What would a sysport building class offer?

[Steve R]

I need to build some sysports, just to make life easier.  I have nothing against the Festool sysports but I might want taller, double wide, or double deep, or fit the profile of a trailer wall or van. So the sooner I get to building them the better.

I called my local Woodcraft and we are tossing around the idea of a class to build them.

Now we can’t show how to build everything for every need. What I’m thinking would be of value would be seeing one built but most importantly having the attendees leave with a list of measurements for the systainers so they can calculate height, single 1.5 and double deep shelves measures and what full extension hardware works with the depth of shelf they need. Also spec out quality wheels that will hold up. Also we are thinking that making these a size that will go through a doorway is important.

I really don’t see building a sysport being/needing any form of advanced woodworking technique.

Other options /could/would be:

1. Offer a hardware package for sale of wheels, and slides at a package price.
2. Offer a precut kit of wood so they can go home paint/stain then assemble what they saw at the class.
3. How to make them connectable so you could create one large work surface once on site.
4. We are looking into, making the wooden systainer shelves lockable, so if it is on site or at home, you can keep kids and others out of your tools.
5. We can show more but some add on such as
a. a side rack for rails
b. peg board back for hanging stuff
c. etc.

Okay there are two or more groups of demographics that use Festool. Hobby/home work shops and then the pro that makes money using the tools.

What are your thoughts on a sysport Class.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Interesting idea!  I'll bet your Woodcraft store would probably sell a few tools that way, too - especially if any of the students had never used a Domino.

I would be interested to see how hobbyist and pros differ in their responses.  I'm a hobbyist, but it seems like each sysport I build is different.  Some are moveable, others are not.  Some have extra space in the back for consumables, others are minimally sized to fit in odd corners of the shop.

I suspect security would be one big difference.  Most of us hobbyists don't worry too much about that, but if I had lots of strangers around or people likely to want to borrow tools, you can bet mine would have a good locking mechanism. [smile]

If the "package deal" on wheels, slides, etc. goes anywhere, you could encourage your guy to sell them via the classifieds on the FOG!

 

[peter halle]

Steve,

I agree with the others - what a great idea.  After reading your list I thought of a couple of ideas.

1.  How about a top that has some 20 mm holes for either clamps or clamping elements?  Makes it a mini worktop.  You might have to design to make the top sliding shelf taller in height to accommodate clamps from above.

2.  Make a piano hinged plywood top that covered the holed top for when you didn't want junk to fall thru the holes.

3.  Everyone needs more work space, and nobody wants just one sysport, so imagine if you had two.  You could create a work space in between by intalling french cleats on the sides and then build a holed or non holed worksurface with the opposite french cleats on the bottom that would lock them together.

4.  You could design the height to match the MFT/3 so that they could serve as outfeed tables / supports

5.  You could build a recessed tray on top to hold those things that normally would put in the way.

You can see some of these ideas here:  Stealth Tainer - Should have been named Stealth Port

Good Luck!

 

[Alan m]

what great timing. i need afew syports as the colection is growing rapidly [big grin]. some great ideas there peter and steve.
i am thinking of building a few double ones (Two systainers wide and 1 deep) a 4"recess in the back for rails, parralel guides etc.
i might make them as peter discribed with holes in the top fro clampng. the idea of extending a work surface from one to  the other might be good.

 

[Steve R]

We all know that stuff goes down the holes and make for some lost stuff and added clean up.  As far as top with 20 mm holes 96mm on center... the question becomes just make the sysports so that 4-6 sysports (whatever it takes) will hold a MFT/3 with the legs folded up. Or you could create a recessed box on top of the sysports and if used by themselves they would hold stuff and it would not roll off the side then. Also the MDF top could be just a replacement Festool MFT/3 top that has cleats set to fit down into the tops.

Options abound.

I'm looking forward to more thoughts on this whole topic.

Cheers,
Steve 

 

[peter halle]

Steve,

I was not suggesting that you do the whole top 20 mm on 96 centers.  Just that you put some 20 mm holes.  Oven one hole.  Adds a clamping portal to augment the system.

Peter

 

[Steve R]

Okay I get it now... I'm a bit slow.... [big grin] but how do cook pizza on the Oven one hole  ???

Peter, thanks for you feed back. The whole Festool system is what gets us going. Now I have my Fein Multi Master and other tools in systainers. The sysports will make things easier as I need to get to just one systainer in a stack.

Cheers,
Steve.

 

[Pdevore]

Steve,
I would be in that class atleast twice  [huh] (Im slow). Im in Eden Prairie and shop at the Wood Crafter now and then. If you and or they are going to put this on, Count me IN!!!!

Pete

 

[Julian Tracy]

Maybe I'm in the majority, but a project that needs no special joinery and basic hardware use seems a bit silly to have a class for.

Not too mention, if you've invested $3000-8000 in power tools and can't throw a basic OR fancy one of these together, you probably shouldn't be spending so much on tools and probably should be investing in learning the basics.

Having said that, I peruse the sysport threads here myself and pick up great ideas I wouldn't have otherwise thought of here, so I guess the class would be of some help in terms of condensing the best ideas folks have come up with.

But then, the ONLY people interested in such a project are diehard Festool fans with bunches of tools, and aren't all of them already here and picking up the knowledge here for the taking?

