On the outside, the new Dewalt DS130 Tough System tool box looks a lot like the small Dewalt Tough System tool box we reviewed and own plenty of, but there are some notable differences.
For one, there’s no top handle. And no air pressure equalization valve. And, as you’ll see from the following image, there’s no inner compartment separation, although there are some built-in and removable organizers.
Advertisement
Perhaps most importantly, you should notice that there’s no rubbery weather seal grommet, although it looks like there’s space for one.
Home Depot’s product page is in conflict with the images, saying there IS an integrated IP65 water seal for protection of contents from weather conditions.
All of these tweaks are reflected in the price. This new Dewalt DS130 Tough System tool box is priced at $31 at Home Depot, while the Dewalt DS150 small Tough System tool box is as low as $43 via Amazon.
The DS130 is said, according to the Home Depot page, to have a 6.5″ height, but Dewalt lists the DS150 as having a 6″ height. I wouldn’t think this version to be taller. If anything, without having to make space for a top handle and inner compartment organizer separator, I’d expect it to be a hair shorter.
You get a lower price and some fewer features, but there are still some very good ones:
Advertisement
- Structural foam construction
- Anti-rust metal latches
- Bi-material handle
- Side handles for carrying and Tough System carrier or rack attachment
- Side latches
- 4 removable storage cups
- 2 small parts or accessories organizers built into the lid
I’m not sure I like that lid organizer design. How do you open up the compartments when the lid is up and vertical, without stuff spilling out?
Correction: As per Schill’s comment below, it does look like the entire organize is hinged at the bottom. You swing it down, then lift the lid up. Thanks, Schill!
It looks like the new DS130 Tough System tool case integrates well with all the other Dewalt Tough System products, including the new Dewalt DS450 rolling Tough System tool box also recently introduced.
Price: $31
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Buy Now(More Featured DS150, via Amazon)
See Also(Rolling Tool Box via Home Depot)
Thanks to Adam for the heads-up!
First Thoughts
Why would Dewalt come out with a new lesser-featured and less expensive Tough System tool box? It’s not a no-frills box, but I can’t see any advantages over the small Tough System box, aside from the price. I suppose a pricing difference of $10 to $14 or so is significant in itself.
Ah, here’s a thought…
I already posted about how the new Dewalt Tough System rolling tool box could be an alternative to Ridgid’s Pro rolling Gear Cart. You can see more of the Ridgid Pro organizer, tool box, and gear cart in my review here.
Did you notice how the new DS130 Tough System box is shown in a stack with the new Dewalt rolling tool box and a large Tough System box ($43 via Amazon) in the middle?
Let’s look at that Ridgid Pro system:
Check Ridgid Pro Tool Box Prices via HD
And how much do they cost? $29 for the small organizer tool box, $39 for the medium tool box, $15 for the newer tote box, and $59 for the rolling gear cart.
I also didn’t miss how Dewalt and Home Depot are marketing these new Tough System tool boxes as a 22-inch tool case, and a 22-inch
Here are those Dewalt storage links again: DS130 tool box, DS450 wheeled tool box.
It surprises me to see Dewalt aiming to compete with Ridgid at this level, especially since they have a whole other line of smaller and less expensive modular tool storage options – Tstak.
Home Depot runs promos on the Ridgid Pro tool storage system every winter holiday season and I believe every Father’s Day as well. It’s usually buy all three, get the small box for free. So it ends up being $98 for the 3-box combo, as discussed in last year’s deal post.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens this year. Maybe there will be a similar Dewalt promo, where you can buy the wheeled tool box and a large Tough System cart and get the above-featured smaller tool box for free.
All this commentary aside, if this new box is as waterproof as the regular Tough System boxes, I’ll be extremely pleased. $31 is not a lot of money for what you get. I’ve bought plenty of small, large, and extra large Dewalt Tough System tool boxes, and always felt like I got my money’s worth.
