Which is the best modular tool box storage system, among those on sale this holiday season? Tht’s a loaded question, so I’ll try to sum things up in few words.
Advertisement
Availability has been… mixed, for lack of a better word. Right now, for example, Home Depot doesn’t seem to have the Packout combo anywhere, or the Dewalt combo, and Acme Tools does have the Packout, but with a February ETA.
So if you’re looking for a tool box system right now, it might not be about choosing the best one, but buying the best you can find.
The prices shown are Black Friday weekend prices. Almost all of the prices will go up shortly, once the deals are over. I also threw in discussion of 2 lower priced systems, because they seemed fitting.
Dewalt ToughSystem
Why buy this system? Dewalt ToughSystem tool boxes hold up really well, you have gradually increasing product selection, and they offer a good balance between features, quality, and price.
The 3-piece combo has never been cheaper. But, if you can’t find it, you might be able to order the rolling cart from Home Depot, and additional boxes from Amazon or Home Depot.
Advertisement
Price: $98
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Compare(via Amazon)
Milwaukee Packout
Why buy this system? Milwaukee’s new Packout lineup WOWed every reviewer, journalist, and contractor at their media event last June. The tool boxes felt strong and have top-notch features. The latches felt secure, the grab-bars are a nice touch, and there are product options that you can’t find in any other system, such as half-size organizers and tool tote bags.
The real question is this: do you get twice the features and protection for twice the money?
Price: $199
Buy Now(via Acme Tool – be sure to look at the expected ship date)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Ridgid Pro
Why buy this one? Ridgid’s professional tool box lineup, reviewed here, offers fine tool boxes that tend to be easier on your wallet than the other brands’ systems. I think you get the same bang for the bucks, because you pay fewer bucks for less bang. These are good boxes and the more affordable option 9 months out of the year.
Price: $98
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Stanley FatMax Tstak
Why buy this one? If you want a rolling tool box stack, but without having to pay top-dollar for top-grade tool box strength and durability, Dewalt and Stanley FatMax Tstak system tool boxes are a good way to go. For the price, there’s nothing to complain about.
Price: $59
Buy Now(via Lowes)
Husky Connect
Why buy this system? There is also a Husky Connect system, and there are new cantilever tool box options that you might find useful. I don’t know what to make of it yet, but I’ve never been let down by Husky tool storage products before.
Price: $75
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
FD
Still no milwaukee at Home Depots in NNE…
My two review notes are the extra high price and the bright red, “steal my expensive tools” color.
I have a set of Ridgids … not loving them, because they’re just big bins to chuck stuff in. Totally lacks organization options. The one with six bins is not big enough to hold a drill driver and charger. So end up throwing all power tools in the big wheeled bin on the bottom. The only thing I love is their baskets. Have six of those as on the fly carry in/out organizers for a project, and in the van to catch supplies, and prevent them from flying about.
fred
The classics of organization were purpose-built tool chests like those made by Duncan Phyfe and H.O. Studley – when building your tool chest was often your right of passage from apprentice to journeyman carpenter. Most of us don’t have the time (or skill) to do this, but we can sometimes craft (or buy) stacking tills/trays to help better organize our chests. We had a few Knaack boxes that started out as wide open bins – but then with some plywood etc. we added slots and bins to store power tools to be locked up overnight on jobsites.
adams
for tool box organizers, I was inspired by the pliers rack review to make my own, using pegboard baskets laid on their sides. They fit well in the DeWalt Tough System boxes.
Steven Ciannavei
Could you post a link to this pliers rack review please?
Mike
I have the Ridgid set and I love it. Someone mentioned about the six bin not being big enough for a drill, charger etc. If you look again you’ll see that all six bins can be taken out AND the dividers too. That opens up the box for much more space. I keep a full size drill, sawzall, charger and two batteries in one of the flat boxes.
