When Lowe’s Kobalt CaseStack modular tool box system first appeared, they promised that it would be a full line of modular storage boxes and accessories.
Part of what makes the Kobalt CaseStack system special is that the tool boxes feature multiple accessory connection points.
Lowe’s has not shared any press or media information on the CaseStack line or accessories, but they did showcase some of their tool box attachments on social media.
Advertisement
So, we know that at the least there will be an extension cord wrap attachment, and a vertical level attachment.
While this isn’t much, it’s a start. Additional details and pricing for the mountable accessories are not yet available.
Kobalt CaseStack Tool Box Purchase Options
- Small Tool Box – $50
- Medium Tool Box – $60
- Rolling Tool Box – $99
- 3 Tool Box Combo – $199
This pricing is accurate as of the time of this posting. Everything was less expensive a few months ago when I first posted about the new Kobalt CaseStack tool boxes. It’s unclear if rising costs affected the prices, or if they’re now at “regular” pricing ahead of planned Father’s Day sale.
Ryobi’s LINK system is already on clearance at Home Depot stores. Do you think that Lowe’s is going to do a better job with their Kobalt CaseStack system? The ability to mount external accessories – with hopefully with more types of attachments in the works – at least seems to help it stand apart from competing tool box systems.
Advertisement
hon cho
While I have a set of the first generation DeWalt Toughsystem cases, I’m reluctant to buy any more plastic case “system” cases of any manufacturer. While Milwaukee’s packout and DeWalt’s toughsystem have been around a while, I want something that I’m reasonable sure to be able to find compatible cases far into the future. Lowes, Ryobi, Craftsman don’t give me much confidence for their long-term availability. While as secure as the system cases, I’m fond of the generic grip crates which are just the large rectangular milk crates . Half height crates are available as well as a variety of dividers and liners.
hon cho
edit to above: meant to say, the large grip/milk crates are NOT as secure as the system cases.
Jo B
I whole-heartedly agree with you in that system-style tool boxes are NOT good, regardless of brand, they are flimsy & cheap. Five of six, DeWalt, Gen 1 boxes broke in the first 3 months that I had them – handles in particular. They were loaded to 40 – 70% of their rated weight, but it was the Canadian cold that really did the foam-plastic in. The wheels broke off the cart too, carrying three x-large boxes.
I replaced the cart with an aluminum cart that has worked without fail since 2013.
I replaced my DeWalt tool boxes with home-made, marine plywood & Kydex tool boxes, while others have been replaced with used Pelican cases (as I like the lifetime warranty that they honour).
Koko The Talking Ape
I agree, that it’s no fun when somebody discontinues a line that isn’t compatible with other lines, when you were planning to buy more.
But practically speaking, how long will you need to keep buying these boxes? And what do you lose when it’s discontinued?
Personally, I can see buying maybe five more ToughCases, EVER. And if I need to switch to Packout, all I Iose is the ability to lock the cases together. The cases themselves still work fine. And I already have some Packout cases, so I’ve already lost total interconnectability.
So, they’re trying to sell you on that “sytem” idea, where everything works together neatly. But you don’t have to BUY that idea. You aren’t actually locked in. Sure it’s nice to have boxes that connect up, but other things matter too.
Leo B.
Those mods are commonly available for Packout, maybe Toughsystem as well. They look pretty similar to Packout, actually, design-wise. Should be interesting to see how they do!
Adam
Common from after market 3D printing people, but not from the manufacturer. Obviously we know where the idea came from though
Franck B.
Yesterday they were $40, $50, $99 and $199. That was $10 cheaper to purchase separately, yet still $30 more than when originally leaked.
Ryobi Link has a lot of features that probably appeal to the Ryobi crowd, which doesn’t include many contractors. I think most contractors will use something simpler, and Casestack seems to be similar to Dewalt Toughsystem.
Packout, while not simple, has the Milwaukee name behind it and also looks to be reliable and tough while also being at a premium price. Almost all the contractors I know that use Packout (me included) don’t use most of the advanced features, but just stack them. IME they seem to not use the smaller organizers, but just the boxes and maybe one or two full width organizers.
Ken Weinstein
omg ANOTHER brand? I invested early in Tstak and Toughsystem so this doesn’t interest me at all. I’m actually shocked there is room in the market for one more brand/color. Shows how much I know.
Matt C.
I was thinking the same thing. I don’t really see much difference. The newer ones don’t seem to innovate that much. I got a steal of a deal on the Ridgid brand boxes. They suit my DIY needs but they haven’t come out with anything new in a while.
TomD
I suspect the vast majority of buyers at places like lowes are NOT buying into a “toolbox system” but instead buy a few and that’s basically all they ever get or need.
Steven B
The problem is we have a choice between systems that are too hardcore or are toys the manufacturers don’t take seriously. For example, TStak was perfect. I LOVED it. I bought a toolbox. Then I put in 1 basic cheapo circular saw and saw it warp and deform. It wasn’t designed to hold real tools. They also didn’t have box long enough to fit one of their reciprocating saws or rotary hammers.
If you can accept the size and quality, the bigger issue is availability. I have to special order them. I can’t just pick them up at the local store. I don’t trust they’ll be around long-term.
