Just saw a flatbed dually with a job box and nothing but milwaukee packouts ratchet strapped around it on all three sides, each stack was probably 4ft tall. Lot of trust in a 1" nylon webbing and having it parked in a meh part of town advertising like that.
Unpopular Opinion - Tool Storage
- Thread starter ItsNemo
- Start date
Boogerman
Well-known member
Think these really suited tradespeople that use same stuff all the time. Keep it all there, ready to access, not mixed up in the truck in buckets and such.
I rarely did the same thing repetitively, and mostly did very remote, difficult or long access jobs. I would think through the job ahead of time, mock it up in the shop if I could, and then pack specifically for that job. Mostly in milk crates, sometimes bucket organizer with stackable tray for fasteners, and 5 gallon buckets of sorted categories of tools for particular parts of the job. Cardboard boxes packed with materials for the job, sorted by phases.
Only constant was my electrician tool belt with about a dozen things in it, and a standard toolbox with comprehensive sae and metric 1/4" socket set, metric and SAE ratcheting wrenches, adjustables, hammer, hex keys, pliers, drill and impact and boxes of bits for each, tape measure, speed square, pencils and sharpies, 120 piece ratcheting screwdriver set, a hack saw and two pipe wrenches.
I tried bucket boss, tool bags, plastic boxes. None worked particularly well and no real improvement over just using a 5 gallon bucket or a milk crate.
However, I really see the value of having everything there and organized for people that do a repetitive trade.
I rarely did the same thing repetitively, and mostly did very remote, difficult or long access jobs. I would think through the job ahead of time, mock it up in the shop if I could, and then pack specifically for that job. Mostly in milk crates, sometimes bucket organizer with stackable tray for fasteners, and 5 gallon buckets of sorted categories of tools for particular parts of the job. Cardboard boxes packed with materials for the job, sorted by phases.
Only constant was my electrician tool belt with about a dozen things in it, and a standard toolbox with comprehensive sae and metric 1/4" socket set, metric and SAE ratcheting wrenches, adjustables, hammer, hex keys, pliers, drill and impact and boxes of bits for each, tape measure, speed square, pencils and sharpies, 120 piece ratcheting screwdriver set, a hack saw and two pipe wrenches.
I tried bucket boss, tool bags, plastic boxes. None worked particularly well and no real improvement over just using a 5 gallon bucket or a milk crate.
However, I really see the value of having everything there and organized for people that do a repetitive trade.
I can see the allure the packout systems would have. If I were a tradesman or made frequent trips to the junkyard, that would be the way to go. The majority of my house and car projects are at home, and my workshop Craftsman tool chest suits me just fine. I have a Craftsman USA 200 Pc. tool set in a blow molded case I’ve added some screwdrivers, pliers and other miscellaneous things tool for when I do take my tools somewhere with me.
With what’s on the market these days there’s not a lot of options.
- Cheap plastic toolboxes made for kids
- packout/tough system/ etc
- or $250+ Craftsman tool chest
Ton ton
Well-known member
These Milwaukee pack out setups are fairly popular even though there's some hate towards them as well.
It is the normal what is right for one situation is not right for another. Since this a new concept in the last few years everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. When the market is saturated you will see another adjustment. There are the people who need these, those that do not, and then GJ members who if it is for tools will buy it if they saw it on the Garage Journal.
For our use. In the shops. Metal boxes that seldom move and wall storage. For most field machinery repairs service trucks, we copied the best of the ones we saw on the custom combining crews, again metal but are designed to hold items in place and prevent rolling and damage. Other service places where you have to go away from the vehicle like building maintenance or have a pickup without tool storage, the new heavy duty plastic boxes work well here. Places that need tools like the on the tractors or combines or similar for a quick fix somewhere without tools the old style small metal or light plastic boxes are used.
So we use them all it is just getting them used for what they were designed for. The part of the Garage Journal is we get to see all of the aspects of tool use many that are very different from our normal use.
For our use. In the shops. Metal boxes that seldom move and wall storage. For most field machinery repairs service trucks, we copied the best of the ones we saw on the custom combining crews, again metal but are designed to hold items in place and prevent rolling and damage. Other service places where you have to go away from the vehicle like building maintenance or have a pickup without tool storage, the new heavy duty plastic boxes work well here. Places that need tools like the on the tractors or combines or similar for a quick fix somewhere without tools the old style small metal or light plastic boxes are used.
So we use them all it is just getting them used for what they were designed for. The part of the Garage Journal is we get to see all of the aspects of tool use many that are very different from our normal use.
