Milwaukee Tool has launched two new sizes of their popular Packout drawer tool boxes – one with 4 shallow drawers, and one with 3 drawers in two sizes.
Milwaukee had previously launched drawered Packout tool boxes in 3-drawer and 2-drawer configurations.
All feature steel ball bearing drawer slides with 50 lb load capacity, impact-resistant construction, and a lockable security bar that slides out of the way when it’s not needed.
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There’s one change, however. All Milwaukee Packout drawered tool boxes now come with a full set of dividers for each drawer.
The 4-drawer Packout tool box has 4 shallow drawers that are suited for small parts and things like power tool accessory cases.
The new 3-drawer multi-depth cabinet has 2 shallow drawers, as featured in the 4-drawer unit, and 1 deeper drawer. This gives you a bit more versatility for effectively storing smaller and bulkier items in the same box.
The existing 2-drawer tool box features deep drawers.
Milwaukee has said they will be updating the existing SKUs to include a full set of dividers for each drawer.
Previously, it only came with one set of dividers.
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If ordering online, you might only get one set of dividers until in-stock inventory sells through.
The existing 3-drawer tool box features 3 drawers of equal depth. As with the 2-drawer Packout tool box, Milwaukee will also start shipping this model with a full set of drawer dividers.
Pricing
- 4-Drawer Tool Box 48-22-8444 – $199
- 3-Drawer Multi-Depth Tool Box 48-22-8447 – $179
- 2-Drawer Tool Box 48-22-8442 – $156
- 3-Drawer Tool Box 48-22-8443 – $179
Discussion
I am a big fan of having more drawer configuration options.
I have a couple of Packout drawer tool boxes – both review copies and purchased – and find them to be incredibly convenient. They’re especially useful when placed on the Packout dolly, allowing me to a short stack of tools and supplies to exactly where I need it.
The price is… what it is. I wish I could have a dozen of these on half as many roller dollies, some with the Packout work surface attached on top. But until I can budget for it, I’m happy with using a couple for my most demanding needs.
Having more drawer size and configurations options means I can make the most of each box’s storage volume.
Milwaukee heard you and listened – every Packout drawer tool box is going to ship with a full set of dividers, with the new 3- and 4-drawer tool boxes shipping with dividers for each drawer from the start.
In theory, isn’t it better for users who want more dividers to pay extra for more dividers, rather than everyone getting more dividers whether they need or want them or not?
Steve L
Always good to see more options on storage. I especially like mixing two shallow drawers with one deep drawer.
As to dividers included or bought separately – if Mlawaukee’s true cost to include in a box versus sell and ship separtaely were disclosed this would be easier to answer. My hunch is these are low cost items to make so easily priced in by Milwaukee BUT the cost to pack separately, inventory, and ship makes dividers very costly if sold separately. Guessing everyone comes out ahead by including the dividers.
TomD
Yeah the plastic is pennies- the additional SKU and shipping alone probably is more hassle than it’s worth.
Stuart
Not necessarily.
If it was negligible, they would have done this from the start.
That it was a hassle didn’t become apparent until complaints started rolling in.
People also complained plenty when they bought M12 drills and impact drivers bundled in Packout organizers, and found they didn’t come with bins. The bins are included with plain organizers and are available separately.
When the Shockwave bit sets were bundled in Packout organizers, people complained that they came with bins rather than bespoke holders.
It’s not easy to predict customers’ sore spots.
xrh07
That’s pretty apples to oranges as including bins in addition to the drill drivers much more significantly increases the volumetric size of the entire kit packaging. Which adds up a lot more in terms of warehouse/retail space and volumetric calculated shipping rates.
That’s a pretty significant difference to throwing an overall smaller quantity of plastic into an already hollow box. Amounts to a blip of a blip on the warehousing to store/home, radar.
Doesn’t really matter that one group complained about one thing while another group complained about something else. Some people just have more ground to stand on when you look at things objectively. And that’s all that matters here in spite of all the hand-waving.
Jeff
I would like to see the pull put two drawer but on the wheel cart like the original deep packoutcart. That would be my ideal setup then I would purchase one.
Mike
As I don’t have the space for a proper rolling tool chest, would something like this be a suitable work-around?
Jared
I don’t see why not, but I think that depends more on how many and what kind of tools you have to store. Buying enough Packout drawer boxes to hold as many tools as a 48″ tool chest would be quite expensive.
if you don’t need the modularity or portability of Packout, you might be better served by a narrower rolling tool chest or service cart.
