Dewalt has just announced a new line of TSTAK modular tool boxes and organizers. The Tstak storage products are sleek and compact, in contrast to the tough and industrial-looking ToughSystem tool boxes Dewalt released around this time last year.
The appeal of modular storage units is how they stack and lock together to create a cohesive storage system. This saves space and improves organizational efforts at fixed shop locations and at jobsites. Modular tool boxes and organizers are hugely popular in Europe, with Festool, Bosch, and Dewalt working to advance the trend in the USA.
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The most exciting part is how the new Dewalt Tstak boxes have much of the appeal of Festool’s Systainers and Bosch’s L-Boxxes, but at a fraction of the price. They also appear stronger and more durable, but that’s something we’ll really need to test out with side-by-side testing.
Dewalt Tstak II Tool Box DWST17807
The basic Tstak tool box features metal latches and two handles. If Dewalt starts bundling 12V or compact 20V cordless tools in or with Tstaks, this is the one we would expect them to use.
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Dewalt Tstak I Long Handle Organizer DWST17808
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The long-handle organizer also features metal latches, but swaps out the standard top handle for a longer more robust-looking handle.
Unlike with the other Tstak units, you cannot latch additional units to the top of this one.
Flipping over the top reveals a divided organizer with fixed compartments. The channels on the lid mate with grooves in the dividers, seemingly to keep organized contents in place during horizontal or vertical transport.
The lower compartment is unadorned but looks fitting for a selection of compact cordless tools, hand tools, and supplies.
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Dewalt Tstak III 1-Drawer Organizer DWST17803
The 1-drawer organizer features removable bins that are individually lidded. If you don’t like this idea, you can leave the bins at home and pack the drawer with hardware boxes or bins of your own. Drawer slides are ball-bearing.
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Dewalt Tstak IV 2-Drawer Organizer DWST17804
The 2-drawer organizer features divided compartments and ball bearing slides. Dewalt’s documentation says that one of the organizers features removable dividers for drills and bit organization, but we’re not sure this is the Tsak model they’re referring to.
Bosch is also soon rolling out drawered tool boxes as part of their expanded Click & Go L-Boxxes and accessories lineup. Thus far it looks to be an apples vs. oranges comparison, but it will still be interesting to compare the two versions once they’re released.
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First Impressions
We had a chance to preview a few of these units at a recent media event. The early production models had a good feel to them, and although they aren’t as spacious as Systainers or L-Boxxes, and certainly not Dewalt’s Tough System boxes, they offer slightly greater organizational flexibility. Whereas Festool and Bosch (and Sortimo) offer units of varying heights, the first launch of Dewalt Tstak boxes are all similarly sized but with different organizational and carrying options.
The tool boxes and organizers themselves are definitely appealing, but we’re not sold on them yet. They’re not as robust as Dewalt’s ToughSystem cases, but they do feel stronger than competing products. Although the first four models are reasonably versatile, we want more. How about a wheeled base? 4-drawer unit with optional dividers? Wall-mounting racks?
We’re quite excited about the Tstak line, half because we love drooling over new products, half because of what we hope will follow.
A lot of professionals and DIYers alike are tired of the bulky odd-shaped and occasionally flimsy kit boxes currently bundled with power tools. Soft carrying cases help lower kit prices, but they’re not really protective or easy to store away. The new Tstak products are another step in the right direction.
With Bosch’s L-Boxxes and Dewalt’s Tsak product lines soon to compete at brick & mortar retail stores, maybe we’ll see some heavy discounts and bundling promotions to help spur adoption.
Approximate retail pricing:
Model DWST17807 – $29.99
Model DWST17804 – $39.99
Model DWST17805 – $39.99
Model DWST17808 – $39.99
PutnamEco
The first company that comes up with a cart that can carry 75 lbs. or more of their toolboxes over muddy backhoe and bulldozer tracks , wins.
I’m tired of these companies that design carts/dollies that seem better suited to rolling around indoors, and even then, some have a hard time dealing with unfinished floors, than working on actual job sites with dirt, sand, mud and even the occasional snow to deal with.
Stuart
Have you seen or tried the Dewalt Tough Systems cart? (Amazon link.) Its wheels are monstrous in a good way and are set wide apart. It’s somewhat pricey though.
The Tstak products are very nicely built, but not quite as outdoors-friendly as the ToughSystem cases, at least from what I can tell during a brief 5-minute hands-on preview.
I can’t say for sure, but it looks like Dewalt might have designed the ToughSystem products for new and outdoors jobsites and the Tstak for indoors and remodeling types of use.
Fred
I can see what he means. Even though the Toughsystem cart itself is tough, the wheels are treaded and not smooth rubber, it’s still not enough for many farms or out in the woods. That cart’s wheels are not big enough and the bottom of the cart is so low, it won’t clear rough terrain very well.
I am very excited about both these new boxes and the new LBOXX, and although I would love to get into the Toughsystem, I think whoever wins, this ‘happy medium’ size is what will be most popular. Systainer boxes are too small for a lot of uses, although sure they are nice boxes. The boxes big enough to fit a 5 gal bucket are great for some folks too but most of us are somewhere in the middle.
When I was shopping, my rough calculations of price per usable volume put the LBOXX-3 & Toughsystem medium at the best value. These add a new option although I would rather have the ‘bulk storage’ than the organization the pictures focus on. I definitely like that they can be useful still stacked up. The final picture of the 17804, do you know if the dividers could be removed?
Stuart
I don’t recall if they are removable, and from the product image and my own photos, I don’t think they are. If they are removable, they’re not repositionable for custom divisions.
Craig
Probably far too late to be of use to you, but maybe for anyone reading this in the future.
