Sortainers anybody use em?

[Ken Nagrod]

Seth,

How do you like those FastCap chisels?

 

[semenza]

Seth,

How do you like those FastCap chisels?

Yep, I like 'em. Compact , edge protected, yes you really can hammer them with out damaging the handle.  Good for general purpose chiseling.

Seth

 

[dwillis]

I've got three flavors of Sortainers plus a couple of ones from Tanos.  The Sortainers are used for all the small tools, accessories, and other easily lost or misplaced bits and pieces.  It may sound like OCD, but now I no longer have to wonder where that gadget went in my shop.  Plus if I have to travel for a job no more gathering everything each time, all the tools are in one place.  I use the Tanos units for parts, which has virtually stopped extra trips to the store.  Overall a worthwhile investment.

 

[GPowers]

+ one on the Stanley storage boxes.

I started buying them a few years back. The all of a sudden the shallower ones disappeared.  They were gone/un-available for two or three years. Then they appeared ona Amazon.

 

[Peterm]

I am planning on using the Tanos version that has the two large drawers at the bottom as storage for my hand tools. This will be to replace a Stanley tote tool bag. The plan is to incorporate all my hand tools, drill bits etc into one stack which will be my existing 12 drawer and two of the Tanos ones. It will also include some plumbing bits and pieces as well and maybe the most commonly used screws. I intend to have them on a roll board with ply sides and back, similar to the concept for storing systainers so I will be able to attach spirit levels, guide rails on the back and maybe some hooks to keep things like mastic gun, common clamps, hand saw etc on the sides. I need to reduce my footprint on site as I am always limited on space doing kitchens and bathrooms. I want to be able to move everything that isn't a power tool easily as I constantly reorganising my workspace. It will all break down easily (I hope) as I move between jobs).

Anyone tried anything similar? 

Yep, I have a very similar set-up as my 'go-everywhere' stack; Tanos 5-drawer on the bottom (one large drawer for odds & ends, one for screws in coloured boxes, and the three small drawers for bits, fixings etc...) Sys 4 above with a custom insert for hand tools, all on a roll-board. Drills in a Sys 1 on top of that if needed - just be aware that it weighs a lot, so split it before trying to lift it into your van, otherwise you'll be replacing the lid of the top systainer every few months - don't ask me how I know that... I also have a 4-drawer for my plumbing kit - works well.

As an aside, has anyone else had problems with the catches on the Tanos 5-drawer? Mine don't latch very securely and are prone to 'pinging' off at inopportune moments.

Cheers, Pete

 

[jonny round boy]

I use a similar set-up to Peter, but a tad smaller. 4 drawer sortainer, with a sys3 on top.

I posted some details on it in this thread, just over 4 years ago [eek], and in those 4 years, I don't think much has changed. I still have (mainly) the same tools/accessories in the same drawers!

The sys3 on top has all my general hand tools in (screwdrivers, hammers, hacksaws, etc) and a home-made lid insert for an A4 pad & other paperwork.

 

[semenza]

Yep, I have a very similar set-up as my 'go-everywhere' stack; Tanos 5-drawer on the bottom (one large drawer for odds & ends, one for screws in coloured boxes, and the three small drawers for bits, fixings etc...) Sys 4 above with a custom insert for hand tools, all on a roll-board. Drills in a Sys 1 on top of that if needed - just be aware that it weighs a lot, so split it before trying to lift it into your van, otherwise you'll be replacing the lid of the top systainer every few months - don't ask me how I know that... I also have a 4-drawer for my plumbing kit - works well.

As an aside, has anyone else had problems with the catches on the Tanos 5-drawer? Mine don't latch very securely and are prone to 'pinging' off at inopportune moments.
Cheers, Pete

Are you refering to the latches for the individual drawers? If so have they ever been purposely removed? The way they are attached I think that something would have to be defective for them to come off unless they are not seated fully. If they are just allowing the drawers to slide open, I have had that happen but only if I don't make sure to push the drawer in tight so that the latch prongs snap into the slots.

Here is a thread with some close up pics and info on the latch Sortainer drawer latches

Hope it helps.

Seth

 

[Peterm]

Are you refering to the latches for the individual drawers...?

Hi, no, sorry should have been clearer - not the drawers, but one of the latches on the front of my 5-drawer Tanos Sortainer has always been a bit flakey and now just falls off whenever I unlatch it - quick video here:-

Tanos 5-drawer sortainer latch problem

I've tried swapping the latches around without any success so perhaps it's just a poor moulding Just wondered if anyone else has had the same problem.

