Hands-on review of the Milwaukee Packout Wall Plate

If you think about Milwaukee Packout Storage System, you’re probably thinking of modular tool boxes that are all the rage. The popularity is easy to understand, as folding structures are very useful for professionals on the move. After looking at some of the boxes, I can even see how they fit into the world of mobile mechanics. The name isn’t just on mobile toolboxes, though. Today we will focus on wall plates.

The Milwaukee Packout Wall Plates are basically Milwaukee’s version of a slatted wall. It has the same unique mounting system as the Packout boxes. The connection ensures a reliable fixation of everything that is inserted. With a variety of accessories and different anchor plates, this is a fully customizable system that can easily find a place in any collection that uses Packout boxes.

I recently had the opportunity to see what Milwaukee Packout Wall Plates and Accessories are all about. Just like with the boxes, I can see the appeal for mobile professionals. However, I don’t see this system taking the place of slatted walls and earboards in shops whose owners are keen to stay put.

Bottom line

Description of Milwaukee Packout Wall Plates

The Milwaukee Packout Wall Plate System is a modular installation that uses the same anchor slots as the Packout Tool Boxes. Some drawers can even be fixed to the wall panel. This allows them to serve as something of a dual-purpose storage system. While it’s great to keep your things at home when they’re not in use, these wall plates can also be paired with accessories similar to what you’d find on any plank or slatted wall.

Wall plates are available in big, regularand compact dimensions. The large has a total of 18 slots to work with, the medium has 12, and the small has six. They have different load capacities and are all made of impact-resistant polymers and come with a limited lifetime warranty. As for pricing, large lists are $39.98, medium lists are $29.97, and small lists are $19.98.

Store setup

For this test, I installed a total of six Milwaukee Packout Large Wall Plates along the wall of my garage. Since this is kind of a quick and dirty test, I just mounted them on the wall with bare studs. However, I would suggest adding a layer of plywood to secure these particular plates if you are in a similar situation. What or just buy an option that uses metal mounting tracks rather than screw holes.

One reason is that some anchor bolts are spaced 16 inches apart on center studs, but that only applies to one large plate. And only for four of the 15 holes. Most of the holes are arranged rather chaotically. And when you stack them together, the 16-inch spacing doesn’t extend to the same four holes on the next plate. This is a bit of a strange problem. They are designed to be stacked side by side, with tabs for quick alignment. Still, it’s nothing a simple piece of plywood can’t fix.

After installing the wall anchors, it’s time to add some accessories. I placed the system above my tool boxes that double as workbenches. Some large bunkers, racks with hooksrechargeable mounts for M12 and M18 accumulators and power tool stations really helps elevate the area as a workplace. I also installed some small Packout boxes and Shockwave sockets just because i could. I will quickly replace them with accessories that actually make sense to have here, such as a paper towel holder. The adjustability of these wall plates is extraordinary. However, I can’t help but feel it’s a bit over the top for someone like me. However, I can really see who would benefit the most from this setup.

The heart of the Packout line is the unique mounting system used. Cases and accessories slide into special slots, with many using some sort of mechanism to lock them in place. The extra security makes sense in a trailer or van where things tend to get jostled around. If you use Packout wall plates in this environment, it’s great to have them in the main store to keep your storage systems cohesive.

Verdict Milwaukee Packout wall plates

After all, Milwaukee Packout wall plates are designed to serve a specific market segment. It’s really here to help existing Packout owners get the most out of their collection. I think it clearly stands out in this space. For the most part, it’s a pretty solid build, except for the awkward spacing of the mounting holes on the boards I was sent. However, this version of the board is still a solid choice if you’re anchoring on some masonry or other flat, hard surface.

However, Packout wall plates are definitely not for everyone. While the Milwaukee Packout line is great, it’s a specialized tool for a specific job. While the customizability and versatility is hard to deny, it’s just too much for a stationary worker. It makes more sense to put up a regular slat wall or pegboard for people who stay put for most projects. However, this is a given, because the use case is right in the name.

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