There's a Problem with Makita Makpacs and I am GOING TO FIX IT!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 พ.ค. 2024
- Makita Makpacs definitely don't have the most glowing reputation amongst tool fans and users, but this week, I am looking to change your mind!
I've assembled 5 ways you can make small and cheap modifications to your @makitaofficial Makpac and walk away with a storage system that can rival any of the other big players in the scene! Don't believe me? Drop me a comment below with your thoughts on Makita Makpacs!
Have a SUGGESTION of what you want to see NEXT? Comment below!
00:00 I love Makita Makpacs
00:38 #1 - Filing Down the Makpac Clasps
03:10 #2 - Strengthening the Makpac Base
06:29 #3 - Adding Shadow Foam to a Makita Makpac
10:35 #4 - Buying New Makpac Boxes
15:11 #5 - Makpac Trolley Reviews
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Just spray the latches with some armor-all or similar car interior protectant, and they'll snap together perfectly. I have gen 1 systainers from the early 2000s that have turned dark beige from sun exposure, and they snap together perfectly.
Thanks for the tip! Much appreciated!
Brian Sedge from Festool did a video of that.👍🇨🇦
Makita fanboys are something else. They're shit boxes with shitty latches and Makita should revisit their design rather than me having to DIY them so they're less shit.
You should start making top panels too for the Makpacs.
As per Makpac itself, I always file down the latches, but check it everytime I sand it to be moving smoothly and staying in place. First thing I do though is peeling those pesky stickers and then using WD40 for remaining glue.
Might end up doing a part 2 with all these top tips! Thanks mate
Used these for bout 7 years now, have a few Festool ones, I have to say they are great. Yes the latches are a pain, I also have the Festool dolly which if the Makita is like is an absolute god send. Great vid thanks 👍🏻
Festool are seriously underrated boxes, shall have to do a video about them in the future!
Would be good and interested to see a video on how you can use your shadow form for track saw and circular saws. I have a track saw, two circular saws and a metal saw. Seems harder to organise them as I only like drawers in the packout.
Closest we’ve done so far is this - th-cam.com/video/2emy4EfM-n0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=2wDDAh0QQp9r0aCR
Best upgrade I did - pictures of the tools and accessories that I've put in the case on a sticker since I got my cases separately.
That’s such an underrated top tip! I love it!
Thank you for the tip of filing the latches, my boxes are so easy to open now 😊
Happy to help!
@@ShadowFoam Sometimes it can go so easy. And in the most of the time you didn't get an easy solution. So thanks for the tip and after sanding down the latches it closes smooth and in silence
Instead of filing the latches, just use some silicone oil. They still hold properly, but run extremely smooth. In my experience, the oil stays on quite long.
By the way: the Makpacs are compatible with the Systainers by Festool (basically, they are the Systainer Classic). However, they have to be in the bottom as the T-Loc makes it impossible to put them on top.
Good tip there! I’d mentioned the connection between Festool and Makpacs too!
berner clic are the same
Festool newer version only have bottom clips, so you can stack up them on Makpacs, but you cant other way around. Old Festool systainers are compatible with current Makpac. New version of Festool sortainers and systainers have that only for to be compatible with older style.
@@ShadowFoam They also work with the Metabo Metaloc (older) and Metabox (newer) organisers, though again only they only work on the top of the classic systainers, makpac's.
It amazes me that nobody here seems to have mentioned that the latches work fine, but only after you've used them for a bit. I've got a few makpacs that've been around for a while and have been used quite a bit, they open perfectly fine with barely any effort. I've also got one that's basically brand new, and that one indeed is horrible to open, like they all are in the beginning. They just have to wear in, you don't have to do anything special to them. You can, sure, but I'd definitely try greasing before filing. You can always remove grease, can't put back what you filed away.
Interesting point mate, I've had my cases a few years now, and they make this noise, how long do they need to eb in use for this noise to stop?
@@ShadowFoam I haven't had mine for that long, 4 years max, and don't even use them that frequently, but they've never made that noise, maybe on a few occasions. I was more focused on how hard they are to open. That definitely improves after a little while.
I have a few for 6 months now and don’t have any problem with the latches
The filing simply speeds up the wearing in process. Silky smooth from the start.
They work fine but after a while from 4 you end up with 2 of them. That was literally the only reason why I after my tools got stolen from my van instead of buying Makita again I went for DeWalt. Same or arguably better quality, same price but way way better boxes for tools without buying something extra.
