Sys-Port 500/2 (or 1000) drawer changing

[bcrawley]

Hi, I'm trying to reorganize some drawers in an old pair of Sys-Ports. I watched on YouTube the wordless short Festool video on the 500/2; read some threads here on how drawer removal isn't as easy as that video made it look, and a mallet helps. Looked into some other old threads with all the pictures gone. I did get one drawer out. The other two drawers seem now to be locked in place. Is there a way to address this?

The lock is in the vertical position, which the guy in the Festool video turned his lock to, to begin the old video. So I think that is the unlocked position? With horizontal being locked? Not sure I can find the old key.

 

[nclemmons]

You might see if a locksmith could pick it and cut a new key for it.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Usually there's a linkage bar going from the lock to down the sides with things like this that you can remove or disengage.

Have you also tried unbolting the lock from behind or simply unscrewing the linking bar there?

 

[Michael Kellough]

The linkage bar is in the back. If the drawers slide out at all the lock is open. I’m not sure how the thing works, somehow it is supposed to hold the drawers in the IN position while still allowing a drawer to close, which must rotate the locking bar at least briefly. But it doesn’t always work.

I have three large Sys-Ports and they can be very frustrating. One has to be frequently moved (the casters do work well) but the floor there is pitched and if I forget and turn the Sys-Port facing downhill all the drawers slide out. Nearly tipped over once.

Sometimes a drawer won’t completely close even though all the Sys-Ports are unlocked. In that case I have to pull a drawer out and remove the Systainer so I can reach the back and rotate the locking bar to the open position and then try to get all the drawers to close simultaneously. Bought them used (from “Uncle Bob”) so didn’t spend a whole lot but I wish I’d had the time to build my own.