DeWalt TSTAK IV - Double Shallow Drawers

Why I keep coming back to the TSTAK two-drawer

I spend a lot of time chasing small parts and loose bits around the shop and the back of the truck. The TSTAK two-drawer has become my default answer for taming that clutter. It isn’t flashy or oversized, but it hits a sweet spot for organization, portability, and integration with a broader modular system.

Build and ergonomics

Out of the box, the unit feels reassuringly stout for its size. At about 16.9 in wide, 12.4 in deep, and 6.9 in tall, it’s compact enough to tuck onto a shelf or ride as part of a stack, but it’s not featherweight—the body is roughly 10 lb empty. That heft translates to stability when the drawers are extended, and the shell doesn’t feel flimsy. The outer latches are metal with an anti-rust finish, and they snap closed positively without being finicky. I’ve tossed it in and out of the truck and it hasn’t picked up much more than scuffs.

The top handle is the typical bi-material affair: a little grippy, a little cushioned, and comfortable enough to carry the unit by itself. As with any modular box, once you stack other components on top, the handle becomes a non-factor, but as a stand-alone caddy it works well.

Drawers and slides

The headline feature is the pair of shallow drawers mounted on ball-bearing slides. The slides are smooth—noticeably better than the plastic-on-plastic feel you get in budget organizers. They have enough resistance to keep the drawers from drifting open in transit, and they track straight even when one side is loaded heavier than the other.

These are shallow drawers. Usable internal height is roughly two inches, which is ideal for fasteners, fittings, driver bits, shallow sockets, small measuring tools, utility blades, O-rings, and the like. If you’re hoping to stash bulky hand tools or deep sockets upright, you’ll run into the ceiling quickly. I’ve had good luck with low-profile socket rails and bit organizers laid flat; anything taller than a common 1/4-in shallow socket starts to feel cramped.

Dividers and layout flexibility

Each drawer comes with a grid of removable dividers—nine compartments per drawer for a total of 18. The plastic dividers pop in and out without drama, which lets you split the space into long channels or leave it as a grid. My go-to setup is to remove the horizontal dividers to create a few long bays for socket rails and nut drivers while keeping a handful of smaller pockets for screws, anchors, and electrical connectors.

Because the drawers are shallow, the organization strategy matters. Small items migrate if there’s too much open space. I’ve had excellent results adding thin foam inlays or pre-cut kaizen foam (about 1/4–3/8 in thick) under sensitive items to stop rattles. Labeling the front edge of each drawer and the tops of the dividers saves time on site when you’re rifling for one specific anchor or bit.

Capacity and weight limits

DeWalt rates the unit at 7.9 liters of internal capacity and a 16.5 lb (7.5 kg) maximum recommended load. Treat that limit as a real number. Fasteners and sockets add up quickly, and it’s easy to exceed the rating if you pack both drawers densely with metal. The slides and shell will tolerate some overage, but longevity is better if you keep it sensible. For me, that translates to dedicating one drawer to “heavy” hardware (bolts, washers, nut drivers) and the other to lighter items (bits, blades, electrical odds and ends).

The upside of the weight and low profile is balance. Even when a drawer is loaded, pulling it fully open doesn’t tip the unit or twist the slides. I can access the back compartments without needing a second hand to steady the box.

Modularity and stacking

The side latches tie into the broader TSTAK ecosystem, and that’s a big part of the appeal. I run the two-drawer between a shallow organizer on top and a deeper box below, clipped to a rolling base when I need mobility. The latches are easy to operate, and the stacked tower feels rigid. Because this is a shallow unit, it’s an excellent middle layer—drawers at hand height, bulkier tools above and below.

If you’re already invested in TSTAK, this slots right in. If you’re not, it can still work well as a single-use organizer, but its value grows as part of a stack.

Day-to-day use

In the shop, it lives under a bench with the drawers labeled by category. On jobs, I configure it as a “service drawer” with:

• Left drawer: driver bits, nut setters, countersinks, small layout tools, utility blades, and spare knife cartridges.
• Right drawer: wall anchors, Tapcon screws, washers, cable clamps, heat-shrink, and wire connectors.

The shallow depth means I can see everything at a glance. The ball-bearing slides take abuse—dust, metal shavings, and temperature swings haven’t fazed them. And importantly, the drawers stay shut in transit. I’ve carried the unit upright by the handle and strapped it on a dolly stacked under another TSTAK; neither scenario led to drawers creeping open.

Durability and fit-and-finish

The plastic body panels aren’t indestructible, but they’re not brittle either. I’ve noticed a bit of flex in the top surface when it’s used as a temporary perch for a heavier box, and I wouldn’t stand on it or use it as a step. For shop and service work, the durability is appropriate. The metal latches and rails are the heroes here—they’re the parts that take the load and see the wear, and they’ve held up.

Tolerances are good. Drawers align cleanly, dividers fit snugly, and the side latches meet and engage without having to coax them. The only nitpick is that the glossy plastic shows scratches. If you care about cosmetics, it will look “used” fairly quickly.

Limitations and gotchas

• Drawer height: Great for small parts; limiting for tall items. Plan to lay longer tools flat or remove dividers to create long channels.
• Weight rating: Respect the 16.5 lb ceiling across the unit. Dense metal storage needs discipline.
• Not a site beater: It’s tough enough for real work, but it’s not designed to be thrown off the back of a truck. Treat it like a precision organizer, not a jobsite anvil.
• Footprint: At 16.9 x 12.4 in, it occupies shelf space comparable to a small toolbox. It’s compact, but not micro.

Who it’s for

• Trades and service techs who live out of modular stacks and need fast access to small consumables.
• DIYers who want a clean, repeatable system for bits, blades, and hardware without resorting to fishing tackle boxes.
• Mechanics who can work within the shallow height—great for shallow sockets and small pullers, less so for deep socket sets unless they’re laid flat.

If your work revolves around bulky hand tools, you’ll want a deeper drawer unit. If your environment is extremely rough (heavy impacts, constant drops), a heavier-duty drawer system might suit you better.

Tips for getting the most out of it

• Use thin foam liners to minimize rattling and keep small parts in their lanes.
• Remove dividers selectively to create long bays for rails, rulers, or chisels.
• Label both drawers and divider tops; it dramatically speeds up retrieval.
• Balance the load: heavy fasteners in one drawer, light consumables in the other.
• Stack it mid-tower so the drawers land at comfortable hand height.

Recommendation

I recommend the TSTAK two-drawer for anyone who needs compact, configurable storage for small parts and hand-size accessories, especially if you’re already using TSTAK components. The ball-bearing slides, metal latches, and thoughtful divider system make daily use smooth and reliable, and the modular latches integrate cleanly into a larger stack. Just be realistic about what it is: a shallow, 16.5 lb-rated organizer designed for order and access, not a deep, throw-it-around toolbox. Within those bounds, it’s an easy tool to appreciate—and one I reach for often.