Flex recently aired their Flex Faceoff Round 2 video, where they showed how their cordless power tools bested leading competing systems in performance tests. As a part of the show, Flex also gave everyone a first look at their new Stack Pack modular tool storage system.
The new Flex Stack Pack tool box system is aimed at the pro market, with Milwaukee Packout and Dewalt ToughSystem 2.0 identified as the top competition.
Flex Stack Pack features auto-connecting side latches.
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The large tool box features gas struts, and can be opened even when connected on top of a rolling tool box.
It was also shown to have built-in accessory case mounting within the inner lid.
The extending handle of the rolling tool box can be removed to help the tool box better fit in smaller spaces, such as in a covered truck bed.
There also look to be mounting points built into the tool box corners/
As part of the announcement, Flex made it clear that they would be releasing a “full array of [Stack Pack] attachments,” including a battery holder, adjustable charger holder, level holder, tool rack rail, cord wrapper, and connectable accessory kits.
Flex power tool accessory cases will also be part pf the Stack Pack system.
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The Flex Stack Pack accessory cases feature clear lids and what look to be one quick-opening latches.
This is the extent of our knowledge about the Flex Stack Pack tool box system, with much more to come.
Flex Stack Pack will be available at Lowe’s.
Lowe’s Modular Tool Box Systems
Lowe’s had published product listings for a new Kobalt CaseStack tool box system, but the system has yet to officially launch.
Lowe’s is also home to the Craftsman TradeStack system, which was recently expanded with a new tool bag.
The Craftsman VersaStack tool storage system has been available at Lowe’s for several years now.
Online-only, Lowe’s carries the Qbrick modular tool box system.
Competing against Lowe’s, Home Depot has Husky Connect (which recently added a 2-drawer unit), Ryobi Link, Ridgid Pro tool boxes, Dewalt ToughSystem 2.0, and Milwaukee Packout.
It seems that Flex Stack Pack will be Flex and Lowe’s solution to counter the Dewalt ToughSystem and Milwaukee Packout systems available at Home Depot.
There are definitely some innovative aspects of the new Stack Pack system, with thoughtful details and differentiations. We’ll update you as we learn more.
MM
I really like the design feature they have for the small accessory cases that allows the 6 inch extension to fit along with the smaller bits. I use Dewalt Toughcases for that, and I like them a lot, but I’d like them better if I could put an extension or a long bit right next to the short ones.
Franck B.
Yeah, with the Toughcase (and other brands) you have to put the long ones in the top or bottom and all the rest in the other half.
I bet you could 3D print up a similar device for other cases… or what I do is I just throw in a few longer pieces loose into the case 😀 In the case of an extension/bit holder, that’s pretty much what I am using every time out of that case.
King duck
You mean like Milwaukee 48-32-4023 ShockWave Impact Duty Steel Driver Bit Set 45 Piece that has been out for a few years
Richard Schneeman
The Milwaukee cases is murder to get bid out though. I prefer my Bosch bit case. I store my extension in a pencil/pen loop in my Milwaukee pack.
Nicholas Nasti
I keep one in mine… the Klein flip socket I use as my extension…. If you slide the socket to the middle, the top of the extension will fit into the insert along the top of the case… i just have one at the top and one at the bottom, i set it in the bottom one like I normally would and when i push it down, the top of the extension pops into the insert along the top.. obviously, they both need to the same insert, so that the slots line up.
Perry
If either system has decent drawer boxes that aren’t $180 like the packout, I’ll probably jump over. As it is, I’m invested in tstak/versastack with their single amd double drawers, but they’re a little too small.
Anson
The packout triple drawer has 3″ high drawers, big plus for me. The price tag though, $165 vs 2-3x tstak(4″ high) at $30 each. That’s the non-sale prices right now.
Typically I spend 1/3rd to 1/2 for tstak. My go to tasks are building to building and I’m not working outdoors often. On the occasion I work outdoors I’m working out of a vehicle.
Plain grainy
The Flex looks a little bit like Menards Masterforce rolling toolbox. The top suitcase model at one time sold for $35(plus 11% rebate off that price.).
Steve
The Masterforce system is actually the same product as the Bauer system at Harbor Freight.
James
it looks like Flex is taking everything that is great about the packout system and improving on it. The removable handle on the rolling tool box is something that Milwaukee should have though of before releasing the product.
Munklepunk
As much as like like the packout, except the price, the rolling tool box is a bad design.
Ron
It looks like they went and took every custom mod people made for the other systems and said we’ll just make it ourselves. No development needed.
