Milwaukee has come out with an upgraded 46″ wide tool storage combo, which I believe will be sold alongside their existing 46″ combo, which was their initial entry in the steel and ball bearing tool storage market.
Milwaukee’s tool storage offerings now include the original 46″ combo, a 30″ tool storage combo, a 60″ mobile tool cabinet, and a recent 52″ mobile tool cabinet with raised worksurface.
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I have been thoroughly impressed with Milwaukee’s tool storage solutions, finding them to offer incredibly strong bang for the buck. They offer great features and good qualities at affordable pricing.
This new 46″ combo, officially described as a 46″ High Capacity Steel Storage Chest and Cabinet, will be available in November 2017.
The pricing has not yet been set, but I’m told to expect a price of around $1,000. So… maybe $998?
I had been told that the frame is made from 19 gauge steel, and after asking around I was told that the drawers are also made from 19 gauge steel.
Here are the 3 words I would use to describe the new storage chest and roller cabinet:
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- Big
- Smooth
- Strong
The first thing to point out is that it’s a lot deeper than the original tool storage cabinet – 22″ compared to 18″.
That means the drawers are 4″ deeper. I’m guessing that, with a 22″ cabinet depth, the drawer depth will be a little over 20″.
The whole cabinet is a little nicer too, thanks to the new smooth drawer pulls. I believe they’re anodized aluminum. The handles felt great, and look great too.
I was told that the drawer widths were modified a little bit, but I couldn’t tell you if the narrower side was made wider or narrower still.
Viewing the tool storage stack from the side, its extra depth is definitely noticeable.
Another thing you should notice is that there are more accessories on the side – general purpose hooks mounted towards the top, and more mounting holes.
I’m told that more accessories are on the way, and cannot even guess what’s coming.
One of the drawers was loaded with Milwaukee’s new combination wrench sets. Do you see that space behind the wrench sets? That’s about how deeper this premium model is compared to Milwaukee’s other tool chest and cabinet combos.
The wrench sets fit together nicely, to save space. Both cases are designed to take up a minimal amount of drawer space.
The corners are reinforced with beefier guards made from aluminum and a hard rubber material.
I wonder if this was a missed opportunity to create a new quick-attachment system similar to what I hope is done for the larger Packout system tool boxes.
There’s an independently lockable privacy drawer. You can swap the lock with the bottom cabinet if you want the top chest and bottom cabinet to be keyed like. Since the top chest and bottom cabinet are available separately, they’re not sold keyed alike.
If you want all 3 locks keyed alike, contacting Milwaukee customer service should fix that quick.
The top section is as you would expect. There’s a thick cushiony work mat, a metal pegboard in the back, and power strip on the right side.
At the very top of the lid, not shown here, is a hook for hanging a small worklight.
Gas strut lid stays make it easier to open and close the top lid.
There’s also a pull-out work surface, with enclosed storage compartment – perfect for stowing away a laptop or similar. I believe that you can remove the lid to use this as a regular drawer, with some modification.
Here’s another look at the tool storage combo. There are now 2 full-width drawers at the top of the bottom tool cabinet, one shallow and one deeper.
Despite not having additional drawers slides, they open and close pretty smoothly.
There’s a full-width strip of metal attached to the bottom of the drawers, serving as a stiffener. It seems to do its job well.
You get similar removable tool organizers in one of the bottom drawer. Sorry, the tool cabinet isn’t sold with a bunch of Milwaukee ratchet sets hidden away in this drawer.
I crawled on the floor a little to get a good glimpse at the steel channels built into the base for added strength and stability.
It’s nicely done.
P.S. Has anyone mounted any of these Milwaukee tool storage cabinets on leveling feet yet?
The casters are I believe 6″ tall. The words “industrial casters” was thrown in there, but that doesn’t hold a lot of meaning to me.
It looks like these are similar to the casters Milwaukee used before, which are quite frankly superb and very user-friendly.
There’s a new side handle too, upgrading the aesthetics further still.
I wish I could tell you of functional benefits to the new handle design, but for now “it looks a lot better” will have to do.
The power strip on the inside has USB charging ports!
And so does the power strip on the cabinet.
The new cabinet has right angle power cord plugs. Yes!
Word has it that the included Milwaukee-branded bottle opener might also be available for purchase separately.
There’s a new paper shop towel roll holder.
And a vertical tool organizer. I popped in a pry bar as a potential usage example.
As with the shallower 46″ cabinet, there are mounting locations for an M18/M12 charger.
Personally, I find the new Milwaukee premium tool storage chest and cabinet to be highly appealing. You get a big upgrade in storage capacity, plus some upgrades and added new features, and the price is still reasonable.
I’d like to see some electronic or otherwise keyless locks. Other than that, I can’t think of anything else I wish Milwaukee had worked into the new tool boxes. Maybe the color scheme is too Craftsmany?
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
What do you think? Thumbs up, thumbs down, or “eh”?
Derek
Uh, did I miss the announcement on Milwaukee’s wrenches and ratchets?
Stuart
Wrenches Pending…
Ratchet: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-swivel-ratchet-socket-set/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Bill
Maybe I missed it somewhere in the review but are the drawers soft close?
Stuart
Sorry, I didn’t mention that but will edit it in later. They are soft close.
chris parker
i figured that was a given
NoDeuces
Any word on the output of the USB ports? The USB charge ports on the current box and the M12 tools is pathetic (maybe 1.1A?). It would be nice if this is higher. Better than nothing, if not.
