BoxLox (TM) Anchoring System Review

Introduction

Many of you by now are familiar with the DrawerBox (TM) system from The Collection Drawer Co. that comes in long and short boxes. It is a superb system that has revolutionizes how I store my comic books and many others as well. Basically the system uses a cardboard comic box as a drawer that sits in a sleeve, acting like a chest and drawers. This allows you to pull comic books from the bottom and the top, never having to move a box to get at the bottom again.

Keep Falling With BoxLox

One concern people have had with the DrawerBox system is that they worry that when a drawer is pulled out to its fullest extent, the weight of it could topple things over. This isn’t much of a concern with the lower boxes, but could still happen with the top row.

From their website:

“For some time we have been working on a major enhancement that we think will take our DrawerBox concept to the next level. We know that many people have been doubtful about the usefulness of DrawerBoxes because they believed that they would tip forward when the drawer was pulled open, making them awkward to use. While this was never a problem except for the top box, now even the top box can be pulled open to its fullest extent without any concern about tipping.”

What they have done to tackle this problem is their new BoxLox (TM) box anchoring system. Basically they are small round disks that insert into the inside of the sleeve. The two BoxLox buttons snap together, holding the two sleeves together in place. This enables the DrawerBox to use the weight of the neighboring boxes, as well as the boxes above, to keep things in place when the drawers are open. This enables even the topmost row to be opened up without fear of toppling over drawers.

BoxLox Construction

The construction of the BoxLox box anchors is very simple but effective. They are a round plastic disc with two “teeth” coming out of the bottom. When two of the BoxLox anchors intersect, they click together much like a zipper, anchoring both sides in place.

The cost is minimal, being about $1 to hold together two boxes. This basically adds about .50 cents per box to have the BoxLox system with your DrawerBoxes. You might be able to get by with just the top row anchored, as that is the row of most concern.

For Use With DrawerBoxes

Entering the BoxLox anchors was easy enough, as the holes are already cut into the boxes. I found you had to do it before closing any of the tabs, as I had to get it at eye level to get the two anchors to line up properly. I couldn’t just stick it in the hole and expect them to click together. You may need some extra patience to get the hang of it.

Once they were in, the DrawerBoxes were rock solid. I seriously doubt they would ever tip over with this system in place. This brings me to one point of contention, and it is rather mild. One issue I see is that they did the job to well. The DrawerBoxes are anchored and it will take a lot of force to get these guys apart without damaging your boxes. I found that if I slowly slipped my fingers in between the boxes, I was able to pop the two loose and could even separate the two boxes, but getting them back together was a bit of a pain. The main reason this comes up is the thought of having to move the system. I imagine you would need to remove all the drawers, take the whole row and put it in your truck (good luck with a car) and put the drawers back in, or just use the drawers to transport your comics to a new location.

This may seem like a nitpicky thing, but it is a concern that needs to be brought up. Having moved a fair amount, with another move on the way, it is something one has to think about with something like a comic collection. Heck, forget moving it around town, but how about to another room? Downstairs? It could cause some issues. Minor issues, but issues nonetheless.

Already Have A DrawerBox?

No big worries here. They have provided a template that you can use to make the holes in your existing long boxes. You’ll need to dissemble them, which may be a pain, but in the long run it could be worth it if it keeps a box from tipping over.

Vital Specs

Cost: $1 for eight anchors.
Size: 13/16th inches in diameter and 1/2" tall.
Capacity: Eight anchors will lock two DrawerBoxes

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Does exactly what it says it will and very well.
• Keeps top drawers safe from tipping.
• Completely secures storage system.
• Ability to retrofit older system.
• Cost – very cheap for what it does.

Cons

• Transporting completely secured system may be a hassle.
• Many comic stores may not carry them yet. Here’s a list of stores that carry DrawerBoxes.
• Patience and dexterity may be required to get the system together.

In Conclusion

I think the thing I like most about this new product is how it appeared to come into existence. The company took feedback from their consumers and applied it directly to their product, which is something that impressed me. They could have said, “Oh well.” And just continued to sell the system as is, but they seem to care so much about their product that they acknowledged there may be an issue and fixed it. That’s integrity and that’s one of the reasons I like this company so much. They have a high quality designed product for collector by collectors that is also shown in the quality of their product and customer service.

The potential “issues” that come from using the system are negligible. I for one, would rather be a little hassled having to move the system rather than having the drawer fall over, which I should add, has never happened to me yet. Whether this is something that is to prevent actual damage from happening or to prevent something that could happen? Either way I support this nifty product that does exactly what it says – lock your comic boxes down safely.