Milwaukee Packout – Airtight?

Posted by ryanc Posted onApr 2, 2021 at 6:15 PM and filed under Projects
Updated onUpdated on May 20, 2021 at 5:36 PM

So… I’ve been thinking about tool storage in a tropical environment. One idea I had was to create drawers out of airtight cases – something similar to a pelican case, but more affordable. And then, I ran across a Milwaukee Packout at Home Depot.

I know these are crazy popular, but I’ve never paid much attention to them as I’ve never needed their brand of portability. As such, I was unaware that they featured a rubber gasket. Seeing that (about fifteen minutes ago in the big box store) made me think that at 1 atmosphere, the Packout might actually be air tight.

So now I sit in my truck, waiting on my daughter to finish up softball practice, and wonder – any of you fellas done any experimenting with these things? Are they worth a damn?

View thread (39 replies)
O

Odessaboots

Member
Joined
May 31, 2020
Messages
11
Location
Arroyo Grande, CA
Not sure airtight will yield the protection either way - when you open the case and close it, you are trapping the same moist air inside the case, right?

I think even if those cases are not rated as airtight, using them in combination with a VCI block inside would yield satisfactory results.
 
OP
R

Ryan

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
5,714
Location
Texas/Hawaii
Odessaboots said:
Not sure airtight will yield the protection either way - when you open the case and close it, you are trapping the same moist air inside the case, right?

I think even if those cases are not rated as airtight, using them in combination with a VCI block inside would yield satisfactory results.
Click to expand...

I like that idea.
 
A

ace10

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2017
Messages
1,490
Location
Rural NoVA
I've got a couple dozen pieces of Packout. Use them strictly for armorer parts and tools. And ammo storage. Never given a thought whether they're truly airtight, or not.

If I had an empty one and if it we weren't in a cold snap, I could try a dunk test.

If any of them are, I would suspect it'd be the cooler that they just released (48-22-8460). Haven't seen one in the flesh yet, but it appears to be very similar to the compact tool box model 48-22-8422, of which I have at least a dozen.

Interested to see if there's a different seal on the cooler. Specs on the seal are the same, so I don't know what the difference would be.

They're nice boxes, but way too costly for what they are IMO.
 
F

four.cycle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
28,678
Location
Tacoma, Washington
Looks interesting, but if I wanted something that absolutely-for-sure-no-questions-asked was going to keep my gear dry, I'd go with a "dry bag" along the lines of of what are used by rafting outfitters. (see https://packraft.org/ for recommendations)
As it is, generally I just rely on a double layer of gallon zip-lock bags for the camera and girlfriend leaves her smart phone in the car if we're going to float a river.
 
G

gorilla

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
1,651
I not sure what tools your trying to protect but you might consider plastic bags purged with N2 and thermally sealed. You stick a hose in a corner of the bag until you think all the air is gone and then seal it up.The company I worked for used that method to ship optical components for many years. Thermal bag sealers are commonly available and a cylinder of N2 and a regulator aren't that expensive. You can also use the N2 bottle to run air tools.
 
G

gahrajmahal

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2008
Messages
2,527
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
I made a cyclone unit for my shop vac out of one (or so I remembered). I used a Rigid box once I checked my build thread https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337292

It does have a gasket like the Milwaukee pack out boxes. If you dead-head the vacuum the top of the box will **** down a good half inch, but will not leak around the lid gasket. Check out the photos there and see if my build answers your questions.
 
C

csi123

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Messages
97
Tropical as in Texas? Like others mentioned unless you aren't planning to open the box at all otherwise airtight is the opposite of what you want. I lived in tropical (as in real tropical climate) half of my life and I never seen anyone store their tools in airtight drawers. If your shop is humid you need a dehumidifier or AC.
 
P

pago cruiser

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 6, 2009
Messages
65
Location
Tucson
Hydrosorbent 40g silica gel. Google it; about $6 each.
We lived on a cruising sailboat for about 15 years; kept our DVDs (and cameras, and hand held electronics) in pelican cases (with the DVDs in thin breathable sleeves) when not being used. Watch the sight glass every time you open the case, and replace them each time when needed. Think we only lost 2 DVDs (out of hundreds) due to moisture getting in-between the layers, and handheld electronics, sextants, and other items were corrosion free after we moved ashore.

Good thing about these is that once they **** up the moisture in the case you can recharge them in your oven. Pretty much indefinitely.

