Thinking of getting a Milwaukee Packout toolbox or similar?

[SC Maintenance]

I have lots of different homeowner DIY type tools hanging around either in the blomold case they came, in a stack of milk crates, or smaller tool boxes stacked on shelves. There organized in their place but not at all convenient.

I am not a contractor, but in looking for better storage I am thinking a Milwaukee Packout or one of the knock offs might fit the bill. It would mostly sit in my garage, but if I did ever need to take it somewhere to build or fix something that might be helpful.

Most interested in how I would load it and how much it will hold. I am thinking larger power tools in the bottom, another toolbox for smaller power tools like drills and such, a toolbox for hand tools, and maybe a couple organizers for fasteners and small tools? Mostly I have a skill saw, sawzall, jigsaw, a couple sanders, a couple drills, hand tools and lots of blades and the like?

I assume you can stack these things pretty high if needed so long as you don't try to roll them like that?

Anyone here have one / use it regularly - and how do you have it loaded?

 

[BrendanC]

i have the three drawer packout tool box that i’ll load up for small mobil jobs, better thing is just the grab bags you can buy.

 

[Astro14]

I’ve got a set of Pack-out boxes. Well made. Sturdy. Less interior room than the exterior promises, but I’ve got Dewalt and Craftsman boxes as well, and the Dewalt boxes suffer from similar problems.

At a much lower price point, the Craftsman make pretty good tool cases, but the Packout has more options and are much more heavy duty.

 

[rstcso]

I have a half dozen Milwaukee bags, which three are Packout compatible. I do not use, nor have any plans to use, the rest of the Packout system and prefer the non-Packout bags due to the bottom size and rigidity of ones designed for Packout. I keep 18v portable band saws, circular saw, and other heavier tools in the Packout bags, but their non-Packout bags seem just as strong and can take up less shelf space.

I have a few other Packout-compatible tool kits, but it was due to what tools/accessories was wanted and how they were packaged at the time of purchase. Because I don't use them interconnected, my preference is toward non-Packout.

Without a need to regularly carry tools to other locations, I find cases take up more room than necessary, or not as accessible, compared to the bags. If I was a contractor or someone needing to move a bunch of tools regularly, the Packout system would probably be more desirable for me.

 

[cptbarkey]

If you are mobile then certain configurations make sense. It’s difficult to justify for simple garage storage. For instance, I keep a grease gun and accessories in a single box. Chainsaw accessories in a crate. The organizers are extremely nice but you need to put thought into what you are storing and why and how.

There are many knockoffs, if Bauer ever goes on sale I will probably pickup several.

 

[wtd]

I have quite a few of the Milwaukee packout pieces. I have two, three drawer boxes on the packout roller base which I keep most of my diagnostic equipment in. I keep other smaller odds and ends in the packout organizer boxes. They are all well-made but expensive. I think ACE Hardware is still having their packout sale which you get a certain amount off depending on how much you spend.

 

[jhellwig]

The most useful things I use of the pack out are the crates and the rolling box. Most of it is a waste of space or annoying to unhook them to get to the one I need. If it wasn't for them practically giving them away during 2020 I wouldn't have them. If I had to take my tools off the job site every day I might have a different opinion of them.