Stuart
No idea, sorry. I have a few other questions, and am holding on to them for when the new tool box is officially announced. Minor details might change by then.
Bremon
M12 power source, lanterns, etc. are all 2.1 amp as far as I know.
NoDeuces
Yup, I just checked and it is 2.1. Trickle charge!
Kyle R
I mean, I love my original 46″ box so I have no doubt this one will be nice too – just a question of whether it’s worth the add’l $300 or not!
Power Kid
Any word on upcoming upgraded 30″ box?
Stuart
No word, sorry.
Milwaukee seems to target November and May for their tool storage releases. If there’s anything else on the way, I’d assume it’s being worked on for May 2018.
chris parker
the new red husky looks really great as well..the new husky workbench looks to a great deal too..i love the huge top drawer with a hundred pound capacity..of course milwaukee is my favorite, but the new husky line up looks to be a strong, cheaper route if that is all you can afford.
Hang Fire
That drawer layout is pretty much optimal. Looks likes they hit it out of the park with this one.
Jim Felt
Two things.
It appears that Milwaukee has actually used a rotating 3 prong flush plug! So cool.
And secondly the cord looks to be at least a 14 AWG. Maybe even , be still my beating heart, 12AWG???
Very well played.
Adam
I’m quite sure that is the same non-rotating plug that’s on the current models. I would love for it to rotate, or be the opposite side, as it conflicts with the other plug i need in the same outlet. 1ft extension solved the problem, but seems unnecessary.
fred
Too bad more folks don’t make right angle plugs with a molded in handle fro gripping. You see this style on some washers and dryers – and on RV connectors.
Great for us old fogeys with arthritic hands:
http://www.camco.net/product/rv-30-amp-mini-power-grip-plug-11014/
Steve
Excellent point about the “missed opportunity” for attachments….I can see a lot of utility in having one of the half size or even a full size packout organizers attached to the side with the main go-to tools/fasteners
Willie G.
I was about to purchase the current 46 inch combo, but this would be a better option for me. The only thing I don’t like is the aluminum on the drawers and corners. If there is some way to remove the aluminum so that the new box matches my 60 inch work bench, this is a sure thing for me. I think a fair price would be in the $798 to $898 range. If they would intro this around that price, I’m all in.
I
Slowburn
I saw this at my local HD. This is gorgeous, but with an existing shop storage cabinet is hard to justify right now.
Nick
How tall is it?
Jose
Do you know when its going to be available?
Stuart
My original notes say November 2017.
Brad
I saw the first one in Home Depot today. I couldn’t help but notice all the extra mounting locations on the sides. Perhaps side lockers? Especially with 19 ga steel.
Stuart
I don’t know about side lockers, but they mentioning wanting to future-proof for more new accessory options.
Brian Anderson
Where are the Milwaukee tool chests made?
Stuart
China?
Chris
I happened to be at Home Depot and see the Milwaukee tool box’s on display. I had no idea that Milwaukee even made tool box’s. I took a look at them and really liked them, and as soon as I got home I did some research on them. I have been wanting a bigger tool box for sometime now and decided to pull the trigger. I was all set to buy the original box until I saw and read about this new bigger version. I quickly decided this was the one for me and being marked down 100.00 I jumped on it. I am picking it up next week and can’t wait to get it into my garage. I look at videos daily on you tube and drewel over how nice it looks and all the space it has compared to my old small crapsman box!!
Dale Anderson
I have been trying to find one around central wis. with no luck. Is there a model number?
Stuart
48-22-8546
Home Depot Link
Ben
i cant seem to find it anywhere either. Home Depot said they dont carry it anymore. Not sure i can trust their word but it is not anywhere to be found.
Deuce Train
It’s on their website. Costs 899
ben
Its on their website, but can not be ordered. Called customer service they can not order it, went to 5 different hd storefronts, they can not order it.
If you figured out a way to get please let me know.
JJ
I called customer service as well and they told me it was unavailable, and was not subject to back-order either. At first the representative told me they could put me on a list to email me when it came available, but then told me that was not an option for this item. I would also like to know if there is somewhere else you can buy this box.
Frank
I’ve been in the market for a larger tool box lately and I really like this model but it seems to be sold out everywhere. I can find the older 18″ deep version no problem. Was this just a seasonal limited-run thing? This box seems a lot better than everything else at this price point.
Ben
It is now no longer on home depots website.
Brian Piscitelli
Where do I find this box. I’m trying to buy one and can’t find it anywhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Stuart
We’re told it’s temporarily out of stock.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-46-premium-tool-storage-combo-availability-update/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Brian
So sometime around may or June I should hope to see it in my Home Depot near me ?
Chris
Tried to find this box at home depot. Are they still available? Do you have the part number maybe I can find one somewhere else?
Stuart
48-22-8546
When I asked in May, I was told that it’s “simply out of stock right now.”
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-46-premium-tool-storage-combo-availability-update/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Robert Raasch
Fleet farm stores are only ones with this box for sale in wi
Deanne
Hi. Any word on the bottle opener shown in the pics? Keen to hunt one down.
Stuart
As far as I am aware, it’s only available with Milwaukee steel tool storage purchases.
Deanne
Hmmm. Thanks for the quick response. I recently purchased a 60″ steel tool storage and it did not come with one BUT I’d like to get one. Frustrating. The hunt continues.
Stuart
Have you tried Milwaukee customer service? They might be able to point you in the right direction, at the least.