The Klein Bucket Work Center is a novel tool storage system designed specifically for linemen working out of an aerial bucket.
Klein launched their Bucket Work Center around a year ago, and have expanded the system several times since then.
There are quite a few aerial bucket organizers and storage accessories on the market, such as the one shown here.
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However, Klein’s Bucket Work Center builds upon the concept and offers a much higher degree of customization.
Klein launched the Bucket Work Center with just a handful of attachments that all mounted to common-style S-hooks that drape over the sides of an aerial bucket.
Within a few months, Klein expanded their system with a modular rail system.
The systems seem well thought out.
I say systems because there are different modes of installation and attachment. The Bucket Work Center includes separate modular rail panels that attach via tool-free clamps or S-hooks, and storage accessories that are and are not compatible with the rail system.
The modular rail system features wall panels that are available in 1-man, 1.5-man, and 2-man bucket sizes, and there’s also a corner piece that allows for seamless transitions.
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There are also now S-mount wall panels for smaller or more portable solutions.
Klein has steadily added to the number of rail-attachable hooks, pockets, and other storage accessories.
The closed hook module can attach to the inside or outside rails.
The closed hook is gated to help prevent tools from falling.
Work-at-height safety practices will limit which storage modules or accessories should be attached to the outer rail.
They also still have S-hook-based accessories, although with fewer options. It’s with these S-hook storage accessories that Klein launched their Bucket Work Center system in September 2022.
The rail system and the first wave of attachments launched in January 2023, and the S-hook rail wall panel and additional rail attachments launched in August 2023.
Klein also launched a wall panel for mounting the tool rails to any vertical surface, and says that it can be mounted to truck cabins, walls, and workstations.
At this time, you cannot buy the work center rail by itself; it’s only available pre-installed to clamp-on, S-hook, and screw-mounted wall assembly panels.
The wall panels with bucket overhang have a 50 lb load rating, while the S-hook and screw-mounted wall panels have a 40 lb load rating.
Wall Panels
- 1 Man Wall Assembly BC100WA
- 19.27″ x 4.4″ x 15.94″ (48.9 x 11.2 x 40.5 cm)
- 1.5 Man Wall Assembly BC150WA
- 22.77″ x 4.4″ x 15.94″ (57.8 x 11.2 x 40.5 cm)
- 2 Man Wall Assembly BC200WA
- 40.27″ x 4.4″ x 15.94″ (102.3 x 11.2 x 40.5 cm)
- Storage Wall Assembly BC99WA (not for utility buckets)
- 12.7″ x 0.9″ x 14″ (32.3 x 2.3 x 35.6 cm)
- Wall Assembly, S-Hook Module BC100S
- 12.7″ x 2.3″ x 14″ (32.3 x 5.8 x 35.6 cm)
- Integrated Corner Piece BC599
Rail System Modules
- Hard Tool Storage BC501C
- Tool Apron Storage BC502C
- Magnetic Tool Storage BC504C
- Auger Bit Storage BC507C
- Utility Bar Storage BC508C
- Socket Storage BC509C
- Work Tray BC503C
- Hardware Pouch BC510C
- Large Pouch BC511C
- Multi-Tool Holder BC512C
- Oval Bucket BC513C
- Cup Holder 54817MB
- Open Hook BC505C
- Closed Hook BC506C
S-Hooks and Modules
- Hard Tool Storage BC501S
- Tool Apron Storage BC502S
- Magnetic Tool Storage BC504S
- Auger Bit Storage BC507S
- Utility Bar Storage BC508S
- Socket Storage BC509S
- S-Hook 2″ BC311
- S-Hook 3″ BC312
Klein says that system components are made from UV-resistant dielectric plastic (up to 35 kV), and can withstand work conditions from -25°F to 125°F.
Discussion
Bucket truck storage and organization products are nothing new, but the Klein Bucket Work Center seems like an ecosystem, with the tool brand using the exact same word to describe it.
The storage system also feels familiar; I can almost see some connections between what Klein has done here, and what other tool brands are doing in the portable and workshop tool storage space.
As a reminder, Klein has also recently launched their new ModBox modular portable tool box system. There doesn’t appear to be any cross-system compatibility, which makes sense given the very different needs the two systems were designed to meet.
Still, the Bucket Work Center has some neat designs that could potentially be adapted into future workspace storage products or accessories.
The system looks highly versatile, and I find myself really wishing they offered a long wall-mountable rail.
