Tool Review: Pelican 1460 Toolbox

The Pelican 1460 toolbox is gloriously heavy and bulky precisely because it’s built to stymie a tank. Pelican has made a name for itself by manufacturing nigh-indestructible instrumentation cases that are adored by everyone from roadies to electrical engineers. The military use them. People ship their MakerBot 3D printers in Pelican cases.

So, it might be a little overkill to buy one to store your tools in — then again, maybe not. The 1460 toolbox is huge, measuring over 18″ wide and around 10″ deep and high. The two trays have enough compartments for all your stuff, and are big enough to accommodate a multimeter, and there’s room bellow the trays for hand tools like hammers. The whole thing is waterproof and buoyant up to a total weight of 82 pounds. No surprise, the shell packs a lifetime guarantee — but the trays do not.

I found the trays to be adequate for the task of organizing and storing tools and parts. I was able to fit a ton of stuff onto the trays, and the rest of my tools into the bottom of the toolbox. However, this makes for an enormously heavy case to lug around! However, anyone who buys Pelican is pretty much choosing protection over handiness. This toolbox is a tank!

14 Responses to Tool Review: Pelican 1460 Toolbox

Michael Pechner on December 6th, 2011 at 5:51 pm said:

When the case is closed, are the two trays sealed so things won’t shift if it is knocked over?

Also note, the lifetime warrantee does not apply to the trays.

Reply ↓
Michael Pechner on December 6th, 2011 at 5:53 pm said:

Holy Crap. Over $200.

Reply ↓
J. Smith on December 6th, 2011 at 6:08 pm said:

mmmm….I wish this was being given away for chrimbus to me…

Reply ↓
Tom Minnick on December 6th, 2011 at 6:15 pm said:

Anyone have a link to someone who has shipped their MakerBot in one? I have a MakerBot and would like to look at transport/storage solutions.

Reply ↓
- Anonymous on December 6th, 2011 at 6:43 pm said:
  
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/rb-rt/5961630934/
  
  Reply ↓
Clarence Millspaugh on December 7th, 2011 at 1:11 am said:

like to win that

Reply ↓
Becky Stern on December 7th, 2011 at 5:14 am said:

That thing looks awesome! Perfect for flying with tools (checked luggage gets so beat up!). Same question as Michawl Pechner, is the top tray secured in some way when it’s closed so as to prevent small items from spilling?

Reply ↓
- Anonymous on December 7th, 2011 at 6:10 am said:
  
  I don’t think the top tray is, but the bottom tray is snug to the top one and probably keeps things from falling out. I’ll check tonight.
  
  Also, as far as traveling goes, the two metal lock plates to either side of the latches are sized for TSA-standard locks.
  
  Reply ↓
harald74 on December 7th, 2011 at 6:32 am said:

This is hardly a review, is it? Unless I missed a link somewhere, that is.

Please post again when you’ve actually tried the tool box. It’s an interesting piece of kit, and if it’s up to Pelican’s normal standards it’ll keep your tools safe through anything.

Reply ↓
- Anonymous on December 7th, 2011 at 7:34 am said:
  
  Fair enough — what else do you want to know about it?
  
  Reply ↓
erik scott on December 7th, 2011 at 7:34 am said:

Here’s one they sell for military use – if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=0450

Erik

Reply ↓
Joe on February 15th, 2012 at 3:36 am said:

If by “huge” you mean “small”, then yes, it’s huge.

Reply ↓
Joe on February 15th, 2012 at 3:38 am said:

Since Erik Scott won’t say, I’ll tell you the Pelican 0450 sells for $400 to $500. It’s not a matter of “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it”, it’s a matter of “this thing costs far more than it’s worth.”

#0450WD Pelican 0450 Mobile Tool Chest (with drawers)

Reply ↓
Richard Wheeler on September 4th, 2012 at 11:16 am said:

To me it is worth every penny of your toolkit NOT coming from the baggage claim belt in multiple bins because the latches on your Jensen case failed.

Reply ↓