Ridgid will be launching a new Pro Gear 2.0 XL 3-drawer tool box at Home Depot later on in 2023.
This is the first expansion to the Ridgid Pro Gear 2.0 modular tool box system that launched around this time last year.
And yes, just in case you haven’t noticed, it’s 100% compatible with the Pro Gear cart!! In other words, you can build a mobile tool box stack with this 3-drawer tool box at the bottom.
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The Ridgid XL drawered tool box will come with removable dividers. There are 2 sizes of drawers, with two shallow and one deeper drawer.
Latches at the front help to keep everything secure for transport.
It is unclear as to whether the Pro Gear 2.0 cart will be available separately. At the time of this posting, you can only purchase the cart as bundled with the standard XL tool box.
I really like the way the XL tool boxes are interchangeable with the removable cart.
When I first posted about the newest Ridgid tool box system, I said:
IF – and that’s a big if – Ridgid comes out with other XL-sized tool boxes, this could allow users to customize their bottom tool box component as they please. For example, if Ridgid comes out with a drawered tool box or front-door cabinet-style tool box, an Attach-and-Detach cart base would allow any of those or other XL-sized tool boxes to be used as the bottom of a Ridgid mobile tool box stack.
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Readers have mentioned wanting customizable bottom boxes before – such as tool boxes with drawers – and THIS would be the way to do it!
This is one of those times I’m glad to have been right.
The Ridgid Pro Gear 2.0 tool boxes are backwards compatible with their earlier generation Pro Gear tool boxes and organizers. I haven’t seen any exceptions so far, aside from the removable hand cart only working with 2.0 system XL tool boxes.
The drawer tool boxes are also wall-mountable via Ridgid’s Pro Gear 2.0 Fix & Go hangers (not included).
More details will be available later this year.
I’ve got my hands on the test sample shown above – please let me know if you have any questions.
I bought two Ridgid XL tool boxes last year (one with a rolling cart and one without) and love how I can swap which one serves as the base of a mobile stack. Being able to use drawers at the bottom creates so many more options!
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MFC
FINALLY! I had 20+ Ridgid boxes and finally moved to pack out since Ridgid wasn’t releasing drawers. I’d like to see a comparison now between Ridgid, Milwaukee and Dewalt drawers. Lots of things to compare but I’d mainly like to know the sizes with batteries in different orientations in the shallow portions and drills etc. What you can fit, or not fit, makes a big difference.
Jared
Awesome! Always having to unpack your boxes to reach the bottom is annoying.
TomD
Drawers on the bottom just makes sense, as you don’t have to unstack to get at them.
I’d even accept the bottom drawer(s) being a bit smaller at the back to accommodate the wheels if they want the wheels to be “inside the envelope”.
The others will have to step up.
Vards Uzvards
Ridgid Pro Gear 2.0 has its wheels outside the box, thus there should be no difference, whether you have it on the wheels level, or higher up the stack.
I’m so very much interested in this setup!!!
William Adams
Agree w/ @MFC — this is the only way to design this which makes sense.
Unfortunately, I’ve pretty much decided to get a Tanos MW 1000 Mobile Workstation, and since I’m not seeing it on HD’s site yet, unlikely to be swayed, unless it’s an incredible value/price.
Robert
That capability really seems to answer a lot of pent up customer storage demands. Hopefully Rigid is able to maintain structural strength even with the cutouts for drawers. Looks like Rigid realized it needs to give a compelling reason for trades to consider it’s portable storage offerings instead of the category leaders. I haven’t needed portable storage, but this is tempting now.
Munklepunk
Well, someone finally got the memo.
TimL
Wow great, Cant wait to see how they sell it. I’m in for at least two.
PW
Awesome, awesome, awesome. I have a couple Ridgid boxes (v1.0). They’re great in terms of quality, but I find them a bit large and hard to organize for my needs. I wasn’t planning on getting any more in the system. This totally changes my thoughts.
Other than pricing, my big questions are around weight capacity. Do the drawers sag or bind if you load them down with hand tools?
Also, what’s the moisture and water resistance (if any) for the drawers? The gasket seal on the Ridgid boxes is a nice feature, but I get that it’s hard to do with drawers.
Assuming the price/quality is on point, when combined with the wall mount, this could radically improve the utility of this system for me.
Saulac
This probably the tool that I wishing for the most every. Always like the Ridgid boxes due to their built quality and price, but not buying in because I must have drawers. In the meantime I have been using the Husky Connect drawers. I like most things about them except they are a bit too thin/flexible. I am glad that Rigid use very similar front latches. Those latches work every well and are easy to tell if it is latched/unlatched. Unlike the the ones on Dewalt, built into the handles. Fancy but hard to lock and could not tell if it is locked. Definitely will buy.
fred
Most of the recent Husky (Home Depot brand) tool boxes that I’ve seen were made by Keter. Home Depot is also using Keter as the OEM for their Rigid-brand toolboxes – so it is not surprising that the latches are similar.
fred
Are they still being made by Keter Plastics (now calling themselves Keter Group)?
