Dewalt is introducing new ToughCase+ accessory storage sets, including small, medium and large ToughCase+ containers, plus a small bulk storage container that slides into the dovetails inside each of the containers.
The purpose behind these storage cases is to help organize your drilling and fastening bits. These clear-lidded containers let you see what’s inside without having to first open the case.
Individual bit holders slide into dovetails in the side of the case, much like some of their their previous ToughCase bit boxes. The bit holders have also been upgraded to make bits easier to remove.
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The coolest new feature is the latch system, which allows you to lock the cases together in many different combinations:
- Small ToughCase+ to small ToughCase+
- Two small ToughCase+ containers to one medium ToughCase+
- Medium ToughCase+ to medium ToughCase+
- Two medium ToughCase+ containers to one large ToughCase+
The ToughCase+ containers will be sold as part of different screwdriver and drill bit sets including:
- Max Fit Bits
- FlexTorq Bits
- Tough Grip Bits
- Max Impact Bits
The small bulk storage and small ToughCase+ containers will range in price from $6 to $17, while the medium and large ToughCase+ containers will run $20 to $40.
Available: Now (limited roll out)
Price: $6 to $40
There are a few sets already out on the market, such as this 60pc Max Impact set that comes with a small bulk storage container and small ToughCase+ containers for $15 at Home Depot.
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There is also a 30pc Dewalt Max Impact screwdriving bit set for $20.
Discussion
Although Dewalt has only now officially announced the new ToughSystem+ cases in a recent press release, some of these cases have been out in the wild since November 2018. Above you can see a set of MaxFit bits bundled with two small ToughCase+ containers and a small bulk storage container.
Here you can even see that they were using the “ToughCase+” labeling.
These new ToughCase+ containers look an awful lot like the Craftsman accessory boxes we saw at the Craftsman media event last summer. Here’s my Instagram post from back then.
I can indeed verify that the small Craftsman and Dewalt ToughCase+ containers are pretty much identical and that the storage trays inside can be transferred from one brand’s box to the other. I can also confirm that at least the small containers will lock together. It’s not a stretch to imagine that the medium and large Dewalt ToughCase+ containers are very similar to the Craftsman ones, aside from being loaded with different accessories and featuring a different color scheme.
The large Craftsman container hasn’t been released yet as far as we know, but it was also supposed to be Versastack (and therefore TSTAK) compatible. It would follow that the large Dewalt ToughCase+ container would be TSTAK compatible, but our contact at Dewalt said that the ToughCase+ containers are only compatible with each other right now and not any other system.
I have quite a bit of experience with the new small Dewalt ToughCase+ and the Craftsman small and medium containers, and I really like them. I was using them to carry around most of my bits and some small tools for several months until I stared working on custom accessory solutions for Milwaukee Packout organizers.
I also liked how Craftsman is leveraging the small and medium boxes for the storage and carrying of more than just accessories. Here, they are using a similar case to house tool sets like this 1/4″ drive socket set.
Hopefully Dewalt will follow suit.
Steve
They aren’t going to sell just the containers are they? I don’t need to replace all my bits but I would like to put them in the ones with easier in and out holders.
Benjamen
You could see if they have a 4 pack of cheap bits in cases for Black Friday and then wait for them to get clearanced.
Or you can buy some cheaper Craftsman kits when they are on sale and throw out the bits. The holders in the Craftsman cases are the same.
I was going to say check out my models on thingiverse, but I guess I never published the bit holders. I do have jigsaw blades holders: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3341387
Steve
That’s basically what I’m thinking of doing, it’s the backup plan. I could see why they don’t sell them separately, it probably only costs them like a dollar more to fill them with bits in total distribution cost, so why not?
Altan
I would say 50-50, These are all produced in China and Taiwan. The shipping cost for the case is higher than the bits as case takes more space. If you buy them online the postage cost is high again.
Ian Carnel
They announced that Irwin is getting small amd medium compatable boxes , to be sold empty, at lowes
Big Jim
They have the Dewalt Medium cases empty at lowes, for $6. The small cases with bits are $10, but the medium empty case has dividers making it great for screws.
Altan
Is it possible to get some of those lovely Jigsaw blade holders?
Or maybe you can send one to DeWALT and ask them to produce :))
Cr8on
And I thought the Bosch cases where nice… Might be checking these out.
