Would you choose a standalone tool box, or one that’s part of a modular tool storage system?
What about organizers? Would you choose a connectable organizer that latches to other like-organizers, or one that’s part of a larger tool storage system?
The idea of connectable organizers goes quite a way back, well before Bosch launched L-Boxx, Dewalt launched ToughSystem, or Milwaukee launched Packout. There are also plenty of standalone organizers as well.
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Does your answer change depending on how many tool boxes or organizers you’re looking to buy?
Is your answer based on present needs or wants, future expandability, or price?
At this time, Milwaukee has 5 different sizes of Packout organizers – standard depth in full and compact widths, shallow depth (low-profile) in full and compact widths, and a full-width deep organizer.
Aside from Packout, they only ever had one size of connectable organizer.
If price isn’t the most important factor, which would you buy today?
What about for other brands? Are you more inclined to buy a Dewalt ToughSystem organizer?
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Dewalt’s non-ToughSystem connectable organizers aren’t standalone either, as they’re part of a line of compatible organizers.
So the question there isn’t quite the same as with tool boxes. Would you go with an organizer system, or organizers that connect to tool boxes, tool bags, and other such storage components?
What about tool boxes? This is a more straightforward question, as I can’t think of any hand tool boxes outside of modular storage systems that connect to each other.
Would you still buy a standalone plastic tool box today? What if you need two? Four?
Or would you go straight for a modular tool box system?
I’m focusing on Milwaukee, but there are many other brands and options.
It’s interesting to see how the mobile and workshop storage industry has changed over the years.
Modular tool storage combos seem like a novel and modern idea.
But, the idea of a multi-component mobile tool box storage system isn’t either new.
I find modular tool storage systems appealing, as they do away with the notion of one size or style to fit all.
But, I also still buy individual solutions, as well as modular tool boxes and organizers with non-connected use and mobility in mind.
Modular organizers and tool boxes often have some compromises, in other to still provide for system-wide stacking, latching, and accessory compatibility.
Still, the boost in features, functionality, and expandability are often worth it.
A lot of questions and purchasing decisions today focus on Packout vs. ToughSystem. Or maybe ToughSystem vs Ridid Pro. Flex vs Klein Modbox. Craftsman VersaStack vs Ryobi Link.
This has led me to wonder about how everyone still feels about standalone tool box, and standalone or connectable organizers.
What would you buy today?
Jared
I wouldn’t buy a “toolbox” that wasn’t part of a modular system. It’s too big of an advantage to be able to piece components together in the format that makes the most sense.
Since I don’t turn wrenches for a living anymore though, my Toughsystem boxes are mostly used to temporarily take tools from my shop to elsewhere on my farm for a specific job… or camping ( I really like being able to throw some supplies in my rolling xl box and load a couple Toughsystem coolers on top). Nothing really stays in the boxes permanently. I think that creates a natural limit on how much use I’ll get from modular tool box systems and how many I’ll buy.
With organizers, I don’t usually need to be so mobile. I might bring a specific organizer with me containing fasteners or supplies for a specific job, but almost never more than one. E.g. I have an organizer packed with electrical supplies, another with metric bolts in different sizes and lengths, another with metric cap screws, SAE… etc.
When I organized that way a few years ago I bought a bunch of the Milwaukee non-Packout but connectable style – mostly just based on price because I needed a bunch of them. Toughsystem organizers would be even nicer, but just didn’t seem worth the extra cost.
TomD
Organizers would probably be almost as useful for me without the packout stacking – and they were MUCH cheaper if I remember correctly.
It is nice to be able to stick two of the smaller ones together for carrying around.
KMR
Yep, the Milwaukee job box organizers were much cheaper. IIRC regular price at HD was $25, and they’d go on sale for $20 for the large size. Similar sized PackOut organizer is closer to $50.
What really irks me is that Milwaukee discontinued these. I hate having to change or mix my storage solutions once I’ve committed to using a particular brand’s offerings.
