Festool 499901 Cantilever Toolbox Review

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Jul 21, 2007
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Earlier this week I took delivery of one of Festool's new systainer products - the SYS-SB, 499901. Whilst Festool calls this a Sys-StorageBox, it is a cantilever type box so that's what I've called it. I was intending for this to be my first proper video review, but I've had some hardware issues, so you'll just have to make do with pictures & text. [tongue]

Here it is:

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The toolbox is made entirely from plastic - ABS for the most part (as per other systainers) with polycarbonate for the frosted lids. There are no metal parts at all. Despite this, the toolbox is quite heavy (around 2.5kg) but is very sturdy. The main box (excluding the handle) is the same height as a sys2.

Un-clipping the two green tabs releases the tops, and they will then open:

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Inside the top section of one side are 5 grey plastic inserts:

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Note: the description on Festool's website (and subsequently copied by resellers) says that there are 2 of each size. This is wrong - there is only one of the larger boxes.

These boxes can be removed, and placed anywhere within any of the sections. As you can see there are raised locators in the bottom that hold them securely:

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When the toolbox is closed, the lids hold the boxes in place so they cannot move around.

When this item was first announced, I assumed that these grey boxes would be interchangeable with the coloured boxes in the Sys1-Box, however this is not quite the case:

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The grey boxes are considerably larger than the coloured ones, however they are the same height:

[attachimg=7]

This means that they can be placed in the cantilever toolbox and will be held by the lid, but they will not align with the raised locators:

[attachimg=8]

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If you have some of the older style 'classic' sys1-boxes:

[attachimg=10]

then the coloured boxes are also smaller and lower in height:

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This means that they fit entirely inside the new grey boxes:

[attachimg=12]

The cantilever toolbox is of course compatible with and will latch above both the classic and t-loc systainers:

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Additionally, it also latches to the open style toolboxes, both above and below:

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The list price for this in the UK is £86.64, although most places seem to sell cheaper than this at around the £60-65 mark (I got mine from Nuts & Bolts Ltd for £57.50). All those prices include UK VAT at 20%.

I bought this with the intention of using it for all my main hand tools (which for the past 4 or 5 years have just been mixed up in a sys3) and it seems perfect for this. I'll post an update once I've done this and give some feedback about what it's like in use.
 

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Be good to see how it lasts in use. I looked at one at the toolfest morning but gave it a miss. I didn't think it would last but we will see.
 
Jonny,

Feel like doing a little measuring ?  How about the sizes ( millimeters ) of the gray insert boxes?

Seth
 
500066 Plastic Container for Storage box - 60x60x71
500067 Plastic Container for Storage box - 60x120x71
500068 Plastic Container for Storage box - 180x120x71
 
I would love to have a couple of them.  I would use them for my plumbing and electrical tools.  I hate having to dig around my plumbing systainer to find the tool I need, same with the electrical systainer I have.  This looks like the answer to my problems.

I would be interested to know how this holds up as well.  My sys 3 is loaded with heavy plumbing tools. Sometimes I'm worried the handle will break off the t-loc sys. 3.  [blink]

Eric
 
These new tools boxes look really cool.  I cannot wait for them to be available in NA, assuming that they will be made available.

Scot
 
we are getting them in oz at the beginning of next year
 
The couple of (old & battered) metal cantilever boxes I own, have 'open' storage area in the bottom.
So drills, hammers - whatever, can be thrown in easily.
Therefore Festool cantilever not for me - but can see how would appeal to some.

Richard.
 
Shame about the organizer boxes being different dimensions than the other versions offered. Oversight?
 
Zack said:
Shame about the organizer boxes being different dimensions than the other versions offered. Oversight?

I don't think it's an oversight, just the fact that the new larger boxes fit the space available. If they'd used the older ones they wouldn't have fitted properly, and would have left awkward unusable gaps around the edges.
 
It would be great to see how you've loaded it up and what you can realistically fit in there. I'm considering getting one of these and the shallower of the two open boxes to go underneath it.
 
ianwalls said:
It would be great to see how you've loaded it up and what you can realistically fit in there. I'm considering getting one of these and the shallower of the two open boxes to go underneath it.

Ian,

I'll try to get some pictures today of the contents. I've paired mine with a sys-MFT underneath.

Jonathan
 
Hi!
Could you be so kind as to check if carpenters hammer fits into the bottom compartment?
Much obliged!
 
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