Over at Twitter, Robert shared this image he took of a Porter Cable ball bearing tool storage combo that popped up at his local Lowes.
What?!
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This brings to mind a number of questions. Will Porter Cable be launching hand tools? I could also ask why Porter Cable branding? and why Lowes?, but that part makes sense.
Craftsman has no shortage of tool storage options. Home Depot carries a selection of Husky tool storage products, and during certain times of the year they put Milwaukee and Dewalt storage cabinets out on display.
Lowes carries a wide selection of Kobalt storage products, and while I haven’t checked recently, I believe I’ve seen some more entry-level house brand models there as well.
But, especially around Father’s Day and the winter holiday shopping season, there definitely seems to be room at Lowes for some higher end selection that’s not Kobalt.
Sorry for the sidetracked discussion. But with very little information to go on, I find myself thinking of the bigger picture. The relationships that brands have with retailers can have great impact on tool selection, availability, promotion, and even whether certain products will even ever make it to production.
Here is what we know:
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The top is priced at $280, and the bottom $379, with the cost of the combo then being $659.
You get a drawer and feature configuration that is similar, but not identical to Dewalt’s premium ball bearing tool storage combo.
The Dewalt roller cabinet has 8 drawers, the Porter Cable has 7. The Dewalt top cabinet has 5 drawers and a gas strut-supported top lid, and the Porter Cable has 5 drawers, a gas strut-supported top lid, and a pull-out work surface.
The PC storage combo also has a power strip attached within the top compartment. There’s also a power tool holder in the smaller of the deep cabinet drawers.
The color scheme… is kind of good looking. It’s distinct, without being too flashy.
I haven’t seen this in person, but you can be sure that I’ll head to my favorite Lowes store as soon as I can. I’m thinking that maybe these will be widely displayed ahead of Father’s Day.
Thanks to Robert for the heads-up and photo!! He also sent a tip about new Porter Cable vacuums at Home Depot. The vacs look like general cleanup vacs.
Are you interested in this Porter Cable tool storage combo?
Well, obviously you’re interested, otherwise you wouldn’t have read this far. But is it something you would consider purchasing?
And, okay, so this probably isn’t much of a true Porter Cable product. It looks to be heavily inspired by the Dewalt combo, which might have been developed by a SBD sister brand or even an external OEM partner.
But anyway, I’m still pretty excited by it. Tool storage is something I am very picky about. I want to see MORE, especially at this price point.
Honestly, I don’t want to see Porter Cable hand tools, though. I also don’t think that’s something the brand is interested in doing. This seems to be a branding adventure that makes complete sense when you consider the Lowes partnership – assuming this is going to be a Lowes exclusive.
The way I see it, this is Porter Cable branded because the brand is positioned above Stanley, but below Dewalt. The similarly configured Dewalt combo is likely better built, and possibly packed with a few extra bells and whistles, and it costs more.
Soo… yea… there’s a new Porter Cable storage combo for under $700. Thoughts?
If you happen to spot this at your local Lowes, what do you think about it?
Compare(Dewalt tool chest via Amazon)
Compare(Dewalt roller cabinet via Amazon)
Jerry
I like the idea of the pull out work surface. I have a little ‘clear spot’ on my workbench that I put the tools I’m using for a task to have them close at hand. The work surface would be perfect for that job, keeping the tools ready for quick access. Being right with the toolbox, it would be easy to grab another tool if needed, and also would make cleaning them up and putting them away an easy task. More choices makes it easier to find just the box I want, and more competition should keep prices more in line.
Nathan
main reason I don’t have a top box on my main roller is because I like the work spot – for when I need to roll my cart somewhere. which I do occasionally at home. which by the way is a Kobalt with rollers slides. by the way has been great.
at work I used to do the same but that one was a lista.
slide out table – I like. don’t like the holder off to the LH side – mostly due to how much it sticks out. will need to see in person.
power strip I’m bland on – I can add that myself if I want to. lights wouldn’t be bad though. drawer support is my main concern – internal organization is a secondary concern.
Nathan
Oh curious – are the Dimesnions actually the same. normail loss of a drawer = loss in total height. which might be why it’s cheaper. Besides the name.
Stuart
If you look at the pictures, the Porter Cable looks to have a double height drawer in place of 2 shallower drawers in the Dewalt unit.
My guess is that the Porter Cable chassis is going to be similar, if not identical to the Dewalt. That way they can utilize the same manufacturing processes, resulting in lower costs.
It’s hard to tell, though. Some of the Porter Cable drawers look deeper than the Dewalt’s, which would make the unit taller, but this could be an illusion due to the different drawer pull designs.
