How Do You Loosen Up Tight Systainer Latches?

[darita]

I've got some systainers, whose latches are a pain to open.  I must be a weakling or something, cause sometimes I just can't get the leverage to open the latches with my thumbs.  I was wondering if there's a way to loosen them up a bit and smooth out the operation?

 

[Frank Pellow]

I find that WD-40 works well.

 

[darita]

I was hoping that there was a tab or something on the latch, that I could smooth out, to help the operation. 

 

[peter halle]

The trainers use Armor-all on the latches.  [thumbs up] [thumbs up]

Peter

 

[woodguy7]

pop it open & take a small file to the side where the green latch rubs.  1 or 2 light rubs with the file makes a big difference.

 

[harry_]

I've got some systainers, whose latches are a pain to open.  I must be a weakling or something, cause sometimes I just can't get the leverage to open the latches with my thumbs.  I was wondering if there's a way to loosen them up a bit and smooth out the operation?

This tells me that you are not using your tools enough.

Get busy!  [poke]

[laughing]

 

[semenza]

Here is another old thread on the topic  [wink]

http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festool-tanos-all-things-systainer/2021-systainer-latches-too-tight.html

Seth

 

[darita]

Thanks for the help.  I tried both filing the channels and filing the bump-outs on the green latches.  Both work equally well, only if the filed latches get too loose over time, I may be able to get replacement latches.  Thanks.

 

[leakyroof]

If you don't want to file the plastic in the future, then you could use a dry lube like Teflon Spray. I use that instead of Armor-All, and don't have to file or work any of the plastic parts on my Classic Systainers.

 

[fdengel]

This tells me that you are not using your tools enough.

+1 - probably why I don't ever seem to have these problems (wait, I don't use them all every day either...)

 

[Kev]

Swap 'em all to T-Locs [wink]

 

[darita]

Swap 'em all to T-Locs [wink]

I'd love to, if I could afford it.  As it is, a lot of my Festools are recons and they are in T Locs.  Just couldn't see spending a lot of money for slightly easier access.  Also, I'd have to cut away at the inserts, to make them fit the T Locs.  I'll replace systainers as I replace the tools.