Here’s a new tool release we seem to have missed. But, thanks to an Instagram ad, we have learned that Dewalt has come out with a step stool and tool box 2-in-1 combo product.
The Dewalt DWST25090 is half step stool, half tool box.
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We don’t have any images of the step stool folded, but it looks to separate into two parts in order to do so.
There are two main parts here, the tool tote with fold-down handle, the top lid with handle and latches, and the aluminum legs of the step stool.
The lid is attached to the step stool, to give you a sturdy surface to stand on.
Or to the tool box, to give you covered portability. I assumed that this also allows you to carry the tool box in one hand and the step stool legs in the other. (More on this in the discussion.)
And here’s the first image once more, showing how the lid is attached to the step stool legs and then the tool box on top of all that, for those times you want your tools and supplies elevated off the floor.
If you’re working at standing height, it can be uncomfortable having to bend down to access a tool box resting on the floor. Having an elevated tool box seems like a convenient option if you’re not actively using the step stool for taller reach.
Dewalt Step Stool Tool Box Features & Specs
- 300 lbs weight capacity
- 66 lbs tool box capacity
- 18″ platform height
- 25″ length, 11″ width
- Sturdy aluminum legs
- Non-marring feet
- Dual use latches
- Ergonomic carry handle
- 13.2 lbs “assembled weight”
Price: $75
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See Also: Work Platform via Home Depot
Discussion
I don’t recall seeing anything quite like this, but it seems like a good idea for some users.
What’s the benefit here, compared to having a separate step stool and portable tool box or open tote? Well, they all latch together.
It doesn’t seem that you have any portability benefits. Although there are no images of how everything goes together, I would guess that you carry the tool box in one hand and folded step stool legs in the other. And yes, that’s not much different than if you have a standalone step stool and tool box.
So why buy this 2-in-1?
Looking for alternative options, there are lots of small homeowner-type step stools, and larger work platforms as linked-to above. This seems like an intermediately sized option.
BUT WAIT. There’s got to be more to this product than I’m seeing, right? So I started looking into things further and found that this Dewalt step stool tool box also exists as a Stanley FatMax product, FMST81083.
OH! After seeing that the step stool folds into the top “lid” or standing platform, everything comes together.
So, you have a tool tote, and a lid which contains the legs to the step stool. Fill the tool tote with stuff, and the lid’s step stool components won’t intrude into the tool box compartment.
This then means you can carry a tool tote full of tools or supplies AND a step stool, in one hand, with the lid on the tote.
I’m embarrassed to think I assumed this was a 3-part system with tool box, lid, and legs all separate and the lid switching between the two if needed or for transport. Finding the Stanley FatMax image cleared everything up.
It seemed like a convenience to have a medium-sized step stool and latching tool box combo that brings your supplies to a raised height and securely latch together. Not that tool boxes readily slide or topple off work platforms, but they can, especially those with heavy lids and narrow bases.
Having a step stool fold INTO a tool box lid, and with space left over for tools and supplies… that makes a lot more sense and has the potential to benefit a lot more users.
It’s amazing how one product image can push my impression from “that’s a cool product for some users” to “that’s a great product for a lot of users.”
What do you think, gimmick or useful idea?
Buy Now via Acme Tools
Buy Now via CPO Tools
See Also: Work Platform via Home Depot
Evadman says
That looks very well designed and really cool, and I have no idea what I would use it for.
Stacey Jones says
+1, I’m sure there is someone out there that could really use this, but I’m having a hard time figuring out who? It would have been great for those street hawkers or politicians getting on their soapbox back in the day!
Richard Simon says
For an RV user or a camper that does festivals, a step stool is often useful. The tote could hold some setup/teardown tools like an engineer’s hammer, hatchet, small pruning saw, a few wrenches, rope, an area light, lighter, etc. that need to all be easily accessible when you first roll onto a site. I keep all of those things in a single water resistant tool box and often as not, I close it and stand one it a few times during a set up.
Jason says
This looks very unique but great idea. So many instances with 8’ ceilings or basements where you just need an extra step.
Toughsystem compatible or did I miss that?
Stuart says
This seems to be a standalone product and NOT ToughSystem compatible, although that would have been awesome.
JR3 Home Performance says
Yeah..that’s where it falls short… No reason they can’t make a tough-system version though right
Koko The Talking Ape says
I have to say, I’m impressed. Those bidirectional locks are especially clever. If this fella saves some stooping distance, then I’m all for it.
