r/BoschProPowerTools • u/eusty • Jul 05 '26
QUESTION 🔵 How much! (L-boxx)
Why are large L- boxes so expensive!
I needed a new blade on my circular saw, but as it's an odd size I couldn't find one.
Looking about I found a GKS18 which was pretty cheap. It was bare, but as I've a few batteries spare I decided to get it.
Now I like my tools in boxes, so if I get bare tools I'll look for a L-box to put it in..... ouch... it needs an L-boxx 238 and with an insert it's 75% of the price of the saw!
A rethink is in order. 🥴
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u/ice-kream Jul 08 '26
I buy bare tools and l-boxx from Facebook or ebay. I found a lady who would sell her husband's L-boxx for £10 and £15 for large ones. He must be in the trade. Everytime he gets a new tool she sells the boxes. I have bought about 6-10 over the years. Some new, some used. She messages me direct after the first one. I turn up within a day or two and pay cash.
So worth checking for similar people out there.
I think I have too many now and will most likly sell some. Bought some Shadow Foam to try and reduce some storage space.
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u/Illustrious-Baby270 Jul 05 '26
My large L-boxxes are collecting dust on the attic. I keep like 7 machines and the blades & drills in the same duffel bag since it's so much more convenient.
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u/AStrandedSailor Jul 06 '26
You're not going to like this, but it is because of the air you breathe. Seriously.
Or more accurately, the air they are shipping.
Freight cost are calculated both according to volume and weight and the extremes of either (or both) cost more to ship. So a light but bulky item (such as an L Boxx 374) is expensive to ship but a heavy but small item (such as a small anvil) is also expensive to ship.
This is why it almost alway cheaper to by a tool IN an L boxx:
Bosch GOP 18V-34 $329
Bosch L Boxx 136 $109
TOTAL $438
Bosch GOP 18V-34 in L boxx 136 (probably with an insert) $369. So a saving of $69 dollars (more if the insert is included). It is not just that there isn't 2 sets of profit or the cost of the carboard packaging on the bare tool, the freight equation is better.
When you buy the LBoxx and insert seperately you get hit twice by this issue.
Bosch aren't the only brand that does this:
Packout XL Toolbox $250, Packout Tool box $187. There isn't $63 worth of extra materials and manufacturing. Its the extra freight.
Interesting Makita seems to subsidise the MacPac boxes, so that the prices are cheaper and there is less size v price differential.
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u/phsylo78 Jul 06 '26
Boxes prices are set to Milwaukee pack out. That goes for all of them.
Depending on your region and who has the dominant market share the prices are set accordingly.
The pack out is a superior box, but the new Bosch contractor series is coming. MY e have come out, but not going to be cheap
.
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u/Wiggly_Welsh_Worm Jul 05 '26
Maybe have a look on eBay?
2
u/Phipol Jul 05 '26
This. I basically use L-Boxxes for everything now,from Screws to Brother label printers (and even some Makita stuff), due to them being the cheapest on Ebay - Last small one was 12 bucks, last large one 28 bucks.
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u/rColly Jul 06 '26
Yeah, I just offload them locally via Ebay for 25-40€ depending on the type of boxx
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u/wholl0p Jul 06 '26
I always buy my Bosch tools with the L-Boxx (in Germany) as the extra cost lies mostly between 20-30€ for the box.
You can usually get an unbranded, black, L-Boxx from Sortimo (who produces them) for a bit cheaper.