Joe H
Is all or most of the Packout stuff still being made in Israel?
Not trying to get political here, but I wonder if the current conflict will have any effect on the supply chain. Could we see stock issues early next year?
Jason
Very possible, Keter is a huge company but I think most of their manufacturing is still there. Looked at a few small sheds at Sams club over the weekend, I didn’t check where they’re made though
Stuart
There don’t seem to be any stock issues now. It’s too soon to know about early next year.
Greg
You had posted a couple weeks back to wait on buying Milwaukee PAC out system. Is this part of the new lunch or should we wait a little more?
Jared
I think that was so readers could see what was coming from Flex and Toughbuilt – not necessarily Milwaukee.
Stuart
I advised readers to wait for two reasons.
Readers set on a system or looking to expand might benefit from waiting for holiday deals.
Readers NOT yet set on a system might have benefited from waiting to see what’s coming out (Flex & TB).
Stuart
You can buy now at full price, but I’d wait just a little more until holiday deals and discounts start showing up.
Greg
That’s usually when I make my bigger purchases every year.
Bill
I wish Milwaukee would make a rolling bottom with front entry to allow tools to be more accessible. As presently is have to remove top 2 or more boxes to open bottom of dolly to gain access to those larger items stored.
jake
Thank you Stuart. I noticed that Acme has included these new drawers in their $50 off on $199 and $90 off on $299 offer.
Joe Young
What is the weight capacity? Is it heavy duty enough for wrenches?
Stuart
50 lbs.
I’d say *maybe* about wrenches, depending on the size and number. A 10pc wrench set in portable holder? Should be fine.
Mitherial
Based in on the existing units, the drawer would probably “hold” a fair bit of weight, but be a complete pain to open or close; you definitely wouldn’t want to open them over and over again as one does while, for instance, working on a car.
SamR
I saw a YT video about disassembling them, and I did not expect how many unique parts are involved in making the new models!
I assume older models will be updated with new parts to overcome the production complexity.
YT video link: https://youtu.be/LwaxeGJXXBw?si=Ij3CyrDBimfx0Rl7
Zark
They still haven’t made a drawer set to be the bottom box with wheels. Has anyone else thought it would be nice to not have to unstack absolutely everything to get to the bottom one in a rolling stack?
HHI
Absolutely my thoughts immediately after owning my packouts! They are tough enough and great to have but that is a VERY HUGE Drawback. Would Love to see a drawer set on wheels for the bottom box.
criketzchirping
This has been the cry of Packout fans for a long time. Unless there are a few out there not concerned with time and space efficiency (not to speak of convenience), having to unload the entire stack piece by piece to get to that tool you put in the bottom bin is frustrating. So yes, these releases are new and exciting in their possibilities but we still wait for a drawered base unit.
AngryDrumGuy
Not having one large bottom roller drawer is mind-boggling this many years into the modular stack game. It’s a pain to unstack AND having enough space in a work area to put every individual box isn’t always possible. We’ve avoided buying a Packout roller for this reason and it looks like Toughbuilt is going to be the first to offer one in 2024. This option and not having to stare at the obnoxious red all day could flip us into the Toughbuilt stuff permanently. Waiting for our local Lowe’s to get them out of top stock, lol.
Daniel Julian
I’d love to have a packout with one large drawer.
Ciccio
Man, almost $200 for a toolbox.
They look beautiful but kinda expensive IMHO
what do you think ?
Stuart
Well, will this save you time, effort, frustration, or space, and is that more important to you than its price?
Ciccio
Well you know its not just about that !!
One is not enough, you need 2 or 3 of them included the one with wheels and handle.
Like i said, beautiful stuff but pricey.
Mr. X
Good move Milwaukee, including the dividers in these drawers. Now how about some options for Packout parts organizers with more, smaller trays. I’d also like to see a Packout cantilever style parts organizer similar to the one Husky offers. A traditionally sized toolbox that fits into the Packout system would also be a good seller.
Troy Gabriel
What a let down, I had seen a video with the flex system with a larger bottom drawer and hoped Milwaukee would do the same, but still not a drawer tall enough for a skilsaw unlike the flex system
Roy w k
For what it a plastic tool box it’s still way way to much $money$ I looked in to this for in my house and kobalt Craftsman flex & keeter all cost to much I looked at the build stuff would like all drawers on it no bottom box at build price it would be about $950$ to $1250$ costs to much for plastic !!??!! They are still nice boxes though !!