Altan
The good thing with Bosch ones is that they sell them as empty
https://www.toolmanyardley.co.uk/shop/bosch-pick-and-clic-empty-case/
DeWALT never does that, I had to buy 100 DeWALT accessory sets approximately and sell the content on eBay mostly to get the empty cases, was a big job and big headache for me, me and my friends are all in DeWALT Toghcase(+) platform, I actually collected them for my friends with better quality tool accessories. They are so happy with them, some has 10 of them, some has 15 of them and some 20. They are all (except one) in Toughsystem platform and we are all waiting for the Toughsystem Caddy (not TSTAK Caddy) or at least an insert foam or moulded plastic specially designed for them and still waiting.
Altan
Thanks for the post Benjamen, I was waiting for this for long time.
I have some of the new version of these cases which are called Toughcase+, some mini ones in yellow colour and some small one in yellow colour from DeWALT and red colour from Craftsman, the mini ones are also available from Craftsman in red. I have not seen them in black colour yet, of course I knew they will come up with black colour. I have seen some photos online that the small cases are even in Green colour:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcL2AKlB9Da/
I hope Irwin will come up with blue version and Lenox with white version as they are all part of SBD.
Andrew
I really wonder if there is any difference in a red bit and a yellow bit. My gut says no except for 2 dollars.
Benjamen
A generic non-trademark name yellow bit and a standard red bit…probably not much difference, but the bits with the MaxFit or other labels, are definitely a better quality bit.
Altan
When I compared them both I felt DeWALT omes are made with a tiny bit thicker walls. The moulding process looks a bit better also. I think yellow ones are a bit more solid.
Roger
If the extra large case is able to attach to TSTAK; I’d be very willing to get one, or maybe two.
Roger
Or also Tough System compatible.
Altan
We are waiting also, but these are TSTAK version. They should make DeWALT Toughsystem DS050, DS060 or DS070 (similar to DS100 with clear lid) with similar interior, probably with 6 rows if it fits , also Toughsystem DS200 with an insert foam for larger Toughcases.
Benjamen
The Craftsman large container was definitely Versastack (thus TSTAK) compatible. I saw it with my own eyes (and have video evidence). It’s odd though that it hasn’t hit the shelves yet.
If you look at my video in the Instagram post (this is all I have, I was having camera issues at this point in the show) and look at the breakout photo of the of the Large Dewalt ToughCase+, they look identical except for the coloring. They both have the 5 rows with a little bit of extra space at the ends and the latches that really look like TSTAK latches.
The way our rep worded the response “Right now, they are just compatible with each other” is weirdly phrased. One could interpret that as we aren’t releasing the large box (like the Craftsman one hasn’t been released) yet, so they are just compatible with each other right now.
We’ll have to wait and see.
Altan
I did share a photo in ToolTalk and the DeWALT one had three long rows instead of 5, I think they have not finalised the design yet, until we don’t see them on shelves we would not know the real design, they can change their mind any time, or they come up with both designs, I like the idea of three long rows as you can use it for very long bits. I have seen photos of the Large Toughcase+ that are thicker and don’t have clear lid, prototypes maybe.
Mike
I got 4 of these sweet little cases, I like the fact that you don’t have to open them to see what’s inside
Alvin N.
What would one choose? The Bosch Custom Case or the Dewalt ToughCase+ if just starting out?
Altan
Still DeWALT ones, it is worth the hassle!
Kizzle
These, or the Bosch cases?
Kizzle
Nevermind. Looks like you can’t buy empty cases. :'(
Altan
Bosch ones are sold as empty, not the DeWALT ones.
Altan
Are Medium size cases available in yellow as accessory sets?
William Adams
Are they sized to fit nicely into the various larger storage systems? (ToughSystem/T-Stak)
I’d be more interested in them if they would fit neatly into a box in say two layers — bottom layer fully packed with small boxes, top layer is one large box (like a till in a traditional woodworking chest) which slides from front–back, allowing access to the boxes underneath.
I bought into the inexpensive Husky Rolling Connect System, and while it’s nice for the price, I’m really regretting that there aren’t any drawers — I’ve been considering trying the ToughSystem cart with two drawer units and a small case on top, but for what that would cost, I could get a Pelican 0450 or a Stahlwille Tool Trolley.
Bill Sung
Does anyone know of the Dewalt Model # for the Large ToughCase+ Container?
Can someone please post a link to it on line?
Thanks!
The What?
