Sortainer Sys3 / Sort 6 (or any Sort number) HOW GOOD FOR HAND TOOL STORAGE

[blu-tak]

In practice, how good is say the Sys3/Sort6 work out for storing hand tools. or any variant of the Sys3/SortX variety.

i.e. screwdrivers, pliers, squares, pencils (not screws, fixings)
The drawers seem long enough, possibly wide enough, but unsure if deep enough at 30mm

Or do I need to move to the deeper drawer Sys4/Sort3

Post a photo if you like

 

[imdking]

Not sure about the Sys3 size. Can't testify to that one. I do have the Sys4 sortainer with 3 drawers. It hols a lot of small hand tools in one drawer. I have my calipers, Incra 300mm rule and a couple of shorter ones. Tape measures, hand chisels, and such.
This sortainer is stacked under my Sys-toolbox2, and cantilever storage, and the stack is on a Sys-roll cart . I like the Sys4 sortainer for its capacity. The other 2 drawers are filled with the divider bins.
Good luck with whatever choice you end up going with.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I think the 30mm is too deep for small hand tools, thagood for small boxes of fasteners.

Years ago for fun I made a small cabinet (that could just fit into a classic Sys 4) to hold small tools and rather than make specific sized drawers for specific tools I graduated the depth of the drawers by 1/4” (~6mm) and then loaded the drawers with what fit.

To my surprise pliers and wrench’s fit great in a drawer only 5/8” deep. Pens and pencils in a 3/8” deep drawer and rules fit best in a drawer that bare exists.

 

[Spandex]

I didn’t even find the sys4/sort3 particularly good for hand tool storage, so I would expect the classic sortainers to be even worse, given the reduced size.

I’d also be very concerned that a tool could easily jam the drawer. It happened a lot when I stored screws in a classic sortainer, but a least a quick jiggle of the case would usually shift things enough to get the drawer moving again - with larger hand tools it might not be so easy to dislodge a blockage.

At least the newer sortainer has removed the jamming issue.

 

[blu-tak]

Not sure about the Sys3 size. Can't testify to that one. I do have the Sys4 sortainer with 3 drawers. It hols a lot of small hand tools in one drawer. I have my calipers, Incra 300mm rule and a couple of shorter ones. Tape measures, hand chisels, and such.
This sortainer is stacked under my Sys-toolbox2, and cantilever storage, and the stack is on a Sys-roll cart . I like the Sys4 sortainer for its capacity. The other 2 drawers are filled with the divider bins.
Good luck with whatever choice you end up going with.

Ok so I'm not thinking the 30mm sys3/Sort6+ drawers aren't ideal for many hand tools, typically a screwdriver handle is around 30mm often a smidge more.

So thinking sys3/sort4 with the deep bottom tray, with pencils and rulers/squares in the top 3 drawers...

I sys4/sort3 looks great, but I just don't like the height of a sys4 and reckon they should make a 2 drawer varient.

 

[huntdupl]

Sys 4/sort 3 holds pliers fine. You can get these plier racks in green - cut them on the bandsaw to fit drawers.

If you have a Sys-combi, you could add one of the sort 3 drawers to it = double drawer sys-combi + Sys x/sort 2.
Here is a link:

 

[squall_line]

Sys 4/sort 3 holds pliers fine. You can get these plier racks in green - cut them on the bandsaw to fit drawers.

If you have a Sys-combi, you could add one of the sort 3 drawers to it = double drawer sys-combi + Sys x/sort 2.
Here is a link:

That just blew my tiny little mind...  [eek] [blink]

I also heard a little voice in my head saying "now you can't stack them to match heights!  It's Systainer3 all over again!!!  [big grin]

I wonder if a combi-5 would come out at the same height as some of the Systainer3 models...

 

[huntdupl]

I wonder if a combi-5 would come out at the same height as some of the Systainer3 models...

That would be some $h#t!  Sure theres a german engineer rolling in their grave, but honestly I never took the time to understanding stacking heights or come across where its an issues. Let alone the whole sys3 fiasco.  put it on top

 

[Vondawg]

Thought I was aware of all the hacks on sustainers…thanks for the video !

