Over on Instagram, someone pointed me to a post about new Sortimo L-Boxxes. Then, when posting about today’s “ordering Bosch cordless tools from Europe” discussion, I came across an updated Bosch cordless power tool kit that came bundled in one of the new L-Boxxes.
A quick Google search later, and we have an image of what the new Bosch version of the Sortimo L-Boxx will look like.
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There are a number of differences in the design.
Bosch’s Germany product page says:
- Easy opening of stacked boxes and improved L-BOXX click mechanism for easy handling
- Full flexibility thanks to compatibility with all L-BOXX versions and tool inserts as well as the SORTIMO vehicle system
- Robust construction thanks to reliable L-BOXX material and improved locking straps
Currently, you can not open an L-Boxx when another L-Boxx is connected on top of it. This is because the bottom connection point is built into the base, and not the lid. With the new L-Boxxes, the connection point is built into the lid.
The lid? What about the added stress to the flimsy flexible plastic latches?! Bosch says that the new L-B0xxes will feature “improved locking straps.” Good.
And according to that second bullet point, the new L-Boxxes are fully compatible with previous L-Boxxes in every way.
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These are both “L-Boxx 136” models – L-Boxx 2’s as sold here.
The new L-Boxx looks bigger, but the dimensional specs look identical – 442 mm long, 151 mm tall, 357 mm wide.
The side handles now look to be built-in, the connection release lever looks to be larger and easier to reach and press, the front handle looks substnatially larger, the top handle looks a little shorter, the latches look to be much beefier, and a locking loop looks to be in a better place.
Hmm, the new L-Boxx does look better, but I’m not letting myself get too excited just yet. I sometime load these up a lot. If you have a few in a stack, all that weight is going to add up and be exerted on the lid of the bottom unit.
But I haven’t had the latches of an L-Boxx fail yet – knock on wood – except for one L-Boxx 4 tool box that seems to have a defect. It failed in storage, and not in use while carrying a heavy stack of tools.
Going by early European and UK retailers’ product listings, the new L-Boxx might be priced substantially less than the current ones. One UK retailer has it for £23.57 including VAT, or ~$26.20 excluding VAT and converted to USD.
Josh
The new L-Boxxes are aesthetically pleasing, but I’d have to get my hands on one to know if it’s an improvement. I finally got a permanent workshop space and haven’t needed mobile tool storage because of it, but I might have to grab some of these when they come available in the US.
Jim Felt
I’d dump all my crummy ill fitting Bosch black inserts and go to Kaisen Foam inserts IF(!) they lowered the prices of the new boxes in North America. And maybe then too they’d actually sell some as standalone storage.
The Inpossible (Bosch) Dream?
Jim Felt
“Impossible”! Dang iPhone.
Hans
The fact that they are now connected at the lid makes no difference. With the old system all the weight was already carried by the lid of the box on top. The handle is fixed to the lid, not the case. There is a minor difference, now a random lid in the stack can fail, where in the past it would always be the one on top.
Adabhael
Interesting. Thanks to this site I have been moving (slowly, as budget allows) towards LBoxxes for organization, so my initial reaction is “mostly better and maybe less expensive sounds great.” I agree the load-bearing lid is a question, although honestly, I seldom carry more than one or two by a top handle: full of tools they are too heavy for me, regardless of latch/lid strength. I like the smoother exterior on the new one, but I hope that does not come at the expense of the clean, rectangular interior that makes them so adaptable and easy to fit out with custom inserts compared to say, ToughBoxes with their fiddly geometry and interior fins.
Josh
It’s not too bad to carry a stack if you have one or two tools per l-boxx – the way Bosch ships them. If you maximize space efficiency this stops being such a great idea.
Sam
So the front handle appears to be build into the base on the new design instead of the lid. Looks promising
Sam
I am mistaken
Lack
They came out with the new 12V tools (router and planer) I think.
The price is similar to the old ones, it’s just the ‘new world’ that’s pays a premium so I wouldn’t count on savings in the US.
Diplomatic Immunity
A new lower price would be nice as would allowing the different Sortimo colors that they have. My Lboxxes aren’t bad but I’m more interested in those black Milwaukee packout boxes.
