The new FLEX Stack Pack tool box system makes good on the brand’s it’s what’s next tagline, delivering features and benefits not shared by any other modular tool box system today.
Flex provided a brief introduction to their new Stack Pack pro tool box system earlier this year, and the new line is ready to launch.
Flex supplied me with a sampling of the new offerings (thank you!), and while I haven’t tested the system thoroughly enough for a full review yet, I’ll mix in firsthand opinions and observations throughout this post.
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Note: Flex is a ToolGuyd sponsor.
To start off, Flex Stack Pack is a new modular tool box system. The 3-piece tool box combos are often the most popular way to buy into a new tool box system, but you can create your own a custom kit with whichever individual components work best for your needs and wants.
To start off, there will be a rolling tool box, large tool box, small suitcase-style tool box, organizer, and half-width organizer.
Flex Stack Pack Tool Box Options
- Half-Width Organizer (FS1302)
- Organizer (FS1301)
- Small Suitcase Tool Box (FS1103)
- Medium Tool Box (FS1102)
- Rolling Tool Box (FS1101)
What’s the Big Deal?
Here are the main selling points.
Quick-Connect Latches – The tool boxes have a spring-action auto-connect interlocking mechanism. Place a Stack Pack tool box on top of another, and it auto-locks in place.
From what I have experienced so far, Flex did this exceptionally well, with the tool boxes latching together with minimal fiddling. Disconnecting the tool boxes is easy as well – you press the latches on opposite sides of the lower tool box, and you can then use one or both hands to remove the top tool box.
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This is so much easier compared to some other modular tool boxes I’ve used in the past.
Heavy Load Capacity – Flex says their 3pc combo can hold up to 500 pounds of tools, besting comparable and lower priced competitors.
Impact Protection and Metal-Reinforced Corners
IP65 Protection – This matches the water and dust resistance of leading modular tool box systems, and bests the protection level of more value-priced systems.
9″ Rugged Wheels – Larger wheels should help maneuverability across rough terrain. Top competing systems feature 8″ (Dewalt ToughSystem 2.0) and 9″ (Milwaukee Packout) wheels, and others have 7″ wheels (Ridgid Pro, Craftsman TradeStack).
Accessory-Ready – Here’s where things get interesting, with the ability to quickly connect Flex accessory cases within Stack Pack tool boxes.
In addition to inner lid accessory mounting placements, the rolling tool box has two additional positions at the backwall.
Detachable Handle (Rolling Tool Box) – The rolling tool box’s extending handle can be removed for easier storage and transport, such as in a covered pickup truck bed.
Exterior Storage Attachment Racks – Users can mount optional accessory rails to the outside of Flex Stack Pack tool boxes, for even greater customization and mounting options.
Connectable Accessory Cases – Flex’s power tool accessory cases can latch together for easier carrying and storage, independently of the Stack Pack tool box system.
Flex Stack Pack Tool Box Mounting Accessories
- Front Rail Rack (FS1603)
- Side Rail Racks (FS1604-2)
- Adjustable Charger Mounts (FS1606-2)
- Cord Wrapper (FS1605)
- Battery Holder (FS1601)
- Level Holders (FS1602)
An adjustable charger mount allows for Flex 24V cordless power tool battery chargers to be easily mounted inside the large and rolling tool boxes.
There’s also a battery insert, for mounting spare Flex 24V batteries.
The battery holders can also be attached exterior to a Stack Pack tool box, via the optional metal mounting rails.
The available accessories serve two purposes. First, they increase the accessibility of certain tools, avoiding the need to open a tool box or unlatch everything. But, they also increase the amount of gear you can haul in a single trip.
Certain equipment – extension cords, circular saws, spare battery packs, can take up valuable tool box real estate. Not all users will want to put these types of tools or equipment on the outside of a tool box, but with Flex Stack Pack you can if you do want to.
In addition to structural reinforcement, the metal-reinforced corners have threaded mounting holes, which opens a world of customization possibilities.
First Thoughts and Impression
I have purchased into most modern modular tool box systems, and have learned that none of them are perfect.
Flex Stack Pack is certainly different, and it’s better in a lot of ways. Is it the best? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for.
Being able to mount different equipment and accessories – inside and out – is a huge selling point.
So far, I’m quite pleased with Flex’s competitiveness. Stack Pack so far seems to be a well thought out, durable, and convenient tool box system. Its expandability options will be a game-changer for some, especially once 3rd party accessory-makers build upon Flex’s mounting solutions.