Nathan
doesn’t advertise metal gage which worries me slightly – since it’s supposedly an important feature on the dewalt. either way I’m sure it’s a quality piece. I’ll certainly be looking at one when I go next time.
Stuart
Most brands don’t advertise metal gauge.
The Dewalt does because it is seemingly aimed at industrial users in addition to higher budget consumers.
John Sullivan
I’m glad Nathan mentioned that holder– seems like that could be the noteworthy Porter-Cable tie-in, if those holes are somehow a perfect fit for PC tools. I’m curious to know how useful it could be. I imagine it’s more gimmick than anything else.
John
The tool holder on the side looks like a simple stamped piece of metal that likely can be left off or removed if its a problem.
Travis
Looking at this screams DeWalt but in a different color scheme with a few slight changes. Would definitely need to see in person. However, as per usual with Lowe’s, the price is high for what it is. I can guarantee that this box doesn’t hold a flame to the 3 Milwaukee tool storage options that hover around the same price point. I would love to know the overall dimensions and gauge of the steel. I will look for it in my local Lowe’s.
Rascally
All of these boxes start to look the same, just different colors. Yet, they all have the same defect, no handle on the top lid. Which doesn’t matter if you leave it open all the time like I do. Once you unlock the lid, you have to push the lid up a little before the shocks will lift it all the way up. Mine was like that from day one, but they should have a handle to grab for that opening operation. But I’ve got a nice black composite handle to drill and install on it, if I ever get around to doing that.
I bought the yellow Dewalt box a few years ago, when they ran both the top and bottom unit on sale for $368.00! And I have TOOLGUYD to thank for alerting me to that deal!!! Otherwise I would have missed it! Thanks!!!
The only difference I see is that they split the drawers up horizontally , instead of being full length drawers.
Stuart
The Dewalt version has a nice handle built/bent into the lid.
Rascally
I’m not sure I’m a fan of the drawer closer detents or system. But I’d rather deal with that, than a drawer I have to hold the unlatch button each time.
I was fine with simple sliding drawers, as my box never moves. Ideally, they’d offer an option we could activate on each drawer if we needed it, or disengage if not needed.
Hear that toolbox companies? 🙂
John
I wouldn’t imagine its that big a deal to add a drawer pull handle to that top lid (or if you want to be fancy add two, one on each side of it) if its such an issue. Two drilled holes and done:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Liberty-3-3-4-in-96mm-Brushed-Steel-Bar-Pull-P01012-SS-C/202023665
Ed S
My buddy got one of the Kobalts. Then he ordered a spare Weber handle (the LED integrated) and adapted it to his lid. The LED turned into a Novelty as he added brighter garage lights.
Never understood why growing up, we had one, dim, bulb in a 2 car garage. With a pullstring. That I broke off and it was too high to reach.
mike aka Fazzman
Considering Porter Cable is the same company as Dewalt this isnt that much of a surprise to me,was only a matterof time.
Honestly all of these new fangled power tool company boxes are gimmicky as they can be(just my opinion),with the exception of the new Milwaukee one which i wouldnt mind having.
Being a machinist,Ive used USA made Kennedy boxes for years. they are not cheap,but they arent over priced like a snapon box either,you get what you pay for but thats because they are industrial grade. I think my bottom 40″ box was like $1200 or so,top was around $600 on sale
The main issue ive always had with most homeowner grade boxes is the steel they use especially in lower drawers is a very thin gauge of material.
The drawer layout of this new Porter Cable box seems configured decently but i just dont get the appeal of these other than being crazy cheap which equals cheaply made.
RC WARD
Looks like a cool box to add to the list of tool boxes out there. I might have to run over to Lowes and see if they have this displayed. Thanks for the tip. #TIACREW
Jon B
With the 46″ Milwaukee combo running $598 right now at Home Depot I can’t see any reason to bother with this unless you really like Porter Cable. Maybe the PC is an intro price that will drop for Father’s Day?
Travis
Have you looked at the prices Lowe’s places on their Kobalt tool boxes? They are ridiculously high in comparison to other comparable units and are not of the best quality. Go figure, it is Kobalt after all. I don’t see the price coming down much. Milwaukee is definitely the way to go.
Jon B
I had already planned to pickup the Milwaukee combo this weekend. HD sent me a 10% off coupon for purchases over $299 on the HD card and it looks like Menards is getting set for a 11% sale (or maybe bag sale) on Sunday. So the combo for ~$568 (with tax) with $62 back in rebates sounds pretty good to me!
Travis
I like your style.
Jason
The price of the Kobalt tool boxes compared to Husky is pretty significant. You can get the 52″ Husky for $600 which is a steal of a deal in the consumer tool chest market.