Neil H
The dewalt is big. The Ridgid is narrower. I think the dewalt is hard or right to get through a doorway. The Ridgid seems like it would get around better. I ordered a packout when one sale. No Home Depot has them after selling out the few they had. For $199 I couldn’t let it go by. I haven’t been home since it arrived but I think it will be nice. The plan seems to be just that charger, batteries and tools in the bottom and organize in the upper two. Currently I would buy more of the dewalts if I had to choose today but that’s without using the packout and being cost conscious. I’ve cobsidered another dewalt set because the price is so good.
Joe J
I don’t have any of these so my opinion is not worth much but everything I have seen seems to show the Packout has higher build quality and better materials than the others.
With a higher price to match.
OldDominionDIYer
One interesting Spec that doesn’t get much air time is the units rated weight capacities which are as follows:
Milwaukee 250lbs
Husky 100lbs
Dewalt 88lbs
Ridgid 60lbs
When it comes to long term durability this rating will matter, the more often you pack these systems at or near their rated weight limit the more stress and likelihood they will eventually fail. The Milwaukee seems like it could handle it better since it has a much higher weight limit a full 1-1/2 times more than the next highest, that’s significantly more. Since they are all very much the same volume wise and the primary purpose is to haul around dead weight the weight capacity would seem to be the number one thing a consumer would compare when all other things are relatively the same (they all have telescoping handles, wheels, waterproof seals, and a way to attach a lock). Anyway you look at it these are all great systems so the consumer wins again.
Jose M Feliciano
The dewalt keeps breaking on me. I keep buying it because I’m in the dewalt family of tools but I haven’t been able to get them to last more than 6 month before the latches fall off. It is a real hard plastic that becomes brittle.
Yo
100 to 250 = 2.5x more weight than the next highest.
Ot trying to be a math nerd- just driving home your point that the weight is significantly more than the competition.
KeithinKC
I have some of each on the big 3.
The ridgid is definitely serviceable for homeowner use, I like the connections between the boxes and the ease of access to put the handle from the front of the stack (push button on the handle).
The dewalt is a bit more spacious and has the bins in the smaller boxes that can be removed to give more flexibility (there are permanent walls in the ridgid that restrict what you can put in the smallest box). I don’t like their connection system for the boxes as it seems easy to break, don’t like the handle collapse mechanism as much, but the pull handle itself is much wider than ridgid and I like that a lot. Everything about the dewalt box is plastic except the latches and I had trouble with the bottom box breaking the hinge.
The Milwaukee seem super sturdy, flexible, and use the push button handle collapse. I plan to use them for more expensive stuff, like fuel tools, that I want to have more protection against damage. Everything about them just says “upgraded” vs the others.
Cost being a factor, I wouldn’t have bought the Milwaukee boxes without the sale price (traveled 30 minutes away to pick up the last two in kc mo area). The flexibility of the dewalt gives them the edge over ridgid for me, but if what I want to store doesn’t need the flexibility, I would get the ridgid, because I like their latching and box connection system better.
Julian
I just looked at all three units last night.
I’ve been tempted by the Ridgid the last few years, but have stopped short of buying partly due to the “handtruck” handle is a bit short (I’m 6’4”).
I looked at the Dewalt first he first time and don’t at all care for the small latches on the side, not even sure if theres enough of a lip on them to where you could unlatch with gloves on. Compounding their poor design is the fact that the side case handles are spring loaded and must be held up against the spring tension to access the latches; what a pia! First thing I’d suggest if you buy the Dewalt is to cut out those springs under the handles.
The organizer Dewalt unit with the 2 bins on either side is a bit odd, the bins have very little positive placement other than the small corner tabs on the bins, and the weird little flip down pencil bins above each seem like very cheap plastic that won’t unlatch without shattering if done at freezing temps. That’s not the end of the world as you could live without them, but they are the only thing holding the contents of the bins from falling out.
The Milwaukee unit is very impressive and imo, worth the double price. The single button slide to unlatch the bins apart feature is super quick and easy and the best of the bunch.
I’ve got a few of the Milwaukee organizer bins and they are much better than the comparable Dewalt versions, if not only because there’s no handle notch taking up precious storage space. I use one for electrical fittings and one for pex fittings.
