Makita "Systainers"

[nickao]

Yeah I do remember those latches being red come to think of it. I actually like the red better than the black. I never have my tools in their cases so I rarely think about it.

 

[semenza]

Here is a pic of the one I have. It has no indicators any where on it including the bottom info that indicate a Tanos connection.  That doesn't mean it doesn't have a connection but ....................................

Actually the bottom does say Made In Germany.

[attachimg=1]

Seth

 

[antss]

Got a classic sys1 for a side X side ?

To me , the look like such an exacting copy that I can't imagine tanos not having something to do with it.

and FWIW, Mirka's systainers aren't labeled Tanos .  Mafell's classics had "Mafell" molded into them, but not Tanos or systainer.  I've also seen Fein's systainers molded with and without  "Tanos" on them, but all have "systainer" .  I'm not sure there's rhyme or reason that an authentic systainer is labeled as such.

So, I'm still thinking those early red latched Makitas are real systainers.  The ones Sal orig. asked about - definitely not.

 

[semenza]

Yes, I have a Classic - I for a side x side. No pic right now but they are the same. And I checked again the Makita does say Made In Germany on the bottom.

I also have a DeWalt Sys- I that is like the Makita.  Says Made In Germany but no Tanos or Systainer.

My Mirka Classic Sys - II Says TanosSystainer on the top front edge.

And my Bosch Classic Sys - II says Systainer on the top front edge. I added an additional label to the front of the Bosch, but top label is original printed on .

Orange BTI says Systra Modul (might not show up in the pic) on the top front edge (Made In Germany on the bottom) The BTI does not have original latches or handle.

Lamello Classic - III that says Tanos Systainer on the top front edge (no pic).

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

Seth

 

[woodsmann]

I would love to see the insides to see how you fit your tools. Do you use kaizen foam, festool inserts, or let them rattle around?

 

[antss]

Quite a collection.  I've never seen an authentic Dewalt systainer. 

That's got to be very rare.

The mirka t-loc aren't designated on the lids or front.

 

[semenza]

I would love to see the insides to see how you fit your tools. Do you use kaizen foam, festool inserts, or let them rattle around?

Here are a couple links....................

      Bosch Rotary Hammer in Systainer

      Fein Multimaster in Systainer

    The Makita and DW are not fitted because I don't use them much and just haven't gotten around to it.  The DW has a Dw impact driver, the Makita has an old corded screwgun and Quickdrive attachment. The Lamello is not in use. The Mirka has extension cords stored in it. Lots of future plans in my head. Just can't seem to make them all happen.  [smile]

Seth

 

[yetihunter]

Just to clarify.

Tanos definitely made Systainers for Makita (not many made it to the US).
Afterward, Makita definitely started making their own (Possibly licensed, possibly out of patent) and still do to this day (makpak or something or another).  The major difference is that the new ones have those wimpy little handles.  And yes, I believe there have been two iterations of the Makita one.

Round 2:

Tanos will happily scrub their name off and even put your brand name on the mold.
It just depends on how many you're ordering + how much you're willing to spend.

If it's a carbon copy of a Tanos systainer, and you're not buying it from Alibaba or an alley in Chinatown, it probably is a Tanos systainer. 

 

[yetihunter]

Yes, I have a Classic - I for a side x side. No pic right now but they are the same. And I checked again the Makita does say Made In Germany on the bottom.

I also have a DeWalt Sys- I that is like the Makita.  Says Made In Germany but no Tanos or Systainer.

My Mirka Classic Sys - II Says TanosSystainer on the top front edge.

And my Bosch Classic Sys - II says Systainer on the top front edge. I added an additional label to the front of the Bosch, but top label is original printed on .

Orange BTI says Systra Modul (might not show up in the pic) on the top front edge (Made In Germany on the bottom) The BTI does not have original latches or handle.

Lamello Classic - III that says Tanos Systainer on the top front edge (no pic).

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

Seth

Seth is, has always been, and will probably always be the systainer master.

 

[MikeS]

My introduction to Makita type systainers were via purchasing their track saw (sorry guys).  At the time I had no idea what the containers were all about.  Then through FOG and a need to organise my kit I purchased quiet a few of these label types.  The only minus. its a very small one, is the latching/locking mechanism for connecting them together.  4 latches as opposed to the single one as on Festool.  Other than that they do the same and depending on where you source them from can be much cheaper.  Which do I prefer? It has to be Festool because of the latch mechanism.  I have about 20 systainers in all of mixed brands and I'd be lost without this system.  I cart tools around in my Golf hatchback, keeps me organised and with safe stowage. 

