Klein Tools has launched a new ModBox wire spool dispenser tool box (54825MB), which is exactly what it sounds like.
The new Klein ModBox for wire spools can hold up to (4) 500-foot spools of 10 AWG wire. If you need more capacity than that, there are pass-through holes on both sides for conduit.
Features include guide holes on the front for smoother pulling and inventory checks, and rubber plugs for reel stability.
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Here’s a closer look at the rubber plug. It looks like this should help ensure that you’re pulling wire off your spool, rather than moving your spool and its shaft around.
The lid has a metal kickstand, making it easier to pull wire for ceiling installs.
There are ModBox accessory-compatible rails on both sides of the tool box, and of course it can also be stacked on top of other Klein ModBox tool boxes and accessories.
Price: $130
Discussion
Side holders for fish tape reels and conduit benders, and now a wire spool and dispensing tool box? If there was any question as to who the ModBox system is predominantly designed for, there’s certainly no doubt no – it’s aimed at reducing pain points for electricians and similar users.
Some users have modified modular tool box products – such as Milwaukee’s Packout crate – to hold wire spools, but Klein’s ModBox looks to be the first tool box dedicated to this type of work.
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This seems like a practical solution.
Saulac
The first specialized box. Klein is heavily focused on electricians. But what could be the next specialized box from brands? I am thinking of drain snake for plumbers….but would that still be a box/storage or a that would be modular compatible equipment?
Stuart
I haven’t really seen specialized modular boxes from other brands, which is why this one seems special.
There’s also Purdy https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/purdy-painters-storage-box-system/%3C/a%3E with paint brush bars and pole holders, but the wire spool box seems more deeply designed.
Goodie
I think you could make a case that Festool’s systainers have a few specialized boxes, such as their SYS-MFT, SYS VAC, and their mobile workstation. Their “hand tool insert” for systainer appeals to hand tool crowd. Those mostly apply to finish workers.
Got to hand it to Klein on this. It’s very cool, and plays to the brand’s core demographic.
Bonnie
Doesn’t Milwaukee already have a packout-compatible snake? I had a plumber out with what certainly looked like one, but I didn’t interrogate him about it.
Jared
Great idea for Klein. It differentiates them from the many many modular tool boxes on the market and actually gives a person a reason to choose the ModBox. It’s a specialized reason, but one that fits the brand.
Peter
I think you are right because there is very little reason besides maybe you like their color to go with Klein.
Those wire rolls are also very heavy so having a dolly to wheel them around makes sense.
Even better would be if they would sit at the bottom since there is where the weight should be.
It also looks like the only time you would need to access the spools is to change them so another box could live on top of it for most of the time without having to take it off.
PW
Well, at least this is not a me-too product. I’m not an electrician, so I have no idea if this is worth $130 to one. But this is the first release that makes me think there’s a point to ModBox for Klein users, vs a point to ModBox for Klein marketing executives.
BigTimeTommy
Basic wire reels start pretty cheap and take up less van space. This is only “worth it” if you’re really committed to modbox.
Mark. M
That’s pretty slick. I’ve pulled more spools of #12 and #10 than I could count, don’t do it anymore but if I did I’d spring for this in a heartbeat. Even though $130 seems a little steep. If I was doing the pricing for Klein I’d position this as a loss leader to pull electricians into the ModBox ecosystem.
I want to get my hands on one at Lowes, out of pure curiosity. Initial thoughts are that the rubber plugs to lock the rod/conduit in will get lost- those need to be tethered or some other system. There also needs to be a way to secure the box to something stationary (if you’re pulling aggressively and one of those spools doesnt feed that box will move), but you could easily drill a small hole in one of those corners and run a piece of wire through it. Also, it’s not uncommon for those plastic reels to get cracked/broken edges so hopefully they thought through that so a rough edge doesn’t snag on the inside of the box. All in all, super cool and hat tip to Klein for a uniquely useful box in a sea of look-alikes.
Adam
I would have loved this when I was doing electrical work with my dad. Kudos to Klein for making something unique and useful.
bwh
This looks like they took a rack-a-tiers design and shoved it in a pack out.
Nathan
Doesn’t the big bottom box have a larger spool holder also?
David E Munson
A couple hundred less that what I thought it would cost for a plastic box.
