DeWalt TSTAK III Single Deep Drawer

Why I reached for the deep drawer

Modular storage makes the difference between a van full of loose cases and a kit that’s easy to grab, stack, and go. I added the TSTAK deep drawer to my setup because I wanted a place for taller consumables—caulk, spray cans, odd-shaped tools—that never quite fit in standard organizers. After several months of site work and truck rides, it’s become one of the most useful drawers in my stack, particularly for service calls and punch-list days where flexibility matters more than sheer capacity.

Design and build quality

This is a plastic-bodied unit with a black finish, heavy-duty metal latches, and a bi-material top handle. The interlocking top and bottom let it stack securely with other TSTAK modules, and the ball-bearing drawer slides give it that familiar, cabinet-like feel. It’s rated for 16.5 lb, and the drawer offers roughly 12 inches of internal height—enough to stand standard caulk tubes upright and still close the drawer without a fight.

The latches are a highlight. They’re rust-resistant, snap positively without needing a lot of force, and haven’t loosened with use. The slides are equally confidence-inspiring; the drawer tracks stay aligned even when the load shifts during transport.

Capacity and layout

Out of the box, the deep drawer ships with three removable covered cups. They’re large enough for fasteners, wire nuts, small fittings, and bits. The lids help keep tiny parts from migrating between compartments, and they’ve stayed shut for me even when the drawer gets a jolt.

That said, the magic of this unit is the open space you gain once you pull those cups. With all three removed, you’ve got a tall cavity that accommodates:

• Full-size caulk and adhesive tubes (upright)
• Plumber’s putty, teflon tape, and a compact torch
• Aerosol cans (paint, lubricant, cleaner)
• A compact impact driver or oscillating tool with batteries
• A small brad nailer or stapler laid on its side

I’ve also used it as a dedicated “adhesives and sealants” drawer: caulk, epoxy, mixing sticks, tips, and a drip tray all live here. If you prefer, you can run a hybrid setup—two cups up front for small parts and an open bay for taller items behind them.

The 16.5 lb load rating is the limiting factor. It’s fine for consumables and lighter tools, but this isn’t the drawer for a full spread of sockets or a dense load of fasteners. I routinely keep the total around 10–14 lb to preserve the smooth feel of the slides and reduce wear.

In use on site and in the truck

The deep drawer’s biggest everyday advantage is access. Because it’s a drawer, I can leave it stacked and still get to my items without unbuckling anything above it. On a rolling base with two or three units stacked, that means fewer stops to reorganize and more time working.

The drawer action is smooth and consistent. Even with uneven loads (e.g., a cluster of tall cans on one side and a driver on the other), the slides don’t rack, and the face doesn’t bind. Ball-bearing tracks do best when kept clean, so I try not to set the unit down in mud or sawdust piles. A quick brush-out inside the rails once in a while keeps things gliding.

Transport has been uneventful in the best way. The drawer stays shut, latches stay latched, and the stack remains tight. The bi-material handle is comfortable for one-handed carries when I use the drawer solo; it’s not as cushy as a soft-grip tote, but the contour prevents bite on longer walks.

Modularity and stacking

The interlocking design is classic TSTAK: set the unit down squarely on the one below, give it gentle pressure, and it clicks into place. I’ve run it on top of a two-drawer unit and below a clear-lid organizer without any interference. If you’re building a vertical stack, keep the heavy stuff low and put the deep drawer at waist height for easy access—tall items become easier to reach and you avoid tipping the stack when you pull the drawer.

I appreciate that the drawer can be opened while stacked; just be mindful of leverage. On a high, tippy stack, a heavy drawer extended halfway out can shift the center of gravity. A rolling base mitigates that, but common sense still applies.

Organization tips

• Label the front edge. A simple label on the drawer face saves time in a multi-drawer stack.
• Decide early: cups or no cups. The covered cups are great for smalls, but they eat vertical space. If your kit skews tall, pull them and store them in another case.
• Use shallow trays. A thin, DIY tray or divider inside the open cavity can create a two-tier layout for accessories without blocking tall items.
• Protect the slides. Grit is the enemy of ball bearings. A quick wipe of the rails now and then prevents gritty, notchy travel.

Durability and maintenance

The plastic shell has shrugged off scuffs and light impacts without cracking. Metal latches show no corrosion after site use in damp conditions. I wouldn’t call this a weather-sealed unit—there’s no gasket—so I don’t leave it open in the rain. The drawer does a respectable job keeping dust off contents during normal transport, but for a truly dust- or water-proof requirement, you’ll want a different line of cases.

The slides haven’t developed play or sag under typical loads. Keeping within the 16.5 lb rating helps. If you overload it with fasteners, you’ll feel the difference immediately: heavier action, more flex, and potential long-term wear.

What could be better

• Load rating ceiling. For a drawer this size, 16.5 lb is conservative. It’s appropriate for the materials it targets, but heavy-hardware users will want a different solution.
• Space inefficiency with cups installed. The covered cups are sturdy, but they reduce usable height. It’s an easy fix—remove them—but be aware if you rely on the included layout.
• Not weather-sealed. As expected for this class, there’s no gasket, so this isn’t the right choice for wet or dusty extremes.

None of these are dealbreakers for what the deep drawer is intended to do, but they’re worth weighing against your use case.

Who it suits

• Service pros who carry a rotating mix of tall consumables and odd-shaped tools
• Plumbers and HVAC techs consolidating sealants, tapes, and installation hardware
• Painters who want aerosols, brushes, and caulk in one drawer
• DIYers building a modular, truck-friendly stack with easy access to frequently used items

If your work centers on very heavy fasteners or if you need IP-rated protection, look to a different platform or a metal drawer system.

The bottom line

The deep drawer nails the fundamentals: smooth ball-bearing slides, secure latching, a genuinely useful internal height, and compatibility with the TSTAK ecosystem. Within its 16.5 lb rating, it’s a reliable way to tame the awkward mix of tall cans, tubes, and compact tools that don’t fit anywhere else. The removable covered cups add flexibility for small parts; if they get in the way, they come out in seconds.

Recommendation: I recommend the deep drawer to anyone already invested in TSTAK or building a modular stack for service work. It’s especially good as a dedicated consumables drawer—caulk, adhesives, aerosols, and the tools that go with them—where the 12-inch interior height shines. The trade-offs are clear: it’s not a heavy-hardware drawer and it isn’t weather-sealed. If those aren’t dealbreakers, you’ll appreciate how much easier it makes day-to-day organization and access.