Please help me decide on which Sortainers/systainers to buy

[Luv2skyski]

I've just recently gotten the Festool bug and have the following with their respective systainers:  OF1400, ETS150, TS55, LR32-SYS.

I've placed an order from Axminster (the prices on most Festool products even with shipping to the US are far cheaper).  I'm waiting on a few items to come in stock and want to add some sortainers/systainers to my order before it's shipped.

Which SORTainers do you own and which ones do you seem to use more than others (4, 6, 9, or 12 drawer)? 

Is it worthwhile to get a Sys-combi 3 for the ETS150?  Is the extra drawer useful? 

Should I get a containers set (or 2,3...)?  I'd really like to organize my hardware, small tools, drill bits, etc. 

I've done a bunch of research but there is so many options it's become confusing. 

Thanks for any and all advice.  Sincerely, Dave.

 

[ben_r_]

Quick question: are you a mobile worker? Only work out of your shop? Both? Do all your tools really need to be super portable?

 

[Luv2skyski]

Not super portable, no.  Occasionally, yes. 
Sincerely, Dave.

 

[TomGadwa1]

The answer is very easy. Buy ALL of them!!! I did and am quite satisfied with my purchase. Versatile and comes with dividers and labels so the drawers can be subdivided making them extremely useful!!! I have the new three drawer, the twelve, six, four and nine drawer ones too!!

 

[leakyroof]

Welcome to the FOG and Festool. This topic is one that I'm always indebted to other people for their amazing ideas with all things Tanos or 'Systainer World'.
Like you and everyone else, I buy tools that are already in Systainers, I buy their accessories which are often also in Systainers. I buy Abrasive Systainers to support my sanders.  Sometimes I switch another manufacturers tool kit/container out for a Systainer that has the option of a better insert /storage usage than what it came with originally like my Fein Multi Master..But for small items or the odd group of something, I tend to study what others here on FOG have done and shared with all of us.
Very creative group, very global... [wink]
I bought a Sortainer as a First Aid Systainer. The drawers are easy to open if you've got a cut or a splinter on a finger. At the time, T-Locs weren't an option.
All the medical supplies fit in their divided sections really well.
You can do the same thing with screw assortments or other fasteners, you just figure out your needs and buy the right drawer unit or regular Systainer after that.
Don't forget about making your own plywood or metal inserts for a bare T-Loc to gain something that you can't see pulling off with a Sortainer.
Lastly, people disassemble their Systainers and add sections to them or change the lid to create a different version because they wanted the special lid on a larger/smaller Systainer. Wasn't sure if you were aware that that's an option with the Tanos System

 

[rst]

I use sortainer IVs (five of them) for my pinners and staplers, I have a five drawer (2 large drawers) for my 12v Milwaukee tools and I have a nine that houses the various driver bits, drills and countersinks that I use.  I've moved my 700, 1010, Milwaukee 18v tools into Sys drawer units to hold the accessories.  I buy my sortainers from Lee Valley has they have a options not offered my Festool.  I've bought four of the SYS IIs with attic tops and transfered the tops to other systainers.

 

[Luv2skyski]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Does the sortainers come with drawer dividers?  Festool says “Additional inserts are available, allowing you to further customize your storage solution.”  The container “set” includes 8 small and 4 medium containers as well as 3 dividers.
Would you recommend getting a few sets?  Should I also get a few large containers (2 packs)?

Sincerely, Dave.

 

[TomGadwa1]

See #3 above!!!

 

[Luv2skyski]

Ok, Tom, I get it!  ;D

Here's the list I thinking about getting:

1  SYS-Combi 3 Systainer for the ETS-150
1  4 drawer Sortainer 
1  6 drawer Sortainer
1  9 drawer Sortainer
1  SYS 4 Sortainer 3 drawer

2 - 12 drawer sotainers
4 - Container sets
4 - Large storage containers

Dave

 

[semenza]

That assortment will give you plenty of options to try out. There are many ways to arrange and rearrange them. You may find yourself changing things as time goes by. So a little of everything will give you options. It may have been mentioned above but in case not .... the small and medium drawers can be swapped two for one and vice versa.

One note...  I  don't think the Combi drawer will be that good for storing abrasives for the ETS. It is great for many other tools and accessories though.

 

[Luv2skyski]

Great.  Thanks so much everyone.
Sincerely, Dave.