Tom Swift
(Based on product purchased Dec. 2014.) This is a very good organizer for smaller Lego pieces. Excellent functionality and made to good standards. (For bigger Lego pieces, I'd recommend a different Flambeau product, the Tackle Tuff Tainer Satchel Tackle Box.) I'm putting up photos to show design and usage. I bought four of these 5007s and they came with 15 dividers each. (Except one came with 17 dividers—I have no idea why.) Not 20 dividers each—the listing is incorrect in saying 20 dividers. For Lego pieces, you may wish you had a couple more dividers. Dividers and slots are good; dividers fit smoothly. The whole is well made. More than sturdy enough.
I'll list up good aspects of the Flambeau 5007 (call it F-5007), and a couple of so-so aspects, comparing this with a similar product, the Plano 2-3700 Prolatch (or call it P-3700). Overall the F-5007 is better than the Plano 2-3700, and clearly better than the confusingly similarly-numbered Plano 23700-02. I'll put up a photo of the F-5007 along with several Plano boxes. (Basically: F-5007 > Plano 2-3700 > Plano 23700-02.)
One caveat: I'm basing my comments on my Plano 2-3700s that I got in 2013—which seem to match the current photos on amazon, but bear in mind these products evolve occasionally. Second caveat: All my comments are only about these products as household organizers, not as fishing tackle boxes (which I don't know about).
General: The F-5007 and the P-3700 offer the same basic design and functionality—virtually identical dimensions and structure, same shape and number of dividers and slots for them. (In contrast, the Plano 23700-02 is smaller in actual storage space, and has about half the number of divider slots i.e. less adjustability.)
GOOD ASPECTS (F-5007 better than P-3700)
The F-5007 is overall a bit better than the P-3700 in the following ways. (And, when it comes to Plano 23700-02, the F-5007 is better in these same ways and more.)
1. The F-5007 seems to show a slightly higher production standard than the P-3700. Now, they are both good; they are both waaaay better than various lesser brand and generic container I've tried. For instance, with cheap stuff, I've gotten warped or slightly irregular internal panels, so dividers don't fit in well—that doesn't happen with the F-5007 or the P-3700. However, the F-5007 has less roughness (less of the tiny ridges and blebs along various edges, residue from the molding process). The F-5007 is pretty smooth all around, just a few tiny rough spots. Better than the P-3700, though the P-3700 is also all right.
2. The F-5007 is a clearer plastic (outer case) than the Plano. That is, the F-5007 is closer to transparent than the P-3700; the P-3700 is milkier. This may be just because the F-5007 plastic is very slightly thinner than the P-3700 than the P-3700. (So the F-5007 is a tiny bit lighter.) Being slightly thinner, the F-5007 exterior panels are also slightly less sturdy, and very slightly bendier, than the P-3700. But for Lego storage, the things just don’t have to be that sturdy. I prefer the F-5007 case plastic. As for the internal panels (into which you slot the dividers), they're virtually the same.
3. Latches: The F-5007 has smoother-working latches (the blue locking clasps) than the P-3700. Difference is quite noticeable. The P-3700 latches in themselves are sturdier (and have a good molded texture) but they are tougher to press into place, and to unlock, than the F-5007 latches. This can be a pain for the Lego-playing kids or their dad. The F-5007 locks and unlocks effortlessly (but securely). (BUT: Owing to the design, the F-5007 latches have a tendency to snap off sometimes. They are easy to snap back in place, however.)
4. The F-5007 divider pieces are pre-cut into individual pieces. For whatever reason, the P-3700 divider pieces come all connected by umbilical tabs and you have to cut them—not a problem if you have a decent plastic cutter, but this can be a pain in the neck if you don’t have one. If you are interested in the Plano, you might want to go ahead and buy a "flush cutter" (tons of different ones on amazon)—things come in handy. You won't need it for the F-5007. (Note: Flambeau Tuff Tainer products don’t always come with dividers pre-cut. In the big Satchel Tackle Box, which is a great product, the dividers are connected and you got to cut them.)
LESS GOOD ASPECTS:
The F-5007 is about the same as, or possibly a little inferior to, the P-3700 in these ways:
1. Divider piece—color:
While the F-5007 dividers are pre-cut and the P-3700 aren't, ultimately I prefer the translucent P-3700 dividers to the blue opaque F-5007 dividers. Both are well made, and fit quite well, and maybe most folks won't care about the color. But to my eyes, the deep blue color of the F-5007 dividers makes everything darker and just a tad less easy to sort out. For us, it becomes a slight issue when you’re messing with a lot of different box sections containing 100s and 100s of sorted Lego pieces.
2. Hinges: Both the F-5007 and the P-3700 have real hinges, not just bendy plastic strips. The F-5007 has 3 hinges, the P-3700 has 2 hinges, but that doesn't matter. However, the F-5007 hinges tend to snap out of joint easily. (With stuff getting put on the open lids, or kids accidentally stepping on them.) This doesn't happen with the P-3700, simply because the P-3700 lid “male” hinge part is inset into the body “female” hinge part from the top downward, while the F-5007 male part is inset from the bottom upward. You can simply snap the thing back in place but it can take a little bit of jimmying. Wonder why F-5007 designed it in this pesky way—maybe the idea is precisely to let the lid snap off, rather than the contents spilling or the lid breaking –or to make it EASIER for fisherman to take off the lids and put them aside. The P-3700 hinge mechanism prevents casual unsnapping and is quite tight and sturdy.
3. Susceptible to damage: Both the F-5007 and the P-3700 abrade pretty easily. (Sure, it’s not a big deal.) In both of them, the lid will break if a foot, even a little foot, plants on it awkwardly. I think the P-3700 is slightly sturdier, as mentioned, but in our household little feet have caused breaks in both products. Well, these are inexpensive plastic containers after all.
Overall, I'd highly recommend the F-5007 as an organizer for Lego pieces (smaller ones at least). The Plano 2-3700 is also ok. The confusingly similarly-numbered Plano 23700-02 is not as good. I'm going to try to put up reviews and photos of other Flambeau and Plano containers: Flambeau's (excellent) Tuff Tainer Satchel Tackle Box, and Plano's (so-so) 23700-02, (good) 23730-05 and (good) 23701-00.
| Brand | Flambeau |
|---|---|
| Material | Polypropylene |
| Color | Clear |
| Product Dimensions | 11"L x 7.25"W x 1.75"H |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Repellent |
| Maximum Weight Recommendation | 10 Kilograms |
| Number of Compartments | 24 |
| UPC | 071617003319 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00071617003319 |
| Manufacturer | Flambeau Inc. |
| Part Number | 4007 |
| Item Weight | 5.1 ounces |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | 4007 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 7.25" |
| Style | 4007 Tuff Tainer |
| Pattern | Tuff Tainer |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Special Features | Adjustable |
| Included Components | Unit^Instruction Guide |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