As well, I’m a little gun shy about the Dewalt organizer bins as I’ve got a few of the medium size ones and ALL of them have their plastic tabs broken off. (The larger bins have metal clasps, but the clasps latch onto the (possibly brittle) plastic tabs molded into the top cover.
Back to the rolling stacks; if the Milwaukee was $150, I’d have a set. I’m holding off at $199 simply because I’m not convinced it’s the way I want to take my tools to a job.
At $99, I think the Ridgid is a better buy than the Dewalt and I’ll agree the open bin “milk crate” option is a nice add-on. Beware though – the Ridgid boxes will need to be opened to air out, they have a very strong chemical stink in them that will knock you out!
Adam
I also noticed the spring loaded handles on the DeWalt system that interfered with locking and unlocking them. It was a deal breaker for me when I was ready to spend the 98 dollars for it. I shouldn’t have to modify something like that after purchase. The engineers shouldn’t be designing crap like that. Shame on DeWalt.
For the Rigid I couldn’t figure out how to open the bottom box. Finally I figured out it came completely off which I didn’t find thrilling. I ended up buying nothing when I was very excited to walk out with a system. It was pretty disappointing.
Greg
The springs on the dewalt box handles are meant to hold them on the cart or on the new rack system hey have for workshops. If you look at the system it’s really modular. I have welded in 1 inch square tube racks in my van to accept the box arms. It’s amazing to be able to mount the boxes rather than just have them bounce around back there
James
Greg is right! The handles serve a valuable purpose. If you are an on-the-go professional and need access to these boxes quickly this feature is invaluable. The Festool system has been around for years. Every time you want access to a bin it has required freeing it for the other bins on the stack. Time consuming and irritating, Dewalt has recognized this inefficiency and aggravation giving users the option to make a very modular and user friendly system.
Having used Festool, Milwaukee, Dewalt and Ridgid systems it is hard to argue the Milwaukee offering has a better layout and more options for storage. If ease of access is important than it’s Dewalt hands down!
JMG
Your comment about cutting springs under the handles shows that you do not fully comprehend the Dewalt storage system, and suggesting that someone violate their warranty if they were to choose the brand is a bit irresponsible, in my opinion.
The spring loaded handles are part of the positive latching system that holds the tool cases onto the storage arms on the rolling cart, or on the wall mount rack systems. For what it is intended for, it is a decent design. If you have a better suggestion or design, in mind, then please make a comparison to support your claim that they are not needed, or are impractical for consumption.
As a system, it works as designed.
Corey
Thank you, this was irritating me to read lol I’m curious what latches are being interfered with via the side handles, as I have at least one of every case excluding this budget friendly 3 stack that doesn’t require the dolly, as I have the dolly. I’ve had great experiences the years I’ve had mine, and even moved my home furniture 4 times over with that dolly, things indestructible. I lay it flat for a tire table in the garage, or low stand on sites such as power plants or underground in the mines. The 2 drawer is the weakest option they have, but the longevity I’ve found in pretty harsh use and environments has left me nothing but happy for my investment. My common gripe with these comparisons is that they ignore the original dolly, which is phenomenal both for the ability to access any case in the “stack” idependantly, and it’s ability to carry anything from buckets and sacrete to any old contractor bag underneath the upper arms and boxes. Tough system on the tough cart beats all, period.
Andy
I’ve tried the tough system, the rigid pro, and the Stanley on my boat. Only the rigid kept my tools basically rust free. I’m not saying it’s my favorite, but it’s hard to put a price on that.
Julian
I see now that the spring loaded handles offer the positive attachment to the larger cart, but they offer nothing if the end user only intends to use these with the more medium duty rollling box as shown above.
Void your warranty/irresponsible? Please – don’t be so dramatic. I’ve seen the larger Dewalt Cart and imo, it’s a monstrosity of over built engineering in place of intelligent design. The darn cart alone weighs close to 40lbs. Costco last year had the cart with all three or four boxes for about $200-250 or so and the entire assembly seemed like the best way to create a minimal amount of storage space into the largest amount of space.
So my interests would only be in using one of these systems as they are presented above; as part of a medium sized clip together stack; not using their huge handcart or wall racks. That being the case, the tiny little plastic latches are certainly a fail to me.