If you just need a tool box system to haul your gear around, Flex Stack Pack is one of many fine options.
But if you want a tool box system that can be customized to your liking and preference, this system offers greater flexibility than I’ve seen in competing systems.
Sure, you can drill into, add onto, or modify most brands’ modular tool box systems, but most users don’t want to do this, and are happier for screw-on or snap-in accessories.
I hope to see Flex steadily expand the Stack Pack line in the future, such as with crates, totes, dollies, tool bags, and additional mounting accessories.
Everything has trouble-free so far, from the interlock mechanisms, to the handles and latches.
I think that Flex Stack Pack is going to make some competing brands sweat a little. The new system offers a lot, and with no compromises I could find yet.
Look for it at Lowe’s stores and online at Flex tool dealers.
Eric
It looks like a nice option, any idea on price yet? Though I do have to wonder what’s so hard about offering drawers? All the customers seem to love them, and all the manufactures seem drag their feet when it comes to actually making them.
Stuart
I have list pricing for the 3pc combo ($299), but am waiting to see what street pricing will be on that and all of the individual SKUs.
The problem with plastic toolbox drawers is that they sag, some much worse than others. They’re also pricey.
Jim
I feel cheated I have so many pack out boxes and now Milwaukee is coming out with a new ones, what’s going on it’s like they are selling you something and then come out with different stuff so you buy them. To me that is not good business just saying
Stuart
All Milwaukee Packout products are still compatible with each other, so that’s the problem?
Some people get upset that Apple and Samsung release new phones every year. Such is how the industries go.
A few years ago, Dewalt barely added to their ToughSystem Lu who, Ridgid barely added to their Pro Gear lineup, and many brands stayed out of the modular tool box industry entirely.
Competition is good, innovation is good.
Michael Quigley
Hi there, is there anywere in Ireland i can buy them from??
Stuart
Not that I’m aware of; I am only familiar with USA retailers and distribution.
Michael Quigley
I wonder would any off them sent to Ireland
fred
I may be wrong – but adding drawers may compromise structural integrity in an all-plastic box design. Or if they beef up the side and back walls by adding something like a plastic honeycomb – then you lose space Thee open space at the front of the drawer bay may still be subject to sag no matter what they do – unless they span it with some structural element.
I have two rolling cabinets that I made out of plywood with drawers that run on extension slides. I fabricated them when I was younger, more ambitious, and money was tight. I also have old Kennedy rolling cabinets. Both work fine – but the plywood cabinets are less space-efficient.
OldDominionDIYer
These look really well thought out the ability to connect accessories really sets them apart, very nice, FLEX is not fooling around!
Cass
Makita makes them with drawers!
Stuart
Drawers that can fit power tools?
TonyT
If Flex is smart, they’ll realize that most people don’t have Flex power tools, and either support other brands directly or via encouraging third parties. For example:
— Sell empty Flex accessory cases. Based on their web site, doesn’t like look they will (so far, Bosch is the only one that does, and even they don’t sell the bit holders inserts without bits, grrr!)
— Sell/encourage others to make battery and charger holds for Milwaukee, DeWalt, etc.
Mike
So you’re saying they should be…FLEXible…
Couldn’t resist
Scott
They sell them without bits to keep consumer’s like you and me not having to pay for stuff we don’t need or even want to purchase!!! I’m so sick of idiots with absolutely no common sense!!!
Rob
I am ordering a set to develop those adapters for other brands
Warren+Riccitelli
Don’t forget an adapter plate to hold Tstack and Versastack to this great Flex Stak
I have over 40 of the Versastack/Tstack cases and like them mostly cause of there size being smaller, but I presume they will going away and are already in short supply
I do about six/eight jobs a day and the large cases are just to large for going in and out. But are great for for shop/truck storage
Joe
Thanks 🙏
Tim D.
Could not agree more with this statement. So short sighted for companies to assume you’re only using their batteries. It really limits their target audience for the toolboxes.
Tim+B.
That was absolutely my thought, as well.
Dennis
It looks like Milwaukee Packout boxes with Dewalt ToughSystem lids and inter-connects.
