albert.amantea Posted January 5, 2017 Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 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? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted January 5, 2017 Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert.amantea Posted January 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 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 wondered about that as well. I thought about the 300,but I didn't want it to be too tall either. Maybe time for a rethinkSent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted January 5, 2017 Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77Ford Posted January 5, 2017 Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 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]Tough Tool Reviews on Instragram 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert.amantea Posted January 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 Thanks guys! Any more suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77Ford Posted January 5, 2017 Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 The Totes are nice also .......I am a huge fan of the Toughsystem. I bought 1 and then this happened [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]Tough Tool Reviews on Instragram 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert.amantea Posted January 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 The Totes are nice also .......I am a huge fan of the Toughsystem. I bought 1 and then this happened [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]Tough Tool Reviews on Instragram Holy shit! That's awesome! If you need to pare that down, I could use a few! [emoji12] [emoji1] [emoji2] 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted January 5, 2017 Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 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 Tough Tool Reviews on Instragram Dude, you have a problem 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 The Totes are nice also .......I am a huge fan of the Toughsystem. I bought 1 and then this happened [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]Tough Tool Reviews on Instragram Can say that about alto of your tools lolJimbosent from tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jronman Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 well here we go. I got my first tough system box. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 Welcome to your well protected, highly organized modular future @Jronman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert.amantea Posted January 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 It's getting close for me as well! Still figuring out what to do though... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevep2204 Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 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 Tough Tool Reviews on Instragram Sweet Jesus. That's one hell of a collection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 That's no collection...it's a space station! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert.amantea Posted January 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 That's no collection...it's a space station!I think he's trying to build a bomb shelter! [emoji16] [emoji16] [emoji16] [emoji16] [emoji16] Follow me on Instagram! @amanteafinewoodworks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The.Handyman Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy MSG Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyB Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 18 hours ago, albert.amantea said: It's getting close for me as well! Still figuring out what to do though... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using Tapatalk Me as well, I'm afraid to know what will happen after my first tough box purchase. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert.amantea Posted January 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bremon Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 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. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert.amantea Posted January 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 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. Great insights. Quite the setup you have there! I really like the ideas, and appreciate knowing how you are organized. I've got to do something, because I'm tired of all my tools in a million different cases rattling around in my Excursion. I love the idea of having a different case for each job type, and putting in the accessories with the tool that uses them. That makes a lot of sense to me, and satisfies my OCD tendencies as well. Like a lot of people, I find that if I don't ha e a designated home for something, it ends up on the closest horizontal surface available, and can be difficult to locate a second time! (that's why I have a zillion tapes, a quad zillion pencils, etc.) I'm tired of doing that, and hate the wasted time. Good organization is expensive, but only once. Without it, I will pay for it the rest of my life... [emoji16] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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