Mini Systainers - Do you use them?

[wow]

  like those clamps wow,
    That foam won't do though, one gust of wind and that will be gone,
  I think a better idea is some 6mm ply sitting in the bottom covered with some draw liner, this stops rattles and can be taken out easily to blow out saw dust. 
  I can try and upload a picture if you would like to see what the detail looks like.

Yes, please!

 

[fdengel]

I have a pair of the mini (not micro) ones that I haven't quite figured out what to do with yet.  I'm sure I will though...

 

[rst]

I keep my plastic fabricating tools in one, my Leigh dovetail jig parts in another, my MFS parts in another, my pocket stickfix and papers in one, conditioning stars and mandrel in one and some electronics test equipment in one.  I bought six Tanos versions from Woodcraft as they are sale right now and still have four to fill. 

 

[WastedP]

When it became apparent that they guy that is managing the installs of the cabinets I sell didn't have the capacity to handle all of the installs he was responsible for, I decided to get my install stuff ready for the heavier workload prior to the holidays.  Now that I had systainers on the shelf, I couldn't help but transition from plastic wholesaler tubs to systainers.  The sale minis were first, then after going on site a few times I used the SYS-4 from my TS 55 to haul everything, then I cracked and bought an empty and the SYS-1 organizer box.
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I didn't have a big screw assortment to put in the organizer, everything in it has been sort of thrown together during the course of solving problems on site over the last couple weeks.
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Three drills, a charger, three minis, a wrecking bar, a laminate file, a Japanese saw, and a roll of blue tape.  I'm carrying as much or more in one hand than I was carrying with two in a wholesaler bucket.  Now I have a free hand for my tool belt, which is pretty light.
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"Mama, feed me!"
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Just kidding, it's full.  Bits on top.
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The little Kreg jig is in there, too.  I wanted to figure out a way to make the insert from the Kreg case work with the mini systainer, but this solution has been working.
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All the hand tools, including the pocket hole clamp, in the middle.
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More space, more stuff on the bottom.  It's stuff I use a lot less, but wouldn't go on site without.
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I'm sure this arrangement will evolve over time.  It's already changed over the last month.  If the need arises to carry a compressor more often, I could see trying to imitate this awesome setup.  For 3/4 of the jobs I've had to operate on over the last month, just being able to walk in with everything I need in one trip has saved a lot of time.

 

[WastedP]

Almost forgot about the classic Mini in the junk drawer.  Instead of fishing around in there for individual tools, just grab the whole thing and go.
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I really like the minis.

 

[DB10]

I used 6mm Mdf with draw liner glued to it, not ply as I previously thought.
Like I mentioned earlier, easy to take out if needed, or blow out the saw dust
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Also used this method for my Router bits, although they are in a sys 1.

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[sancho57]

I use mines for bits, storing my 18 ga and 23 ga nails, also use one to store my bits forthe CMS, wrench, various rings etc., another to store my misc'l drill bits etc. The tanos inserts help a lot.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

The Mini SYS makes a fantastic sandwich box and is easily the best lunchbox I have ever owned.

 

[Brent Taylor]

I use one to store the blades & such in the Sys 1 that holds my Makita MM, use another to hold lapping sheets and blade honer for my sharping kit, Veritas Mk II, great guide that needed a good home.

 

[sancho57]

OOh - I want some of those!  They would be perfect for small parts storage for various tools.

I already read your mind.  I am checking...

Peter

Check out woodcraft. They are really small. I ggve some away at my get together last summer

 

[Magpal]

I have been thinking about how to standardize tool storage of socket wrench sets, special pliers, crimping tools and screws that do not justify a sys-1 with bins. Storing several types of boxes are not particularly efficient so I am thinking that the mini systainer could do a good job here. The only problem is that Festool does not really make any good inserts for the mini-SYS. You have the blow molded plastic ones that have a maximum of 6 compartments. This is not sufficient in many cases and thus I wondered If I could find any other bins that would fit.

I discovered that the Raaco bins from the Rack systainer (Case 13) fitted quite well so that you would get a total of 16 small bins or any other combination of bigger bins. This seems like a good solution when you need more than 6 compartments, and the bins are really cheap. The only thing left is to add foam to the lid and fill the gap between the bins and the case (on the sides only). That way I think the screws will stay in their bins even if the case is turned upside down.

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Another thing I discovered was that Teng Tools make inserts for their drawer roller cabinet. These inserts fits the mini systainer quite well and Teng Tools make inserts for almost all hand tools. This means that you can get pretty organized if you buy Teng tools or at least tools that fits the inserts. The downside is that they are not particularly size efficient. In order to store a 1/2" socket wrench set you would need two mini systainers. However, the stacking functionality seems to be very good so this may not be a problem.

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Has anyone used the mini systainer as their "standard" small box for storing tools and screws? Do you think it is a good solution compared to getting bigger boxes like raaco case 13? The raaco case 13 seems better suited for screw storage, but then again the mini systainer seems better suited for tool storage due to its size and stacking capability.

 

[Kev]

FWIW the mini Systainers in T-Loc form are quite good, but the "traditional" ones are a rubbish gimmick!!

 

[speed]

i have 5 now, i got them last week

so far ive made

hole saw
wood/floor repair kit
all my screw caps/adhesive caps

i am going to move my first aid kit into one then have a spare to fill with something

i keep all my brads, 16-18&23g in a sys1 compartment box that clips onto my senco/sys4

 

[SMJoinery]

Router bit storage.
First aid kit.
Tie straps storage

 

[speed]

repair kit

 

[SMJoinery]

repair kit

Nice one.  [cool]

 

[NHSP759]

I've got one go,ding all the parts to my Powermatic HH jointer, another for my 14" Rikon bandsaw parts and another for storing all of my measurement testing equipment. I've got two empty ones looking for need. Maybe for some turning kits.

 

[Magpal]

repair kit

Nicely done! Do you have pictures of your hole saw and screw caps/adhesive caps systainers as well?