Switching to Tanos Boxes... seeking advice

[friedchicken]

I recently got a deal on a stack of systainers on a sys-cart:



And I think it's convinced me to go all-in on systainers for tool organization. It just fits into my workflow too well, which is as follows:
I work out of a 2-car garage that needs to convert between car storage, car repair, project jobs, and woodworking; not unlike those stadiums that convert from ice-hockey to basketball to football or whatever.

I keep all my large tools in a shed in the backyard - planer, miter saw, table saw, and now with this sys-cart I can populate it with my most dedicated woodworking tools: router, its bits, track saw, and the guide rails that apparently also fit into the sys cart!

All tools that have more purposes can also be in systainers in the garage.

What I'm wondering: is there a rhyme/reason I should approach this? I got a deal on the above, but I can't always count on that. It's my understanding Tanos offers 30% off discounts occasionally? I can scan for used boxes as I have no need to pay a premium for new, and I am also not in some huge hurry. The systainer box with the integrated drawer on the bottom would be *perfect* for tools and their accessories, i.e. angle grinders in the box and disks on the bottom.

Has anyone made this transitionn in earnest, and not just out of a desire to build a grail workshop? What has been the experience? Anyone with experience using systainers in a non-woodworking environment, i.e. automotive? How do they hold up to chemicals and "tougher" tools being thrown around?

 

[onocoffee]

In the year or so since I learned about the Systainer Store, they've only had three sales - and both were in the fall: October for their anniversary, Black Friday and a 12 Days of Savings in December. A chap by the name of Sys_Tim originally was the importer and ran the site but Tanos decided they wanted to have a bigger presence here and took over during 2025. Those three sales really fueled some purchasing for me and I hope they continue.

Like you, I tend to buy Systainers used from individual sellers. It takes some time and grows slowly that way. What you purchased are the 2nd Gen called T-Loc Systainers. The current SYS3 is the ones that I prefer - though some of the longtimers here hate them (I think mainly because of the top handle orientation). But no one seems to hate any of them more than the original Classic Systainers. They're a PITA to open, PITA to stack, PITA to lock together. They seem to be universally hated now and most seem to rationale that they can/should be used for long-term storage items (i.e. tools and such that you don't access regularly).

When it comes to the drawered Sortainer - especially the M287 toolbox version, that's better to buy new from Systainer store because it was just released and it will be unlikely you'll find someone so recently wanting to dump it.

My biggest issue with Systainers has only emerged recently after amassing quite a few of them. I used to be able to keep most of the ones I needed often under the workbench, where they were stacked no more than three high. Now that other items have taken that space (abrasive systainers), some of the tools now are stacked on SYS-ROLL carts. The PITA is having to unstack and restack the Systainers when needing to access tools. This is now fueling my drive to build Sys-Port type of cabinets with drawers to make accessibility easy. Another downside of the Systainers is that they take up more space - especially if you're dedicating one Systainer per tool. I don't really like putting tools open on shelves or on the wall. The Systainers soothe my OCD impulses better. And while I admire the SysWALL approach, I prefer SYS-LowKey where the Systainers are in low cabinet storage so you don't really notice how many there are - I am running into the issue where I may have to go higher to fit them all.

As far as chemicals, you can use acetone on them but only lightly and quickly. I spilled some on some Systainers recently and they started to deform.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I've been using the Tanos Systainers since roughly 2007, and have found them (all generations) to be handy.

My use case started off as a professional remodeling carpenter working out of a truck.In this scenario, the Systainers were an efficient method for me to store my tools in a dense, organized manner in the truck, and to quickly move tools in/out of a client's home.

As I've transitioned into more shop-based work, the Systainers have allowed for a nice, modular storage method that allows me to quickly transition tools from the Shop to the Van to the client's home and back again.

I generally set up my Systainers as "kits". So, one Systainer (or stack of Systainers) for a 1/4" palm router, a separate kit for 1/2" router, a kit for brushes, a variety of kits of different hand carpentry tools, a kit for plumbing fittings, a kit for plumbing hand tools, etc....

Systainer Store USA periodically has sales. I don't remember seeing a 30% off sale, I think the most I've seen is 20%, 15% and 10% are more common. I maintain a document with my perceived storage needs, and will reference it when sales pop up.

Good luck, looks like you're off to a nice start.

 

[friedchicken]

I just spent the day in the garage putting reorganizing with the systainers.

The kreg pocket hole jig and all its hardware is now in one box; there's room to spare if/when I upgrade, and the systainer box I put it in has a little storage at the top where I put samples of all the different size screws I might need. It's amazing.

In the used set that I bought, there was a systainer with the box at the top and a drawer at the bottom. I populated the box with my two angle grinders and a recip saw. The bottom drawer swallowed up my flap discs, cutoff disks, and blades, and accessories for the angle grinders.

This is fantastic.

 

[leakyroof]

Having something north of 70 or so Systainers, I feel I have little to offer this thread…

But seriously- yes, the Gen 1 style Systainers are a pain in a couple of departments, but you can always spray Teflon lube on the latches to make them easier to pop on or off. OR, use dryer sheets like the Festool reps used to for trade shows, rubbing the sheet on the offending plastic parts.
I say this since looking for used systainers means you might continue to end up with an assortment of classic, T-Loc , etc.

Learn to work with the heights of stacked systainers to match your other tools like a saw or something else that’s at a fixed height.This way you can make support stacks or outfeed tables in a pinch if needed for material coming off the saw or as a work bench.

There are threads /posts on swapping lids for some compatible systainers as well.

As noted above, any style systainer that’s buried in a tall stack is a bit frustrating when you need the middle or bottom to access, but at least the stack is moveable with a Festool Caster base or DIY base, and tools and materials are relatively well protected as well.