David
I’m with you on this – I’ve been slowly expanding my collection for years, and didn’t find out about the discontinuation before they were gone.
Jared
Those are the organizers I use too.
I remember Stuart warning everyone that they were going away (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-jobsite-organizer-discontinued/%3C/a%3E%29, but in Canada they disappeared for like a month, then came right back and were featured in the Home Depot flyer several times subsequently. I figured it was a regional thing and Canada might continue selling them.
Then I just looked them up now and I see that while the listings still appear on the Home Depot site, it says they’re no longer sold online or in-store. Not sure what that means, but I suspect its that they’re now discontinued again here too.
Two pack: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/milwaukee-tool-tool-organizer-2-pack-/1001063542
Single: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/milwaukee-tool-10-compartment-red-deep-pro-small-parts-organizer/1000835671
They were a great deal – on “sale” all the time for ~$50/2. I will miss having that as an option.
Bonnie
Absolutely. I had started collecting the old 10-compartment Husky’s, and then they discontinued them. That’s made me avoid buying into any other platform.
P
That husky box was a great product. I have 4 but wished i had 10. I switched to the dewalt non tough system organizer, but I still prefer that husky.
Jimmy
Where do you buy milwaukee packout boxes that cheap
harrison
Will definitely be looking to purchase a modular tool storage system in the future. The advantages over bags and blow molds are too strong to ignore.
The only modular system we’re currently invested in is Systainers- and that’s really only because they come as packaging for Festool and Mirka products. I actually quite like them, they are nice and square and very efficient. Durability wise, they are for workshop and finishing work, not for wheeling around a muddy job site.
Packout looks decent, but I hate that ugly red (pink) plastic, and it doesn’t fit under a tonneau cover.
At this point I am most interested in Toughbuilt, and maybe the Makita system if it pans out. Rigid, Flex and Dewalt Tough system would also be contenders. Absolutely no rush though.
Jeremiah James McKenna
The Packout will fit under the tonneau cover. The old one si ply requires a little bit of modification, and the new one has the quick release already.
The only way it fades from red to pink is when they are left outside all the time. All plastic fades in the Sun.
I too am interested in the new Toughbuilt system. It looks like it would be easier to clean. The cleats and locking divots in my Packout can fill up with sawdust. Sure, it’s easy to blow them off, but I don’t always have my leaf blower with me.
I’m pretty sure that the Toughbuilt will be just as or more expensive than Packout/FLEX. Their current offerings are pricey.
Frank D
Connectable organizers and toolboxes are just head and shoulders above loose ones. I have dozens of standalone Stanley organizers and at least a dozen toolboxes that do not connect … from my early diy days. I could make like a single layer of toolboxes and double layer of organizers to match … throw a sheet of plywood over the lot and have a whole minivan of storage still. It worked and was inexpensive but had its limitations. I have sampled three different connected systems, got load of ridgid and packout … neither is perfect and mw is too expensive for what it is, but they’re my favorite system … with loads of 3d printed accessories.
SWobig
Modular all the way. I still have a couple of loose off brand organizers and such, but they are getting fewer and fewer. The more compatible they are, the better I seem to be able to organize as each seperate one has it’s own size and such. I like some of the new products that have come out, but can’t see ever switching from Milwaukee…
Scott K
I don’t move more than a handful of tools around at a time, so I don’t have a real need for a well-planned mobile storage system. I think if I were going to start storing tools in boxes rather than on shelves and in drawers I would look seriously at a modular system because the design and durability seem worth the cost increase. I have a couple of Dewalt parts organizers that connect, but the fasteners are for different tasks, so they don’t really need to connect.
xu lu
Packout is a highly inefficient use of the cube. Standard organizers hold far more. It has been awhile since i calculated the cubic inches of available interior storage to outside cube but i recall it to be really poor.
Stuart
Generally, yes.
I bought a bunch, not because they’re highly space efficient, but because the pricing was really good.
There are a lot of solutions that are more space efficient for bulk parts.
