Best U.S. source for the widest range of Tanos light grey Systainers?

[Satisfied]

Hi Folks,

I'm new here on FOG, and relatively new to Tanos (about a year). I'm noticing that the dark grey "anthracite" boxes are increasingly dominating the U.S. market for Systainers, but I'm specifically looking for the light grey Systainers... can anyone tell me the best U.S. source for the WIDEST variety of them?

My preference is based on three factors: first, when I open a toolbox to look inside for a tool, I want to look into a light reflecting space rather than a black cavern. Secondly, if and when I have my systainers outside or in a sunny window, I want to minimize the amount of solar heating the boxes develop (I live in sunny New Mexico). Lastly, dark colors tend to show lighter color dust and dirt more readily.

Can anyone tell me why it seems the anthracite color is being promoted? I.e., is it being driven by demand, or by importer's personal preference? And if by demand, what perceived advantage does the anthracite have over the light grey?

Many thanks,
Bryan

 

[ElCabong]

The only source I know that sells most, if not all the sizes of Tanos systainers in light grey is Lee Valley Hardware. Although they are located in Canada, they do ship to the U.S. since I believe they have a distribution center on or near the U.S. border.

 

[rst]

I have bought a lot of my systainers from Lee Valley They also have variations that Festool does not offer in drawer units and midis (have 12).

 

[Paul G]

Bryan, I have no idea why anthracite is the only option, I won't buy them for the same reasons. When I need an empty systainer I just get a Festool one.

 

[hopper]

I think Lee Valley has a distribution center in the US.

 

[squarecut]

Lee valley has a distribution center in Ogdensburg, NY for shipping to addresses in the United States

 

[dltflt]

There also is My Systainer.com. I have never used them but they have all of models.

 

[rst]

My Systainer is a division of Woodcraft, the advantage of Lee Valley is they have never charged me shipping.

 

[Sal Bandini]

First post but lurking for a while.

I have been looking at systainers for a long time, before the T-Loc was introduced. I finally bought a couple. I got one Mini in light grey (blue latch one from Lee Valley) and one mini in anthracite. I thought I would like the light grey but after seeing them in person and side by side I have to say I prefer the anthracite.

The only negatives I found are that since the latch is the same color it is more difficult to see at what position it is at and they don't have the cantilever toolbox in that color (at least not in US). Other than that I will probably make my collection all anthracite.

 

[yetihunter]

Ditto that.
I've owned or seen, first hand,
most of the systainer colors and combinations
and the Anthracite is definitely the second best
option. 

 

[Sparktrician]

Just try to find a small part in the bottom of an anthracite Systainer in a dark room when you're in a hurry to finish a job and get on the road.  [mad]

 

[WastedP]

The only negatives I found are that since the latch is the same color it is more difficult to see at what position it is at...

That was a problem for me, but right away I swapped the black latch for a green one from one of my Festool systainers and put it in the middle, since it's easy to see the position of the one on top.

[attachthumb=1]

I like the "Anthracite" ones because they are black.  They look metal, as in the music, not the material.  An all-black toolbox is like the Glen Danzig of toolboxes.  Unfortunately, the green latch makes them look a little goth.  The green and grey Festool Systainers, to carry on the comparison, look like 80's synth-pop, same as the blue-latched ones.  They look like they should be in a Mentos commercial.

As for finding small parts in an Anthracite Systainer, that's what the rainbow of boxes in the Sys-1 is for.  Just like Glen Danzig, the dark exterior gives way to a beautiful rainbow inside. 

[attachthumb=2]

 

[semenza]

First post but lurking for a while.

I have been looking at systainers for a long time, before the T-Loc was introduced. I finally bought a couple. I got one Mini in light grey (blue latch one from Lee Valley) and one mini in anthracite. I thought I would like the light grey but after seeing them in person and side by side I have to say I prefer the anthracite.

The only negatives I found are that since the latch is the same color it is more difficult to see at what position it is at and they don't have the cantilever toolbox in that color (at least not in US). Other than that I will probably make my collection all anthracite.

