Help me understand this whole systainer/sysport thing

[BJM9818]

I easily have over 100 sustainers. Last year I decided to systainerize my non Festool stuff. Best decision ever. No more different size cases everywhere.

I build spec houses and do contracting work so 95% of the time I’m on a job site. A large Jobox can easily hold the majority of my systainers  while working on different stages of a project.

 

[ben_r_]

I easily have over 100 Systainers. Last year I decided to systainerize my non Festool stuff. Best decision ever. No more different size cases everywhere.

I build spec houses and do contracting work so 95% of the time I’m on a job site. A large Jobox can easily hold the majority of my systainers  while working on different stages of a project.

Show me a picture of how you store over 100 Systainers...

 

[Gregor]

Show me a picture of how you store over 100 Systainers...

Like this:[attachimg=1]


(image lifted fromhttps://twitter.com/tradectory_leon/status/775296481343438848)

 

[leakyroof]

I easily have over 100 Systainers. Last year I decided to systainerize my non Festool stuff. Best decision ever. No more different size cases everywhere.

I build spec houses and do contracting work so 95% of the time I’m on a job site. A large Jobox can easily hold the majority of my systainers  while working on different stages of a project.

Show me a picture of how you store over 100 Systainers...

. I don’t have a 100, but I’m more than half way there... [doh].

 

[BJM9818]

I easily have over 100 Systainers. Last year I decided to systainerize my non Festool stuff. Best decision ever. No more different size cases everywhere.

I build spec houses and do contracting work so 95% of the time I’m on a job site. A large Jobox can easily hold the majority of my systainers  while working on different stages of a project.

Show me a picture of how you store over 100 Systainers...

Like I said I have some in jobox’s on two spec houses I’m building, have a bunch in a garage and trailer I use for my gutter company and probably 60 in my basement and garage. New 35x45 workshop isn’t getting built till late summer.

I just ordered two sheets of plywood to start building sysports to house them with the Festool drawers. 

 

[live4ever]

Show me a picture of how you store over 100 Systainers...

Like this:[attachimg=1]


(image lifted fromhttps://twitter.com/tradectory_leon/status/775296481343438848)

I was laughing at that photo and even showed it to my wife (see hun, at least I'm not THAT bad!).  Then I actually counted the number of systainers in the photo and it was only 48.  Then I shut the hell up.

 

[Peter_C]

Systainer's are too small for a contractor to use as primary tool box, let alone too expensive, although cost is secondary. Why put one tool in a box when you can pile 15 tools in? The same tools we accidentally drop on the ground off a ladder can handle a little gentle stacking. What one larger rolling box handles would take probably 3 Systainer's, which also means wasted space. Try to fit a reciprocating saw into anything less than a Sys 5. I can get a majority of my Makita cordless tools, batteries, charger, into a large rolling box. Another one holds all my Milwaukee M18 tools, and a mid size holds most of my M12 tools. A large bin holds my painting equipment. My tiling tools are in a large rolling tool box with the tile leveling system taking it's own box. I have over 80 bins that store everything from tools, supplies, to household goods for organization. A dolly makes the bins easily movable, and they can hold twice as much as any Systainer for $7 each.

Owning over (only) 20 Systainer's, I am not against them, I just don't see them as the do everything tool boxes. Another example is I would never use them to hold my automotive tools, nor metal working tools. A heavy duty metal tool box is superior. Can I stand on a Systainer? NO! Is a Systainer water resistant? NO! I can sure as heck stand on my Ridgid and Milwaukee boxes though, and they should in theory be water resistant.

I guess I need to buy more Festool tools to be cool  [scared] Although I have never been the cool kid, I also have never felt the need to fit in, instead just doing my own thing [tongue]

 

[WillAdams]

I use my CTL Midi as "wheeled base" since I need it whenever I work anyway. If you store it near the other tools you can just snap everything you need on there and wheel that out. Works for me at least.

Unfortunately, the top of my Midi is taken up by an Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy, so that's not workable for me.

Definitely going to take some thinking about, and the price is a bit daunting for a hobbyist.

 

[leakyroof]

I use my CTL Midi as "wheeled base" since I need it whenever I work anyway. If you store it near the other tools you can just snap everything you need on there and wheel that out. Works for me at least.