On the other hand, you have ToughSystem and Packout, which are far too hardcore. I bought into ToughSystem. It’s OK, but the boxes are HEAVY and overengineered for me storing tools in a basement. I like Packout, but it was just too expensive and while everything looked good in pictures, I went to the store with a list of my tools and their dimensions to figure out which boxes I’d buy for what tool, it just ended up being too awkward and much more expensive than it should be. I could fit more tools in a DeWalt box than a Milwaukee one.
However, I am a home user storing things in the basement. I want the box to hold up when I gently lift it (and not deform) and have mild weather sealing to slow if the humidity rises. I want to pack as many into a small space as possible. Packout and ToughSystem were designed for tradesman who throw boxes into trucks roughly and leave them out in the rain. This makes them bulky and heavy and expensive and not space-efficient.
So yeah, no good options. Systainer looks decent, but has to be special ordered in America and is EXPENSIVE. Tstak…everyone keeps thinking it is discontinued and I’ve never seen it in a store. Bosch seems to have given up on LBoxx. I consider craftsman just Tstak.
So Kobalt decided they need their own ToughSystem outdoor use toolbox competitor?…for the tradesman who wants ToughSystem, but only wants a very slight discount? If you owned 3 boxes, the discount is about $50…if you didn’t know DeWalts are on sale nearly every holiday.
I wish instead of solving the outdoor use hardcore tradesman problem, they focused on home users instead. We’re more likely to buy Kobalt (many professionals feel they need a DeWalt or Milwaukee system to look legit on site). They should have designed garage-grade boxes for DIY’ers and taken on TStak, not ToughSystem.
Koko The Talking Ape
If I were you, I’d just put the tools on shelves, and then control the humidity (which is good for other reasons than just preventing rust on your tools.) If they need more protection, put them in a bag or dust cover.
There are lots of workshop storage solutions for sale. Those adjustable steel wire shelves are strong and space efficient (no bracing needed), and let light through. I think many people also just build or improvise their own. Hanging shelves from wall cleats is nice because the floor is clear and easy to clean.
Stuart
The weight of empty tool boxes is a consequence of strength. Strength requires more material and reinforced structuring, and all that plastic adds up.
Systainers are decent for workshop storage. L-Boxx are okay, but better on shelves due to their frustrating marches.
ToughSystem is good. Packout is better, as it has front-access locking and unlocking. But they’re pricey.
I like drawers and wire shelving racks, which will eventually be replaced with cabinetry.
Roger
Most storage systems have the trinity starter that inevitably just sit in a corner and catch dust. The next level up is a small parts organizer and an open top crate that gets added on and stuck in the same corner.
DeWalt needs to work on the garage/van system. So much more potential that’s just not being looked after. They could even offer more affordable drawer boxes for the railing system. Not everything has to be IP rated.
I can’t understand why they put out TS and then have accessory items for the smaller TSTAK system, but don’t really promote the TSTAK system. It’s weird.
Franck B.
What’s weirder to me is that Dewalt sells other Tstak accessories in other countries that we don’t get in the US. Not too mention the Tstak 2 which is IP-rated (they put the gasket in the top! OK, it also has the new latches). I got some of those accessories, like a Tstak carrying caddy to hold a bunch of Toughcase compact cases. I like it better than hooking them together because on some, the closing latch is also the attachment latch, which can be annoying when the cases open while trying to disconnect them. It also holds some of the small bit holder cases that the bits are sold in (in other countries only?).
Jim Felt
“Do you think that Lowe’s is going to do a better job with their Kobalt CaseStack system?” Or much of anything else for that matter?
No. They are, at least in my metro area, pathetic. Lousy “associate” knowledge, random inventory, many second tier brands in my world and too many “clearance” marked stuff that’s cheaper elsewhere.
You’re welcome. ;-)~
MFC
I finally bought into Packout. Nothing else comes close to the options/customization available. I keep all my yellow in them.
Perry
I’d be interested in these if they carried the system in-store(though not without a drawer option), but our local lowes only carries the craftsman versastack and tradestack. Our nearest home depot is just over an hour away, and the local plumbing supply house sells packout, but at a markup over msrp. Options are limited if I want something I can pick up in-store
I just end up buying more versastack and single-drawer tstak boxes for jobsite use because it’s the most convenient option for me
Ciccio
Bosch and Makita should do the same
I don’t understand why are not jumping into it.
Would be nice a stack on wheels from both of them.
Could be that the numbers are not big enough to justify
an investment on stack boxes on wheel ?
Stuart
Bosch L-Boxx and Makita’s old-style Systainer-like cases are a bit small. Dewalt Tstak/Craftsman VersaStack is (I believe) the only smaller tool box system that has a roller tool box option.
Bosch has an L-Boxx dolly option, and also a hand cart sized for their tool boxes. Makita has nothing, presumably because it’s such a small system with respect to few options and low popularity.
Ciccio
Yeah a system like the Tstak or the Packout but from Makita or Bosch would be awesome
Stuart
There are a lot of factors involved, but I don’t think Bosch or Makita would be able to complete in the large tool box space.
Greg
Where can I get the accessories?