Today's small shop project - M12 Drill/Driver Systainer

[wow]

I have been so irritated with not being able to spend time in the shop that today I had to do something about it. I have been meaning to get my M12 Drill/Driver Combo into a Systainer. I'll let the pictures tell the story:

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I even attached some foam blocks to the lid to keep things in place and to prevent rattling

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The charger is the combo 120VAC, 12VDC version so I could charge it from my vehicle if I needed to.

Everything fit perfectly into a SYS1, with a Carmine Red T-LOC latch to set it apart from the green stuff.
Wouldn't want one to infect the other, you know?

 

[jonny round boy]

Nice job!

The red latch does clash with the festool green though. You need to swap the lid out for a Tanos one, or (and I hesitate to say this for fear of being banned!) paint the festool logos to match the latch.

 

[wow]

The red latch does clash with the festool green though. You need to swap the lid out for a Tanos one, or (and I hesitate to say this for fear of being banned!) paint the festool logos to match the latch.

I happened to have an empty Festool Sys 1, so that's what I used. I must agree that the Festool green does clash a bit with the red latch. Except in late December.

I can't believe that I don't have a 'plain' Tanos lid, but for some strange reason  [huh] all of the ones I have are lid-sort ones. I didn't want to use a lid-sort top on it because a) it didn't need it, b) the tools wouldn't have fit in a Sys 1 then, and c) there would be TOO MUCH space if I used a Sys 2.  I know - huge, huge problems!

For now, the Festool Fashion Police will just have to get over it.  [wink]

Edit: I could also pick up an Anthracite Systainer the next time Woodcraft puts them on sale.

Or, I could make up a 'Milwaukee' logo plate to cover the Festool one on the front upper left. I would not bother with the logo on the top, since it won't be visible if it's in a stack or a Sysport.

 

[elfick]

I'd vote anthracite. The dark gray and red would make a sweet combo.

 

[GPowers]

Looks great I need to do the same, Plus another Systainer for the hackall.

 

[KGB pilot125]

Kinda doing the same thing today.  I had the 3 drivers in a sys2 with a label and everything else piled is a 2.

Now I think I have more systainers than things....

Curious on what foam you used?  I have a box of kaisen foam I might start cutting up.

 

[wow]

Curious on what foam you used?  I have a box of kaisen foam I might start cutting up.

I used the soft foam from Lee Valley, but I just ordered some of the kaizen foam. I may switch over to the kaizen once I get it - we'll see.

After thinking about it overnight, I am considering putting my Hackzall, Right Angle Drill, and Rotary Tool in kaizen at the bottom and making a kaizen 'tray' for the top and putting the whole mess in a SYS 2 or 3, whichever it fits best in.

 

[gnlman]

Very nice job.....Have you ever heard of the Red Green Show....looks fine to me....lolol

 

[rst]

I had kept my M 12s (7) in  syst Is for along time.  I then bought a Tanos sortainer with two large drawers from Lee valley.  Not only will it hold my tools and six batteries, the smaller drawers hold all my accessories and I do not need to unlatch my systainers to get at the necessary tools any more.  An added plus with Lee Valley is that they have the different colored latches to individualize the systainers (except blue-got those on Amazon). 

 

[NERemodeling]

Lookin good WOW,

I ended up sticking my m12 stuff in 2 of the smaller size open top tool boxes..  the one with the drills goes on top and the other clicks to the bottom.  this and my hand tool bag are pieces that are on every job with me, every day so i wanted to make sure I had a decent assortment of m12 tools and accessories to get me through a lot of the little stuff that pops up while remodeling. obviously for the more constant use i go and get my full size tools from the trailer but this little kit can do a lot

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John

 

[wow]

I like those bit cases - who makes them and where can I get them?

 

[jeep jake]

Are you guys really happy with the m12 fuel line of tools.

 

[wow]

Are you guys really happy with the m12 fuel line of tools.

I am *extremely* happy with mine. So much so that I have often used them as a comparison here to why I am not convinced that the Festool drills are a good value - much to the consternation of certain people.

