Top Storage on T15 systainer

[tbellemare]

With Sortainers, it's easy to exchange the single height drawers...

For instance, if you have a row with 4 drawers, you can change it to a row with 2 singles and one double. you can also change it to 2 doubles. You just pull the drawer all the way out and lift up to release it.

I'll work on a video for changing the horizontal dividers later today. 'Have to run now.

Edit:
The spring tabs that lock everything together are pretty stiff and there are 4 that have to be depressed all at once. I thought I could come up with a way to depress and hold them individually until I got to the fourth but haven't yet and don't see a strong likelyhood that I will. It could be done but it's pretty tricky.

It is a modular sort of design and if you started out with everything in pieces, you could configure just about anything you want but I don't yet see a good way to unleash the sides from the top or bottom, which I think is the key to the whole thing.

Re-Edit:
If you made a tool that could span all 4 tabs at once with "teeth" sticking out at each tab location, you could compress the teeth using that tool and a clamp or two. That would do the trick.

Tom

 

[Brice Burrell]

Anyone needing info about modifying Systainers or Sortainers should check out the All Things Systainer on the talkFestool site. There a ton of great tutorials done by Seth Semenza over there. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

If you made a tool that could span all 4 tabs at once with "teeth" sticking out at each tab location, you could compress the teeth using that tool and a clamp or two. That would do the trick.

Or you could enlist some help

 

[score0matic]

Good afternoon.
while i was replying about taking apart sortainers, i had an idea to  take off the lids of systainers and attach them directly to the bottom of others. the reverse of the Tanos extension.

This would work for things like screw kits, cords, accessories... you get the concept.  
As my idea requires a modified mold to make them, as opposed to modifying an existing bottom I emailed Franck Tetreau,  The US Tanos guy. within 15 min. we were on the phone.  He is a great guy who is passionate about  systainers,  Tanos and Festool are sister companies.  We talked about how I brutalize utilize ;D  Systainer kits,  and after discussing my idea he gave the information I needed.  We went on to discuss several European companies who make specialty Systainer items.   It was a revealing conversation.  

I will state that is is clear that Tanos USA is cut from the same cloth as its bigger sister Festool.
Craig

 

[AlexThePalex]

Craig, I'm not sure I follow you in your last post. After you take the lid off, what exactly do you attach to what?

 

[danrush]

Do you mean kinda like these?  I have bolted the top sys1 to the middle sys lid, that sits on a sortainer.  This is my "main" box for installs.  Hand tools, drills, bits, etc. Things I need constant access to.  The sys 1 on top holds clamps and other "stuff" I only access occasionally.

I need a small footprint when on a cabinet job and a bunch of systainers all over the place gets cluttered fast.   So I needed to find a way to stack systainers, but still access them as needed.  Thus bolting some to others.  I'll show my saw kit soon.

Dan

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

First Dan convince's me to write on them with a sharpie, now I want to bolt some together.  I don't think I can slice up a MFT yet. 

I can look really organized coming in with some systainers and then BOOM, they are spread all over the place.

Do you have to put the bottom drawers out for a counter balance??

 

[danrush]

Nah,  just showing off how organized I am.   ???

The only box I have trouble with is the saw box.  I have a sys4 with a sys2 bolted to the top of it .  The sys4 houses a ts55, multi master, barrel jig (dedicated Collins foot) and Porter Cable mini belt sander. (sorry, can't remember the model, the little 2 1/4 x 14, or so, guy )   The sys2  on top is basically for accessories: a bunch of clamps, cords, blades, and misc. junk.  It is a bit top heavy.  I've learned to deal with it, but it tends to tip when I take out a saw. You can see me supporting it in pic #2.  It's ok, i rarely have all saws out at the same time.

Dan

 

[score0matic]

I don't think I can slice up a MFT yet.  

Trust me it is not that far of a jump ;D ;D

 before

Some day I will show you after  

Craig, I'm not sure I follow you in your last post. After you take the lid off, what exactly do you attach to what?