Tim
This is ugly as sin, even if it is a nice box.
Are those speakers up top? Did I miss that part in the article?
Stuart
They look like pass-thru cable grommets to me, for plugging in chargers are the such, or the included power strip.
Cr8ondt
They are, will post pics in the forums in a bit. It’s a nice set!
TadaoBaba
Who is making all these boxes? They look very similar, except for some minor layout changes, and colors. Anyone know who the manufacturer is?
John A
Got to check cardboard box for manufacturer. Should be interesting comparison.
Brian
I don’t understand the power strip location, you’d think you’d want it as high as possible or to the left/right to not take up storage space. Ideally, just mount the darn thing behind the box with cable pass through and the switch mounted inside the toolbox. That leaves plenty of storage space and limited cables inside the box to look at.
Rick
I saw one at my local Lowes on Friday. It had a very similar feel in finish as the Milwaukee version at Home Depot. It also has a pullout work shelf in the middle that locks in place once fully extended. The shelf is covered in a hard clear plastic material like Lexan with some scale markings and angle lines showing underneath. To retract the shelf you have to release a small latch on each side of the shelf. The drawers had a self closing feature where if you give the drawer a slight push it would make sure the drawer doesn’t rebound and stay open. I didn’t see a weight load or even size listed on the unit but from the scale on the pullout shelf it appears to be in the low 40’s in width. The power strip in the top had only 4 plug ins if I remember correctly. I first thought that should be six plugs but in my personal use I would only have a couple of chargers plugged up. It also had 2 USB ports on the same power strip. I like the unit overall but the pinkish color didn’t appeal to me.
Marc
Saw one today at lowest took a few pics it does not have the left side power tool bracket. I like it. I’m in the market. I’m also looking at the Milwaukee work bench with the peg board back and with this having a slide out work top it makes it more appeasing and I can then put all my tool in the tool box instead of having some on the peg board. I can send you pics of the one I saw if you like.
Hammerfab
I just bought this setup today. It is a great box! Solid and sturdy for the price. I went to Costco looking for some boxes they had on sale but they were online only. I wanted to see them in person. My second option was the stainless kobalt boxes at lowes. They seem to be a good quality but still a little more Than I wanted to spend. As I was browsing the store I spotted this Porter Cable box on display towards the back of the store. The drawers have a quality feel to them and automatically shut themselves and have a detent that keep them shut. The color was not my favorite but it is a nice powder coat. I liked the built in power strip. Everything about this box is quality! Oh yeah, each box was on sale for $250 each. Couldn’t turn it down. Matter of fact I might be going back to get two more!
Dannyfixit
Just talked to Lowes and hunted their website. They have bettered their prices on the base unit, but I searched over 200mile radius and no store stocks. Additionally, not available for ship to store nor parcel deliveries. Summary, customer service has no way for me to buy one.
Told them all the HD’s have the Milwaukee units in stock.
Paul Vasquez
I just bought this at Lowes, on sale for $249 for each top and bottom. I couldn’t pass that up. $500 plus tax for both units seems like a great deal.
Paul
Mitch J.
Where was the lowes that sold it for 249$. I’m gonna try and get my lowes to price match.
Mitch J.
I’m gonna get it today if I can get it for 500$
Paul Vasquez
Deland, Florida
Here is a link to a pic I took of it. It was some kind of special.
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=7D11B32E93EEBF9!7997&authkey=!AH9qoUOo_LCyL-g&v=3&ithint=photo%2cJPG
Mitch J.
Yea I tried to get them to price match but they said they needed to see it online or in a sales paper to price match.
Paul Vasquez
Here is a screenshot of my purchase….
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=7D11B32E93EEBF9!7998&authkey=!AKgOzwrF5-hbppo&v=3&ithint=photo%2cPNG
Mitch J.
Yea thanks for trying but they said it can’t be a pic on my phone. It has to be something lowes put out
Paul Vasquez
This is the store I bought it from.
Deland Lowe’s
Store Number: 1945
303 International Speedway Blvd
Deland FL 32724
Phone Number: (386) 785-2430
Joe
Just picked mine up at lowes in Spokane, WA for $500. I also have a PC cordless drill that fits in the tool holder. There is a spot for the holder in the deep bottom right drawer I didn’t like it on the side. Not professional grade, but then again I’m no professional. Avid d.i.yer and this will work perfectly for my needs.
Ted
Just bought this on Sale $250 for the top and $250 for the Bottom … I’m groovin’
RCS
did the sale expire? every lowes i called has top ONLY for that price. If i could get a picture of the lower cabinet sale sign with readable date, that would rock