How to choose an aluminum tool case — the 7-point check.

1. Panel gauge and frame

Ask for panel thickness per class (light/medium/heavy differ) and whether the frame is folding-sheet or extruded. Extruded frames cost more but keep boxes square for life.

2. Corners

Aluminum corners with steel fasteners outlive plastic-clad corners. If the program ships palletized, add stacking corners.

3. Latches

Chrome toggle latches are the standard; ask about spring steel grade and whether hasps accept padlocks. Latch failure is the #1 field complaint in cheap cases.

4. Foam — the part buyers under-spec

Tool-control foam (dark over bright), egg-crate, or CNC-cut profiles: pick by use. For branded kits, insist on CNC-cut to your actual tools — we cut from drawings.

5. Handles and lid stays

Sprung handles with steel backing plates; lid stays that actually hold. Test both on the sample with a loaded box.

6. Stacking and transport

Same-footprint stacking feet, optional trolley wheels, tie-down points for roof racks on outdoor classes.

7. The factory question

ISO 9001:2015 and BSCI status, in-house powder coating and foam cutting, and who owns the logo process. If the supplier subcontracts coating and foam, sample-to-bulk drift is theirs to explain, not yours to discover. Our own checklist lives in the certifications page.