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While tool manufacturers seem to make some effort to improve their products, it appears that reducing their costs is more important than anything else. I’m dismayed to see more and more of them going to cheap plastic cases. Dewalt has been making an excellent plastic drill case but I see they are now beginning to replace those with blow-molded. (One thing I have noticed is that when people get the cordless muti-tool packs they just take the cases and throw them away.) Of particular note is Porter Cable, one of the last standouts using metal cases, has been jumping on the bandwagon the last few years. I bought one of their laminate trimmer kits and the case doesn’t even come close to the old metal one. Won’t be long and the case that came with my first 9.6v Makita will be a collector’s item. Guess I should consider myself lucky to have the metal one for my Sawzall. Is Milwaukee next? I’d bet that if the metal cases were available a lot of people would opt for them.
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Personally, I like a case metal or plastic for my tools. A recent purchase of a Milwaukee 4" grinder came with no case, found one up the road at another tool store from the Waterloo firm. I think a case is good insurance against dings and the elements. But don't fret, I think that as long as there are milk crates around, as one of many options you'll always have them around to rely on to put your stuff in. Thats where I keep all of my extension cords and the skil saw. Werx fer me.
*Well how about the guy that dosent tote the tools around. I have at least a half dozen laying around. Not sure if I should throw them out or not. The real problem is that I didnt want the damn case in the first place but that was the only way the retailer had it and I needed the tool right then. I had to pay extra because it was in a case !
*there should just be an option for the customer to buy the tool the way he/she wants - metal/plastic or no case.'the customer is always right' i thought!my mistakegood stuff
*I see the point. With some types of tools cases are handy and with others they're useless. For instance, my Makita cordless drill came with a case but the drill really belongs in a holster. On the other paw, my Makita 4 1/2" grinder didn't come with a case and in that situation a case would be quite handy. A good, well designed case should not only have room for the tool itself but also it's respective accessories. This could even be a selling point. For instance, a grinder case should have a space for goggles and slots for different wheels and sanding disks and pads an so on. Metal cases are prone to rust and dents but their main problem is that the latches get all banged up. Ever seen a case held closed with a twisted piece of wire? One thing about metal cases is that they automatically come in a box shape which leaves all sorts of crannies and nocks for ends and odds. Just my 3/100s of a $. [Inflation, you know.] -Peter
*You can often get old metal or plastic tool cases, sometimes new ones, at used tool stores or pro tool/repair shops. That's why my Senco finish gun lives in a metal porter cable case. The new plastic cases are crap, but the old ones can be almost as good as metal.
*P.M. made a good point. I usually throw the case that a new tool comes in away and get one of those plastic tool boxes to keep it and it's various acoutraments in. ( Ok. to be honest I've never thrown away anything in my life. just ask my wife. Those plastic cases are in my attic "in case I find a use for them" ) A little bit of creativity and some scraps of 1/4" plywood have made a pretty good router case,drill case,sander case (both belt and disc in one box with belts 'n pads) laminate trimmer case, (I also keep my dremel in that one) out of those $12.00 toolboxes.
*This has been one of my big gripes with buying tools lately. If your paying decent money for crappier tools today the least they can do is give you a case! Does anyone make aftermarket cases that are worth looking at? I have been using tool boxes and the Bucket Boss bags for many of my tools but I wonder if there is another alternative.SJ
*Too late,I bought a Milwaukee sawzall about a month ago at HD that came in a plastic case. Both my Milwaukee cordless drills came in plastic cases. At least they had the good metal type latches like DeWalt uses.I think Bosch is the last hold-out.The latches on the PC tools are junk...pure junk. They don't last a month and they charge you for new ones. That's crap in my book.Ed.
*b Another homeowner. One day we will rule the world.Ya, I finally realized that tool makers are in it for the money and would put out all crap if they could get away with it. Pride in craft is saved for just the few artist/craftsmen left roaming around out there. So for tool cases ya gotta use whats available and custom fit it to meet your need. If a toolmaker really wanted to influence the buyer he would realize the necessity of a space for accessories and an easy place to store the $&#* cord without spending five minutes fitting it in so the case will close without using a hammer.(porta-cable circular saws)I'm really pretty gentle with my tools so I don't complain much over plastic cases as long as the latches perform well. I'd really like a plastic case for my grinder also but we're all SOL looking for a decent grinder that comes with a case by any manufacturer. I'll bet the boys in the think tanks study these post for data so now they know they could make their products much more attractive for little input on their part and get me to open my wallet to them over the competetion, even at a higher price.Case Quality by Letter Grade: PC cicular saw- F -no roam for cord. Milwalkee Sawall Metal- A - PCBammer(trash tool but good case)- B -almost too big. Paslode Impulse Nailers- A - good acces. storage. planned spaces. Stanley/Bostich Air Nailers. Would be sure of good quality if they came with one. Are they available?How cum dat is? An expensive weighty tool without a case. Others?
*I have a Milwaukee cordless Sawzall/Drill combo. Came in the BAG. Thought I was gonna hafta buy a toolbox for it. Wrong! Love the bag. Big time. What a surprise to me.
*I bought a milwaukee hammer drill it came inna metal case. boy i guess i was lucky must of bought one of the last
*Rez - Both my Bostich guns came with plastic cases. The case on my finish nailer is better than the case on the brad nailer. Then again I bought my PC framing gun without a case (good deal $169.99 can't go wrong). I guess I'll have to find another Bucket Boss Bag for that too.SJ
*b Another Homeowner. One day we will rule the world.My Bostich framing and roofing nailers came in a cardboard box. Now everytime I haul them around I have to diaper them in movers quilts. Those Boss Bags are pretty tough huh?