We moved off the boat a decade ago; and as I sit here I have a closet door open with a dozen of those pelican cases in it staring back at me... and a few of those are filled with several dozen of those silica gel enclosures... don't need much desiccant in the desert...

Note that there is now (now they tell me?) some concern with the older silica gel being a potential carcinogen - so if you find some old ones, don't eat them, or grind them into powder and breathe the dust.
 
S

samss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
502
Location
Conway, AR
It would be easy enough to put an HVACR type schraeder valve on each side of the case and flow dry nitrogen through the case to flush most of the oxygen out. If you pulled a vacuum and pressurized with dry nitrogen there would be even less oxygen to cause rust.
 
OP
R

Ryan

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
5,714
Location
Texas/Hawaii
csi123 said:
Tropical as in Texas? Like others mentioned unless you aren't planning to open the box at all otherwise airtight is the opposite of what you want. I lived in tropical (as in real tropical climate) half of my life and I never seen anyone store their tools in airtight drawers. If your shop is humid you need a dehumidifier or AC.
Click to expand...

Tropical as in Hawaii... I'm building a tiny shop there this summer... Details.

The challenge is this:

I want to store basic hand tools along with the following:

1. cordless drill/driver
2. Track saw
3. router
4. sander

With the challenge being, I'm only gonna be there 4-months out of the year for the next couple of years... and I don't want things to corrode to **** while I'm not there...

The reason I thought of Packouts is that they are actually available on the island and I could save a ton on shipping. Add some sort of silica and I just might be in business...

I need to do some testing for sure.
 
C

crakmonckey

New member
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
1
air tight won't matter once you trap the warm moist air in the box anyway. Seen many supplier parts produced in sub-tropicals parts come sealed in a plastic bag and ruined in shipping.

Definitely would need some moisture absorbency solution if this was the way you went.
 
V

Vintage Veloce

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
1,076
Location
San Diego
There must be mechanics on the Island who have a method already? Next time you visit maybe stop at a couple garages... ;-)
edit: heck, start a Hawaii thread I bet we have a dozen guys here with experience already. ;-)
 
S

Stuart in MN

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,075
Location
Minneapolis
Odessaboots said:
I think even if those cases are not rated as airtight, using them in combination with a VCI block inside would yield satisfactory results.
Click to expand...

This is what I came here to say. Here's one place that sells them: https://www.theruststore.com/VCI-C12.aspx Note that they also sell VCI bags and sheet film that may be even better for long term storage in Hawaii, see the link on the left side of the page.
 
L

LeonardY

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
5,044
Location
Southern California
If moisture gets to it especially salt air it will rust. The only way I have seen to store tools in a salty air environment the only way is to coat it in cosmoline and wrap them in wax paper.. I grew up in San Fransisco and Honolulu. Tools rusted in both places. My dad would spray his tools with WD40 and occasionally coat them with motor oil. Especially if he didn't use them much.
 
L

LegacyIndustrial

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Jun 7, 2010
Messages
7,994
Location
deerfield, IL
csi123 said:
Tropical as in Texas? Like others mentioned unless you aren't planning to open the box at all otherwise airtight is the opposite of what you want. I lived in tropical (as in real tropical climate) half of my life and I never seen anyone store their tools in airtight drawers. If your shop is humid you need a dehumidifier or AC.
Click to expand...

CSI brings up a great point. My own garage has AC, just enough to keep the humidity down and keep me from dripping sweat while working. Would solve (2) issues for you.
 
B

Bubba Fett

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Messages
1,516
Location
Eastern NC
I live in eastern NC, which may as well be tropical during the spring, summer, and early fall. I often keep the silica gel packs from various shipments at work. I throw them in tool boxes, tool bags, etc, to help keep rust at bay. It seems to help. The small cylinder capsules of silica that you find in medicine bottles are great for smaller kits, or compartments. I also keep my good tools inside in the A/C. LOL.

For less than ideal climate storage, consider locking food storage bins. They are available in glass or plastic with locking (actually clamping) lids and a rubber gasket. The plastic ones would probably be great for hand tools, drill bits, etc.

Also check your local sporting goods store. Sometimes they have storage boxes for camping that might be suitable for power tools. I know Plano has a large tool/storage box with a gasket. Not entirely sure if they are air tight, but a munch of silica packs would help with that.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
R

rlitman

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
24,591
Location
Long Island
Odessaboots said:
...I think even if those cases are not rated as airtight, using them in combination with a VCI block inside would yield satisfactory results.
Click to expand...

