Adam Savage, of Myth Busters fame and Tested, launched a Sortimo T-Boxx organizer, in orange.
The case is orange, except for the black plastic handle and latches, and it has clear lid.
This is an orange version of the Sortimo T-Boxx G 16 set, which comes with 16 removable bins in a variety of sizes.
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Here’s a list of the bins it comes with:
- 6x inset boxes 1×1
- 4x inset boxes 1×2
- 2x inset boxes 2×2
- 2x inset boxes 1×4
- 1x inset box 2×3
- 1x inset box 2×6
- 4x dividers IB 1×0
- 4x dividers IB 2×0
Adam put together a mobile Sortimo T-Boxx rack in his recent video (linked-to below). You can also use these with official Sortimo T-Boxx accessories.
Sortimo completely changed up their T-Boxx lineup a few years ago, replacing their color-coded inset box assortments with new case and bin styles, all black. The larger of the new bins have slots for dividers.
The black T-Boxx 16 is $83.70 from Sortimo USA. Adam Savage’s orange Sortimo T-Boxxes are priced at $105 each. You get a 20% discount if you buy 5 or more. Savage Industries says that anyone who intends to purchase more than 10 should contact them via email.
The lids sport a custom Savage Industries logo.
In my opinion, Sortimo T-Boxxes – at least the older style with color-coded bins, are excellent. There is, or was, a style where the volume is split into two levels, allowing for 92 compartments in a single box – that one’s awesome. No other brand I found comes close to that storage density.
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The tricky part is that this isn’t the type of organizer you buy just one or two of. Value-wise, it makes better sense as part of a system – a rack of 4 bins, a tower of 10, and so forth.
If you buy 5 or more cases, the price comes down to $84 each, which matches Sortimo’s pricing organizers with the same configuration.
Maybe Savage Industries can do better when you order 10 or more, or perhaps higher quantity orders require custom quotes due to shipping fees. I didn’t ask; I figure they didn’t publish higher quantity pricing for a reason.
These are the same boxes that have been on the market since Sortimo’s redesign, but in orange.
I’m going to pass on them – I’m still filling Milwaukee Packout organizers I bought on sale – but if I were to buy any more Sortimo T-Boxxes, it would be these from Savage Industries, rather than the ones with black cases and bins from Sortimo.
I imagine this collaboration came from Adam’s team fielding an abundance of “where can I get organizers like that?” messages every time they are mentioned or appear in the background of his YouTube videos.
If the organizers sell well, what might we see next from Adam Savage and his team?
Price: $105 each, quantity discount is available
Following is Adam’s One Day Build Sortimo T-Boxx storage cabinet video. Similar construction concepts can be applied to other brands’ organizers and tool boxes.
Dennis
I saw Adam’s video and I know he’s a fan of T-Boxxes. I also know Sortimo makes a fantastic product. As such, it is fantastically priced, where I use the the definition of fantastic that is: “remote from reality”. I wish I could bring my self to spend $84-$105 on a single parts organizer. But when you can get 4 pretty good ones for the price of 1 fantastic organizer, I lean towards getting 4 good ones.
Stuart
When I bought my first T-Boxxes, they were $46 each from Amazon UK, or around $54 each after taking into account shipping and currency conversion.
https://toolguyd.com/sortimo-t-boxxes-from-the-uk/
When I/ToolGuyd last ordered from a USA supplier in 2017, they were $58 each.
(I can justify a lot for business purchases, where a chunk of every dollar spent would have had to go to taxes anyway.)
Durham is excellent, but they don’t have clear lids. Allit Metall (that’s not a typo) is fantastic, but shows scratches and can be hard to find. Allit plastic boxes are smaller and don’t have folding handles.
Milwaukee Packout is great, and goes on sale regularly, but you lose some efficiency with the small bins, as they’re primarily designed for construction industry-type parts.
Dewalt organizers are great too, but also designed mainly for larger parts and accessories.
T-Boxxes are in “there’s no quite anything like it” territory.
I’ll never give mine up – it would take a lot of DIY work to make the next-best organizers half as good. But I couldn’t justify them at $84 each.
A dozen boxes, with the 5+ quantity discount, would cost $1000. You can get a multi-drawer tool cabinet or two and fill it with removable bins for the same money.
Robert
That’s about the same cost comparison I made towards a steel tool chest with drawers. No wonder he is so savagely happy in the YouTube video.
