Toughsystem

Ok,

I’m getting really close to pulling the trigger on a Tough system setup.

I’m thinking of starting with a ds450, the extra large one with wheels attached, a ds400, a ds150, the storage organizer, and the tough system radio.

I plan on putting my tools from my 5 piece kit(drill, impact, recip, circ, flashlight) along with my 20v omt, and 20v jigsaw in the 450 (if they all fit).

In the 400 I’m planning on storing other tools (hammer, bags, squares, etc.)

In the 150 I wanna put all my batteries (2 4ah, 2 3ah, 2 1.5ah, and a 1.3ah) and a dcb101 charger. The top section of the 150 will house bits and accessories for the drills and drivers, the omt, jigsaw, pencils, pens, etc.

The organizer will hold misc screws, nails, etc.

My query is this: is there any thing that y’all see I’m missing out on here that you find useful or can’t live without in a tough system setup?

I do plan on eventually getting a DS cart to make things more accessible, and repurposing the 450 for other tools.

What am I missing, if anything?

My recommendation would be use a ToughSystem organizer for batteries; slim and light. The DS450 also sounds pretty cluttered but should work. If you want to use the tray you may need to remove the circ blade each time. Honestly it sounds a bit hodge podge, I prefer more 300 and 150/130 myself for more modularity. 

Bremon wrote:

My recommendation would be use a ToughSystem organizer for batteries; slim and light. The DS450 also sounds pretty cluttered but should work. If you want to use the tray you may need to remove the circ blade each time. Honestly it sounds a bit hodge podge, I prefer more 300 and 150/130 myself for more modularity. 

I have 5 300s. You won’t fit a circ in it unless you take the tray out which means it’s going to be a mishmash of stuff in there. The 300 with my 2731 also has a 2704 and 2753 in it, with bits, blades and a speed square. Not particularly happy with the set up at the moment but it’s convenient to grab and go for most projects. 

You are on the right path. I would go with the DS450, DS150,DS100 and radio. Be careful…….once you start it is hard to stop [emoji106]


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Thanks guys! Any more suggestions?

The Totes are nice also …….I am a huge fan of the Toughsystem. I bought 1 and then this happened [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]
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77Ford wrote:

The Totes are nice also …….I am a huge fan of the Toughsystem. I bought 1 and then this happened [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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Holy shit!

That’s awesome! If you need to pare that down, I could use a few! [emoji12] [emoji1] [emoji2]

77Ford wrote:

1 hour ago, 77Ford said:

The Totes are nice also …….I am a huge fan of the Toughsystem. I bought 1 and then this happened [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]
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Dude, you have a problem 😉

I think 77Ford has a good idea there with regards to more smaller boxes rather than 2 “catch alls” which is what a 400 and 450 tend to become. 

Drill/impact and tons of accessories will fit in a 150. OMT as well if you’d like.  Batteries and charger in the 100. Jig circ and recip in the 400 while hand tools go in the 450. Honestly though, I think the carrier is too wide to be useful. I bomb my stuff around on a dolly. It was less than half the price, arguably more rugged and made in USA. Boxes latch together and one strap keeps them on the dolly. 

I was interested in the 450 but even on sale it’s $120 CAD. I just picked up 3 300s for $35 CAD each. 

I ended up getting another large box ($34 is a steal) and the new DS130. I just got the child seat base into my 16 Tundra Crewmax and can no longer lift the larger seat up to store my ratcheting straps and hand tools so this box is for that. The large one? Well, $34 is a steal so I’ll figure something out.

Finally saw a 130 in the wild for the first time. $70 CAD at HD. The 150 is online for $50 CAD… more waiting for me lol

77Ford wrote:

The Totes are nice also …….I am a huge fan of the Toughsystem. I bought 1 and then this happened [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]
[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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well here we go. I got my first tough system box.

Welcome to your well protected, highly organized modular future @Jronman

It’s getting close for me as well! Still figuring out what to do though…

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77Ford wrote:

14 hours ago, 77Ford said:

The Totes are nice also …….I am a huge fan of the Toughsystem. I bought 1 and then this happened [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]
emoji23.pngemoji23.pngemoji23.pngemoji23.pngemoji23.pngemoji23.png


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Sweet Jesus. That’s one hell of a collection.

That’s no collection…it’s a space station!

Bremon wrote:

That’s no collection…it’s a space station!

Don’t forget to look at the Tstak lineup. They are great as well, especially if space is limited or you do mostly interior work. Not to mention they are harder to overload with tools which keeps the carrying weight down.

It is getting to be shopping time at Home Depot, I saw where the black Friday stack of DS130s had a moderate price drop $31 (I think) to $25 per box. I might have to pick up some if they drop to below $20. leftovers from last Christmas is how I ended up with the small blower and bluetooth speaker for about $50 and $35 for each of them. i walked by a kit at HD somewhere that had the black Friday DS450 combo stack for something like $109, I think it was the last one. Something sticks in my mind it was like $129 or $139 before Christmas.

