull out my wallet. Beta sent one over with the recent roller cabinet sample. I’m still working with it, but my impression of the product-for-the-price has definitely improved. It’s larger and more robust than I had expected.
MFC
Stack tech is what I want packout to do. I am not changing from packout because they fit my needs, but if Milwaukee could make a better hand cart and a single large drawer base with a large divider in it, that would complete everything. They’re super close to having a system that works for everyone.
Ben
It’s important to know that a lot of these systems are made by one factory in Israel, notably packout and a few others. They are definitely having supply chain issues to put it lightly.
Stuart
No, they are not made by just one factory.
Keter makes Ridgid and Packout. SBD makes their own boxes, and has very limited USA production. Flex, Kobalt, ToughBuilt, and I believe Husky, produce in China.