Anyone built a Systainer-Port?

[cneville101]

I am really debating whether I want to spend another $540 (times two) to house all of my new systainers... but, from what I can tell in the catalog, I really do like the design of the Systainer-Port. 

I bought my first Festool less than 1 month ago, and in the last three weeks I have collected the CT 22, TS 75 (with 75" rails - Woodcraft and Festool honored my exchange), Trion 300, Domino, C 12, RO 150 and ETS 150/3. 

I am now low on money and getting very low on space to house these tools. 

So... here is the deal...

1.  Has anyone built a cabinet like the Systainer-Port - do you have pictures and/or plans?  Any reason why building them doesn't make sense?

2.  I think that I could build two Systainer-Port type cabinets and another cabinet to house my planer and drum sander for about the cost of one Systainer-Port - even using a combination of Baltic Birch, Phenolic Plywood and high quality drawer slides. 

3.  My only obstacle now is choosing the right drawer slide... I am leaning toward Blum's full extension, concealed/undermount.  But this is not my specialty - if anyone does this for a living and can recommend a smart choice - I'm willing to listen.  I get hung up on details like mounting the slides, so jigs or systems to help in this regard are appreciated. 
    a.  I saw a product called Quick Align that might help in this regard - if anyone has used this system, is it of value?

    b.  Face-frame or frameless cabinet?  Which would you choose.  I've have only made face frame cabinets - so, that is why I am concerned about mounting the slides on European type frameless cabinets.

Thanks for any help you can provide - pictures are always appreciated.

Chris

 

[Frank Pellow]

Lots of us have done so.  See the thread:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=167.0

 

[Per Swenson]

Briefly,

You can build your own ports,

and I have seen some nice ones.  But.

No one when considering this option seems to factor in their own time.

When you do that, with a reasonable dollar amount, plus materials,

be sure to add high quality casters and locks, lets not forget finsh...

One seems to be better off buying them.

My two cents, cause thats all I have left. ;D

Then again, you might have fun......

Per

 

[Frank Pellow]

Per, that may be true for you but many folks like me don't charge anything for our time so there is a BIG savings in making our own sysports.

 

[ccmviking]

I have the Festool SysPort in my trailer and think it's absolutely great.  I wouldn't think of building something to try and replace it.  However I would probably build something for the garage (I need to and would have fun doing so, but I'm not sure if I'll get around to it anytime soon).  I really doubt many people need the locking ability or portability of it in their garage (of course to each their own).  I just want trays as you've mentioned and don't have an issue mounting it to a wall.  I'd suggest using undermounts such as the blum 568's which are my favorites for just about anything.  You'll see that a lot of folks have my them with the accuride type slides which  are fine in some cases.  Those slides don't really belong in a shop environment (My opinion based on experiences with them) due to any dirt, debris, dog hair, lint, etc. goes right to the greased ball bearings and they cease to function well until you clean them up.  The SysPorts are great and if you have more money than time you should order them now.  If you want the fun and savings of making your own a search of the forum will yield you some great results.  I personally am not a fan of Systainers so....  They are ok though when mounted in a SysPort whether it's homemade or purchased from Festool if you remove the lids, other than that they are a hindrance and barrier between you and your tools. 

Chris... 

 

[Frank Pellow]

...
  I personally am not a fan of Systainers so....  They are ok though when mounted in a SysPort whether it's homemade or purchased from Festool if you remove the lids, other than that they are a hindrance and barrier between you and your tools. 

Chris... 

Boy Chris, I`ll bet you are in a minority. 

I love systainers both in and out of SysPorts and in and out of my shop.  They keep me organized and it is so much easier and faster to me when I have to collect and move the tools that I need for an off-site job. 

 

[ccmviking]

It's years of Lean Manufacturing Training and Consulting that has me all screwed up Frank.  Don't get me wrong I think they are great protectors of the tools (mainly for shipping    ) but they are not great from a user perspective.  Take it all out, put it all away, take it out,  try to figure how to put it all away.  etc., etc.  Most of them I've seen people have is a container full of crap that makes it actually difficult to get to the one thing you want, and then sometimes very difficult to get that one or many part back in it's/their place.  I hate opening and closing the lids on them, the latches are nothing but a pain, and forget about ever stacking them... I know I may be a minority on this but the sheer waste of clicking, clacking and fighting getting content in and out of them is pure wasted steps and time.

Chris...