Update: It is! Or at least it should be, thanks to the grommeted lid seal.
The wheeled cart looks interesting, and should please critics of the Tough System carrier’s pretty large size and heavy weight. But with that wheeled case, you lose some storage capacity due to the wheels, and it means you have to start taking an entire tool box stack apart when you want something from a lower box. Then again, if you keep your boxes in one staging area, you only need to stack and stack your boxes once or twice a day.
Oh, and you CAN use this individually. There’s no obligation to use the new Tough System tool box as part of a larger modular tool storage system. It is nice that it can be stacked in the same way as all other Tough System tool boxes, but the lack of a top handle will hamper things.
If you only want just one tool box of this size, I think the DS150 is a better option, thanks to its top handle. It does cost more, but you’ll soon forget about the extra $10 to $14. But if you go with this less expensive option, the lack of a top handle might plague you for its entire length of ownership.
But when paired with something like the wheeled box, especially if you perhaps want 2 of these instead of 1 plus a large box, the lack of a top handle becomes less important, and the pricing difference becomes more significant.
If you own any modular tool box system, from Dewalt, Ridgid, Bosch, Festool, or any other brand, or make use of individual tool boxes, how likely are you to give this new Tough System tool box a try?
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Buy Now(More Featured DS150, via Amazon)
See Also(Rolling Tool Box via Home Depot)
fred
“How do you open up the compartments when the lid is up and vertical, without stuff spilling out?”
I agree a bit of an awkward design.
I guess you could open the lid just a enough (maybe 20 to 30 degrees) to get your hand in. Then use your fingers to pop the container open and let it down. then open the lid. Might work – but not an elegant design.
Stuart
That’s what I was thinking, but it seems like too much of a workflow interruption.
I think that 85% of their purpose is to serve as lids for the removable bins.
schill
It looks to me like they are lidded boxes that are hinged to the toolbox lid at the bottom (near the toolbox hinge). The whole box, with yellow lid, rotates down. Then you open the yellow lid. On the right, we are seeing the open yellow lid.
If you look closely, it looks like there are two hinges there. The yellow lid is hinged to the yellow box. Then the complete unit is hinged to the lid of the toolbox.
Stuart
Doh! That does make a lot more sense!
Thank you! I added a correction to the post.
Cr8ondt
Sharp eye, bonus points!!!, That actually makes much more sense and makes for a well thought design.
Paul
Personally, I think the lack of a top handle might be an advantage. I have not had the resources to invest in this series but I have quite a few of the tstak. For a small garage shop, the tstak work well except that they are not big enough for reciprocating saw. I like how they can stack for transporting on the cart but unloading is a pain. For carrying, with these boxes loaded, I can very rarely carry more that 2 clipped together because of weight and awkwardness. I find that I really want those clear lidded stacks with no handle on the top so that I have more clearance for tools. Also, there is no reinforcement for the non-existent handle to get in the way of the box closing either.
I can see the same type of issue with the tough box series (soon, very soon will I hopefully buy in) but the compartments are in the way with this new one. I am never going to carry more than one of these at a time latched together as it’s just impractical.
What I would like to see is some way for both tstak and tough boxes to interact. Even the yellow containers do not translate from one series to the other. I would love to see a way for these to latch onto a shop vac as another mode of travel as well.
Adabhael
I think this is a good idea, and useful for my purposes, so long as it really does have the seal as described in the text (but missing from the image).
I would not miss the top handle, and would appreciate any resulting extra clearance inside. Our lab has four of the small ToughSystem boxes to hold and organize various equipment, and instruments. They are a sort of poor-man’s pelican case for less-delicate items that still need some protection. I have never used the top-handle to carry them, preferring to tote them more like a briefcase with the side. We do have some Medium-sized as well, but anytime we latch multiple boxes together the stack is too heavy-bulky to carry one-handed, so we typically use a folding hand truck.
