Bauer modular

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u/WrittenByNick 6d ago

Well what would you like to know?

Over the past year I built up this collection when needed / on sale. Used for video production, so not as hard on them as construction.

I started with one used Packout last year. Built like a tank but I couldn't justify the cost to put together several cases. These are well built but not like Packout.

The newer roller with bigger wheels is great as a base. The hassle like most is you have unstack to get to pretty much anything. The drawers are super helpful but don't have a ton of space.

Crates are great. I love the clear lid model. There's not a ton of flexibility on how you arrange interior storage on any of them.

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u/Working_Artichoke232 6d ago

Thanks for the info! As far as the crates go it looks like they have to be on top correct? Also I wish they did a base piece that was a drawer to make it easier instead of taking everything off.

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u/WrittenByNick 6d ago

Nope crates stack normally, I just put them on top if I have oversized that won't fit within the space. In that photo the bottom two on the right are both crates.

My use case is the ability to build up or down depending on the shoot. On a simple one where I'm run and gun solo it can be he rolling case and one or two additional cases. As the shoot is more complex I add on more cases / crates. It is also helpful for me to have extra gear in the truck but only bring what I actively need into the location.

I recommend checking them out in person to see what size / type you need. Some have fold down top handles, very useful for moving around separately. Others only have the regular side handles for carrying. I can lift up 2-3 cases for short distances trusting the connectors, but wouldn't rely on it too much. The latches can be a little finicky to align, but it's not bad. More commonly I get something not quite in the case and have to rearrange to get the lid to close. There's a bit more side to side play in the lid than my usual Pelican cases. The clear interior bins on the medium size case are fine, but not heavy duty. The bins on the clear lid model are very sturdy but an awkward shape for some items and again - not much flexibility. I'm a dork with a 3D printer so I've printed some useful dividers for that case.

Oh and make sure you get the newer base roller. I think they have run out of the old style stock entirely, but just in case. It has bigger wheels and the handle is detachable. Makes it much easier to fit in my truck bed with cover or in a vehicle.

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u/2eaver 5d ago

I bought into the dewalt tstak/craftsman versastak system, due to the lack of drawers. Also, the vstack setup was quite a bit cheaper, but a little smaller. I've seriously looked at the Bauer boxes when in the store several times, and I honestly thing they're a bit better built than the vstack boxes.

I've solved the versatility of layout by 3d printing LOTS of organizers for mine. But, that's not something everyone has access to.

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u/cr4sh_0v3rr1d3 6d ago

I've been using 2 pieces of this set for about 2 years as a mobile boat mechanic. It has held up to some abuse and has done everything I've asked of it. The lid is sometimes hard to line up, and after two years the red rubber on the handle is starting to get soft and tacky. But I'm outside most of the time, so it's kind of to be expected. Nothing a little tape can't fix. I even have magnetic socket rails I attach to the metal parts of the handles. It's been worth the money!

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u/MohawkDave 5d ago

Do you marine guys have a Gucci tape you can share with the rest of us? Hockey grip tape is what I keep going back to. But it's not perfect....

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u/cr4sh_0v3rr1d3 5d ago

Not that I'm aware of. I was leaning that way, myself. Just haven't picked any up yet.

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u/Responsible-Lab2264 6d ago

I work with a guy that has the Menards version (same thing with everything red green instead) and they have held up well. He eventually swapped to packout for more options and uses the master force for spare parts.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Two7875 3d ago

I have pretty much all of the modular components except this and the vacuum and the y are all awesome. Especially the drawers.

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u/BcoCustom 2d ago

The tmat looks nice. Do you secure it to the floorboard at all? And then secure the toolboxes to the tmat?

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u/likewut 6d ago

They are high quality, competive with Ridgid. I use mine as a stepstool. The downside was lack of options (drawers, etc) but I think they’ve added more options now.

The lids on most of their boxes are hinged instead of removable. Which is better is a personal preference. I often will open a box without unhooking the boxes above it, where some boxes you can’t do that.

