SYS-AZ sets

[Thompmd]

Going to build better organization in my shop and would appreciate any tips, pics, ideas for this system and any reasons/negatives against it?

Also, is this product something that’s been around awhile and will continue to be , so I can expand  as I get more tools.

BTW, this will stay in my shop and yes I’m a little ocd about matchy and trying to make it as reasonable nice as possible(but not nearly as some I’ve seen here, amazing). I’m a big believer in convenience/organization so I’ll take all the help/pics your willing to share.

 

[DynaGlide]

First thing I would do is buy this set of plans from [member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] : https://tsoproducts.com/plans-drawings/tsc-90-systainer-cart-plan-set/

It has a bunch of well thought out considerations/information.

The Sys-AZ has been around a few years and I don't see it going anywhere anytime soon. They're really nice drawers. You might even talk yourself into making your own drawers once you see the plans. There's a nice design in there with dimensions. I'm like you with being a bit OCD and willing to pay extra for the Sys-AZ drawers.

 

[Rick Herrick]

A +1 on the [member=61691]TSO_Products[/member]  plans.  Not only is there a spec sheet for the drawer bottom, with the feet cut-outs but also a separate sheet showing dimensions to make a pattern to cut out those drawer bottoms.  Nicely done.  I haven't done it yet but its on the list.

 

[Jeff Zanin]

I didn't buy the TSO plans, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn last night... but I have built some Sysport-style cabinets, some with home-made drawers (using commercial full extension slides) and some with SYS-AZ drawers, all with LR-32 holes for the slides.

On balance I prefer the SYS-AZ drawers, they are not cheap but are lighter and thinner that the drawers that I made using 18mm plywood.  If I had to make more without SYS-AZ I would use 12mm plywood and possibly different slides.

My Sysport-style cabinets are all on casters but the mostly stay in one place in the shop, so I am more interested in ease of access than transport and durability.

The photos show two tall cabinets, one with plywood drawers and one with SYS-AZ, and another cabinet that fits under the MFT with SYS-AZ drawers.  All of these use ideas borrowed from not only Festool but many posts on the FOG and other forums.

Jeff

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[AstroKeith]

I was a bit disappointed to find that the SYS-AZ drawers aren't completely compatible with Sortainers and Combi's The lip on the front of the SYS-AZ drawer prevents the bottom drawer of these units being opened in situ. A 10mm packing piece solves it, but not very elegant.

So this made me change my plans, and I now have a significant quantity of Sortainer SYS 4TL-SORT/3's stacked up, not on drawers. I have quite a few Systainers that contain stuff I don't use that much, and these are stacked alongside the Sortainers, also not on drawers. So I have about 1/3 of mine on SYS-AZ drawers (11 drawers in a twin 1.2m high cabinet.) These are my main tools and 'grab and go' supplies. The other 2/3 are in 3 double width stacks under my workbenches. One of these double stacks contains a double width maxi systainer which I find really useful for my MFS and other large jigs. These double stacks look much neater than the drawer units, IMHO.

 

[Jeff Zanin]

Yes the SYS-AZ is not a good design for Sortainers, for these I used a plywood shelf with a fairly narrow front edge to allow the drawer to open above it.

Jeff

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[mschmidt10k]

I use a combination of SYS-AZ drawers and then fixed shelves to hold Sortainers on top:

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[nclemmons]

I have used quite a few of the Sys-AZ drawers.  I actually use them with no Systainer for simple shallow drawers for things like router bits.

I'd suggest you drill your adjustment holes at 16mm to give you more adjustability in height to maximize the storage space.  I've found it can help for fitting 'just one' more Systainer in a stack of drawers.

 

[Spandex]

On the subject of SYS-AZ, does anyone know if the sockets on a SYS-PH are accessible when they’re in a drawer? Specifically, the UK version, where the power cables will be coming straight down out the bottom of the plugs.

I’m guessing even if the flaps over the sockets can open, the cable will foul the front lip of the drawer, but it would be good to know from someone who’s tried it.

 

[HandyDen]

I built a set of shelves to go into my van (I know, they’re not meant to be installed in a vehicle, but it’s the only way I can get this much stuff into my tiny van):

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[Spandex]

I know, they’re not meant to be installed in a vehicle, but it’s the only way I can get this much stuff into my tiny van

Your van looks quite big in that photo...

 

[Thompmd]

Thank you everyone for the advice, pics etc!!! One of the reasons I wanted the set vs making them is my shop is actually a garage the guy used as his shop when he built Log Cabins so the walls are Logs and the SYS-AZ will keep it slightly brighter but mostly because I like them. The frame will be Walnut, I should be getting started this month.