Well considering that Dewalt and cfsmn are owned by the same company, why should they put much thought into making a different bit case. They really ought to make one style case that’s completely clear with dividers that doesn’t have all that black or red or yellow shit on it without the name on it. That shit don’t help when trying to see if a bit is in the case. And God forbid they make a case with dividers so people can put other bits in it. That individual bit slot strip shit is for the birds. Those cases are a lot more useful when you take all that dumb shit out of it and you have a hell of a lot more room for more bits. Make the same clear double sided case with dividers across the board. And all that tough case branding is unnecessary cuz nobody cares what it’s called.
William Adams
FWIW, I put all of my odd drill bits into a small “Storehouse®
10 Tray Utility Box” from Harbor Freight (found a similar thing with only 5 trays at True Value) — bulky, but it makes it a bit easier to find bits, and with each bit in its own tray they don’t damage each other. It helps to buy a couple of the units — that way you can have different containers to swap around to customize things.
Stuart
You mean like this one?
I use mine for jig saw blades.
Graham Howe
HD Canada has a few more of the DeWalt kits available, I found the following:
DWAMF111C Medium case with 111pc https://www.homedepot.ca/product/dewalt-maxfit-accessory-set-111-pc-/1001181402
DWAMF150HDC 2 Small case with 2 containers 150pc https://www.homedepot.ca/product/dewalt-maxfit-screwdriving-set-150-pc-/1001386506
DWAMF13-41C 2 small 41pc drill/drive https://www.homedepot.ca/product/dewalt-maxfit-drill-drive-accessory-set-41-pc-/1001188027
There were a few other small sets and even the little bulk boxes. No sign of the large case yet though. I did think that from the product codes that anything starting with dwamf would be one of these sets, and the Canadian site allows such a search (https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/search.html?q=dwamf) but it does return at least one result that is not one of the boxes.
Altan
These links do not open in the UK.
Altan
I did google the model number DWAMF111C for medium case and I could see the photo finally. It seems there is a difference between the Craftsman one and the DeWALT one, in Craftsman one the clear lid does not have the dovetails, but the DeWALT one has, I did not like the idea of that removable tray in Craftsman one. Thanks for the info.
Benjamen
That’s an interesting distinction. I don’t mind the clear tray, but having the dovetails in the lid seems like a better solution.
Altan
The clear tray in Craftsman version is a bit annoying, to access the bits in the red section you need to remove the clear lid always and of course in rush that is going to stay out of the case sometimes and in some cases some wild boars will step on it, there you go… you have a broken tray.
Graham Howe
You’re right, I just connected to a UK VPN and Home Depot Canada is blocked. Looks like a very misguided attempt at them avoiding DDOS or other attacks by simply blocking traffic from countries they don’t believe they have customers.
But here you are, assuming Google is not restricting it’s services. here is a screen shot of the results of that search on Home Depot in Canada https://photos.app.goo.gl/enA48srGe3GzweFQ6
Altan
I think it is blocked on purpose as they try to avoid people calling them in UK and asking some questions about the things that will not be released (at least for now) here in the UK. But through google images I could see and download a clear photo of the product.
Vards Uzvards
Some companies in North America are blocking access from EU because of GDPR.
Altan
Should I believe it or look at it as an excuse and not believe it?! We can not read the mind of the decision maker to see it is because of GDPR or something else. I prefer not to believe/trust easily…
TonyT
My stash includes a clear Bosch Custom Case, a solid blue Bosch Custom Case, a clear lid stackable Craftsman (small size), and two yellow non-stackable DeWalts.
My feelings:
— SDB cases are stackable, Bosch cases aren’t. By itself, not a big deal for me, but if I buy into Tstak/Versastak, it becomes pretty nice feature when combined with the larger ones which stack on Tstak.
— SDB has many more sizes.
— SDB clear cases support inserts/bits on both halves of the case, unlike Bosch clear case.
— I’d say Bosch clear case seems more rugged than Craftsman; I’d put solid cases as roughly equal.
— Bosch bit holder inserts are much easier to remove (not a big deal if you just want to reconfigure once)
— You can case-only from Bosch, but it’s not necessarily a lot cheaper. You can’t buy the inserts without bits.
I’ll probably stay the same, using both.
Altan
I don’t think these cases need to be stackable, this is a copy of Tanos mini cases. They need to be stored in toolboxes similar to TSTAK Caddy. if they not stored in toolbox they will be broken soon.
Altan
It seems the clear lid in the large version has those dovetails partially (in both ends of each row) so basically 20 mini case can fit in one large case. It would be a nice organiser for me. The Toughsystem version of it would fit 36 of those mini cases. I get so excited thinking of it. I would buy at least 10 of them for me and my friends.