Joatman
I was going to make the same analogy!!!!! I think these are made in Germany ( probably mentioned somewhere in this post) but I thought USA given the name of the company. Regardless, the Dewalt version of these
work just fine, for a fraction of the cost. Adam, love your channel!!!!
Stuart
When international brands have USA distribution, it’s usually Brand USA, such as Festool USA, etc.
It’s important because the brands often have different tools or greater selection in their home continent.
Dewalt organizers are awesome if you need a couple or have the space for a lot. But there’s no comparison. Sortimo are maybe 2-3X better but at 4X to 8X the cost.
Joatman
Looks like Bosch has a line of organizers…..they even use “Boxx” in the item descriptions. Both are German brands but the Bosch items are made in China. I didn’t do the research but maybe they’re related.
Stuart
Bosch L-Boxxes are custom colors for them, made by Sortimo.
Bosch L-Boxxes are far less expensive on average than Sortimo-branded ones.
They partnered up around 13 years ago.
Dustin
I have been eying these Flambeau bins as a viable alternative and about the closest simulacrum I can find
https://www.grainger.com/product/2W786
Dustin
Or mayne the Allit pro is an even better substitute
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/hardware/storage-and-organization/containers/114564-allit-pro-18-compartment-modular-storage-case
eddie sky
THANK YOU for this! I love Adam and if he was donating half the cost to some cause, I would buy a few. But I can get three of the AllitPro cases for one. And not particular on the color or Savage Industries moniker…its for storage of small parts.
Hans
https://www.auer-packaging.com/us/fr/Bo%C3%AEtes-de-rangement.html
I don’t use these myself, but use the inset bins of them and the bigger crates a lot. Pricing and quality is very good. I don’t use these because I’m invested in Festool Systainers and Sysdrawers. But otherwise would absolutly give them a try.
Hans
https://www.auer-packaging.com/us/fr/Casiers-d%E2%80%99insertion-pour-bo%C3%AEtes-de-rangement.html
The inset boxes are by the way, exactly the same as the Sortimo ones, as in they are interchangeble. They have sizes that Sortimo does not offer and you can choose the colour.
Marple warrior
I have moved to sortimo from Auer as I have all the bins but since Brexit Auer no longer ship to individuals in the UK just companies.
Stuart
BenV likes those too – https://toolguyd.com/auer-packaging-assortment-boxes-for-organizing-small-parts/ .
Pricing on their larger cases are better than Sortimo’s, but still high. I looked at some high bin-count cases, and they’re $68 to $77 each, not including shipping from Europe.
Franco
“A dozen boxes, with the 5+ quantity discount, would cost $1000″….wow, $1000 for a dozen, that is scary just thinking about it.
AC
funny, I did the same math earlier today, thinking about buying 5 and then going down the rabbit hole until I found these for my multi drawer cab at $18 a pop
https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Tool-Box-Organizer-Organization/dp/B0BJ2QBSKB/ref=sr_1_33_sspa?crid=19VL54R1DHPVI&keywords=tool%2Bdrawer%2Bdivider&qid=1682096005&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&s=hi&sprefix=tool%2Bdrawer%2Bdivider%2Cgarden%2C100&sr=1-33-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyNDZMRExZWEtPMFFDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODgwMjg1M0hQT09KS0I1NkoyWSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTMwMTQ5MTM1R0NORUlYRk45VSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2J0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1
MoogleMan3
I thought about buying some of those too. Schaler bins are another bin-only option; the downside to both options being you need to build or supply your own drawers. Not a big deal if you already have the drawer space obviously.
JF
I own both the Allit plastic and metal small parts boxes. The ‘Pro’ plastic boxes are excellent. Allit updated the design recently and they now have folding handles, big chunky latches, and you can stack and connect multiple boxes to each other. I’ve found them to be extremely durable and robust.
Chris
Ouch, at their best price…I can get 8 of the Dewalt ~$10 organizers around the holidays for 1 sortimo.
Obviously not the same size (but close enough and serve the same purpose), I just feel like money could be better spent.
Also, as an advocate for 3D printers. This is an excellent reason to own a 3D printer.
For 1 of the sortimo boxes, I can buy a 3d printer that will easily print at the size necessary to make these mini containers.
For a second sortimo box, I can buy a roll of filament and 7 Dewalt boxes.
For less than $200 (or 2 sortimos) and only a few hours of time…I could have a lot more and I have a 3D printer for many more years and projects ahead.
https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=dewalt+organizer&page=1&type=things&sort=relevant
https://slickdeals.net/newsearch.php?q=3d+printer&searcharea=deals&searchin=first&isUserSearch=1
Tim D.