Warranty worriers beware though.
Corey
The cart is amazing, dude. If you haven’t used it, seek it out. Clears doors perfectly, store pipe and wrenches in the back rack, giant wheels make stair dragging much more tolerable, level profile layed flat.
Richard G.
I have a Ridgid pack and it is holding really well for the last year or two? Nothing special about it but I like it’s water seal so my whatever I have in the box doesn’t get wet or humid in no way. My large box sits outside and still like new despite all kind of weather conditions. I paid $150 when it just came out but for $100 it is even better deal, if I’d need another set, I’d buy it without any thinking. If Milwaukee would price it $150, there did be a no brainer, I’d get it but pay $200 mmmm.. nah, Ridgid or Dewalt would suite me better with their pricing ))
EastBayGrease
The Rigid has worked perfectly for two years out in the field. I keep powertools in the large box (nailers, circular saw, big drill), hand tools in the medium box, and my tape measure/12v drill/ safety gear in the small box.
The Rigid pack is manufactured in Israel by Keter. It’s made out of high impact resin and very solid.
https://www.wellindal.com/diy/keter/rigid-22-top-heavy-duty-tool-box
Mine has sat in my truck bed in the rain. It has no rust on the exterior and no water has ever gotten inside. Just make sure you never toss a moist towel into them. I made this mistake when leaving a job site in a rush. Next time I opened it up, all my handtools had rusted over.
Stuart
https://toolguyd.com/keter-professional-tool-boxes-also-from-ridgid/
David
Passed up the Milwaukee at HD on Friday. Homeowner not a pro so I don’t really have the need for rolling. But use my tools outside frequently and help the neighbors. A Packout that hold a dril, driver, charger, and battery securely and waterproof would be nice to have.
Dennis
Of the systems reviewed, Milwaukee’s are the best thought out. They were the only ones to figure out that if you make smaller parts bins exactly half the size of a larger one, you could stack 2 side by side on your stack. They are also the only ones to figure out that soft-sided bags might be a good addition to a latching stack. But for some unknown reason their talented engineering staff (or more likely the marketing department) can’t figure out what the other manufacturers featured here did… Make the case BLACK! Red looks nice at your press events, but I don’t want my stuff noticed otherwise. If they were black I could probably get past the 2x price point in the name of innovation. But for now I’m sticking with Dewalt.
Diplomatic Immunity
Funny thing is they could have made it black and went with red for the Milwaukee name and it would have looked great. Hell I would have looked at buying them then. Kind of weird though pulling Makita teal power tools out of bright red Milwaukee boxes.
Dennis
I would have totally preferred red accents on a black case. As it stands I don’t even want to pull my red Milwaukee tools out of these bright red Milwaukee boxes.
FD
Agree 1000%.
Black boxes with red lettering.
Robbie Stanford
Last night My Home Depot was out of the dewalt 3 piece tough system combo and out of the dewalt deep pro organizers, they restocked overnight and had a few of both this morning.
Joe
Dewalt tough system is waterproof, as much as packout, the ToughSystem also has a two drawer and three drawer unit available short.y. Also those will be “waterproof”. Dewalt ales totes and half size organizers,no they don’t latch but most framers,don’t care about that. ..the tough system also has a van rack storage system and a garage rack storage system…… the packout has none of those options, maybe in a couple years but not now…
Watch the many reviews of how tough the ToughSystem is on YT…for the price it’s the best out there…The Rigid System is a good value but does not have all the options that the tough system has…
Brian
I’ve had some problems with the Tough System letting water in. The other day it rained and then froze at night. I went to get a few items from the Tough System screw organizer and the water had frozen a lot of my screws together. I don’t have any problem with water in my other Tough System boxes, well…… If it rains the water collects in the handle cavity, and when I open the lid that water runs down the lid and every time puts a small stream into the box itself. I think the boxes are ok, but I’m waiting for milwaukee to put out a dolly like Dewalt has. THEN I’ll pull the trigger on the Packout.
Stuart
Have you closed the pressure equalization valve? Or did it leak through a different part?
