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Milwaukee has come out with a new Packout compact tool box, 48-22-8422, that is half-width and as tall as 3 compact organizers stacked together.

It features a single latch, a large fold-down top handle, removable tool tote, adjustable dividers, and a padlock loop.


Inside, you can configure the tool box in several ways, thanks to the removable dividers. The removable tote can be used for small tools or parts, or you can leave it behind if you want to pack the Packout compact tool box to its brim.

It has an IP65-rated weather seal and is spec’ed to hold up to 75 pounds.

Additionally, there are mounting locations for One-Key Tick trackers for inventory management.

The internal compartment is large enough to fit Milwaukee’s M18 7-1/4″ circular saw, although without the battery attached. The saw’s blade guard lever is also raised, but it’s unclear as to what this means. Having to adjust the saw to fit the tool box is better than not being able to fit it at all.

In a stack with other Milwaukee Packout tool boxes, the compact tool box matches the height of 3 compact organizers, 2 compact organizers and 2 low-profile organizers, or any other combination of half-width boxes or organizers. Or, you could probably place two of them side by side.

As with other Milwaukee Packout tool boxes, the new model can be unlatched from the front and slid out for use.

Price: $60

ETA: Feb 2020

Buy Now via Tool Nut

Buy Now via Acme Tools

At the time of this posting, Tool Nut has free shipping on $99+ orders and quotes a 2/15/20 ETA, and Acme Tools has free shipping on $49 orders and is quoting a 3/1/20 shipping ETA.

Discussion

As with nearly every new Milwaukee product, there will be people complaining “I can’t use that, why did they bother,” to which I’d counter that having more options is always good. I’m sure that Milwaukee designed this Packout compact tool box with pro and tradesman user feedback.

Consider the application where you adjust the divided compartments to hold pipe fittings. You can organizer and separate some fittings or even short lengths of pipe from on the bottom, and tools, glue, and other such items on the top tote tray.

Alternatively, you could use an open tool bag, maybe even a bucket. But here, you have an enclosed and water resistant box in a convenient size that can connect to your Packout stack when you need to move, or for storage.

Personally, I don’t think I would benefit from a tool box this size and shape, or at least this size, shape, and price. I do have a couple of smaller tool boxes with this type of tall, deep, and narrow geometry, and they are incredibly useful. In fact, I’m looking to buy more.

Does this fit your needs? Great! If not, what kind of tool box would you want to see Milwaukee add to their modular Packout tool storage system?

As an aside, is it me, or does this look like the perfect size and shape for a Milwaukee Packout cordless vacuum?