As for your organization ideas, If I were going to go with a DS450 to start, I would probably put the circular saw and reciprocating saws plus their accessories in it, you should be able to keep the tray in it for your accessories. I’d run the drill and impact and accessories in a DS130/150, The OMT would go in it’s own DS130/150, you don’t always need it on every job you do. The organizer is great for the small quantities of fasteners. I would also go with some form of bag with pockets inside and and out for all my hand tools like pliers, crimpers, screwdrivers, hammers, squares and the couple of different types of tape you can never seem to find if they aren’t all together. Then I’d pick up one or two of the open top totes, or milk crates even, to put the loose expendable stuff like caulk. RTV sealant, the gun for those, sandpaper and sanding blocks, that stuff that doesn’t have a home, but you need to have on a project.

albert.amantea wrote:

18 hours ago, albert.amantea said:

It’s getting close for me as well! Still figuring out what to do though…

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Me as well, I’m afraid to know what will happen after my first tough box purchase. Lol 

Grumpy MSG wrote:

It is getting to be shopping time at Home Depot, I saw where the black Friday stack of DS130s had a moderate price drop $31 (I think) to $25 per box. I might have to pick up some if they drop to below $20. leftovers from last Christmas is how I ended up with the small blower and bluetooth speaker for about $50 and $35 for each of them. i walked by a kit at HD somewhere that had the black Friday DS450 combo stack for something like $109, I think it was the last one. Something sticks in my mind it was like $129 or $139 before Christmas.

 

As for your organization ideas, If I were going to go with a DS450 to start, I would probably put the circular saw and reciprocating saws plus their accessories in it, you should be able to keep the tray in it for your accessories. I’d run the drill and impact and accessories in a DS130/150, The OMT would go in it’s own DS130/150, you don’t always need it on every job you do. The organizer is great for the small quantities of fasteners. I would also go with some form of bag with pockets inside and and out for all my hand tools like pliers, crimpers, screwdrivers, hammers, squares and the couple of different types of tape you can never seem to find if they aren’t all together. Then I’d pick up one or two of the open top totes, or milk crates even, to put the loose expendable stuff like caulk. RTV sealant, the gun for those, sandpaper and sanding blocks, that stuff that doesn’t have a home, but you need to have on a project.

Great thoughts! I do like the idea of keeping the different tools in separate cases. Much better than lumping them all together,and makes more sense to keep the accessories with them.

Honestly, my Intention for the 450 is to get into a wheeled cart without having to spend the money on a DS cart to start the things off.

That’s not a bad plan @albert.amantea but 400/450s are deep. You need to make sure those are tools you need for every single job because emptying them out isn’t fun and killing time that way defeats the purpose of the modular system. My current setup is:

100 – Milwaukee batteries, charger

300 – Fuel 7.25″ circ, impact and hammer drill, bits and blades, speed square, etc

150 – Fuel Sawzall, hackzall, blades

150 Fuel impact wrenches and sockets

100 – Dewalt batteries, charger

150 – XR impact, compact drill, bits etc

150 – FlexVolt grinder, wheels/discs

300 – XR planer, multitool

400 – XR Framing/16 gauge nailers, hammer, etc. 

300 – hand tools

100 – consumables

i still need a few cases for an XR996, my Fuel braking grinder, my Fuel screwgun and rotozip, and to figure out where I want to integrate my M12 ratchet, etc. Also not sure what my ratio of 130s to 150s will be, though if I can’t find 130s for $40 CAD I’ll be sticking with 150s exclusively I feel. This leaves me with a 300 leftover which will end up in my truck toolbox I think because the truck box weatherstripping is trash. 

This also leaves me in a fairly good spot to expand later; when the Fuel midtorque wrench comes out I’ll likely need two 150s for all my automotive stuff, when the Dewalt nailers come out I’ll grab another 400 and the 18g and 16g will be a box and the framer and 15g will be another. Investing into the ToughSystem instead of a pile of random boxes (or worse; using OEM blow molded cases) has been one of my best decisions regarding tools. Moral of my story is you can’t go wrong with any size and you’ll find uses for them all and can customize and rearrange as you see fit down the road. 

Bremon wrote:

That’s not a bad plan @albert.amantea but 400/450s are deep. You need to make sure those are tools you need for every single job because emptying them out isn’t fun and killing time that way defeats the purpose of the modular system. My current setup is:

 

100 – Milwaukee batteries, charger

300 – Fuel 7.25″ circ, impact and hammer drill, bits and blades, speed square, etc

150 – Fuel Sawzall, hackzall, blades

150 Fuel impact wrenches and sockets

100 – Dewalt batteries, charger

150 – XR impact, compact drill, bits etc

150 – FlexVolt grinder, wheels/discs

300 – XR planer, multitool

400 – XR Framing/16 gauge nailers, hammer, etc. 

300 – hand tools

100 – consumables

 

i still need a few cases for an XR996, my Fuel braking grinder, my Fuel screwgun and rotozip, and to figure out where I want to integrate my M12 ratchet, etc. Also not sure what my ratio of 130s to 150s will be, though if I can’t find 130s for $40 CAD I’ll be sticking with 150s exclusively I feel. This leaves me with a 300 leftover which will end up in my truck toolbox I think because the truck box weatherstripping is trash. 

