Best option for tool box

[Stephenfranks]

Can anyone advise best systainer solution for a carpenter?

Currently I have a number of Dewalt Tough System boxes which are mega heavy, and even more so with my tools in there. Contents include the usual carpentry tools as well as more heavy builder tools like bars, wrenches, spanners, cold chisels, bolsters etc.

I think I need a two part solution. One box for heavy builder type tools, and one for lightweight carpentry tools which are my go to tools. I could even further break it down to another box for spanners and adjustable spanners etc..

I quite like the idea of the open totes, but am also looking at systainers with custom inserts of some sort..

Thanks!!

 

[Stephenfranks]

I am disappointed in the Dewalt TS boxes. They are amazing quality but so heavy. I switched from systainers to these and am now switching back!!

My next project is a pair of ply sysports (two systainers wide x 800mm high plus a bit for sys mini stack) which will be on castors to rol in and out of the back of my van. These will have perforated tops as well as becoming the "legs" for an MFT style mdf workbench. So I can have two small workstations or consolidate into big one with large mft top.

 

[Pnw painter]

You might want to look into Milwaukee Packout for your larger tools. They are similar to the DeWalt tough boxes, but I like how the Packout boxes click together. Packout also has a few different tool bags that can click onto the larger boxes and a number of 1/2 boxes that are great for smaller items.

If systainer’s weren’t so expensive I’d buy more to store various non-Festool items.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ColossusX]

I currently have a mix of systainers and tough system boxes, and a couple LBoxxes.  I use the TS like you, for my heavy tools like my reciprocating saw, my SDS rotary hammer, etc.  Most of my power tools are in systainers.  The only thing I'm missing are drawer units.

 

[tallgrass]

I use a combination of systainers, and sortimo boxes. The combo works well together.

 

[Peter_C]

I too would say Milwaukee Packout. In Europe they seem to come in black too. There is no need to be carrying tool boxes at all as the bottom boxes should have wheels. Milwaukee has lots of options for tool boxes already available and more on the way.

Most of my tools are still in Ridgid boxes, but at some point I will switch all of them over to the Packout's for a standardization, other than the Festool stuff that lives in Systainer's. One system is never enough, but I have been running a stack of Packout's for awhile now and prefer them.

 

[wakyct]

A FOGer showed his setup here recently that I thought had a lot of good ideas and is like your ply sysport idea.http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/transportable-system/

On our crew I use systainers for my tools. My main toolbox is a sys 4 with an insert and I also use the Tanos sys-toolbox a lot, and then power tools in their own systainers. I have a lot of other tools I haven't moved over to systainers yet. I think for some things (my drywall box, my painting box, etc.) it's just not practical.

We have another carpenter with the Packout. As a handtruck and big tool storage I think the Packout is superior, but I think it's a little bulky and I really like the space efficiency and modularity of the systainers. I do wish there was a better option for a jobsite cart than the sys-roll, and the MW-1000 (or something like Tim's MFTC) looks promising.

 

[Stephenfranks]

Thanks for all the tips. I think I want to go pure Festool, so perhaps it is just a combination of systainers.

I am very tempted with the MW 1000 as my grab and go for small jobs, roll out the cabinets/sysports fpr bigger jobs, and get my KS120 on a UG stand which it isnt at the moment. One day it will get damaged hauling in and out of my van. But oh the cost!

Slightly off topic but do the MW1000 shelves fit on a SYS ROLL, that would be a cheaper way of doing it maybe?

 

[grobkuschelig]

The SysRoll is basically plastic.
My impression was that the work center would have Aluminium extrusions, which should be much more durable. But I might be mistaken...

 

[Stephenfranks]

Wow it looks like the cart has aluminium uprights, didnt realise they were plastic

 

[grobkuschelig]

Yes had me fooled as well.

I got mine 2nd hand, so I was not too surprised by the rigidity/cost.
It is reasonably rigid, but I hope the MW will be much more of a „professional tool“, even though I don’t think I‘ll get one anytime soon.

 

[Peter_C]

Thanks for all the tips. I think I want to go pure Festool, so perhaps it is just a combination of systainers.

I can not fathom only using Festool products, of note is I have no tool brand loyalty. Caulking guns, reciprocating saws, and so many more cordless tools that Festool just do not make, are needed for certain jobs. Many tools will not fit in Systainer's either, plus just how many Systainer's do you plan to have? Set your tools out and figure out if they will fit, and how many you can fit into a Systainer. Write a list of the tools you are going to want in the future, then decide what tool boxes you want to use. Not trying to dissuade you, just looking at it from a different perspective.