I've been to more than a few estate auctions. where the "handyman" basically had a sander, circular saw, drill/bits, a smattering of mechanic/carpenter hand tools and nails/screws nuts/bolts.
Why wouldn't something like these work near perfectly for these users?
The complaint is coming from someone who does like them but does not understand why some else would.
Are these owners complaining that they don't like what they purchased and use?
Why wouldn't something like these work near perfectly for these users?
The complaint is coming from someone who does like them but does not understand why some else would.
Are these owners complaining that they don't like what they purchased and use?
acer66
Well-known member
Hard for me to wrap my head around why to come up with the energy or bother to hate someone else's toolbox.
If my own toolbox would keep me up at night, hang out with the riff raff box of my neighbors, set my place on fire or roll into the sunset with my tools I would maybe muster up some energy though.
Well I went in deeper today. A couple of my guys have been really digging this Klein set up, one of them already pretty invested in a pack out system at that.
So I bought them a full set up for Christmas. Now I gotta figure out something of equal value for the rest of the guys.
A little lol Christmas story. Years ago when Milwaukee hit the nail on the head with the original 18v kits. I bought my entire crew the full blown package. At our Christmas party I handed them out and everyone except my main superintendent was blown away.
My sup being a bit smarter than the average bear immediately caught on why I really did it. He says “you did this so there wouldn’t be any dead battery excuses huh??”
Ahhhhh yup
So I bought them a full set up for Christmas. Now I gotta figure out something of equal value for the rest of the guys.
A little lol Christmas story. Years ago when Milwaukee hit the nail on the head with the original 18v kits. I bought my entire crew the full blown package. At our Christmas party I handed them out and everyone except my main superintendent was blown away.
My sup being a bit smarter than the average bear immediately caught on why I really did it. He says “you did this so there wouldn’t be any dead battery excuses huh??”
Ahhhhh yup
Trapps
ALLIANCE MEMBER
'All' and 'Terrible' presents a pretty broad brush. Some may share your 'opinion' but I believe far more would argue that these systems have their usefulness and effectiveness, in large part by virtue of how, or by whom, they are used.
I have a few Tough System boxes which are holding tailed versions of tools in my cordless arsenal. Rarely used anymore and something I may part with soon because of that lack of use.
I use L-Boxxes for both storage and for portability. I take what I need for any given project, down the hall, down the street or across town. They are expensive, like most options, but they have served me well. The redesign, while smashing me square in the OCD nerve, does allow a stacked pair to open without disconnecting. Weight and size of stack obviously affects the effectiveness, but it is a nice capability. Not sure who else offers this. In my situation, they are quite optimal for storing. I do not have to search for anything; it can be a very organized storage solution. For hand tools, plenty of options exist to organize the interior of any box. Think wrenches in a roll, or yes you can even throw a rail of sockets in. Many have made a custom insert suited for their specific needs.
I have a few Tough System boxes which are holding tailed versions of tools in my cordless arsenal. Rarely used anymore and something I may part with soon because of that lack of use.
I use L-Boxxes for both storage and for portability. I take what I need for any given project, down the hall, down the street or across town. They are expensive, like most options, but they have served me well. The redesign, while smashing me square in the OCD nerve, does allow a stacked pair to open without disconnecting. Weight and size of stack obviously affects the effectiveness, but it is a nice capability. Not sure who else offers this. In my situation, they are quite optimal for storing. I do not have to search for anything; it can be a very organized storage solution. For hand tools, plenty of options exist to organize the interior of any box. Think wrenches in a roll, or yes you can even throw a rail of sockets in. Many have made a custom insert suited for their specific needs.
Pics?
speed bump
Well-known member
I'm very confused at the trolling efforts. It essentially reads I don't understand it so I must be right.
Personally I have about a dozen different solutions and they all solve specific problems. I'm not going to knock what works for someone else just because my situation is different.
Personally I have about a dozen different solutions and they all solve specific problems. I'm not going to knock what works for someone else just because my situation is different.
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,489
The Milwaukee pack out system looks nice I can see how it makes sense for Pros. May buy it for 2024 for $350.
Not trolling, they just don't seem like the right solution for anyone...even in the trades, it doesn't look like an optimal use of space and hunting through stacks of bins isn't efficient.
Packard V8
Well-known member
Yes, for those they're designed for, they work well.