Brian
The leak is on the box with the clear top. I don’t think it has a pressure valve, unless I totally missed it. The boxes with the valves are not leaking, just when I open the boxes.
Stuart
Hmm, I’m out of ideas then. But water got into the screw bins? Could it have been condensation that froze over? In which case, I’d be concerned about the sealing performance of the lid nonetheless.
James
I’ve used the Ridgid Small Tool Box organizer for the last year. I’ve been very pleased with it. I purchased it to keep a Ridgid Pro Press 210B and Milwaukee Pex Tool inside. There’s enough space to keep both of those units inside, with all the heads for the Pex Tool and up to 1″ comfortably for the Pro Press jaws.
Each of those tools come with their own separate hard plastic toolbox, but the Ridgid Pro Press box takes a long time of fumbling around to get all the jaws back in. As a plumber, those are two of my most used tools, and I don’t enjoy having to take them out up to 10 times a week and putting things back EXACTLY only one way. It is such a time saver to be able to neatly store my Pex Gun back inside of that container after I’ve been sweating my rear off in a Houston attic to repair a copper water line. Keeping both the Pro Press and the Milwaukee Pex Gun in the same box also frees up valuable space in my truck to keep other hard to store items, such as a bicycle pump, Ridgid Sewer Camera Locator, faucets, etc…
I looked at the Milwaukee kit yesterday during Black Friday, but I feel the mini tool boxes inside it wouldn’t allow me to fit my Pex Heads or Pro Press jaws easily. I can’t think of any way I might be able to find a way to justify purchasing it to keep in my truck. Working in service, I don’t have a need for the complete pack out set. I can see how construction plumbers or other construction trades that stay on one job site for long periods of time would be well served by the complete packout system however.
Austin
I have mostly systainers but that’s for finish work. I picked up a packout stack at Home Depot. I had to go to 3 to finally find one.
fred
We used an upfitter (Dejana) for many of our trucks – but we were always looking around for the next best thing. One alternative was Knapheide. They work with Sortimo:
https://sortimo.knapheide.com/
These solutions can be much more integrated than just carrying a batch of toolboxes or rolling carts. A good upfitter can provide you a “place for everything and everything in its place.” The only issue is as you replace old items with new – or buy completely different equipment – things may no longer fit as well.
Tim
I don’t know why you show Ridgid price at $99. They have not been that since last year’s black Friday sale. $99 only gets you the rolling base and tool box, not the third piece- the organizer.
Stuart
I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. The 3pc combo IS $98.
https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-black-friday-2017-tool-deals/
When you buy the middle and bottom tool boxes, the top one is free.
Nathan L
I’m a bit surprised they didn’t drop it lower this time what with the (ostensibly higher-tier) Dewalt being the same price. Do you think that the warning shot across the bow will lead to deeper reductions in the next sale season?
Robert
I just checked out both Milwaukee and DeWalt systems.
Both are quality, the red has a few more features.
The Milwaukee wasn’t off-gassing, worth an extra $100 alone.
MPG
I had purchased the
Rigid Kit in the Past and it has served me well.
I went today and got another one. I was cleaning up the garage and ran out of space for tools. I looked at the Dewalt, but I felt the Rigid was sturdier. I would have like to see what all the hype was with the Milwaukee, but none of the 10-12 Home Depots in a 50-mile radius had one in stock, so I got a second Rigid Pro.
Cody
Milwaukee needs to make a 18 volt radio that goes with their packout line. And a packout box with draws.
RF
In other words, copy DeWalt.
I was eyeing the DeWalt radio today. The charging makes sense. All the reviews say it sounds amazing, but my Jambox sounds great and will take up a lot less space at a lot less weight, even with a foam pad around it.
I’m filling up the 3 piece Packout now, freeing up a lot of room in my closet.
