Any Maxi-Systainer Users Out There?

[peter halle]

As you can probably guess I am revisiting the way I store my tools for transportation.  I don't own a Maxi, but am wondering if it would work for packing larger tools such as a reciprocating saw along with another tool or supplies to make it cost effective and make sense for me.

Anyone use them?  How?  Pros / Cons?

Any thoughts or advice would sincerely be appreciated.

Peter

 

[ajones]

Peter

With a little popular ply to sub divide the maxi would be very usefull although it may be heavy if fully loaded.dont forget its carried with the lid in the vertical,

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Peter,

I've been using three of them, one I had posted a picture on here a while back that has the holder I made for all my 6" sandpaper discs with dividers.  Another holds all my woodpeckers and similar squares/straightedges/gauges.  The third holds various cabinetry/veneering hand tools.  I'm sure I'll be getting more.

Pro's and con's, don't really have any I can think of other than don't sit on them even though they look like a chair replacement.

 

[Alan m]

i dont think the maxi would be grat for storing tools as it would be very heavy and a neusence to move around. it would be good for light tools or accesories etc.

ken
that maxi must hold at least 900-100 sanding sheets. i have maybe 300 in a t loc 3.

 

[semenza]

The two biggest cons are.....

      They do not stack/latch to other Systainers in a way that make them reasonable to carry.

      They do not have the handle on top so depending on what is in them the contents jumble around.

In many ways any type of case would work in place of a Maxi Systainer because of the two items above.

In order to maximize the system approach and utilise allthe system features I work out ways to get just about everything onto a regular Systainer. 

Seth

 

[peter halle]

i dont think the maxi would be grat for storing tools as it would be very heavy and a neusence to move around. it would be good for light tools or accesories etc.

ken
that maxi must hold at least 900-100 sanding sheets. i have maybe 300 in a t loc 3.

I personally think in advance that the handle being on the side (front) might be a downer.  My tools are usually placed in boxes without foam or padding.  Flipping them on their sides when picking up the handle and further jumbling might not be so good.  I also usually take the tool out of the systainer and leave that in the truck, unless that systainer has all the other goodies that I might need.

But then, I might be weird, so that is why I am asking thoughts.

Peter

 

[peter halle]

Seth,

We were drafting posts at the same time.  Thanks hugely for your thoughts.

Peter

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I forgot to mention two points.  First I have the foam inside the maxis now except the sandpaper maxi.  No problems with anything moving around or sandpaper getting messed up or mixed up.  Second, I have and use a decent amount of sandpaper, different types, different grits.  That's why I designed it that big.  For the pictures last October, I only showed some of the discs in there so people could view the insert I made more than the sandpaper.  I'm guessing most people would only need a sys3 for theirs.  I don't think I'm a sandpaperholic.  [unsure]

 

[atomicmike]

I have one that I use to hold a framing nailer (Bostitch F28WW).

[attachthumb=#]

It's great, in that the nailer didn't come with a case itself, so it used to just sit out collecting dust. What's not so great is that since I don't have a custom insert for it, it tends to shift a bit. I also keep a box of nails in with it, which really throws the weight off-balance. Not a big deal for something the size of a regular Systainer, but with the Maxi, it's somewhat of an ordeal to carry. I suspect my impression would be better if I had something purpose-built, like the plastic inserts that come with our beloved Festools. If I used it more often, I'd probably take the time to work out a better arrangement in there.

- Mike

 

[Frank Pellow]

I'm very happy that the handle is just where it is on the Maxi.  The use of upholstery foam keeps things from moving around.

I talked about my latest use of the only Maxi that I now own in the thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/various-woodworking-crafts-topics/quickly-customizing-a-fogtainer-to-hold-stained-glass-making-supplies/msg150683/#new.  Here are two photos from that thread:

[attachthumb=#1] [attachthumb=#2]

As I said in that thread, I use the systainer to stained glass panels under construction as well as pieces of glass.  They are all sandwiched between slabs of foam. 

Used to keep my Maxi for short-term storage needs, but it will now be permanently used for glass.  So, now I need to purchase another one.

