The Metabo Metabox modular tool box system recently launched in the USA, following well after its debut in Europe, and only in a single size that I can find.
In the context of all of the new modular tool storage systems out there, it seems odd for just this one size to launch at USA retailers, but maybe more are on the way.
Even if not, maybe all you want is a single shallow tool box for a drill and impact driver, jig saw, installation tools, hand tools, jigs, or similar.
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The Metabo Metabox 145 measures 15.59″ x 11.66″ x 5.72″ on the outside, and has interior dimensions of 14.94″ x 10.56″ x 4.31″. The load capacity is said to be 278.5 lbs.
It features two closure latches, plus a single rotary latch for connecting stacked Metabox tool boxes together.
Metabo says it has IP43-rated protection against dust and moisture.
Price: $34.99
Additional sizes only seem to be available via international vendors.
Before you groan about yet another modular tool box system, $35 is much lower than average for a tool box like this, and it seemed worth mentioning. Not everyone needs a full range of tool box options, sometimes a shallow tool box – or a couple of shallow tool boxes – are all someone might be looking for.
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It’s unclear why only just this size is now available here. If the full line launches in the USA as well, hopefully the pricing will be similarly affordable.
Here’s Metabo’s promo video:
John
Do they connect to any other branded boxes such as all those with classic systainers? The lower latch points are hard to gauge from the photo.
Stuart
Form what I saw online, they do NOT connect to T-Loc Systainers.
w00dy
I have some, came with tools.
You’re correct they do not connect to Sustainers.
They do stack well but without connecting.
I have most of my tools in systainers I prefer Systainers but the MetaBoxes are more strong plastic so I will not replace them with Systainers.
w00dy
Sorry I forgot, some boxes not all sizes (I don’t get why not all) have the double pins sticking out and can be connected on classic Systainers (not on T-Loc and Systainer³)
Nicholas
Stuart can you independently confirm the country of origin of this product? Acme claims this made in USA; yet they have been incorrect before.
Stuart
Not easily – I’ve been trying to look into it, but haven’t found any news about Metabo producing or looking to produce anything here.
In the meantime, I very strongly believe that’s an error.
fred
FWIW (probably not much). I looked at the COO for the 2 older Metabo cases that I have. One seems to have been labeled: Denmark, the other: Germany. They look enough different to me that they might have different OEMs. The one marked Germany – looks closer to ones that I have from Tanos. Metabo batteries seem to come from Hungary and/or Vietnam. Some of their accessories seem to come from China. I don’t recall any of the Metabo items that I (or my old buisnesses) have owned having been made in the USA.
Stuart
Update: it is an error; the box is NOT made in the USA.
Jose
Stuart; Acme Tools has since changed the country to correct origin and this unit is 100% NOT made in USA as said.
If this were American made I’d be on board buying this. Since this isn’t; I’ll stick with what I own that is American made and works just as good.
Stuart
That is correct.
The listing now reads that the tool boxes are made in Czech Republic.
Albert
Its made in European Union. Have no idea why they started only with 1 case dimensions because there are plenty of them in the metaBOX family. Over 50 brands already used that case system ( mainly in Europe but not only )
w00dy
metaBOX are made by Plaston and they are a Swiss firm but I cannot tell you whether they are made in Switzerland (that is not EU) or that they have them made in the EU. Also 50 brands seams like a high number? For now I can only think of Metabo, Engelbert Strauss, Allit and Novus. I’m sure there are more but 50 seems like a high number? Do you have an source? Would be interesting to find out more. I’m thinking of expanding in metaBOX since they ar way more sturdy than Systainers. And I like the 30 x 40 cm euronorm footprint size way better then Sortimo/L-Box. For my storage solution in a small space. If I was a contractor I would surely go with either StackTech or Packout.
Casper KOSTER
Hi there, the metaBOX case do connect to T-Stack (Dewalt), L-Boxx (Bosch), Systainer (Festool) thanks to the hybrid adapter plate. You can find more information here: Flyer: https://www.plaston.com/media/1764/download/Plaston_MultiAdapterPLATE_V2_EN.pdf?v=3 (from http://www.PLASTON.com Website).
Plaston is the producer. That Hybrid adapter plate is sold in Europe but I am not sure if it’s available in the US.
Best regards,
Casper
Lee
Does this look like a modified Tanos Systainer classic to anyone else? I wouldn’t be surprised if it were compatible. Foot cutout in the lid looks exactly the same and the four base connectors seem to be in a similar configuration and location.
Stuart
Metabo shows on their website that the Metabox can latch on top of classic Systainers. It only goes in that order – classic Systainer on the bottom, Metabox on top. There doesn’t seem to be any compatibility with T-Loc Systainers.
Lee
Thanks for the heads up on this. They should fit on my shelving sized for systainers and at this price it’s worth grabbing a few to try them out. Thanks!
w00dy
Sizing on the M types matches perfectly but not the bigger sizes with an L in the type, they will probably be available later on and those are longer.
w00dy
True but not all types of MetaBox have that option. This smallest size does though 🙂
GM
Should be similarly compatible with Makita boxes, then.
Jared
Pretty affordable. Once in awhile I hear people bemoan that their power tools don’t come with plastic tool cases anymore – this would be a cheap an easy solution for that.