Joe
They do have a radio
Jose M Feliciano
They do have one 300 for it
Nathan L
After reading the comments about the different systems over the past few days, particularly regarding the lack of organizational utility that the bottom box offers, and the failings of some of the systems, I’ve been rethinking my move from sterlite totes to one of the main three modular storage systems. I don’t see a pickup truck in my future and wouldn’t store the stack outdoors, so the quality of the weather seal isn’t really that big of a deal. If i decide to keep some tools outside in a shed, i will get the big Tough Chest 63 Gal. Mobile Tool Box, which has equivalent ip rating to the packout and tough system, can hold more than an entire tough system stack, doubles as a bench and work-surface, and costs less. It also lends itself better to a regenerable desiccant pack setup to protect the tools from SFL humidity.
So that leaves ease of organization, ease of locking and separating, and sizing for good trunk portability as important for a modular stack, and price is of course always relevant.
So, I wasn’t really aware of the Husky system and it has pretty good reviews. It would be nice to see it and the Tstak combo at the similar price point get a comparative review on a slow news day, for all those that may find themselves in a similar situation. 🙂
Nathan L
I had a chance to check out the Tough System and Packout stacks at HD today for the first time. I have looked at the Rigid before and was hoping to check the economy Husky version today, but it appeared to be sold out.
My impressions:
(For organizing)
There really should be notches for optional dividers in these things (specifically the big and medium boxes). It would be essentially no downside and would make the boxes much more versatile.
I also already knew that the bins in the organizer box (the small one) are too big except for bulk boxes of screws and etc, not really allowing much diversity of parts. This is especially true in the Dewalt. All these brands should offer separate refill sets of bins with an option for bins with twice the density (even if that means some potential for small parts to get over the intermediate divider).
(In general)
The Packouts i saw had little to no chemical stink. The Tough System boxes did. Rigid’s definitely did.
The latches are about 1×10^6 times better on the packouts. They are easier to open and close and yet also feel more secure.
I like the use of space better in the Packout (it seems like less internal space wasted), although none of these overbuilt systems particularly shines at efficient use of space.
The Packout locks together and slides apart very reliably and easily and i much preferred its approach to the Tough System.
I don’t like the big red branding on Packout but I DO like that it’s not black. It just made it easier to see things.
Conclusion:
I’ve satisfied my curiosity about the Tough System, and would never buy that with similarly priced Rigid and more expensive Packout as options. On the other hand, i may never buy Packout — it’s better, but not “twice as good” as people have been saying (and the sale price values it).
I had already sort of concluded i want something with better organization for more/smaller tools and parts than these big three modular systems provide, so i will try to see the Husky system, which has more options for smaller parts. From the webpage it seems to be a bit more targetted at DIY and is slightly smaller (i believe) and also cheaper.
Nathan L
I forgot to mention one negative I noticed for the Packout. This is probably really subjective, but if you open one of the boxes while it’s on the cart, the cart handle prevents you from opening it far enough that the lid stays open, which bugs me. It looks like the Tough System handle is offset a bit so the boxes can stay open while on it, but I forgot to go back and verify this after I noticed it on the packout.
MWyatt
Bit of background on the usage of my modukar system. I am a residential new construction sheet metal worker. My cases are broken down by type of tool so, drill/impact/ right angle impact. Recpricating saw/double cut shears. Circular saw/jig saw. Hand tools.
I own the ridgid organizers and for the most part am happy with them. They were bought in March 2017. I have noticed however that from daily use of latching and unlatching the metal side handles the plastic retaining clips on the side for interlocking the cases is already wearing down and becoming sloppy. Also due to the extreme cold up here in Saskatchewan the plastic can become a little more brittle, one of my small 20″ pro organizers bottom retaining mold has snapped so it can longer be placed on the top or middle of a stack.
Just some points to consider for anyone that maybe looking at the ridgid cases and what my experience with long term durability has been.
MWyatt
Side note. I think when we look at storage solutions we often think tougher must equal better. Where as I think across the pond they have more of a “what best suites the task” attitude. I love the Milwaukee organize4s because of how deep they are and for new construction I think it works well. However if I was doing finish carpentry the depth of them is potentially overkill.
