Lowe’s also has a new modular tool box system on the way – Kobalt CaseStack, which I posted about earlier this year.
The Kobalt CaseStack system looks interesting, and it has an external attachment design to accommodate two accessories so far – a cord wrap and a level holder.
Reviews and ratings are now up on Lowe’s website, and it’s listed as available in some stores and for free delivery.
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I can’t find it anywhere.
I checked the front racetrack, the tool department, the Pro section, and the tool storage aisle. I then checked rear endcaps as well.
Nope, no CaseStack.
The Lowe’s store I visited this weekend has one bay for Craftsman modular tool storage components, one bay for miscellaneous tool boxes and organizers, and one bay for tool bags.
Flex Stack Pack is launching soon at Lowe’s stores, although not exclusively.
Where is Kobalt CaseStack going to go?
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Here’s how Lowe’s modular tool box systems seem to be positioned:
Craftsman VersaStack – entry-priced ($)
Craftsman TradeStack – mid-priced ($$)
Kobalt CaseStack – mid-priced ($$)
Flex CaseStack – premium ($$$)
Home Depot, on the other hand, has Husky Connect ($), Ryobi Link ($), Ridgid Pro Gear ($$), Dewalt ToughSystem ($$), and Milwaukee Packout ($$$) modular tool storage systems, and they have all this right now.
There’s room for Kobalt CaseStack at Lowe’s, metaphorically, but what about physically, in stores?
I went to Home Depot the same day, and was able to physically compare Dewalt, Ridgid, and Milwaukee tool box systems.
Flex’s system is coming out this Fall, and so it’s not in stores yet. But Kobalt’s is already available, just not at all or maybe even most stores?
If I were looking to buy into a modular tool storage system today, I would want to be able to check out all available options in person.
And, you want to be sure you can find and buy add-on components when you want or need them. Will that be the case with Kobalt’s tool box system?
While one can mix and match cordless power tools with only a little extra inconvenience, the same is not true when it comes to modular tool storage products. Buying into multiple tool box systems is a much bigger hassle than juggling different brands’ chargers and battery packs.
If Lowe’s doesn’t put Kobalt CaseStack products in stores, who’s going to buy it?
I really want to see Lowe’s bundle CaseStack tool boxes with Kobalt cordless power tool kits or combo kits, but that might not be possible due to their pricing and value – $50 for the small tool box, $60 for the large tool box, $99 for the rolling tool box.
I’m not sure what Lowe’s or Kobalt’s strategy is going to be, but I really want the opportunity to find and check out the CaseStack system in-stores.
Maybe it won’t be in most stores, and I would understand that too. The Kobalt 3pc tool box combo is $199, the same as Craftsman’s TradeStack combo, and so maybe that’s too much competition?
There are also some resemblances between CaseStack and Flex’s upcoming Stack Pack system, which has a much higher load rating, better features, and broader selection of attachments and accessories.
But from what I can see, the Kobalt system is unique enough to deserve a spot on Lowe’s shelves. The only question is whether Lowe’s feels the same way, and if or where they’ll put it.
Maybe we’ll see CaseStack in stores at least for the winter holiday shopping season, and in a permanent placement after that – somehow or somewhere.
Lowe’s listing for the 3pc combo has “verified purchaser” reviews going back to late-April 2022, and so I really thought I’d be able to find it in stores by now.
Have any of you seen the Kobalt CaseStack system at Lowe’s stores yet?
Vards Uzvards
In my nearest store Kobalt CaseStack is available for “Free Store & Curbside Pickup” by Friday, in accordance to the web site. Farther down the road, in Albuquerque, I saw the whole trio yesterday, in a separate display area, and it’s available there for purchase right now.
Yoshi
I was only able to buy it online. Shipped/arrived within 5 days. Non of my local or distant Lowes had it in stores. However, LOVED IT. Best to order early Monday (arrives by Friday) or Thursday (arrives by Tuesday).
eddie sky
Free Store & Curbside Pickup
Pickup on Fri, Sep 2 (Est.) at W. Windsor Lowe’s (NJ)
Aisle 59 | Bay 4
Stuart
That usually means ship-to-store.