This is exactly what I do. Is it better than a sortimo? No clue, I’ve never used one.
However, I’ve got dewalt boxes that I’ve paid around $9 for with maybe an extra dollars worth of PLA added for tons of storage.
Ben
Ah yes, another “celebrity” hustler selling overpriced gear to their devotees
MFC
Yes, but if the devotees are willing to buy…
David
It feels like this product is for fans who want to support Tested/Adam Savage and may want a one-off. Not a lot different from a Patreon subscription or something similar where you get something you want at a price that helps them.
To echo Stuart above – I really like my Sortimo boxes – as Stuart noted, there’s nothing else quite like them, especially for small parts storage. There are occasional discounts, and for me they’ve been an investment. I wish there was a nice full height storage cabinet with full length extension slides for them that was available like Adam Savage has along his walls. I’ve got building something similar for myself on my list when I have time.
For larger construction parts (screws, lag bolts, washers, nuts) I had been buying the less expensive non-Packout Milwaukee parts organizer. Last I knew, that was discontinued which makes me sad, as they really were more useful for my use case than the large deep Packouts.
BigTimeTommy
I remember watching that show as a kid and thinking Jamie always seemed like the one who knew what’s up and Adam was a good worker (in the carny sense) who had the right personality for the demographic they were trying to attract.
Anyways on a possibly related note, wowza that’s an expensive box.
MM
It really reminded me of a different show I saw when I was a kid called “The Secret Life of Machines”. Rather than dealing with myths each episode focused on the history and function of a common household technology, like “Radio”, “Washing Machine”, “Sewing Machine”, “Photocopier”, “Telephone”, and so on. This involved building and testing lots of props & experiments just like Mythbusters. Even the hosts had a similar feel, as one had more of a straight-laced expert sort of personality like Jamie while the other was more like Adam. And funnily enough, if I remember correctly the gentleman who behaved a bit like Adam had a background in movie special effects & stunts!
Peter Fox
Tim Hunkin the main guy behind The Secret Life of Machines is still around and making content on YouTube. All of the old episodes have been remastered and released on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@timhunkin1
Even better in the last few years he has put our a really good series on the parts, components, and basic mechanisms used to make electro-mechanical machines.
Hepdog
I have several of the multi-colored Sortimo boxes, they’re great! But not $80 great.
Note to interested parties – don’t leave these in direct sunlight; the boxes will get soft and warp. This happened to my vehicle electrical connectors kit. I had previously used the dewalt shallow parts bins, never an issue after years of hard use on the road.
Anyhoo, Sortimo’s customer service is excellent, and they replaced the melted bins with a complete replacement box + bins.
Buyer beware if your use case is mobile.
-Hep
DK
Was thinking about getting them but Frestool is cheaper which is a crazy thing to say.
Festool has more of a community
kent_skinner
I’m sure they’re nice, but they seem to use the same pricing strategy as Snap-On & Festool. I have some of each brand, but they aren’t the bulk of my tools, and I’ll keep using the DeWalt boxes that go on sale for $10 at HD every Christmas.
Blocky
Black is not a great color for visibility for me. A lot of small parts and fasteners are black. Orange is an improvement.
TomD
Yeah, off-black is great. I hate trying to find black cables in a black box, but pelican is almost all only black.
Munklepunk
I still have a hard time justifying that much for a plastic box, even that quality. We complain about packout pricing and that’s made for offroading.
dandLyons
The price is way beyond my budget. Even when I was working engineer & had money to spend I would never buy at that price. I went all in on the Stanley Organizer Pros. I would buy a handful each holiday season until I had enough to store my small hw, all the mechanical bits and pieces. The observation about black bins for small parts is good one. They yellow Stanley is perfect in that regard.
I like the DIY solution someone thought of to just re-dimension an aluminum bakers rack to hold Stanley (or HF) organizers. That is what I currently use for static mechanical hardware part storage.
Kevin Kelly of Cool Tools once interviewed Matt Velderman of Stanley Black & Decker
https://kk.org/cooltools/matt-velderman-black-decker-tool-designer/
He listed the Stanley Pro Organizer as one of his favorite tools. He went on to say that he tried very hard to convince the company to make their own Stanley brand rack for those organizers. But the upper management just would not go for it. I would have definitely bought one.
I went with TStak for mobile. I have a bunch of DeWalt Tough Case+ & Craftsman VersaStack that I carry part to and from jobs. I love ve that I can snap all of it together.