JR Ramos
Addressing one pain point but hopefully not creating another. Lot of weight with the spools if they’re new so hopefully the wheels or axle mounts don’t crack. In that product photo with a nice huge smooth warehouse floor it looks ideal ( for smaller jobs in such a place) but getting into and through many buildings is like never smooth sailing for dollies with hard wheels. I didn’t look closely enough at the rolling box when it arrived in stores to see if the wheels were easily replaced with something more durable but if they are and I were loading the stack with copper spools I’d at least throw some AceTuff wheels on there the foamed polyurethane types if they’d fit.
This seems like a natural evolution/extension of the spool rod holder in their first box. I bet it will be popular if the durability doesn’t prove to be an issue.
Wondering about their patent lawsuit now…have to go see if there are developments there.
TonyT
Klein does sell replacement wheels, 54902MBR for the rolling toolbox. They’re described as 10 inch solid rubber wheels.
Dave P
That’s pretty neat for a very simple job using conduit. I come from things from an ag and industrial background, and even 40 years ago every electrician that I was ever around had a modified 2-wheel dolly with conduit in notches for the axles of the spools that could hold maybe 16 or so different spools of wire. Might work for simple, small jobs but I doubt it will catch on for big jobs. Still pretty cool though. I like it.
Lando Griffin
Those simple small jobs would be a lot better with fewer trips to the truck lol. I agree, this box is ideal for service jobs where you won’t need much wire but you don’t know well enough to cut it at the truck.
Farkleberry
I think this particular product is a natural reflection of Klein’s historical focus vs evidence the system is uniquely suited to electricians.
I think Modbox is neck and neck with Packout for best modular storage system in a 14-18 x 24″ size.
It seems they took their time researching the competition, and managed to integrate many of the best features of each.
The most standout features are the best in class vertical and horizontal attachment points, many inside and out. Along with the impressive array of attachments already on offer, it makes this system the fastest and easiest to configure into workstations.
The price is high, though, without the current promos of the full pack out line, especially because:
-The boxes don’t have metal corner rails – this cuts both ways, as they’re more storage space efficent, but lose the handling and/or attachments and protection. It might have been nice to have some bent and punched metal corner pieces like Toughbuilt.
-the boxes are made in China instead of Israel, and don’t feel quite as durable as Packout.
On the positive side, the top and bottom attachment/stacking and front locking control is up there with Packout and, from early photos, Makita. I’m not a fan of delicate and complicated or side mounted stacking locks.
Stacktech obviously has lots of tool belt stuff that integrates, but Klein doesn’t seem far off, especially at this stage.
The totes and bags have traditionally been a good value from Klein, and their Modbox totes/backpack are very reminiscent of packout, which is good.
I think they missed on the 2 sizes of compact organizers – the standard larger ones stick out uncomfortably when hung below totes, etc. The smaller one is significantly smaller than the compact Packout.
The big single drawer, available with and without wheels, seems great with smooth double hinges top and bottom.
It’s amazing Packout has taken this long to make a single drawer, and their approach with tiny wheels on the bottom probably won’t work well on anything but very smooth surfaces.
CA
Anyone else see this thing going down a stairway and breaking to pieces? If they can keep it heavy enough or mount it to a wall then maybe.
Justin
I like the stack-up of screwdriver bits in the first picture.
Cory
This seems like the next step for Klein. I like it.
– Everything is contained in a box. You could strap on a piece of thin plywood or plastic sheeting with a foam around it for dusty/rainy locations.
– Easy to move and with others boxes for tools needed for the job, you can make one trip and not break your back (except for loading/stairs).
– With the outside holder, you could have an additional 2 to 4 to 6+ rolls. As long as the emt available.
However….
– It appears front heavy if the outside rolls are loaded.
– Assuming you would have a piece of emt that was the right length every time. Is there a place to hold it in back like the stackteck (I believe).
– Why didn’t they make a way to hold a that piece of emt vertically down the middle to hold the two rolls of wire from the storage area to the worksite? If I bought it, I’d be adding it… maybe with some metal support epoxyed around/below it.
– I also think it should be the bottom piece for the unit… however that would make the above emt vertical holder not work as well.
– I think I’d use something besides the end stop they are showing… that seems like it’d bite you in the leg tighter locations. Maybe whittle down a sparkling beverage bottle cork for the outside end to keep your shins safer.
– If it moves when using it, I’d look into adding some rubber door stops. Two in front to give it some elevation and two to lock the wheels.
Wonder why they didn’t put a second outside roll holder on it. Beside weight, with this being a second or above stack, you should be able to put another below the back one.
Is the width of the box + two rolls + two end stops able to fit through a 36-inch door?