Birdog357
It lists a bay, which means it’s physically in the store, or at least has a slot for it and may be out of stock.
Stuart
My stores say similar, but there aren’t any in-store placements.
For the store that corresponds to the photo above, Lowe’s website says you can pick it up later this week from bay 26, which is currently filled with Craftsman modular tool boxes and storage products.
Maybe they’re moving things around with a September reset, or that’s where the Kobalt boxes will eventually be.
Birdog357
Odd, my store does not list a location at all. I’ll check with my wife, she’s an MST at Lowe’s and is one of the people that would be doing the reset.
Franck B.
At my closest Lowe’s they put the CaseStacks at an end cap, not even near the tool corral where the Craftsman storage lives… (it has it’s own full aisle, although the tool aisles are about 1/3 size).
I know enough about that store that whatever the web site or app says, it’s probably wrong, and I have to track down an employee that’s senior enough to have a handheld that can REALLY tell me where things are.
Stuart
Checked more stores.
Website gives pickup locations, no Kobalt tool boxes are at any stores I checked.
For instance, “bay 26, 1.” I get there, and it’s just Craftsman with no place for Kobalt.
Franck B.
It probably doesn’t help you, but zips 96817 should show several locations with stock, and 89509 as well.
Fyrfytr998
You said it best Stuart……”I’m not sure what Lowes or Kobalt’s strategy is going to be.” Welcome to the club. As someone who pretty much shops Lowes exclusively. It’s frustrating to see a company continually trip over itself in regards to their house brand. It’s frustrating that due to looking noncommittal to the Kobalt line, budget minded folks like myself turned to Craftsman instead for fear of the line being discontinued at any moment. Especially when you have a sleeper hit like the XTR line putting up “pro grade” stats.
This is why all the Home Depot Stan’s can continually crap on Lowes. You would think a company that has a former HD executive on board would know how to right the ship.
Maybe I should forgo the Vet discount, and take my business a little farther up the road?
Ruston
Home Depot also offers a veteran discount now.
bg100
Yes, it’s quite easy to add the military discount via the web now, a big +1 for HD for me.
Franco
I do not have any special comment regarding the Kobalt system other than, we the customer, are the winners.
I guess Dewalt got this going years ago with their TS, then their T-Stack and shortly after, Ridgid got into the game. At this point, Milwaukee and the other competitors probably were looking to see how eager or not customers were willing to adopt these systems.
There has always been rolling boxes and some other stackable systems, but what Dewalt brought to the market was rolling and stackable combined, waterproof and highly impact resistant…all for an attractive price.
Now we have Ryobi, Milwaukee, Dewalt 2.0. Flex, Kobalt, Husky, Ridgid 2.0 and others. The fact that all these MFR’s are in the game, shows that we the consumer like and want these systems.
So for the Kobalt, I hope they make it to the store shelves as we all benefit from the vast selection, as well as the different price points.
TomD
We are winners now. But keep an eye out on the smaller brands, because being invested in a system that gets cancelled when the hype dies down would suck.
I tell myself that’s part of the reason I went Packout but I know it’s because I’m a sucker for big red.
Frank D
Right, that’s where I had seen the locking mechanism from the Flex system before …
Franck B.
The latches and handles are from a similar mold as well (different name brand engraving… maybe it’s changeable in the mold).
Frank D
I agree they look very very similar to my eye. I am hoping to check them out in person in a few weeks. Just to see what the competiont brings and what I think is a weakness in the design. I have had a similar issue with Packout a couple times. Never with Ridgid. Where stuff gets in the locking grooves in the top.
[ also, Safari remembered not to + the username 🙂 ]
Franck B.
I’ve had a set of CaseStack for a while and they’re OK, better if they were on sale from the original price but the price Lowe’s is asking now seems unreasonable. But they might be cheap simple boxes to attach to FlexPack?
I think Packout isn’t made for muddy areas, because I’ve had trouble locking some boxes when they got too dirty. Sure it took five minutes with a hose to clean it up but not what I want to do when I’m trying to get out. I foresaw a similar situation with the Ryobi boxes, and a bunch of other issues had me just get out of the Link+.
