What is it with Systainers

[skronk]

Hi all,

New here, and enjoy reading the forum. Just bought TS55 and MFT3 with dogs.

I have to ask, with respect, how can people get so excited about a plastic box? Am I missing something ? [eek]

Usually when I buy a tool, the first thing binned is the plastic box to save space !!!! [huh]

Regards from Scottish Highlands

 

[HDClown]

I've only recently jumped into a love of Systainer's, so here's my newish feelings:

The ingenuity that went into the system design as a whole is something I find impressive.  Stacking and locking them to carry a group together, and the ability to open up a systainer in the middle of the stack (with T-Loc's) without having to take off the boxes on top is really nice.  When you look at the other name brand systems--DeWalt T-Stack/Tough Box and Bosch L-Boxx)--all of them are designed so that you need to unload the stack to properly get to a box in the middle, which is more time consuming and laborious.

There is a wide range of insert/configuration options to custom configure just about any way you want.  Add in custom cut foam inserts (ie. kaizen foam) and you have a really custom solution.

A variety of the power tools I have came in soft bags and they don't store efficiently in those bags, because they don't stack to take use of vertical space.  So I moved many of them into large drawers in my rolling tool chests, but that consumes valuable space for more appropriate tools, which is a catch-22.  Additionally, many tools are simply too big to fit in the rolling tool chest, so I'm left with soft bags, which I personally do not like at all (I know some people prefer them to hard cases).

The biggest downside is the cost.  More expensive that DeWalt/Bosch options, but more selection at the same time.

 

[HaKLc]

I've only recently jumped into a love of Systainer's, so here's my newish feelings:

The ingenuity that went into the system design as a whole is something I find impressive.  Stacking and locking them to carry a group together, and the ability to open up a systainer in the middle of the stack (with T-Loc's) without having to take off the boxes on top is really nice.  When you look at the other name brand systems--DeWalt T-Stack/Tough Box and Bosch L-Boxx)--all of them are designed so that you need to unload the stack to properly get to a box in the middle, which is more time consuming and laborious.

There is a wide range of insert/configuration options to custom configure just about any way you want.  Add in custom cut foam inserts (ie. kaizen foam) and you have a really custom solution.

A variety of the power tools I have came in soft bags and they don't store efficiently in those bags, because they don't stack to take use of vertical space.  So I moved many of them into large drawers in my rolling tool chests, but that consumes valuable space for more appropriate tools, which is a catch-22.  Additionally, many tools are simply too big to fit in the rolling tool chest, so I'm left with soft bags, which I personally do not like at all (I know some people prefer them to hard cases).

The biggest downside is the cost.  More expensive that DeWalt/Bosch options, but more selection at the same time.

Exactly.
And I would also add this. They are all of the same length and width, they only differ by height. And space for tools in them is very well thought out.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

If you only have one or two tools with systainers, the point of the system can get lost. If you have half a dozen tools or more that you may need to take to a jobsite the systainers and similar box systems make a great deal of sense.

Most tool manufacturers who include cases with their tools seem to choice a case size appropriate for the particular tool. This means that the tool cases are in many cases completely different in size and shape, which makes stacking or transporting multiple tool cases difficult if not impossible. Once you add in different case materials such as a mixture of steel cases and overly large molded plastic cases, it becomes even more difficult.

If you have to bring a group of various tools into a jobsite that is access controlled for security, trying to transport multiple tool cases that are not a modular system requires more trips, which is more problematic for security personnel as well as sight security. It's also wastes time, and gets bloody annoying. With systainers one person can easily move eight or more tool cases in one go on a Festool hand truck, or on a regular hand truck with a bit more effort, and anyone else working with you can deal with odds and ends, So job setup can be done quicker, and more conveniently.

An advantage to the systainers over typical molded tool cases is internal space. Most tools require accessories and consumables to reach their maximum versatility. Older steel tool cases usually had a lot of internal space to store these accessories so they could be kept with the too they went with. With the switch to the common polypropylene molded tool cases that normally come with tools now, there was usually very little internal space to store accessories. The systainer cases usually have almost as much internal space as the older steel tool cases. Even if the systainer doesn't hold all the accessories or consumables you need, it's possible to purchase a separate systainer to store those items and keep them with the first case.