 

This also leaves me in a fairly good spot to expand later; when the Fuel midtorque wrench comes out I’ll likely need two 150s for all my automotive stuff, when the Dewalt nailers come out I’ll grab another 400 and the 18g and 16g will be a box and the framer and 15g will be another. Investing into the ToughSystem instead of a pile of random boxes (or worse; using OEM blow molded cases) has been one of my best decisions regarding tools. Moral of my story is you can’t go wrong with any size and you’ll find uses for them all and can customize and rearrange as you see fit down the road. 

Happy to help! Keep in mind I’m still not 100% happy with my setup, as mentioned the Fuel drill and impact may leave the saw at some point. I’m also looking into kaizen foam for the smaller boxes to further the organization. I plan on leaving room for batteries to be on the tools so if it’s a small job I don’t need to take a 100 with 9+ batteries (12 is the final goal for m18, 10-11 for Dewalt).

Even if, for whatever reason, you change your mind on going with Tough System, buy that radio. It’s darn near Bose-quality with a ton of thump.

@aabee is right; despite some flaws I wouldn’t hesitate to call it the best jobsite radio on the market. 

@Bremon what box is the 100?

The ToughSystem organizer @Jronman http://www.dewalt.ca/en-ca/products/gear-and-equipment/tool-storage/toughsystem-organizer/dwst08202 

This tread needs pics@bremon


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Can’t  beat tough system boxes…waterproof,rugged,stackable….for outside use imo they are the best….I also love tstak ,although not as heavy duty,they are durable and have great storage …

Probably have another 20-25 tough boxes in my tool shed…one of those things I just hate to get rid of. …I even keep a 150 on the boat with hand tools,drill in it…..Now …77 Ford  is downright amazing with that collection….

Framer joe wrote:

Probably have another 20-25 tough boxes in my tool shed…one of those things I just hate to get rid of. …I even keep a 150 on the boat with hand tools,drill in it…..Now …77 Ford  is downright amazing with that collection….

Damn guys!! U guys put me to shame with my little set lol! Love the pics crew!

It’s alright Mike! I’ve got 5 so I’m in the minority too!

My set is nothing compared to 77ford…and he paid less lol !

Framer joe wrote:

My set is nothing compared to 77ford…and he paid less lol !

77Ford wrote:

Honestly I admit I did go a little crazy [emoji12] But in my defense I will never see those prices again so I bought for future tool purchase storage. I now have nice homes [emoji537] for my Flexvolt tools [emoji106]


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I would have done the same thing….Dewalt should come out with a storage shed to house all our tools and storage containers….make it like a tough system case with a vent..! Lol

77Ford wrote:

The Totes are nice also …….I am a huge fan of the Toughsystem. I bought 1 and then this happened [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]
[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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Spyderx92 wrote:

Does you locking system on the back work fine? Mine keep hitting and won’t turn and lock …


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I’m having trouble uploading other pictures but the only clean efficient ones so far are Sawzall and impact wrenches. They are basically grab and go solutions. The rest I’m still deliberating on. Kaizen foam needs to happen soon for me I feel. Also feeling like my big money hand tools like the Knipex collection need a DS100 of their own rather than get tossed into a random hand tool box. 

The grinder box for instance looks like junk and is only the way it is currently to keep things snug. There are some accessories in the lid but each grinder may end up in a 130 because the lids on the 150 are sort of junk for grinder gear. Undecided as of yet but the lid storage really only lends itself to small amounts of drill bits etc. The 130 lid is similar on one side while the other will basically only hold driver bits unless you do some cutting. The journey towards efficiency and organization continues lol. 

tough box 150 vs 130? I got a 130 but haven’t ever used a 150. The boxes appear to be similar. Could a 20v planer fit in a 130 or 150? Thinking of getting another box to fit a planer and a multitool.

[External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

Anyone own this tough system rack ? What you guy think about it ?


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Jronman wrote:

7 hours ago, Jronman said:

tough box 150 vs 130? I got a 130 but haven’t ever used a 150. The boxes appear to be similar. Could a 20v planer fit in a 130 or 150? Thinking of getting another box to fit a planer and a multitool.

The XR planer barely fits in a 300 if you want to keep the tray in, you have to position its handle underneath the handle of the tray very deliberately.

The 130 is a low-cost USA assembled version of the 150 that has no top handle, purge vent (which are silly anyway; these don’t seal nearly as reliably as a Pelican case), and has different lid storage. I prefer the 130 from initial look but I won’t buy any until I see them at non-HD places for non-HD prices. As it stands I can easily find the 150 for 20 CAD less than the 130. HD charges nearly double what the price of the 130 ought to be here. 

It’s great man at least IMO I don’t know how well it will  do in everyday use some of the crew have these in there utility work vans I know Ricky can give more insite but for as a normal DIY warrior like myself it does what it’s supposed to

Spyderx92 wrote:

[External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

Anyone own this tough system rack ? What you guy think about it ?


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77Ford wrote:

Good value but beware the brackets are not the same as the cart……they are cheaper made

[External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied][External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied][External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

Comparing the 2


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