Kind of like when someone comes up with a great plan for a jig or a sysport or workbench and posts details and a bunch of pictures and yet they still get people asking if they can send plans.  Seems silly to need plans when you have photos from all angles...

JT

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Maybe I'm in the majority, but a project that needs no special joinery and basic hardware use seems a bit silly to have a class for.

Not too mention, if you've invested $3000-8000 in power tools and can't throw a basic OR fancy one of these together, you probably shouldn't be spending so much on tools and probably should be investing in learning the basics.

Having said that, I peruse the sysport threads here myself and pick up great ideas I wouldn't have otherwise thought of here, so I guess the class would be of some help in terms of condensing the best ideas folks have come up with.

But then, the ONLY people interested in such a project are diehard Festool fans with bunches of tools, and aren't all of them already here and picking up the knowledge here for the taking?

Kind of like when someone comes up with a great plan for a jig or a sysport or workbench and posts details and a bunch of pictures and yet they still get people asking if they can send plans.  Seems silly to need plans when you have photos from all angles...
JT

[big grin] It's one step away from ordering "the kit".

Just speaking for myself, a "class" on this seems ridiculous, but to each, his own so if there are enough people who want it, go for it.

 

[Alan m]

i dont think there is a need for a class. but an artical or review would be good . selling a kit of parts(casters, slides etc) wont do any harm , just make life easier.
i dont want this thread to get weighed  down with coments about if there should be a class or not. we should set our sights on the ultimate syport. with a little help grom lots of members here we can make a truely remarkable bench.

come on lets see your ideas

 

[Steve R]

I don't want this thread to get weighed  down with comments about if there should be a class or not. we should set our sights on the ultimate sysport. with a little help from lots of members here we can make a truly remarkable bench.

come on lets see your ideas

Alan m,

I could not have said it better! +++1. Thanks for your comment.

The subject is: What would a sysport building class offer?  The subject line length is limited.  So... add this to the subject line - What would the class have to offer to give you value/make you attend.

Alan is right. Where I'm coming from is that building a sysport is not a big technical woodworking thing. As either a pro or hobbyist using Festool, I see building these as a need/task, not a project to show off building skills. This is project that you just need to get done so your tools are more accessible and gets you to building the fun projects/paying jobs quicker.

As a pro I don't understand the need for a cabinet building class.... doesn't everyone already know how to do that? [scratch chin]

So going to a teaching shop, meeting other Festool owners, talking tips, and just "getting er' done" in maybe a group build manner might be a fun social  and positive thing to do. Then maybe we go out for a beer, talk big and spit on the floor.  [big grin]

As Alan said, this tread is place to gather all the mods together. Then distill this tread to a PDF that shows and tells tips. 

Cheers,
Steve

 

[peter halle]

Steve,

The class could be a great opportunity to demonstrate the LR32 system is someone is comfortable with that.  By drilling the continuous runs of holes, the drawer / shelf slides could be adjusted for placement based on the 32 mm system.  If the people doing the class are not comfortable with that approach they certainly use whatever metric version of a shelf pin guide they had.  The whole Festool system could be easily demonstrated.

No matter what negative things have been written, the thread about Home Made sysports is the second most viewed thread here with over 64,500 views.  People are interested in building their own.

Steve - I say Rock ON!

Peter

 

[ajones]

I am curious what a class on sysports might cost, ballpark.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I am curious what a class on sysports might cost, ballpark.

Those are also for the advanced course.

 

[Steve R]

I am curious what a class on sysports might cost, ballpark.

That is what we are trying to figure out. Little if you come and look at a sysport more if walk away with one. 

 

[Steve R]

I am curious what a class on sysports might cost, ballpark.

Those are also for the advanced course.

Ken,

LOL... You're right that is your cost! For all others it would be the normal low price.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Timtool]

the idea isn't bad, and it's obvious that sysports are a very popular DIY item. but when i look at all the sysports made, then i see that there are as many concepts as there are builders. none of the ports posted entirely suited my needs, though i took inspiration from some, i still designed mine to suit my specific needs, tools and space.

and festool holds these classes not just to teach methods, but also in the hope to get you to buy more. not sure they would hold a class where they show how to build something they actually sell.
as the bible of capitalism says:
if you teach a man how to fish himself, he won't be buying those expensive fish from you anymore.

 

[mattfc]

i dont think there is a need for a class. but an artical or review would be good . selling a kit of parts(casters, slides etc) wont do any harm , just make life easier.
i dont want this thread to get weighed  down with coments about if there should be a class or not. we should set our sights on the ultimate syport. with a little help grom lots of members here we can make a truely remarkable bench.

Agree re the hardware. In particular, I see a great opportunity with someone who has sheet metal working contacts to build the systainer trays for holding the sysports. I looked at the costs od the Festool spares for their sysport

$95!! per tray

In the UK, you can get good quality ball bearing full extension runners for about £6, a sheet of 1mm 2.5x1.2m sheet steel costs £40, you could get 15 trays out of this (so about £2.50 of sheet cost per tray) a bit of bending and power coating (Festool green!) and you would have something pretty good!

 

[Steve R]

We are blending the ideas of the posts here and other threads.

Cheers,
Steve