I threw nearly all my Makpacs out and replaced them with T-Loc Systainers. The Classic Systainers aka Makpacs are dinosaurs of a storage solutions. The earlier you get rid of them, the better it gets
Many skinned knuckles as a result of those clasps. But I detested having the continous unstacking to get at what you wanted. As soon as Milwaukee came out with the drawer selection on their Packout series, I switched over on a weekend.
Agree with you, that’s why I thought highlighting the Makita drawer system was opportune 👌
Glad I watched this, time go ham with my file!!!!
Let me know how you get on mate! 👍
instead of filing the latches. I put beeswax / skateboard surfboard wax rubbed it on the latches and tracks for them. worked well easy to close and quieter.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
What would you recommend for the blue point 3/8 socket sets it’s a really handy set for most quick jobs buts It has the world’s worst clips that just fall off if the look at them the wrong way and a handle on just one side, so every time you pick it up to go and start a job you first have to pick up all the tools you’ve just checked up the road.
I have done the foam stuff on all my Makpaks years ago, just a tip, always combine the tools in a way that you carry one box for few operations. As for the latches, I used wd white lithium.
Great tips, thanks for sharing! How many makpacs have you upgraded?
@@ShadowFoam Around 14 boxes..also for Mafell snd Festool few of them.
Personally i use the milwaukee packout half boxes for most part due to having a small van and the better build quality but recently dug out my old makpac boxes and bought the incerts for them to uses for all my screws and fittings ect on the van as they a lot better size for my van than lot other brand boxes and relatively well priced if I decide to add more
Id love to see how those inserts have turned out!
I've relegated my makpacs to tools I use less often, the stuff I use every day is now in Metabo's Metaboxes. Same dimensions, one clamp to stack or unstack instead of four (although the way they stack takes a bit of getting used to at first), you can access the inside of them whilst they're still in the stack and they have a briefcase handle which is great if you're just carrying one
Great disagree with you there! They are a great box!
I use Makita tools and Milwaukee packout. Makita cases I’ve found are very brittle And shatter easily in cold weather. Milwaukee doesn’t seem bothered with extremely cold weather.
I’ll have to try them out in extreme cold, what a great idea!
Ive been using Packout for 3 yrs now. Those carry all sorts of Makita tools. I have dropped the boxes and have yet to damage boxes or tools inside. My ONLY compaint is that the lids are black. Dont leave lids sealed with tools inside under direct sunlight. I rattle caned them white. The packouts with clear lids amplify direct sunlight. I just unlatch and let lid rest. I love my teal tools but they missed out on more of my money on tool boxes.
Very useful video. Do you have any ingenious tips for labelling the boxes as i never know what's in each box and i don't just want to write all over them with a Sharpie
Might do, think a part 2 video may well be coming up!
It's a huge advantage being interoperable with Festool, Hikoki, Mirka...
The Bosch boxes might be better engineered (the latches are still pants) but they don't stack with my other tools.
Really great thought that! I did mention something similar with the Festool boxes too, are you a Makpac user?
@@ShadowFoam I have a Makita tracksaw and a Festool Domino, yes. I'll be getting some systainers / Makpacs to hold my ROS and other Makita tools too. Thanks for the tips, I'll be buying some foam soon.
Great vlog, I just have 1 type 2 box, can I put 2 levels in the box? I have 1 drill, 1 impact driver, 2 batteries and ancillaries. Cheers 👍
Might be a squeeze, have you measured up?
Not yet, best I do and try it out, thanks 🙏
patiently waiting for makita to bring out their new storage system, until then I'll just watch these tips and hope I'll be able to afford it when it finally comes
Very helpful video - thanks!
I wonder if Makita will sell the new latches as an accessory or spare part?
Would be nice if they would 👍
P-84399 - small latch for drawer (2 pcs in set)
P-84408 - large latch for drawer (2 pcs in set)
453974-8 - makpac latch
Amazing! I’ll have to start using em boxes
Great stuff! How many do you have?
Great Video, I got some alley sheet cut to fit the lid, screwed it to the four points to the lid, I then mounted five battery holders to the sheet alley, I found on makpak 3 and 4 box's I can carry tools under the battery's in the same box. winner winner chicken dinner...
Really like that idea! Might “borrow” that for a follow up video!
I've done similar with a piece of ply , 4 makita batteries on stealth mounts and 4 bosch 12 v with relevant chargers in the box
well put together. your thourghts are spot on.
Thanks mate! Appreciate that!
I feel there is a missed trick. The dolly should be an add on to the sack truck. So you can get it off the van and upstairs or curbs, then use the dolly to move the stack to tasks on the job. Great and simple upgrades that anyone can do.
Might have given me an idea for part 2 🤔
@@ShadowFoam Glad I can help.