Unfortunately, the top of my Midi is taken up by an Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy, so that's not workable for me.

Definitely going to take some thinking about, and the price is a bit daunting for a hobbyist.

  I can put Systainers or Sortainers under my UDD, on top of the vac by using a Festool Boom Arm hose to have that extra height enabled between the Vac and the UDD.  Boom hose is used to connect the output Port of the UDD and the inlet of the Vac. You'll have enough for just one, and not a tall systainer or sortainer, but it's nice to be able to have one at least under the UDD if I want. For a long time I had my First Aid Sortainer between the Vac and the UDD since having drawers instead of a Systainer lid was much easier.

 

[Sanderxpander]

Not to diss the usefulness of the UDD, but as a hobbyist who needs to store his tools away most of the time, you could sell the UDD for like 200 bucks (at least it retails for over 300 here and it isn't something that really "wears"), get a more compact setup and buy at least 40 bags for the Midi with your winnings.

 

[WillAdams]

The odd thing is, most of the tools which I would want in this portable tool storage / work area setup would be hand tools, so integration with the vacuum isn't desirable, and I hope to be using the vacuum sufficiently w/ a CNC that the UDD will pay off.

Okay, specifics then. Does this seem reasonable for getting up / down basement steps and doing some light hand tool work?

• Festool 498660 SysRoll Systainer and Storage Dolly
• Festool 500076 SYS-MFT Tabletop Systainer
• Festool 200119 SYS 4 Sortainer

Would that get to a reasonable work height for hand tool work? (I'm thinking not) --- is the SysRoll suited for rolling back up against the railing of a deck, locking the wheels, clamping the Tabletop Systainer to the railing and then doing some (moderate) hand tool work on it?

What additional Systainer / Sortainer would be the best complement to the above to get it to a reasonable working height without making it too heavy to move up / down steps?

Would I find it annoying to remove the Tabletop Systainer to get at tools in an ordinary Systainer in-between it and the Sortainer?

 

[nclemmons]

Start with the dimensions in height as approximations...

The Sys1 is 4"
The Sys2 is 6.2"
The Sys3 is 8.25"
The Sys4 is 12.4"

If you want a comfortable height for sawing or planing, I think you should get to around 30" at a minimum  If you want to work on your knees, it can be much shorter.  A MFT table is about 35". 

The SysRoll does not have locking casters and I don't think it would be that stable to try to saw, route or plane something on it.  I have looked at them many times but for my use around the house, I didn't find them that compelling when I look at stability, portability and still having to deal with removing the stack to get to the middle.  Others here that own them can speak to their utility with that.  If you are going to a job site, I think the utility is better.

If all you are doing is going up and down basement steps for a project, consider just two stacks of Systainers that you can lock together and carry in each hand to get you to a better and more stable 'working' height without the SysRoll.

Sortainers CAN be heavy if they get filled with tools/parts/bolts/etc.  I have 8 of the Sortainers and like them a lot, but they are stationary. 

I'd start with they typical types of power tools and hand tools you will use on projects away from the workshop - drill, maybe sander or jigsaw and their Systainer height if you happen to have them and fill in from there. 

Next figure out if you want the Systainer for the power tools to go up and down the stairs.  I personally leave them in the shop when doing home projects and just take the tools in a Sys Toolbox with other things.

Which leads to my favorite hand carry items for around the house or projects at family/friends homes are the Sys Storage and Sys Toolbox. 

My shop is in the basement but I have a Sys Storage on the first floor in a closet on a shelf for typical tools around the house - pliers, adjustable wrenches, screwdrivers  hammer, prybar, flashlight, nailset, assorted screws, wire nuts, tester, etc.  The Sys Storage is great for my hand-tools and assorted collection of fasteners.  And the cantilevered top gives you easy access. 

The Sys Toolbox is nice for grabbing other tools from my workshop - scrapers, caulk guns, a hand plane, torch or tubing tools for plumbing, a CXS drill, drill bits, as well as project hardware or supplies. 

There was a guy on FOG that made a wooden 'top' for the Sys Toolbox to essentially allow a worksurface above the handles.  I can't find the PDF but it was an interesting way to convert the box with the elevated handle into a bench of sorts.  But it was a cool idea and enabled a 'Sys-MFT' like top for work holding above the base.