The Makita systainers, house mainly all my Dewalt 18V tools, Makita drill bit set, screws etc.  Festool mainly for Festool tools [big grin] and the MFT (Multi-Function-Top).  The cart is a must if moving many around and both brands fit perfectly well.  The open top and cantilever boxes fit better onto Festool.  Hope this response helps!  [eek]

I have no qualms about recommending this type of systainer. 

 

[Sal Bandini]

You only need to unhook the 2 side latches and then slide the box to the rear. Makes it easier to detach and re-attach.

 

[Scott in San Diego]

You only need to unhook the 2 side latches and then slide the box to the rear. Makes it easier to detach and re-attach.

I'm with you, Sal and slide the next box in place on top  I always leave the classic front latches at the highest position no matter whether they are stacked or not..  It makes the front latches easier to open with the tabs sticking up.

 

[maccruiskeen]

If it helps clarify... there has actually been 3 iterations of makita systainer and systainer-a-like boxes.

There have been some Tanos-made Classic Systainers that are pictured on this thread - makita-coloured plastic and red clips - these are exactly like any other Tanos-made classic

Theres a more recent 'Mak Pak' version - these are of Makita's own design but fully compatible with Classic Systainers and behave in exactly the same way as a classic despite being stylistically pretty different. They're not as nice to use as Classics though - the clips are really very stiff in use - slightly less so if you clip them to a real systainer, but two makpaks clipped together need to be pry-ed apart with a screwdriver and you have to slap the clips pretty hard to make them shut. They require so much force to open the clips often actually come off in your hand, although they slot back in again fine. The boxes are pretty durable but I've broken the lid of one (during a couple of years of use) having never broken a classic in nearly 10 years or pretty careless packing and transport. I suppose its some sort of testament to build quality that they've taken as much bash and prying to open and close as they have

The tabs just don't show any sign of getting more usable with use - I might have to try doing a bit of remodelling with a knife or file.

Theres a rare third variant too. Briefly makita sold tools in what appeared to be a clone of a classic systainer - but with metal buckles in the place of the plastic clips. Despite being styled in a very similar manner to the classic... they were actually a completely different size - about 5 - 10% larger. So... they didn't work with Systainers. Fair enough. What was baffling though is they didn't actually work with each other, despite the clips having the same fuctionality, position and range of movement as systainer ones my two boxes (the equivalent of a sys1 and a Sys4) didn't actually clip together. The smaller box lacked the tabs to allow a box to fit below it but also had a different style of clasp that could attach to the bottom of the larger box.

I got rid of the two of these I had pretty promptly, they just didn't make any sense. The Makpaks I have are going to slowly get replaced too if I can't get the clips to behave better.

 

[peter halle]

[member=65210]maccruiskeen[/member] ,

Thanks for that information!

For hard to operate latches you might want to spray them with Armorall.  That is a tip from the FESTOOL trainers and it has certainly worked for me in many cases.

Peter

 

[maccruiskeen]

Out of curiosity I popped the latches off of MakPak and a classic to see if swapping them over would reveal if it was the latch or case it clips to is the cause of the stiffness.... and that revealed the probable cause. Although the two types of case will attach to one another the latches are actually different, the makpak one are a fair bit shorter - neither latch works properly on the other type of case.

So a bit part of the problematic stiffness of the latches seems to be  them being shorter and providing you with less leverage to open them.

 

[DB10]

I have not tried Peter's suggestion of Armorall on the few older Festool systainers and newer MAC packs that I have but I can see it doing the trick as it will work in much the same way as a quick spray of Multi Purpose silicon spray on the latches which I can vouch for, transforms that horrible stiff operation into becoming something quite smooth in comparison.

 

[semenza]

Not specific to Makita systainers but here is another way to make the Classic latches easier to open if you don't want Armorall, silicone or whatever oiling your latches.
http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festo...21-systainer-latches-too-tight.html#post25248

Seth

 

[huntdupl]

Makita boxes 15% off on Amazon right now.

Small _ Price History

Medium _ Price History

Large - Price History