What remains to be solved is the usable interior volume to cubic volume. I'm always depressed by how much space they take up and how little they actually hold.
jack vines
What remains to be solved is the usable interior volume to cubic volume. I'm always depressed by how much space they take up and how little they actually hold.
jack vines
I'm with Jack on this. I find plastic to have too much thickness. Maybe polycarbonate is ok but I've had lots of plastic get old and brittle in the past and I don't like the thick reinforced corners. In the 80's I had steel units that fit in a cabinet and had scooped floors at the fronts of compartments for nuts and screws. If you took them with you you just took the drawers and left the cabinets. Now I just use canvas totes but have metal hip roof type boxes for mechanics tools where the trays fold out when you open the top. 3/4" set is a tight fitting steel box. I work in -40 below sometimes and plastic breaks too easily.
What are they supposed to use in the trades that they have to drag tools around with them?
richfinn
Well-known member
The idea is you create lightweight modular bespoke kits of tools/parts for specific tasks which stow away neatly in a vehicle and don't roll about spilling the contents.
You can then carry as little or as much as you like onto awkward job sites with stairs/scaffolding/roof spaces etc.
I have a few Sortimo organisers for parts like nuts/bolts and electrical terminals/fuses.
I can grab one of these and my tool bag and carry them up into a multi-storey car park where my van is too tall to drive in or a vehicle is stuck inside someone's garage and won't start.
Trades who use them in vans/trucks will normally have some type of racking to stow each individual container, you select which ones you need to complete a job and then clip them together so you have the optimal set up for that particular task without having to return to the van multiple times.
an evolution of the humble tool tote if you like, but lightweight, waterproof, modular and easy to stow in your work truck.
Time is $$$$$$$$
jar944
Well-known member
What are they supposed to use in the trades that they have to drag tools around with them?
Call a roll back and a crane to drop off a couple of 72" boxes to the 2nd floor of a home under construction.
Because plastic totes are for posers, real men use steel tolling tool chests in and around residential construction sites.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yet guys in the trades are posting here that they love their setups?
gleman
Well-known member
What are they supposed to use in the trades that they have to drag tools around with them?
Might be a little heavy but that is some efficient use of space!
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
My guess is you don't work in the trades, most good contractors try to use a good system. The dewalt system to me is easy and space saving, with the built in ability to be racked without building shelves or cabinets is huge. When I send a crew out and they load the dewalt hand truck and make one trip, we're both happy. Organization for me is more than just boxes it's a business decision that requires a certain discipline. A system line dewalts really comes into play as a project is nearing completion and we remove most of the gang boxes. Now I have to send guys with tools and material, and those tools have to be cleaned up and removed everyday.
What are they supposed to use in the trades that they have to drag tools around with them?
Use a bucket. Obviously.
I can just imagine the response if I suggested to one of my trades they should pack in their tough system/tstack for a load of buckets
What are they supposed to use in the trades that they have to drag tools around with them?
It would be nice to see something that makes more efficienet use of the space and has some organization within each case rather than just giant bins. The tool bags have pockets, the best I've seen in the systems is a few fixed plastic dividers or little parts compartments. My tool bag I can fit dozens of pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. and find them immediately...a big plastic tub you have to hunt in them.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Lets not kid ourselves, construction guys love an excuse to walk back to the truck. The bosses are the worst.
Packouts and Yetis seem to co-mingle. Coincidence?
Wonder what You Betcha would have to say on this?
Packouts and Yetis seem to co-mingle. Coincidence?
Wonder what You Betcha would have to say on this?
So there is nothing better.
Why not put in removable organizers when needed?’
Not really that difficult to do.
I like a tool bag as well but it does not work for **** at all if I have to carry power tools or supplies along.
Then becomes a matter of running back and forth.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
You seem very nearsighted to the fact that these systems are more than just big cases.
They have tool bags that are module with the system. Milwaukee has half a dozen different styles.
This is just one.
They have parts container versions for small parts and open case for bigger tools.
And it’s not like you can create inserts for the cases. Kiazen foam is very DIY and there are companies that can laser cut foam for you.
I don’t use them at home but if I was a tradesman with a transit van I sure would. I personally have half a dozen Hazet 190L boxes. One for electrical, plumbing, plumbing 2, mobile mech, etc but I am not assume to believe that would be the perfect solution either for many.
If you don’t have a good memory it’s called a label maker.
I have seen mech that have owned their roll cab for decades that can remember from day to day which drawer is which. It’s not the roll cabs fault?
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I purchased two of the Ridgid Boxes, the bigger one is a top handled tool box w/no wheels, the other is like a large briefcase.
I placed all my carpentry hand tools including paint brushes and tapes into the larger one and it sits under my workbench in the event of that rare occasion I need something. This freed up cabinet space in other areas as well as uncluttering my 56" bottom chest.
The other smaller box I make into an emergency road box kind of thing that I pack if I'm making a long trip by motor vehicle. The smaller one when empty as it usually is, sits nicely stacked on the other one awaiting its use mt till needed.
