An interesting tip came in earlier this month, asking me to look into the new Craftsman Pro System Tower that Lowe’s recently started listing on their website.
The Craftsman Pro tool box listing still hasn’t been updated, and we’re still waiting to hear back from Craftsman.
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The reader’s suggestion makes sense – they believe that this indicates a new line of Craftsman-branded ToughSystem tool boxes, specifically a tool box tower or combo kit. The model number is CMST60420, with the CMST indicating this will be a Craftsman tool storage product.
Stanley Black & Decker, parent company to Dewalt and Craftsman, already makes Dewalt ToughSystem tool box products with red accent components, for Facom.
At the least, there could be a Craftsman ToughSystem or ToughSystem 2.0 tool box tower/combo stack at Lowe’s.
But beyond that, there is a LOT of potential. Dewalt never launched their 3-drawer ToughSystem tool box here in the USA, and I don’t think I have ever seen the 2-drawer tool box in person yet either, perhaps indicating soft popularity. Might we see these drawer tool boxes with fitted foam trays and Craftsman hand tool assortments, similar to what Facom offers?
Facom also has a very neat accessory rail system that lets users attach their modular ToughSystem tool boxes to select Facom rolling tool cabinets.
Craftsman has a lot of potential here, for ToughSystem and ToughSystem 2.0 tool box components to be offered in ways that Dewalt has not yet pursued, at least in the USA.
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When it comes to modular tool boxes, Home Depot has Milwaukee Packout, Dewalt ToughSystem 2.0, and Ridgid Pro System. AND, they also have a Husky system at a lower price point.
What does Lowe’s have when it comes to modular tool box systems? So far, it’s usually just Craftsman Versastack, which is basically Dewalt Tstak tool boxes with red accent colors instead of yellow. We’ve seen Craftsman bring Tstak designs to the USA that are not found in Dewalt’s own system, such as tool bags previously available overseas but not here.
So, Craftsman-branded ToughSystem tool box options, branded as the Craftsman Pro System Tower will go a long way towards bolstering Lowe’s modular tool box offerings.
If Lowe’s will only carry this tool box combo tower, that’s better than nothing, although there’s the potential for more. Tool box towers typically sell well, and if Craftsman and Lowe’s experience strong sales, who knows what could happen.
There’s also another important question to ask – what if the Craftsman Pro System Tower is a completely different product?
However, Stanley Black & Decker has a long history of cross-branding their tool boxes and organizers, such as between Dewalt and Stanley brands, and so there are a lot of precedents that suggest the Craftsman Pro tool box system is going to be rebranded from ToughSystem 2.0 products.
There’s the potential for Craftsman’s Pro tool storage system to be something different than ToughSystem, but the likelihood is very slim.
Craftsman Pro System Tower Features & Specs
- Full stackable with auto connect latches
- 7in wheels for easy transportation
- Aluminum latch material
- 22″ width
- 13″ depth
- 33″ height
- 3 trays
- 9 handles
- 0 drawers
- 130 lbs weight capacity
Hopefully we’ll learn more soon.
In the meantime, what do you think this new Craftsman Pro System 22″ Tower tool box combo will mean for users?
Jammer
I don’t care what the brand is, but if Lowe’s starts carrying toughsystem compatible products, then more competition to HD and other retailers will be good. If the rumors prove true, I’ll likely snag a few organizers that say Craftsman to add to my Dewalt TS set.
Jared
Wow. I think that would be pretty exciting if they came out with a Craftsman-stocked, foam-lined, toughsystem tool box. Could be a pretty neat all-in-one mobile setup.
Also, that Facom stuff looks awesome! Scrolling down I thought for a second you found a picture of what Craftsman was releasing… and got very excited. I imagine that Facom set costs a boatload though.
Stuart
I worried about that a bit, hence the Facom captions. =)
Peter
Never saw the Facom Tool Cabinet and ToughSystem Combo before.
The way I read the article is that the Dewalt and Facom ToughSystem are compatible.
Is that right?
Thank you.
Stuart
They should be perfectly cross-compatible.
Ken Weinstein
Where can one buy (see) Facom?
Ken
Stuart
It’s been out for a while, but as far as I am aware, Facom tool storage products are only available in Europe. I haven’t found a good USA source yet.
Facom hand tools can be purchased via variety of sources, domestically and overseas, but tool cabinets are a different story due to freight requirements.
Ken Weinstein
Yes the usual EU sources showing the Facom 3-Drawer ToughSystem discontinued.
Frank
I had pleasant experiences buying Facom from ultimategarage.com
Jim Felt
Thanks Frank.
They look like a great resource I’d not remembered. And for USAG too.
Stuart
Me too. I checked prior to publishing the post, and they didn’t seem have any Facom or USAG tool cabinet listings.
Jim Felt
Griot’s Garage, a national higher end auto enthusiast focused company, has actively marketed Facom nationally since the mid to late Nineties.