We typically custom-cut kaizan foam to fill our boxes, so I would not miss the internal divisions (I have a stack of unused containers sitting in a drawer waiting for some good use as an organizer tray or something.) We do use the lid compartments to hold things like spare batteries, zip ties, manuals, and velcro cord wraps, so I am very glad to see those are still present. Those compartments are one reason we went with ToughSystem over other options, and I would certainly use the ones here.
So, recognizing mine is an atypical use, I think this is a nice development.
Chance
The DS130 does indeed come with the same yellow gasket as the other Tough System boxes, making it essentially waterproof. And as you have already noted, the top organizers are held up by tension fit tabs and then swing down and the lid opens up when you need to access them. The left side organizer has more smaller compartments which I like. Personally I don’t miss the top handle at all. And the DS130 is Made In USA, whereas the DS450 is made in Israel like the other boxes.
I think the DS130 is a great box, and a especially good option for somebody that wants to gut a box and do Kaizen Foam for tools or whatever.
Chance
Oh, and just to clear things up, the wheels on the DS450 do not intrude into the interior space of the box as they do on the Ridgid.
Stuart
From the product images, it shows that the wheeled tool box is not rectangular at the back area, and is inset with volume loss to make room for the wheels. Are you saying that’s the case only at the corners, and that you have full rectangular volume between the wheels?
Chance
Exactly. The “bracing” is cut away around the wheels on the exterior, but there is no wheel-well that protrudes into the interior of the box at all, so you have full rectangular volume between the sides of the box.
Sam
FYI HD just dropped the price of the DS300 large box to $39 making the 3 piece combo just a couple dollars more that the Ridgid 3 piece setup.
DS130 – 31
DS300 – $39
DS450 – $59
Total – $129 vs $127 for Ridgid
Chance
Did you see that in the store? Online it’s still $60 for the DS300.
Sam
My local store. I will stop by there tonight and see if they have any left, maybe a closeout.
Sam
They did have them at my local store in the seasonal tools area, same area as the Holiday $5 drill/driver bit sets! A display behind them had a picture of the DS130, DS300 and DS450 combo with a special buy tag for $129, When I was there tonight I ask an employee about it and they said most stores will be getting them and putting them out over the next couple of weeks. The store I was at had 8 each DS130, DS300 and DS450 in stock but they do not show up as in stock via the HD web app for that location.
Hammer1225
Yea… and now it’s 2018, and they STILL lack keeping a good up to date inventory on their “my store” app!!!! But, that can be a bonus in some cases!! I got a brushless Milwaukee drill driver set (newer version) for $169 reg. $229, because they were out of the older brushed version that the app said they had 3 in stock!!! And just bought the 3pc tough system and they had at least 6 of the ds450 bottom box on wheeled frame, and the app says they have 2. SMH…..
Stuart
Online it’s still $60, but $129 for a holiday bundle is believable. Thanks for the heads-up!
Sam
Try the HD HQ store in Atlanta (zip code 30339) and see what pricing you get. You might also find some interesting Dewalt 2/3/4 tool combo kits that include tough cases.
Sam
PS: They had DS150’s at this store and I compared the DS130 to DS150. Same size exterior, DS130 has no handle or vent plus it had a made in the USA using global parts sticker on it.
Sam
I did pick on of these up and the nice feature of not having the lid tray and handle is there is more room inside the box.
Roger
Saw this on the HD site about a month ago. Thought it was a Euro version that got accidentally mixed in. I’d would be great if they came out with a newer, better designed, drawer type to the DWST08225. If they induced this with a season deal I would consider it, but the DS150 still looks better designed.
John
I don’t understand it. I like the box itself but why dilute the “Tough System” series with a one off that doesn’t share the benefits of the rest and make compromises to the overall system. Ie no gasket seal, no air equalizer valve, etc. Why get this for 10 bucks cheaper when they have an entire “value” line system the Tstak? I think it’s a terrible idea for Dewalt to add confusion and dilute the series and cannibalize it’s own offering.