Stuart
Yes.
Jim Felt
Good. Very consistent quality across their lines. Even pretty decent US based telephone customer support.
Eric
Keter sells these under their own name and a few others in other countries.
keith schwantes
can we pre buy these boxes yet ?
Stuart
No. They’ll be available later this year.
Brian Collins
Let’s hope the drawers are weight rated for a decent amount of weight
Blocky
Yooo drop them drawers!
Frank D
… just after I spent a premium penny on Packout ones :/
John
The best value are becoming one of the best tool box systems.
KMR
I share the sentiment of many shared here. FINALLY! And being Ridgid, it’ll be a good value too compared to what you pay for PackOut.
I’ve always thought the optimum layout for the base module of these portable tool boxes would be a tilt-out “hopper style” access. This would allow adequate reinforcement of the upper corner of the window area to maintain stiffness and load capacity, while still allowing enough “pass through” area for bulkier tools like circular saws.
That said, I’ll be a buyer for the Ridgid boxes now.
Is the handle detachable or fully collapsible, down to the height of the base module? This would the base module to easily fit in pickup beds with flush bed covers / tonneaus. There was an aftermarket PackOut mod that allowed easy removal of the handle, just to allow for this.
Stuart
The hand cart doesn’t come with the drawers tool box, and is completely detachable.
Franco Calcagni
All very positive comments, a good start.
I have the 1.0 version. When it came out, HD or Ridgid had a “buy the bottom roller and middle box for $99 and get the smaller top for free. The only piece I added was the open top box/basket when it came out a while later.
I like everyone else would love drawers, especially on the bottom. I don’t have any Packout and only a couple Dewalt TS, but no drawers. The biggest complaint I have heard is the drawers flex on those when moderately loaded.
What I have a lot of is T-Stak, maybe 30 boxes, and they flex. Being small, they don’t hod as much so the drawer flex can be avoided.
These Ridgid, I hope all the positive complaints don’t turn sour, when, as I suspect, they will flex. After all they are plastic. I suspect Ridgid, or Milwaukee, Dewalt or others, could make drawers that would not flex, but invariably would need steel supports, or very thick ribbed plastic, or other fancy solution. Any solution would require either being to heavy, too big to support the extra support, and more than likely too expensive.
These portable tool box systems are not cheap to begin with, if the were more expensive, or too heavy or whatever else to make them what everyone wants, they wouldn’t sell.
The only thing I know of that meets what many want are Pelican. But they are very expensive. Plus, their drawers don’t flex because they are usually very slim drawers that are hard to overload, so no flex.
I hope Ridgid has found the magic formula that keeps them from flexing, without being overly heavy and expensive. The second picture with the bottom drawer open looks awesome. If it is functionally sound, this would be great.
PW
As a 1.0 user, my only expectation is that I can use the new drawers on top of the 1.0 wheeled base. I don’t see how Ridgid could have reasonably engineered this otherwise.
Dpn
All new 2.0 product locks and stacks with the original 1.0
Joe A
Sweet. I may have to upgrade my OG ProGear bottom. Always kind of annoying how things just get lost in the abyss of it.
928'er
Are the drawers compatible with the V1 series? I’ve got two sets of the V1 3 piece sets and would love to add a set – or 2 of drawers to my boxes.
Stuart
They should be; I don’t see why not. All of the other 2.0 tool boxes are cross-compatible with the original tool boxes.
For a bottom-box configuration, you’ll also need to get a regular XL box for the rolling cart unless or until it’s available separately.
Frank D
Yeah, that’s going to be a problem for many possibly, who already have several v1 bottoms, and now want this drawer bottom with wheels instead.
blocky
I feel like maybe your pain point is that the v1 bases will feel left out, since they can’t be repurposed mid-stack like the XL bases.
That was inherent to the design of the v1 bases from the get go. As it is, those with several v1 bases will still be able to utilize the drawers mid-stack, and they can still enjoy their v1 bottoms with no change in functionality.
I only see added flexibility and options with this offering.
Stuart
The first generation tool boxes came out 9 years ago.
https://toolguyd.com/ridgid-pro-tool-storage-review/
The 2.0 tool boxes are as backwards compatible as possible.
Dave
Now if they would just make replacement wheels available for the old ones!!
Frank D
No LSA?
Chip
Wow ,Ridgid has beat every organization system non-tanos!
I am way to deep in packout to consider buying in.
However I use Ridgid crates in my personal and work vehicle as center consoles,behind/between seat as catch-alls.
Crates are several inches longer than packout.
Charles
I am a huge Milwaukee Fanboy. But I prefer the Ridgid boxes, and it’s what everything is in. Why? Because the quality is high, the price is good, and they are meaningfully bigger than the Milwaukee.