 

[harry_]

I have one that I use to hold a framing nailer (Bostitch F28WW).

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It's great, in that the nailer didn't come with a case itself, so it used to just sit out collecting dust. What's not so great is that since I don't have a custom insert for it, it tends to shift a bit. I also keep a box of nails in with it, which really throws the weight off-balance. Not a big deal for something the size of a regular Systainer, but with the Maxi, it's somewhat of an ordeal to carry. I suspect my impression would be better if I had something purpose-built, like the plastic inserts that come with our beloved Festools. If I used it more often, I'd probably take the time to work out a better arrangement in there.

- Mike

Mike,
[thanks] for posting this!

I have the similar (older version) gun and have often wondered if it would fit 'properly' in a maxi.

I am wondering if you might try something out for me (us). Take the gun & flip (or rotate) it over so the nail sleeve is up against the handle side of the SYS. Then take the box of nails and rotate 90degrees and place them along the hinged side. I am thinking this will have the bulk of the weight already at the bottom of the SYS when carried, and by rotating the box of nails will move the center of gravity more in-line with the handle making it a little easier to carry. Following me?

For the most part, my framer resides in my garage as I am more of a finish guy than a framer. However there have been more times than I care to recall 'framing' with 3" screws because I did not have the gun with me, because without 'proper' storage it is just in my way in the back of my truck.

 

[Brice Burrell]

...For the most part, my framer resides in my garage as I am more of a finish guy than a framer. However there have been more times than I care to recall 'framing' with 3" screws because I did not have the gun with me, because without 'proper' storage it is just in my way in the back of my truck.

Harry, have you looked into the bags for framing nailer?  Like you I don't use framer everyday so I need something for it to keep the dust off it more than anything.  I've a bag from Duluth that has worked pretty well at a reasonable price.  You can keep the nailer, oil and a couple dozen clips of nails in the bag. 

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I have something probably similar to what East Brice  [smile] has.  Got mine at Sears years ago.  It's a dual zippered bag with carry strap and strap handles, shaped for a framing nailer with an outside pocket for nail strips.  I like it so far other than something that wasn't considered in the design process.  The sharp points on the nailer's safety element have worn through and pierced the bottom of the bag.  They should have put some hard plastic in there and I should have modified it when I first noticed it becoming an issue.
The reason for me getting the bag for my framing nailer wasn't to keep it pretty, but to keep dirt and other contaminants out of the air fitting and nail magazine.  It also helps by carrying it from my shoulder when needing to bring a bunch of tools onto a jobsite.

 

[terrystouf]

I have the framing nailer dilemma too,and I've done lots of small framing bits with 3" screws for the same reason,(bulky bastard wont fit in any boxes) I am considering switching to a coil type nailer, and I think it might fit in a regular systainer ??

 

[harry_]

...For the most part, my framer resides in my garage as I am more of a finish guy than a framer. However there have been more times than I care to recall 'framing' with 3" screws because I did not have the gun with me, because without 'proper' storage it is just in my way in the back of my truck.

Harry, have you looked into the bags for framing nailer?  Like you I don't use framer everyday so I need something for it to keep the dust off it more than anything.  I've a bag from Duluth that has worked pretty well at a reasonable price.  You can keep the nailer, oil and a couple dozen clips of nails in the bag.   

Brice,
No I haven't.  I know you have seen a few pics of the back of my truck. Thing that I loathe the most regarding my truckload of tools is having to move something to get at something else, like my framing gun. The issue for me is 'pack-ability'. If i put it in a maxisys, I can then continue stacking regular SYS's on top of it. Putting it in a bag is the same as what I got now, only 'cleaner'. Clean is waaaaaaay off my radar.

 

[FEStastic]

I work out of Masi's most of the time their heavy but its fewer trips as you can get lots in them.

[attachthumb=#]

I have found that for me I prefer not to have tools on top of each other in a box like having things in a sys 4/5

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[attachthumb=#]

I  tried fitting a Ts55 in one but even with the blade out and saw folded its too big