T 15 systainer compartment lid on top of systainer

[mishle]

Yesterday a customer asked about my tools wondering why they are all the same brand. (there not but some times it looks that way  ;D  ) As I explained the system to him while putting away my T 15 drill we both saw the latch  spring open and dump all the contents to the floor. This is not the first time for this to happen. I thought before hand that the latch was not tight before but after seeing a fully latched latch spring open I have some questions?

Does Festool know about this? I have read a couple of other threads acknowledging  the same thing.

Are there any fixes?

Are some systainers better than others?

If so this tool is still under the 30 day return policy should I ask for a different systainer? Now that I have the drill I don't want to let go. 

 

[chrisrosenb]

It has happened to me also many times & others have posted about the problem also.
The attic lid & latch are not very well designed.
It is easy to unlock the latch by accident.
If you put a lot of bits in the attic, then when you open the lid, the weight of the bits bows the lid & that causes the latch to unlock.
I do not put much in the attic anymore.

 

[AlexThePalex]

That latch is famous for being problematic. It breaks a lot. My standard Festool dealer keeps an extra large supply of replacement latches in stock and he says they fly out of the door.

You're not the first person to experience this sudden opening either.

I don't think the 30 day return policy will help you because they won't give you another systainer. In America the T15 simply comes with the systainer with the attic storage. But there's no need to return the entire drill, that would be ridiculous. The T15 is a marvelous piece of work and a joy to work with. One would be crazy to let that go just because of a troublesome latch on a box.

What you can do is simply not fill the lid compartment, or exchange the lid with a standard systainer lid that has no storage compartment. You can order separate lids from Festool, they're not that expensive (15 euros over here). And maybe you could arrange something with Festool or your dealer to get a replacement lid for free

     

 

[Brice Burrell]

Come on guys, you know Festool tests their products in the harshest conditions and environments.  In fact, I understand the attic lid passed the Arizona sand test with flying colors.  The problem as I see it is the engineers forgot to test the attic with contents inside and they didn't test the latch at all.  Easy oversight really....
[oops] [big grin]  

 

[Wim]

To be honest, I only realized I had a different systainer with storage space in the lid when the first complaint about the lids came to my attention.  [oops] for me. I don't think I will use the lid for something substantial. When I have to fly out with screws and bits, I will make or buy something less flimsy. And from an ex-shipbuilder, it will pass any Festool test with two fingers in the nose and the remaining arm at the back as the Belgium bike racers say.

 

[festoolman]

I have never liked my attic lid systainer. The T15 systainer does have storage inside, so no need for me to use lid.

 

[Holzhacker]

Only time mine has dumped stuff is when I didn't latch the lid. However, having heard of this problem, I stuff the attic pretty full so the lid puts some extra tension on the latch, this has kept it secure for me.

 

[mishle]

... having heard of this problem, I stuff the attic pretty full ...

This made me smile.

I am going to think of something to make it usable for me thought of drilling to holes in the green latch and looping a piece of elastic cord so the latch always has tension on it. Also it looks like I could put a couple of small rare earth magnets in the latch.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Come on guys, you know Festool tests their products in the harshest conditions and environments.  In fact, I understand the attic lid passed the Arizona sand test with flying colors.  The problem as I see it is the engineers forgot to test the attic with contents inside and they didn't test the latch at all.  Easy oversight really....
[oops] [big grin]  

Well, if Festool needs another test center, I can forward my address

I don't yet have a T-15 or anything with attic storage, but it seems to have been tested by the same lads who did the labels.

 

[Redfox]

I have the T15 in an ordinary systainer. I would really have likes the attic lid as it's practical for me for storing bits.
My 2009 centrotec systainer is a sys2 with the attic, and it's got two inserts with bits, and one with wood drill bits. Works perfect for me. There was, I think, a member who suggested a solution with a little glue and a small file, to make it work more positively.
Mine have not yet got open by itself.
I like it pretty much, and I hope that when Festool force the t-locs on us in all cases, that they develop the attic too (and the sortainers, so they don't have to be at the bottom).
Usually I bring the T15sys, the Centrotec 2009 sys and a sortainer with 12 small drawers full of screws,  all together and that is one heavy bunch. No prob.

Cheers and merry Christmas,
jacques.

 

[mishle]

Well here is my stab at a fix with Pics

I had some rare earth magnets from Harbor Freight Tools Item # 98371
Magnet overall dimensions are 5/16" diameter x 1/8" thick.

[attachthumb=#]

I glued two to the front with Gorilla Super Glue

[attachthumb=#]

Then I glued two to the latch with Gorilla Super Glue

[attachthumb=#]

Now I have to hold the latch open

[attachthumb=#]

Now its just a matter of using the Systainer awhile to see if it does the job

I used my phone for the pics because my camera was at the shop so they are a little blurry.

 

[mishle]

I should add that when I let go of the latch it pulls so fast and strong it is locked tight as long as I have my lid down  ;D

 

[Wood_Junkie]

mishle, very nice and easy solution.  I'll bet that's the cat's pajamas.

 

[Redfox]

Thanks for sharing Mishle.

Cheers, and merry Christmas,
Jacques.