I am investing in a few pieces of DeWalt Tough System 2.0 specifically for my harsh saltwater boat environment due to the superiors water resistance and ruggedness.
I don’t store any electronics in plastic cases at all. I know it is somewhat common among hobbyist.
But it is standard practice in Aerospace to store electronic components of any type in Anti-static or ESD mylar type bags. None of that pink foam lined boxes or pink plastic bags either.
You label the contents with a Sharpie. You store those bags in ESD Lewis Bins. You can match the bag size to the bins where you just flip thru parts like an old library card catalog. Leaded parts or tape strips of SMT parts, it doesn’t matter. Delicate ICs get there own ESD holder but stored and labeled in the same bags. It just so happens that for really small mechanical parts the same method works really well. Screws for PCB mounting or anything else in electronics assembly get stored ESD bags. Mechanical parts get kitted along with Electronic parts.
I completely get that some folks want to just catch all there loose bits & pieces in a central place. And I get the appeal of the Sortimo.
I just feel like Adam Savage has moved more toward curating & now selling this almost boutique-like high end stuff. I still watch his content and find it interesting but always prefer the affordable hacks to the high end items.
The thing I absolutely love about ToolGuyd site is the balance, an eye for value & a nod to excellence.
Stuart’s tips have saved me a small fortune over the years. Adam’s favorite’s would cost me a small fortune.
As always, great content & lot of interesting comments/discussion. Thanks everyone!
Stuart
I’ve posted about the 25-compartment organizer a couple of times, the last time being a few years ago after the quality went down.
https://toolguyd.com/stanley-25-compartment-organizers-have-dropped-in-quality-a-little-bit/
The Dewalt tough organizers are better, but don’t have as many compartments.
Sortimo is the type of product you buy when you’re spending company money, whether to outfit a van or parts room.
robert gendron
I also have to praise the Stanley Pro Organizers. They have the two sizes which cover my needs very well and are a bit cheaper than the Sortimo. If it wasn’t for Stanley I would move to Festool or Sortimo (at 4x the price).
dandLyons
Apologies for typos. I have arthritis issues these days. I just let it fly most days figuring bright folks like you all can read through my fumblings. But I doubled back to correct one phrase
*an eye for value & a NOD to excellence*
Great work Stuart! ToolGuyd rocks
Stuart
*fixed*
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Troy
To echo some others, a similar box from Harbor Freight is $7, frequently on sale. Holds up pretty well, doesn’t have a hinged handle and doesn’t look as fancy, but is this 15x better at holding nuts and bolts? I somehow kinda doubt it.
I get that everyone has a different budget and some people are into premium tools, but this just smacks of buying a $45 Woodpeckers anodized aluminum ruler that won’t measure stuff any better than a $3 steel ruler.
BigTimeTommy
Okay but hear me out. How much would you pay for that $7 box if some smarmy nerd from TV were shilling it? 😉
Troy
$6, lol
kris
Bosch dose not sell t-boxx branded but has smaller once that are nothing to talk about . but i have t-boxx sortimo best small parts box ever u can buy colored inserts in them,
they are on same level as some camera screw organizers that manfuacturer sent repair shops back in the day. they where from japan
Franco
A couple of things…
First off, everyone keeps mentioning Dewalt boxes at $10 each; anyone have a link to which model they are referring to? (even if it is currently NOT on special)
I bought a Sortimo a few years ago, before Covid. Sortimo had some kind of great sale, so I thought I would try one…I got dinged at the door by UPS for an extra $30 or so, ouch. (duties & taxes)
Anyway, it is a nice box, even very nice, but for me, not worth what they charge (disregarding the $30 fee I got dinged, it does not happen often)
I have some of the Allit, which are also very nice. They re-did their lineup a few years ago, maybe just before or at the beginning of Covid. I had bought their economy model
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/hardware/storage-and-organization/containers/70869-allit-economy-modular-storage-case?item=27K8001
Its very nice, strong and works good. Between the Pro line and this economy models, the difference is the Pro has clear Polycarbonate cover, the economy has a frosted polypropylene cover. Also, the dimensions; the Pro are 17.3” x 14” x3″, while the economy measures 14.6” x 11.6” x 2.2”.
The Pro models, before they revamped the line was almost twice the price of what they are now, at least here in NA.
When they came out with the new line, Lee Valley was offering the 3 different models Pro models, 15, 18 & 23 bin models for an all inclusive price, where ordering the 3 saved about $12-15…so I got it.