Handles, latches wheels size, internal layouts look very Milwaukee, almost identical. Where they beat Milwaukee is that they are accessory ready and willing to sell you the accessories. If you want the same features in your Packout stack, you have to buy all those accessories aftermarket. And you can find industrious individuals on YouTube and the web willing to sell you those things. I never understood why Milwaukee didn’t want all my money, but their oversight is some entrepreneur’s gain.
I still think Milwaukee has a better inter-connect. That’s why I got rid of my Dewalt boxes and bought Packout
Although with the Flex similarities to the Milwaukee system, I’m also wondering if the Flex Accessories would work in Packout boxes…
MFC
So I had Ridgid and bought into packout because Ridgid wouldn’t make drawers. I pretty much never unstack anything, but I have found that with packout boxes they can warp a little and get dirt down in the slots which make it extremely difficult to unlatch. I love having an all-drawer setup though…
Sapac
How in the heck did they get that green extension cord to wrap up like that, I can’t even get ribbon cables that perfectly flat!
Stuart
It’s either a rendering, or wrapped with extreme caution for photography purposes.
Jason
That is a rendering, no doubt.
MM
I agree with Jason, that’s a rendering.
MFC
Definitely not real. Though it seems that they’ve gotten pretty good at modifying reality.
TomD
If you have to do it for a photo, you use glue. Do one wrap at a time and glue each to itself.
That and other tricks can be used (in fact, you could cut the cable and have the cut side be out of the photo).
But I agree it looks like it might be a rendering.
Andrew Drozd
Or it’s not actually an extension cord, kinda like when they would use white paint in the milk commercials to give it that thick, creamy viscosity no milk would ever achieve.
Jeremiah D
After reading your comment I had to go back and look closer. Yeah, thats not real(and usable). Its either a plastic model, rendered (most likely) or a glued cord.
All options stated here already.
Gary T.
Another review said the 3 box combo would retail for $279.
Stuart
The 3-tool box combo will retail for $299. Individual SKU pricing has not yet been released.
TomD
Having all the exterior clips and stuff shows the main problem with these stackable toolboxes – having to unstack them to get access to stuff.
John
Tools Box Wars are cool. To bad Dewalts Toughsystem isn’t trying to catch up much less leap ahead!
Doug N
They could have had a big advantage over the competition if their base unit was one big drawer. To be able to store and retrieve large saws, etc. without taking apart the stack.
Robert
Yes, but as Fred and Stuart pointed out no one has figured out how to practically build drawers in these without reducing their strength. The bottom unit will have the most weight on it and hence is most subject to sagging. Reinforcement will have some drawback, either reduced internal volume or increased cost for a sophisticated solution.
TomD
Even just the box on its side with a “door” that opens (the door being smaller than the side is fine) would work; you can still access the stuff in it.
Even if the front with the door had to be almost an inch thick it’d still be nice.
chip+hershberger
Tanos/systainers are very space efficient ,but not very robust .
I have 2 boxes that came with Makita tracksaw ,but don’t use them because the latch can be hard to operate .
I am NOT part of the red army ,but do own some tools and packout .
Packout is very robust,and the best latch… but you need to be creative to work around the bracing.
My large box carries all Makita …tracksaw,tracksquare,angle grinder,3 track lamps,omt,extra blades for all,as well as 10 batteries .
Mid toolbox has 2 impacts,drill,m12 installation driver and every bit needed for cabinet installation .
Both boxes are pushing 45lbs and 25 .
Hand tools live below both in a 3drawer,with vacuum ,and bag capping the top,levels on the back of the hand truck.
Lesser used tools are on the wall …some stacked 6 deep ,and the rest are on drawer banks hanging from crates,for a clear floor.
I started with 2,4ft tall rolling stacks and was constantly stacking/unstacking.
Everyone has a different setup ,but the latch ,drawers,hand truck,wall Mounts are very effective at reducing wasted space in a cabinet delivery/installation truck.
Jared
Looks great honestly. The stacking tool box space is starting to feel pretty crowded – but Flex seems to have jumped in with both feet, which feels like the right way if you want your tool box system to make a splash.
Jeff
Stuart, do you know if Keter makes these too? It sure looks like their work.
Stuart
Based on the COO (China for the tool box combo), I don’t believe Keter to be the OEM.
Bob
Last time I looked at labels on Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ridgid. They were all made in Israel. Probably all at the same factory
Stuart
Ridgid Pro boxes are made by Keter. Milwaukee Packout is widely believed to be custom-made by Keter. Stanley Black & Decker owns a plastic tool storage company that’s based in Israel and is believed to design and manufacture their own products.