Exactly that. If not a block, you can buy a roll of VCI paper, and put a sheet on the bottom of the case. You probably already have VCI paper or bags. The tacky sheets of stuff that brake rotors come packed in. That's VCI.

It's possible they're as airtight as a Pelican, but I doubt it. They don't have a pressure relief valve. Having the lid **** in under vacuum is a good sign though.

pago cruiser said:
Hydrosorbent 40g silica gel. Google it; about $6 each.
We lived on a cruising sailboat for about 15 years; kept our DVDs (and cameras, and hand held electronics) in pelican cases (with the DVDs in thin breathable sleeves) when not being used. Watch the sight glass every time you open the case, and replace them each time when needed. Think we only lost 2 DVDs (out of hundreds) due to moisture getting in-between the layers, and handheld electronics, sextants, and other items were corrosion free after we moved ashore.

Good thing about these is that once they **** up the moisture in the case you can recharge them in your oven. Pretty much indefinitely.

We moved off the boat a decade ago; and as I sit here I have a closet door open with a dozen of those pelican cases in it staring back at me... and a few of those are filled with several dozen of those silica gel enclosures... don't need much desiccant in the desert...

Note that there is now (now they tell me?) some concern with the older silica gel being a potential carcinogen - so if you find some old ones, don't eat them, or grind them into powder and breathe the dust.
Click to expand...

The old silica gel had cobalt chloride indicator (changes from blue when dry to pink when wet). The new stuff goes from orange when dry to dark green when wet, and is supposedly safer. But if the cobalt isn't escaping, it's not a real issue. The only real risk I am aware of if if you eat the pellets.

Both VCI and desiccant are good options. Both require a reasonably well sealed case to last. VCI has the potential to inhibit corrosion for longer, but silica gel can protect things that VCI doesn't.

If we're talking only about tools, and metal corrosion, VCI is your better bet. If we're talking about protecting photo gear, DVDs, or computer equipment, then desiccant will be the better choice. VCI can leave an almost invisible film on surfaces, and camera lenses don't like that.

Oh, and if you want a sealed container on the cheap, buy 5 gallon buckets and install Gamma screw on lids.
 
J

Jmellc

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2019
Messages
276
Location
Durham, NC
I have a couple of the Ridgid brand stackers & they are totally water tight. I used to have several of t black & yellow Stanley boxes that were watertight, though they didn’t lock together.
I knew a couple of guys with Packouts but don’t know if they tried them in the weather.
 
B

bulletpruf

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 28, 2013
Messages
10,941
Location
San Antonio
Ryan said:
Tropical as in Hawaii... I'm building a tiny shop there this summer... Details.

The challenge is this:

I want to store basic hand tools along with the following:

1. cordless drill/driver
2. Track saw
3. router
4. sander

With the challenge being, I'm only gonna be there 4-months out of the year for the next couple of years... and I don't want things to corrode to **** while I'm not there...

The reason I thought of Packouts is that they are actually available on the island and I could save a ton on shipping. Add some sort of silica and I just might be in business...

I need to do some testing for sure.
Click to expand...

Sounds like fun! I was stationed in Hawaii (Oahu) for 2 years. Lived on the beach on the North Shore, and the salt spray got pretty bad during the winter (North Shore gets heavy surf in winter). Even if you're not on the beach, you'll have humid salty air to deal with, and resulting rust issues.

Also difficult to find vintage cars there; everything rusts out. If you want to work on something vintage, I'd plan on shipping it over. Otherwise, pickings will be quite slim.

Good luck!

Scott
 
D

Dumber than lumber

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2015
Messages
1,893
Ryan said:
Tropical as in Hawaii... I'm building a tiny shop there this summer... Details.

The reason I thought of Packouts is that they are actually available on the island and I could save a ton on shipping. Add some sort of silica and I just might be in business...

I need to do some testing for sure.
Click to expand...

Ryan,
What about some kind of "seal-a-meal" setup? You would have to vacuum out all air, and seal the bags at end of the 4 months.

BTW - Hawaii for four months each year? YOU ****/ :lol_hitti
 
T

Todd.Brock

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2008
Messages
4,250
Location
Cincinnati
Ryan,

I have a stack of Milwaukee boxes I use for my home remodel side business. I leave them in the truck sometimes or get caught in storms I am super happy with how dry they keep my tools. Working in the winter time, I leave them out on a job site occasionally when it gets below freezing and I do not have frosty tools. Everything stays dry.