Pretty dramatic product video!
Mike
I laughed. I cried. I was on the edge of my seat.
Bonnie
Specifically systainer-style boxes? Or are people actually mourning the lack of the old blow-molded cases?
Jared
These ones that used to come with Dewalt’s old 18v Nicd tools:
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-18v-drill-driver-dc970k/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
This cheap Metabo seems like a perfect substitution for that.
Steve L
Crap, I had no idea Metabo owners treated their hand tools like that.
Maybe Bosch owners will buy boxes, good luck with Metabo owners.
fred
I have 2 Metabo cases – may be older styles – that came with tools. Baker’s Gas (one of our old welding supply companies) sells these:
https://bakersgas.com/products/metabo-626888000
https://bakersgas.com/products/metabo-626889000
These seem pricey – but Bakers has a METABO25 coupon code for $25 off $300+
fred
The 165L – (over $100 on Amazon) is $61.34 (about $78 with shipping) at Bakers
Robert
I watch it over and over for the inspiring music. But what’s up with the spilled coffee? Is there a hidden message there?
Steven+B
Don’t whine, we still have no good workshop/garage-grade toolboxes in the USA!
ToughSystem and Packout are nice, but they’re designed to leave powertools on a muddy job site in the rain….great for a job site contractor, but terrible for me in my woodshop. It makes the boxes bulky and expensive and full of all sorts of unnecessary design elements that make them more durable when dropped off a truck, but just waste space inside a garage and distract from more useful features. I don’t need 10 different handles, like on a packout box…it just adds bulk and is another thing I have to clean when sawdust flies.
T-Stak looks great in theory, but I buy DeWalt tools and their biggest tool box cannot hold a DeWalt circular saw without bending. They also don’t have a toolbox that is big enough to hold their corded reciprocating saw or hammer drill. I bought a bunch and tried to move my tools in them…also, they don’t really sell them anywhere and there’s no weathersealing…I don’t need to leave my tools out in a rainstorm, but it would be nice to protect them from humidity fluctuations in a garage or non(or barely)-climate-controlled indoor space. The craftsman versastack looks OK, but their options are very limited and I assume they have the same strength issues as T-Stak.
Systainer looks good, but not really available in the USA unless you spend a premium…same for L-Boxx these days. This design looks decent and so do their other ones…but I am not going to pay a premium to import them from Europe.
For now, I am begrudgingly invested in toughsystem just because it actually fits my tools, just extremely inefficiently and I love their wall mount. However, I would love a cleaned-up version of T-Stack and would definitely consider these if I could get them in stores.
Austin Gridley
Have you checked out Tradestack? Seems to be somewhere between t-stak/versastack and Toughsystem.
Nate
Check out https://systainer.store/ for systainers delivered. There are occasional deals and you can also sometimes get a good deal on cosmetic defects.
Stuart’s link on the MakPak Makita systainers from September is also good.
Systainers are expensive on their own, but are great finish indoor and fine finish/trim work. I use mine because they came with Festool (yes, I occasionally drink green Kool aid). I have spent about $150 extra on sustainer/sortainer besides those that came with my tools. I actually think I might be close to break even with Milwaukee or DeWalt and then had buy toolboxes separately. Pack out ain’t cheap either, and they don’t come bundled with your tools.
I also think systainers are quite nice if you’re working out a small wagon (Subaru), small SUV, or small van. Packouts are great on a truck, but working in Northern Virginia, I want my stuff locked up in a vehicle.
NoahL
Omg! Another modular box system with no drawers! Why? Are there even any wheeled boxes? If so they better have drawers or open up like a cabinet because this is what EVERYONE wants and nobody has it.. locking water proof rolling drawers on the bottom!!
Plain+grainy
First look, the box looks very usable. The video is terrible!
Plain+grainy
The box is made in the USA!
Plain+grainy
The Acme toolbox listing states made in the USA. But I don’t see any Metabo USA plants.
Nathan
Based on the video I’m surprised there isn’t a marketing promo for the s&it stack.
Neat but does that small box actually tolerate 278 lbs?
Plain+grainy
Very close to a systainer.
Dan M
278 lbs?! I wonder what material has the density to weigh that much if the box was full of it? And who could move it once full.
MM
Your post made me curious so I did a little estimating…even if the box were completely full of iron, copper, steel, etc, it wouldn’t weigh anything close to 278 lbs. But then I noticed that lead had about the right density to match my estimate. In fact it was eerily close: my estimate had me looking for a density of .414 lbs per cubic inch and lead is .409. This made me even more curious. So then I did the math for real instead of doing a bunch of rounding:
Taking the published internal dimensions 14.94 x 10.56 x 4.31 inches gives a volume of 680 cubic inches…multiplied by the density of lead (.409 lbs per cubic inch)….and what do we get….278 lbs on the dot. I don’t think this is a coincidence.
w00dy
Wow! I think you cracked a code there! No way to test it though? Or does somebody.
Stuart
Stacks of loaded tool boxes can get very heavy. Handles need to be strong enough to hold a tool box and any tool boxes connected beneath it.
Tool boxes on the bottom need to be strong enough to support boxes stacked on top.
I occasionally have tool box towers way too heavy for me to lift in one go.
Steven liggins
I have seen these under the Englebert Strauss name.