However, the pricing is – as one might expect – not consumer-friendly. I say this in case anyone has the idea to equip their workshop with Klein’s screw-mounted wall panels.
At the time of this posting, the closed hooks for the modular rail system are $21 each, which isn’t much more than it costs for Milwaukee Packout system hooks.
The hard tool storage module, shown here, is $198, plus the cost of a rail panel, which start at $150 for the screw-mounted panel and over $200 for the bucket panels.
This also explains why Klein also launched S-hook versions. The hard tool storage module with S-hook attachment is $189, plus $10-11 each for 2 hooks.
Similarly, the socket storage rail attachment is a little over $92, while the S-hook version is $90. The magnetic accessory is over $104 for the rail-compatible model, and $80 for the S-hook version.
For those of you that do a lot of work at heights from a bucket, what do you think about Klein’s new system?
TomD
I don’t ride a bucket – but for those who do; do you get to decide your tools and layout or is it all company decisions?
I suppose it depends on the size of the company – and/or if you have “your truck” or you just run a shift in whatever’s available.
BigTimeTommy
Depends on if you’re union or working for a decent company. Union workers have no say and get whined at when they buy their own stuff.
fred
During my working life, I was a partner in a few small companies. One (a plumbing business) was actually 2 firms – one a Union Shop – the other not. There were some differences for sure. But across all the companies (Plumbing, GC/Remodeling, Cabinet shop, Metal fabrication factory) we had a consistent policy of buying all the tools required for the job and generally discouraging employees from using their own tools. We would regularly have discussions with our employees about ways to improve productivity, safety and worker well-being. Often those would translate into us buying and trying out new tools. We tried to discourage employees using their own tools because of potential liability (and/or theft) issues – but we made exceptions. The exceptions I could recall were folks who wanted to wear customized PPE or buy things like Martinez hammers. I can also recall discussions in our Union Shop territory about trying tools and techniques for increasing productivity and/or safety that were acceptable under union rules.
TonyT
I believe it also depends on the job. Our machinist owns or made a lot of the tools he uses, and I believe this is very common for machinists.
Jeremiah James McKenna
When I first started working for Bell Atlantic, (closed union shop) they provided all of the necessary tools. They even gave us a couple of nice drills. One was a pump drill and the other a wooden handled crank drill. But it had a keyless chuck,.. woo hoo. No, this wasn’t 1960, it was 2000. They did not provide us with a hand drill, corded or otherwise. A majority of the guys would buy their own cordless drill, especially used in masonry situations. Can you imagine using a crank to drill through the brick? How about a stone wall? Well, I did it, no imagination needed, only brute strength. But hey, I got paid by the hour.
Jesus H. Christ, wjat were they thinking? They were worried we may drill through electric or plumbing. What!? How is it any different? It is a drill bit spinning through a wall.
Anyway, somehow I moved up to the heavy side and was assigned a bucket for a few months while we were running new lines and drops in old neighborhoods. I acquired a nice Hilti, heavy hammer 1/2 inch drill. Yes, it had a cord amd the van had an inverter.
Regardless, the shop steward said the reason they didn’t want us to buy a drill for residential installation and repair was because they didn’t want to pay if the tech broke or lost their own drill or any other tool for that matter. The Union said that the company will provide all necessary tools to complete the job, den if it is antiquated and takes 5 hours to do a 30 minute job.
This is where unions tend to break the bank in my book. The unions are the ones that mandate certain things, so the company obliges.
BigTimeTommy
5 hours to complete a 30 minute job? That’s fast as hell for union usually they try to drag it out for days 😉
fred
In our Union Shop area – we did steam fitting as well as plumbing. At one time the guys could only make-up so many joints per day – and that defined a day’s work on a new construction job. I also sometimes thought that the slow changes in the local building code may have had something to do with Union influence rather than wariness of adopting new technology before it was proven out. We had to stay with CI waste lines – caulked oakum and lead joints long after no-hub had been proven.
SamR
I would like to know how UV and sun affect the Klein tools and how they will handle fading and durability.
Jeremiah James McKenna
Just as well as most other high end brands.
MM
This system, or perhaps a similar one, might also be useful for working out of a boom or scissor lift.
S
I had looked at this system about 2-4 years ago when they were first launching it for this purpose.
$200 is a really steep price point when some zip ties and my current tool belt work just as well on lifts.
