Nice photos, as always, and great descriptive write-up. But how do you *close* the lid such that one side's pieces don't tumble out?
Edit: On multiple viewings I realized I was getting confused by the way the images depicted both sides next to each other as if they closed together. So it's one box per color?
It took me a second to understand what you meant. That first photo shows TWO, Plano 3700 Stowaway ProLatch boxes, side-by-side. One empty and one filled. I can see how that first photo might be confusing.
These cases are so convenient. I never knew they had different models. This explains why all my 3700s are different 
nice one. To help me id what set is in a case I photo copy the authenticity paper it comes with and clear tape it to the front. I also use a micro cloth inside to help stop some movement. The cloth comes in handy to wipe pieces or glasses before a game.
Good review as always @Pawnerai! I have been meaning to buy one of these to see how it might fit my needs. As I have stated on more than one occasion, I hate it when the pieces from my reproduction sets are piled into the box like my vintage sets. Wood boxes as you know are super expensive and I have to find ones that are large enough to allow the pieces to stand up. My OCD is very annoying!
Plano boxes are perfect for the OCD folks. Especially when you buy the boxes in bulk so they all match and stack up perfectly. Organize and label the boxes to your heart's content until it's perfect. Then re-organize,,, AGAIN.
**EDIT**
Original photos in Post#1 edited with text for clarity.
Who do you call OCD person? I'll take 4 boxes of 3700 Edge, Thank you very much!
Excellent review Pawnerai, never knew about Edge series. I hope it will work with Camaratta Signature Series Cooke Chess Pieces and my Dubrovnik set.
Plano boxes are perfect for the OCD folks. Especially when you buy the boxes in bulk so they all match and stack up perfectly. Organize and label the boxes to your heart's content until it's perfect. Then re-organize,,, AGAIN.
**EDIT**
Original photos in Post#1 edited with text for clarity.
Haha!!! Where do I sign up for this class.
For anyone interested, there is now a special edition "smoke" color Plano 3700 Stowaway with ProLatch. Currently only available as a 4-pack. Same exact mold specs as the regular frosted version. It comes out to $7.50usd each. I couldn't resist buying a few more. White pieces can go in the frosted version. Black pieces go in the smoke version.
Love the color coordination! Now you need different felt colors...I'm thinking white for the frosted side. 
Thanks for heads up, very chic. Still contemplating it against wood folding chess board which can hold 2 chessmen sets.
@Pawnerai I agree, been a big fan and user for many years now. They are great and reasonably priced. Actually better storage than having the pieces flop around a non-fitted wooden box that sells for 20x the price.
... yeah, but you will have an ultimately better protection with folding board and you'll have a nice wood board to play on instead of vinyl. Like they say: to each his own.
... yeah, but you will have an ultimately better protection with folding board and you'll have a nice wood board to play on instead of vinyl. Like they say: to each his own.
Sure, but I have 20 sets (and that is a small collection by some standards). I already have 8 boards.
I do not need a separate board for every set nor do I need more boards. I need storage (although most of mine are in wooden coffers).
@Krames It depends on how critical you are about pieces rattling each other. What I did was purchase the 3700 Stowaway with ProLatch (4 rows — as I am showing in Post#10), 3700 Stowaway with ProLatch (3 rows — as KnightsForkCafe shows in Post#17) and the Plano Edge. Between those 3, I can almost guarantee one of them will work for you perfectly. Whichever ones you don't use for chess pieces, use in the garage! Win win.
FYI: The Plano Edge is on sale at Amazon for $16 today, 11/18/21.
Hey everyone,
I’m checking in with the good folk of the forum to determine whether this box is overkill. I’ve been travelling around the ‘big box’ stores looking for something similar to the plastic storage boxes noted. All that I were testing were where too thin to fit my bigger sets. And most of my sets are big - not club size, per se.
I was becoming a little deflated and then I went to a tool store and found this. What I love is that it fits my tall sets, fat sets and in one box. The lid has an internal foam insert which is nice for protection and further my tallest pawns on one set ever so slightly sit above the boxes - the lid closes easily and the pawns are protected from moving (at least in that set). Further, the pawns having individual compartments are well protected anyway - the only touching pieces are the bishops and castles.
You can see see that I am talking myself into it (the gent is happy for me to take it back - he loves that was was testing it for chess pieces …) but … it is also 5-6 times more expensive than a plastic box!
If it came in black - which it doesn’t - I’d get it without question - it’d be quite stylish, I think. The blue is nice but a bit garish …
It also supremely flexible - both the internal box compartments (of different sizes) and inserts are quality and provide for numerous storage options for sets of different size, shape.
I think I’ll keep it for taking pieces to the park or to a club - the minimal touching of pieces and indeed almost custom snug fit - that can be augmented by some additional foam protection is good.
Anyway - thoughts - am I getting carried away?
I am officially on Team Plano. Throughout the years, Plano organizer storage boxes have been mentioned here on CB&E forum as handy, cheap, reliable, and compact. At $8 each, and made in the USA you really can't go wrong with it. The 3700 size has several different models.
3700 Stowaway with ProLatch.
3700 Stowaway Rustrictor with old style latch.
3700 Edge new design, hard plastic.
The 3700 Stowaway with ProLatch has 2 styles. Style "A" has 4 customizable rows. Style "B" has 2 customizable rows, plus 1 double width row. Style "A" and Style "B" are exactly the same construction. Beefy latch. Thick reinforcements along edges for more rigidity. Stronger hinges. The only difference between A and B are the different row configuration.
The 3700 Stowaway Rustrictor with old style latch is a bit on the flimsy side compared to the Stowaway with ProLatch. There's not as much reinforcements along the edges. The hinges are weaker. The latch is thin. It's a nice box on it's own, but when you have it side-by-side with the Stowaway Prolatch the differences are immediately noticeable. They are relatively the same price. The one benefit of the Rustrictor vs the ProLatch is that the Rustrictor rows have twice as many divider holder slots than the ProLatch to make it more customizable.
The 3700 Edge is a new design with hard plastic. Whereas the ProLatch and Rustrictor have a "Tupperware" style plastic that has a bit of give to it. The 3700 Edge is made from a hard plastic. Metal pins in the hinges. Along the 4 rows it has even MORE divider holder slots to make it the most customizable of the bunch I tested. I really wanted this 3700 Edge to suit my needs. BUT one small measurement was excruciatingly off for my needs. When the Sinquefield set King is laid on it's side, the depth of the box was 2 millimeters too shallow. The lid comes in contact with the King base. The lid ever so slightly flexes at the point of contact when it is closed and the latches are locked. So disappointing. Ohh,, and the 3700 Edge is made in China, if it matters to you.
Here are pics of the Plano 3700 Stowaway ProLatch with my 3.75" King Sinquefield set from HoS. I lined the bottoms with $3 worth of 1/4" thick felt furniture pads. They come in sheets, and you just trim what you need.
At almost 3x the price of the 3700 ProLatch, the 3700 Edge is quite the upgrade in strength, rigidity, and customization. Be careful of the King Base. A 1.75" King base will make contact with the lid. Still useable. It will close and lock. Just really snug.