 

[semenza]

It's years of Lean Manufacturing Training and Consulting that has me all screwed up Frank.  Don't get me wrong I think they are great protectors of the tools (mainly for shipping     ) but they are not great from a user perspective.  Take it all out, put it all away, take it out,  try to figure how to put it all away.  etc., etc.   Most of them I've seen people have is a container full of crap that makes it actually difficult to get to the one thing you want, and then sometimes very difficult to get that one or many part back in it's/their place.  I hate opening and closing the lids on them, the latches are nothing but a pain, and forget about ever stacking them... I know I may be a minority on this but the sheer waste of clicking, clacking and fighting getting content in and out of them is pure wasted steps and time.

Chris...

Chris,

  You seem to be down right aggravated and frustrated with systainers.    Sounds like you could use a course at the Shnapper School International.    You will be clicking and clacking like a pro in no time

Seth

        NINE

 

[Warrior]

I have been a fan of consolidating associated tools in milk crates e.g. door tools: PC100, PC PortaPlane, corded drill, boring bits, some templates and set up blocks for the plane. That worked out pretty well but I could only carry one or two crates at a time. Enter Festool TS 75 - I had less need for the PortaPlane, I actually havent used it in over a year and I have installed approximately 60 doors in that time all beveled and cut to size with the TS75. I was so happy with that purchase I added the RO150/CT22 combo, then the RS400, Domino, and OF1400. I transfered a majority of non Festools into systainers. All clipped together I can get all the needed tools minus the CSMS to the work in one trip. Using the systainers is somewhat af an anal process compared to tossing the tools into a milk crate, but the effort to use them is paid back in time saved in: job set up and breakdown, and not having to dig around to find what you need. Plus the tools stay clean and shiny.

It's years of Lean Manufacturing Training and Consulting that has me all screwed up Frank.  Don't get me wrong I think they are great protectors of the tools (mainly for shipping     ) but they are not great from a user perspective.  Take it all out, put it all away, take it out,  try to figure how to put it all away.  etc., etc.   Most of them I've seen people have is a container full of crap that makes it actually difficult to get to the one thing you want, and then sometimes very difficult to get that one or many part back in it's/their place.  I hate opening and closing the lids on them, the latches are nothing but a pain, and forget about ever stacking them... I know I may be a minority on this but the sheer waste of clicking, clacking and fighting getting content in and out of them is pure wasted steps and time.

Chris...

 

[semenza]

Hi,

   One advantage to building your own is that you can customize the size, and add other features if you wish.

Seth

      EIGHT

 

[richard.selwyn]

I bought two of the large sysports and am still smarting over the price.  I then built two "quick and dirty" home made ones using very cheap melamine, Kreg pocket screws, accuride (I think thats the name) sliders, with wheels from the French equivalent of Home Depot.  I don't remember exactly how long the actual construction took - (agonizing over the spacing was the longest process but someone here previously posted an excel program for doing that) but I'd say about 2 hours per unit.  To save time I made them the depth of the melamine panels I bought, didn't finish any of the cut edges and didn't paint the wooden trim (which I made very quickly from roofing laths on the planer thicknesser)
I may build another couple.  The biggest issue currently is how to store the giant systainers that contain the belt sander and sheetrock sander

I guess Per is just much more valuable to society than I am and gets more per hour of his time!!  Seems about right to me!
I've attached a photo, but am not sure whether it will appear - it does but looks a bit drunk on its side - can I turn it round?

 

[Frank Pellow]

It's years of Lean Manufacturing Training and Consulting that has me all screwed up Frank.  Don't get me wrong I think they are great protectors of the tools (mainly for shipping     ) but they are not great from a user perspective.  Take it all out, put it all away, take it out,  try to figure how to put it all away.  etc., etc.   

I only take out what I need for a job step then, when finished, whatever tools I used away put them away.  I claim that this make me more efficient.

Most of them I've seen people have is a container full of crap that makes it actually difficult to get to the one thing you want, and then sometimes very difficult to get that one or many part back in it's/their place. 

My tool boxes used to be full of unorganized crap.  With systainers, everything is in its place.

I hate opening and closing the lids on them, the latches are nothing but a pain, and forget about ever stacking them... I know I may be a minority on this but the sheer waste of clicking, clacking and fighting getting content in and out of them is pure wasted steps and time.
Chris...

The first few times I use a new latch I admit that it is hard to open.  Once worn in they get easy to open.

What do you mean forget about stacking them?  I stack them all the time and use the stacks for support.  I even stand on a stack on occasion.