TonyT
Isn’t some DeWalt ToughSystem made in USA?
Also, IIRC, isn’t the Ryobi lego system made in USA?
Franck B,
Some Dewalt, Craftsman, Stanley, Black & Decker etc. Toughsystem, Toughcase+; Tstak, Versastack, Tradestack and non-system organizers are in fact made in the US.
I have some identical pieces from the US as well as Israel.
I picked up some pieces today that were listed in specs as ABS but the required composition engraving actually shows it to be polypropylene. I was a little disappointed mostly because I was originally surprised to see it listed as ABS.
I had purchased several Ryobi Link pieces but returned them, all of what I had was labeled China.
MFC
An exterior charging mount is a pretty brilliant idea. Packout?
Frank+D
Nice to see them go the extra mile in terms of incorporating some mods that individuals and the 3D the communities have done with Ridgid and PackOut in particular … but with countless people $$$ to $$$$ to $$$$$ into tool kits and powertools; this really is a few years too late.
If the $99 holiday special Ridgid three piece is considered the rugged standard … and numerous people who wanted more now have a van full of PackOut … how will flex get off the ground???
Everybody in the trades is yellow, teal, red, orange, some blue, lots of lime in the homeowner market.
The only way I could see myself switching is if there were a trade in for competing products. And, I’d be happy to switch to something better and more versatile, if it is a better value than PackOut. But it would have to be a significant enough difference that uses can break even on their PackOuts on the used market …
Collin
How will Flex get off the ground if everyone’s already invested in other systems?
Simple, they appeal to younger people who are just joining the trades.
People retire and young blood joins. Needs tools and storage. Flex is a possible option, lots of sponsorships, nonstop YouTube yapping about Flex, pretty competitive pricing, competitive performance… Should be able to nab a few younger people joining the trades.
Randy S
Collin is correct. I’m a plumber running a mix of red and yellow, and I work with several younger guys running Flex. It’s a good system that’s only going to get better IMO.
They may not ever reach the level of specialty tools that you see from Milwaukee or Dewalt, but Flex has plenty of offerings and most guys, even among the trades, won’t need all the fancy options. Lots of trades companies supply the specialty stuff anyways.
MM
I think Flex has some great ideas, they just need more of them. Their “Inline” 6 1/2″ circular saw is a fantastic tool, I’ve been tempted to buy one on multiple occasions. Every time I’ve looked into it I thought to myself, okay, if you want to buy into this new battery platform what else are you going to use on it? And that was the question I never could really answer. Their tools all seem solid but nothing else really jumps out at me as being special. But if they keep coming out with new ideas like this I think there will be more and more reason for people to consider them.
Franco
“How will Flex get off the ground if everyone’s already invested in other systems”…people said this when Flex started with drills and impacts, that being soo much more saturated a market. The tool box systems have been around for a while but only in the last 5+ years has interest really been happening.
If you make something worthwhile, there is always a market waiting
Collin
I’m confident in Chervon. They have one of the biggest success stories in recent history: Ego and cordless OPE. Ego showed up in 2013 or so and in just a few years went on to become the top dog in the OPE space in terms of performance and mindshare.
Chervon has plenty of experience making basically every tool under the sun for somebody. Chervon even makes hydraulic impact drivers for Menards. Not many brands make hydraulic impact drivers.
The acquisition of Flex (the German brand) is nice as some of that nice German engineering has trickled into the US market. One of them is the compact Flex vacuum, which has the innovative semi-automatic filter cleaning function, as well as probably the best, most flexible, hose in the world of power tool battery vacuums.
There’s a lot of small little thoughtful touches in the Flex line that appeals to me, along with the raw performance of many of their tools. Like the interchangable chuck on the SDS hammers, the wobble head on the impact wrench, the quick bit eject button, the tower light with the removable head, etc. None of my Flex tools have disappointed me–apart from the radio.
Franco
So I am curious, what about the radio was disappointing?
Collin
Makita XRM11 absolutely blows it out the water in sound quality and volume. The XRM11 is so good that I got 2 to use the pairing function. I lost one but I’m considering getting a replacement.
Vaughn Woodside
All my tools are Flex I’ve completely switched over and have every tool Flex as came out with would love to add the Flex Stack Pack Tool Box to the family. Hands down Flex tools out performs every brand nothing compares.
Luis
Any info on the release date to this system? I like it!
