Drowning in Plastic Cases: Are they worth keeping? Are they a ploy to make us buy bigger tool boxes

Some times I feel like I'm drowning in blow moulded plastic cases. So many tools these days come with their own generous plastic case. They were cool at first, but now they get in way and take up valuable space in the shop. Usually I just donate them to Goodwill after the tool honeymoon is over. What do you do with all your plastic tool cases?

[patrickcallahan]

Blow molded cases are generally trash unless I need the tool to be mobile or the case is a set of specific tools that I want to keep as a set. For instance, I have an ARB tire repair kit that is in a blow-molded case that I just leave in the truck but the hand tools that I carry are in dedicated cloth rolls and the power tools are in a Packout case for protection.
I also found that having random cases and repurposing them was a losing strategy, was harder to organize, and was visually distracting. Add to it that I couldn't remember what was in which case and would lose track of stuff. I have since switched to using the Packout organizers with the clear lids and it seems to be working well for the most part when organizing things into categories.

[kamrankureshi]

Well, 'blow me down', Shiver me timber', use it to keep say, bullets, guns, certain medication, first aid stuff, random. everyday use tools,
stationery items like staplers, punches Etc, survival tools and accessories, playing cards, sewing kit for the Mrs, even special cutlery items, family heirlooms the list goes on and on....

[Bob-I-am]

You could repurpose the tool boxes into lunch boxes and give them to school kids. I use the cases for their intended purpose. I prefer the cases which feature real hinges and latches with moving parts instead of the type which break off after a few uses.

[Toyotas_n__Tools]

I like the ones that the lids separate, the ones snap on and craftsman USA have are pretty useful for me. I found some slim small blow mold cases that I keep my diagnostic and electrical tools in that take little space but keep the wires cleaned up.

[_Ptat_]

I personally like them, they’re good for keeping the sets sold within them organized. My only complain is when you have so many of one kind, your digging through your collection of them trying to find the set you need. I need to be better at labeling my cases.

[dragonrider]

I have a Dell 17 inch lap top at work. The soft case I have for it sucks. I took the case that my Milwaukee grinder came in, gutted it, added some foam and styrene. Now I have a hard case for those times I have to bring it

[andrewscott]

I remember one person with A LOT of cases was Cass Nichosl's the snap on xxl tool box tour on coyle tools, that guy has a lot of cases

[tonytooltime]

I use my Kobalt XTR case for all my winter hats, and Ryobi is full of Gloves. Just cut out the inside spots for the Drill and charger and you just have a hard case that looks cool to keep stuff in!

[joselofarias]

One could become first day kits. Or for carrying extra clothing for emergencies. They have a wide variety of options

[xlfive]

I have a Bosch case which I gutted and keep those random bits n pieces that have never come in handy but keep them anyway lol

[will]

I put most of my bits the small milaukee packout organizers. But I need to get a blow molded case for my holesaws

[georgecroney]

I work with a guy, almost his whole box is blowmoulded cases, sometimes I look over and he's opening a drawer, getting one thing out of the set, closes the case, then the drawer. To go back 10 seconds later because it was the wrong socket. At this point im sick of seeing him live like that. Another time I saw him mounting a crane to the i beam and he was grinding something with no PPE to speak of, sparks were literally hitting his head and he joked "this is why I'm bald".

[inuyashacoolieo]

I think the cases mostly serve as a marketing tool. It gives the illusion that you're getting more for your money or a "complete kit". There are definitely certain cases where where they should be provided (no pun intended haha) like for precision measuring tools or tools that need to stay together as a set like a power tool with specialty attachments. I think in most cases (there I go again) they are a waste of space and plastic. They should be sold separately to reduce the cost of the tool but they are often times a way to add "fluff" to a set or increase the "piece count" of your 99, 999pc tool set.

[larryborkstrom]

If the set has many pieces I use them to keep them together and socket sets I have in the go bag if going in the box I use a mag rail and throw them away

[TechMay]

Blow molded cases Is a tongue twister! I never know what to do with my cases either

[felixf]

Heh, I have that same, big DW case. I keep it on a high shelf as a shop trinket. No real purpose for it. As for the rest, pretty much same as in the video. Some are nicely designed, like an older GW 3/8 master socket set that fits perfectly in a narrow toolbox drawer. Surprisingly efficient. Others are tossed. For drills, I haven't found a more efficient solution than a Huot index, but it's also not a blow molded case.

[kamrankureshi]

A soap, a hand sanitizer, a small towel, antiseptic wet swipes the kind they give to soldiers, dry tissues, a torch, a match, a pack of almonds and some condoms
and a bottle opener and a set of
Fork, knife and spoon.
...

[jeffk]

I particularly hate some blow molded cases that don't have extra space for additional accessories other than what came in the box. Or even worse, I really really hate blow molded cases that won't let you do something as simply obvious as storing the tool with a bit or blade in place. I really shouldn't have to remove the bit on a driver just to store it in a case that had plenty of room, but no one bothered to leave a gap to leave bits or blades in place for storage. If I have a bit I use 99% of the time, why am I forced to take it off and re-insert it every time I put the tool in or take it out of the case.

[xj]

If they have a real hinge and a quality latch i keep them. I have created travel 1\4 socket sets in 2 of them. These are like 60 piece sets (better outfitted than a ready bought set). I created the mother of all bit sets in another one. My tools are no good if I can not organize and mobilize them.

[cobuck]

The problem with blow-molded cases is that they are made only to fit specific items. I check for recycling symbols and then toss them into the right bin. Bags and fabric cases are more versatile and easier to repurpose. They go to the Goodwill.