A couple of new Klein ModBox tool boxes have popped up on retailers’ websites.
We reported a month ago that Klein has discontinued select ModBox tool boxes, and it looks like the new models are their replacements.
Let’s take a quick look at the new models.
Advertisement
Klein ModBox small tool box, 54300MBX – $79.98 launch price at Acme Tools.
Klein ModBox organizer, 54400MBX – $64.98 launch price at Acme Tools.
Klein ModBox medium tool box, 54200MBX – $94.98 launch price at Acme Tools.
Klein ModBox rolling tool box, 54100MBX – $159.98 launch price at Acme Tools.
For the medium tool box, it looks like the new model lost the top handle. There’s also no front handle, and so you’ll need to use two hands to move it around.
It also seems that the stacking latch release function has been redesigned and recessed into the bottom front of the case.
Advertisement
For the rolling tool box, and all of the other ModBox tool boxes, we can see that the metal wire latches have been replaced with new spring-loaded latches.
This could be an upgrade, or it could have be done in response to patent infringement legal action that is still ongoing against Klein Tools.
Around 2 years ago (see Lowe’s Price Changes on ToughBuilt and Klein Modular Tool Boxes), the price of a 3pc ModBox tool box stack, with small, medium, and rolling tool boxes came out to $270.
Given the launch prices for these new models, a comparable 3pc tool box tower will cost you around $335.
Like the Gen1 models, the Gen2 Klein ModBox tool boxes are listed as being made in China.
Discussion
I feel bad for being so blunt, but I don’t like the look of the new latches, I don’t like that the medium tool box lost its top handle, and I don’t like the pricing.
The lids are now compatible with Klein Tools power tool accessory cases, which I guess is an added feature.
It looks like there could be a little more that’s new – I see new vertical slots on the fronts of the tool box cases (but not the organizer) – but there’s no indication of what they’re for (yet).
As an aside, is it just me, or does the front of the rolling tool box in this image look like a standard 15A receptacle? That can’t just be what those slots are for, right?
Of course, the new tool boxes appear to be compatible with existing ModBox storage products and accessories.
Jiggodamarkey
Now if they would stop making them all bright orange I would be all in…..
Robert
Stuart, agree with your take on what’s bad and what’s good going from V1 to V2. A medium tool box could be heavy depending on contents. What are they thinking? Seems a way to lose momentum in the modular storage wars.
Dave
dido…. I know these stacked you don’t need top handles…. but there will be times where the case are broke down and in what world is carrying a heavy medium box without a top handle ideal?
With Pack out , and Stack Tech ( and and V1 of Mod Box ) , you can latch a smaller box on bottom of medium case and carry the whole thing with the top handle and have a free hand to open doors. I do that a lot .
blocky
What I really want to know is whether I would have to release both spring-loaded latches simultaneously. The wire latches are reliable, and I can easily open a case one-handed.
William Adams
Any idea why that link doesn’t include:
MODbox™ Two Drawer Rolling Tool Box 54801MB
which they do have at:
https://www.acmetools.com/klein-tools-modbox-rolling-drawer-box-54801mb/S0000000090427.html
Stuart
Human error?
On a different website, one rolling tool cabinet is considered a “storage and workplace” product at the highest category level, and another is considered “tool storage” and “tool chests and cabinets” under the “tools and machining” category at the highest level. That small distinction, where one is storage and the other tools and machining, means some tool storage products are never eligible for tool storage coupons.
At Lowe’s, they consider Klein products electrical products, even if categorized as tools on the page.
In this case, it’s probably just how the rolling drawer was added to Acme Tools’ catalog.
Things like this happen all the time at most large-catalog retailers.
I tend to create and use a lot of links that aren’t typically spotlighted as public-facing. In this case, I had to dig for a ModBox category link, as my old one from when the system launched stopped working.
In other words, sometimes the most convenient links for my purposes are not necessarily well-curated or deliberately constructed by the retailers I link to.
Basically, there could be deeper implications, but I’m sure it was just an oversight.
Turtle
I have bought into this system for our low voltage cabling business. So far, it’s been good to us. I prefer it over the Dewalt ToughSystem boxes that I use for other work.
The one thing that we need from them is a large toolbox. Since the largest toolbox you can get with this system is their “medium” toolbox, it stands to reason that they’ll have a “large” toobox at some point… right?!