Over at Amazon, they dropped the price of Dewalt’s DS300 large Tough System tool box to $39, matching Home Depot’s promo pricing that recently popped up.
Over at Home Depot, they have special pricing on this Tough System box to result in a $129 final price for a 3-piece rolling tool box stack combo.
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The 3-piece combo would consist of the new Dewalt Tough System DS450 wheeled tool box, the above-shown DS300 large tool box, and a new DS130 small Tough System tool box.
I reviewed Dewalt’s small Tough System tool box when they first came out, and have also been using this large tool box version for years. At the end of the post is an image showing my multiple Amazon orders for these boxes, usually during a $25 off $100+ holiday discount deal.
You don’t have to take advantage of the modular nature of these tool boxes – even just 1 makes for an awesome way to store or tote your stuff around.
It’s got corrosion-resistant metal latches, heavy duty structural foam construction, a top handle, side handles, latches that connect it to other Tough System tool boxes, and inside there’s a rubber grommet that creates a waterproof seal.
I LOVE these tool boxes.
The normal price is around $52 to $60.
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Back in June of 2015, I ordered a couple more at $52 each. There was a $20 off $100 promo, so the price to me was $84 plus tax.
The lowest I ever paid was in December of 2012. They were $46 and change each, and I needed a then-overpriced accessories Tough Case organizer (now $6 as an add-on) to get the $25 off $100+ discount. The final price was $76 for the 2 boxes and the bit/blade box.
$39 for one of these boxes is a heck of a good deal. I can’t go back in time to take advantage of the abnormally low 2012 holiday season pricing, and so I’m confident in my belief that this is the lowest price one could ever hope to buy these for these days. Even if they were $52 again each, and the $25 off $100+ promo was back, the price would then be $79 for 2, or $39.50 each.
Here’s the question I’m asking myself: how many should I buy? My local HD didn’t have many in stock (yet?) and I’ve good experiences with Amazon shipping these. I’ve been liking the new $31 DS130 tool box, which might take away from how many large boxes I might need right now.
For normal use, one of these boxes goes a long way, and sometimes 2 balance nicely. Or you could go the 3-piece small, large, and rolling tool cart configuration as promoted by HD for the holidays.
As a standalone tool box, there’s a handy removable tool tray inside (with handle), but no small parts compartment, and a place to put a padlock or two.
Price: $39
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Compare(via Home Depot)
See Also(Modular Stack via HD)
fred
Nice Box – I bought on for essentially the same price ($38.05) a few weeks back when Zoro was having a 25% off sale.
fred
I forgot to say that I bundled it with a DWST08204 toolbox ($44.82 after the 25% off) – and therefore qualified for free shipping (I think they want you to spend at least $50). I’ve had some issues with Zoro shipping from time to time in the past (damage or delivery to an incorrect address) but they’ve always made it right – and these boxes arrived separately but in perfect condition.
Blythe M
129 for the stack seems like a pretty good deal, if my math is right that’s exactly the same as the ridgid stack right now.
It seems like ridgid did a $99 deal last year, so presuming they do that again, is the dewalt set $30 better?
How do they compare in size/useable space, quality, robust-ness, etc?
fm2176
I just picked up the DS450 on Saturday, and grabbed a DS130 a few weeks ago. With the DS300 I got in a cordless combo deal earlier this year, I now have the combo. I also have a complete Ridgid combo and a number of other Ridgid boxes. Naturally, I haven’t had the time to really compare the two systems, but do have a few observations and opinions:
The DeWalt boxes seem more sturdy, with the exception of the plastic clips. Those seem like they’ll do the job, but I like the steel clips on the Ridgid better–the box will break before they do and they double as handles.
The Ridgid boxes are more secure–the latching mechanism seems a little stouter, and the latch handles themselves are padlocked. The DeWalt has padlock holes in the front of the boxes, similar to some types of tough boxes. If someone wants to get into a box, they’ll do so anyway, but it’s much easier to cut a little plastic than it is to rip a latch apart. Also, the Ridgid combo includes a metal bar that can allow all three boxes to be locked together.
I prefer Ridgid’s small box over the DS130. The DeWalt has the organizers built into the lid, and comes with four bins, while the Ridgid has six (smaller) bins and two removable dividers. It works perfectly with a 12v drill and impact and a few hand tools in the center and with the bins filled with hardware.
The handle on the DS450 is much more sturdy, but also way bulkier than that of the Ridgid. The Ridgid handle has a fair amount of play in it and feels like it may eventually break if too much weight is put in the box and the handle alone is used to tilt it (especially when boxes are stacked). The Ridgid handle must be collapsed to open boxes (besides the bottom one), while the DeWalt’s handle tilts back when opening the lid on the DS450. I can open the DS300 and DS130 with the handle up as well. If you’re looking for something to fit in a smaller space, though, the wheeled Ridgid box is far more compact (due to its handle and wheels).
