Sortainers + Auer insets

[Mettes]

I used to carry my consumables (screws, plugs, etc...) in separate Gen 1 Systainer I's, put that was less then ideal.  The Sortainers seemed like an ideal solution, but with the standaard inserts and separations it's not so great for lots of small sizes.
The Auer insets are identical to the Sortimo's and I use them for all kinds of drawers, they are fairly cheap, and come in many different sizes.
They are a couple of mm's lower than the Sortainer drawer height so there is just enough room to place an MDF with the hole pattern to keep them from shifting around.  The only modification needed to the drawers is the removal of the tabs in the back that are used by the separations.
The grid is not centered left to right but offset to the left.  A couple of mm's spacing is left to be able to remove the drawers by pushing in the springtabs.  The ability to switch out different drawers according to the job at hand is very handy.
At the back of the drawers are the less used sizes for which the drawers need to be taken out to easily get to the boxes.
In the van these two Sortainers live on a Sys-roll which on larger jobs is rolled inside.  On top is a Sys-Toolbox as catchall, in which tools/stuff is loaded to get the job done, or at the end of the job to bring everything you amassed thru the day, back to the van.

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=6]

[attachimg=7]

[attachimg=8]

[attachimg=9]

[attachimg=10]

 

[Coen]

So with boxes 52x52 you can fit an extra row dept-wise. Nice!

What is the total weight now?

 

[Mettes]

Weight?
A lot...

No idea, it's ok, but they are heavy when fully loaded.

The grid is 5x6. Depthwise they fit perfectly, to the side there is some space left which can be used for larger items.

 

[Systainer.Store]

I love seeing how you discovered and adapted this insert box solution.  Nice work [member=3587]Hans Mertens[/member]

 

[mino]

I love seeing how you discovered and adapted this insert box solution.  Nice work [member=3587]Hans Mertens[/member]

Actually, not sure how it is relevant in practical business, but it may still be worth it for you to catch with AUER for some reseller talk.

From what I gather with my purchases from them, it is a relatively small family-owned business and they are pretty agile at that. They are sure bigger than TANOS portfolio-wise, but lots of it they have made for them and they just make it all "work together". Kinda like an integrator. I know of two small plastic moulders in Czech republic who make some of their stuff for example.

Note:
Their "tool boxes" are a complete mess in comparison to systainers. Extremely wobbly. So while they do compete with TANOS there, that side of the porfolio would not be a concern anyway.

But their "EURO" boxes and related accessories can be extremely cost-efficient in a shop setting. They have the biggest portfolio from all the eurobox makers I am aware of.

Relevant to this thread:
https://www.auer-packaging.com/us/en/Insert-boxes-Insert-Euro-containers.html

 

[Michael Kellough]

What are these screws called? What are they for, how do you use them, and are they available in the US?

 

[Magpal]

Great solution!

I really like Auer products as well. The Euro-box system + the assortment boxes are very high quality and priced reasonably. I have pretty much standardized on the euro boxes for general items in the workshop and then the assortment boxes are great for screws, small tool-kits etc. The Festool Organizer would in principle be better since it fits the system better, but the price is about x 3 compared to the auer ones and then Auer is just really great value. Color coded bins etc. is also a plus for the Auer system.

I will probably convert a "SYS3 M 112" to accept the Auer bins similar to what you did with the sortainer. I have found a 3D printed base that will make a "auer grid" that makes the conversion quite easy. For those intereted, it looks quite good and very flexible if someone else wants to "convert" systainers to accept the auer bins:https://www.printables.com/model/307537-grid-for-sortimo-and-stackable-insertboxes-unlimit

I also like the toolbox concept where they have made it fit both the assortment boxes and drawers, for a very flexible system:

The Auer assortment boxes are actually a pretty close fit with the t-loc sortainer drawers (even the angles in the front aligns pretty well), only protruding 0.5cm or so in the front. The perfect thing would be if you could swap one of the drawers for a Auer box now and then, so I am considering making an "adapter" of some sort, just to make it possible.

 

[mino]

...
...
I also like the toolbox concept where they have made it fit both the assortment boxes and drawers, for a very flexible system:
...

Unfortunately the  "tool box" system is a disaster. There are huge "wiggle" tollerances so when these are connected it becomes very rattly and unstable.

Not. Worth. It. Even at 1/2 the cost.

€200 which I will never get back. Unlike systainers these are also worthless on the secondary market. For a good reason.

The "sort boxes" work as drawers because there is no locking-in of the drawers, they stay in just by gravity .. unusable for vehicle use. I had all my tools all over the trailer when I forgot about this .. the drawers just fell out on road bumps.

 

[squall_line]

What are these screws called? What are they for, how do you use them, and are they available in the US?

They appear to be a type of hanger bolt, but having coarse threads on both ends has me second-guessing myself.

 

[Mettes]

Afstandschroeven (hence the AS), and this would translate to distancescrew. a video
They are used to fix something a distance from the base materiaal, without shimming. Mostly I use them for hanging doors and fixing cabinets to walls and ceiling.

 

[Magpal]

...
...
I also like the toolbox concept where they have made it fit both the assortment boxes and drawers, for a very flexible system:
...

Unfortunately the  "tool box" system is a disaster. There are huge "wiggle" tollerances so when these are connected it becomes very rattly and unstable.

Not. Worth. It. Even at 1/2 the cost.

€200 which I will never get back. Unlike systainers these are also worthless on the secondary market. For a good reason.

The "sort boxes" work as drawers because there is no locking-in of the drawers, they stay in just by gravity .. unusable for vehicle use. I had all my tools all over the trailer when I forgot about this .. the drawers just fell out on road bumps.

Agree that the Festools are more sturdy. For me, the Auers were acceptable. I have bought several for storing electronics tools like oscilloscope, power supply etc. and they work great for this. I do not drag these stuff around that much, so I am not reliant on them being able to withstand a lot of forces. But I do see your point.

For the toolbox, I also have one of these and there is at least a small notch keeping the drawers in place even though you tilt them. But they are not like the Festools where you can flip it upside down and they would still keep in place. So I guess in general that they are better for workshop use and not "on-site".