 

[grobkuschelig]

I am planning to go the hand-tools in SYS4/Sort-3.

I made a set of 2/3/4 drawer Systainers to allow me to easily swap drawers and number of drawers for when I leave the shop. (Frequently assisting family/friends..)

Target for most drawers is to be equipped with shadow-foam to hold the hand tools.
I am currently trying to figure out the right foam height for each drawer and should get started in the next couple of weeks, hopefully…

 

[Peter_C]

Systainer's are just too small for certain tools. No one portable tool box can do it all. For a home shop setup a rolling steel tool box is the way to go, or two or three BIG ones 8) I use one with 1/4" plate on top as a work bench with a vice setup.

 

[rst]

I just received two of the two drawer Milwaukee units for use in my van.  I use the flip top Milwaukee for my various screw collections and small specialty tools. I keep my drills, grinders and sanders in Festool systainers.

 

[blu-tak]

Sys 4/sort 3 holds pliers fine. You can get these plier racks in green - cut them on the bandsaw to fit drawers.

If you have a Sys-combi, you could add one of the sort 3 drawers to it = double drawer sys-combi + Sys x/sort 2.

That just blew my tiny little mind...  [eek] [blink]

I also heard a little voice in my head saying "now you can't stack them to match heights!  It's Systainer3 all over again!!!  [big grin]

I wonder if a combi-5 would come out at the same height as some of the Systainer3 models...

Blew my mind too - WOW, finally a Festool rival to the tstak 2 drawer box and deeper draw box

 

[blu-tak]

I am planning to go the hand-tools in SYS4/Sort-3.

I made a set of 2/3/4 drawer Systainers to allow me to easily swap drawers and number of drawers for when I leave the shop. (Frequently assisting family/friends..)

Target for most drawers is to be equipped with shadow-foam to hold the hand tools.
I am currently trying to figure out the right foam height for each drawer and should get started in the next couple of weeks, hopefully…

Are they for sale?
Any more pics for us all?
So cool.

 

[grobkuschelig]

Are they for sale?
Any more pics for us all?
So cool.

As I mentioned, standard sys4/sort-3 and modified like in the video posted above.
It is a quick modification anyone can do…

 

[blu-tak]

Are they for sale?
Any more pics for us all?
So cool.

As I mentioned, standard sys4/sort-3 and modified like in the video posted above.
It is a quick modification anyone can do…

I think for me it's the confidence to dismantle a brand new £70 systainer.

Feel free to post a pic when you've sorted the form insert out.

 

[grobkuschelig]

[mention]blu-tak [/mention] sure will post pics…

There are just 3 plastic tabs per side.
I did not heat them up or anything.

I used a tiny clamp as a spreader and an automotive trim removal kit (plastic) which worked a treat, supported by an old credit card.
No damage to any of the snaps. Units snap back together with little pressure.

Take your time.
Nothing anyone that has a reason to own a Systainer (meaning anyone using tools in general) could not easily get done. 

 

[semenza]

I have done this reconfiguring mod to the old style Sortainers.  It looks easier on the new type.

Seth

 

[tazprime38]

I done this to my old sortainers also with help from your posts.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

I have three Sys4/Sort 3 Sortainers on the van;

#1 - Plumbing stuff. The top drawer contains wrenches, grips, files, cutters, pipe bending formers, three different tap wrenches, nut spinners etc. The other two drawers are full of pipe fittings, solder-type in one, and compression-type in the other. it's surprising how many hand tools you can actually get in one of these drawers.

#2 - General hand joinery stuff. The top drawer contains a mallet, a couple of small ball pein hammers, a set of punches, a bradawl, floorboard clamps, a spokeshave, a block plane and a few files. Second drawer contains a set of Kirschen firmer chisels in their wooden box, plus a Veritas honing guide. Bottom drawer contains 3 x Dia-sharp diamond plates, two try squares, a combination square, a Starrett protractor.

#3 - Full of screws. Weighs an absolute ton.