Hope this is of help - Share your stack when you get it figured out!

 

[Peter_C]

Okay, specifics then. Does this seem reasonable for getting up / down basement steps and doing some light hand tool work?

• Festool 498660 SysRoll Systainer and Storage Dolly
• Festool 500076 SYS-MFT Tabletop Systainer
• Festool 200119 SYS 4 Sortainer

~
Would I find it annoying to remove the Tabletop Systainer to get at tools in an ordinary Systainer in-between it and the Sortainer?

Why not just get an ultra portable work bench? If the MFT is too much an X-table might fit the situation. I use the heck out of mine. It even gets used for gearing up for scuba with double tanks.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-X-Horse-2-5-ft-Workbench-229694/301046021

There are a lot of options that cost less than a Sys Roll, plus some type of work top, and at the same time will be more functional.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-8-ft-x-3-ft-Portable-Jobsite-Workbench-225047/205887786https://www.homedepot.com/p/Professional-Woodworker-Foldable-Workbench-51834/204739343https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-33-in-Folding-Portable-Workbench-DWST11556/301867227https://www.homedepot.com/p/Keter-21-65-in-x-33-46-in-x-29-7-in-Folding-Work-Table-197283/203118732https://www.homedepot.com/p/Worx-Pe...Quick-Clamps-and-Holding-Pegs-WX051/302287890https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-2-6-ft-Portable-Workbench-KWS1000/302433629

 

[WillAdams]

I already use a folding workbench like to:https://www.homedepot.com/p/Professional-Woodworker-Foldable-Workbench-51834/204739343

My idea behind this is that I'd have one thing to grab, it'd roll up the stairs easily, in a single trip, I'd get some working done, then put it away --- currently, the folding workbench is one trip, a toolbox is another, and any clamps or other odds-and-ends (or other toolboxes) are separate trips --- some projects it feels as if I spend more time hauling stuff up/down than actually working.

The overbox/worktop is interesting and I may look into that as a further improvement.

 

[DeformedTree]

The systainers were a pleasant surprise when I discovered Festool.  So far the world hasn't standardized a container smaller than a 20 foot conex.

As it is, what Festool has is the closest thing to getting it right. I own a lot of power tools, but the problem is of course with other brands you either don't get any case (really bad), or as is often the case they make a different case for every tool, everyone a different size and shape.  I'm sure many folks have the random pile of Milwaukee tool blow molded cases piled in the corner always wanting to fall over.  And then the random pile of all the tools that never had a case, or the really sad cardboard box, maybe a bunch of the insanely pointless canvases bag (seriously, why not just cut to the chase and have them connect as a filter bag in a shop vac so they are useful).  Lots of various tools, materials, etc get stored in Bins in a shelf system, not a great solution either.  Having everything in something like the festool systainers is the much better solution.  Biggest issue with converting tools over to them would be the cases they came with, can't throw them out as now that sucks if you go to sell them, yet they take up space and don't stack nice.

I would agree that they aren't going to be the fastest answer, but when you need to keep everything stored away, because either you go to a jobsite, or like me, you move around a lot, you have small shop space, you have a house under construction for years, etc.  Having a way to put everything away nicely that stacks nicely, or can have nice standardized cabinetry built for it is great.  Also as people mentioned being able to put the tools away from dust and everything else is nice.  Means tearing tools down for maintenance cleaning less often.  Not having accessories scattered around with no home. Having a place for accessories in the case with the tool.  The key to managing small spaces is storage. A Systainer may seam big or wasteful, but it's actually a very efficient way to do it.  Shelves with scattered and tangled tools take up more room,  random sized cases package less efficiently.

Such cases also cause manufactures to think thru the design a little bit.  Try harder to fit into the same size case as the other stuff. 
I have too many tools that lay around with no good way to store them. They could certainly make a better container, but even a less ideal container that is standardized is better than chaos.

Pretty sure if someone with a vacuum former started making plastic inserts for systainers for Milwaukee, Bosch, Dewalt tools they would have no problem selling them to folks.

 

[Albertdebruijn]

I am a really “messy” worker. At the end of a project, I find tools (and their parts) everywhere with little or no horizontal surface free anymore.  Since buying into the Festool ecosystem, a have found that having a home (I.e. a systainer) for tools and accessories helps immensely with keeping my (very small) shop relatively efficient.
To me, a systainer is about “everything has a place”, drillbits and drills, sanders and sanding disks, etc.
I rarely travel with my tools, but will occasionally go work in the yard because my shop is small and cramped, but this systainer concept helps me stay organized).