I kind of like the removable lid on the wheeled Ridgid, but it can also be a pain finding a place to put it (especially if the ground is wet or muddy).
The DS450 is larger IIRC (at work now, so I can’t verify this) and has wheels on the side of the unit, while the Ridgid has wheel wells. The Ridgid does include a removable organizer, which the DS450 doesn’t have (though I read somewhere that the organizer from the DS400 can be used).
Unless one or the other proves far superior or inferior over time, I’d have to say that either one is an excellent choice for mobile tool storage. At $99, I’d easily go for the Ridgid, but if the price remains the same the DeWalt may be a better choice. To answer your questions, the DeWalt has more usable space, is of slightly higher quality, and is more robust (besides the clips). On the other hand, the Ridgid is more fully featured (organizer and locking bar in the bottom box, and dividers in the top) and can be made more compact.
Matt
Are these in any way compatible with the t staks?
I picked up a set of t staks with drawers and a deep upper compartment for $10 at a garage sale and wanted add on if possible
Mr. Creek
They are not compatible with the tstacks. The tough system is significantly more durable.
Matt
Even though their clips seem quite similar?
I realize the tough system is a better make but don’t see how that has anything to do with compatibility.
Stuart
The Tstak boxes are physically smaller. Even if the clips were compatible they’d only lock in on one side.
Dennis
I wish Dewalt (and or Stanley) would get some compatibility, perhaps an adapter plate between their modular storage offerings. As far as I know they have 4 different modular systems. ToughSystem, Tstack, 10-Compartment Deep Pro Organizer (they aren’t all deep, there is a Stanley shallow version), and the 8-Compartment Deep Pro Organizers.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to stack all of them together?
TonyRockyTiger
Do these stack on the mobile DS450?
Stuart
Yes.
TonyRockyTiger
Thanks, just realized that you basically answered that beforehand by including the Modular Stack HD link. In for 2 + 1 DS450. Thanks for the heads up!
Greg
Just an FYI – if you put the Dewalt DS300 large Tough System tool box in your cart, it shows the price will be valid from 10/27/2016-04/01/2017
Stuart
Thanks!
Something I noticed last year is that HD’s promo end dates can change without warning.
Dennis
BTW I noticed on the display in my HD Sale display that the ToughSystem boxes were made in the USA. I didn’t know that before, and is definitely making me want them more.
Stuart
Some of them are. Maybe the new DS300’s are, I don’t know. The DS130 definitely is. I don’t know about the DS450. The others were and still are made in Israel – as far as I am aware.
Jim Felt
I’m committed to the Keter made Ridgid system for now. Very similar to my Pelicans but way cheaper. Waaay.
Maybe HD with do a deal on them too?
But they probably don’t have to as they don’t compete on Amazon or Zoro. Particularly Zoro.
Jim Felt
They are available on Amazon but it appears only as third party sellers. The iPhone cut off my final sentence. Grrrr.
Stuart
The HD deal usually involves buying the rolling cart and large box and getting the smaller one for free.
Adam g
I picked up one of these from amazon and it arrived with damage though the box wasn’t damaged. I’d rather not have to make a trip to ups to ship it back as i work overnights and time is limited. Do i have any other options?
Thanks
Stuart
Well, that sucks. I think I had to send a box back to Amazon, due to a defective grommet or something like that, I don’t remember.
Email them, tell them the situation, mentioning how disappointed you are that they packaged and shipped you a product that appears to have been damaged prior to shipping, and ask for them to arrange for a pickup.
Sometimes they’ll ask you to print a label, other times UPS will arrive with a sticker. In many cases you should be able to leave the box outside for pickup.
Adam g
Thanks, it looks as if it was stacked with too much weight on one side where something nearly broke through the lid in one spot and cracked the parts that the latch catches on to lock them together. Thanks for the rapid response.
TonyRockyTiger
Adam,
I experienced the same issue with shipping from Home Depot – the front side was dented in enough to make the padlock holes not line-up. I tried bending it back which then lead to the padlock lining break. I am waiting for UPS to pick it up now. I tried re-ordering it on homedepot.com to do a local store pickup. The order went through, but 2 hours later I received a call from my store saying the site and local inventory were not in sync and thus they had none of them in stock. I just placed another order from the website – crossing my fingers that it doesn’t arrived damaged again…
TonyRockyTiger
I just got the replacement in. The packing was different, but the front side of the box is still slightly dented-in. Not enough to cause issues with the the padlock holes though, so I’m keeping it.