The MakPac drawers, organisers and cantilever box are crazy expensive for what they are.
I like the MakPacs themselves, though even these are a bit dear if you want to buy them stand alone, considering some folk just bin them!
I totally agree! I only really make this video for all the boxes I got free with Makita tools I wanted
Can you not leave the wheel base on and attach it to the sack carrier?
At 18:06 is a bottle of Heinz ketchup on the desk not in foam. Fry fry as you may, unless it is in foam, it's not organized.
switched to bosch completly. quality is so much better and the l-boxx system is superior too.
I can’t argue, I do love the L-BOXX system
Nice upgrades. But changing to the T-loc system is the real gamechanger.
Shall be covering those soon!
You guys should make inserts for Klein tools mod box
We have got our hands on a few Klein boxes! 👀
Armour All Protectant sprayed on the latches and drawer slides works wonders. No need for filing.
Great tip! I’ll try that!
Shouldn’t have the change the designs when we pay so much for tools. But thanks for tips, great video
I don't know if you do something or you just collect and like a good and quality tool, I would also like to have a good and quality tool, but I can't, I think you have a tool in millions ($), congratulations
I actually bought two cases with the battery inserts. I have a lot of batteries for my mowing business where I use the 36v mowers and other garden tools. Those latches are terrible
Try filing them down mate!
@@ShadowFoam I will be...
It would be so good if makita started using t-loc systainers as well...
I would love that too!
Do you have a distributor in the USA?? If not, do you ship to us??
6:00 To prevent any waste when spreading your adhesive, rather than applying it all over the surface of the wood, spread it over the high or raised parts of the MakPak, and then install the wood. 1/2 inch or 10mm plywood is probably going to be stronger than the MDF that you used, or at least it looked like MDF. $1,410.21
Actively working on a US distributor, but we do ship to US on our website - www.shadowfoam.com - thanks for the glue tip!
11:02 nice edit
Thanks mate, pretty seamless isn’t it?
The Makita Dollie's are very expensive... I got myself a cheap dolly for hardware store which accommodates a Mak pak fix some 1"x1" trim to suit size of mak pak and hey presto you save yourself 70+ quid ... I can get 5/6/7 boxes stacked and easy to move around.... great video guys yeah those catches are soooo annoying!
Great tip!
I have all my battery tools from makita but i find it too much of a hassle with 4 latches per box. Especially tools you need everyday. i use a few makpacs for storing machines together with accesories.(like my 1/2" impact with sockets) the plastic inlays are indeed not really useful when you keep your batteries elsewhere.
i now buy mostly only "body" tools but when there's a good deal for a set i buy the set and put the box(and charger) on marketplace
and about the latches; a bit of silicone spray or something does the job for a while. they will wear in eventually.
What boxes do you use for your everyday tools?
@@ShadowFoam Buckets, wheelbarrow or the big one with 4 wheels. Model is called Master made by Renault if im correct.
OMG, we have to do a video. So i'm looking for Problems. MDF is heavy you can do the thame with much thinner plywood.
Link me in when you do your video, I’d love to see it!
@@ShadowFoamNext i do a Video for Physics.
Not sure what you're doing with your makpacs, but I own 3 of them and all of the latches open and close normally. Maybe just a bit harder to close that I would like, but it's not a big deal
Might be the luckiest makpac owner on the planet 😂
Compared to Milwaukee and Dewalt, the Makpacs are rubbish. In saying that, other than 1 Dewalt box I own 4 Makpacs because they were a bargain compared to the opposition. Thank you for sharing this fix. Cheers from OZ
Much better than filing, it is better to spray the MaKPac and the plastic bar with Teflon spray. This works for month.
Thanks for the tip! 👍
I like Makita, I own over 150 Makita Tools and Batteries, but I am sick off this boxes. I switch slowly to Dewalts Tstak with drawers and Stanley Tooltroleys.
Wow, I would love to see that collection!
You could also pile up all the plastic shavings and snort them
Excuse me, sir. I appreciate your efforts in wearing protective equipment. Although, you may also consider covering your eyes. Gloves, perhaps? PPE saves!
I do goggle up when I’m cutting mdf
Can you get your product in Australia
All products available worldwide at www.shadowfoam.com
Yea silicone spray every few months on the latches works a trick
Vaseline works well too.
Thanks for the tip! 👍
Спасибо за подробный обзор, очень приятное динамичное видео! У меня много инструментов Макита и я сейчас думаю о покупке системы хранения. Идея со вкладышем из пены наиболее удобная, это сохранит и сам ящик, и инструмент внутри него от ненужных повреждений. Я обратил внимание что вы используете этот метод даже для настенного хранения инструмента, очень оригинально :) Привет из России!
