Hart Tools has been promoting their new Stack modular tool box system on social media.
I caught sight of this on Walmart’s website late last year, and now they’re promoting it at the same $79 price.
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At this time, neither Hart Tools now Walmart have shared any press or media information, and so we’re left guessing on a lot of things.
For instance, this is the STACK Modular Storage System. But… this 3pc combo is the only Hart Stack product. So is Stack really a system?
It comes with a rolling tool box, a medium, tool box, and an organizer.
There’s even a new slogan:
Pack. Stack. Go.
Sure.
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Looks good, but what if I need two organizers? A smaller tool box?
Walmart doesn’t sell this in stores.
The Hart Stack modular tool box combo looks a lot like the Husky Connect tool box system. Husky has only added one or two accessories in the years since this system launched – could we expect even that much from Hart?
Not having seen the Hart tool box combo in person, I’d still think it has the potential to serve well as a standalone multi-box rolling tool box setup. But modular? Modular implies interchangeability, but that’s not really possible if Hart Stack tool boxes and organizers are not sold separately, is it?.
I would think that Hart would have sent out press materials or any announcement at all if this was going to be the start of a new product line.
With this, “meet the portable DIY-life!”
Although, in the context of what’s been available for quite some time, this new Hart tool box system doesn’t look to offer anything new or different compared to existing Husky Connect, Dewalt Tstak, or Craftsman Versastack options presently on the market.
The Craftsman Versastack system, based on the Dewalt Tstak tool box system, is water resistant to IP54 standards and has a weight capacity of 110 lbs (66lbs rolling). There are a couple of different interchangeable tool boxes, organizers, and tool bag options. That’s a modular tool box system.
What’s the weight rating?
Are the Hart Stack tool boxes weather-resistant? Water and dustproof?
Will Hart expand this lineup in the future?
Hart says (on the product page):
Offering the ultimate in-cross system connectivity, this lockable system includes 3 tool storage essentials: a mobile cart, toolbox and organizer.
And then again in the features list:
The ultimate in-cross system connectivity for DIYers, crafters and hobbyists.
Ah, the ultimate in cross-system connectivity!
Because… ah, I found this buried in the marketing copy:
The Hart Stack System has inter-changeable trays that can be used across the cart and toolbox.
Oh, you can use the removable tray in the rolling tool box or in the tool box. Is this what makes Hart Stack the ULTIMATE IN CROSS-SYSTEM CONNECTIVITY?
Hart had promised so much when they launched their partnership with Walmart and showed off their initial product SKUs. I haven’t heard a peep about new tools from them since then, but I’ve still tried to keep tabs.
I really thought Hart would aim to compete with Stanley Black & Decker’s Craftsman brand, competing for DIYer customers in a Milwaukee Tool vs. Dewalt kind of ferocity. But, that’s not what I’m seeing.
With products like this, Hart seems to be going after the entry price point market, targeting hobbyists, crafters, or DIYer that might not look beyond Walmart for their tools, tool storage, and related product needs.
This Hart Stack tool storage setup looks perfectly acceptable for such users, but I find myself thinking it could be more.
If you were to ask “why should I buy this over other similar products,” I’d be at a loss to answer. Keter – the OEM – seems to have started with the Husky Connect design, and threw in some blue plastic accent colors for differentiation. Does that sum it up?
Price: $79
Buy Now via Walmart
See Also: Husky Combo via Home Depot
See Also: Craftsman Versastack via Lowe’s
Dear Hart Tools: Some insights would be appreciated. Are there any competitive advantages or hidden selling points here? Are there more Hart Stack tool boxes or organizers coming out? Will these ever be available in stores? IP water resistance rating? Load/weight rating? How do they latch/lock together?
I tried to find any announcement coverage, and I found something unrelated that might indicate the types of users Hart is marketing towards. Here’s a video, with the caption:
Give your son something nice to look at in between watching TikToks.
I don’t even know what this means.
Hart Tools Q&A
Are there any competitive advantages or hidden selling points here?
The competitive quality is in the wireform latches and the ability to store half-size or smaller footprint boxes for a versatile system. (Edited for brevity.)
Are there more Hart Stack tool boxes or organizers coming out?
Yes: In Fall 2021, we will have additional modular storage items that will contribute to the STACK System.
Will these ever be available in stores?
Yes: STACK will be featured in stores April 2021.
IP water resistance rating?
