Rack-systainer®, Racktainer & Raaco Service Cases, how does it work?

[mac sparrow]

I’ve been eyeing these up for sometime now and finally found some time to do some digging so I thought I’d share the details.

Seth (SRSemenza) has a couple of posts about Rack-systainer® on the FOG and talkFestool
http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festool-tanos-all-things-systainer/3136-rack-systainer-raaco-boxes.html

Seth may want to add something here but his decision to move to Rack-systainer® was based on owning Sortainers and having the drawers jamming as parts moved.  I also suffered the misfortune of jammed Sortainer drawers (twice), I would also like to add that Sortainers are a heavy product when empty and have limited flexibility when storing really small items or small quantities of one item.  I do admit I have a love/hate relationship with Sortainers.  As many have commented before, if Tanos had made the underside of each Sortainer level smooth then jammed drawers would be almost eliminated.

Rack-systainer®, Racktainer & Raaco Service Cases, how does it work?
Rack-systainer® and Racktainer are product names and trade names given to systainer compatible storage solutions that utilise Raaco Service Cases.

• Raaco have their own version called “HandyBox” http://www.raaco.com/Product_list-1121.aspx?GroupID=Boxes%20system%20Assorte which includes 4 boxes often called “Service Cases” but the outer shell is not compatible with Tanos systainers. The HandyBox can be screwed to a wall and is stackable with other HandyBoxes.

• Tanos have their own version called “Rack-systainer®” http://shop.tanos.eu/index.asp?idcat=34 which utilises the Raaco Service Cases.  The Tanos version has a shell made by Tanos which is compatible with the systainer series.  For US customers the Rack-systainer®” is expensive.  Festool did have their own rebadged version of the same product but this seems to have been a limited run and I can’t find anywhere to buy them.

• The Raaco Service Case product name is “Assorter Series”. http://www.raaco.com/productsgroups-1120.aspx?GroupID=Boxes%20m%20indsatse  Beware cheap copies do exist.  Look on the bottom for: [attachimg=1]

• If you buy a Raaco Service Case it will fit in the Rack-systainer®” and vice versa.  As long as the box is made by Raaco then they are all interchangeable between HandyBox and Rack-systainer®”.

 

[mac sparrow]

Services Cases:
• The outer box colour is available in mostly grey and black (standard colours) or red or green (less common and normally associated with a manufacturer kit such as Spax screws)
• The lid is clear in most instances but I have found a black lid for ESD applications
• The box catch and handle can be found in many different colours – red, burgundy, yellow, blue, green, silver, grey, black & orange.
• The internal compartments are normally clear but I have found orange and black and a Raaco copy that utilises yellow compartments.
• The boxes can be purchased empty or in 3 configurations with 13, 15 or 17 compartments.
• The compartments can be purchased separately http://www.tradesystems.co.uk/raaco-inserts.html and are available in half height and full height and with separator slots or just the compartment.  The model number of the compartment is stamped on the underneath.
• Spare handles, catches, lids or boxes might be available but I can’t find them

Where can I buy them?
I purchased the Raaco version from:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/raaco-13-compartment-assorter-box-with-removable-inserts-qp43w
and:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/raaco-portable-storage-unit-including-four-13-compartment-assorter-boxes-rf35q

Full Raaco range here:
http://www.tradesystems.co.uk/Raaco.html

Tanos range here:
http://www.vantainer.com/drawer-systainer-92-c.asp

Duratool RAACO COPY made in China:
http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d01933/assorter-case-set-of-4/dp/SG33201

Search terms:
“Raaco Service Cases”

Many manufacturers have utilised the Raaco Service Cases for some of their product offerings such as: Spax, Regin, Weidmuller or Wago: [attachimg=1]

 

[mac sparrow]

What about movement of parts?
I’m less sure this is an issue but you can always place a piece of A4 paper on top of the compartments.  This will at least help create an even tighter seal but unless you are using miniature screws or washers, it is difficult for the parts to migrate thanks to the protruding plastic lines on the inside of the lid which creates a divide between each of the compartments when the lid is closed.  The obvious benefit of including a piece of paper on the inside is you can add additional information for the compartment contents, such as supplier or part number or even a photograph.  [attachimg=1]

What about longevity?
I will split this into 2 parts – product availability and robustness.

Product availability – I have read a couple of posts on the net that suggest the Raaco service cases were discontinued or being replaced by a different design, I can’t see any evidence of this, Raaco did release further storage cases but this was an expansion rather than a product replacement move.  I spoke with Maplin UK and they have recently changed suppliers of their HandyBox/Service Cases to Raaco direct and I’ve heard from a reliable source that Tanos have no plans to discontinue the Rack-systainer®.  The Tanos Service Cases can be readily purchased from many Tanos suppliers.  Raaco/rebadged Raaco equivalents can be purchased for about £10-23

Robustness – Unfair for me to comment at the moment as I have only just purchased them.  My initial thoughts: I can’t see them surviving a fall onto concrete, especially if dropped on a corner and the lids can flex.  Having said that the bottom box is actually quite solid, the lid less so.  The handle and catches seem fine with no further comments.  Realistically how much transportation will your boxes have?  I envisage using these in a fixed rack inside a van or workshop for storage rather than mass transportation.  If you use them in the Raaco Handy Box case or in a Rack-systainer® then that gives them increased protection.  Maybe throw a few of them inside a Classic or T-Loc systainer?

