Two minute Fein drill

[curt boyer]

I have been repurposing my classic systainers lately and saw a video on FHB about a tool belt/ toolbox and decided to make my own. It took a few minutes with the MM and viola instant tool box. Even though I removed so much of the top the handle is still very ridgid. I have been doing a lot of epoxy repair work lately and the Frankentainer has come in handy for carrying the resin and hardener to where I'm working, as it's been in the 90s and you don't have much time to work. With my tool belt in place I have quick access to my tools while working close to the ground. I had to repair several Kitchen drawers and drawer hardware that were in a kitchen with wood floors. I was contorting myself all kinds of ways to fit in the cabinets and wearing a tool belt would have been impossible. The Frankentainer protected the floor and kept my tools and materials where I needed them.
Curt

 

[Doug S]

Can't believe that nobody has commented on this, fantastic idea, I have an old classic sys that will be getting the same treatment.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Sorry, I was not so impressed. Seems a lot more efficient to me to get a Sys-toolbox.

I also know the systainers pretty well, and I think that if you cut away 80% of the lid it will soon fail.

 

[w802h]

I load my belt with the appropriate tools from my toolboxes.  Then the belt gets deposited on a cut-off piece of vinyl sheet good or 1/8" Koma coversheet within the workspace.  Both are free byproducts, waterproof for paint cans, etc.

 

[curt boyer]

Alex, this was about using something that I had sitting around taking up space in my storage bin. I didn't want to spend $50 for something I already had. The main objective for doing this was replicating an idea to turn your tool belt into a toolbox. When you put a tool bag like mine down on the floor it falls over and seeks its own level. Which not only can scratch the floor but makes access alittle slow and usually requires two hands to get what you need. With the belt in the systainer I can easily get to my tools with one hand. Another benefit if your working outside is you can put it down in the muck and Meyer and not worry that your belt and tools would get wet or dirty.
Would I carry a wet Labrador retriever, a bag of thinset, or spaghetti and meatballs for a family of six I don't think so! Though depending on the size and denisity of the meatballs I might try the pasta!  I've used it for about a week now without any drama. I've carried epoxy and hardener, shims and glue, small hand tools, and trash all without fail. Maybe you should think outside the systainer(box).
Cheers and stay cool
Curt

 

[NHSP759]

That's a pretty cool way to re-utilize resources! Plus leakage on your customers floors from spills in the container arent a problem!

 

[roblg3]

i wonder about the title of this thread?  but, i like your creativity!

 

[curt boyer]

I used my Fein MM and it took about two minutes. Great we just lost power!

 

[Kev]

Sorry, I was not so impressed. Seems a lot more efficient to me to get a Sys-toolbox.

I also know the systainers pretty well, and I think that if you cut away 80% of the lid it will soon fail.

I fear the same and also wouldn't attempt it myself. I'll be interested to hear how long it lasts.

 

[curt boyer]

Just thought I'd post more pics of the Frankentainer at work. I had it loaded up pretty good today and it handled it fine.

 

[roblg3]

"FRANKENTAINER" !!!!  I love it.  I hope it lasts forever.

 

[semenza]

    I see two  things that that differentiate it from a Sys-Toolbox ........ no center divider, it can have other systainers attached on top.

Seth

 

[nclemmons]

A third differentiator versus the Sys Toolbox...  It holds liquid with no leaks.  Sys toolbox has drain holes!

Curious if you have thought about epoxying the top and bottom together to strengthen the carry given so much of the lid was cut away?

Thanks for sharing.

Neil

 

[curt boyer]

Neil, I was going to epoxy the lid to the bottom since I've been doing a lot of epoxy work of late but I wanted to be able to swap the handle if it breaks. I thought about bolting the two together with small metal angles. If you pick up a loaded systainer the center bows upward a 1/16" or better, the Frankentainer bows alittle more maybe an 1/8" but still feels solid. Maybe in the winter the plastic will become more brittle and the handle could break. I have gotten rid of all of my systainers for carrying power tools. I use sys ones for fasteners, sys 5 for my tile tools, sys 4 for my masonry tools, sys 2 with attic lid for dominos, sys 3 for first aid, and sys 3 for my epoxy kit. The most weight that would be attached to it would be one of the fastener sys 1. I'm trying to use it everyday as it is quite handy! Like Seth mentioned not having the center divider makes it more flexible in the way I cram things in.
Curt

 

[nclemmons]

Curt

Thanks for the clarification.  Keep updating with photos as you come up with other uses!

neil

 

[3PedalMINI]

well done Curt!  [big grin]

way to reuse something that was just collecting dust

 

[Carpenter Bee]

How about an update on the Frankentainer? How has the handle held up? Would you be comfortable using a T-loc for this? I don't have any classic systainers to compare to the T-loc and I'm under the impression that the T-loc is not quite as sturdy as the Classic. Also, do you think the Festool systainer's stabilizer bar adds significant strength over the Tanos systainer without the stabilizer bar?
I've been thinking about getting a Sys-toolbox but I'd rather have a handle that folds flat. I really like your idea but I'm wondering about the long term durability.

 

[curt boyer]

The Frankentainer is still going strong! The Polar vortex is coming our way so we will see how it holds up in the cold conditions! I added webbing to make a sling so I can throw it over my shoulder and go hands free. I can also clip it with a oversized carabiner to a ladder when I need to have tools close at hand. The Classic with the two latches should be stronger than the T but I would think it would hold up as long as you didn't overload it. If I had an extra T-loc I would give it a try. I'll take a look at my T-loc tomorrow and report back
Cheers
Curt

 

[Carpenter Bee]

Good to hear that the Frankentainer is still out there. The sling and carabiner sound helpful at the top of a ladder. I'm looking forward to your opinion on the strength of the T-loc style.

Erik

 

[curt boyer]

Erik
I was pulling on the t-loc handle with the top latched to the bottom and it seemed fairly rigid. In fact there was more top deflection with my classic than the t-loc. I don't have an extra t-loc to cut up right now, but if I had one I would definitely give it a try!
Good Luck
Curt