Phillip Milliken
@Stuart Any indication if this is another Keter design? It looks like a Packout v1.5 with the improvements to known issues. Milwaukee has been very quiet overall with the encroachment from their top tier competitors. I wonder when Milwaukee will finally answer these new innovations with something unique of their own and not an also ran like DeWalt and Flex releasing pouched cell batteries.
Stuart
Not that I can tell so far.
Some of Keter’s proprietary OEM products are so well-guarded that COO is the only indicator.
As for Li pouch cells, Flex has said they’ve had this in development for 5 years. Dewalt PowerStack was not an overnight development either.
I don’t know what Milwaukee’s plans are. If I had the opportunity to ask their cordless leads in person, they have very good poker faces and are unlikely to share secrets prematurely. If I somehow became privy to Milwaukee’s plans, I would be barred by means of NDA or my editorial guidelines from divulging.
Milwaukee Tool is very forward-thinking.
Makita broke through their 18V power/performance ceiling with an 18V form-factor XGT 36V cordless lineup.
Dewalt has FlexVolt and is breaking through their 20V Max ceiling with PowerStack.
Flex is heading towards next-level performance with stacked pouch cells.
Milwaukee has MX Fuel for heavier equipment, but they’ve reached a power and performance limit for handheld and benchtop tools.
Milwaukee has opted for dual-M18 for certain equipment – their mower and upcoming larger shop vacuum – but that doesn’t seem to be the direction they wish to head in for handheld tools.
I would bet that pouch-style battery packs is something they are exploring as well.
We are in the early stages of next-generation cordless power.
Milwaukee used to maintain a 2-year introduction cycle. They would introduce a new battery jump at NPS, and the following year they would expand upon it. New tech would be introduced one year, and then it would be matured and mainstreamed the next year.
M18 High Output debuted 4 years ago. https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-m18-high-output-cordless-power-tool-tech/
I can guarantee that Milwaukee has not been sitting idle since then.
Phillip Milliken
Great insight Stuart, thanks! With Milwaukee sitting out NPS/Pipeline last year, I’m hopeful to see them come back strong. I agree that M18 has hit a performance ceiling so a new platform is likely in the cards IMO vs just a switch to pouched cells in the same M18 form factor. I’ve invested in hand tools and Packout storage over the past 18 months, but have not added any new gen3 Fuel tools in that time as I feel like there is an major inflection point in their platform coming. (Hopefully sooner than later).
Collin
Flex hasn’t avoided 21700 cells for their packs.
Their 8.0 and 12.0 packs use 21700 cells.
Stuart
I’m sorry, that’s correct – I was too focused on the 2.5Ah 6-cell battery.
Will
Umm. You really think they invented the 18650 or any other battery form factor? Or the voltages they use? Do you know how batteries work? If a company “breaks through” the 18V range and hits 36V, they just put things in series.
Pouch style lion batteries are terrible. They will all, without exception, blow and die. Some more spectacularly than others, but it is a guarantee due to the design of the pouch that will continue to swell over time.
If they actually use lifepo4 in their pouches, I’ll be interested. If not, its literally the same old thing that is currently out their with tuning done on the BMS and other circuitry at most. Its always difficult to tell since the marketing people step in to make most consumers think there is a difference between 18V and 20V battery systems. That is why made in the USA tools are dead: the American consumer.
So when you suddenly see that power tools’ recharge cycles magically jump to over double of the current battery packs yet are ever so slightly more chonky, it’s not because Dewalt, Milwaukee, Flex or any of the others invented something. Its just they switched from lion to lifepo4.
Stuart
A sum of parts can be innovative. In this case, we’re also talking about the sum of new parts.
The pouches used in both Dewalt and Flex batteries aren’t simply off-the-shelf batteries available to consumer electronics or other such applications where i) power needs are constant, and ii) operational demands are relatively tame.
A cordless power tool stands a good chance of being knocked or dropped off a 5-foot ladder. How far might a typical smartphone be dropped? The momentum involved is going to be different as well due to the much greater mass of power tools and battery packs.
Most if all detractors don’t know anything about Li pouch-style batteries that cordless power tool brands don’t. Don’t you think they would have strived to work with battery makers and design battery packs that can handle the same environmental and operational factors as 18650 and 21700 cylindrical cell-based batteries?
Can a cordless power tool brand slap a couple of Li-ion or LiPo battery cells in a housing, add a BMS, and call it a day? Sure, and some basic brands might do that. The better brands don’t do that.
Michael F
Seems like a Packout clone with a few design improvements. It’s always good to have choices, but the fast expansion of the Packout system is going to be difficult to compete with. I’m still not sure why none of these toolbox manufacturers have thought to include power passthrough in the larger boxes. Many of us are running chargers mounted under the lid.
Jim Felt
Maybe they think that a bunch of toolheads could drill or cut out whatever power pass throughs would be required to simply customize just that.
