The DIY That'll Transform Your 2-Drawer Milwaukee Packout Into A Rolling Toolbox

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The Milwaukee brand is well-known for its line of high-quality tools and toolboxes, including its PACKOUT system, which is a set of durable, modular pieces that you can combine in any way you wish to get a custom tool storage set-up that is perfectly tailored to suit your needs. If you are looking to purchase some of the storage pieces, you may be put off by the cost and find yourself wondering if the Milwaukee modular tool storage is worth the hefty price tag. For example, the 22-inch Milwaukee PACKOUT 2-Drawer Toolbox costs $156, but it does boast strong and overwhelmingly positive reviews. It also comes with drawer dividers, metal-reinforced corners, and the ability to connect with the rest of the PACKOUT system. With its 50-pound weight capacity, it may get a bit difficult to transport. 

While there are some PACKOUT rolling options, they may not be ideal, and it may be time to DIY a better solution. Milwaukee's existing rolling toolbox options lack the two-drawer design, meaning you may not get your desired design if you need wheels. You may also consider adding the PACKOUT Dolly or PACKOUT Cart to your collection, but they cost about $100 and $200, respectively. If you want a truly custom option and have access to a 3D printer, though, then creating DIY wheels for your two-drawer toolbox could be the perfect solution. The project involves choosing a set of wheels and a handle, and then printing your mounting pieces to attach everything together. Once assembled, your toolbox will be even more functional and versatile.

To get started on this DIY upgrade, you need some materials. First, you need a 3D printer. If you don't have one, you may be able to use one at your local library. Also, make sure you have the correct filament for your 3D printer. Black and red colors will nicely match the toolbox, but any color will do. Additionally, you need to find four sturdy wheels and a handle. The creator of the design, user Jerry_K on MakerWorld, uses wheels and a handle from the PACKOUT rolling toolbox model. Finally, you will need a file and short bolts in two sizes: some with 8-millimeter diameters for attaching everything and some with 10-millimeter diameters for the wheels.

Once you download Jerry_K's design, you will need to make some modifications. First, the design needs to be mirrored so you print both sides. Next, check the sizes of your wheels to ensure they fit the design. The user included multiple lengths to account for wheel size, so make sure you choose the correct one or adjust as needed. If you know your toolbox tends to be on the heavy side, then you may want to make your 3D-printed pieces more durable by increasing the infill of the parts. Once everything is set, you can print your pieces. To assemble everything, you simply place the mounting pieces in the correct spots on the box and secure them using bolts. If the fit is too tight, file the holes until the bolt is able to fit. 

Once your two-drawer PACKOUT toolbox is upgraded and ready to roll, you can look into the essential Milwaukee tools you need to add to your toolbox without worrying that it will become too heavy to carry. Plus, because of the PACKOUT system's modular design, you can then add more PACKOUT components on top of the two-drawer toolbox. Unlike the rolling toolbox Milwaukee offers, you will be able to access the contents of the bottom toolbox without removing the items on top of it. So, although the Milwaukee rolling toolbox is one of the top-rated toolboxes, ranked by reviews, this 3D printing project is a major upgrade for easy and efficient use.

Of course, there are some downsides to this project to consider. If you do not have a 3D printer, they can be challenging to access and expensive to purchase, with basic options often costing between approximately $100 and $400. On top of that, filament can be costly, often sitting in the $20 to $30 range per kilogram. So, if you do not already have supplies, this project will probably be more expensive than Milwaukee's PACKOUT rolling cart or dolly, which can give you similar results. Of course, the store-bought options take away your customization options, so if having a personalized solution is important to you, then the DIY is absolutely worth it.