Спасибо за добрые слова! Рад, что вы тоже заметили мою стену для инструментов из пенопласта. Я думаю, что это важно, если вы работаете на небольшой площади, чтобы сэкономить жизненно важное пространство на полу! Дайте мне знать, какое решение для хранения инструментов Makita вы выберете!
I work on building sites and dont think foam is good for me an mdf on the bottom. It weighs more and i need to ram as much tools i can in small boxes.
That’s fair enough but otherwise, organising your tools in foam would make it much more apparent when one of your tools has gone walkabout on site
Love MakPacs ❤
What did you think of this video?
Where is the cooler MakPac with insulated interior. They sell a drinks cooler Makpac (it is non electric but they do sell electric coolers but those are not Makpac compatible but they do support battery power use and AC home charging and DC in car charging on top of the batteries and the electric coolers can also keep things warm instead of cold)
ALSO forgot to add that the cooler Makpac has white locking tabs unlike the black ones on all the other Makpac cases
Haven;t got a coller Makpac, do you reccomend them?
I wish Makpacks were more common in the USA.
Come to the UK mate, they get launched at you over here!
they all do it even the festo units
i am a Festool and Makita user, Makita all the 18 v tools, Festool the corded tools. Tanos is owned by Festool, so it would be weird if they woud'nt use them , besides that. the fact that they quit using this type of systainer 10 years ago and moved on to t-loc and now impoved that systainer aswell to a new one , and Makita still uses the latch type says also allot. festool listened to their costumer who said this is crap.i mean , the fact that after all these years you still have to file down brand new Makpacs to open them as they should be in the first place says everything to me.
Do you have any Makpacs?
@@ShadowFoam i have i think around eleven or twelve of them, why?
time to break out the file!!!!!!😂😂😂😂
Let me know how you get on mate! 👍
I really like my Makita, but the term "makita teal" makes me giggle a bit. The colors are close, but many are noticably off. My tools get spray painted orange so i can see who is borrowing it so i do not care how off the colors are. I will giggle, but I really don't want to pay a premium for color. Batteries, bearings, motors, function, and feel are all more important to me than the color.
I find most other storage systems are too big for what I use them for.
You a Makita user?
@@ShadowFoam I sure am! The only tools that come in Mak-paks in Canada are Track Saws that I have seen.
🫨 nice, but I still hate them 😅. p.s. the new are Bosch blue color 😂
I’ll have to check those out!
Bit disappointed in those drawers. Looks like they don't have any real runners and just slide on plastic shelves? Fair bit cheaper than Milwaukee drawers, but I don't think they would last as long for site use.
Might not, but it’s a great option for organising hand tools in a workshop 👍
aren’t they just gen1 systainers?
Do you have any?
Yes, I don't know why Makita insists on continuing to use them, since T-Loc systainers came out almost 15 years ago
@@ShadowFoam yes. Have a stack of them.
I 'fixed' latches by spaying a bit of WD-40))
Great tip mate!
Why is this product not being updated by makita?
Your guess is as good as mine
@@ShadowFoam I have invested heavily into the 40v line as a contractor and have been using the Mac pac system for almost two years. Every problem you dealt with was present back then, and the comments and reviews were the same. Love the tools, extremely underwhelmed with the cases. They either need a redesign or at least adjust the molds to make the latches work easier. Who has time to screw around with them.
You didn't care about the dolly at all 😅
I wanted more context about it
haha I wasn;t sure people wanted to hear me go on and on about it
Just spray the latches with silicone lubricant
Great idea!
Yeah, crap latches and brittle plastic. Their other cases at least have less brittle plastic, but I've lost both latches off the case my hammer drill came in.
It is annoying that they just pop off!
they are the worst when compared to Festool. Not sure if it's even worth making the improvements, especially how expensive they have gotten in the States.
How expensive are they in the States?
Ever since the pandemic, the prices for Makita has gone up exponentially to the point where I don't enjoy purchasing new Makita stuff in general. As for the Makpac boxes, they raised the price up ever since they started calling them Makpac in the States. The new additions like the cantilever tool box all has like this Festool price tag on them which makes no sense whatsoever and they are not that new if you are familiar with Tanos systainers. @@ShadowFoam
Yup the latches are terrible
quality management leaves much to be desired
Nothing a few simple fixes wouldn’t sort out!
Tip #6: sell it all and replace with toughbuilt or packout
😅 can’t get my hands on toughbuilt in the U.K. yet
Always disliked the makpac boxes, they are awful to use compared to DeWalt's and Milwaukee's storage solution.
