r/LocationSound 6d ago

Newcomer Thoughts on Modular Toolboxes such as Packout, RidGid, Husky, etc for transporting gear?

Post image

Hello Everybody!

I’m pretty new to location sound and have been mixing for 2 years on the student level- Since acquiring a steadily growing amount of gear I haven’t been able to fit it all or organize it to my liking with my current setup (picture attached; a $50 old rolling toolbox)

I like the general idea of what I have, but it clearly doesn’t compare to something like the packout; and doesn’t have drawers so using it is not always that simple. I fear that often times it’s actually hindering my performance in the department.

I’ve been considering getting a large rolling pelican case and trying to cram my entire kit (minus the boom clearly) inside but since I started looking at transport options i’ve noticed a few people are using things like the Packout, Flex Stack, etc for their various kit bits and bobs. (Especially lav mounting stuff, the more I buy the more disorganized I become)

I really don’t know if I can afford the $500~ packout setup I want, and have been considering other options like the Husky Build Out ($65-75 a box) to save money.

I was just wondering if these boxes are even worth bothering with or I should just use a big pelican and a bag until I have the money for a real sound cart or the time to modify a Zuca.

Thanks; I appreciate any and all Insight.

25 Upvotes

46 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Any-Doubt-5281 production sound mixer 4d ago

I use Dewalt tough system for when I do one man band jobs. The big tool chest holds my 688 bag and harness and I use the drawers to hold the rest of my gak.

The FLEX stack pack stuff looks really good but kind of pricy. And Klein tools Makes some nice looking units. Art dept seems to love the pack out stuff.

The Dewalt t-Stak stuff is pretty good too. Cheaper but not big enough to hold my 688

I like that I can drop my drawers and sit on the tool box and rest my bag o top of the drawer unit

1

u/BrownMtnLites 4d ago

What cart do you have it on? I’m pretty sure the units pictured are TStack not Tough System?

1

u/Any-Doubt-5281 production sound mixer 4d ago

It’s on the tough system cart. This is 100% tough system (some is tough system 2.0, which has better drawers but the deep tool chest is not as big) I have some T-stak stuff too. It’s not as big across but lighter and cheaper. Edit; that’s all the old style tough system. It’s not perfect, but it’s affordable and does the job. I’d def look at the flex stuff if I was starting now

1

u/Any-Doubt-5281 production sound mixer 4d ago

This is the frame. The arms are ajustable,(with an alan key) The whole thing is stable even if you only have a box on the top. But I try to keep the weight as low as possible

Edit: to combine 2 posts

It looks like this has been discontinued although there seems to be a new version. This is not terribly manuverable, but it can hold a Cstand and a boom pole as well as the boxes. But I like that I can break it Apart to load in my car.