Stuart
Coming soon – by the timing I’d say fall (Sept-Oct) just ahead of the holiday seasaon.
DaveZ
Stuart, I love this website and I am happy that Flex is a sponsor (I truly wish you success), but I highly doubt that these tool boxes are “what’s next”. They do have some ingenious features, and as John said, “Tool box wars are cool”, but there might be too much competition in this space. Maybe their marketing should include this: “FLEX – less likely to be stolen!”
Stuart
In this space, there are two types of modular tool box systems. “Me too” systems that do nothing different, and systems that innovate.
Milwaukee Packout seemingly prompted Dewalt to go back to the drawing board with ToughSystem 2.0.
Harbor Freight launched a Bauer tool storage system, and it doesn’t seem to do anything differently. https://toolguyd.com/harbor-freight-bauer-modular-tool-box-system/
Will Stack Pack lead users of competing systems to say something similar to “I sure wish my tool box could do that?” That’s the test for whether this is a next-gen tool box system or simply a “me too” lineup with slight differentiation.
Corey+Moore
I love my toughsystem, but you’ve only got to look as far as the toughcase/tstak adapter plate to craftsman proprietary stack, instead of toughsystem, to see how reliable their product planning is lol
Franco
“In this space, there are two types of modular tool box systems. “Me too” systems that do nothing different, and systems that innovate.
Milwaukee Packout seemingly prompted Dewalt to go back to the drawing board with ToughSystem 2.0.”….maybe.
I personally find more new ideas and innovation in the Flex system, rather than what Milwaukee did (compared to the Dewalt TS).
Then again, Milwaukee does not need to do much. They could have made identical units to Dewalt TS, paint them red and put “Milwaukee” on it and the hordes of Milwaukee fans would have jumped all over them, regardless.
I think this Flex offering is definitely in the “innovate” camp.
Joe
Has anyone used or looked at the Festool and Tanis T. Lock systems? They also have a huge 3d printing community for nearly anything. Looks crazy adaptable. Now I’m on the fence. Crap
Stuart
Festool and Tanos Systainers don’t provide anywhere near the level of durability, and the tool boxes are far more expensive. They’re also smaller. I own Systainers, and they’re great for certain things, but it’s more of a workshop storage system. I’ve seen all manners or storage products at jobsites and used by commercial and residential techs and pros, but not one Systainer product – ever.
Robert
Does anyone know if the Systainer system has universal compatibility? That is will one manufacturer’s systainer box stack and lock onto one made by a different manufacturer? Say Festool on Mafell?
Stuart
Tanos makes Systainers for different brands, usually with only the branding and latch colors being different.
But there are some systems that look like Systainers but aren’t made by Tanos, and compatibility with those systems is not guaranteed.
Robert
The one drawback I thought of for the clever exterior storage is the tools hanging by rafter clips and the batteries are now vulnerable to being stolen.
Kh
My thoughts
Collin
VCG showed that the external battery mounts could also be mounted inside.
Eric
Guess who regrets investing so heavily in packout 🙁
Phil H.
When I brought up the website tonight my first thought was “well that’s right out of the movie Transformers”. We’ll done FLEX.
William Adams
Needs drawers, and adapters for other brand batteries/chargers at a minimum.
Providing a work surface like to the Tanos MW-1000 or the Festool 500076 SYS-MFT Tabletop Systainer would make it more interesting to me.
I’ve gradually started buying Systainers when I see them on sale, and my next major tool purchase is going to be a Tanos MW-1000 unless something amazing comes up. This is close, but no cigar.
PW
The writeup is a little breathless, but this does look intriguing. I like the ability to mount smaller containers inside larger ones. My biggest issue with big boxes is preventing them from degenerating into an unwieldy mess.
Also impressed with external metal mounting rails. I like that they’re both providing a lot of OEM flexibility but also making it easy for 3rd party stuff to fill in gaps.
The muted Flex color pallete also looks good, and makes less of a “steal me!” statement.
One question I have though – is this system going to be a “Lowe’s Exclusive” in the US? If so, I see that as the biggest demerit here. With the bright colored big competitors, I don’t have to worry about availability if Lowe’s loses interest like they seem to do every few years.
Corey+Moore
It’s as if someone actually read all our, “wouldn’t it be cool if my chosen brand also did X?” comments lol Good for them.