There are also solutions that are more space efficient for small parts, but they tend to be very costly, not very durable, not highly portable, or a combination of things.
Steve L
Is there a system or brand which is very space efficient?
Stuart
For consumers? Not really, at least none I would recommend anymore.
JML
I loved the now-discontinued Milwaukee organizers. I keep hoping I can find one more somewhere, at $25 they were great; some online places like electrical suppliers list them but don’t really have them or never respond to inquiries, and I’m not paying 2-3x the list price for some eBay seller who is likely selling a used product. I’m a homeowner and have no need for anything like the current Milwaukee stuff at the prices they ask, which are, IMHO, vastly higher in price than they should be. I did buy some of the Craftsman Tradestack organizers because the price was right, they hold the hobby and watch parts/tools I needed to store. They’re made well for a homeowner’s use, mate easily, and all I need were three organizers and a small toolbox for painting supplies.
Dave (not here)
I was already bought into Packout so gradually my organizers have gone that way as well, and while not entirely necessary there are some upsides.
All of my plumbing (drain) tools in a organizer? I can snap it on top of a crate filled with fittings and connectors and have a sealed crate. Same for an organizer full of tile spacers and small tools snapped to a crate of towels, mud mixer, and other big stuff, or plumbing (supply) tools like torch, gas, solder/flux in an organizer snapped to a crate of copper elbows, sleeves, angle stops… It’s nice to have a “kit” for whatever job I’m doing and, if more than one job on a given day, to be able to combine everything in a neat stack.
Chip
I have been mobile in several different jobs in the last 20 years.
Depending on the job/vehicle is where I need stackable modules vs standard organizers.
I have always had standalone small bin organizers at home,from Zag/Husky/Dewalt/Ridgid/Milwaukee/Stanley.
IMO you don’t need modular (click together) in a shop/home environment.
It’s very easy to stack them sideways, or in vertical stacks…or build a cabinet with drawers.
My current job of installing cabinets, I only have 3 packouts for small parts.
NoDak Farming
I had, in the past, always thought I’d end up with a very large multi-drawer steel tool box. I never bought one though. And now I have kinda been buying into Packout stuff. I’m glad it worked out that way. My tools are so much more mobile now, compared to supposedly being in an immensely heavy steel drawer style box. Having the Packout boxes being gasketed, and able to latch together, is just icing on the cake. I may start looking at some other branded modular boxes too. I don’t always need the extra robustness of Packout. There are lots of good options now.
I don’t mind buying a stand alone toolbox sometimes though. Just to house, & be protective of a power tool that doesn’t normally leave the shop. Like having a right angle grinder and it’s accessories all in one box.
I don’t have a collection of organizers. But I’d like to buy several to help organize a plethora of random parts and supplies around the farm. They don’t need to latch together. All I’ll be looking for is a brightly colored interior for ease of visibility. For them to be robust enough that the handle won’t break off, while carrying it loaded. And for them to be cost effective. In other words, I don’t want to have to wait for seasonal sales, to make it possible to go buy two or three of them. Some of them would only be opened a few times a year. Top tier (*expensive) organizers just wouldn’t be necessary.
TZ
I generally avoid toolboxes that aren’t part of a system when possible. I don’t even link them together when I have them. But I still buy them knowing that they are significantly less likely to be discontinued. The biggest problem I have with non modular systems is when you build shelves or racks that are meant to hold them. Then some years later when you want more of them, you can’t find them anymore…
The system I use most now is still the ToughSystem 1.0, have like 10+ of those boxes. Have some extra new ones too, because I overbought incase it ended up discontinued (plus they were cheap). Would be too difficult to get rid of them, so can’t really switch to a new system unless it’s a big enough improvement to basically toss the old boxes out. Plus I made custom foam inserts for some of them.
