How to organise the Dewalt Tough System DXL

If you need to know how to organise the Dewalt Tough System DXL then you're in the right place. We got hold of one of these units to test out the inherent organisational properties of the system. What's more, we've now created custom fit Shadow Foam inserts for it. Really letting you take your tool organisation to new levels. Here's what we found.

About the DeWALT Tough System DXL

At time of writing this is a pretty new system, so not yet the easiest to get hold of. However there are some knocking around. We found ours in Bradford, and it was worth the trip for us to get hold of it. Whilst the range is presently still a little limited (a dolly, a worktop and two drawer variants), as it auto connects to the existing Tough System 2.0 and the original ToughSystem range, it actually offers a lot more flexibility than you might first think.

As is typical for DeWALT, it's a modular system. Therefore, when it comes to organisation, automatically gives you good flexibility to make it ideally suit your needs. Obviously the dolly goes on the base for ease of transport. Then the worktop sits on the top to give you a good surface on which to work. But between the two you can configure either the single deep drawer or the shallow drawers (2 drawers) however you need.

One big plus for us with this system is the Shadowfoamability of it. The drawers are huge, meaning that a good foam insert like ours will really help you get the most from the available space in them. The drawers fully extend too, meaning no dead space so you can use every inch of the containers.

Add in your existing Tough System 2.0 containers to mix it up even more if you need that flexibility. From there, all you need are our Shadow Foam custom fit inserts to slot straight into your drawers. Now, you're ready to really get organised!

Organising your Tough System DXL

The deep drawer is massive. It gives you ample space for even the largest of power tools. Alternatively you can use the opportunity to have multiple layers of smaller tools by using your Shadow Foam insert as a removable tray. The smaller drawers might lend themselves to smaller items, hand tools and the like. Even so, you'll be amazed how much more you can optimise the use of that space by adding in a foam tool insert.

Once you're decided on the position you want the drawers within your stack, next think about what tools you want to keep in which drawers.

Organising with dividers versus foam inserts

It's worth mentioning that as part of the workstation platform, you do get plastic removable dividers. These can be useful. You can utilise these to organise the contents of your drawers to a degree. We love organisation and so anything that helps deliver that is good with us. However, doing it this way, you can't always get the optimum layout you want. That's because you're working within the bounds of where the manufacturer has decided the dividers can be positioned. Plus our experience of the dividers wasn't as seamless as it could be either. We found that if the plastic dividers aren't quite sited right within the drawer then it can impede closure which is frustrating. 

A better solution to these dividers would be using the ToughSystem 2.0 shallow trays which sit side by side neatly in both the deep and the shallow drawers. Though it's worth noting that the deep trays don't quite fit in the deep drawers which is a tiny oversight by the manufacture.

A better solution still are our Shadow Foam inserts for the DeWALT Tough System DXL which will overcome the snag issue of the dividers or help you maximise use of space in the deep drawers. We've created these custom fit foam inserts which to slot straight into your drawer. You can order in the colour and depth that best suits you. Then use them to optimise the tool layout and really up your organisation game.

We recommend planning your layout carefully. Make sure you can easily access your most frequently use items. Also take care to future proof the insert by leaving space if you think you'll be adding more tools in the future. If you really want to make the most of the space in your deep drawers, you can even consider using multiple layers of foam to house your tools. These removable layers will be great for really maximising otherwise dead space in the top of the drawers.

Getting the most from your DXL foam organiser

Now that your layout is planned, it's time for the fun part. Let's start work on cutting your tools into the foam. This can feel daunting if it's the first time you've done it. But we've lots of guides and resources that will help you with that. Follow our recommended methods and guidelines to remain safe when working with the foam and to get the best results from your tool organiser.

The material is strong and robust so will last many years once made. You can clean it and wipe away any grease or dirt to keep it looking clean and vibrant.  

Enjoy a lifetime to come with the most organised DeWALT Tough System DXL, happy in the knowledge that you need never lose a tool again!