SYS-5 70 Toolbox

[Woodwork Wizard]

SYS-5 with MFT worktop lid, often used as a hop-up to gain 16" height, holds many tools securely and perfectly organised in a BB ply frame. Lots of hand tools etc. (about 70) that I frequently require for what is mostly fitted furniture installations.

I made something very similar maybe 12 months ago that's been great but my requirements have changed. I wanted to be able to carry 2 Bessey clamps rather than the Festool screw clamps I rarely used. I also wanted to make one with best quality plywood and clear coat it so it looks neater too.

The apertures in the plywood frame were made with a pillar drill, a band saw where possible and a jigsaw upside down and with the speed slowed down in a CMS table, which is brilliant for nibbling out all the waste very quickly.

As my portable workshop I usually take about 10 to 12 Systainers but always this one, mostly a SYM-70 or a Kapex mitre saw, a guide rail case that also holds levels and a CT-Midi with a UDD on top. I've rarely ever needed any other tools or equipment when working away from the workshop. This, for me, is another quality where Festool really is world class.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

 

[semenza]

Nice. I like the custom shape cutout for the GlueBot.

Seth

 

[ear3]

Nice!

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

Next to the GluBot is a space for the GluBot spout cover. I've never lost the cap as it always goes straight in this space every time I use any glue. I don't like the tether that's on the newer ones that get in the way. Apart from the tether which is easily cut off the GluBot is a brilliant tool.

 

[Brent Taylor]

Nice setup,  do you have any idea of the weight,  looks like you're going to need a dolly to move it. [unsure]

 

[Jeff Zanin]

Very nice.  Although it is a bit bulkier I think the SYS 5 is the ticket to be able to put more tools upright.

 

[c_dwyer]

Yes, very nice indeed.  I like your setup for holding the square bit drivers and caulking gun.  I too like the Sys 5 as it holds my framing hammer and pry bars, but went with drawers on mine to hold various loose stuff.  I still have some real estate to work with, but this has kept me better organized for more than a year now. I had some scrap cherry laying around that I used for the drawer fronts, bubinga for the lid, and attached the tool holders on the sides with domino's. I found that the hammer rattled while hauling it in the back of my crew cab, so I added a section of pvc pipe to hold the handle tighter.  Also used pvc to protect the chisels.

I like using the Classic Sys 5 for this, as it has 4 attachment points for the lid instead of 3 points with a T-loc.  At 43 lbs (so far), it seldom gets carried long distances.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

The weight of my SYS-5 when fully loaded as seen in the photos is 18 kgs - 39 pounds - almost 3 stone - which seems heavy but it's got everything I usually need in it, from hand tools to consumables such as glues and fillers and a range of abrasive papers, about 70 items in total. 70 items sounds like a lot, but generally I'll use maybe at least half of the contents or more on every job I go to.

This is the third one of these I've made in probably 15 months as requirements change or different tools are acquired, but I love the organisation and being able to find what I need instantly. Chisels you could shave with are kept that way and not just chucked in a toolbox where you need to rummage about to find things - something I really don't like to see and seems like a very unprofessional way of carrying your tools.