Everything Australian tradies need to know about setting up a Milwaukee PACKOUT™ system — sizing, layout, insert selection, mounting, and the custom 3D-printed accessories that turn a stack of bins into a properly organised jobsite kit.
Choosing the right Packout boxes · Drawer inserts guide · Compact organiser layouts · Mounting Packout · Essential accessories · Custom tool inserts · FAQs
Step 1 — Choosing the right Packout boxes
Before you start buying inserts, get the foundation right. Milwaukee's PACKOUT™ modular storage system has three main box formats and each one suits a different kind of job.
Rolling Tool Box (XL) — the largest box in the range. Use it as the base of a wheeled stack when you're carrying gear to a site. Bulky power tools, circular saws and SDS hammers live here. For the inside, drop in a Milwaukee PACKOUT™ insert for your M18 kit so tools don't slide around.
Large Tool Box — the workhorse. Most tradies end up with two or three stacked. Great for impact drivers, multi-tools and power packs. Pair with our Milwaukee PACKOUT™ Insert for M18 Drill & Impact Gen 4.
Compact Tool Box & Compact Organiser — the smallest boxes but arguably the most useful. The Compact Organiser is the one with the clear lid and removable bins. Drop in our 5-Slot M18 Battery Holder.
Two, Three and Four Drawer Units — the upgrade most tradies buy second. See the drawer inserts section for fitments.
Step 2 — Drawer inserts guide
Drawer inserts transform a Packout drawer box from "open space" to "tool-shaped slot for every tool you own".
2-Drawer Configurations — hand tools, pliers, spanners, sockets. A bin organiser insert in the top drawer keeps fasteners sorted.
3-Drawer Configurations — the most popular for general tradies. Top drawer hand tools, middle drawer power tool accessories, bottom drawer spare batteries and chargers. Our Packout Charger Mount works as a drawer-style charger holder.
4-Drawer Configurations — for specialist trades. Our Deep Bin Dividers fit the deep-bin format and Low Profile Dividers fit the shallow bins.
Step 3 — Compact Organiser layouts
The Packout Compact Organiser is the most-modified box in the system. With the right inserts, it becomes tool storage, battery bank, or impact bit library.
- Battery bank: Drop in our 5-Slot M18 Battery Holder.
- M12 layout: Our M12 Battery Packout Insert doubles the battery count.
- Fastener sorting: Low-profile bin dividers subdivide each bin into four or six compartments.
Step 4 — Mounting Packout in your ute or workshop
A Packout stack that slides around the back of the ute is dangerous and annoying. Lock it down.
Workshop / shed wall mount: Use our Milwaukee PACKOUT™ Mounting Plate to bolt the stack to a wall or timber stud.
Ute tray / trailer mount: Same mounting plate works in a ute or trailer. Click your Packout stack on and off.
Packout side expansion: Our Packout Side Mount clips accessories to the outside edge of a Packout.
Step 5 — Essential Packout accessories every tradie needs
- Packout Charger Mount — lock M12 or M18 chargers to your Packout panel.
- Milwaukee Battery Carrier — hand carrier for multiple M18 batteries.
- Rod Holder — holds fishing rods, pipe offcuts, cable reels.
- Skinny M18 Vacuum Nozzle — reaches into tight compartments.
- Clip-Mount Battery Holder — mount batteries to shed walls, ute shelves.
Step 6 — Custom tool inserts
Got a rare tool or a weird-shaped accessory? We print custom inserts from your photo, sketch or CAD file.
Send us a reference image and tool dimensions via our Custom 3D Printing Order page. Turnaround is typically 5–10 business days.
This is PrintForge's differentiator — most 3D print shops only sell what's in their catalogue. We build the insert you need.
Frequently asked Packout setup questions
What material are your Packout inserts made from?
PETG — tough, UV-stable filament used for industrial 3D printing. Tougher than PLA, more impact-resistant than ABS, holds up to heat, chemicals and jobsite abuse.
Are these official Milwaukee inserts?
No — custom third-party inserts designed for the PACKOUT™ system by PrintForge. PACKOUT™ is a registered trademark of Milwaukee Tool. Not affiliated or endorsed.
Will a PrintForge insert fit my drawer box?
Every product listing specifies compatibility. If unsure, send us a photo via our contact page and we'll confirm.
Do you ship outside Australia?
Yes — but our primary market is Australia. International dispatch is available on most items. Shipping quoted at checkout.
Can I return a custom insert if it doesn't fit?
Yes. We guarantee fitment on every product. If an insert doesn't fit as advertised, we replace or refund it.
What makes PrintForge different from other Australian Packout sellers?
Three things: we cover more than just Milwaukee (Makita, Ryobi, Yoto, EV and custom work too), we're priced for working tradies, and we design and print everything in Australia. Browse the Milwaukee range or request a custom design.
Ready to build your Packout setup?
Browse the full Milwaukee PACKOUT™ collection, shop Trade Mods for all platforms, or request a custom-designed insert.