I’m debating putting them on wheels vs free standing and using the tops for either a small work are but most likely some built-ins for things like sandpaper, rails , blades... you know the stuff lol.

I’m always looking for ways to make things convenient, organized that will hopefully make the shop look nice. I also like the idea of expand ability so any thoughts shop pics etc are really appreciated.

 

[cpw]

I built shelving units using SYS-AZs.  They are 80" high, which left me a 16" offcut that I could use for tops/bottoms. I use the SYS-AZ up until about 4'.  Above that is a perfect height for sortainers.  Above that I just use the shelving.  Drawers don't serve as much of a purpose, because I can't see into them when opened; and for systainers I might as well just pull them down.  I also use the SYS-AZ drawers not for systainers, but as a convenient drawers as well, because although they are expensive they just fit and I can focus on building less utilitarian things that way.

On a couple of them, instead of making the top suitable for SYS-AZs I just have a shelf twice as wide which fits MIDIs, MAXIs, paint cans, or anything else.

I also have a double sided one on wheels that I tucked under my table saw's router extension.  I originally planned on using some systainers, but mostly just have the SYS-AZs as drawers or fixed shelves.

It would be very convenient if the MIDIs had an equivalent SYS-AZ.  I would certainly build another unit just for MIDIs then; and am thinking of doing it with the simple plywood bottoms.

 

[FestitaMakool]

On the subject of SYS-AZ, does anyone know if the sockets on a SYS-PH are accessible when they’re in a drawer? Specifically, the UK version, where the power cables will be coming straight down out the bottom of the plugs.

I’m guessing even if the flaps over the sockets can open, the cable will foul the front lip of the drawer, but it would be good to know from someone who’s tried it.

I guess not, I don’t think the UK plug takes up less space..:

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[Thompmd]

Wow, the amount, thought and detail(s) you guys do just astounds me

I can always dream

 

[Spandex]

I guess not, I don’t think the UK plug takes up less space..:
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Thanks for checking. Oh well... it would have been an expensive way to mount a 4-way extension socket in my rack anyway.

 

[GarryMartin]

I guess not, I don’t think the UK plug takes up less space..:

Thanks for checking. Oh well... it would have been an expensive way to mount a 4-way extension socket in my rack anyway.

Definitely not. This is the UK version...

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[Jeff Zanin]

Much of the work shown by members here is amazing.  When I started thinking about building something to house my Systainers it was a bit intimidating because I had never built cabinets or used the LR32 system.  But I had a pile of Systainers that was increasingly awkward to use, and there was no way I was going to buy real Sysports for them. 

So after watching many videos (including erock / The Poplar Shop series on LR32 and Jay Bates' on Sketchup) I started grinding away and eventually produced a plan and built my first Sysport-style cabinet. 

Mistakes were made but I was able to correct them and slowly improve my techniques including creating some simple jigs and very small scale "production" methods that I could use as I made more of them. 

Then the SYS-AZ came along and I adapted to use that and also another cabinet design to use the space under the MFT.

So after several months of on-and-off work including some truly ghastly glue-up fiascos I have almost all my Systainers in Sysport-like cabinets.  They are nowhere near as nice as many  I have seen posted here but it is great to be able to quickly and easily get a tool without shifting everything else off that stack.  Overall both the journey and the destination were satisfying.

Jeff

 

[AstroKeith]

I use a combination of SYS-AZ drawers and then fixed shelves to hold Sortainers on top:

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Wow, that is impressive. I like the mitre saw dropped down so that the cutting height is level with the rest of the workbench. Only problem is that you have to keep the bench clear  [big grin]

 

[FestitaMakool]

[member=69273]Spandex[/member]

As @GerryMartin here shows, with angled leads it’s a more or less dead end. You could do with Europlug, but the lid on the receiver would be as GerryMartin shows.
The fix is just to use a lesser used systainer below on the same shelf.
I wouldn’t discard the SYS-PH, I bought mine under doubt that I would like it. But a high quality extension reel is not cheap either. An with the PH you can stack it high so it will always be within easy reach. And it has some room left over for storage on the move as well. That be a second lead, radio, sockets or similar that you would have close at hand. So in the end, albeit expensive, it is a very nice and useful accessory.

I envy you all with such organised SYS racks, that’s in a 2-3 years plan for me. To much other things to work out first. Nice with inspiration though  [smile]