 

[Stephenfranks]

I meant with my boxes really. I have a mix of lots of different brand power tools including Bosch, Dewalt, Festool etc etc and lots of them. I have tried Dewalt toughsystem, the boxes tools come in and to be honest they all drive me NUTS. Toughsystem = carrying round bucket of concrete. Tools own boxes = tools take forever to repack and cords never sit right.

My van drinks fuel and I need to keep weight down, Systainers are pretty light.

I am not sticking up for Festool or saying they are the best blah blah, I just think for my working situation they are pretty good answer. I have about 10 already and they are now becoming used more and more. I just need to get clever with sorting and labelling etc as well as a couple of homebuilt sysports for the van.

Today says it all really. 1 hour to pack away tools in van after work. Tools everywhere on the floor, not fitting properly as some are sharing toughsystem space with other tools. I am tidy, but today I had nearly every power tool out of the van. If I build a sysport or two with drawers I can in and out the tools. At the end of the day, wheel the sysports up the ramp into the van. Might save me half hour to hour a day setting up and packing away?

 

[Stephenfranks]

Haha also I was actually just talking about a good systainer for hand tools, not the whole contents of van. Though I am enjoying talking about that too!

 

[Peter_C]

What kind of work do you do?

I don't see Sys-ports as an option really. 4 small wheels will be tough to get over curbs, up stairs etc. 2 larger wheels like a dolly or the 2 larger ones on a Sys-roll, along with the rolling Packout box will roll over rougher terrain and up and down stairs. Dolly's are a cheap viable option for moving tool boxes, including Tough Systems. No need to carry them far. Tough Systems also offers a lower rolling tool box.

The other problem I hear is the word "cords". Cut the cord Okay so some tools a cord is best on, but I find myself replacing more and more with cordless.

The larger tool boxes like the Tough Boxes, do allow more tools to be "thrown" into them. I consider this an advantage until they don't fit without carefully placing them which is where I am at. Gonna need a few more mid size boxes, fortunately Black Friday Sales are coming up.

Organization and labeling are key as the boxes look a like. I am not fancy and often change stuff around so a bunch of plain white sticky backed labels from Amazon do the trick with a Sharpie for a pen. My handwriting leaves something to be desired, but I can read it. I cut them down as needed, and label 5 sides so I don't have to struggle to see which box has the tool I need. 

Owning stacks of Festool products myself I find them to be a great asset for performing remodeling work. I consider most of them more fragile than say an impact driver, so they will continue to live in Systainer's with their accessories packed inside when possible. The Sys 4 that holds my TS55 is heavy, as it also holds the MFT rack for holding the saw when not in use, a bunch of blades, a track square, and a dust deflector I built, so even Systainer's can be loaded up, but nothing like a full sized tool box...ugg!

 

[semenza]

Your set up will depend on what you do and how you work to some extent. I use a group of three Systainer / Sortainer combos for all my small stuff. And set them up as shown in the room I am working in. Basically any tool I want is accessible by just opening a drawer.  That is a 4' fold in half folding table.

The arrangement has been revamped a couple times over the years and is not exactly the same now but still the same basic idea.

Depending on how far I need to walk it takes about 30 minutes or so to carry everything in and set up (just me , no helpers). That includes the tool set up , other power tools, Kapex, and MFT.

Pack up is a little less time.

Taking an hour to "get  going" and clean up may seem like a waste but I never have to waste time or energy running back and forth to the truck to get this tool or that item, etc. Especially helpful in bad weather or if you need to alter footwear coming in / out of a home.

Seth

 

[ColossusX]

For just my hand tools on site I just use an open tool tote similar, to this one.

 

[grobkuschelig]

If it is really just hand tools, get a Veto Pro bag and never look back.

I have everything else in Festool/Tanos Systainers and carry two Veto Pro bags with Hand tools. Everything from screwdriver, hammer.... to testing/measuring fits nicely and clean. After a while you know where everything is and can blindly reach for a tool.

 

[Stephenfranks]

My work is small Carpentry Projects - mainly remodelling though I do lots of different Carpentry work for mainly homeowners not big sites.  I work alone out of a Nissan Elgrand van with the rear row of seats removed.

I take your point about the sys carts, but they will serve a dual purpose both where they can be rolled out at the job site and also for van racking (the systainers will be along the long side of the sys port facing into the van from both sides)

 

[Stephenfranks]

I finally decided to buy a SYS 4 TL SORT/3 along with a SYS1(?) OPEN TOTE (the smaller one) fixed to the top. Tote will contain heavier tools like hammer, bolster pry bar etc and I can neatly store tapes, pencils, squares, screwdrivers and other carpentry tools in the drawers.

The quality of the SORT/3 is very good compared to normal systainers, its very durable.

What is great is that I can label either side of the drawer for a more accurate list of contents of the drawers.