Klein has launched a new electrical hand tool kit, and the tools are bundled with a ModBox organizer case and custom-cut foam liners.
This tool kit features a selection of Klein insulated hand tools, and it could be the first of many tool and ModBox case bundles.
Tool set and storage integrations can work well, such as with socket sets, and maybe it can work for insulated pliers, cutters, and screwdrivers.
Advertisement
The idea isn’t novel, but that doesn’t take away from its potential “grab and go” convenience.
This bundle comes with 9 electrical hand tool essentials – screwdrivers (slotted 1/4″. square #1, Phillips #2), cable cutters, combination crimper/cutter, lineman’s pliers (side cutter), long nose pliers, diagonal cutters, and wire strippers.
Klein has other insulated tool sets, but this looks to be the first that’s packaged inside a ModBox tool case with custom-fit foam tray.
The set shown here launched at $250, and the tools are said to be made in the USA. They haven’t made any announcements, but I’m sure we’ll see more.
Advertisement
William Adams
This would be a nice way for Klein (or any other manufacturer) to extend the reach/influence/popularity of the ModBox (or similar modular tool system) — offering custom-fitted foam to match popular tool sets.
I’m surprised tool vendors don’t do this more frequently.
eddiesky
Agree. I would think about how DeWalt could drop those cheap bags and instead have DXL or ToughSystem2.0/Deep Pro storage containers with foam and cutouts for screwguns/battery and accessories. Or Milwaukee battery box with storage that can be a packout drawer.
Wayne R.
This reminds me that it’d be pretty cool if shape files were available for all sorts of things (& cases) that would allow users to do a foam cutout layout in software then submit it to someone who’d feed it to a CNC machine to do the cutting.
Maybe something/someone like that already exists and we just haven’t heard of them. Yet.
Blocky
Kaizen should get on it.
William Adams
I’ve tried to collect such outlines/models in the past, but while folks will download them, not many will upload/model/contribute.
Gridfinity seems to have achieved a critical mass in terms of popularity _and_ participation, but is on a smaller scale than most tools.
That said, there are apps such as Toolkaiser as well as websites such as:
https://www.tooltrace.ai/
https://outline.georgs.lv/
Chip
Or someone with a laser cutter 😁
(I cut foam inserts with mine all the time)
Adam B.
These always look cool, but do the really represent how anyone actually uses tools? It’s one thing for a mechanic to have a such a box, it’s the only logical way to move a bunch of sockets at once, but for most other trades (and even a mechanics other tools), this kind of packaging just doesn’t make much sense. Carry the box to the spot (convenient!), find someplace where it won’t tip over, won’t fall down AND is quickly accessible for what you’re working on (hard for this form factor), open the lid (annoying), and pull out individual tools while you try not to tip it off the random stack of boxes/ boards it’s sitting precariously on (sometimes easy, sometimes not!). The reason most sparkies have a pouch or a bag- no lid to open, easy to set down within reach, easy access, lots of tools close together. This kind of product just seems to be a reason to sell you a container in a system to get you to buy more of the system (while giving you a rather useless container).
Wayne R.
I’m with you, this isn’t how I’d use these kinds of tools.
Now something similar for maybe a DMM and leads and attachments, yes. or something with very sharp blades to be protected maybe.
Anything with a bunch of related pieces/doodads/parts, some of which may be somewhat delicate, yes. And also aren’t necessarily always used in every job.
Pliers? No.
TomD
These kinds of setups are terribly useful if you absolutely cannot leave a tool behind (think socket in a jet engine).
Or even just want to be able at a glance to know you grabbed them all.
The problem is it’s going to be nearly impossible to find the EXACT set of tools you need, so you’re always adding something, somewhere.
Dj
Exactly. Electricians going up and down ladders, keep these type tools in a pouch on their belt, or an open tote hanging off side of ladder.
This would only be efficient for someone working on the ground in a shop. And then that lid would have to go and then put it in a drawer.
But add a tool or switch to one different size and out comes the foam and surgical knife.
Love the tools though.
Tdot77
Yeah, I immediately thought the same thing. It’s very rare for an electrician to not be wearing a pouch or their shoulder carry bag(no, not a purse – a ‘murse’ maybe after work tho! :-)lol) with all their hand tool handles sticking out and easily accessible while working in a box\panel. I do like the idea of having custom cut foam for other tool sets(wrenches, sockets, etc) where it’d be useful to see when there’s something not in its spot while you’re packing up you know it’s missing. I feel this kit seems like a waste of a very nice pre-cut foam, cause most would put these tools right in their pouch\bag for easy access, instead of getting one or two tools out of a fitted tray inside a closed box one at a time. I think this would be better if the foam came whole and tools weren’t pre-cutout – so if you wanted to cut foam for other things or the included tools – it’d be your choice. Anyways, it is a very nice set of Made in USA tools in a sturdy new Klein Modbox! Choices make the world go around & round! One thing is for sure though….we most certainly have a whole lot of toolbox system kits to choose from in this day and age! It is hard to make a decision on which one is the best to get unto
Matt_T
The screwdrivers are baffling. I can’t recall ever using #1 square on anything electrical. I’m not even sure I’ve used one period?? That should be a #2. Limited to one flat blade I’d rather have a 7/32″ / 5.5mm. And anyone using the larger pliers and cutters is gonna need larger screwdrivers too. And probably PZ too since 1,000V is mostly required in industrial environments. I just don’t see the point of a kit that’ll require the addition on a set of screwdrivers???
Adam
#1 square is definitely odd. I can see a use for the slotted for adjusting potentiometers and similar inside live equipment, but usually you need a very narrow one for that.
CMF
Possibly you guys are young, I have seen #1 square enough in electrical. But without question, the #2 is used the majority of the time.
Matt_T
I guess #1 might’ve been popular 40 plus years ago?? But it’s not needed now to demo old junk out….
Jim Felt
#1 Robertson/Square drives work just dandy on many spec grade receptacles and switches. They don’t back out easily like a Phillips.
John
#1 square fits terminal screws on outlets. #2 for breakers and bus bars. If you’re doing residential work you’ll get a lot of use out of both. Not so much in industrial.
Sparkyd
Number i square fits the receptacle screws to go into the box.
ElectroAtletico
Electrical hand tools belong in the tote. Period.
Jeff
This shows how out of touch manufacturers are becoming with their customer base. As has been pointed out numerous times, this is not how electricians would every carry these tools.
Matt_T
Kits like this are popular with “maintenance techs”, spending company money, who shouldn’t be allowed to change the batteries in a flashlight. This will sell well thru’ industrial channels………..
Harrison
This is a wildly inefficient use of space. Ditch the foam, and those (nine?!) tools could occupy a case 1/4 the size. I store my personal, occasional-use electrical hand tools (similar to this selection) in a canvas (Klein) zipper bag.
All the electricians we hire work out of totes, or the occasional pouch. Why would you go to the effort of storing such basic, essential tools in a plastic case, only to transfer them in and out of a pouch multiple times a day? There would be no space to lay this silly case out anywhere but the largest rooms in our builds.
The only logical reason I see for storing basic hand tools like this in sealed plastic, would be dropping an entire tote or pouch into a large Mod Box for transport to a remote job site via boat or snowmobile in bad weather. Been there, done that.
Still, we’re talking about some pairs of pliers, not a $10,000 cinema lens or medial equipment.
Trevor
The Milwaukee. EU site has similar product for both electrians and plumbers. The insert would be useful for test meters and similar, but like most comments for day to day work, p!iers and cutters and screwdrivers go in the pouch,