The Duff: How I Stopped Carrying Tools in a 5-Gallon Bucket

For years, the 5-gallon bucket has been one of the easiest ways to grab a bunch of tools and move them from one project to another. It works—but after actually working out of one for long enough, I wanted something better.

So I built a new system around The Duff.

The concept is simple: The Duff is a completely empty project loadout bag. Nothing permanently lives inside it. Every project begins with a blank slate.

Before starting a job, I grab the Duff and load it specifically for the work I’m about to do. When the project is finished, everything comes back out. Tools get cleaned and returned, batteries get charged, unused fasteners and materials get put away, and the Duff goes back on the shelf empty and ready for the next project.

Think of it as taking the traditional 5-gallon project bucket, turning it horizontally, adding handles and a full-length zipper, and making the contents considerably easier to access.

For this video, I’m using a fence-work loadout to demonstrate the system. That means the tools, batteries, fasteners, PPE and smaller equipment I actually need to perform the work go into the Duff.

That does not mean everything required for the entire project has to fit inside one bag. Fence posts, concrete, post-hole diggers and other oversized materials and equipment can be transported separately or staged at the work site. The Duff isn’t trying to replace a vehicle—it’s the bag that gets the working tool loadout from point A to point B.

There’s also another advantage: discretion.

Traditional branded tool bags absolutely have their place, but they also make their intended contents fairly obvious. A plain duffel doesn’t immediately advertise what you’re carrying. Whether it’s sitting in a vehicle, moving between jobs or traveling around a property, I like having a more inconspicuous option for transporting valuable tools.

The Duff isn’t an emergency bag. It isn’t a preparedness kit. And it isn’t another permanent EDC bag slowly accumulating things “just in case.”

It’s a temporary project loadout.

Load it.
Do the work.
Empty it.
Reset it.
Repeat.

That’s The Duff.

Gear Featured

Rothko The Duff: https://amzn.to/4yrLchB

Rough Enough Fastener / Loadout Pouch: https://amzn.to/4zhxdLx

DeWalt FLEXVOLT Reciprocating Saw: https://amzn.to/4hEzYPF

Klein Tools 3 lb. Sledgehammer: https://amzn.to/3W60sSY


DeWalt DCF850 Atomic Impact Driver: https://amzn.to/4rOsEWu

DeWalt Hammer Drill: https://amzn.to/4rOsxu2

DeWalt FLEXVOLT 9Ah Battery: https://amzn.to/3W7gHPC

Auger Bit Set: https://amzn.to/4dhycCP

IRWIN Fence Post Level: https://amzn.to/4yHgkcY

DeWalt Bluetooth Hearing Protection / Headset: https://amzn.to/4dnYAed


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