I did recently pick up some of the Ridgid 1.0 stuff due to the sales that started earlier this month (the organizer for $20? Sure!). At the sale price point… it’s pretty good stuff, although limited since there were only five pieces. I like the latching, it’s easier to use than the old DeWalts, and similar to some other brands that OEM Keter (mostly in Europe).
For price and simplicity, you probably made a good choice with Ridgid.
Franck B.
We have many stores locally with stock . Most have qty 5-8 of the tower. None have the separate pieces in stock (when it first showed up I ordered the separate pieces which ended up being cheaper than the tower’s originally listed price). I’m guessing they’ve been in store over a month.
Franck B.
Someone’s buying CaseStack at full price (or with discounts not available to everyone) as the stock I checked yesterday has gone down a few units across several stores.
Tim Woods
I have not found any either. Maybe because we don’t have Lowes around here.
Franco
Not quite about the Kobalt boxes, but in general, about all the various systems. Are any of the systems compatible? I would not expect any of the Dewalt or Milwaukee to be able to nest and connect together, but what about the others? Like Craftsman, being SBD(I think?), does it nest with Dewalt or others? Or nay other brands; Ridgid and Keter…or any other that anyone knows of?
Then on the other side of the fence; Systainer & Tanos. Of course Festool, but also Fein, Metabo, Makita and others; who knows which nest…and then which also clamp together.
Stuart
No. Every brand has their own form factor and interlocking mechanisms, and nothing works cross-brand.
The only exception I know of is Dewalt Tstak and Craftsman Versastack.
Keter has their own branded version of Ridgid Pro Gear tool boxes, but I have never seen them available for sale. https://toolguyd.com/keter-professional-tool-boxes-also-from-ridgid/
Franco
Good to know about the T-Stack and Versastack. As far as…”Every brand has their own form factor and interlocking mechanisms”….all the various Systainers; none of them work together?
Stuart
Systainers connect to Systainers (with some exceptions), and L-Boxxes to L-Boxxes.
Franck B.
Dewalt Tstak, Stanley ProStack and Craftsman Versastack go together. Dewalt Toughsystem and Facom (discontinued in many markets) also stack. It looks like Kobalt and Flex Pack will but I don’t have Flex to verify. And Ridgid Pro, Erbauer and a Keter system go together. There are also other brands that Keter makes that will interchange and it’s pretty obvious when you see them that they work (the wire wide latches). There’s more but you get the idea, the biggest names mostly don’t work with others.
Franco
Thanks to both you and Stuart for the responses…..I had totally forgotten about the L-Boxxes
Stuart
Speaking as a long-time Bosch L-Boxx owner and user, forgetting all about the brand is for the best.
It was decent for its time, but holds no competitive advantage today.
Franco
I agree. I have a couple of Makita boxes (which I believe are L-Boxes, and that came with the tool). They are OK, but would never buy or invest into this system.
Stuart
That’s possible, but all of the Makita “MakPac” tool boxes I’ve seen in recent years resemble old-style Tanos Systainers, but are not quite identical.
Tanos and Festool are now two generations beyond their original Systainer products.
Franco
That’s possible, I am not sure what they are. They have 2 black lever type locking devices in the front to close the box and 2 of the same on the sides to lock to another box.
Whatever they are, they are just OK, better than nothing or some really cheap type box, but still nothing that I find appealing.
Stuart
The 4-latch system is Systainer-style.
L-Boxx has 2 spring-action latches at its sides.
Franck B.
Kobalt Tool’s social media post about CaseStack says to get the 3-piece tower while it’s available.
That seems to imply it won’t be continued or expanded, probably because the Flex Pack Stack looks to be so similar except for a one-inch increase in wheel size, and a few things that were forgotten in CaseStack at release. (CaseStack does have rubber wheels.)
I think the marketing group is at fault here, not outlining all the features. Sort of like the incremental generational updates to Tstak, with SBD’s marketing not outlining newer features as Tstak was improved (for instance, the later Tstak II was almost waterproof, it just needed the gasket, or it has places for BT trackers and other expansion that I don’t know for what).
Franck B.
Not only does Lowes tell you do get CaseStack “while you can”, when I do a search on Lowes now it corrects it to “VersaStack”. Hmm. And I can’t pull up the medium CaseStack box to order more.