Bosch UK officials have said, in a YouTube update video, that they were “hoping to see more information and potentially even a launch this year” for the L-Boxx Contractor tool box system.
However, “that might have been delayed until next year.”
There ARE some new details, and this could potentially be seen as soft confirmation Bosch might be putting their name on the new L-Boxx Contractor modular storage system.
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(L-Boxx is a joint venture between Bosch and Sortimo.)
See Also: First Look at the Bosch L-Boxx Contractor Tool Box System
Bosch UK’s Power Tool Trainers go on to say that while there is a delay, this isn’t bad news, and that the product development team has “revisited some of the topics and things they were offering.”
They added that this isn’t just about the L-Boxx tool box system, and that there are other things that might be workwear-related.
It is alluded to that there are some components or accessories missing from the existing L-Boxx system and potentially competing modular tool box and storage systems, and that Bosch and the L-Boxx design team are paying attention to unaddressed user needs and wants.
Here’s the clip:
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James
They look ok. That boat has sailed for me. We have about 20 old style L-Boxxes left and looking for a home. We are now completely and totally shifted to Packout (250 pieces or so now).
Peter
Where are you located?
James
Montreal.
Peter
That is a bit too far out of my way but I hope you stumble over a good use for them soon.
Mr B
I still see a use for the older Sortimo based designs from Festool, Bosch, Makita, Fein, and Metabo. I don’t need boxes I can run a truck over. The older Sortimo style boxes are more space efficient, lighter, and Less expensive.
I like the color coding so I can easily pick out say a Fein multitool. It would be interesting to do a comparison between a rugged Packout box and a Systainer evaluating volumetric efficiency, weight, and cost. Yes, it’s an apples and oranges comparison, but they both do the same job but under different environments.
Peter
Yeah, I am happy with the old style of L-boxx/sortimo/festool boxes.
They are tougher than they look and feel.
I also do not transport them out in the open or work out in the weather so they fit my needs perfectly.
Stuart
I owned dozens and am down to my last few.
I would say that L-Boxxes are more robust than Systainers, and with worse ergonomics at much better pricing.
There’s no fair comparison between Packout and L-Boxxes. There are still reasons to go with L-Boxx, such as WorkMo support.
I would be hard pressed to recommend L-Boxx cases today, but there are are still jewels in the platform, such as the racking and organizer products.
James
Concise and correct on all counts. Packout didn’t exist when we started, so we dove headlong into the best at the time. Took me years to finally try Packout because I was pot committed to L-Boxx.
For those who like them, I agree that they definitely served a purpose for a long time. The one place they’ll stay at least until the vacuum dies, is for accessories and consumables on our VAC140AH. Great vacuum and the L-Boxx clips on that were ahead of their time!
Frank
If this happens, I would like to see an adapter plate between the two styles of boxes.
eddiesky
Question for Stuart: do you perchance have a list of current storage systems and best cost analysis of say Large storage boxes, medium storage boxes, small, etc, tool storage vs parts storage?
I am planning on packing it all up (tools, house, garage…) and want something not expensive but lockable, side handles, wheeled for heavy tools/contents, and not tied into one system.
Comparing say, DeWalt ToughSys.2 XLarge box ($80) to TOUGHBUILT STACKTECH XL ($170) to Milwaukee PackOut XL box ($120) to RIGID proGear XL ($60) to FLEX STACK PACK Storage System Rolling Tool ($140)* no large box unless 3 stack or rolling to Makita XL box ($130).
Size wise, most are withing an inch of each other. Price wise, RIGID is cheapest, with Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Flex, and then Toughbuilt in order of price low to high.
I just want to store heavy items, easy to carry (two handles) or wheeled that stores and stacks. No wheels, Rigid and Dewalt are best. Handles, would be Flex. Thoughts from those that own any of these or ones I didn’t mention? Would make for an entire subject/post/article?
Stuart
Pricing tends to way too dynamic. For example, Klein’s 2-drawer rolling box was on sale for a while but now is $20 higher than its previous regular price. Flex’s rolling tool box climbed to $249 temporarily last week on Lowe’s website. Dewalt has buy more, save more now.
There are different size formats, and definitely different user experience features.
How often are you accessing the contents in a box? Home/garage use? You’ll probably want a 4-wheel cart over 2-wheel rolling box or hand cart. A lot of brands don’t offer that.
I’ll be updating my “best of” type post soon. Frankly, I think Packout and ToughSystem are the two best contenders, MakTrak solves problems for transport, and Klein’s has unique integrations for electricians.
Ridgid has 2 benefits (XL box + hand cart modularity, lower pricing). ToughBuilt has some nice features, but pricing and availability are problems in the US.
If you don’t need locked stacking, wheels, or accessories, there’s also Pelican, which still dominates in the quality and ergonomics department.
None of these systems are very cost or space efficient for home users.
Some also leak air. I put some tools in Bosch L-Boxxes and others in ToughSystem boxes in non-controlled storage. Tools and other stuff in the L-Boxxes rusted, the ToughSystem was perfect and kept everything good as new.
A full comparison is possible but would be entirely subjective. There’s no easy cost analysis given how different things are. Packout vs Flex is easy; Packout is much better. Packout vs ToughSystem is complex because of how different they are.
For parts storage, it depends on access. Are you building a rack to hold organizers, or do you want drawers on a shelf, stacked on the floor, or on wheels?
I’ve considered a flow chart buying guide, but there are too many selection variables. Price not an issue? Packout is best or close to it in most ways.
TonyT
And there can be unique concerns. For example, Ridgid’s new rolling box with the removable wheels works by far the best for me, because I use it in a sedan, not a van or pickup. It’s easy to get in my sedan by taking the wheels off; I doubt any other rolling box would be as easy.
Vards Uzvards
If it is for “packing it all up (tools, house, garage…)” then I’d suggest to take a look at Plano Sportsman Trunks. There are three sizes. A fair price for the small one is under $20 (and sometimes they go for as low as under $13, both on Amazon.com and Homedepot.com). For the medium-sized – $25 is fair (but also can get it for less, from time to time). I had no use so far for the largest size.
https://www.planooutdoors.com/collections/sportsmans-trunks