The down side I see for the Milwaukee is it’s starting price especially up here in Canada. That being said I probably paid just over $300 cad for my ridgid stuff. With how the latching is holding up I don’t feel like I’ve yet to recover that $300 investment in time. The guy I work with just bought the packout and I think it’s nice in all the ways everyone has mentioned already and time will tell how the latching system holds up.
My two cents worth the system anyone buys into shouldn’t be about color or all the options it offers but an overall cost benefit analysis. For example I never use soft bags so the fact that Milwaukee offers it means nothing to me and isn’t even a selling festure. But for those that love soft totes it’s the perfect system. Just because it has it as an offering doesn’t mean it trumps everything that has already been on the market.
Just me .02 cents
Kindest regards
Harrolldean
One thing that bugs me is the lids, especially on the Ridgid. It is SO thick and gives the apprearance that it should open and be extra storage. The Milwaukee is a little bit this way, but not as bad, then you have the dewalt that actually has some storage in the lids, but they are really cheap and flimsy feeling. I guess I would say the Milwaukee is the best “average” lid. But that’s just a small gripe. I always tend to gravitate toward Milwaukee, so I’d have to go with the red!
My Fortress Construction, LLC
The packout was all over my HD on BF and I got a chance to look at it. Too big! I am very organized and so it would be well packed and too heavy. I also got to look at the DeWalt Toughsystem. It’s nice in a couple of ways in which you can lift the large rolling box lid with the handle up, however the medium sized tool box tray is too deep (typically used for bits and small items) so it would prevent me from keeping some of my tools in it. The other problem are the little flimsy plastic stays that hold it together. The tray organizer could be useful, but it wasn’t a part of the deal.
I have been using the Ridgid system for 2 years and give it my full approval. I have left it out in the sun and rain with nary a drop in it. I have three of the small cases, the rolling box and the medium box.
I can open up the boxes while stacked on each other, which is nice, and they aren’t too heavy with my tools packed in them.
The biggest thing that sold me on their reliability and durability was when I set my medium ridgid tool box, containing my speaker, jigsaw and random other tools, on top of a box in the back of my truck. I looped a chain through the side metal latch that holds the boxes together and drove off. I was going about 55 mph around a turn, uphill, when I saw it fly off the back of my truck. I had a truck behind me so I slowly stopped and pulled over. Imagine my surprise when I found the box still attached to the chain through the latch, with only a crack on the corner where it impacted the asphalt. Zero damage to my tools inside and no damage to the latch. It’s saved me my tools but also the truck behind me which was following very close.
I took that tool box back to Home Depot and they gave me a new one. That was about a year-and-a-half ago and all my tool boxes still work perfectly.
So, the other boxes might be pretty, but if you are a real contractor and just need a simple straightforward system, Ridgid all day.
charles
strongly agree. The ridgid system is great. I like it better than my festool systainers. It stands up to jobsite use with no issues
Chris Randol
I agree, I am a contractor, I have tried all three types, I love the Milwaukee for better organization options, I used them for 2 weeks, took them back and went back to Ridgid. The red are just too big and heavy, plus the price is ridiculous. I have also had the issue of too many bad folks seeing the red and they see money, thank god they never got in. Plus if Milwaukee would make them in black and the same size as Ridgid, I would go back to them.
skfarmer
having used the ridgid and dewalt system,(i have the dewalt and my buddy the ridgid) i like both of them.
the ridgid is a very good system and probably as useful in real life as any of them. the only real downfall to me is the lack of variety. the 98 dollar setup is a good deal.
the dewalt is pretty good in my book and it’s strong point is the large and growing variety of sizes, shapes and accessories. the 3 pc rolling cart/box setup is a fantastic deal for the price.
while not having any experience with the milwaukee, it seems they have priced themselves out of the market. i don’t really see any of the whiz bang features as adding that much extra value.
the real issue that hardly anyone talks about………. the dewalt guy is not going to put his yellow tools in a red box. to some extent, the red guys will not put their stuff in a black box that says dewalt on it. ridgid seems to be a more neutral brand. if it had more variety and could ever so slightly beat the dewalt price i think it would beat the pants off all of the others.
for the most part, a water proof/resistant box is just that, a box and paying a premium for a box just does not make sense.
skfarmer
as a side note. all brands should offer replacement/additional storage trays/boxes for fasteners. it would be nice to be able to have extra trays/boxes to replace lost or broken ones and allow easier swaps when switching jobs. they are handy for organising on storage on shelves or in cabinets. the ability to swap out a few when changing jobs would be great.