JoeM
If I wasn’t in debt right now, I’d just throw up my hands and say “Take my money now, DeWALT!”
The design is exactly what I need. It’s pretty much what everyone has needed for years, since DeWALT has released so many different “Tough Cases” for their bits over the years.
We should see if there are part numbers written on the actual boxes and bit holders themselves. See if we can’t get those parts separately through the Parts shop on the DeWALT website itself? Just a thought, of course. They probably won’t though. That would make too much sense, and SBD doesn’t do a lot of common sense things when it comes to after-purchase upkeep or customization. Great TOOLS, yeah. Great BUYS, yeah. But their accessories and useful solutions tend to come in the form of having to buy whole new sets of things we just don’t need at all, just to get the box it’s in. Or we have to go to special centers (which are becoming increasingly rare in number coast-to-coast) in order to get something we could have easily replaced ourselves, like a screw, or a sticker, or a trigger switch.
I know it’s a business, and they want to maximise their profits… but… at some point that practise is outdated to the point that it is doing more harm than good. Common Sense and GOOD Business models can adapt to new needs… like, I dunno… Selling such useful utility case systems like these SEPARATELY from their bits, allowing older systems to be organized better. But, what do I know, right?
MC
Didn’t read all of the comments, but any idea if the different bit holders can be purchased individually? Specifically the angled ones for the 1″ bits?
tommy madux
so far this has been a PTA. i have both red and yellow small boxes and red medium boxes but i cant seem to find the lager ones. from what i have noticed the yellow ones have better quality bits inside but the red contains seem to snap together better and hold one to each other better, even thought they both work. i just wish you could purchase either the cases and the bit holders by them selves empty. i have a ton of bits now. mainly because i like to use the new Milwaukee shock-wave bits but i use craftsman and dewalt cases.
Steve Goodman
When are these all coming out?
Steve Goodman
I just bought the medium sized ToughCase plus at Tractor Supply. Pretty nice. Anybody seen the large one anywhere? $25
Benjamen
I haven’t even seen the medium sized ones anywhere yet, besides the craftsman ones, I’m surprised you even found them.
The Craftsman large was shown to use over a year ago and it isn’t out yet. I’m not holding my breath that the large one (Dewalt or Craftsman) will be be out before the end of the year.
Steve Goodman
Yes. I was surprised too. Hoping that the large ones are out soon. Medium one is pretty nice. What is interesting is that there is only storage on the yellow side. Clear side is just a lid (no slots for bit retainers).
Best
Tommy
Well the Lowe’s by me says they have the large craftsman and the dewar mediumn in stock. So I have been checking to see if they will be out on the floor. I will post when they do.
Aaron
Large Craftsman in stock at Lowe’s I think.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-85-Piece-Steel-Screwdriver-Bit-Set/1001089592
Aaron
I just went in to the store and the product on the shelf is actually two mediums not a large. Has same cmaf1285 number as on the web, just is a totally different product. I’m sad now.
Benjamen
Yep, I can confirm that it’s just two medium cases. I went to the isle and bay where Lowe’s online said it would be, and it wasn’t.
Tommy
Yeah see that was the problem I was running into after I looked for like an hour one day looking for it. It’s a running change on current skus so I’m thinking the new inventory just has not either been pulled from stock or just not in stock period yet. But yeah why the he’ll can’t they just release them and also sell the cases separately. Or why does some other company come out with some cool but cases. The dewalt case seem to sell for either the same or more empty with out bits then when they were new filled with bits
Brenda
When does the DeWalt Large Tough Case + come out and where will I be able to purchase it?
Benjamen
We don’t know, Dewalt isn’t saying anything, and don’t hold your breath.
Craftsman announced a large Versastack (TSTAK compatible) version over a year ago and it is nowhere to be found either.
The Dewalt medium Toughcase+ has been showing up at Lowe’s and other local stores, so I’d assume that would be the first place to look.
AJ
I saw the large one at Lowe’s yesterday but it is not yet on the website.
Tommy
Lowe’s has the large one in stores but they are on what they call wing stacks and do to covid not all stores and put them out in true isle yet. I know the Lowe’s by me has them in the building but they are not out on the floor yet.
Burr
Any idea on model number or SKU? Still lookin for these >_<
Tommy
I have only been able to fight the large craftsman bit case and the medium dewalt and medium craftsman bit sets.
The large craftsman bit set is
Item#1062133
The medium dewalt bit set is
Item# 858726
They also sell just this case empty for like 6-7 bucks.