Made a really bad mistake with TStak though. I didn’t know how long that system would last since it was somewhat new, so I bought like 15 (or more) of those 1 and 2 drawer units during some sort of sale/price mistake (less than $10 each) from HomeDepot, and once I had them I decided I hated the things. Thought I’d find a use for them at some point, so didn’t return them. So 5-6 years later I have like 15 of those TStak drawers wasting space, have no use for them, and don’t know local people that use them. Too heavy to even sell online and ship (and a hassle to package too). If they don’t discontinue it, maybe someday I’ll find someone local that wants them, lol.
Chuck
I use Tstak and Tough System containers all over the house. Around me (Maryland) people are non negotiable in charging MSRP for these modular toolboxes. I usually just shops sales instead of secondary, though I have gotten some good deals.
Nick
I just picked up a couple of those 2 drawer TStak units and for what I’m using them for in organizing various workspaces around the shop and house I think they work great. I’ve picked up a bunch more in the last couple of days so I guess it really depends on your use case
TZ
There is definitely good use situations for them, probably why they are pretty popular. I think in my case the big difference is my ‘workshop’, if you can call it that, is basically a shed. So the space efficiency of those things with my limited space is just really bad, because the mechanisms to make them portable waste a huge amount of space. I ended up using standard non-portable shelving for that instead.
Then for bringing around, I don’t use any of the dolly systems, so the weight of the box is heavier than the advantage of pull out drawers is worth. So I always bring my non-drawer ToughSystem boxes, and can’t make use of the TStak.
Like I said, it was a impulse buy due to the price, but unfortunately wasn’t the right product for my use. Looked up my HomeDepot receipt online, Bought 18 of them at just over $8 each after taxes back in May 2017. If I remember correctly, it was due to multiple coupons stacking. Complete impulse buy that I couldn’t make use of.
Nick
Wish I was closer and I’d take them off your hands. Way better than the $35/ea I’ve been paying for them
Shawn Y
I’ve been very satisfied w my DeWalt Toughsystem 1.0 bins and boxes for the garage. I’d have gotten more if they offered the wall rack system in half sizes so it goes to waist or stomach level. It’s a pain to lug the tops off to get to the bottoms.
The 2.0 boxes seem to be selling well because I’ve yet to see any slickdeals alerts (3 stars or up) since they released even though I find the prices higher than I’d prefer. I recall getting the bins for $20, larges for $40 and XL for maybe $50. Amazon and HD had a number of price dips.
S
My answer is that “It depends.”
For general mobile installation, locking modular systems rule. The biggest problems in this area is getting all the tools needed on and off the job site, securing the tools, and transporting them between locations easily, and safely.
Because everything locks together, it makes it that much easier to accomplish all 3 of those things. Easier to move around, easier to lock up, and easier to transport ‘one’ bulk of locked-together containers than attempting to secure 2-10 individual containers.
This is why I have a lot of packout gear. The importance for me is options and modularity for a variety of tasks and uses, and that it won’t go out of vogue in a couple years.
But that said, there’s also plenty of space for non-modular boxes as well, especially in the non-mobile and homeowner areas.
I still use a lot of non-modular containers to further divide pieces, parts, and other components that I need to keep organized, or maintain specific stock of, but the form factor, price point, or shape of modular options simply can’t work for me.
For instance, electrical crimp connectors. I maintain a clear ‘ tacklebox’ container of about 10 variations that I use on average every 3 days.
The containers I use for this are selected by their outside dimensions, and internal dividing options.
The smallest packout is similar in size, but has more external bulk so it can’t sit where I place the tray a lot of times, the bottom locking mechanism creates an unstable base on off-level surfaces more prone to tipping over, the lid opens length wise, which exacerbates tipovers and cursing cleanups, which ultimately kill productivity and organization.
the internal space-to-divider usage is also horribly inefficient due to the stylistic approach to individually molded bins and extremely thick addon dividers. The tacklebox unit approach to this solves all these issues. Small compartments thinly separated make for more individual storage space within the same exterior dimensions.
the flat flexible bottom is less prone to moving around or scratching the “workbench of the day”, and the cover opening width-wise makes for a more stable opening that doesn’t want to tip itself over because it’s so light.