It's a real shame since i would like to have good cases for all my Makita gear, just not the macpacs, tempted to just buy Milwaukee cases
Not even with all these hacks to fix them?
DeWalt isn't even beating ridgids pack out slow down Milwaukee yep they are winning packouts but dewalts is trash
I dont like hard plastic tool boses,they break too easilly
What tool boxes do you currently store your tools in?
Makita really do let themselves down with the quality of their boxes, the inserts are a joke and some like the grinder are not fit for purpose. These are excellent tips but shouldn't be after-sale mods they are things that should come as standard. While the fundamental modular design is excellent, the material choice is poor.
Totally get what you’re saying here Martin, I’m just offering up some tips for salvaging the boxes that come with the tools already, would hate to see them end up in land fill
@@ShadowFoam Sorry if I came across as criticism of your tips, they are all good and worth doing. The plastic insert that Makita provide is so flimsy - and if there is anyone out there who has a grinder that knows how the battery, handle and tool bar fits into the mould please tell. I just feel that if they want to build on their reputation for good design the case ought to come standard with foam inserts at the very least. I find I end up spending more on the insert than the case. ShadowFoam is excellent, but it is almost mandatory because the manufacturers are falling short.
Latches work better after you use them for a bit. Of course some tools you use more than others...
I agree but they are still stiff, I've had some of these boxes for years and I'm a Makita user so they are used quite a lot and still remain stiff
The biggest problem with the Makita MacPaks is that the plastic is complete garbage. Leant on one of mine in the back of the Van in the cold & it just disintegrated & shattered.
Everyone I know with these has got cracks & splits.
The reason Makita went with the crap old style catches was because the patent had expired by Tanos & Makita didn't want to pay for the T-Loc.
Metabo did the same moving away from their really good Metabox to these crap old style Tanos boxes.
Makes me wonder if there’s a DIY way to strengthen the plastic 🤔
FLEX Stack Pack & Milwaukee PACKOUT are King, water tight and more durable bar none
Do love a Packout, not had chance to tackle a flex yet
This is a channel for Americans! Lots of talk and poor results. Americans! It's for you! It's not complicated!
40% of our audience is american
Using Skill to upgrade your Makita 😂
Those latches are so outdated. ffs makita - get with the times
If you buy a good tool brand you don’t need to adapt the latches, worst box on the market
If you gota modify your shit to make it work right then you should probably be looking elsewhere.
It’s not ideal no, but you get a lot of the boxes tossed in with the tools and this way, you can make use of them 👍
I agree makpack failed but I promise you half makitas line would dust anything you have lol there isn't a better impact driver then Makita hands down Milwaukee wins on the fuel 1/2 that's bout it
I actually find them extremely useful for storage off of the job. They are really space conscious and keep everything super tidy at home. No they’re not the most rugged in the world, but they serve a purpose. Good for workshop storage.
@@joshpointongunz3136I just bought a Makita impact made in Japan and it is a work of art
Upside down 😂
Makita SHATPAC
Big fan I take it 😂
Absolutely brittle and broke/snapped my first work project on-site..
A 100% embarrasment Makita.
Hence the need for these 5 fixes 👍
That's typical Makita to keep manufacturing products and ignore the end user on the problems they're having and not make any changes to the products, which is why I'd never own a Makita miter saw even if I was given it for free
What do you think of the cases?
??? 1. It is a Festtool product/design, licensed by Makita - not Makita's. 2. Makita did improve it in newer boxes.
I hate those Makita boxes, those locks are so fucking bad. You need a hammer to get it to click...
😅
попробовал бы он с тележкой на 4 колесиках по лестницам подняться... а ящики все в облое и заусенцах в части 3 видео. как будто это не макита, а из фикс прайса ящики за 3 рубля
Great Video but i am a packout fanboy 🫣😂
I love there drawers 🤩
Best regards from Austria
Who doesn’t love a packout? What are your thoughts on the makpacs?
@@ShadowFoam I still have several Makpaks in use and have converted them all the way you described. But in the rough everyday life of a construction tradesman, the Packout cases have proven to be much more robust. Above all, they are much more shock-resistant in cold temperatures and do not break easily.
@@marios7986 couldn’t agree more mate! Do you have any Makpac tips to share?
@@ShadowFoam I made the inserts out of xps insulation boards where I cut out the tools with the router 😅 For others, I built a floor out of multiplex as you described and then for the large boxes you can build a tool box out of wood that you can take out... but it's quite a bit of tinkering 🙈 My wife always curses me when I work for hours in the workshop just to organize my tools 🤣🤣🤣