Chance
It’s not “diluted”, it’s another option, and if you read the comments you will see that it has a gasket. I don’t understand what’s confusing about this? They added a couple more options to the Toughsystem line at a lower price point, doesn’t sound too confusing to me.
John
Sorry, I only saw one comment confirming only after commenting myself. The pictures do not show a gasket even noted in the article. I have a hesitation believing specs and information on Home Depot listings as I’ve frequently been burned by mistaken listings. At any rate, if it is without compromise and does include the same water protection (even though it still does not have the air equalizer the rest do) and rated specs then I admit my mistake and apologize for my confusion.
Chance
No worries, and no apology needed. I think Stewart just lead everybody in the wrong direction right off the bat with the title, which I don’t really think is fair. More than anything I just feel DeWalt realized they needed to lower their price point in order to sell more of these units, especially when the Ridgid boxes are right up their with quality, albeit, with less options, but at a much more affordable price. I have both the DS130 and DS450 and so far I like them and haven’t seen any cost cutting measures.
Stuart
Respectfully, how was my title misleading and unfair?
This is a value-priced box. The only benefit I can see is that it’s cheaper than the regular small Tough System box. It was specifically designed to cost less.
That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad, or that it’s compromised, but there are some noticeable tradeoffs.
You mentioned it has a yellow gasket. Is there also an equalization valve?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m interested in buying a couple of these. But I stand by what I said, and simply call it as I see it. Compared to the DS150, the DS130 looks to be a value-priced option.
If it’s a little smaller, that’s going to be a big benefit. The model number suggests it’s nearly an inch shorter than the DS150 (130mm vs 150mm?), but on Home Depot the specs say otherwise.
The DS130 looks to be a smaller, less expensive adaptation of the DS150. While I wouldn’t trade in some of my DS150’s, the availability of the DS130 might influence future purchasing decisions.
Chance
Also respectfully, I just feel that it gives guys a preconceived idea before they even look at the product. Look at how many guys are saying this product has diluted the product line or that they can’t believe that DeWalt would bring a lesser quality box to the Toughsystem line when in all actuality it’s the same quality in a box that costs less, but the value priced title puts people in a mindset, thinking it’s in some way inferior. I could be way off-base, but it seems that’s the way most guys looked at this new box. For example, if the title read, “New Toughsystem Box with lower pricing,” people would tend to think they are getting a deal for the same quality they have come to expect from a product line, which in this case, they are. It could just be me, but when I see value priced, I think junk that I will not buy.
Again, no disrespect at all, and hopefully this helps you understand my comments. And no, it does not have an equalization valve.
Stuart
I’ll consider changing it around, but there are always going to be subjective interpretations.
Cheaper can suggest cheap quality. Bargain priced can lead to the same, or the suggestion of a temporary bargain. Lower priced could suggest a price drop or sale.
Value priced, to me, leans more towards the suggestion of quality without expensiveness.
While it’s not a bad thing, I do feel that the product designers looked at the DS150 and stripped things away in order to arrive at the lower price. BUT, I’m very much more satisfied to see lesser features than a compromise in quality.
The DS130 box is something I definitely would buy.
The DS130 isn’t smaller, it’s not different, at least not in the way an organizer or other differently styled box would be. It’s a less bang for less bucks model, which greatly complicates how it can be concisely described appropriately.
Corey
I’ve got a good collection of the tough system (1 of each minus the roller one, 3 organizers, and 3 extra smalls) and I’m honestly not interested in this at all. Seems like a budget friendly(er) variant of the small. Could be my lack of need of another box and the fact that I have the dolly eliminating any interest in the roller box, but I just don’t see any benefit to adding a less configurable mini. I’d peg this for people just buying in. That dolly and larger boxes weren’t cheap ($160 for the dolly, $60 for the drawers, etc) and I could very well see the roller and a couple of these accomplishing close to the same for much less.