Yes, all the dividers are completely removable. Of course once removed the guides remain but these are pretty small, just worth knowing that the bottom isn’t entirely flat.
Though you could always cut these out if you knew you wouldn’t ever want to put the dividers back in later.
PutnamEco
I would hope for a wheel size that is at least as big as a standard hand trucks 4.10 x 3.50 x 4 or even as large as a wheel barrows 4.80 x 4.00 x 8 not a skinny little 1.50 x 1.00 x 6 . A cordless tool set weighs 35+ lbs. put on a compressor and a couple nailers and your up around 75 lbs. Do you think two little inch wide wheels will roll through loose disturbed soil common around new construction? Suppose it rained the night before or maybe even snowed, what then?
rhyino
Stuey-
What are the rough dimensions of the Tstak’ footprint?
Looking forward to more info!
Stuart
I don’t remember off-hand, there are no retail or editorial samples available yet to measure, and official specs have not yet been released. I’ll see what I can do about finding out the dimensions but it might be a while.
If it helps, I believe they are at least 14″ wide, maybe about 16″.
rhyino
Would you say they are about the size of systainers?
Stuart
I am more inclined to say yes than no. They’re comparably sized to these [non-compatible] EU-specific cordless power tool cases. Similarly styled organizers are coming to the US market and were previewed side-by-side with the Tstak at the media event.
mnoswad1
I really really really want to like these boxes. but……
“Modular tool boxes and organizers are hugely popular in Europe, with Festool, Bosch, and Dewalt working to advance the trend in the USA.”…………so why not just port over the same stuff from europe. If it works, it will work anywhere, regardless of continent. A box storage system does not need to be redesigned for the american market. Don’t all the euro mfgs. use systainers regardless of brand name of tool?
These new boxes look a bit wrong to me. I don’t like the cut, chamfered corners, I don’t like that the lid is a bit of a clam shell design rather than a proper flat lid on the top of the box (reducing functional interior space). Based on the size of the handle, these look really small, one cordless drill size maybe.
I also see alot of exterior modeling of the shape, that also reduces the interior useable space in favor of a more rugged image. Consumers are (slowly) getting smarter than that now.
Speaking of image…….The Dewalt yellow is starting to look cheap. Dewalt needs to tone it down. Keep the tools yellow, but those big wide swaths of yellow plastic look pedestrian rather than professional to my midwestern eyes.
I’ll reserve my buying dollar until I get my hands on them, but I dont expect any of the new box storage systems to catch on……unfortunately. This just looks like an oversized version of all the hard drill bit cases that clutter up everyones tool bag.
Tanos and systainer prices are starting to look like a better investment after all.
ps. I currently use my dewalt 18 volt 9 pc. combo kit on a daily basis.
Stuart
Most Festool/Tanos Systainer system SKUs are available in the USA, but there has been little to no marketing effort to push them. They’re a bit pricey, but very effective.
User and consumer mindset is different in the USA than in Europe. This is apparent in a number of ways – X-beam vs. box-beam level preferences, 10.8V vs. 12V Max marketing trends, large contractor tables saws and sliding miter saws vs. track saws and smaller miter saws or even combination saws, pickup trucks vs. small vans.
Bosch has brought some of Sortimo’s L-Boxx system to the USA, and is working to expand it. As you’ll see from tomorrow’s post, there are a couple of things Bosch is doing right in the EU/UK market that I hope they plan to do here as well.
Dewalt’s Tstak cases do stand apart from Festool/Tanos and Sortimo/Bosch products since they tilt more towards organization than high-volume. I anticipate that larger/deeper versions might be introduced in the future.
Tstaks will be $30 and $40, Tough System cases start at $45 (and are very much worth the investment), L-Boxxes start at about $50, and Systainers start at $63.
I don’t recall what type of plastic the Tstaks are made from, but they feel more durable than the ABS plastic the other bands use. That might be why they’re more rounded off and reinforced, but without knowing more about plastic molding processes it’s hard to say.
I think that Dewalt’s system has potential, and like you I really want to like them. I look forward to trying them out side-by-side with my other storage products at home. They have several solid selling points, but the system faces some fierce competition.
The yellow isn’t as overpowering in person as in the above images, at least imho.
Bruno
Has any of you tried Wuerth Orsy Bull system? Boxes can stand quite alot of beating and they are user friendly -many options, also trolley has wheels big enough to move it around on the non-pavement.
Stuart
That system does look versatile, but it also looks like a much heavier duty product family that comes with added size, weight, and cost. I haven’t tried it since it’s not available in the USA.
Bruno
Perhaps Orsy Bull isn’t a rival to Tstak, but more to Toughsystem, L-Boxxes, etc. Don’t think there is a huge difference in price -well at least here in EU. Sometimes you need sturdy boxes to work on.
Have you try to contact http://www.wurthusa.com/web/en/website/index.php, for more info? They offer Orsy on their web page, perhaps they also have Orsy Bull. ..
Wooters
I have this system and love it… But what I don’t like is that why have so many system Dewalt’s Tough System boxes,the HD case I seen and now the DCZ211s2R drill set with case…. I would love to see more accessories and love to able to walk in HD get one at anytime Lol
mgeorge
cool. Need to check it out. I “live” on Amazon. My first choice for any purchase.
Cleties
Thanks for all the comments!! I have to agree with one above all, though – whoever produces a cart that can comfortably/safely carry 150 lbs over sand/mud/rough terrain wins!!
Any takers!??!
Grant
I think it’s time for you to update this review. It’s been a few years and they have come out with more options and the pricing has really gone down . I have been able to buy them between $15 and $25 depending on type and they are very robust. Also a fresh comparison between these and the other stackable tool boxes would be great .