Even if you're just storing the tool cases for shop use, the systainers can be helpful if you run out of shelf space. The cases stack easily, and can be stacked tall, and it really doesn't take much time to move a bunch to get to some tool at the bottom of the stack. You also don't even need to lock the tool cases together unless you're transporting them.

 

[Jimmy FineCut]

Usually when I buy a tool, the first thing binned is the plastic box to save space !!!! [huh]

You can bin any of those unwanted systainers in the back of my van if you like  [wink]

 

[rst]

As mentioned above, it is the system approach.  I just sold 26 various toolboxes, mostly Plano that used to house some of my tools.  Currently I have 64 systainers and drawer systainers of various sizes to hold my equipment.  The systainers do not slide all over my van and off of each other as my older boxes would.  If you work in various trades, all commercial, have a lot of equipment, and are neurotically organized, then systainers are the best option out there and worth every penny.

 

[richy3333]

Just waving halloo across the Minch

And my vans closer if you want to off-load some boxes

 

[Doug S]

I sometimes wish I had binned the plastic boxes my first festools came in, I have spent a fortune on similar plastic boxes.

But to look at it another way..... Organisation=Speed=Profit.

I think those plastic boxes actually make me money  [big grin]

Doug

 

[demographic]

Subcontractor carpenter here, I work on a lot of different sites and don't leave my tools on site at night, nor in the site container either.
I only have one Festool tool, its likely the same first one as many people get as its the plungesaw.
I actually started to get the Tanos T-Loc boxes before I bought the plungesaw. Bought a Metabo jigsaw to replace my about knackered Bosch and the Metabo came in a No2 T-Loc box, then I've put my two Hitachi cordless drill and rattle guns in a No3 attic T_loc box. Oh and a De-Walt compact router combi kit in a no 2 box.
The T-Loc boxes for exactly into the floorplan of my Clarke Sitesafe that's in my van, three lengths of box fits into the one length of sitesafe. Two widths of the T-Loc boxes fits into the width of the safe with just enough space that the French cleat things on the bottom of them fits into the other box below.
Then five T-Loc units (a No4 box and a No1 box or a 2 and a 3) make up just the right height that I can fit my Makita chopsaw into the safe and close the lid one one side and also I can get my nailgun boxes into the safe as well cos they don't fit in T-Loc boxes.

Now I've ratched a few castors out and made myself a wheeled cart for the boxes, that makes getting my tools offsite quicker and simpler and when they are on site they are all on one place.
Plus the little trolley I made for them is handy for moving dead heavy stuff over flat floors.

Those boxes make my working life simpler, tidier and mean I can fit more tools into my toolsafe.
They don't make sense till you have a few of them though. I am sick to the back teeth with the mismatched crap that the other manufacturers put their tools into and nowadays if a tool doesn't come in a T-Loc box it better be the price of one of those boxes cheaper than the one that does or I'm not buying it.

Was never blown away by the old Systainers though as the catches seemed fiddly to me.

 

[Acrobat]

I admit, I too didn't think much about systainers, until I obtained more Festools, each in their own systainer, then with systainers to house their accessories.
Once you get  more than just a few, you find yourself looking at putting other makes tools in systainers to match.
I have a bunch of old makes and models of various tools in their plastic moulded containers, each a different shape and size so a bit of a pin to sift through or stack. Not a huge pain, but enough for me to consider getting them swapped over. I find I love the interlocking stackability and interchange of sustainers far more than I thought I would. And as a plus they look good for a box that is.

 

[Pitto]

i went from 2 big metal trunk style toolboxes that were heavy and that were becoming a pain to lift in and out of my truck, to 12 systainers for my tools.

Spending the time and money into setting each of them up for specific tools in the long run saves me time when hitting the road, or looking for gear. Everything in its place, and a place for everything.

