Get the Router Bit Systainer?

[dinkjs]

So my first ever router is the OF 1400....By the way I love it

So I am contemplating router bit storage now.....I bought a cheap arse Skil router bit set from Lowes and once they wear out or burn up which apparently is happening after the first use I will replace them with a better router bit which I already have on 2 with Whiteside bits

So I want something that can store away bits but hidden away sorta....Dont want any bits hanging on the way....I put marking and measuring things on the wall because those are the things most used. 

I am looking at the Router Bit Systainer and at the present time I am making a router bit holder insert for my tool box out of wood.  But once I get that made and lay it in there I dont know if I want to let a whole drawer devoted to just router bits

Can I get some ideas?

 

[twang120]

There is a review of the sys1 w/colored boxes as well as the router bit sytsainer in the reviews section by Brice Burrell.  Check that out.  I have both and highly recommend both

 

[lordinteriors]

As twang said I also have both and in particular the router bit systainer is really good I've already filled one so I might buy the insert and put it in a sys2 for longer cutters I highly recomend it

Lee

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I very much like the router bit Systainer, but with some caveats.

1) Don't get the stock kit.  Order an empty Sys 2 and the router bit foam separately (part 469147).  You will find in short order (pun!) that the Sys 1 is not tall enough for some bits.  And it's a bummer to store them in two places when your goal is a single location.  It only costs a little bit more, but is eminently more useful (IMO).  In fact, I left a specific area empty so I could just put my rabbeting bit *kit* in there.. box and all, but the Sys2 height is required.

2) The foam can be drilled out to add more holes for bits.  There is a crude picture of where I added 16 more holds, and some good tips on how to cut news holes here:  http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/sys-box-1-systainer-with-colored-boxes-router-bit-case/30/

 

[Frank Pellow]

If you are using the router mostly in your shop, I suggest making custom drawers for your bits rather than investing in another systainer.

I made a mobile cart to fit under my MFT and part of that cart has these 5 small drawers:

[attachthumb=#3]  [attachthumb=#2]

In three of those drawers, I placed a removable piece of Baltic birch plywood with the appropriate router bit holders from Lee Valley (see: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=50697&cat=1,46168,46180).

[attachimg=#1]    

By the way the drawers are also removable and I have taken a couple of them to many different job sites.  I grant you that this is not as convient as having them in a systainer, but it's not bad.  I do plan to build a box to hold three drawers for easy transport.

 

[joiner1970]

Yeah its great I got mine FREE with my OF1010 last year , it was a deal Festool were doing here in the UK last year.

 

[nclemmons]

I have also drilled the Festool foam inserts. 

In my case I use a piece of brass tubing that you can buy at the hardware store.  I tchucked it in a drill and used sandpaper to sharpen the end.  I use the tubing to quickly drill holes in both 1/2 and 1/4 and sizes.  The foam can either be pulled from the tubing or you can remove it from the chuck and use a dowl to push it out.

The brass comes in 1 foot lengths and is available in most hardware or hobby shops. 

neilc

 

[Chris Hughes]

I bought one a year ago, it's great.  It is sooo much better than the hodge-podge way I kept my bits before and it makes looking for any particular bit a chinch.  I do need to fugure a good way to store and transport my longer solid surface bit now.

 

[kfitzsimons]

Would the Sys-2 with Attic work for tall router bits?  Then you could store the bearings for rabbit bits in the attic.  Or is the Sys-2 with attic no taller than a Sys-1?  Only a $7 difference in price.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I think you lose some height with the Sys2 Attic.  I have one on the way, so I can't compare for a few days yet.  But someone else will know for sure.  It looks that way in the photos of the open Sys2 attic...

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Would the Sys-2 with Attic work for tall router bits?  Then you could store the bearings for rabbit bits in the attic.  Or is the Sys-2 with attic no taller than a Sys-1?  Only a $7 difference in price.

Here are some photos I took this morning for you which show the Systainer 1, Systainer 2, and Systainer 2 with Attic side by side:

As you can see, the external dimensions of the two Systainer 2 boxes, and the thickness of their lids, are the same.

Let's have a look at the lids in more detail. Here is a photo of the underside of the lid to show how much space is taken up by the organiser box on the Attic version.

Whilst the attic compartment does take up some space, the bottom of the compartment is roughly flush with the hinge recess for the handle, and neither of them protrude below the rim of the lid.

Hope that helps to visualize things.

Forrest

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Forrest you're awesome. 

Great photo assisted comparison. 
[thanks]

 

[clev1066]

Would the Sys-2 with Attic work for tall router bits?  Then you could store the bearings for rabbit bits in the attic.  Or is the Sys-2 with attic no taller than a Sys-1?  Only a $7 difference in price.

Has the issue with the "auto-opening" attic been fixed? Drivers and drill bits I don't mind dropping, but bit bearings???

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Has the issue with the "auto-opening" attic been fixed? Drivers and drill bits I don't mind dropping, but bit bearings???

For the benefit of new members, the above probably refers to Brice Burrell's post in the thread Review of the Festool T15+3 cordless drill. where the lid of his Attic Systainer opened rather unexpectedly and the contents spilled out. James Watriss also had a similar problem.

Forrest

 

[danrush]

I have several attic tops on my systainers, and have not yet suffered from one opening on it's own.  Having said that, I've been working in the field for years with various plastic parts boxes, some superior, some not, and it's become second nature for me to check the latch before operating or moving a box.  I don't even think about it.  

I do wish the attic lids were a bit stiffer, though.  In my nail gun and compressor systainer cover I keep a selection of 23 ga. pins, and when opening the main lid to access guns, pins will invaribly travel from one bin to another.  Not a big deal, but an annoyance never the less.  All other lids seem to be working fine, under less than ideal shop conditions. ( moving from job to job).

Dan

 

[Brice Burrell]

Has the issue with the "auto-opening" attic been fixed? Drivers and drill bits I don't mind dropping, but bit bearings???

I think my problem with the attic latch was mostly "user error" on my part. I have gotten used to the checking the latch and haven't had a problem since.

 

[randyh]

I have the router bit Systainer and am very happy with it. The only problem is I really need two (at least).

 

[John D]

I picked up a systainer 2, inserted a piece of 1/2" MDF, and used a bunch of the Lee Valley router bit holders.  I'm pretty happy with the result.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I picked up a systainer 2, inserted a piece of 1/2" MDF, and used a bunch of the Lee Valley router bit holders.  I'm pretty happy with the result.

Good idea John, I bet you could just drill your own holes in the MDF to hold the bits.

 

[Frank Pellow]

I picked up a systainer 2, inserted a piece of 1/2" MDF, and used a bunch of the Lee Valley router bit holders.  I'm pretty happy with the result.

That looks good.  I might do something similar rather than building a box to hold my router bit drawer inserts.