Matt
I would love to get the Packout but it’s $100 more for the kit from HD and nearly $100 beyond that from anyone else. At that price, it’s far, far too expensive. I have 2 of the small suitcase style Rigid cases and one large DeWalt. I went with Rigid because of the coupling mechanism and the latches combined with the price. I got the DeWalt case for free after reselling the rest of the kit that came with it.
The Milwaukee cart/box is the first one that looks like it might take some abuse. I was worried that either DeWalt or Rigid would crack as I’ve seen several DeWalt cases broken in store. I really love the idea of that 3 piece kit, but $350+ after taxes is more than I paid for a 18V Fuel Kit with a bonus saw!
Ryan
I own 5 small Ridgid boxes 2 of the open top crates, 2 rolling bottom boxes and 2 of the larger tool boxes. They have served me great but they almost never left my van. I ended up setting up the 5 small boxes in a drawer system for easy access to the contents without having to remove them. I own a maintenance company and perform commercial and residential maintenance. This means I have to take a TON of things with me all the time in order to cover far too many bases. I stopped taking the Ridgid boxes with me because they became hard to go in and out of for simple hand tools and weren’t easy to detach. So over the last year I went through various open top tool bags combined with a folding service cart, tried rolling tool bags and everything ended up being hard to keep organized or required multiple trips to the van or truck.
Well I ended up catching the Packout deal in my area a week before Thanksgiving as the last 5 units for sale in a 100 mile radius were 30 miles away and I have a Milwaukee store in town. So I got tote bag large organizer and small organizer to add to the 3 piece set. Why would I do this after trying the Ridgid set and not look at the Tough System? Primarily because I’m biased…LOL. I have owned Dewalt products and have not been impressed by what I was getting for my money and while there were a lot of options of bin types, the Tough system could not generate enough appeal for me to consider it. I own a lot of Ridgid power tools and most everything I use on a daily basis is Milwaukee. So I have a tad bit of an affinity for Milwaukee products. However, the reality is the Milwaukee Packout options are just superior for my usage. Here’s why:
– The Milwaukee bottom box fits flush against things and somehow consumes less space in my Van. There’s about an inch or two of lost space due to the wheels on the Ridgid set.
– Tool totes that lock onto the stack. That’s huge to be able to reach over and grab a hand tool
– Tool boxes can be separated and attached in half a second. The connectors on the Ridgid set often require a tremendous amount of force to latch and unlatch
– This one remains to be further tested but: Larger harder wheels roll better and take less damage. The Ridgid wheels have managed to get glass and rocks embedded in them and can scratch floors, cut your hands or jack-up your interior.
– The handle on the Milwaukee is wider, taller and leaves more room for your hands.. I can’t count the number of times I mashed my hands against a box because of the limitation of the position of the handle and my need to add too many boxes to the Ridgid set.
– More handling options. To be able to grab the Milwaukee box by the corner supports and push or pull it in and out of a vehicle is extremely useful when things start getting heavy.
– The small boxes allow for some creative stacking and for added portability when you need to only take a few things.
Obviously a lot of this is opinion but I figured someone might find this useful in making a decision to spend more and get the Milwaukee set.
Oh and one more final note: Yes, I do take my stack in and out of the van regularly and it is now my primary transport for the tools I use daily. I do hope Milwaukee is secretly working on tool boxes that are drawers that are accessible without un-stacking and an M18 stair climber. One thing that is unavoidable with all these sets is conquering stairs. (And yes, I think the Milwaukee’s wheels do that better than the Ridgid too…)
Best of luck you all.
Zitro
I own the Ridgid tool box and for me work’s perfectly, but I only work in my house and don’t have lots of tools but enough to get the job done. I got in there my 4 drills, bits, saw , screw drivers, hammers, etc.