[wink]

IMHO they are the best value on the market. Quality on everything I have has been excellent. Tools have a 5-year warranty. (edited 8-26-2014 to correct error)

Best of all, if you watch for them there are some INCREDIBLE deals. Early this year (right after Christmas) I bought the non-fuel M12 combination (drill, driver, charger, two batteries, bag) on sale at Home Depot for $79. You read that right - 2 tools, 2 batteries, a charger and a bag - all for just $79. I'd call that a pretty good value.

If I were buying new today I'd probably lean toward the Fuel models (I have several of those, too) but I sure wouldn't ignore a deal like I posted above!

 

[KGB pilot125]

Plus one for the m12 line from me.  I watch home depot for the buy one get one deals and the Cornwell guy usually had a decent sale price once a quarter too.  I have almost the same kit as posted above only no multi tool yet but I do have the rotary tool.  I have had it a couple of months and because it's cordless I have used it at least twice as much as my dremel I have had for 5 years!

I even have one of the heated coats.  It's nice but I probably would do that one over.  It was one that was on close out on Amazon last year for like 49 bucks so I'm not bitter about the purchase.

I would like to get a hammer drill next but want to try out the m18 and the 12 

 

[NERemodeling]

I like those bit cases - who makes them and where can I get them?

They are Milwaukee.  Think I got them at home Depot.    The only one that is unmodified is the one with all the 1"/2"/4" bits in it, although I did change what bits I put in it..  the others are obviously all custom.  Kaizen foam and the drill bit holders are from a Ryobi case (only required a little modification to fit and they still tilt out to make grabbing a bit easier.

John

 

[NERemodeling]

Are you guys really happy with the m12 fuel line of tools.

Absolutely!    As for the drills/drivers/impacts I would say pony up and go for fuel.  I used to have the single speed non fuel hex screwdriver and it is night and day between that and my 2 speed fuel hex screwdriver.

Before I went m12 I used to only use 18v makita stuff.    The power and runtime of the m12 compared to my 18v LXT stuff is incredible.  I still have tons of it but I almost never go for my makita stuff anymore!

Several places including homedepot.com and cpomilwaukee.com among others are running free tool deals now.      In store depot has some of the deals but online has more and better options

John

 

[NERemodeling]

WOW -    I don't mean to correct you but I just don't want anyone to have false info.  I believe the tools have the 5 year warranty.  The xc battery packs are 3 years and the compact batteries are 2 years.  Still awesome! !

John

 

[GPowers]

Love the M12 series of tools! I have the hex driver, impact driver, rotary hammer drill and the Hackall. Upgrading to the larger battery pack gives you a nice long run time. Plus the newer Fuel (brush-less motors) run even longer. They are also compact and light.

The only thing I do not like is the location of the belt hook (no fuel model), as it sticks up past the back of the case. This makes it uncomfortable when placing your palm on the back to push the drill motor. 

The other nice thing is the wide selection of tools that use the M12 battery pack.

 

[wow]

WOW -    I don't mean to correct you but I just don't want anyone to have false info.  I believe the tools have the 5 year warranty.  The xc battery packs are 3 years and the compact batteries are 2 years.  Still awesome! !

John

You SHOULD correct me, since I didn't type what I meant. To avoid future confusion I will edit my post and add the following from the Milwaukee Website:

Milwaukee Warranties:

Portable Power Tool = 5-Year Limited

Cordless Battery Pack =

Three (3) Years on:
• M12™ XC REDLITHIUM™
• M12™ REDLITHIUM™  XC 4.0

Two (2) Years on:
• M4™ REDLITHIUM™ 2.0 V4 LITHIUM-ION
• M12™ Compact LITHIUM-ION
• M12™ Compact REDLITHIUM™
• M12™ XC LITHIUM-ION

 

[sae]

I really like my M12 stuff too, I dove into the M18 line as well though. I too have cashed in on a whole bunch of deals at Home Depot, Northern Tool, etc.

The Systainer idea might be good for me since I have a detached garage and I'm transporting to and fro quite often.

BTW, here's the current promo at Home Depot, I acquired the right angle drill and the Hackzall this time around. The right angle drill is really useful for pulling Romex, the Hackzall was made larger and heavier on the brushless version and I already have the brushless M18 sawzall, so I felt comfortable getting the smaller, less powerful one.