If it had coasters, it could work like a rolling tool cart like the IKEA Raskog, but collapsible.
Wayne R. says
I agree, the raised toolbox aspect to me is the first advantage of this combo. On the other hand, after ditching plain toolbags for Veto Pro bags, I can’t ever see going back to pile-of-tools-on-the-bottom as appealing either.
Koko The Talking Ape says
That’s a good point. Maybe this kind of box is best for keeping lots of materials handy, like cans of paint, grout, etc. (Mural artists?)
Maybe somebody will make something like this, but with a more organized toolbox.
Bolt says
Neat but it costs too much
fred says
I second the notion that the dual-fold legs seem clever.
We had many Werner small work platforms. Theirs and other brands come in several varieties and can be useful for working on trim etc.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WERNER-20-in-x-45-in-x-12-in-Aluminum-PRO-Platform-with-300-lb-Load-Capacity-AP-25/301578816
Jared says
I think it could be very handy. I use my bottom Toughsystem box/cart in much the same way. It’s full of tools, which I wheel around to where I’m working and then often sit on it. I have stood on it as well, but that’s not needed as much for me because I’m mostly doing auto work.
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I’m not likely to buy this because my Toughsystem cart works great for the same purpose, but this would be a viable alternative – with some advantages in certain senarios (e.g. more compact, holds the tools up off the ground instead of reaching inside, can be separated… but then it doesn’t hold as much, it would be harder to carry heavy tools vs. wheeling them around etc).
Scott K says
This seems like a nice option for a building super who is probably changing a lot of lightbulbs and doing very minor repairs. This would also be handy for an apt if you don’t have many tools to store.
Nathan says
I’d be curious to hold one and see how cumbersome it is with weight in it. And I would need to see what height my current step stool is that I keep in the kitchen. I think it’s taller. but I have high ceilings which is why I think it wouldn’t work for me but I like the idea.
I’ll be that one guy that says gee that’s great but I need 3 ft. Otherwise like some others said it might just be the ticket for some punch list items. LIke say you’re installing some smoke detectors – holds your tape, drill, driver, whatever and it’s your step up all in one box.
A basic apartment dweller – instead of a basic tool box might find this that much more useful.
Steve says
I have to say I figured out what I was looking at without the extra picture. Now, I think this is a great idea for anyone that goes from jobsite to jobsite (especially in customer’s homes and businesses) and typically carries in at least one toolbox and step stool. It frees up a hand for other things.
Addison says
Another very novel design DeWalt. I like a lot of their stuff, last year I bought the quick folding table, I probably should have 2 though…
Bonson says
Love that table, it goes everywhere with me!
Corey Moore says
Looks interesting, though I can’t think of an application where it would be more than that. It does however poke my cynicism towards the void that is DeWalt product development and communications lol “So uh, this is what you’ve been working on, huh? Not uh…you know…any of that stuff everyone’s asking about…or, uh…expanding stuff that’s already doing…ya know… well? …Okay then.”
Albert says
Clever! I’m glad someone is thinking. I don’t think I need it though and have a feeling that the container is much smaller on the inside than it looks on the outside. But I feel the same way about Systainers and Packouts. To each his own.
JoeM says
Am I the only one who sees this, thinks it’s nice, but wishes it would lead to a set of TSTAK and Tough System Deployable Workhorses/Tables that fold up and lock into the two systems? (Different models for each system, obviously. Just… Wishing it would lead to in-system site support equipment like saw horses, tabletops, stepstools, etc.)
Anybody?
David A. says
Might be nice in my toy hauler travel trailer. Higher ceilings than a normal trailer, store a lot of stuff on top of cabinets. Toolbox currently lives in tow vehicle.
Joatman says
Now that’s an awesome idea. If I didn’t already have my aluminum step stool I would certainly consider one of those. I got mine from Harbor Freight for $20 or $30. I use the heck out of it. Hanging pictures, changing light bulbs, Christmas decorations, reaching high shelves, carpentry, drop ceilings, painting…..I use it so much, I rarely fold it up. Now with a tool box…..what a great travel companion.
Rick Veader says
I have an old rubbermaid stepstool with a tool bin in the top I use similarly to how I’d use this. It lives empty in my shed to be filled with the tools I need for the day’s project. It then goes into the house, around the yard, or in the trunk to be a step stool, seat, saw bench, or low table. The big problem with it is that you have to clear it off to open it. This would be an upgrade. A punch list dump box.
