I came across a couple of new Milwaukee Packout tool box-equipped utility carts, and it seems like a really good idea.
Oh, by no means is this something that most of you should buy – it’s presumably aimed at industrial customers, such as MRO (maintenance, repair, operations) pros, technicians, and other such users.
Advertisement
It’s priced a bit steep – this setup is $785 – but I think the concept was postworthy.
The model number is “custom Packout utility 2). It’s not a Rubbermaid cart, matching instead the “Zoro Select” models that they carry, and so I’m guessing this is a product specially made for or by Grainger and Zoro (a Grainger company).
The thing is, this is basically 3 things. One, it’s a utility cart, possibly an off-the-shelf model. Two, it comes with a thoughtful assortment of Packout storage products – a tote, tool boxes, organizers, and an open tool bag.
Third, it has what look to be off-the-shelf Packout mounting brackets installed to its top.
I’ve seen a lot of DIY Packout-accessorizing projects, but this looks to be the first commercially-available one, even if it only looks to be an amalgamation of pre-existing off-the-shelf components.
Pricing: $575 to $907
Advertisement
Buy Now: Package 1 via Zoro
Buy Now: Package 2 via Zoro
Buy Now: Package 3 via Zoro
Yes, it’ll likely be less expensive to buy a cart, 2 mounting plates, and an assortment of Milwaukee Packout tool boxes, but this is marketed towards commercial and industrial users where time or the freedom for DIY projects can be scarce.
Jared
Interesting. Seems like the pieces are a really good fit. I wonder who came up with it? e.g. does Grainger have their own product engineer team who dreamt up this combo?
I might quibble with the packout mounting plates being taller than the sides of the tool cart – if you were using the top as a work surface it would be easier for things to fall off.
Stuart
I’m thinking that they took notice of what customers were buying together, and gave this a try.
Jeremiah Petersen
If they could get it to under $200 for the cart by itself I would buy tomorrow. Would be perfect for my job as a repair technician.
fred
The casters don’t look to be anything special.
When we acquired our fabrication business – much of the storage and carts were Lista and Rotabins. When we decided that we needed some additional carts – mostly to transport lubricants and miscellaneous stuff – sometimes the odd tool – we choked on Lista prices – buying some Rubbermaid and other “no-name” carts instead. We learned that the quality of the casters can be the undoing or making of the quality of the cart.
DHCrocks
Those prices are insane.
The top of the cart looses too much functionality as a cart since you won’t have a flat work surface to work off of. Its common to use the top shelf of a cart as a portable work station.
OldDominionDIYer
You can install the new Packout work top to one or both packout plates creating your much needed work surface as an option…
JC
That’s a sorry-ass solution. Packout cannot replace the raised edges that stops materials from rolling off the top shelf. To add to that, you will have to clear your whole worktop every time you need access to a packout that is underneath. Try again…
Abner
I really like this setup, but i think they are extremely overpriced. A lightly used cart can cost around $50 online, and buying the boxes is a matter of choice. Overall, i think it would just be better to customize it yourself.
BTW, speaking of packout, can you guys please let us know when the preorders for the Packout Drawers goes live? I am really looking forward to getting my hands on those. I cant wait until February
Stuart
I’ve been keeping an eye out, but haven’t seen anything about the preorders yet. I’ll try to post about it when they do go live!
Steve G
Zoro is not my favorite company. Ordered a knife for a pipe insulation fitting. No help from customer service.
Jim Felt
Interesting. We’ve ordered from Zoro almost from their inception and from W.W. Grainger itself for many years even earlier.
Never once had a problem they didn’t address easily and fairly.
No idea what caused your issue.
Lawrence K.
Maybe like a lot of these places lately, they look at your “total tool or merchandise purchases” to decide which type of customer service you will get. Seems the pro tool outfits are most consistent. But some of the general merchandise merchants are a mixed bag in customer service.
fred
We too had may years of good experience with Grainger’s customer service – and then with their “outlet brand” Zoro. Some shipping damage issues once in a while – or a missing item in a large order – but always quickly resolved with no hassle. Zoro sales and %-off deals do seem to have become less of a good deal (they used to offer 25-30% off – but now 10-20% off seem to be the norm). But that may be consistent with them having now established themselves in the marketplace and/or the impact of the Pandemic – which seems to have curtailed sales promotions in general. Grainger pricing was a different issue with (what used to be anyway) formulas based on your annual purchasing level.
Mike (the other one)
This is pretty similar to my work setup. I use a Rubbermaid utility cart with tool bags up top and whatever I’m working on down below (cable, etc.)
It works pretty well, and basically is my mobile workbench. This does appeal to me, but I don’t know that I would replace the setup I already have.
Brian Aeschlimann
You could buy the Milwaukee heavy duty tool cart and all that packout for less than that POS cart
Brian M
It looks like a Rubbermaid or copycat “Ergo” utility cart with Packout plates bolted to it. The Rubbermaid carts are around $155 by themselves. Just build it yourself and you can pick your configuration. I’d want to have one plate mounted to the front for the Packout crate(s). Then might do one or two on the lower shelf when the Packout drawers come out.
Steve
They should just sell the mounting brackets and anyone could make their own system on their own cart but it looks like they’re trying to do this as a bundle to sell it as a big ticket item and not undercut it.
Stuart
They do!
You can see it in several of the photos here: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-packout-crate-tote-tool-box/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
The mounting bracket is available for $30. (Tool Nut Link)
Tom D
Description says it’s a Tuffy.
Tuffy Utility Cart,w/Shelves, Number of Shelves 2, Lip Style Combination, Load Capacity 500 lb, Shelf Length 38-1/8 in, Shelf Width 24-3/8 in, Top Shelf Height 32 in, Distance Between Shelves 20 in, Handle Type Ergonomic, Handle Height 5-35/64 in, Caster Brake Type No Brake Included, Caster Wheel/Tread Material Polypropylene, Caster Wheel Dia. 5 in, Lip Height 2-23/64 in
Stuart
Tuffy is the style, although I’m not sure where the terminology comes from.
I can’t seem to find a confident answer, but “tuffy” seems to refer to the style of plastic shelves specifically.
Frank D
Those prices are ludicrous. There is nothing there that warrants that astronomical price. That is like a $100 plastic cart with two shelves and 4 cheap hard plastic caster wheels.
Steve
HF FTW on this one….unless it is a very large business, money is money.
Robert
In Poland, Qbrick has created a system that can compete with Packout. And it’s much cheaper 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JakrBzbyGg