Festool addiction is real

[luvmytoolz]

1. However, before Pelican existed...Zero Halliburton aluminum cases reigned supreme...and in my estimation they still do. Unfortunately, they priced themselves out of the market.

2. Can they be stacked?
Can they be latched to one another?
Can they be opened when other cases are stacked on top of them?
Can they be carried and moved while in a stack using a single hand-hold?

As far as commercial flights go, most of us woodworkers have few commissions overseas. Professional photography is a different venue than professional woodworking thus needing a different solution.

The new TYO systems seem to be the next evolutionary step replacing both those brands in the fields they're targeting?

 

[Cheese]

The new TYO systems seem to be the next evolutionary step replacing both those brands in the fields they're targeting?

Not familiar with TYO?

 

[Michael Kellough]

I can confirm the square corners of Classic Systainers don’t like baggage chutes at airports. The chamfered corners of later Systainers should fare better.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Not familiar with TYO?

They were in another thread recently: https://mytyo.com/

Pretty sexy looking gear, no good for tools though really.

 

[onocoffee]

Part of the genius of Festool, is sponsoring this site, which fosters and help fuel the addiction, and most especially, the unfathomable addiction to the Systainer.

I came from the direction of camera protection, and Pelican had the same level of (basically unwarranted) devotion. (I prefer soft cases, and when travelling, I place the soft cases in hard side coolers which provided impact protection and protection from heat—also thieves are less likely to break into a car to steal a soda and a sandwich than a camera or a track saw).

Surprisingly, there appears to be no Systainer-specific forum websites.

I still think that Pelican has the advantage over a Systainer. They have far greater impact resistance, and can be placed as a regular cargo item on a commercial flight.

I came from the world of television and motion picture production. As such, I've used A LOT of Pelican cases. They are excellent for impact resistance and when fitted with the right foam suspension, they offer unparalleled containment of even the most delicate and expensive electronics and cameras - enough to, as you said, toss them into the cargo hold of an airliner and fly around the world. Many times, the airline would deliver us a ULD (Unit Load Device) - what is known as an airline cargo container, and we'd fill them up with gear and send them to the location.

And while that would be my preference for such equipment, I do think Pelican cases would be difficult and unwieldy for woodworking tools. They could work, but it wouldn't be as convenient as Systainers (and the PackOut-type cases). It's just not what they're designed to do. In production, we would pack the components of, say, a motion picture camera, in multiple Pelican cases for transport. However, once on location, the components would be reassembled and stored on the camera truck - which has been kitted out specifically to hold everything the camera department needs for ready access. The main exception would be the lenses. Most camera assistants will keep the lenses in their Pelican cases until they were needed.

Pelicans can stack but I wouldn't necessarily want to stack as many Pelicans as I can with Systainers. Stacking Systainers up to six feet is not necessarily out of consideration. Stacking Pelicans six feet is precarious!

All that said though, I don't see Systainers as necessarily designed for the kind of work and environments as Pelicans. I can see (and have seen) motion picture technicians using Systainers on set, but that's more of a niche thing than standard practice.

 

[Cheese]

They were in another thread recently: https://mytyo.com/

Pretty sexy looking gear, no good for tools though really.

Thanks for that, pretty nice looking and very interesting stuff. I like that every case has power but they sure are short on any really meaningful details. How do they nest? What size cases are available? What colors are offered? What options are available? What does the interior look like? How are they constructed?

 

[Packard]

Apparently, the Pelican-Hardigg line of cases is primarily marketed to the military, but regardless of the reason, I have never heard of them until I Googled “stacking Pelican cases”.

Though I admit the pick and pluck dividers do not make efficient use of space, and I prefer vertical divider panels for that, they do provide terrific protection.

But I am guessing Festool does not use Pelican for the simple reason of cost.

At any rate here is a video of the Pelican-Hardigg line:

 

[luvmytoolz]

But I am guessing Festool does not use Pelican for the simple reason of cost.

I don't think it's at all related to cost, but I suspect more that Pelican products prime purpose is to protect the innards from heat, moisture and bumps, at the expense of a massive amount of wasted space by design and they end up far bulkier physically than what they're protecting/storing, also adding considerable weight.

Whereas Festool tools can be reasonably protected by the judicious use of very light injection blow moulding plastic liners and foam, maximising the storage space and adding minimal overall size.

 

[Packard]

I don't think it's at all related to cost, but I suspect more that Pelican products prime purpose is to protect the innards from heat, moisture and bumps, at the expense of a massive amount of wasted space by design and they end up far bulkier physically than what they're protecting/storing, also adding considerable weight.

Whereas Festool tools can be reasonably protected by the judicious use of very light injection blow moulding plastic liners and foam, maximising the storage space and adding minimal overall size.

And the fact that a 500 cubic inch capacity Systainer costs $60.00 to $70.00, and the same capacity Pelican case costs $400.00. And the same capacity Halliburton case costs about $700.00.

So Pelican stole business from Haliburton, and Systainers stole from Pelican. Each has an advantage over the others, but cost has to be a major driving factor.

And the cheap blow molded looks-like-a-Pelican-case that my Bosch jig saw came with costs $19.00. And Bosch’s 110 volt random orbital sander came with a $19.00 zipper canvas bag. All are cheaper than Systainers, and I suspect that is a major deciding factor too.