That said- I don’t leave them out on a regular basis and I’m sure some dessicant packs certainly wouldn’t hurt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
K

kawtoy

Well-known member
Joined
May 12, 2010
Messages
81
Get a cheap box, something with rounded edges. Doesn't have to have a rubber gasket (actually you want it without a gasket so you can get all the air out). Then get the vacuum bags made for clothes. They are amazing. They get enough air out that it will make a pile of sweaters feel like a brick. They have lots of different sizes and usually come in variety packs. I guarantee if you seal it up correctly you could put them at the bottom of a pool for 4 months and not have a leak. They are basically a big ziplock back with a vacuum port. For extra protection you can duct tape the seal and port before putting them away.
 
L

Lodi781

Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2020
Messages
23
Location
CT
Wow, finding this thread was pretty serendipitous. I’ve been contemplating using the pack out system for my mechanics tools instead of rolling chest so I can keep things Mobil when I need it, and keep them fairly dry out in the garage during winter. Good info.
 
OP
R

Ryan

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
5,714
Location
Texas/Hawaii
A quick update on my Packout experiment:


And Small Craft, I 100% expect you to make fun of me when I come home to Kauai with a plastic bin full of rust...
 
OP
R

Ryan

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
5,714
Location
Texas/Hawaii
Pretty good!
 

Attachments

  • A8378FEF-EA07-4AA8-B3F6-A9B3E0FE3B34.jpg
    A8378FEF-EA07-4AA8-B3F6-A9B3E0FE3B34.jpg
    157.5 KB · Views: 111
X

xymotic

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2015
Messages
5
Dunno if it helps or is relevant but the Dewalt Tough System ones are very definitely watertight. (they have a air valve similar to pelican to open the dang things) if you are outfitting shop new you can likely even get them in set with the drills/drivers.

or they are vail separately relatively cheaply.
 
OP
R

Ryan

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
5,714
Location
Texas/Hawaii
xymotic said:
Dunno if it helps or is relevant but the Dewalt Tough System ones are very definitely watertight. (they have a air valve similar to pelican to open the dang things) if you are outfitting shop new you can likely even get them in set with the drills/drivers.

or they are vail separately relatively cheaply.
Click to expand...

Totally relevant... and good to know... But I've already started down the path of Packouts.
 
S

SamuraiJack

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 16, 2020
Messages
131
Location
Nashville, TN
Have you ever seen those people that make their own meat curing chambers, with humidifiers, dehumidifiers and temperature controllers. Well make one of those but out of a job box. An inkbird humidity controller is $75 and a small dehumidifier $50 with an external drain should keep a job box dry as a bone.

If the box is somewhat sealed it should not have to run that much and will be able to handle a lid opening multiple times a day.
 
OP
R

Ryan

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
5,714
Location
Texas/Hawaii
SamuraiJack said:
Have you ever seen those people that make their own meat curing chambers, with humidifiers, dehumidifiers and temperature controllers. Well make one of those but out of a job box. An inkbird humidity controller is $75 and a small dehumidifier $50 with an external drain should keep a job box dry as a bone.

If the box is somewhat sealed it should not have to run that much and will be able to handle a lid opening multiple times a day.
Click to expand...

That would actually be a super fun project...
 
K

Krang

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2018
Messages
185
Location
Hawaii
I live in Hawaii also. Its not as big of a deal as you might expect to keep the containers moisture free, the appropriate amount of silica gel will do it just fine. I use some storage containers from ziploc that have a foam seal around the edge, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWTJWXS/?tag=atomicindus08-20, and one of these in each, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0XFCS/?tag=atomicindus08-20.

That should take care of the long-term-storage portion.

Aside from that, the occasional WD-40 soak and wipe does the trick. All of the above said, if you live on the windward side of the island just be prepared for everything to rust. There isn't much you can do about it aside from using only stainless steel for everything, just pretend like you are living on a boat. If you are not on the windward side, and don't have to deal with air directly off the ocean, what I mentioned above should work well.

If you want something a little more scale-able, get a 20' shipping container dropped on your property and just put a dehumidifier in it and stick the drain through the floor, that's worked well for me so far.
 
O

oldschoolcraft

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2017
Messages
1,829
Location
Bay Area, California
No first hand experience, but something I’ve read is you domt actually want airtight cases for most gear because if there’s any moisture on the tool or in the air when you close the case, the moisture gets trapped.

Especially bad for electronics.

Barring some really specific use case like SCUBA diving or offshore drilling, I’m guessing a perfectly airtight case is not a great thing for most tool users.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!