I’ll bet it’s been done and somewhere on the www there’re plenty of examples.
Plus maker built attachment methods for specific chargers and spare batteries?
King duck
I’m thinking if you can mount a charger to a lid you can drill a hole and install a grommet.
Just a guess but they don’t want the liability of equipment overheating when someone seals the box in the sun and heat.
I wish Milwaukee would make a pack out charger/ battery holder about the size of the pack out radio could charge 4 batteries maybe 2 at once the switch to the next 2 when finished and hold like 4 extra batteries with a nice long cord that can be stored on it.
Corey Moore
It’s toughpackcase 2.0. Maybe I’m just feeling cynical today, but holy crap how many more companies are going to reskin modular tool boxes stacked together and pretend it’s an innovative product? Feels like watching lazy YouTube content fads somehow transcend the hardware store.
Stuart
Down the road – say 5 years from now – will it matter who came out with what first?
Who came out with the first brushless hammer drill? Rear-handle saw? One-handed reciprocating saw? 3-speed impact driver?
Products will thrive if they provide clear user benefits. Yes, there is a dizzying selection of modular tool box systems out there today. Differentiation is going to be important.
Brands being inspired by each other’s products is what competition is all about. Without a competitive “we can do that better” mindset, what else will drive improvements?
Jared
The mounting points in the corners – I’m not sure what I’d do when them, but I like the idea. Maybe an opportunity to DIY exterior storage? Mount some battery holders?
Looks pretty nice overall. Nice to see another Pro-level option.
King duck
I’m thinking thing like cord/hose holders. Hook to hang tool bags. And obviously any little thing someone with a 3D printer thinks of.
paul mitchell
If I had been paying attention to this Flex line, I would have sat on my hands on any tool purchases until Flex was fully up and running. Quite frankly, the Flex tools, and now the accessories, look better and apparently perform better than anything on the market, at this point in time.
James Davis
I purchased most of Flex’s tools so far, except for the grinders. They are mighty fine tools. My only “complaint”is the lack of a tool free shoe adjustment on the D handle jig saw. I have the 6.5 inch inline saw instead of the 7 1/4 saw. While I have M12 and V20, the Flex tools are my favorite tools right now.
paul mitchell
I haven’t used them, but I don’t make my living with my tools anymore, either. Everything, and I do mean everything, that I have seen, read, and heard leads me to believe that the Flex line contains the best tools on the market right now. This stack just solidifies that to me, too.
Really good looking stuff, but I just bought into the TradeStack stuff two weekends ago. Dangit!
Yes
The Flex grinder is awesome. I have M18 and have tried the Milwaukee fuel grinder with a high output 6.0. The Milwaukee couldn’t touch the Flex in ergonomics or power.
The best part about the Flex is it’s variable speed. At speed 1, 3500rpm, it’s just slow enough to run a 7″ wool buffing pad.
The handle is very thin and much better than the Milwaukee grinder’s handle.
Eric H
I think it is time to start a Modular Toolbox Alliance System.
Rog
Oh thank heavens, just in time! I was afraid I was not going to have any other portable box options to store my tools in!
Nathan
lol MATS.
I like some of the ideas which is what I say about nearly all of them but I’ve not felt compelled to purchase into any system yet. Question is that tradestack craftsman thing compatible with any of the dewalt gear?
I like some aspects of toughsystem and I like some of packout. which one of these setups would offer a 2 or 3 drawer box device for the middle that you could put your own tools into cutouts without having to buy that brands pre-packaged took kit.
paul mitchell
I just bought all the TradeStack stuff two weekends ago. For the price point, you can’t go wrong and if you have any of the VersaStack boxes, they will attach to TradeStack with an included attachment plate. Yeah, it is good stuff for the money.
The new Ryobi boxes look okay, too.
Franck B.
The new Ryobi boxes are not OK. They spent too much time thinking of new ideas and didn’t put any thought into the regular items. Like the handle is only on the front (suitcase style), but there’s no way to stand the box on the hinge side (like a suitcase). Or on the small box, when you carry it by handle, all the organizer bins fly around. Or you can’t add more organizer bins because the molding for the “bit holder” (which isn’t actually a bit holder) gets in the way of more bins. They also used a more rigid plastic (like L-Boxxes) which cracks easilly.
Rob
I’m all about the fact that Festool finally got around to making the attic storage versions of their new systainers.
Frank D
I really like the gas struts. Aluminum bumper pieces just for looks really? Losing the lash behind the aluminum bar of packout, is a bit of a deal breaker. I put my lashing straps through those …
Jared
Perhaps screw a hook to the mounting holes instead?