I’ve still got original French made Facom tools from that era. And newer ones (post SB&D acquisition I’d imagine) as well. All very nicely made.
Oh. And after the bother and shipping expense of direct from Europe purchasing I’m willing to pay a tad more to Griot. Plus they have sales every so often.
End of commercial. ;-)~
Nathan
Would like to see a toughsystem version in red at lowes. Again just for competition and price wars.
meanwhile and more importantly I want that 3 drawer box with blank foam and tool less – please and thank you.
Corey Moore
Pretty sure Mac’s toughsystem color scheme is red
David N.
Do you have a link to that Facom 3-Drawer ToughSystem Tool Box anywhere? I can’t search for it easily.
And to the Dewalt 3-drawer system outside of the US? I’ve been wait…and waiting for Dewalt’s 3-drawer system.
Ken Weinstein
seems to be out of production for Facom right now…
David N.
I see you addressed the Facom box already box, sorry!
Frank D
Should have read the comments first before trying to lovate that facom cart and adapter. Got too exited … even though I’m into packout and ridgid and stanley … a boy can dream about a modular cart in the garage for garage and car things? 😉
Joe
What would be better is if Craftsman would tease their upcoming USA mechanics tools or provide a potential release date. Their latest social media post a few weeks ago just showed a couple of pics from inside of the factory. As someone who’s looking into replacing most of his older, worn out tools… I’ve been holding out to see what they’re going to offer, but I’m growing more and more impatient. I have money to burn and they’re not doing much to keep my attention. Stanley/Craftsman has one of the worst marketing teams I’ve even seen. All of the money they invested into the Fort Worth plant, you would think they would be getting the public hyped up as much as possible for the return of a beloved “American” product.
Nathan
I too had high hopes but I have to give them some credit when you consider that this time last year they had to shut the doors of whatever they were running. and any outside vendors they work with was probably also shut down even in TX until around July. and then at 1/2 staff.
so if they were to hit the shelves this year I’d be happy
Patrick
I’m pretty invested in the ToughSystem stuff and had never heard of Facom. I sure hope it becomes available in the USA. That Facom Tool Cabinet and ToughSystem Combo looks incredible for the garage. Carry a couple of things from the basement up to clip on and keep the normal garage tools in the rolling cabinet. Maintain a fairly small footprint in my garage made in the 60s.
Jared
Just for context, Facom isn’t related to Toughsystem except in that they share a parent company – Stanley Black & Decker. Facom is sold from a few channels here in Canada (I bought some pliers and a couple wrenches from Grainger, for example) and seems to have similar limited availability in the USA.
Getting the stuff this side of the pond tends to be difficult and expensive – and I wouldn’t hold my breath for that to change any time soon.
Nice tools though! I sure wish it was easier to find. While Craftsman almost certainly won’t be as nice, it is obviously going to be cheaper. Fingers crossed they released some kits outfitted like that Facom, because the concept looks great!
Paul
My biggest request for either system is to have a smaller parts organization tray similar to the Stanley 25-part trays. I need them to be pull out so that I can mix and match for the job that I am going on. I have several of the dewalt deep storage boxes that are organized and stacked up in the workshop. I like those because they use the same size tray as the tstak and versastak so I can mix and match those. I mainly switched to the versastak for the parts organization because they are smaller than DeWalt and hold more trays. The Dewalt clear lids are now used for tool storage with kaizen foam.
CK
Selling ToughSystem boxes at Lowe’s is a great idea.
Doing so under a non-Dewalt brand is not.
Maintenance Essentials
Lowes also carries the Qbrick System of boxes on line but I really no nothing about them.
John
I was hoping it was going to be toughsystem compatible but it looks like it is a pro tstack extension….
Jamie
So do these facoms fit toughsystems and vice versa?
Stuart
The Facoms? Yes.
The new Craftsman? No. In this update I describe the entirely new system: https://toolguyd.com/craftsman-tradestack-tool-boxes/
Aaron
Just letting you know that the Craftsman Pro System Tower is available now at Lowes. From what I can tell, it comes with an adapter to allow Versatack/Tstack to attach to this new system. It is IP 65 and looks similar to the Milwaukee pack out, but is a more reasonable price. It looks very good. The connection points look good and it looks like a much needed upgrade.
Al Boogie
I’ve been wanting to get the Dewalt 3 drawer TS ever since I saw it. I have the 2 drawer one. Interesting enough I picked the TS 2.0 and they still market it. IMO Dewalt does a horrible job in marketing their products, the TS 2.0 has a lot of potential, but they only came out with a half of organizer and no drawer system. The trays are great but no advancement since it came out.
On another note I’ve picked up the new Craftsman Trade Stack and that has a lot of potential. The way they stack together is amazing, better than Milwaukee. The quality isn’t at great as Milwaukee but at the end of the day it’s just a box to hold tools. Hopefully they can add a drawer system and organizers and not rely on the Versastack for those things.