Dewalt Tough System Drawer Unit

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Dewalt ToughSystem DS290 Two-Drawer Unit

I was at my local Acme Tools fall sale and I spotted something that wasn't supposed to be shipping yet: Dewalt's new DS290 ToughSystem drawers. They had them out on the floor available for purchase, even though their website says they are still in pre-order.

The differences between this new toolbox and the previous DS250 ToughSystem 2-drawer toolbox appear to be the lack of fastener storage bins, the redesigned handles/locks, and the dust and water seal on the drawers.

The drawers feature ball bearing metal slides, a latching handle that keeps the drawer from sliding out when the box is in transit, and a IP54 rated water and dust seal to keep your tools clean and dry.

Dewalt ToughSystem DS290 Two-Drawer Unit IP54 water seal closeup

The new drawer box is 21-3/4″ wide by 12″ high by 13″ deep. Its rated weight capacity is 22lbs.

Dewalt ToughSystem DS290 Two-Drawer Unit ball bearing slides

It has the standard ToughSystem stacking latches to connect to other ToughSystem boxes and the side handles are compatible with Dewalt's ToughSystem brackets.

The new ToughSystem drawers aren't available yet, but you can pre-order them online at Acme Tools for $90. They estimate the ship date will be December 26th, 2018.

Available: Late December 2018?
Price: $90

Pre-Order (via Acme Tool)

First Thoughts

I have a few ToughSystem boxes and I like them both as stand alone toolboxes and as a stacking system, but I can also see the utility in having drawers rather than having to unstack the toolboxes or remove the box from a bracket before you can get inside.

When I was playing with the drawers, they appeared to be made from the same structural foam as the rest of the ToughSystem boxes. The drawers slid smoothly, but I did have to slam the drawers shut to get them to latch properly. I'm not sure if I was closing it incorrectly, maybe I should have held the handle/latch while shutting the drawer, but I figure people are going to close the drawers by just pushing on the outside.

One issue with plastic toolbox drawers is that the boxes tend to sag when there is weight on them, making it hard to open and shut the drawers. I'm not sure if that will be a problem with these new ToughSystem drawers or not.

Benjamen Johnson grew up watching his dad work as a contractor and woodworker. He became an electrical engineer and took an interest in woodworking. Check out Ben's projects at Electronsmith's 3D Prints or Instagram.