Tool Cases

About Tool Cases

Tool cases provide essential protection and organisation for power tools, hand tools, and accessories. From compact storage boxes for drill bits and hole saws to robust stackable systems for professional power tools, the right tool case keeps equipment safe from damage, dust, and moisture whilst making transport between jobs straightforward. Modern tool cases have evolved far beyond basic toolboxes, with modular systems allowing tradespeople to create customised storage solutions that fit their specific workflow and vehicle setups.

Professional-grade tool cases are built to withstand the rigours of site work, featuring impact-resistant materials like ABS plastic, reinforced corners, and weather-sealed lids. Stackable systems from manufacturers like Bosch L-BOXX, DeWalt Tough System, Festool Systainer, and Milwaukee PACKOUT have transformed how professionals organise their equipment, offering interconnecting cases that can be configured and reconfigured as job requirements change. These systems maximise van space whilst ensuring tools remain protected and instantly accessible.

Tooled-Up.com stocks tool cases ranging from soft tool bags for technicians and electricians to heavy-duty wheeled cases for site-based tradespeople. Whether you need a compact tote for everyday essentials, a foam-lined case for precision instruments, or a complete modular storage system for your entire toolkit, selecting the appropriate case improves efficiency, reduces tool loss, and extends equipment lifespan by protecting valuable investments from the elements and rough handling.

Jargon Buster

• Stackable System: Interconnecting tool cases designed to clip together vertically, creating a stable tower of storage that can be transported as a single unit. Popular systems include Bosch L-BOXX, DeWalt TSTAK, and Festool Systainer ranges.
• IP Rating: Ingress Protection rating indicating a case's resistance to dust and water. IP53, for example, means limited dust protection and resistance to water spray, whilst IP65 offers complete dust protection and resistance to water jets.
• Kaizen Foam: Customisable foam inserts with pre-scored lines that allow users to create perfectly fitted compartments for specific tools by removing sections to match tool shapes, ensuring secure storage and immediate identification of missing items.
• Maximum Load Capacity: The weight a tool case can safely hold, typically ranging from 10kg for small organisers to 250kg for heavy-duty stackable systems when stacked multiple units high.
• Tote: An open-topped or partially enclosed tool carrier with a central handle, designed for quick access to frequently used tools and easy transport around a worksite or between floors.
• Organiser Inserts: Removable compartmented trays or dividers that sit inside tool cases, allowing customisation of internal layout to suit different tool sizes and keeping small parts separated and accessible.

Who Uses Tool Cases?

• Electricians: For organising cable tools, testing equipment, terminals, and cable accessories in compartmented cases
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: To transport pipe cutters, wrenches, soldering equipment, and fittings between jobs
• Carpenters and Joiners: For protecting power tools, hand saws, chisels, and measuring equipment during transport
• Mechanics and Vehicle Technicians: To organise socket sets, diagnostic tools, and specialist automotive equipment
• Maintenance Engineers: For carrying testing equipment, hand tools, and spare parts to different site locations
• HVAC Technicians: To protect refrigeration tools, gauges, and diagnostic equipment from damage
• Site Managers and Supervisors: For keeping documentation, measuring tools, and site essentials organised and protected
• Multi-Trade Contractors: To create modular systems accommodating tools for various disciplines in one transportable unit
• DIY Enthusiasts: For home workshop organisation and protecting tools from garage or shed conditions

How to Choose the Right Tool Cases

Size and Capacity: Consider both the external dimensions (will it fit in your van or storage area?) and internal volume. Measure your largest tools to ensure adequate depth and length. Stackable systems allow you to start small and expand capacity as your toolkit grows.

Material and Durability: ABS plastic cases offer excellent impact resistance and weather protection for professional use. Metal cases provide maximum security but add weight. Soft cases suit lighter tools and offer easier carrying but less protection. Check corner reinforcement and lid seal quality for longevity.