Cheers, Pete

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Are you refering to the latches for the individual drawers...?

Hi, no, sorry should have been clearer - not the drawers, but one of the latches on the front of my 5-drawer Tanos Sortainer has always been a bit flakey and now just falls off whenever I unlatch it - quick video here:-

Tanos 5-drawer sortainer latch problem

I've tried swapping the latches around without any success so perhaps it's just a poor moulding Just wondered if anyone else has had the same problem.

Cheers, Pete

The video made it very clear.  I have a Tanos Sortainer that does the same thing.  Latch even pops off when I simply lift it up from the "stored" flat position.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

OK, Yes, I have one that does that too. The short , front, left (when facing the front of the unit) latch pops off, when unlatching or lifting from flat. Mine is on the four drawer. I never bothered about it because it is on one that never gets seperated from the top Systainer.

Seth

 

[Peterm]

Thanks for the feedback guys - unfortunately I split the 5-drawer from the rest of the stack regularly enough for it to be a pain; doesn't seem to be much we can do about the problem other than commiserate though!

Thanks again! Pete

 

[extiger]

My tools aren't taken away from my shop. And I wonder about the untility of Sortainers stacked against the garage wall. But, then again, I think anything that systemizes storage is helpful. At my airline, we had an architect on staff who specialized in logistics. Before I built a new shop, I had him over to the house to get some rational idea of how to organize my 2-car garage shop.

First thing, he said put everything possible in uniform boxes, and then build shelving that would allow the boxes to just clear the height. Everything uniform. The company was FedEx, and they know a thing or two about storage.

 

[Alan m]

My tools aren't taken away from my shop. And I wonder about the untility of Sortainers stacked against the garage wall. But, then again, I think anything that systemizes storage is helpful. At my airline, we had an architect on staff who specialized in logistics. Before I built a new shop, I had him over to the house to get some rational idea of how to organize my 2-car garage shop.

First thing, he said put everything possible in uniform boxes, and then build shelving that would allow the boxes to just clear the height. Everything uniform. The company was FedEx, and they know a thing or two about storage.

thats very interesting . from what i heard about fed ex etc is similar to my experience with systainers for other tools. its great to have every thing in similar boxs until you for get which box has what.

 

[extiger]

About the time of the first Gulf War, the Defense Department shot itself in the foot. Again. Seagoing cargo container ships were carrying tons of support material over. So, first, the tractor parts arrived. In heavy crates. These went to the back of the warehouses. Then came the heavy equipment tires. And then, the refrigerators. All pushed to the back. Stacked so that the newer inventory blocked the old.

In time, solders - clearly frustrated about the delays in supply, used cellphones to call  folks in their units back in the states requesting items like socks and T-shirts. Quartermasters in the arena of combat couldn't find anything. And yet they  knew they had it - somewhere.

Defense requested that FedEx come in and reorganize their shipping and inventory systems. Most of which dated from WW-1. Next time you are at a Post Office and catch sight of a bag of airmail, look at the ID number attached. It usually starts with something like 1916. Where do you think those numbers originated?  WW-1. Systemization is the only route to sanity.

 

[peter halle]

About the time of the first Gulf War, the Defense Department shot itself in the foot. Again. Seagoing cargo container ships were carrying tons of support material over. So, first, the tractor parts arrived. In heavy crates. These went to the back of the warehouses. Then came the heavy equipment tires. And then, the refrigerators. All pushed to the back. Stacked so that the newer inventory blocked the old.

In time, solders - clearly frustrated about the delays in supply, used cellphones to call  folks in their units back in the states requesting items like socks and T-shirts. Quartermasters in the arena of combat couldn't find anything. And yet they  knew they had it - somewhere.

Defense requested that FedEx come in and reorganize their shipping and inventory systems. Most of which dated from WW-1. Next time you are at a Post Office and catch sight of a bag of airmail, look at the ID number attached. It usually starts with something like 1916. Where do you think those numbers originated?  WW-1. Systemization is the only route to sanity.

Would my guess that based on your member name you were part of the Flying Tiger air freight company before they were bought out by Fedex be correct?

Peter

 

[extiger]

Yeah, I was one of the Tigers. Many larger than life characters in that bunch. Including many from the WW-II days in China.