What's inside
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Makpac Cases in One Paragraph
Every Makpac case shares the same footprint — 395 × 295 mm — and they only differ in height, so the right Makita tool box is whichever size matches the tools you own, stacked with the heaviest case on the bottom. For a single drill-driver or combi drill, buy a Type 1 (105 mm deep). For two tools, batteries and a charger, Type 2 (157 mm) is the sweet spot. Type 3 (210 mm) suits bigger tools like SDS drills and circular saws, and Type 4 (315 mm) is essentially a portable bin for anything awkward. Mix them freely — they all lock together with the same side clips.
The Four Sizes, With Real Numbers
Makpac’s trick is standardisation: one footprint, four heights, one clip system. Here are the figures that matter when planning a stack.
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| Case | External size (L×W×H) | Internal size (approx.) | Empty weight | Typical contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makpac Type 1 | 395 × 295 × 105 mm | 373 × 267 × 90 mm | ~1.6 kg | Combi drill, impact driver, radio |
| Makpac Type 2 | 395 × 295 × 157 mm | 373 × 267 × 140 mm | ~1.8 kg | Two-tool kit + charger + 2 batteries |
| Makpac Type 3 | 395 × 295 × 210 mm | 373 × 267 × 190 mm | ~2.1 kg | SDS hammer, jigsaw, 165 mm circular saw |
| Makpac Type 4 | 395 × 295 × 315 mm | 373 × 267 × 295 mm | ~2.5 kg | Angle grinder with discs, hand tools, consumables |
Two wider variants exist beyond these four: the Makpac Type 3 XL (taller internal clearance, same footprint) and large drawer units in the Makpac trolley range, plus the newer Maktrak system — which is not cross-compatible with Makpac clips, so treat the two ecosystems as separate purchases.
Stacking Load Limits — The Number Most Listings Skip
Makita doesn’t publish a formal “maximum stack load” figure, which is why listings are vague. What is documented: each case is rated for a 20 kg working load internally, and the latching system is designed so weight transfers through the case walls, not the clips. In practice, the guidance used across the trade is:
- Keep any single case under 20 kg — a Type 4 packed with hand tools hits this faster than you’d think (a set of spanners alone can be 8–10 kg).
- Heaviest case at the bottom. A stack is only as stable as its base; a 20 kg Type 4 on top of a 3 kg Type 1 will torque the clips sideways every time you lift it.
- Four to five cases high is the practical carrying limit — not because the clips fail, but because the top handle is rated for the stack’s total weight and you become the weak link around 40–50 kg.
- For anything taller or heavier, use the Makpac wheeled trolley base, which is designed as the load-bearing foundation of a stack.
The side clips themselves are the consumable part. They’re replaceable (sold as spare parts), and the failure mode is predictable: they crack at the pivot after years of being snapped shut under tension, or if a stack is dragged sideways. Buying two spare clips when you buy your first cases costs very little and prevents a stack collapse at the worst moment.
Which Makita Tools Ship in Which Case
Makita ships most 18V LXT and 40V XGT tools either bare (cardboard) or in a Makpac — the suffix in the model code tells you. A “J” suffix (e.g. DHP486ZJ) typically means the tool comes in a Makpac case, often with an inlay. Tools sold with a “TJ” or kit suffix ship with batteries and charger inside. Here’s the general mapping:
| Makpac size | Tools commonly supplied in it |
|---|---|
| Type 1 | DHP486 / DDF486 drills, DTD173 impact driver, DMR radios, laser levels |
| Type 2 | DTW impact wrenches, DJR187 recip saw, most 2-piece 18V kits, multi-tools |
| Type 3 | DHR243 SDS-plus hammer, DJV182 jigsaw, DSS611 circular saw, planers |
| Type 4 | Large XGT tools, twin-battery kits, blower/vacuum accessories, service kits |
Check the product code before assuming: the same drill exists as a bare tool (Z suffix, cardboard box) and a cased version (ZJ). If you already own bare tools, an empty Makpac with a foam or rigid inlay — Makita and third parties sell pre-cut inlays for most popular tools — is cheaper than buying duplicate cased versions.
Which Size for Your Situation
| Your situation | Recommended case | Why |
|---|---|---|
| DIYer, one drill and accessories | Type 1 | Fits tool + bits box; cheapest entry; slides under a shelf |
| DIYer growing a cordless kit | Type 2 | Room for two tools plus charger; the most common starter stack |
| Mobile tradesperson | Type 2 + Type 3 + trolley | Tools in the 2s, consumables/SDS in the 3, wheels under it all |
| Van/workshop storage, rarely carried | Type 3 and Type 4 | Deeper boxes hold more per case; weight matters less |
| Mixed brands or odd-shaped tools | Type 4 | Deepest internal clearance; foam inlays make it universal |
Budget-wise, expect empty Makpac cases in the roughly £25–£55 / $30–$60 range depending on size, with Type 4 and trolley bases at the top end. Cased tools typically carry a modest premium over bare versions — usually less than buying a separate case and inlay.
Ownership Realities
- What wears first: the side clips, then the lid handle pivot. The case shell itself (polypropylene) shrugs off drops; a Makpac rarely dies from impact — it dies from a clip snapped in a cold van at −10 °C or forced shut over an overfilled case.
- Water resistance, not waterproofing: the lid seal keeps out rain and site dust during transport, but the cases aren’t submersion-rated. Don’t hose them down; wipe and air-dry.
- Common mistake: clipping a full Type 4 to the top of a stack. Another: assuming Makpac and Maktrak latches are compatible — they aren’t, and forcing them marks the clips.
- Cleaning: warm water and mild detergent; solvents like acetone cloud the plastic and weaken clip pivots.
FAQ
Can I stack Makpac cases from different generations?
Yes — the footprint and clip geometry haven’t changed since launch, so a 10-year-old Type 2 clips onto a current one without issue.
Do other brands’ tools fit?
Physically, yes — the internal space is brand-agnostic and foam inlays can be cut for anything. The interlock clips only work with other Makpac cases, though; they won’t latch to DeWalt TSTAK or Milwaukee Packout units.
Is Maktrak replacing Makpac?
Maktrak is Makita’s newer, deeper storage line aimed at larger tools, but Makpac remains widely sold and supported in 2026. Buy into whichever system your tools already ship in — mixing both means two incompatible stacks.