Andrew Drozd
More than anything, I see a Packout system substantially different enough to not infringe on patents, and then they went and took what everyone with a working knowledge of 3D modeling and a printer was doing with after market accessories and made them OEM. The level holder, the cord wrap, battery mounts, I did all of them. The only thing I don’t see on there is a cup holder big enough to nest a full 32 oz Gatorade bottle… yet.
Frank+D
Exactly. Even looking at them for a second time, I still cannot help but think they copied pretty much Ridgid’s & Packouts boxes with enough variation not to get sued; while incorporating half a dozen ideas from the maker space / 3D guys whole took their packouts to the next level.
I am going to wait for a video and some in person hands on, but I think I found an achilles heel.
And the power tools on the outside is a nice hack, can store more in the boxes … but extra weight may be an issue, and then what happens as you need to in tight quarters, go up/down stairs, through doors … or when you have this on the back of your pickup?
William Adams
Except for drawers, and a worksurface.
Andrew Drozd
It took Red a couple years to come out with their drawer units, and even longer for a work surface, even though we were all howling for drawers to come out the week after Packout was announced. Flex as a brand is only like a year old as it is, I can understand why they’re doing it the way they are: the market is fickle under the best circumstances, and tooling isn’t cheap, even under lease. Custom molds are also pretty steep to design and have made, and they may be such a proprietary item that they may have had to buy them outright, and if they can’t get buy in, it’s better to have the line die small, instead of offering 15+ items from jump. I’d bet if they do well, however, we’ll probably see a huge expansion to the line in about a year.
TomD
Would have liked to see them try something different than everyone else – offer the rolling base as the drawer unit itself. But that would drive up costs.
William Adams
Exactly — why have a bottom unit which has to be unstacked down to so as to access?
Drawers for the bottom at least make a lot of sense, and this is why I’ve pretty much settled on Systainers and a Tanos MW-1000
Harrison
I honestly think the copycat storage box wars are silly- Huge waste of money and plastic. There’s no way the market can support all these competing systems, the losers will be garage sale fodder at best, landfill at worst.
That said, I actually kind of like these for being a professional, neutral colour that doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Packout is nice, but the red is pretty ugly. Makes your garage look like a Goodlife fitness studio.
John
Well the Rigid ones are on sale at Home Depot today. They better win in features because value will be tough.
Franco
I think they have some great ideas.
I do not have a need for any system right now, but definitely would have these be my 1st choice to look at and buy also.
What I really like is all the extra areas they built to clip, snap on, or hang stuff. I might not be for hanging my drills on the side (but I like the battery holders). But it doesn’t matter; others will love it. Mostly, they are giving you lots of flexibility yo set things up best for your needs.
Between the wall and cover clip on on the inside and all the exterior storage, I hope they sell well. I like the thought they put into it, especially being late to the game.
I hope this will incent the opposition to outdo Flex…possibly offering drawers that wont flex. (I can’t believe I wrote that) Basically, if it makes others think harder (for our benefit), the tool box war is just getting started….and we win!
Paul C
Missing wall/van/truck mount kits.
scada
I’m curious about these systems as they relate to flying with tools/gear (I’m a comms/automation engineer). I’ve wanted to try a few different options including the Ridgid rolling tool chest – the Milwaukee rolling tool chest is slightly too big for airline luggage dimensions. So far, the best bet I’ve found is a Toughbuilt XL rolling bag stuffed with various Plano 3700 boxes and their belt clip pouches (and it’s working out great) but I’d love a system that’s slightly larger yet still airline friendly.
Jeremiah D
A company i worked for, the traveling field techs used pelican cases for their basic travelling needs. I know theyre pricey but i feel like they still hold most of the market for durability and security. Their tool organization for working out of may be lacking as well. And the wheels are tiny
Franco
And Pelican have multiple drawer solutions. On this, I can’t speak if they sag under heavy load or if Pelican has a way to maintain rigidity. They are definitely more expensive and might have a solution that would make the completion to pricey in the market they compete…or maybe they also sag?
Franck B.
The Pelican 0450 system doesn’t sag, but then it’s not stackable as normally defined in stacking systems.
I have one loaded with mechanics tools that’s well over 100 pounds. I have another with a more diverse loadout which is just under 70 pounds so that it is easy to take as checked luggage. That one is an older style that doesn’t have glides on the drawers because it gives me a couple more pounds for storage.