As far as normal ‘tool boxes’ I also have plenty of use for those as well. Back in the land before time, when COVID did things and the FAA came in like a wrecking ball on ‘drones’, I stored all my flying gear in specifically sized toolboxes for easy transport and parts organization. There still isn’t a suitable 400-class helicopter sized modular unit on the market(I’d need the packout rolling xl unit, which takes up most of a truck bed), where I currently use a DeWalt tool box that fits nicely in 1 seat width that stores all the important parts.
Rx9
I’m well bought in to both the Milwaukee M12 and M18 tool systems, yet ironically enough, the only tool company boxes I own are all DeWalt, including Toughsystem. Simply stated, for the price, Dewalt is providing far better value on tool storage. I would give Packout a chance, but not at double the price.
Plus, I can buy with a clearer conscience since a good portion of their boxes are made in the USA.
For other storage, one non-tool-brand storage system that shows up in my garage is the Really Useful Box brand. I like their affordabilty, modularity and build quality.
Derek
Homeowner/DIYer/Woodworker here. My ‘parts’ organizers are from Harbor Freight. At $6 a piece with bins that are removeable it’s exactly what I need to store all my wood screws. They live in my woodworking shop in the basement and I can take a bin out or a whole container if I need to go somewhere with it. I don’t think I’ll ever change them to a stackable set unless I become a professional woodworker/handy man/tradesperson.
Before I ended up with the ToughSystem boxes I was trying to pick up the 23″ or 28″ structural boxes that Stanley sells under multiple names. They stack well and are a good size.
I have 2 Dewalt ToughSystem 2.0 boxes. It was far too good of a deal to pass up. One is for my plumbing supplies, one is for electrical. When SBD friends and family comes around again I’ll pick up some more, at least one for drywall. Whenever Dewalt comes out with some shallow depth options I’ll buy them and move mechanics hand tools into those.
I don’t stack them together as they’re for different purposes. I live in a townhouse without a garage so I’m carrying them up flights of stairs, not rolling them around.
I would like to find a way to mount them all the wall without spending a fortune. When I can pull that off I’ll acquire more. Not sure how I’ll deal with the half-width ToughSystem boxes.
Michael C Porter
Absolutely. I buy the Dewalt Deep Pro Organizers that go on sale every year at Home Depot. I have maybe 20 of them now. Everything gets organized into them. They sit on metal shelving and are labeled on the handle and sides so I can tell what’s in them at a glance. I’ve also started using them for my random Lego. It’s my own sortimo.
Brandon
As a DIY’er that uses tools at home 90+% of the time, I have no need for modular boxes. If you need to transport or secure your tools, it’s a whole different game, but a purpose-designed bag/box beats modular boxes in practically every other regard: space efficiency, organization, weight, cost.
Folks reading this who don’t work on the road: don’t get sucked in to a “system.” If you use your tools enough to lust over modular boxes, then you can also design and build a better solution for your specific situation.
My current middle-ground for everything is: *the best open-top container for the type of tool/category, in a deep drawer.* If I need my circular saw, I open a drawer and pull it out (of its already-open bag). If I need to take it somewhere, I open the drawer and lift the whole bag out. Same for most hand tools (I love the square “electrician totes” for this).
This is a great balance for me: dense dust-free organization and immediate accessibility at home in the shop, plus very little hassle to take my tools on the road.
Rachel
I needed an extra tool bag the other day and I had a style in mind for what I wanted. Unfortunately all the options for that style had been ‘modularized’ and had since been made more expensive. Since I haven’t really been sold on a system yet I didn’t want to pay $80 on something that I could have gotten for 30 or 40 before. So I had to settle for a cheapo in a less useful shape. Maybe by the time it breaks down there will be a system I like.
Rob L.
I use a few systems – Packout at home for tools, adding a small organizer on the bottom of a tool bag was a surprise as to how much that was handy. Going to break down to get some drawers to hold things so i don’t have to unstack all the time.
