A reader gave us a heads up about these new Irwin power tool accessory cases that look suspiciously like the new Dewalt ToughCase+ storage cases and Craftsman accessory cases. (Thank you Herb for the tip!)
The resemblance is no coincidence, as Stanley Black & Decker owns Craftsman, Dewalt, and Irwin brands.
Irwin will be bringing out three different sized accessory cases:
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- Small bulk storage boxes
- Small storage case
- Medium storage case
The small bulk storage case fits inside the small and medium storage cases. It’s perfectly sized for holding a quantity of screwdriver bits.
Irwin sized the small storage case for screwdriver and drill bit assortments, while the medium storage cases can accommodate larger accessories such as auger-style drill bits.
The small and medium storage cases can be clipped together, making it easier to carry a couple at the same time.
Irwin advertises that these clear lid containers will help you see what accessories you have with you at a quick glance. They are also using the same new pivoting bit holders that the Craftsman and Dewalt cases use, which makes it easier to remove and replace bits.
We don’t have any idea when these new cases will hit the streets or what accessories will be included.
Discussion
As mentioned above, it’s no surprise that Irwin is coming out with accessory storage cases that are similar to Dewalt and Craftsman products. Do we know for sure that the Irwin storage cases will be compatible? No, but it’s very likely.
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What’s notable is the absence of a large carrying case of the kind that Craftsman and Dewalt have teased about (but still have not yet delivered on). This may be because Irwin has no stacking tool box system comparable to Tstak or Versastack. Yet?
If you look at the above photo you’ll see the medium case lid is divided down the middle with dovetails to fit small case bit holders, but the bottom is completely open for large accessory storage like the Irwin Speedbor bits.
The Dewalt and Craftsman accessory cases are divided down the middle, and some come with a removable tray.
I really like this standardization trend by Stanley Black & Decker. It means that most of the new accessory kits from Irwin, Dewalt, and Craftsman should work as a system, and with the Versastack and Tstak tool boxes once the new large storage cases are released.
I hope Stanley Black & Decker will continue this trend of standardization among other tool and accessory storage product lines.
Steve
I like it.
Also, the Dewalt small bit holder cases are going to be $5 at Lowes (and probably HD) on Black Friday. Same as the middle sized Irwin one, I’m picking up a few of those.
Frank D
I’m always keeping an eye out for storage solutions. Sampled one of the $15 Dewalt sets not too long ago. I did not like the locking tab sticking up beyond the bit box and the hex 1/4 bit adapter would not release the bits unless I used hefty pliers. Third time I run into that with DW. User error?? Returned for a refund.
Never had such an issue with the Milwaukee or Bosch hex 1/4 bit units.
Matthew
I had the same issue with a Craftsman impact bit holder. I ended up replacing it in the case with a regular one.
Matt J
My Milwaukee shockwave one had that problem. It loosened up after a few dozen bit changes…it was super annoying but it didn’t end up being an issue. I assume the same would happen with the DeWalt or any other SBD one.
DeCicco Luis
If used with impacts sometimes I note that the bit will knock tight in the bit holder regardless of brand. I only experience this with high speed high torque fasteners though..so..?
SurvivalSpec
I recently purchased the TSTAK caddy by DEWALT for my bit cases. It looks as if these will fit in the caddy. I wish DEWALT/SBD would bring the TSTAK caddy to the US. Good to see Irwin brand doing something useful.
Ernst
Personally I would like DeWalt to produce a caddy which is a simple “box/tray”, without the clip ins and cut outs.
Then you could easily set up a caddy with, for example, your basic electric tools, another with your drills, another with your screws/screwdrivers.
So, like Thunderbird 2, you can pick up the “pods” you need for a job.
The Tstak boxes are good but you lose a lot of headroom with the top handle.
With the existing caddy you’re forced, obviously, to buy the specific DW tool sets to fit. Unfortunately we can’t all afford enough sets to make the purchase of the existing caddy worthwhile plus there are often sets from other manufacturers that are a better fit for our requirements. There are many occasions where you need a drill or other tool that doesn’t fit a tough case but which would fit an open tray/caddy.
Also UK/Dollar prices never reflect the exchange rate… As usual.?