I think of the Pelican system and the Packout / Toughsystem / Tstak type systems as being for different markets, same with Systainer. My requirements cross multiple markets and so I use different systems for different applications.
Stuart
The Pelican 0450 is also a very different type of product, and with shallow trays as opposed to taller drawers.
My experience with drawer-based plastic tool boxes isn’t so much that the drawers sag, but that they bind. Weight on top also causes sagging that binds the first drawer, and sagging of the first drawer will usually cause binding below it. It’s workable, which is why I use Packout drawer boxes, but less than ideal, especially with other lighter duty and lower cost systems that are more susceptible to this, such as Dewalt Tstak.
Franck B.
@Stuart
I guess that’s why I mentioned they are for completely different markets.
Although the Pelican is supplied with either shallow or deep (well, half as shallow) it’s easy to configure with whatever size drawer you want, as the slides can be positioned anywhere. A 3x triple deep drawer is a common configuration. Since almost all the precut foam is for mechanics, aviation, electrical or armoury tools, the intended market seems well defined (and they still don’t stack… nor sag… nor bind).
The sagging leading to binding is the same thing one expects from Ikea furniture drawers.
TonyT
@Franck B,
Note that the Pelican 0450 uses aluminum drawer slides – that probably helps a lot. And at ~$1000, it’s definitely in a different market.
Stuart
Good points. Sorry – I have a Gen1, which doesn’t have slides, and so that’s the design I automatically visualize when the 0450 comes up.
Droid
To me they don’t seem extraordinary. They don’t have near as durable as packouts stacking system( two points of locking vs more 20 on packouts) neither do they benefit from the wall racks like toughsystem. They rolling toolbox does not look tray compatible and the large tool box doesn’t latch when the handle is up. They also have an organizer that looks to have more waste space than the packout even, do to the side latching system I think. The gas struts are kinda cool though even if a bit unnecessary. Some of the exterior accessory are nice, it’ll probably make the other brands do similar.
Franco
They don’t need to be extraordinary to you, but “we” as a whole, have more choice, and that is always a good thing.
As for your points, they may be valid, but I can’t say because I haven’t really taken a deep dive into the Packout. Just looked them over quickly at I se more appeal to these Flex than the Packout but that’s me.
Of course, in my opinion, Milwaukee can do whatever they want; the redheads will always run to buy their products…good or bad.
Tojen1981
They look like a nice option if you’re just starting out in the modular tool storage game, but they don’t offer much over pack outs, save for being able to attach things to the lid and sides.
Flex “borrowed” many ideas from Milwaukee here not mention small businesses that make similar exterior attachments for the pack outs.
The price points are right in line with Milwaukee, so no advantage there. Not a fan of the color scheme, but that’s personal preference(would be easy to leave behind in a clutter) Smaller dealer network and initial limited offerings also ding it’s value as well.
Warren+Riccitelli
Anyone heard anything about a CRATE? One the quantity of Ridge or Milwaukee. And with atachnent and/or divider slots on the inside. And how about and optional cover for when you might need it. Know that would be assume
Franck B.
Available for pickup on Wednesday (9/14). The site shows it as $299, but I paid less.
Terry
Has anyone been able to actually obtain them yet? Mine were supposed to be ready for pickup at Lowes last week, but are ‘delayed’ and they do not have an ETA now. The website still lets you order for pickup/delivery.
Franck B.
I received the tower and the bit sets but the individual extra boxes weren’t supposed to come this week and still show next week.
Franco
Not so much about the Flex Stack, but Flex in general. I was noticing some ads recently and Flex has developed quite the catalog of tools and accessories. They also are doing very well when it comes to YT reviews/tests with other brands.
For a company that recently launched, and during a bad time (COVID), they look like they are not just hanging on but doing quite well…. good for them.
I do not have anything from Flex but will definitely give them a look when my next tool purchase comes along.
Franck B.
My main concern is support and repair, and for me SBD pretty much beats everyone else on this front because they have repair centers near everywhere I operate, including outside of the US.
I haven’t had to deal with any Flex support yet, but Kobalt 24V tools are pretty strong, reliable and full-featured and their support is terrible. I hope Flex operates differently, because the tools look pretty good and the few I’ve tried were quite usable.
Frank D
I have been to 4 Lowes in 3 states this week … zero sign of these boxes 🙁
Steve b
Just showed up in the Papillon ,Ne. Lowe’s $299.00 for the 3 pc kit.