Systainer Shelf Router Template Help/Critique

Stephenfranks

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May 23, 2014
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Hi Everyone,

I am about to buy an OF 1010 and one of the first projects is to build workshop storage for my systainers. The cabinets will be MDF with rebated bookshelf supports:

View attachment 1

I have designed a router template/jig in Autocad for a 5mm straight cutter, which according to my Trend chart requires a 6mm offset using the Festool 17mm guide bush (using 5mm cutter).

Designing jigs is new to me, can anybody tell me if what I have designed will work for a start and any improvements? I have a small bit removed from the front to allow you to grab the bottom of the systainer to drag off the shelf kind of thing.

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It allows 1mm for the systainer feet to drop in the hole, and 5mm all round clearance within the cabinet.

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I used a 10mm cutter and 17mm copy ring, but these dimensions might help you. Very crude jig made with some offcuts, but worked very well.

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From what I recall, there is a member on the Garage Journal forum that took a similar approach: fixed shelf with cut-outs through it for the Systainer feet.  He later decided it was difficult to tip and drag some of the Systainers from the shelf due to size and weight.  The primary problem was getting the rear feet moving.  His revised design used longer slots for the rear feet to allow the Systainer to slide forward more easily and then be lifted by the carry handle.

My approach would be to make a groove or recess for each the feet, not a cut-out through the entire shelf.  Then take the idea mentioned above and make the grooves for the rear feet go to the middle of the shelf or a bit more as needed to clear the carry handle.
 
Currently my shelves in the van are very similar. But I too have noticed it can be difficult to remove a systainer.  I will try the tip about the longer rear slots.
 
Thank you all.

I got my dimensions from the web, by somebody who had done it I will have to look it up.

Maybe I go for drawer runners in workshop and fixed in my van.

Perhaps a high clearance above the systainer might help so that you can get your fingers under (my design had a notch)
 
I can relate to the comments, but it's not been too much of an issue. You'll note on my photo the areas that actually "catch" the feet so a longer rear slot would work; when you lift the front, you can slide it forward without having to lift the rear from the slot. Perhaps even a "ramp" on the longer rear slot would be even better?

Regardless, I actually use a combination of the shelves for infrequently used Systainers, and the SYS AZ drawers for the most frequently accessed and that works well for me, especially as my storage is quite tall so the drawers become redundant after a certain height.

You'll note that the shelf size and positioning is designed to ensure the Systainers all "line up" correctly regardless of whether they are on a shelf or in the SYS AZ drawers...  ;)

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If those are stationary shelves why do you even bother with feet cutouts? Earthquake?
 
Svar said:
If those are stationary shelves why do you even bother with feet cutouts? Earthquake?

Just keeps everything nice, tidy and aligned and my OCD in check...  [embarassed]
 
GarryMartin said:
Svar said:
If those are stationary shelves why do you even bother with feet cutouts? Earthquake?
Just keeps everything nice, tidy and aligned and my OCD in check...  [embarassed]
And I thought I was obsessive-compulsive.  [big grin]
If so, I'd cut stopped dadoes ~2 mm deep for the feet.
 
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