Frank D
I had the same thought. Having been in a rental boom lift for two weeks this summer, I really disliked the fact that there was nothing to hold or place anything. Just a small pouch for a drink bottle. I had to constantly put gloves, tools, etc on the floor, bend/kneel down to swap tools, …
The next time I rent a boom lift, I will likely improvise something with a plywood sheet and some 1x lumber to create small a tray or two, and loop it to the narrow side opposite entry; It would really help to save my knees, make things quicker and likely safer too.
Ct451
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KoUAAOSwvZBlB28L/s-l1600.png
or some improvised version with a toolbox
Saulac
Niche of the niches. Will the volume enough to turn a profit or is this a halo product? Aside that, I like how linemen, due to their work environment, secure each of their tools individually. And the tools are either secured or in their hands. Can’t really think of another trade that is more strict about their tools.
John
Aircraft maintenance and prison maintenance come tomy mind when tool security/location is talked about.
Saulac
Prison maintenance. Now that’s something I had not thought off. Thx.
Robert
Don’t forget the 1991 movie “Ricochet” with Denzel Washington and John Lithgow, in regards to the infamous circular saw scene in the prison.
Joe A
And I came here expecting the next great Bucket Boss for my 5 gallon pail… sheesh.
MBguy
The rails for the BWC are identical to the side rails on the MODbox – therefore any BWC Rail Attachments could be used on the MODbox and vice versa.
JoeM
…Just a guess… but, it seems to be priced for a “Business or Government” demographic. I don’t believe this is, even remotely, targeted at the actual Tradespeople doing the work up in the bucket. A Municipal Works or Power Plant service team would probably be the ones with a budget for this. The high cost a possible write-off, to some degree, in tax credits or subsidies. Otherwise, the price is very prohibitive, and wouldn’t work well for small trades businesses, or individuals. Their own revenues likely wouldn’t cover enough of the system to start using it, let alone pay for it.
As to the design? I like it. Obvious, utilitarian, adaptable… Makes me wonder what Klein needed to research, all these years on from their founding, to bring this to market. Were the rail systems difficult to manufacture? Did the clip mechanism not work in the materials they started off using? This seems like such a logical system, it confuses me as to how, and why, this particular system is only being released so recently. But, I can say, if I knew any Linemen working on power systems every day, I would certainly ask if their department would be willing to invest in a system like this.
B
Some companies configure their business model as each crew being their own “company”. The crew is in charge of fuel costs, expenses (such as buying new tools or bucket organization systems), crew repairs, etc.
The flip side is that if the crew is productive and profitable enough, then a portion of those profits are floated down to them.
I was a bit wary of it at first but it all works well, it’s nice to have a company that isn’t afraid to let their people spend what they need to get the job done.
Matt
Working for more than one state or city employer I would say there is next to no chance they would buy into this. At least not in large volume anyway.
Nich
I’ve been a OH lineman for 20yrs at a large power company in MD. I’ve spent 12/20 hrs a week working out of a bucket during that time. Ive had many different tool boards/aprons over the years. This system by far is the best. It is extremely durable. Very versatile allowing the user to customize their bucket to their needs. It allows you to keep your work area clean and organized. A huge plus is that the system secures your tools in place extremely well. Almost all other aprons just hold the tools loosely in a pouch. The problem is these large trucks bounce around so much while driving most hand tools are ejected out and on to the floor of the bucket. So you spend 20 min organizing your bucket when you get to a job. Very annoying. With this system if done right you might find 1/2 small items have fallen out. I am on my company’s tool committee and was fortunate to pilot the 2man Bucket version on my truck for about 8 months. I will say it is a large investment. Not a problem for large utilities or power companies. It’s about 2k for my 2 man kit. We are union but the system is optional. Some guys still like the old options we offer.
If you can’t tell I love this system. It’s not 100% perfect but it’s close. We are always communicating with the Klein rep with feedback on improvements we are discovering with extended use. I know alot about this thing if anyone has any questions.
Shane
Anyone noticed the Dewalt batteries on the Klein power tools in those pictures?
Big Richard
Yeh, Klein has had a small collection of power tools that are powered by DeWalt batteries for a few years now – https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/battery-operated-tools
The yellow and orange combo is not really a good look imo.
fred
Klein like Graco – maybe others too – were smart in not wanting to have their own proprietary battery platform. Makes them more appealing – especially if you are already on the Dewalt platform.
Stuart
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/klein-powered-by-dewalt-cordless-power-tools/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
They were announced in early 2018.
Shane
Any idea who manufactures Klein’s cordless tools. I agree with Big Rich about the color clash. Definitely not a good look.