What I meant way just a bunch of boxes with out lids that lock together under a regular sys or sort so all you have to do to access the contents is unlatch them from the stack  (imagine the pictured exension with a bottom

Craig

 

[AlexThePalex]

What I meant way just a bunch of boxes with out lids that lock together under a regular sys or sort so all you have to do to access the contents is unlatch them from the stack

Aha I see. Doesn't seem like much of a benefit though. You've got to unlock just as many latches and once they're unlocked opening the lid isn't that much of a hassle.

 

[Texastutt]

Do you mean kinda like these?  I have bolted the top sys1 to the middle sys lid, that sits on a sortainer.  This is my "main" box for installs.  Hand tools, drills, bits, etc. Things I need constant access to.  The sys 1 on top holds clamps and other "stuff" I only access occasionally.

I need a small footprint when on a cabinet job and a bunch of systainers all over the place gets cluttered fast.   So I needed to find a way to stack systainers, but still access them as needed.  Thus bolting some to others.  I'll show my saw kit soon.

Dan

OK but HOW heavy is this? Will my arm be ripped off? The compresor w/ the guns is a great idea too.

 

[danrush]

Texastutt,

Just now weighed the main box.  Loaded with tools, it comes in at 46.3 lbs.  Granted, a bit heavy, but I just go from my car to the job, and then it sits for a few days.  The compressor box loaded comes in at 37.6 lbs.

Dan

 

[Peterm]

Just now weighed the main box.  Loaded with tools, it comes in at 46.3 lbs.  Granted, a bit heavy...

Just out of interest are the Systainer handles holding up OK? Reason I ask is that my regular 'go-everywhere' stack (comprises a Sys4 with a home-made handtool insert and a Tanos 5-drawer Sortainer underneath for screws and fixings, all on a roll-board) weighs in at ~30-odd Kg and after a year or so of use the lid of the Sys4 has cracked badly around the handle. Fortunately I noticed it before the inevitable happened and there's a new lid on its way from Tanos right now (and I'll just add my thanks to Craig for the how-to video!)

I don't know if Systainer lids/handles are rated for a particular maximum weight, but it's something to be aware of (and to keep an eye on) when you're filling them up.

Cheers, Pete

 

[Forrest Anderson]

I don't know if Systainer lids/handles are rated for a particular maximum weight, but it's something to be aware of (and to keep an eye on) when you're filling them up.

The Festool USA Support Knowledgebase has an answer to that...

http://www.festoolusa.com/support/Support-Article.html?ArticleID=153


Q:
What are Systainers made of? How many pounds can the handle support?

A:
Systainers are made of ABS plastic. The advantage of ABS is that it combines the strength and rigidity of the acrylics with the toughness of rubber. The most amazing mechanical properties of ABS are resistance and toughness. Impact resistance does not fall off rapidly at lower temperatures. The handle is rated at 200 kg, or 440 lbs. Due to the latches, your actual capacity will be significantly less, but don't be afraid to pack them and stack them. These rugged cases are designed for demanding tasks.

Forrest

 

[danrush]

Peterm
Forrest pretty well covered it, but I've never had a problem with handle ( or box or connecting latch ) durability.  I suspect the systainers will carry more than I'm willing to try to lift. 

Dan

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

The only problem I have is with the sortainers.

The latches on those suck compared to a regular systainer.

I have had some spectacular sortainer/systainer blow-outs because of the darn sortainer latches.

 

[score0matic]

peter
I have a lid that is was cracked i took anothe piece of ABS ans cemented it using ABS plumbing cement woeks well now
or you Can purchase replacement lids.

Craig

 

[Inner10]

Warner your right, I had my guy carrying a big stack of them and the latches let go on the sortainer 9, they popped out of the tracks and left stress marks.

I now keep them near the bottom of the pile and try not to carry a stack that is "too" heavy.

I dislike the sortainer for its inefficient use of space and the fact that if you haphazardly throw a widgit into a drawer it can take alot of searching to find it.  But I love the fact I have access to all my goodies without stacking and unstacking.

 

[Peterm]

Thanks for the info guys. Never thought about a solvent-weld repair - might give that a try; already have a spare lid on the way so nothing to lose

Cheers, Pete

 

[Daniel_n]

I dislike the sortainer for its inefficient use of space and the fact that if you haphazardly throw a widgit into a drawer it can take alot of searching to find it.  But I love the fact I have access to all my goodies without stacking and unstacking.

Spot on! I completely agree with the statement above.