So I’m excited by this, even though I’m not 100% sure drawers are useful – the clear top boxes are a great drawer substitute, probably better for the jobsite.
For those of us who use these for construction, the one issue Ridgid has had is things moving compartments when the box is turned over. Hopefully this doesn’t have this problem.
Solomon
What is the internal dimension of the drawers? The bottom one looks bigger than the top two.
Stuart
The bottom drawer is only deeper.
JoeM
I Think, though I’m not completely certain, that this means Ridgid just won the battle of the Storage Systems. If Milwaukee releases a copy of this for Packout? Ridgid will just be the same Ridgid, and move on. But… If Ridgid remains the sole system with a Drawer-Based Cart? This may well outshine all competitors…, on sheer desirability of this one part alone. And, yes, I am saying this as an investor in the TSTAK system, with previous statements extoling the superiority of Packout due to variety and flexibility.
Ridgid has provided an option more desired in any system, than any other component has ever been offered before, to my knowledge. If I have forgotten another of these in another system? I will happily wear that egg on my face.
JoeM
Special Note: The related articles accompanying this one show that DeWALT Stepstool Toolbox… The article is from 2020, but… is that still available? I haven’t been able to find it up here in the North… and this article directly made me consider it again. Did it get discontinued, or is it still active? Should I, perhaps, look for the Stanley version it was originally based on instead? It’s a weird landscape for SBD up here. Stanley is very common, and DeWALT hand tools are almost exclusive to the American box stores, and independent tool stores. Tool Boxes (and things like this stepstool/toolbox combo) might be DeWALT at Home Depot, but Home Hardware or Canadian Tire will only have the Stanley version, if that helps explain why I am so specific here.
Alive or Defunct is my point. Amazon perhaps?
Stuart
I haven’t seen it in a while. Grab the model number and look for a local dealer?
Big Richard
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/dewalt-storage-step-stool/1001624783
A quick online search of the part number reveals many retailers here in central North America (USA). I assume you will have similar results in northern North America (Canada).
JoeM
Thank You, Big Richard! I punched that SKU into the App for Home Depot, and found it immediately! $134 CAD, Only Available Online… not a bad price, or deal at all!
I never thought of that, and I should have. So, thank you for clearing some of the cobwebs out of my brain on this one! I appreciate this kind gesture immensely!
Mr.C
I’ve been wondering when rigid would step up to a drawer system. Exciting news for me. Curious when they will introduce tray systems for large & medium boxes. I’ll foam the tools in. Rigid also needs to sell replacement hanging , small organizers included in the 2.0 system. Maybe beef them up. Love my 2nd generation boxes.
fred
In this instance Ridgid is not an independent manufacturer. From Eric’s comment (above) – it may be that Keter was already making them for sale outside the US and was asked to add them to the range of boxes that they label “Ridgid” for sale at Home Depot – or it could be that it was a request form Home Depot that got the process started.
Justin
Do the drawers latch closed? Or do you have to close the 2 side clips??
Dpn
The drawers catch but you do have to close the side latches
M
I’m excited for this.
Grant
Stuart – what are the drawer slides like? Do the shallow drawers fit the orange bins from the clear lid organizers? Can you share the model number of the box?
Wolka26
Any idea if these drawers will be IP65 rated?
JoeR
Very nice! I was just in HD the other day thinking I should have bought another complete set when the pricing (recently) was at $139, like 2022 holiday season pricing. Glad I waited. Now instead of using the small toolbox for ‘sparky’ items I can buy the drawers and use the small box for what I intended it for – more small cordless tools.
Also customer service is great and expedient! I bought the mid-size box first for my M12 fuel stuff (outgrew the Milwaukee bag). It did not include the small tool tray. I missed this as did the HD cashier. Keter had it to me in less than a week. Very sturdy boxes and price point is excellent. Looking forward to the drawers.
Gabe M
Looks promising. Hopefully they fix the problem with the handle latch breaking. I’ve gone through 3 boxes where it breaks and there are no replacement parts available. I had to reinforce the latch on my most recent box. Seems to be holding up
David
Hopefully they come out with a two drawer box as well, wold like larger drawers for the little bit larger items, this one looks pretty sharp
Dpn
Two drawer will be out early next year, online only
Sblspawn
Awesome! Where the top two drawers go, can it be modified to change it for another one like the one at the bottom to make the box with two deep drawers?
Dpn
There will be a 2-Drawer and 4-Drawer coming out Q1 next year.
Mike D
So, what do the drawers slide on? I don’t actually see a drawer slide in the pictures, but none of the pictures show the side of the drawer well, while extended.
Just trying to anticipate the weight capacity of these drawers (as others have shown concern for).
Dpn
Standard drawer slides are used. I believe they will have a 25 to 50lb capacity to them