STACK falls right in line with IP54 rating.
Load/weight rating?
STACK falls in line with having a load/weight rating of 100lbs.
How do they latch/lock together?
The STACK system locks from the front. You place the top box into the footprint of the bottom box. Once in place, you will see 2 blue tabs just above the wireform latches that lock the box’s top. Push those forward (towards the back of the box) to lock the boxes in place. To remove, simply pull the tabs toward you.
Tom D
Honestly would have been excited if it actually had some interconnection – using a Hart to let a Dewalt box sit atop a Milwaukee Packout would have been interesting.
Grump E Vet
Well you could at least have Toughsystem and Tstak\Versastak together. This is from the UK but I am getting on shipped here. Looks like way better construction then the Stacksmarter one.
https://powerrax.co.uk/product/dewalt-toughsystem-tstak-conversion-sled/
Aaron
This site has lots of stuff I’ve been wanting but never seen for purchase! Stuart look at this!
Grump E Vet
They seem to be getting a lot of stuff earlier over there than we get here. Dewalt has T-Stan adapter plates for the Dewalt dust extractors and T-Stal caddies for all the “new to us” tough cases. That are either stackable or wall mountable.
https://toolcraze.net/dewalt-dt70716-tstak-caddy-for-tough-case-sets-dt70716-qz/
Vards Uzvards
https://www.harttools.com/products/storage-and-safety/storage/stack-storage-system
It doesn’t look like these boxes are interconnected in any way when stacked up. I’m wondering how stable such a stack might be?
Vards Uzvards
In fact, after watching a short video on the aforementioned site, it seems they do have some sort of latching mechanism, to connect one box to the other.
Stuart
Found it – https://youtu.be/H-PiArMwiuA?t=12
Looks like 2 manual locking tabs, but there’s not a lot of contact area.
Scott K
I thought this seemed like an interesting low-price option when you first posted about it. Looking at the above video- this doesn’t seem like it would stay together in the back of a truck and the wheels do not look very durable.
Kirk Shipp
I received the Hart Stak for Christmas from my wife. I paint fantasy minis for D&D and take my stuff with me when I work on the road. Gotta have a hobby for after work when traveling.
I love my Hart Stak for this purpose. It’s water proof, the separate boxes all lock together, plenty of room and the organizer tray has a clear lid. I have about 100 bottles of paint, 40ish brushes, airbrush & compressor, xacto knives, terrain scenery and sand etc. I haul a lot of stuff! I would use one for my tools but the local Wal Mart stores are out. Hart stuff is all on clearance at my local Wal Mart. Disappointed because what tools I’ve used from them have been pretty good especially for the price. If you can find one, you won’t be sorry if you buy it.
ca
If I can buy them in Canada, they’ll be light years ahead of DeWalt’s tough system 2.
Stacey Jones
Looks like you just need to buy two to start your modular system. Duct tape is always an option.😜
Kevin G
https://www.harttools.com/products/storage-and-safety/storage/stack-storage-system. In the video it shows how the units lock together.
Dave the tool
I was in Walmart today and they had two of them for sale. Don’t know if they had a full pallet and these (2) were the last but they were there. I was in a hurry so didn’t take the time to inspect it. I do know they had a long zip tie to keep them together however.
Jared
That’s not unusual when the retailer doesn’t want consumers to separate the pieces and try to purchase them individually or in new combinations. E.g. someone might try to add an extra organizer to their combo.
MoogleMan3
I do like the look of the small parts organizers in this set, though I am a certified organizational obsessor…
Looks like they solved the issue milwaukee seemingly overlooked; being able to rearrange the bins in any configuration you want.
If hart/walmart sells those separate I may grab a couple to mess with.
Aaron
Here’s another system from Masterforce:
https://www.menards.com/main/c-1526043700147.htm?searchTermToCategory=masterforce%20tool&searchString=Tool%20Boxes&tid=1059953776855861640
Jason
Looks like Dewalt/Craftsman in green
Grump E Vet
If you see most of these storage systems in their original packaging. Like in the overhead back stock at Home Depot a lot of them say “Made in Israel.” That is because the vast majority of them are actually made by Keter which is from there.
https://www.keter.com/us_en/
Steve
It’s just Walmart’s Ryobi. TTi had to do something in the Entry Level/DIY to Prosumer range after SBD went all in with Craftsman. Sure Ryobi and Craftsman go head to head but Ryobi is limited to only being sold in Home Depot by exclusivity agreement and can’t do hand tools or storage profucts there because of Home Depot’s Husky. They had to do something about market share and this is it, a Hart deal with Walmart. Notice how similar the tools are to Ryobi? They are cosmetically a little different and got to start with slider packs though. I’m pretty sure this tool box stack is kinda what a Ryobi would be in green and gray. It’s all interesting.