I also have some expensive jigs from Blum, by putting them into a systainer with the drillbit that suits, i know i can do the job quickly with the exact items to do the task located in one systainer.

When going to site, i can pick an choose which tools get grabbed to go, not drag two big toolboxes everwhere, everytime.

Festool is a system, everything works as a system, and until people work this out, they just think the gear is overpriced.

well, it is a bit, but it pays you back in efficiency in the long run

 

[Holmz]

I admit, I too didn't think much about systainers, until I obtained more Festools, each in their own systainer, then with systainers to house their accessories.
Once you get  more than just a few, you find yourself looking at putting other makes tools in systainers to match.
I have a bunch of old makes and models of various tools in their plastic moulded containers, each a different shape and size so a bit of a pin to sift through or stack. Not a huge pain, but enough for me to consider getting them swapped over. I find I love the interlocking stackability and interchange of Systainers far more than I thought I would. And as a plus they look good for a box that is.

I believe that systainers are made by Tanos, there is another manufacturers that has orange, another one that has yellow, and another one that looks like a classic Festool except for that the clips are red versus green.
Since they all stack and interlock it is easy, and if one is looking for the yellow tool it gets easy if they are not colour blind.

There is another system is Bosch L-Boxx which is different - but similar concept.

I am with you in that is makes organisation into 'job's a carrot'.

 

[HDClown]

I believe that systainers are made by Tanos, there is another manufacturers that has orange, another one that has yellow, and another one that looks like a classic Festool except for that the clips are red versus green.
Since they all stack and interlock it is easy, and if one is looking for the yellow tool it gets easy if they are not colour blind.

There is another system is Bosch L-Boxx which is different - but similar concept.

I am with you in that is makes organisation into 'job's a carrot'.

Sustainers are made by Tanos, and the "default" color form Tanos is light gray with blue latches or Anthracite (dark grey).  However, there are other standard colors available as build to order.  Here's the selection:

You can mix/match the color of the sustainer, the handle and the latch under the build to order model. 

The Bosch L-Boxx's are made by Sortimo (http://www.sortimo.com/products/cases-boxxes/) who also makes a variety of other van racking system hardware as well.

 

[semenza]

      My reply can be found Here . Much of what has been written already in this thread, but maybe a couple additions. Keep in mind it was written almost seven years ago in the pre T-Loc days so some things have changed. But  the  basics remain the same.

Seth

 

[Brent Taylor]

I use both Dewalt's Tough box and the Sys box systems, but if you're shop based than depending on your style of work and your work flow, they may not be for you.  I need to be able to move my tools efficiently from site to site and site to shop.To each there own. Try them out for awhile, you may like how they work. 

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

Here is a link to the UK supplier.

http://www.systemcontainers.co.uk/

 

[skronk]

Thanks for replies. Perhaps as a DIY only man I can now understand the need for these containers as a tradesperson when moving from site to site.

Mine sits in my garage !

 

[tigger]

There's a lot more to add to the above about systainers.

1. The sys 1 for, example, is exactly the same height as the Kapex base. so can be used to hold materials level when using the saw.
2. If you stack the systainers in the right combinations, the match the standard height between bench top and underside of kitchen wall cabinets.
3. They are useful as work horses
4. I stand on mine on a regular basis to get a bit of extra height when a ladder is just too far away.
5. i recently dropped my systainer with my new Carvex inside it of the roof of a house  [doh] Ran down to find systainer intact and Carvex still in perfect condition.
They are way more than just boxes to house your tools.

But thats just my opinion  [big grin]

 

[Birdhunter]

Dear Shronk,

I hunt every year in the area west of Aberdene and believe it is incredible beautiful, nice people, great Scotch, wonderful hunting and so-so food except for the sticky toffee pudding.

Others have given you good useful reasons Festool people like the Sustainers. All those reasons are valid AND they are way cool.

We value the Festool products and the Sustainers keep them safe and looking good. They also keep all the little pieces together.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

If your still not on the systainer wagon you should sell them.  You will get a good price.  I personally  love systainers and have switched  all my other tools into systainers.  Its a great system!!!