*Rez - I like the Boss bags but I wish I didn't have to. I like hard sided cases, if they get dropped (not by me of course) your tools will still be worling 98% of the time. The bags are great for most items but if it takes a good digger off the roof or something you don't have much protecting it. Plus you can't stack bags like the hard sided cases. When not in use most of my tools are put into cubbies with their cases standing on end, with the bags this just isn't possible.SJ
*I've got to do something. I always wanted to try buying a hardshell blank case and get a couple cans of foam insulation, wrap the gun in a plastic trash bag and... well. A little trim work the next day and then do the top half...hmmm. Sure would beat the quilts. Sounds like a tight fit too. No worry about a bounce on the pavement. Maybe I could start a company. Show the big boy moneygrubbers what quality really is. ya.
*I use a couple of old suit cases that I got from Salvation army for my nail guns. Made rough fittings out of foam blocks that I bought at a crafts store.Not really sure why I put my framing nailer in a case though, considering the beating it gets on the job site.I also made a case out of wood for my router. Included spot for wrench, fence, and bits.
*The case for my porter cable 14 volt drill is wearing out.if you have a case that would handle it i'll give you a couple bucks for it.
*Finally I see someone who has the same damn problem as I do. I bought a dewalt recipro and it didn't come with a case. Now I'm really P.O.ed because they now come with a case and a steel coffee mug. And there cheaper. I do like the old metal cases. I never thought I'd see Milwaukee switch though. That cut me deep. Them and Dewalt do have nice plastic ones though. But I miss my metal cases.
*I usually end up buying a toolbox and cutting up a cheap camping bedroll for padding. A&I supply carries (or did at least) several good metal cases and Hartville tool sells a couple padded metal cases for drills and circ saws made by Homak Mfg. Used to carry them in tool crib, but they reduced the number they carry. I've found Homak to be great quality but they aren't easy to find (not cheap either). I just look at it as insurance from having to buy the tool a second time prematurely.
*A lot of people complain about getting tool boxes with their tools, but few of these people seem to be willing to sell the boxes. Seems they all say, well I might need it someday. I buy or build boxes for many of my tools. Not to protect them as much as to make transport easier.
*Rez,I thought Bostich made these things to drag behind your truck. The roofing nailer weighs about 50 pounds, I'd just throw a rope around it and drive...
*You might try Tools on Sale. They have a section with cases, and I believe you can get metal cases for most tools, if you are willing to pay for them. As for Bostich, metal cases are available for their guns at about $39.95 per case. I have bought two of them. Milwaukee still makes metal cases for about the same amount of money. As all you guys keep saying, you get what you pay for, and why not spend a little for better quality? After all, you are going to have these tools for a lifetime, why be cheap like some of those customers who are always looking for a breakdown in your prices? :).MDF_User
*check out the Festo tool line; they make unique, quality, plastic cases that clip together to form stacked units. you can even buy extra cases. I've got a few Festo tools, and while they are expensive, so far they rock!
*b Another homeowner. One day we will rule the world.Mad Dog- You could use it as a boat anchor too. Maybe hook a hydralic line to the trigger and create a new way to fish for bass.
*Well, h-ll, lets do something about it. Who do we tell for one thing ?Andy ? Wanna do an article on the bad ? If not, who would ???I've been thinking what Rez said ,only Ill add to it.Get all the tools out one Sunday afternoon, that doesnt have a box. Make the the right dimensions out of scrap with hinges and handles. Use the foam and plastic bag idea .I have my angle grinders in those little metal tool boxes from Walmart. Belt sander is in the big plastic one they sell. But I have a bunch that have none that I throw several in a tote tool box. All my sanders are in one of those. But I dont need to take all the sanders to a job. I have the same problem as everyone else. But I do think an article on the subjct would get their attention.Or a box maker.Some one capitalize on this , Tim
*Tim- I think that one of the main reasons to have a case (a good one) for a tool, is when there is more than just the tool itself to keep together in one place. Grinders are a perfect example, with the wrenches and accessories and discs, etc., it's helpful to have them all in one box (case). Another example is the PC laminate kit I mentioned, hardly any extra room inside, and nobody even thought of punching some 1/4" shank holes for the bits (prob. do that myself). Also, some tools should have a case for protection and to be easily 'tossed' around. I never considered that a wormdrive needed a case because they already get abuse when used. Don't you think that a case holding one palm sander is kind of silly? JMHO -Ken
*I use old military surplus ammo boxes for several of my tools. They are bullet proof (so to speak) and water proof as well. 4" Makita grinder and accessorys in one. PC random orbit sander and all discs and pads in another. Rotozip and all bits and circle cutter in another. Also work great for paper collated nails if you don't go through a lot - keeps em dry and straight. Got another one with all the little boxes of finish nails in it. and with them all the same size they line up on a shelf in the van real nice.
*Ken ,I agree with you except in the fact that my system reqires every thing to be in boxes. They are all lableled. I do a lot of different things and every thing has to stack.WE are using more tools now days than we had access to 5 yrs ago.I just got a pc palm sander in a case. Keeping cords from getting tangled is another reason also. And yes good point about accessories in the box.
*Several years ago, 10 or more?, there was an article in FHB on using old hard side suitcases, Samsonite?, as tool cases by ripping out the lining and foaming the tool ands accessory spaces. As I recall the tool illustrated was a framing nailer. Just sized up my wifes old Samsonite and it looks perfect for my Bostitch nailer!!!
*Jim- Thanks for bringing this one up, as I recall a carp. I worked with doing just that. The smaller cases seem to be the right size for a lot of tools. Also, ladies' 'vanity' luggage is appropriately sized. Find 'em at Goodwill and Salivation Army. -Ken
*Dont forget those cheap yard sales.