 

[peter halle]

One of the advantages of the non-classic styles was that you could open the lid of a systainers mid-stack without removing those on top. Yes, that does work, but how well is determined by how many, and the weight of the systainers above.

Peter

 

[Crazyraceguy]

@onocoffee My issues with the Sys3 revolve around the odd heights, as compared to the original proportionate design.
For a guy stacking on Sys-carts or Sys-roll, it really wouldn't matter much. Those of us who store them in Sys ports (or shop-made variants) will run into fitment problems.

As far as my comments to @friedchicken yes, the Tanos units are just fine, though as somewhat touched on above, you are more likely to find the Festool ones "in the wild." They are the ones that came with a tool, were the end user doesn't store them that way. A surprising number of guys do this. Most of them store the empties somewhere outside their shops, then "one day" they will be in the way. That's when they get sold. If you're lucky, it's because they got another Festool item and had to store a Systainer again. Once in a while, they will get rid of them, from day one.
As far as "rhyme or reason" to storage; that's a very subjective thing, somewhat controlled by what you do and your personal level of obsession (and a little bit by what sizes are available to you)
I'm a bit ridiculous, so mine contain only the tool, along with any accessories that are supplied with it, plus anything that the original insert is formed to contain. (they don't all ship with everything)
Beyond that, the other Systainers I have were supplied by other manufacturers, as part of their kit. (TSO, Woodpeckers, etc)
If you want/need to be specific about sizes, the Systainer Store can help you out a lot, especially if you want to go all-out and have them color-coded. They can get you Systainer in different colors, or replacement latches and handles, in different colors too.

 

[mino]

...
But seriously- yes, the Gen 1 style Systainers are a pain in a couple of departments, but you can always spray Teflon lube on the latches to make them easier to pop on or off. OR, use dryer sheets like the Festool reps used to for trade shows, rubbing the sheet on the offending plastic parts.
...

It is worth mentioning that Classic systainers, both normal and MAXI, are the ideal form factor for SYS-AZ style arrangements.

The way the latches work they can be kept permanently opened while in the drawer and this does make a difference, especially when used as assortment boxes. In this they are even superior to the new SYS-ORG stuff. It you like them, the Makpack assortment sets are available at pretty reasonable prices ...

@friedchicken
Two pieces of friendly advice:
- do get at most 1/2 of the amount of systainers you think you need, then give it a year of a pause to let the excitement wear off, it is very likely you will find other, superior, ways how to store some of your stuff in between
- keep in mind systainers are by far not the optimal way to store stuff that will never leave the shop /unless you go with the Classic systainers in drawers per above/

...
As far as chemicals, you can use acetone on them but only lightly and quickly. I spilled some on some Systainers recently and they started to deform.

I would advise to never use acetone on ABS plastic. This includes all systainers. Acetone dissolves ABS.

If you want to clean them chemically, use either alcohol on the easy stuff and white spirit /i.e. a non-polar solvent/ on the harder stuff.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

It is worth mentioning that Classic systainers, both normal and MAXI, are the ideal form factor for SYS-AZ style arrangements.

The way the latches work they can be kept permanently opened while in the drawer and this does make a difference, especially when used as assortment boxes. In this they are even superior to the new SYS-ORG stuff. It you like them, the Makpack assortment sets are available at pretty reasonable prices ...

Mino, I 100% agree with you on this often-overlooked aspect of the Gen 1 Systainers in terms of using them in conjunction with the Sys-AZ drawers with the latches "open". I foolishly sold off a lot of my Gen 1 systainers when the T-Lock came out, I regret letting them go.

Unfortunately, I believe the Makpack line has been discontinued as well...

Also, those long, skinny orange dividers were great, I wish Festool would produce something similar for the Gen3 organizers....

 

[Michael Kellough]

It is worth mentioning that Classic systainers, both normal and MAXI, are the ideal form factor for SYS-AZ style arrangements.

The way the latches work they can be kept permanently opened while in the drawer and this does make a difference, especially when used as assortment boxes. In this they are even superior to the new SYS-ORG stuff. It you like them, the Makpack assortment sets are available at pretty reasonable prices ...

@friedchicken
Two pieces of friendly advice:
- do get at most 1/2 of the amount of systainers you think you need, then give it a year of a pause to let the excitement wear off, it is very likely you will find other, superior, ways how to store some of your stuff in between
- keep in mind systainers are by far not the optimal way to store stuff that will never leave the shop /unless you go with the Classic systainers in drawers per above/



I would advise to never use acetone on ABS plastic. This includes all systainers. Acetone dissolves ABS.

If you want to clean them chemically, use either alcohol on the easy stuff and white spirit /i.e. a non-polar solvent/ on the harder stuff.

Alex, one of our formally very active members got good results cleaning old ugly Systainers with “oxy” type cleaners.

 

[mino]

Mino, I 100% agree with you on this often-overlooked aspect of the Gen 1 Systainers in terms of using them in conjunction with the Sys-AZ drawers with the latches "open". I foolishly sold off a lot of my Gen 1 systainers when the T-Lock came out, I regret letting them go.

Unfortunately, I believe the Makpack line has been discontinued as well...

Also, those long, skinny orange dividers were great, I wish Festool would produce something similar for the Gen3 organizers....

Thankfully they are still available in Europe. They even introduced new assortment boxes lately in the SYS I form factor. They still source their original SYS-SORTs and other non-common types from TANOS. Not sure who makes the Makpaks for them though.

Makpac Carrying Cases

Products

www.makitauk.com

I guess Makita just withdrew these from the US, given how even the Systainers are seen as "fragile" in that market.