I placed all my carpentry hand tools including paint brushes and tapes into the larger one and it sits under my workbench in the event of that rare occasion I need something. This freed up cabinet space in other areas as well as uncluttering my 56" bottom chest.
The other smaller box I make into an emergency road box kind of thing that I pack if I'm making a long trip by motor vehicle. The smaller one when empty as it usually is, sits nicely stacked on the other one awaiting its use mt till needed.
acer66
Well-known member
Originally it was made for a Bosch Brute drill and the thicker older style batteries that is why the drill just hangs in there and the spare 18v batterie does not fit.'All' and 'Terrible' presents a pretty broad brush. Some may share your 'opinion' but I believe far more would argue that these systems have their usefulness and effectiveness, in large part by virtue of how, or by whom, they are used.
I have a few Tough System boxes which are holding tailed versions of tools in my cordless arsenal. Rarely used anymore and something I may part with soon because of that lack of use.
I use L-Boxxes for both storage and for portability. I take what I need for any given project, down the hall, down the street or across town. They are expensive, like most options, but they have served me well. The redesign, while smashing me square in the OCD nerve, does allow a stacked pair to open without disconnecting. Weight and size of stack obviously affects the effectiveness, but it is a nice capability. Not sure who else offers this. In my situation, they are quite optimal for storing. I do not have to search for anything; it can be a very organized storage solution. For hand tools, plenty of options exist to organize the interior of any box. Think wrenches in a roll, or yes you can even throw a rail of sockets in. Many have made a custom insert suited for their specific needs.
Pics?
Need to update it but it still sorta works and we all know how that goes.
This is the corner the box was dropped on when being unloaded loaded like in the second pic.
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I am an ironworking foreman. My company builds BIG stuff. My mobile tool setup is my RAM 3500 cab and chassis with a NINE foot Knapheide utility bed. If I need to move some 6 0r 8 foot wide gangboxes we have 75 ton cranes with over 250 feet of reach. Yeah we don't use the packouts much
At work we transport our tools w/ Zarges K470 cases. But then, we are fortunate enough to ship these to our final destination each time. Most of us consolidate into a few cases and use the empty ones for personal use. They do get banged up a little, but they stand up to a lot of abuse and I could care less what they look like, so long as my tools are okay. Nothing else beats, no pun intended, these cases for constant freight and shipping use. I tried using a small packout case to try out, but it didn't make it past 4 flights before getting cracked, and a wheel getting bent out. They have their place, but it's not meant for use as baggage. Anyhow, lesson learned and I was told to not use them anyhow because they looked "unprofessional" in our work environment. YMMV.
tyyost
Well-known member
scooby074
Well-known member
Saw this online.
Milwaukkee Packout ... Accident approved ! Rear window.. Not Packout approved
Milwaukkee Packout ... Accident approved !
Rear window.. Not Packout approvedbwringer
Well-known member
How in the hell does that look "not professional"?At work we transport our tools w/ Zarges K470 cases. But then, we are fortunate enough to ship these to our final destination each time. Most of us consolidate into a few cases and use the empty ones for personal use. They do get banged up a little, but they stand up to a lot of abuse and I could care less what they look like, so long as my tools are okay. Nothing else beats, no pun intended, these cases for constant freight and shipping use. I tried using a small packout case to try out, but it didn't make it past 4 flights before getting cracked, and a wheel getting bent out. They have their place, but it's not meant for use as baggage. Anyhow, lesson learned and I was told to not use them anyhow because they looked "unprofessional" in our work environment. YMMV.
I can't think of anything MORE "professional" looking than a set of obviously ridiculously expensive metal cases bearing the scars of long experience.
Whatever you're doing, anyone rolling in with this setup is up to Serious Business, and Knows Their Stuff. My job would be to get out of their way and maybe make coffee.
tez929rr
Well-known member
I thought he was saying that management said that the packout looked unprofessional.
gleman
Well-known member
There must be a mountain of money on that job, to put up with that level of snobbery.
Systainers or better Gents! This isn't a Waffle House!
That the way I usually see most of them, just tossed in the back of a truck.Saw this online.
Milwaukkee Packout ... Accident approved !
Retired dozer fixer
Well-known member
Well…your 5 gallon bucket’s blow out of the back of a truck. Fill with water when it rains. I’ve been using the Craftsman line of boxes on the farm for several years and for the money are holding up well. Bounce around in truck or combine and stay weather tight. Better than any metal box
Carguy99
Well-known member
scooby074
Well-known member
To be honest, thats how I keep mine, don't think I've ever strapped them in, maybe I should