 

[mac sparrow]

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=4]
[attachimg=5]

 

[mac sparrow]

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]

 

[CrazyLarry]

Didn't work for me: over the years had 3 I think, always given away with product (spax, wago etc) ok in a workshop on a shelf perhaps but useless for transport, too soft, flexible lid, cheap and breakable, threw them all away once they were replaced with sortainers, which so long as you don't over fill them are far far more useable and robust.

Just my limited 'sample of one' experience

... correction one survived it contains very small nuts and screws mostly computer / electronic related but it never travels beyond my desk...

 

[AlexThePalex]

It's the exact opposite for me ;D . I got rid of the sortainers. I had three of them but they're so heavy and innefficient with their space that they didn't work for me. If I need to go somewhere I just throw one or two of these Raaco boxes in a sys4 and I have the most commonly used fasteners with me.

 

[JUDOKA]

Thank you for all the information an you research. I have been debating the rack sortainer vs the regular drawer sortainers vs the T-loc  sys1 box with bins.
I wanted to ask if anyone has experience with Sortimo clear top boxes .
Thank You !
Goran

 

[wow]

EXCELLENT review, mac sparrow!

I returned the one and only Sortainer I ever purchased because of the very issues you cite. I found it too 'clunky' for me, not available in a configuration I found useful, and far too pricey for what it is. I love my Systainers, but the Sortainers just don't  call to me the same way.

 

[neeleman]

Here are my experiences with some of the products:
- Tanos Systainer Box: to bulky and less space for the purpose
- Tanos Sortainer: to bulky, heavy and less space for the purpose, drawers can get stuck and that's a pain to solve
- Raaco Assorter: lid is to flexible, small materials (nails) get out of boxes when carried vertical
- Raaco HandyBox: to heavy to carry around, doesn't have standard dimensions like a systainer

I mostly use the Raaco Carry Lite, which are the smallest boxes compared to the space they offer.
They're offered in 55 and 80 mm height with different flexible box arrangements.
I have around 12 Bott drawers in my van which each carry a Carry Lite.
I only take a few out of the van and carry the boxes I need on a job-site.
Raaco do also sell a Transporter for hiding a number of boxes but they can also become heavy.

 

[Knight Woodworks]

Thanks for an excellent review.

Anyone found a US distributor of the individual bins?

John 

 

[semenza]

Nice review!  [thumbs up]

      I actually like both Sortainers and Racktainers / Raaco. Depends what is stored in them.

    For small parts the Sortainer  units are fine except for long narrow items that are piled. EX-  screws between 1" and 2 1/2" because they tend to angle upwards when piled. Longer screws usually lay flat and shorter pile better.

    The Raaco cases have a very dense storage capacity. The individual boxes can be filled to the top. Combined with the modular configurability , a lot of stuff can be well organized in a service case.

    Not good for everything but a really nice addition to the Systainer line.

Seth

 

[Magpal]

Has anyone tried to "split" the rack systainer so that each systainer would hold 2 Raaco cases? I know this is possible with the sortainer, but is it possible for the rack systainer as well? 4pcs. per systainer is pretty large if you are only interested in bringing one or two cases.

Is there a way to find spare parts for the rack systainer? I couldn't find it on EKAT.

 

[neeleman]

I believe the Festool Rack Systainer has only be sold in the USA.
In Europe the Tanos light-grey and anthracite version is still available.
You could try to get the spare parts from Tanos or Raaco.
Maybe at: Kofferfunshop Germany

 

[Billy stray]

Has anyone tried to "split" the rack systainer so that each systainer would hold 2 Raaco cases? I know this is possible with the sortainer, but is it possible for the rack systainer as well? 4pcs. per systainer is pretty large if you are only interested in bringing one or two cases.

Is there a way to find spare parts for the rack systainer? I couldn't find it on EKAT.

You can split a sortainer ?

 

[semenza]

The racktainer component spacing doesn't work out to split into a two rack unit.

Yes, you can split a sortainer to remove or add the modular sections. JRB has a topic on how to. I have worked out an additional method that I need to do a write up / topic on.

I did manage to work out an extended sortainer that has two rack units in it for a combo rack / drawer unit. Als need to write that up. When I get time .............

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-and-tanos-systainers/introducing-the-sys-5-sort6-aka-'megasortainer'-36331/msg360428/#msg360428

Seth

 

[Billy stray]

HA !  i bought my first sortainer about a week ago , a sort 4, and have been mumbling to myself since " they should just make one of these that is just the big bottom drawer,  then any systainer can be made into its own combi"
This is almost as good !!.....thanks for the info

Hmmm I wonder if I could make that tool from plexiglass?

 

[Billy stray]

Oh wait !  Dang it !! That doesn't work at all  [mad]

 

[neeleman]

Tanos had a SYS 1 with 4 drawers. In light-grey or anthracite.
But don't know if it's still available. Due to it's Classic Sortainer casing it has less room in the drawers.
But the drawers are not the height of the new Combi systainers.

 

[Billy stray]

Aren't the present day sortainers the same const ? Or did I buy one that's been hanging around forever?
It was pretty dusty ?

BTW sorry,  I did not mean to hijack this thread