Systainer for plumbers?

[Systainer.Store]

So I've had a conversation going on with a plumbing company for the past couple months.  They are interested in using systainers for their team.  Being busy with summer work though they haven't had a lot of time to think how they would organize their tools, and more importantly, the materials.  This company has told me about the variety of fittings types and sizes. 

I thought I'd poll the forum and see if there are any plumbers out there and if you are willing to post pictures of your tool box fit outs, especially if you carry fittings or materials. 

 

[Jeff Zanin]

I am not a plumber by trade but rather a DIYer so likely not the response you are seeking.

I have adopted systainers for many different tools but still use generic plastic tool boxes for plumbing items.  The regular systainers seem too delicate and small (not to mention expensive) for the plumbing items I carry, which I think are pretty typical e.g. torch, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, washers, tubing cutters, solder, flux, etc.. 

My generic plastic tool boxes are longer than regular systainers, they also have trays that help separate smaller tools and parts from the larger lower compartment.  They are quite heavily loaded and I doubt the systainer latches (and maybe even handles) would hold up to the weight, so a cart of some kind would be needed to move them.

If for some reason I needed to move to systainers for plumbing (and somebody else was paying for them) I think I would use two maxi systainers rather than a stack of regular systainers.  This would still require some trays, dividers, boxes or similar to avoid a jumble of stuff and as mentioned a cart or other means of moving them around. 

Some plumbing tools e.g. power augers are quite bulky but not that long so they might fit well in a SYS3 or SYS4.  I keep mine in a five gallon pail which is not very elegant but is cheap and has many other uses in plumbing work.

 

[Holzhacker]

I wouldn't be interested in systainers for plumbing work. I use regular mud buckets for fittings and wrenches. Each bucket has a different size in it. 1/2, 3/4 1", whatever. Systainers also aren't a good option for PVC.
About the only good option might be a racktainer or the bin systainers for a guy doing finish work or service work. i.e. installing high end fixtures, doing service calls or other finish work.
I don't see systainers working for rough in plumbing.
If you are looking for market reach you might want to think about low voltage service techs, hvac guys who work on VAV systems, or carpenters who do custom finish installs.

 

[Systainer.Store]

Thank you [member=6145]Holzhacker[/member] and [member=5568]Jeff Zanin[/member] for your quick replies!

This post request isn't so much about market reach as it is trying to gain some insight for a specific conversations with an interested plumbing company.  And insight you have provided!  It is helpful to read what you think about this.  I also wonder if some opinion changes with Systainer 3 when that arrives, however it doesn't change all your advice.

I love reading opinions and feedback on the idea of plumbing and systainers.  Thank you.

 

[thudchkr]

I do work as a plumber and use a variety of different items including some systainers. I have two of them setup with my most commonly used PEX fittings. One for 3/4” and one for 1/2”. I use a third for less used fittings in both 1/2 & 3/4 and have a Sys-Combi set up with a Milwaukee press tool with assorted jaws and an assortment of press fittings

I, however, am also using storage solutions from Dewalt, Milwaukee, Veto Pro Pac as well as Bosch L-Boxx’s.  5 gallon buckets and Rubbermaid totes round out the collection.

I, agree with the opinion that going entirely, or even mostly, to a systainer solution is pretty unlikely.

 

[live4ever]

I too am a DIYer so maybe not that much help, though I've amassed a rather large collection of plumbing tools and fittings and tend to have to transport them between properties often. 

Maxi's are definitely a good way to go for tools that end up too unwieldy for regular systainers (large wrenches, pipe threading equipment, etc.).  The regular systainers don't feel as robust as the Maxi's when loaded up.  The downside is you'd have to make your own custom cart for transporting multiple Maxi's, and of course they don't have the stacking "accessibility" of T-locs.

For fittings, especially smaller ones, the Domino tenon bins that come in the assortments are pretty handy.  You can also stack them in larger systainers so you're not just limited to a Sys2.  That seems like a much more cost effective approach compared to the Sys4/SORT.  Plus the sortainer drawers just aren't large enough for many "small" plumbing fittings.  I can't see a great systainer-based solution for larger fittings.  A Sys-combi makes good sense for a ProPEX or PRO-PRESS type tool along with jaws and fittings. 

 

[mrboult]

If it were me plumbing this situation i think midi systainers and sys totes would be the way to go for the most part possibly with a few others for specialist uses..?

 

[pettyconstruction]

I have a Midi with the domino containers , mostly with pex stuff.
Works well but heavy.
I ran the GD thing over with my truck or I would post a pic .
I will re-do it in the future.
Btw , not a plumber by trade but need a way to get the stuff to the site as efficiently as I can.
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Systainer.Store]

Thank you again forum for the feedback.  I've shared this with the interested company and they are considering their options.  I think they see that they may not be able to be a single container/storage solution company.  Right tool for the right job!