Bremon
The DS130 makes more sense generally than the 150. No top handle means more interior space wasted. All those cups in the 150 are a waste. The fold down hinge in the 150 eats up even more space. The weight rating is insane; the new 130 holds less weight but still easily holds a recip and accessories, or drill and impact and accessories, etc. I’m sticking to 4 150s and waiting to buy 4 of these newer cheaper units.
Bremon
*less interior space wasted on the 130. My 150 *just* has enough space for my Fuel Sawzall and hackzall organization vertically because of the hinged lid. The belt clips and bit holders on my drills and impacts prevent it from closing with the lid storage installed.
Corey
I don’t have that issue at all, have you tried the belt clip up, and bit holder down? Assuming they’re 20v tools…lol that’s what I pack, but if they are I have noticed that the belt clip will set the laying angle of the tool weird so that you can’t close the lid with the drop down installed. I keep a compact drill, impact, compact recip and 3 batteries in a small with no extra effort or pressure to properly close the 150
Bremon
My XR 996 and 887 fit no problem, it’s my Fuel 2704 and 2753 I’m complaining about lol.
Stuart
I’ve used the top handles on my DS150’s before, and prefer them to the briefcase-style handle in some cases.
Bremon
Yes, that’s certainly a valid point. In some cases it’s useful, and other situations I could do without. I’ll be happy to have multiples of each for specific tool combinations. Especially when the 130 is priced more economically and made in USA.
Drew McDaniel
There’s been an addition to the Rigid system, which is a crate. I find it very handy to use it to transport a bunch of stuff that wouldn’t be stored into one of the other boxes, like a extension cords, or job materials. I have two of these, and like them.
Somewhat expensive for a crate, but they mount perfectly with the other Rigid boxes.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Box-Black-226036/206291778
Stuart
Yep, and I wrote about it last year when it first came out:
https://toolguyd.com/sog-switchplier-2-multi-tool-week1-review/
I bought one and have been using it for random stuff. Definitely worth the $15. I don’t think I’ve ever used it with any other Ridgid Pro tool boxes yet.
Chance
DeWalt makes a crate or tote like that as well, but it’s a fair bit more expensive. Stewart wrote about that one here,
https://toolguyd.com/dewalt-toughsystem-tool-tote/
The totes are great and I’m always throwing different items into them and tools when setting up or rolling up a job-site. I am pretty certain we will be getting the DeWalt tote with the handle pictured at the beginning of that post I linked pretty soon.
fm2176
I have a number of the Ridgid boxes (4 crates, 2 small boxes, 2 medium boxes, and 1 wheeled box) and also have the DS300 I picked up with my first 20v Max tools and a DS130 picked up yesterday.
I like the Ridgid system a lot and have used the boxes for various things since buying them. For example, my PC 12v Max impact and drill drivers along with some other basic tools are kept in one of the small boxes, with various wood and sheet metal screws in the organizer compartments. Until I moved to Columbus, GA, I kept that box in my truck, ready for any on-the-road project. After adding the crates, I kept one of those in the truck as well, as a catch-all for various things. When I have time to actually clean my truck out, those boxes will go back in it. The three-piece system came in handy when I built/reinforced my dog kennel, as I was able to simply wheel everything I needed (and more) a few hundred feet across the yard. Having an easily transportable modular system is great, and the boxes stack nicely in the back of my truck with the sets folded down.
The new wheel DeWalt box is next on my list of to-buy items, along with one more wheeled Ridgid box. My 20v Max tools have outgrown the DS300 I got with that brushless impact, drill, and light combo back in January, so I can definitely use the larger box. These wheeled modular systems may not be for everybody, but they sure beat the standard 20″ hand-carried tool boxes of yesteryear. I have various hand-carried boxes, to include the Milwaukee 26″ and four of their 13″ job site boxes. Those things get heavy quick, but maybe it’s old age sneaking up on me.
adam
How poorly retained those metal latches are against the box is disturbing for a product pitched as durable