My review of the Milwaukee Packout mobile tool box system.

[Eddo Rogue]

Right now I just use riggers bags like in the photo or regular soft side tool bags for everything , mostly commercial carpentry. I can fit 6 of them in my cross bed toolbox at a time.

I've been interested in the Packout system but none of my helpers or coworkers care enough to put things back correctly so I'm worried the boxes would turn into a heavy box o' junk.

I have a few tote bags, they come in handy as well.
Putting things back, or getting them out, is why I went with the packout. It sort of forces organization.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I worked out of a toolbox like this for years, essentially a big pelican case, on and off of airplanes three times a week. Stuff I used a bunch in the little pallets, and all the big stuff/ loose items in the bottom organized in bags or tool rolls. This one cost about $350 new.
View attachment 57340

I always wanted a toolbox like this, with the draws to shadow tools, but it weighs lbs empty so it would weigh 100lbs with all my tools and stuff in it. This one cost about $700 new.
View attachment 57341

These are the "bathtubs" I was talking about. I have the Dewalt one. It doesn't even have a tray or anything, just a big tub. It was nice that anything and everything fit, but I couldn't get to any if it, and packing it was a game of tetris.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I also have an old Plano rolling bag/box that has most things I need when I show up someplace to do maintenance. I bought it when I worked at GM Engineering in the 90's. This cart has a bunch of miles on it and is about to become unglued. I'm really leaning to replace it with a Klein rolling tool bag...

Klein Tools 55473RTB Rolling Tool Bag, Tradesman Pro Tool Master, 250lbs Load Rated - - Amazon.com

 

[don4331]

Pros:
-super sturdy, solid plastic.
-tires roll nice, and are replaceable.

Cons:
- Expensive!
- Kinda heavy, but as it should be...

Feel free to post any questions, or your mobile tool box experience. Cheers!

How well do they roll loaded? I.e. after loaded with couple impacts, and sawall, variety sockets, wrenches, etc, will they roll both out to the yard at PnP and back. Or will I be carrying the pieces? I've been admiring them, but haven't pulled trigger as I'm afraid they won't last...

How well do they clean up? Does grease just wipe off? Or do you need to wear gloves when handling to avoid getting hands dirty?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

How well do they roll loaded? I.e. after loaded with couple impacts, and sawall, variety sockets, wrenches, etc, will they roll both out to the yard at PnP and back. Or will I be carrying the pieces? I've been admiring them, but haven't pulled trigger as I'm afraid they won't last...

How well do they clean up? Does grease just wipe off? Or do you need to wear gloves when handling to avoid getting hands dirty?

They roll pretty good loaded. Mine has been run up and down the gravel driveway, through yards and on pavement and stuff. My bottom box is loaded with spools of wire, it Is plenty heavy, I usually buy 500’ rolls of 14 and 12 gauge THHN stranded plus other stuff like 18 ga zip cord and 4 ga welding cable. I went with it because it was a sturdy system that was big enough to pack all of my electrical gear and it had big solid wheels. The Rigid system looked nice and was cheaper, but smaller everything and I wasn’t sure it would work as well as I would like.

I haven’t got mine greasy but they seem to clean up decent. Definitely weatherproof, due to circumstances the boxes ended up padlocked shut and hauled around or chained up behind the truck for almost a year. Got a little sun fade, but no worse for the wear.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

How well do they roll loaded? I.e. after loaded with couple impacts, and sawall, variety sockets, wrenches, etc, will they roll both out to the yard at PnP and back. Or will I be carrying the pieces? I've been admiring them, but haven't pulled trigger as I'm afraid they won't last...

How well do they clean up? Does grease just wipe off? Or do you need to wear gloves when handling to avoid getting hands dirty?

Surprisingly well...I roll mine over mostly smooth concrete, but constantly over thick electrical chords, compressor hoses, or if Im lucky, those rubber ramp things that chords fall into, sometimes rough asphalt and dirt. usually compressed air cleans em, simple green works great too. The trick is put the heavy stuff on the bottom. I load up the big bottom box, then stack my heavily loaded small box, and stack up from there. Otherwise my only caveat is the handle flex, and catching knuckles as a result if I don't stack it right. The balance when tilted is nice too. Im 130lbs, which is less than my box, and am able to tilt, balance, and roll with relative ease. The only time I take apart is to get it into the truck bed, which is one of the main reasons I bought it. I wanted a setup that I could load on and off without having to empty it, use ramps, helpers, or struggle.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

The 4 wheel caster base rolls nice enough that I often use it as a moving dolly. Its also lighter than the wooden ones, and has places to hook rope or tie downs.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

My stage box setup