A man's tool obsession has several stages, usually measured by how and where he stores them. It started with an old tackle box with some hand tools. It then moves on to your first set of sockets or accessories assembled in a box designed for each part, each with its own place.
Shortly thereafter, the camping gear was moved to the attic to make room for the kits and tools that now need the space. You end up building or buying your own wooden workbench, but run out of space before long. You ended up spending your money on a specialty shop and investing in a metal storage system.
Enter the stage with the DeWalt 40″ Toolbox and Cabinet for your storage and organizational needs – with 13 beautiful drawers and covered top storage space, the possibilities are nearly limitless on the mind of the newly initiated tool person. Now I’ve let Now that you have your dreams and plans, let's take a look at what to expect from this midrange storage solution.
If you read Kenny's review of the DeWalt 36″ Tool Box and Cabinet, you'll notice some similarities between the two models, but enough differences to make them distinct from each other.
DeWalt 40″ Toolbox and Cabinet First Impressions
DeWalt yellow and black is a classic look and probably the most famous color scheme in the tool industry. Still, the bright yellow of the previous model was a bit overwhelming. I really like the more subtle look of the black with the yellow logo on the new DeWalt 40" toolboxes and cabinets. It offers a sleeker look that fits well no matter what other things you have in store.
Installing the hardware is not that time consuming at all. If you are going to use casters, the biggest challenge is getting to the bottom of the cabinet to install the casters. I cut the box to lay out the sides so I could tilt the cabinet over the top of the cardboard without scratching the paint. After 15 minutes, install the casters with a simple wrench.
With the casters on, you'll need another person to help you lift the cabinet before it rolls uncontrollably. You'll also need another set of hands to lift the top chest and complete the set. From start to finish, you won't need more than 30 minutes and a few manual tools to get down to business. One thing I noticed is that the casters seem to be a bit heavier on this model than the last one. That's not surprising since the total capacity is also a whopping 1500 lbs.
DeWalt 40″ Toolbox and Cabinet Specs
DeWalt 40″ Top Box
- Model: DWMT74433
- Capacity: 10,359 cubic inches
- Drawer Weight Capacity: 100 lbs
- Total Capacity: 500 lbs
- Drawer Depth: 15.25"
- Height: 23 inches
- Depth: 18 inches
- Width: 40 inches
- Weight: 124 lbs
- Price: $578.99
DeWalt 40″ Tool Cabinet
- Model: DWMT74434
- Capacity: 12,533 inches
- Drawer Weight Capacity: 100 lbs, bottom 2 drawers 200 lbs
- Total Capacity: 1000 lbs
- Drawer Depth: 15.25"
- Height: 38 inches
- Depth: 18 inches
- Width: 40 inches
- Weight: 189 lbs
- Price: $678.99
Complete DeWalt 40″ Tool Box and Cabinet Set
- Model: DWMT74434K
- Total Capacity: 22,892 cubic inches
- Total Capacity: 1500 lbs
- Price: $1,108.98
bottom up
We've found that there are still not many ways to make a base cabinet sexy. The basic look of the DeWalt 40″ Tool Cabinet hides solid build quality and performance. The bottom two drawers hold 200 lbs each, and the other six drawers hold 100 lbs.
Good combination of drawer sizes. I have my general contractor tool kit (impact driver, impact drill, circular saw, miter saw, and work light) in the largest bottom drawer. Another deep drawer holds an assortment of boxed accessory kits, including hole saws and Forstner drills. I really like having two separate deep drawers.
One medium/deep drawer currently holds several pairs of gloves and safety glasses that would otherwise take up the top storage area. The long top drawer is a good depth for a variety of things, as well as bar clips and C-clamps. The rest are standard shallow drawers filled with low-profile hand tools.
Moving over to the Dewalt 40″ Top Chest, you will find one long medium depth drawer and four shallow drawers. I use these to organize most of the accessories I use as well as measurement and layout tools.
All drawers feature smooth-glide self-return hardware to prevent them from popping out at the slightest movement. Each drawer also has standard rubber pads to keep things from sliding around too much. Like every other toolbox I've owned, if the pads aren't otherwise adhered to the metal, they will still move around and bunch up.
Where DeWalt leads the 36-inch model is in the top storage area. There's also a knockout on the right if you need it, but they've replaced the one on the right with a switchboard. There are currently four outlets running chargers and my jobsite radios. That's a really nice addition on its own, but they've gone a step further and included a pair of USB charging sockets as well. Now I have no excuse to answer the phone. Well, almost – my phone signal is still not that great.
Of course, you still have 10-3/8 inches of headroom at the top for anything from ear protection to an impact driver with a gas piston closure.
parting shot
DeWalt also increased the steel gauges used in the structure to further increase durability. We didn't have any issues with the last model from a durability standpoint, but I'd still go for the upgrade. Power strips are a great convenience for cordless tool users. The extra four inches of width might not seem like much, but it opens up some extra versatility for drawer sizes we didn't see in the 36-inch model.
Prices will understandably go up due to the extra space, features and thicker steel. The DeWalt 40-Inch Toolbox and Cabinet Set is $1,108.98. Alternatively, the top cabinet is $578.99 and the bottom cabinet is $678.99. Price is the only downside, more than double the $498 price for the 36-inch unit.
Overall, DeWalt has another durable and reliable tool storage solution. Locking casters allow for easy mobility on hard surfaces like our workshop floors. Smooth sliding drawers provide versatility for your organization. Professionals and prosumers alike will find this unit useful, especially cordless tool users.