I use Packout for Scouts – a mobile system that can be broken down into small chunks is great for smaller scouts. My first aid in my trunk, our bigger first aid for the troop, are also packout, and looking at the newer garage organizer gear to make tool storage in the trailer easier.
Our Cubs use simple rigid 1.0 boxes, will be adding the 2.0 drawers when available for kitchen tools.
One major advantage to packout and toughsystem is that there’s some reassurance that the system will be around a bit.
eddiesky
I had bought some HD storage that was for screws. Problem was, they put heavy adhesive decals on top of the clear lid and anything that will remove it, will melt the clear plastic. (Swing up Husky carry storage I think). I also have some screw storage that are like the Dewalt with yellow 3×3 bins inside and I put all my drywall screws and fasterners in them, but they lack labels (I just tear of the packaging and put in respective bins for size/part#.
My problem is organizing, seeing WHAT is in each and labels that they vendors lack. Sure, I can use my Labelworks and label… if I have the time and remember. I want PICTURE system with images of wood screws, metal screws, bolts, rivets, concrete fasteners… like we need some default decals.
I mean, I could just make them… hmmm…
Jeremiah James McKenna
I was thinking that if the Tougbuilt system is as nice and expansive as their commercial shows, I’d look into it. However, I have a few Packout boxes now. Would I just add to my collection or sell my current set up? That’s the good thing about these tools, they hold their value.
Joe Hanson
It depends. I like making small kits in standalone boxes that have everything I would need. That does mean I have multiples of many tools but like being able to grab my electrical tool box and go and it has everything I would need. I don’t have to swap boxes around and make sure I have everything. I just grab and go. Sewing box, electrical box, leather working box, plumbing box, bicycle box, etc. Everything is tagged and labeled and if there are items with batteries in the box I make a label on the outside of the box with the expiration dates of the batteries so I know when it’s roughly time to replace them. For my general home repair/carpentry set up it is a very large modular tool box system.
Blocky
I haven’t yet been able to make a really great tool layout in interlocking systems. I have some pieces in six systems.
Space efficiency and ease of access are important, which is why a lot of my dedicated kits have ended up in bags. Some of those bags are subdivided with small parts organizers.
When I need to move many bags to and from, they usually go into a c-bin on a dolly. This also works with things like sawhorses, tracks, and stepladders.
I’m hoping that the forthcoming ridgid drawers will work for us, but I’m also considering customizing service carts as they won’t need to be unstacked for tool access.
Toughbuilt’s new system looks promising. I have one of their rolling bags and it’s very good.
Walt Bordett
I don’t care for organizers that are lockable to toolboxes. I don’t use modular toolboxes. My organizers are the HF stackable modular parts boxes. I have about a dozen of them for various kinds of parts, electrical fittings, terminals, RF connectors, screws etc. I take what I need for the jobs at hand with me and the rest stay on the shelf at home. Some of my plumbing stuff is in an old Plano plastic parts box cabinet housing four flat organizers.
If I bounced them all around in a truck every day, I probably would make different choices.
Scott ALKB
DIYer here. I got Craftsman Versastack modular boxes since I couldn’t justify Packout pricing, and they have the water-sealing foam and metal hinge pins that the Dewalt Tstak system lacks (though they are compatible).
Brett
Packout all the way… they are way overpriced but sales and deals on used ones have provided me with a lot of them. Mostly I have them under benches in my shop and full of stuff that I rarely use but need – a box of plumbing tools, a rolling bottom and 3 drawer for AC tools, small top box for tire stuff… deep top one for soldering… deep mid box for auto body tools, another bottom roller for my junkyard/recover friends tools. Plus a bunch of others. I don’t travel with them, it’s just super easy to reorganize the shop if needed. I have a crate and bottom roller at work that I use for taking stuff to conferences. Bottom line… love Packout… but it’s way overpriced and I think DeWalt is slightly better quality.