Klein Tools appears to have discontinued select ModBox tool boxes, with no word as to why, or whether there will be any replacements or updated models.
So far, this move appears to have impacted all of their full-size tool boxes that feature a closing lid.
All of their original tool boxes now show the same message.
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“This product is no longer in production.”
Milwaukee Tool’s patent infringement lawsuit against Klein Tools has progressed, with the legal complaint based on how Klein allegedly adapted patented Packout features.
Today – 12/15/25 – was set by the court as a deadline for both brands to report whether the United States International Trade Commission delivered final determination about the matter.
Maybe that has something to do with things.
Or maybe the costs were too high – these Klein ModBox products are manufactured in China and are likely subject to increased tariffs.
All we know is that several core Klein MoxBox products are now marked as being “no longer in production.”
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At this time, it’s unclear if other Klein ModBox tool boxes and accessories, such as the drawered tool boxes, are impacted by whatever is happening with the original tool box models.
We asked Klein Tools’ marketing and media contacts why this is happening, but they have not yet provided any answers or insights.
Update 12/16/25: According to the latest update in the infringement lawsuit, the International Trade Commission has issued a Final Initial Determination that certain Klein ModBox products infringe upon certain claims in Milwaukee’s Packout tool box patents. The expected target date for the ITC’s Final Determination is in mid-January 2026.
Nathan
Other than the one with the reel holder as part of a box set and you could have your tools and 2 to 3 spools ready. The test wasn’t terribly compelling
Jason
Hopefully 2026 is the year where brands Learn, it’s a little too late to launch a new modular storage or cordless line.
Mark S
Coincidentally I believe the Hybrid “half size” one is no longer sold at Lowes. It was on the deal of the day 3 times in last 2 months or so. I wanted to buy one the other day from Lowes for $35 but is sold out in most stores within 90 miles. I could get it delivered but not for $79! Otherwise would have bought it.
ElectroAtletico
3D allows you to print attachments and mix/match. I have a Toughbuilt handcart with Packout and MOD boxes safely connected.
Jordan
That’s the cost of buying anything other than the most popular. It might be more innovative, solve a niche issue — but at any time, it can be yoinked from existence.
There’s a reason why there are so many sayings like “run with the big dogs” and “go with the 800lb gorilla”. If you worked in the tech industry in the 80s & 90s…”no one ever got fired going with IBM/Microsoft.”
If not having access to that system a year from now…a decade from now…is going to adversely hurt your ability to get the job done, then it’s not worth relying on it or investing too heavily into it. Lifetime warranties depend on what they mean by whose “lifetime”!
Get what you need for now — and recognize it’s ephemeral. If you don’t have a clearly articulated need, best to keep your money inside your wallet.
Milwaukee and Ridgid have been around forever. New models are backwards compatible.
Dewalt is also a big player, but they’ve got such a hodgepodge variety of toolboxes, it’s impossible to keep track of what’s compatible with what. They’re just as bad as the small vendors if they’re axing various products all the time.
J. Newell
It’s a little surprising that whoever did the IP diligence for Klein didn’t (it seems) identify the infringement risk. Milwaukee is fairly aggressive about patent defense. If you put one of the ModBox cases next to a PackOut case the similarities are obvious to an untrained and unschooled eye.
Not really relevant to anything here, but I wish Klein would stick to what it did best. There was a business book popular in the 1980s that had as one of its principles “stick to your knitting” because in the long run most companies do best what they know how to do best.
J. Newell
The book was In Search of Excellence, by Tom Peters and Robert H. Waterman Jr. (1982)
Stuart
Has Milwaukee stuck to their knitting?
Imagine what the tool world would look like today if Milwaukee never launched their own hand tools or Packout storage products.