Compatibility and Modularity: If building a storage system, choose cases from the same manufacturer's range to ensure proper stacking and connection. The selection at Tooled-Up includes Bosch L-BOXX, DeWalt Tough System, and Festool Systainer ranges, each offering various sizes that interconnect seamlessly.

Portability Features: Assess carry handles, wheels, and telescopic handles based on typical load weight and transport distances. Heavy power tool collections benefit from wheeled bases, whilst lighter cases need comfortable grip handles. Consider whether you'll be carrying cases up stairs or scaffolding regularly.

Internal Organisation: Cases with removable organisers, adjustable dividers, or foam inserts keep tools secure and prevent damage from movement. Transparent lids allow quick visual identification of contents without opening. Some cases accept custom foam inserts for perfect tool fitment.

Environmental Protection: For outdoor work or damp conditions, choose cases with rubber seals and IP-rated protection. Climate-controlled vans may require less weather resistance than tools stored in open vehicles or on exposed sites.

Brand Ecosystem: Major power tool manufacturers often design cases specifically for their tools. Festool Systainers, for example, integrate perfectly with Festool dust extractors and power tools, whilst Bosch mobility systems complement their professional power tool range.

Popular Accessories

• Foam Insert Kits: Customisable Kaizen foam or pick-and-pluck foam for creating bespoke tool layouts
• Additional Organiser Trays: Compartmented inserts for screws, fixings, drill bits, and small components
• Divider Sets: Adjustable partitions for creating flexible storage configurations within cases
• Wheeled Bases: Rolling platforms for stackable systems, making heavy tool collections easier to transport
• Trolley Systems: Dedicated trolleys designed to accept specific stackable case ranges
• Rack Systems: Wall-mounted or van racking solutions for securing and organising multiple cases
• Lid Organisers: Elasticated straps or pouches attached to case lids for manuals and frequently used items
• Carrying Straps: Padded shoulder straps for converting handled cases to more comfortable carrying
• Labelling Systems: Identification tags, labels, or transparent pocket inserts for quick case identification

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mix different manufacturers' stackable tool cases?

Generally, stackable systems from different manufacturers are not compatible due to proprietary latching mechanisms and footprint dimensions. DeWalt Tough System cases won't stack securely with Bosch L-BOXX units, for example. However, you can use different systems side-by-side in van storage. It's most practical to choose one ecosystem and expand within that range to maintain full compatibility and stable stacking.

How much weight can stackable tool cases safely hold when stacked high?

This varies by manufacturer and specific case model, but professional systems typically support 100-250kg when stacked. The bottom case bears the most load, so place heaviest items in lower cases. Bosch L-BOXX systems, for instance, are rated to 250kg stacking weight. Always check individual product specifications and avoid exceeding stated limits, as this can damage latching mechanisms and compromise stability during transport.

Are tool cases with weather seals completely waterproof?

Most professional tool cases are water-resistant rather than waterproof, designed to protect against rain and splashes rather than submersion. Cases with rubber seals and IP ratings (like IP53 or IP54) provide good moisture protection for typical site conditions. For tools that must remain completely dry, such as precision electronics, consider cases with higher IP ratings (IP65 or above) or add desiccant packs inside the case.

What's the difference between hard cases and soft tool bags?

Hard cases made from ABS plastic or metal offer superior impact protection, weatherproofing, and stackability, making them ideal for power tools and site work. Soft bags are lighter, more comfortable to carry over longer distances, and better suited to hand tools, testing equipment, and situations requiring frequent access. Many tradespeople use both: hard cases for van storage and valuable power tools, soft bags for lighter tools needed throughout the day.

How do I stop tools moving around inside large tool cases?

Use foam inserts, adjustable dividers, or organiser trays to create snug compartments for each tool. Kaizen foam can be customised to exact tool shapes, whilst removable organiser trays keep small items separated. Some professionals use tool roll inserts or create custom wooden dividers. The key is eliminating empty space where tools can shift during transport, which prevents damage and reduces noise when moving between jobs.