 

[jsabados]

Thank you Gregor for the laugh!  It was hilarious seeing that stack!

I, too, still have doubts if I should keep my systainers.  I have a two car garage shop that is fairly crowded and I would benefit from combining tools into bigger boxes/drawers.  I guess the deciding factor is that if I had to sell any of my Festool stuff, I would be able to get a bit more for them with the systainers. 

 

[Peter_C]

I am a really “messy” worker. At the end of a project, I find tools (and their parts) everywhere with little or no horizontal surface free anymore.  Since buying into the Festool ecosystem, a have found that having a home (I.e. a systainer) for tools and accessories helps immensely with keeping my (very small) shop relatively efficient.
To me, a systainer is about “everything has a place”, drillbits and drills, sanders and sanding disks, etc.
I rarely travel with my tools, but will occasionally go work in the yard because my shop is small and cramped, but this systainer concept helps me stay organized).

All tools need a place to go. They need to go back every time you are done. Once a system is in place you will always be able to find the tools you need.

If you work out of the same shop a regular tool box can be very beneficial. They hold a lot of tools! Are lockable for security, and will help keep all your hand tools organized. After all wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, etc, need a home too.

 

[ben_r_]

I guess the deciding factor is that if I had to sell any of my Festool stuff, I would be able to get a bit more for them with the systainers. 

Thats pretty much the only reason I keep mine. They waste a lot of space in my shop and while they do keep the tools and most accessories organized its not like I couldnt do that more efficiently with custom built drawers/cabinets/wall hanging/etc. I still think the major benefit to Systainers is only for those working on job sites and who have to have everything be portable.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Obviously I can only speak for myself, so I try to explain my view:

While I do have a "workshop" in the basement, most of what I do is "DIY"/home improvement all around and in the house.

So I need to bring many of my tools, accessories and consumables to where I work. And I actually love working on my patio from late February/early March to early November. Meaning that I "set up shop" right there when I want to make something.

Additionally I also have tools that are rarely taken/moved out of the "workshop". And if my "workshop" had a name it would be "Vise Room". Honestly, that's what it is. It's the place my vise is located and when I need it, I go downstairs to saw/file/sand/grind ...

When I started, I bought quite a bit of Bosch Professional tools in L-Boxxes but I never really got into it and my personal feeling is that Bosch is still struggling to make this system really work for them - they are overall not as committed to the L-Boxx as Festool is to the Systainer. It's definitely is a lot better than a couple of years ago, but my personal opinion is that Festool still comes out ahead with the Systainer, and especially in regards to inserts and accessory/consumable storage. But then again, that's just me.

What I really love about storing tools in Systainer is that I never have to worry if I have "everything". I know their contents. When I grab my PDC I know everything I need for basic/essential use is right there. If it's more "complicated", I simply add the Systainer with the Installer's Kit. When I grab my impact wrench Systainer, I know I have everything. ... Gear up, gear down. It's a matter of seconds.

I wouldn't want to miss these by now, and don't get my "awe'ing" and "oh'ing" about my SYS-Cart, the SYS-PH and CTL-SYS ... Fits my needs and my way of working perfectly.

Another aspect is a tidy and safe work environment and clean tools. I hate nothing more than dirty tools. I know there are environments where this isn't top priority or quite simply not required/ possible. But I don't want to drill a hole and then soil the wallpaper when putting in a wall plug, because dirt from another project transferred from my drill's handle to my hands. I like to work as clean as possible whenever possible. And I try not to cross contaminate by having tools I don't need lying out in the open when working with metal (or whatever) in the "Vise room"

So I do not store many tools/accessories/consumables in open spaces anyway.

I'm not on the clock, so if it takes me 10 seconds more to open a Systainer and take a tool out and another 10 seconds (make that 30 if I need to put a plug-it back  [tongue] ) to put it back it simply doesn't matter at all to me.

Honestly, and while I probably shouldn't, I take a little bit of pride in having clean, ready to use tools/accessories/consumables and working as clean as possible.

Kind regards,
Oliver