Hi Sal,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

      You can get other latch colors from Woodcraft or Lee Valley. Including a light gray latch.

Seth

 

[yetihunter]

Just try to find a small part in the bottom of an anthracite Systainer in a dark room when you're in a hurry to finish a job and get on the road.  [mad]

Completely appreciate that sentiment.

 

[Sal Bandini]

First post but lurking for a while.

Hi Sal,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

      You can get other latch colors from Woodcraft or Lee Valley. Including a light gray latch.

Seth

Thanks for the welcome.

The extra latches will add $11 to each box, which are expensive enough. The Festool green and Lee Valley blue already have the high-contrast built in.

The light grey is growing on me so I may end up getting more from Lee Valley.

 

[HDClown]

I'm looking to start buying into the systainer system, and would like to keep everything uniform, thus one color.  Is the selection of systainers/systainer accessories between Festool, MySystainer/Woodcraft and Lee Valley the same, or are there some items only available under Festool branding vs. Tanos or vice-versa?  Lets assume I'm talking about readily available stuff as a US based customer (so, no sourcing from overseas).

I like the light gray/blue Tanos color combo best, but if I ever get some Festool tools, then I'd have mismatching colors which would irk me.  But if the Festool line-up matches the Tanos line-up for what's easily available in the US, then maybe I just buy Festool systainers.

 

[bigjonh]

I'm looking to start buying into the systainer system, and would like to keep everything uniform, thus one color.  Is the selection of systainers/systainer accessories between Festool, MySystainer/Woodcraft and Lee Valley the same, or are there some items only available under Festool branding vs. Tanos or vice-versa?

There's some sortainer options that tanos offers that Festool doesn't. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

Hello HDClown, welcome to the FOG.

Festool systainers are always light grey with bright green latches. Very rarely there's a limited edition systainer with another colour.

Tanos systainers come in a variety of colours. One of the most common colours is light grey (same as Festool) with blue latches. Dark grey (anthracite) systainers are also pretty common. And then there's a number of other colours you can order.

It is always possible to order extra latches from both Festool and Tanos, and you can swap them out with systainers you already have. This way it is possible to stick with one colour scheme while buying both Festool and Tanos systainers. You can also replace a systainer entirely if you don't like the colour, get a new one and sell the old one without losing much money. It is very easy to sell systainers, they're in great demand.

Festool's offering of systainers is pretty limited in comparison, Tanos sells a large number of options and accessories that Festool doesn't. But not everything Tanos offers is available in America.

 

[neeleman]

There is one difference between Tanos and Festool systainers.
On top and the front of the Festool systainer there is the brand printed name in bright green.
Changing the knob with a blue one from Tanos is a mismatch in my opinion.
In Europe the Tanos light grey version is more expensive then the Festool one.
The anthracite Tanos version however is cheapest of all.

 

[semenza]

I'm looking to start buying into the systainer system, and would like to keep everything uniform, thus one color.  Is the selection of systainers/systainer accessories between Festool, MySystainer/Woodcraft and Lee Valley the same, or are there some items only available under Festool branding vs. Tanos or vice-versa?  Lets assume I'm talking about readily available stuff as a US based customer (so, no sourcing from overseas).

I like the light gray/blue Tanos color combo best, but if I ever get some Festool tools, then I'd have mismatching colors which would irk me.  But if the Festool line-up matches the Tanos line-up for what's easily available in the US, then maybe I just buy Festool systainers.

Hi,

      Welcome  [smile]

      In the USA you will not be able to get colors other than light gray (Festool color), light gray (Tanos color - same as Festool ), or Anthracite. Except for latches, handles, and the occasional systainer. The best color option if you want to keep everything the same is to go with light gray unless you want to swap Festool products into the anthracite.

      Festool does not offer all of the Tanos units. Most of the Tanos branded Sys are available in the USA in both light gray and anthracite.  The Festool Sys-MFT is only available from Festool. The taller open top Sys- toolbox is not available in anthracite, nor the Sys-storage (cantilever toolbox). Everything is available in light gray from either Tanos or Festool.

Seth