Chris, If you would like to send any of your unloved systainers my way, I will gladly pay for the shipping. 

 

[Per Swenson]

Ahh Rich?

More Valuable to Society?

T'ain't that at all.

I build stuff for a living.

I'll even build you a sysport.

The price will be $550.00 US

;D

Per

 

[ccmviking]

Frank we all talk about efficiency but usually only in large terms such as "I only take what I need with me".  That doesn't make you efficient...  Less wasteful than taking everything with you, yes.  You have to look at all your actions.  I'm actually glad that the tools come in them rather than a cardboard box.  When I need a tool, I just slide the drawer out and grab the tool (The next best thing would be to not have to slide the drawer out at all, but this requires more vertical space between each tool)  Without stacking the tool, unlike you i'm not clicking 4 latches to undo the boxes to remove the boxes I don't need to get to and then I don't have to click 4 latches back in place.  I also don't have to keep moving boxes around out of my way.  You can say it only takes a few seconds and it's not a big deal, but sure is to me.  Maybe I'm the only one but I actually start getting mad at myself for these wasted steps and can only think of how I can eliminate them.  If your process works, then by all means use it.  I'm easily frustrated by little things like this so I'm changing my layout and containers quite often.  I don't have to stack everything in a station wagon each day so I have a little more room for layout and am not worried about boxing everything up.  I just don't want to work so hard to get to my tools that I don't wanna work (just kidding).  I used to work out of the back of a pickup truck (man was that a bad time for me).  Most people are amazed when they see our tools and trailer, but I'm not.  I still just see what bugs me about it and wonder when I'll get a few days off to deal with it.

Chris...   

 

 

[semenza]

I bought two of the large sysports and am still smarting over the price.  I then built two "quick and dirty" home made ones using very cheap melamine, Kreg pocket screws, accuride (I think thats the name) sliders, with wheels from the French equivalent of Home Depot.  I don't remember exactly how long the actual construction took - (agonizing over the spacing was the longest process but someone here previously posted an excel program for doing that) but I'd say about 2 hours per unit.  To save time I made them the depth of the melamine panels I bought, didn't finish any of the cut edges and didn't paint the wooden trim (which I made very quickly from roofing laths on the planer thicknesser)
I may build another couple.  The biggest issue currently is how to store the giant systainers that contain the belt sander and sheetrock sander

I guess Per is just much more valuable to society than I am and gets more per hour of his time!!  Seems about right to me!
I've attached a photo, but am not sure whether it will appear - it does but looks a bit drunk on its side - can I turn it round?

Hi,

  Pretty nice for quick and dirty.     On the spacing issue--  I seem to recall seeing some slides that were made to attach to shelf standards. That would make the drawers easily adjustable.

Seth

                    FOUR

 

[Paul Franklin]

When I built mine, I spaced my slides using 32mm shelf pin spacing.

Paul

 

[Dan Clermont]

The Sysports are very well built! Awesome casters, good locks and the slides are nice as well.

With the Sysports you can only open one drawer at a time. For me, I need two so I can store the C12 in one and the Centrotec Systainer in the other. Same goes with the Domino and the Domino's. Could also be said for the router and its accessories

Making them could be done with very little work. I am in the process of building a MFT cabinet and installed gang locks in it. This could easily be done with a home made sysport.

As Per mentioned it all comes down to whether or not you can write a SYSPORT off or justify the lost hours in salary to build it. For the hobby guy it is simply another project.

The Festool SYSPORT is made of 18guage metal (I believe) and wouldn't be that easy to rip apart. A home made SYSPORT made out of wood would be much easier.

Dan Clermont

 

[butzla]

Off topic,  Does anyone know how Festool came about with the systainer's universal footprint dimensions?  An employee at my local Rockler said it was so they would fit down a train's isle.  Apparently, in Europe, many tradesman use the public transportation system in lieu of pickup trucks.  Can anyone validate this?

 

[mhch]

Off topic,  Does anyone know how Festool came about with the systainer's universal footprint dimensions?  An employee at my local Rockler said it was so they would fit down a train's isle.  Apparently, in Europe, many tradesman use the public transportation system in lieu of pickup trucks.  Can anyone validate this?

As far as I observed it, they use vans or trucks.

Even a rolling suitcase is a pain when going through the kind of gates which are
now in use !!

 

[mhch]

The systainer heights are a multiple of 52.5 mm (if I remember correctly my
  observation) so one can use a 64mm spacing to accomodate them