MichaelHammer says
That is precisely how I saw this tool being used. It is kept empty so that it can be filled with the tools and products for the task at hand. Using this to remodel a client’s bathroom on the second floor of their home would be an efficient bridge between a well organized work trailer and a confined work space. An elevated tool box is a sweet bonus.
Josh says
Bet it would be great for the junkyard. Seems like im always looking for something to stand on there.
Michael says
You know what… I sometimes just want something to sit on. This might do and hold some more tools to boot.
Peter Bray says
It would’ve been a lot better if it would work with the tough system toolboxes…
It looks like it’s based on the same principle.
But that’s just my customizing stuff OCD habit…
JoeM says
I share the sentiment. It’s a good start, but ToughSystem/ToughSystem 2.0 and TSTAK are sorely neglected when it comes to innovations like these. You could put an entire worksite worth of step stools, workhorses/saw horses, Tables, and even concealed Wire/Hose Reels in cases like these, then just have them wheel out to the site for setup on the fly… TSTAK ones would obviously be a bit on the small side, might need some heavy telescoping to work… but no matter how you slice it, this is ANOTHER SBD Missed Opportunity for Integrated Site Support.
I get that this is a rebrand from their FatMAX line, but it limits this to just ONE function… Carry tools to a site, with a stepstool if you need one. They have TWO… Well… Two and a Half… Storage and Transport systems established… yet ZERO built-in compatibility to any of their stationary tool systems FOR those storage systems.
FlexVOLT Air Compressor, Table Saws, Etc… Need their own carts, or aren’t designed to fit a cart at all… They should at LEAST have adapter plates to lock into the storage carts.
Flotsam says
Cool idea. I can’t imagine buying this, but if i were routinely going into people’s homes and needed a step stool it would solve a problem.
Nathan says
I may get one for car wash supplies. Could use the step to wash the roof. I do agree the price point is a little high…I thing $50 is where this should be. You can usually get the large aluminum benches around $35.
Joe says
I do like the idea of the toolbox up of the ground. I’m not the young lady that i used to be. But $75 is a little pricey for something that most likely isn’t made here. I’d have to see one in person to see how much room is inside. I guess i may have to build some type of rolling cart to ad my choice of tool box on. The type that i like best.
dandLyons says
I have back issues and definitely like the idea of an integrated toolbox & step stool. I bought a very basic aluminum work platform as a Black Friday item years back for like $17. I have used it a lot keep things at a more comfortable height. That said, a $75 price is a bit high for me.
And I agree JoeM. It would be nice to see something like this within one of the modular toolbox product lines. I am heavily invested in TStak/VersaStack series having bought a handful each season at the holidays. I understand the dimensions of the TStak specifically would be small for a step stool. But it would be nice to see more modular integration, adapter plates, and perhaps some cross platform compatibility. But that probably speaks to my OCD as well.
Tim D. says
While I like the innovative thought on this product, it seems pointless for most people.
Usually I need my tools or a step ladder. Occasionally I need both, but now I’m stuck lugging the extra 12lbs of step stool everywhere when I don’t.
STEVEN B says
I am excited about this for a seat…just household stuff….assembling something, bike repair, gardening. If it were cheaper, I’d buy one for inside and outside use. Whenever I need to put furniture together, fix a bike, plant something, I bring my milwaukee bucket toolbox (the one with the seat) or just am miserable being low to the ground.
At $75 and 13lbs, I will be intrigued, but probably not buy it. I love how cleanly it folds up into the box, but there are much cheaper, lighter alternatives that suit my needs “well enough.” Ultimately, it’s a clever stool and a really simple and mediocre toolbox at a hefty weight and price.
I’d love for Dewalt to release a tough system compatible seat that is certified to hold my weight at an appropriate cost….or at the very least do something like this with a much more premium toolbox at a similar cost.
William Butler says
As others have mentioned, this would be great for it to be TSTAK or TOUGHSYSTEM compatible. Is there a reason why Dewalt does not make more of their system accessories. Milwaukee seems to make almost every stoge box now in their Packout system and I think that’s what has made Packouts more popular than Toughsystem it seems.
Joe H says
This would be great for a camping set up where space is limited. I would buy this as a gift for someone living in an apartment who infrequently needs a few tools. This might be nice in a truck tool box where trucks these days are so tall you have to have something to stand on sometimes just to pour oil in the engine.