They are also very nice, very much like the Sortimo, but I find they are a much better value.
Stuart, I just wanted to mention that the current models of Allit Pro do have a handle, where the previous did not
TonyT
The famous DeWalt deal is for the DWST14825; Home Depot link https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-10-Compartment-Deep-Pro-Small-Parts-Organizer-DWST14825/203367153
Last Black Friday the deal was $13 for the slim version, DWST 14925, which is a bit closer to the Allit.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-10-Compartment-Shallow-Pro-Small-Parts-Organizer-DWST14925/300937586
Franco
OK, thanks. I am not sure, but I think I have a couple. Actually, what I have is this and the longer but slimmer model. There was a special on them, but not $10
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Compartment-Pro-Small-Parts-Organizer-DWST14830/301869332
Troy
Harbor Freight also sells two models of boxes (shorter and taller, with different-sized removable bins) for even a bit cheaper than DeWalt. I have both brands, and they’re very comparable. Neither is premium, but neither is junk.
The Harbor Freight ones have a frosted translucent top, while the DeWalt’s is crystal clear, which does help you see inside more easily. The latching mechanisms are also slightly different, with Harbor Freight’s having a third snap point in the center between the two latches, which keeps the top ever so slightly more secure.
Harbor Freight’s are very often on sale – like once a month, maybe – and their medium size (equivalent to the smaller DeWalt) is only $6.99 through Sunday, FYI:
https://www.harborfreight.com/20-bin-medium-portable-parts-storage-case-93928.html
Franco
Off topic but the kris who posted just above my post mentioned Bosch. I was in a hardware store yesterday and the sales rep talking to a customer about the cordless tools was an older grey haired gentleman. It’s like when it is an older person, customers believe they know what they are talking about compared to a young kid.
Anyway, he was saying Metabo HPT is very good and then moved over to Kobalt and said they are made by, or are a division of Bosch. Did I just learn something or the salesman was just blowing smoke out of his…you know what…Stuart or anyone who knows?
TonyT
fred is the master of UPC codes. I believe Chervon makes the Kobalt power tools. There is a slight connection in that Chervon currently owns Skil, and Bosch was the previous owner.
fred
I have not paid attention to Kobalt-branded power tools and Lowes does not list UPC’s for any of them that I can find on their website. But an eBay listing for a used Kobalt drill lists the UPC as 0692042007033. If that UPC is correct – then the OEM is indeed Chervon.
Of course, Kobalt being a house brand belonging to Lowes allows them to pick and choose OEMs and change them if and when the terms of any purchase agreements they may have with their OEMs allow. So Kobalt branded products come from various OEMs and change over time.
Home Depot does the same thing with items that they sell under Husky and HDX (Home Depot house brands.) With Ridgid branded items sold at HD the issue is a bit more complicated in that Emerson owns the Ridgid brand and licenses it to Home Depot with restrictions that exclude its use by HD on plumbing tools and other items (like vacuums and some larger power tools) that are still made by Emerson owned companies.) I can see how the Ridgid brand deal could make it difficult for some less-savvy customers. If your Ridgid drill fails – you might complain to HD or TTI as the OEM – but if your Ridgid wrench fails – it is Ridge Tool (an Emerson subsidiary) that’s involved.
kris
bosch owns a part of sortimo. but sortimo t-boxx is made of PP made in germany. and all my sortimo bosch organizers and l boxxes drills grinders are ABS made in poland both tools and organizers. t-boxx dose not fit the bosch system the red grips on side
but is far superior in keeping small things in order. adam savage has good video explaning the simple man bag. sortimo makes truck systems
thats organizes work vans .gedore has line of foams and tools set witch are sold by them. PS i broken few abs bosch boxes
kris
If u drop one Will it blend is good meter of small part tool bags
kris
metabo hpt are hitachi merger with metabo great tools . kobalt has nothing to do with bosch
Franco
Yes, am aware that the HPT is supposedly for Hitachi Power Tools, and other than NA, they are Hikoki everywhere else globally.
kris
kobalt is under chevron group
kris
chervon spelling error ,same as skil, ego and new flex on us market
kris
i read old facts lowes owns kobalt both power and hand tools
sorry for that mis information
ACPthe3rd
Two issues for me…
With shipping these cases are about 130 each.
Also the Baltic Birch plywood mostly comes from Russia and countries close by like Finland. It’s rather pricy as well, and will add to the cost.