Fyrfytr998
That Flex event was a big ball of nothing. I’m fine with the rigged tests, but to only announce the new batteries and the Stack system was lame.
James Davis
One handed reciprocating saw. Rear handle circular saw. Tower light. Blower. Fan. All announced.
Frank D
But then you have a screw hook sticking out waiting to scrape your legs, doorways, furniture, …
Fyrfytr998
That’s how lame the dog and pony show was. Those were tools I already thought they had. And for wanting to grab the professional users, those aren’t the tools they are looking for.
Me
I’m curious of the price. Np-65 rated Bauer from Harbor Freight runs about $140 for the small, large, and rolling storage boxes. That’s even cheaper than the RIDGID going for $150. Granted PACKOUT has more options, but I’m focusing on the 3 main sections of modular stacking storage. Hart goes for $90 but not NP-65 rated. Blah!
Ken Weinstein
Flex read my lips: I want drawers!
MFC
YES! DRAWERS!
OldDominionDIYer
Flex is making a serious thrust into the tool market, nice. I love competition! I really like the look of their new “Stack Pack gear. Keep it up!
Ball_bearing
They look great, but the dark color scheme is not for me. I prefer high contrast, so red, yellow, green, or orange. It’s just that most tools are either chrome, or black oxide, so they would be hard to spot.
David
So I guess there won’t be any decent half-width support? They could do like dewalt I guess but it still would be inferior to some others like packout.
Franck B.
I was looking for a good shot of the top lid to see but I couldn’t find one. The Packout half-width support is good but almost all the Packout stuff is quite large, or bigger than I would expect. The Toughsystem 2.0 is OK, but limited. Tstak requires “go-between” pieces, and their Toughcases need to be disconnected to open.
I liked the special sized cases that go in the Tstak drawers, but those aren’t available here and they are also a huge waste of space.
MFC
I JUST WANT DRAWERS PEOPLE! GET YOUR TOOLBOXES TOGETHER AND GIVE US DRAWERS!!!
I don’t care about little organizers, or a rolling box that is the same as ryobi, hart, husky, ridgid, milwaukee, dewalt, craftsman, etc.
I just want a Packout drawers competitor that has a decent load rating and build quality for less than $150 each! GIVE ME DIFFERENT SIZED DRAWERS SO THAT MY CIRCULAR SAW FITS IN IT!!!
Ridgid, or DeWalt are who I’m rooting for. The former being unlikely at this point to do anything, but I have high hopes for DeWalt. Unfortunately I think they’ll be overpriced like Milwaukee…
OldDominionDIYer
I own the Flex Hammer Drill kit and the case it came in is terrible. So many issues and it gives me caution that this gear is as good as it looks. Gas shocks on the lid will fail, they always do, just not a long term solution. I will take a close look when they make it into the local Lowes but I do not have high expectations.
Franck B.
While agree with you on the Flex cases (and the Kobalt XTR cases) that are supplied with tools (they’re horrible), I don’t think that should reflect on the quality of the storage system.
DeWalt’s supplied cases, while usable, don’t interface with anything. At lease more recently some models in some lines are being supplied with blow-molded system-compatible cases, but those are few. For now I just stick with buying bare tools and system cases, make my own dividers, and mix and match setups for different tasks.
MM
I think most supplied cases are rubbish. I know I had a pile of the old rigid black plastic Dewalt cases that mostly came with corded tools. I rarely used any of them, they just wasted space. I like the soft bags they are supplying now much better because they are a lot more useful for misc. purposes unrelated to tools. That said, I think a lot of DeWalt’s modular storage options are great even though their old black cases were junk.
Flotsam
I suppose if i were a contractor and bringing a whole bunch of tools into a home this topic would interest me more. This is a whole lof of money
Chris
I’d rather save the cash and go with the new harbor freight system, much more 3d print friendly to deck it out the way I like
Warren Riccitelli
Take a look again at Horrorable Freight. Cheap cases, horrible finish and thought that might match the sizes of the DeWalt/Craftsman cases. They don’t.
I have over 30 DeWalt/Craftsman cases and am just looking for a milk crate to match the Tstak size. And any other cases as long as they fit the old DeWalt sizes
I have TS2. And the new craftsman in the garage for anybody that wants them. I had over 700 invested in Packout but love the smaller cases better. And that is exactly what I am hearing on the street.
Willing to put money into the new Flex but are they same size and interchangeable with Tstack
And it looks like Lowes is dropping the VERSASTACK. doe not seem to be much available and pricing is thru the roof. This year I have been addintig with Tstack. And none of the big boxes
Adam Koral
Do we have a release date? Just sae this, it’s on lowes.com but no other info and can’t buy it
Stuart
No updates yet, but I would anticipate they would work towards a holiday season launch – at least.