Over at Home Depot, their Black Friday 2016 tool sales event features a Dewalt Tough System rolling tool box stack for $129, and a Ridgid Pro rolling tool box stack for $98.
The Ridgid combo is regularly $127, the Dewalt would be $149 if the large Tough System box wasn’t currently on sale for $39.
So, which is better?
I like the Dewalt Tough System more. I’ve purchased Dewalt Tough System boxes, and Ridgid Pro tool storage boxes. Here’s my review of a small Tough System tool box, and my review of the Ridgid Pro tool cart, tool box, and organizer.
If I were faced with buying a rolling tool box stack, it would be the Dewalt.
The Dewalt has sturdier side handles, which definitely come in handy when toting a heavy fully-loaded box around.
The Ridgid’s handles are small, but still usable. I’m not even sure they’re really handles, as their primary function is to latch boxes together to form a secure stack.
The Ridgid offers good value for the money. But that’s the only reason I’d buy the Ridgid boxes over Dewalt’s, if I was looking to save a few dollars.
I like Dewalt’s latches better, and don’t recall having a problem with them yet. Actually, I think I did once have a Tough System box with a latch that didn’t close as securely as I expected. That was my one and only torture test box, and I had to take a sledge hammer to it before it would break.
Dewalt is coming out with a wall mounting system. That’s a big plus in my book, but it’ll probably be better for Tough System accessories or organizers, and not fully-loaded boxes that I tend to have around.
Both brands’ tool box are strong and sturdy.
Unless I’m remembering wrong, the Ridgid Pro system has a “wash your hands after handling” warning, probably due to lead-stabilized PVC in the handle or elsewhere. And again, this is if I’m not mistaken. That limited the types of things I could use my Ridgid boxes for, at least at home.
I’m more comfortable in using my Tough System tool boxes for things like photography equipment. In that respect, I sometimes treat them as less expensive Pelican cases.
With the new rolling tool box, you have 2 options for moving your Tough System tool box stack around, with the other being a large and wide hand truck-like cart.
Both brands’ tool boxes have proven that they can handle being kept in non-environmentally-controlled storage.
You couldn’t go wrong with either system. If you’re on the fence, check them out at your local Home Depot. Me? I’m the type to order one of each for comparison purposes, but if you do that with the Ridgid you break the deal.
Dewalt Deal: The large Tough System tool box has been discounted to bring the total 3-piece combo to $129.
If you’re okay with the higher price, Dewalt’s system also offers additional options, such as a clear lidded organizer.
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Ridgid Deal: Buy the bottom wheeled tool cart and the middle tool box, get the top organizer for free. Total price: $98.
The Ridgid deal should go live Thanksgiving Day, and if not, then on Black Friday.
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