D
I can’t find anywhere in Australia that sells the Bosch L-boxx’s. If I did, I would have went with them for storage.
The changes look good, and I’m sure Bosch did some degree of testing. They wouldn’t change the design if the new design wasn’t better/stronger.
I wish they had better drawers in their range, like the ball bearing slide designs of Dewalt’s offerings.
The yeti
Really hard to find in Canada as well. Basically have to buy tools inside L Boxxes to get the L Boxxes.
Only vendor i have found is Amazon.ca . If anyone knows of a Canadian seller of L Boxxes. I would be keen to visit their website and probably order a few
David
I got mine from Sydney Tools but there are rumours that Bosch are pulling out of Sydney Tools. They also have the red Xtorque branded l boxes.
Ray Willdern
Yes David, I was in Smithfield shop yesterday and they confirmed they’ve lost Bosch.
However the Milwaukee Packout look impressive, but bulky.
Cheers Ray..
Kieran
Looks like a bit more than simply ending the arrangement…
Bosch got rid of a discount ST had been using, ST didn’t accept the new terms and ended up suing Bosch – unsuccessfully. Details here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/nsw/NSWSC/2017/1709.html
There’s also a bit of commentary in there about poor performance/profitability of Bosch in Australia more generally.
Brian
They have it here in Australia: https://new.sortimo-shop.com.au/collections
Craig H.
Ha! It looks like Bosch took a page out of the Apple laptop playbook and flipped their logo around so that people can read it with the lid open!
BigDan
Fittings are hard to line up on my original lboxx. There should have been grooves or something to line them up better. Right now the top box slides all over the place until I find the exact spot on each side to press down on. Probably doing it wrong but maddening to me.
Stuart
That’s a complaint of mine too. It doesn’t happen often, but putting a few boxes on top of another stack can flex the side brackets and result in a slower connection that requires some jiggling.
Craig H.
I have had that trouble too. The other thing I’ve done is accidentally pinched myself when closing the red latches on the lid.
ktash
Me too for attaching and detaching them.
STEVE
A lot of perfectionists are going to have to swap out the old models!
leopard1a
The biggest difference between the new and the old L-Boxx is, that the new one is substantial lighter. When you compare the L-Boxx 136 (size 2) it’s round about 400g (1 pound) lighter
Stuart
Wow, that’s a big difference. 1 pound lighter, but with any loss in strength or rigidity?
leopard1a
Sorry for the late reply.
It`s a little less rigid, but not much. It doesn`t feel flimsy.
sp
I spotted the new L-BOXXes in one of Bosh European sites early in September 2017.
I live in the middle east. A few days ago I bought one of Bosch 18v cordless kits and it came in the new 136 (2) L-BOXX.
I think that all comment, remarks and assumptions above about the new box are correct. Here is my impression of the new box. Overall, it looks neat.
The inside dimensions are bigger. Aproxx WxD of the new one: 17 1/4″ x 12 3/4″ (43.5 cm x 32.5 cm) compare to 16″ x 12.5″ (40.5 cm x 32 cm). The hight remain the same. The bays of the side latches inside the box are now larger: 1″ compare to 1/4″ in the old one. The front latches are indeed sturdyer and built more robust. The walls of the new box are very thin as the in the old box but the edges of the depth walls are now very sharp due to the removal of the locking loops to the lid. I don’t think there is a significant fall in strength of the box for vertical pressure from above and below but it feels more sensitive for side “impacts”. A small change in the honey comb arrangement in the bottom. middle section of the width is now plane while the sides keep the honey comb pattern.
bluebosch
I prefer the the older carrying case because they have more room for accessories, bits drills, in the same box!. l boxx blow blow molded inlays take up space..
Corerius
Like any of these products, at least those with the room, they need a readily available set of tool pallets. Amazon Germany sells the Gedore one for something like $27 delivered.
I’d be all over these if you could get a screwdriver/plier holder for the lid and a two color foam bottom to cut out. It would make a brilliant toolbox for 90% of garage work.
I also wish that Pelican would be more interested in the hand toolbox game (or instrument case for that matter). I think these companies are leaving money on the table.