Anyone who has ever worked below deck with a conventional toolbox will be familiar with the constant fear of leaving permanent marks: the heavy box all too easily leaves scratches and pressure marks in the wood of the interior fittings. The Air tool box provides a remedy. It is made of expanded polypropylene, or EPP for short. This rigid foam is an ideal packaging material. It is resistant to solvents and oils, lightweight, flexible and virtually unbreakable.
The container was developed by Carsten Mummert in collaboration with packaging specialist ISL Schaumstoff-Technik GmbH. Mummert's company Scale-Produkte has been working with the material EPP for some time and designs plastic products for the consumer and advertising sectors. As a water sports enthusiast, Mummert is familiar with the problem of tool cases made of metal or hard plastic on board from his own experience. "The idea was born out of the need to always have to place the tool case where it is most likely to cause the most damage, namely on wooden or gelcoat surfaces. The fact that our new development is also floatable and splash-proof due to the material was a nice side effect. The only challenge was to arrange the tools in such a way that the case floated on the scales when open and closed," says Mummert.
The result is a hard foam case that comes with a 94-piece tool set from Mannesmann. Each spanner and screwdriver sits in an individual tool nest. Four storage levels provide a quick overview of the contents. The compact design is even suitable for small back boxes and niches. The case is buoyant and even suitable for use outboard when open. The sturdy ABS handle shells protect the soft base material when attached to a safety line.
The EPP tool case costs 289 euros, is distributed by A. W. Niemeyer and will be available from mid-April. You can already get a first impression at boot in Düsseldorf: Hall 12, Stand A 49.
Or in the Product video.
Weight 7.0 kg Width 430 mm Height 340 mm Depth 200 mm
4 screwdrivers, CV steel (slotted) 2 screwdrivers, CV steel (Phillips) 2 precision mechanics screwdrivers, CV steel Voltage tester Screw handle 6.3 Ratchet 10 mm (3/8") Extension CV steel 150 mm Spark plug socket 13/16" Spark plug socket 21 mm 20-piece hexagon socket, CV steel, incl. 1 x socket spanner adapter, 1 x bit adapter 31-piece bit assortment incl. quick-change bit holder Water pump pliers 250 mm (10") Combination pliers 180 mm (7") Telephone pliers Water pump pliers 250 mm (10") Combination pliers 180 mm (7") Telephone pliers String cutter Cable lug clamp pliers Rolling fork spanner Snap-off knife (incl. 1 spare blade set) 8 open-end spanners (6/7, 8/9, 10/11, 12/13, 14/15, 16/17,18/19, 20/22) Saw bow 5 m Measuring tape 9-piece hexagon socket set File Hammer 300 g
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