JoeM
Lost me at “Walmart”… Don’t care how cheap they are, their business ethics are disgraceful, and warrant a full boycot.
You don’t try to buy your way into putting a location in the shadow of one of the most important Archaeological sites in the Americas, and you don’t try to pay off US politicians to get permission to build a location on an ancient Hawaiian Burial Ground… No amount of savings on products is worth total desolation of Non-US-Based Cultures. Nor is it worth cutting all benefits and pay hours to your employees, so you don’t have to pay them a living wage.
If it’s connected to Walmart… it might as well not exist. I’m sorry… but… Nothing can convince me that Walmart does good things. There are crimes against reality that can’t be forgiven. Approved or denied, they attempted to do things that should have landed them in a tribunal for war crimes, not a new contract with tool companies. Only thing that has saved them is that they aren’t a country, therefore aren’t subject to the laws they’ve violated.
(Delete if you wish, Stuart. I’m half Native-American. Walmart is a MAJOR issue for myself, and my people as a whole.)
Ken
Agree
Sean
I actually think Walmart is missing out on a huge opportunity to sell a boat load of tools. They could easily compete with Harbor Freight if they wanted. Harbor Freight is eating their lunch with the vacuum left by Sears. I just don’t understand why they’re not aggressively going after DIY market.
Matt C.
For 79 bucks why not wait till better tool boxes go on sale. This is same price I paid for the stackable Ridgid tool boxes on Black Friday. Way better…
drewmcdan1
Exactly. Since this is TTI, was wondering if this would work with Ridgid system. Similar to what SBD does with their Craftsman Versastack and the equivalent DeWalt system. There is a huge market for something like this in the crafting area. Prior to Covid, my wife went to many all-day scrapbooking events. You wouldn’t believe how many women basically load up the back of their SUV or trunk and haul all of that stuff in and out of the event.
I almost lost my first Ridgid system stack to her, despite the masculine/ruggedized styling. I prevented that by putting her own under the tree. It works well for her, and at least one of buddies made the purchase. She has also fielded queries on the set. Since then, I added the organizer to her three-piece set. The Ridgid was a great value, compared to the craft brands. This Hart one moves into a more neutral style system that would entice crafters.
Fm2176
This looks similar in size/function to the VersaStak/Tstak and Husky systems, so I doubt it will work with the Ridgid system.
I impulsively bought one of the Hart 3-in-1 rolling boxes last year but never really used it and gave it to a friend. He’s gotten a lot of use out of it, though, and this new “modular” system seems to be a step up in durability and overall quality. Even so, for $79 Hart needs to step up their game and offer individual boxes to make this a truly modular system that’s available in store. I can drive a couple of miles and pick up a 3-piece stack of Ridgid, Packout, ToughSystem, or VersaStak boxes, and can grab an extra or specialized piece or two later on (admittedly, the best in-store availability for those systems are around the holidays). In fact, I’ve done just that, having bought 2-3 of each system along with such things as the Ridgid tote and organizer, various ToughSystem and Packout organizers, and VersaStak drawer toolbox and organizers.
I haven’t paid much attention to Husky’s version and doubt that this Hart system will end up in my home. Despite my lack of interest, though, I think that this is perfect for someone who needs a relatively inexpensive system of tool boxes and who has little need to acquire more than the three basic boxes. This would probably be perfect for scrapbooking, hobbyists, and crafters, as it should easily hold most materials and whatever tools are needed.
Vards Uzvards
Now, there is a two-drawer unit for this HART stack, and also a 3-piece Organizer Set. Couldn’t find a web link for the latter, but saw one in store today ($43.94).
Also, there is a half-width 10″ Compact Organizer, supposedly.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hart-Stack-System-Two-Drawer-Unit-Small-Tool-and-Parts-Storage-Black-with-Blue-Accents/257749273
Vards Uzvards
That’s the one (3pc Organizer Set)!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hart-STACK-System-Small-Parts-3-Organizer-Unit-Fits-Modular-Storage-System/217580080