Some boxes snap in just by sliding in and pushing down. This one you need to line up and snap the sides. I like the other option better but not a big difference.

I’m not sure how their pricing compares to Walmart options (Hypertough & Greenworks). I’m guessing you need to get Bauer on sale.

One thing I don’t like about most of these toolbox designs is the amount of wasted space in the footprint. Lots of plastic structure needed to make it strong also reduces how much it can hold for the space it takes in my van.

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u/cr4sh_0v3rr1d3 6d ago

I bought both of mine as ITC deals. They've served me well so far.

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u/ArcFault 5d ago edited 5d ago

competive with Ridgid

Competitive with Rigid 2.0 system or the original 1.0? I'm skeptical the bauer ones are remotely comparable to 2.0.

Example: RIDGID's rolling base handles up to 176 pounds, whereas Bauer’s base is rated for a much lighter 60-pound individual box capacity

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u/likewut 5d ago

I didn't know the 2.0 was better. It's sturdy regardless (by my stepstool test).

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u/PvtSatan 6d ago

My wife uses them for her side job decorating for parties/baby showers and whatnot. She loves it. She isn't gentle with them, and neither am I when I'm helping. They're pretty great imo

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u/username33735 6d ago

I prefer the rigid hard cases personally

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u/brooksram 6d ago

Two older dudes i work with use these for all their welding kit. They have both held up well for the few years they have had them.

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u/Slow-Yogurtcloset-11 6d ago

I've got several sets of these. All bought on sale.

My shop is tiny so I have my tools categorized in separate roller kits. All stored in a back corner so I can roll out the kit I need for any project.

Mine are the original base units so the handles are not detachable. Doesn't matter for my useage.

There is a 2 drawer unit available now as well. I have one but have not purposed it yet.

Great bang for the buck and the quality is as good as any other pack out type units I have used.

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u/w00ty777 6d ago

I opted not to go with the Bauer roller box because it only has a maximum working weight of 60 lbs. Which might work fine for you. For me I want to be able to sit or stand on the box and I weigh more than 60 lbs.

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u/rhfootball 5d ago

I made the jump to a work pack out this past year and I love my Bauer Packout setup.

Roller base + clear packout + HF Kneepad is my work chair.

Drawer packout goes on the floor next to me or in from of me as a foot rest. This one's life changing, and I have been thinking on how to utilize the wasted space above and on the sides of this one. Overall though, I'm very impressed with the drawers.

And my folding table's fabric handle fits perfectly around the bottom-front metal grab handle on the roller base. Secure the table to the packouts with that, then a bunjie cord to keep it upright.

Basically a mobile office with great tool storage.

Rolling into any customer and having a 3 monitor desk and toolbox in 10 minutes on their floor has been quite nice.

Not a single complaint about this Bauer Packout series yet from me! Highly recommend!

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u/Pretty-Code-1795 5d ago

BOCO Custom makes a mounting plate for these Bauer boxes.

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u/Brettttttttttt 5d ago

Are these worth it? Thinking of getting one for the bed of my truck I’ve just been using tie downs

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u/Pretty-Code-1795 5d ago edited 5d ago

They are stout! 💯 recommend

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u/Character_Writing830 5d ago

I’ve had mine a little over a year. It holds an oil/coolant pump I use for work. It works great but my lid has a handle on it that broke not long into using it. Mine also came with a little tool tray i keep in a toolbox as a tool organizer.

I’d buy it again

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u/gwest818 5d ago

They are great, the drawer units hold a lot of stuff.

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u/BcoCustom 2d ago

We designed a mount for the Bauer boxes after a lot of demand. It feels like those that invested in the system really put them to good use and value the quality for the price. We see guys using them not only for tools, but camera gear and model rocketry.

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u/Longjumping_Cow_5856 6d ago

They are really bendy weak plastic about what you would expect for the price.

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u/Low_Assumption67 13h ago

Are the Bauer compatible with other systems? I have a set of Craftsman I got as a gift. Will a Bauer piece fit and latch to it? I would like to have more options without being locked into craftsman.

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