The medium craftsman bit set
Item# 1062132
Now watch out if you looking up by the sku numbers since they were just a roll over item and they used the same sku for both old and new cases. Now as far as wing stacks. I found the dewalt load set on a wing stack but the empty one I found in the section that they sell the single dewalt bits in. Also I found the large and
Medium craftsman bits sets on an isle end cap not a wing stack. Now the craftsman’s set came in stock first then the dewalt one but they were semi hard to find the first time I tried Looking for them. Also be careful checking stock on the website it’s not always right so have someone check inventory using one of their store phones.
Nikolas Thomas
Lowes now currently sells the medium toughcase with dividers for just shy of 7 bucks
Nikolas Thomas
Forgot to mention that it’s just the empty case. So you can add what’s needed without paying extra 15 bucks.
Tommy
Did someone physically see one. I know the web site says they do but it’s a sku update and the store by me only had the old model
Benjamen
I have two that I bought from my local Lowe’s at least a month ago and they had one in stock this morning. Not all Lowe’s I’ve been to have them.
Interestingly, I’ve also seen a Speedbor set in a medium case, but only in one of the several Lowe’s around me.
Tommy
I got one and going back to get more. Thanks for the heads up
Tommy
Also they have little dividers that also work in other bit cases witch is kind of cool. Also yeah the speed bore drill bits come in a same
Style case. Also there will be other brands offering items coming out in that same tough case style cases. I saw a press release somewhere but I can’t find it now. One more the in Europe dewalt offers a tough case caddie that clips into the tough box rolling tool case and the large craftsman one clips
Into it too.
Odan Urr
Lowe’s has the large tough case in stock. Got two, one as a gift. It’s identical to the craftsman, but much higher quality.
http://imgur.com/a/IEEpB4u
Benjamen
I’ve seen these in the stores, but I didn’t notice a difference in quality, other than the bits are actually name brand. What differences are you noting?
Odan Urr
The biggest issue is everything is loose. The hinges and clips rattle, the but holders fall out. Whereas the DeWalt everything just fits tight. The clips even say DeWalt, the craftsman has a generic stamp. Kinda like when you buy something off Alibaba, it looks the same, but it’s not.
And considering the price point, I personally wouldn’t but the craftsman.
Benjamen
Yeah, the fit of the holders in the large Versastack bin I have is variable, the rows are actually different widths. The holders in my second row actually make the row of dovetails warp.
I wouldn’t praise Dewalt too much though, the fit of the holders in their ToughCases cases can be highly variable in my experience. I have small ToughCases where the holders are loose and I have ones where they are tight. Same with the craftsman versions. Interestingly the medium Dewalt ToughCases I’ve purchased have all been pretty identical. Although I’ve had problems latching them because the lid has some lateral play.
I haven’t noticed any significant difference in the latches on the small and medium Craftsman cases. The clips and hinges on my large Versatack don’t rattle.
Odan Urr
Very true. It could be the specific case. But at the price point, 45 for the DeWalt and the much higher quality tools, compared to 35 for the craftsman and much lower quality bits. When it was 25, it was good, not now.
Now if we could just get the tstak tote in America.
Eric White
The mystery of large Tstak compatible Toughcases with clear lids is now solved after more than a year.
Links:
Craftsman (red) [Model CMAF1285LTC]: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-85-Piece-Steel-Shank-Screwdriver-Bit-Set/1001089592
Dewalt Maxfit (yellow) [Model DWAMF160]: https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-MAXFIT-Steel-Drill-and-Driving-Bit-Set-160-Piece-DWAMF160/313213476
Dewalt Flextorq (black) [Model DWANGFT100SET]: https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-100PC-FlexTorq-Bit-Set/1002747506
Craftsman VERSASTACK 216 Piece Mechanics tool set [Model CMMT99206]: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-VERSASTACK-216-Piece-Standard-SAE-and-Metric-Polished-Chrome-Mechanics-Tool-Set/1001345004
This summer, Craftsman launched the Versastack mechanics tool set, medium case, and large case. This was the first instance of the large case I could find. It was the missing link between your Versastack and your medium/small Toughcases.
Today at Home Depot I spotted the infamous Dewalt large Toughcase w/ yellow bottom and clear top. It looks to have limited stock in most stores, so I suspect it may only be around for the runup to Black Friday.
Overall, I like the yellow Dewalt Maxfit and red Craftsman cases since they provide good contrast/visibility when viewing the bits. The black Dewalt Flextorq case may be harder to view bits when not in great lighting.