Which Sortainers to buy?

D

Dan Clark

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
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540
I'm wrestling with a decision about which Sortainers to buy.   I have a bunch of Festool and non-Festool parts and accessories to store.  This includes a bunch of small parts and some bigger accessories like clamps. 

I think that these two might give me the optimum space:

Sortainer, with 9 drawers, same size as SYS 3 (LxWxH) 15 5/8 x 11 5/8 x 8 Item #: 491985 ? $108.00
apoz_sys3sort9_1_1.jpg


Sortainer, with 4 drawers, same size as SYS 3 (LxWxH) 15 5/8 x 11 5/8 x 8  Item #: 491522
apoz_sys3sort_1_1.jpg


Does this seem like a reasonable combo?  Which Sortainer do most people buy?   Also, what are the measurements of the big drawer in the 4-drawer model?

Thanks,

Dan.
 
Hi Dan,

Hard to say what might be most appropriate for you. I've got the 4 drawer and currently it's just full of stuff. I'm still struggling with those organizational issues we all have with bits and pieces.

The bottom drawer (large one) on the 4 drawer unit is 284mm deep, 350mm wide, and 86mm high. Those are approx. inside dimensions. Hope that helps.

Mike
 
I've got the four drawer as well, and my bottom drawer is crammed too. I think I'd go the nine drawer if I was to do it again. Smaller drawers force you to have fewer things in them, and that bottom four drawer sometimes gets jammed, which is annoying.
 
I have the 4-drawer which I primarily use to store my small layout and measuring tools, along with extra chip guards for my TS 55 and triangular pads for my Deltex 93, and various sizes and lengths of screws for my router setups.  I wish Festool brought to USA a similar Systainer with 2 of the large drawers.

I also have a Systainer 1 UNI, Item #  487194 (with the single vacuum molded insert in which I keep various screws.  I have found that my Festool 300mm clamps will fit neatly between the black flip up top that keeps the screws from becoming jumbled during transit and the grey hard lid.  You have to remove the clamps in order to lift the black lid to access the screws.  You can easily store at least 4 of those long Festool clamps in this manner.

Dave R.
 
to solve some garage/shop organization issues I decided to try sortainers as a solution. Bought the 12, 9, 6, and 4 sizes plus one of the carts to place them on so I can create mobile space. the #4 is useful for larger things, especially Festool accessories such as clamps and similar things. The larger drawer is useful, but it could be bigger to hold a wider range of things. I have a couple of Festool items I wanted to fit in, but they don't without taking them apart. The six drawer size I have started to use for hand tool organization and some parts. The nine and especially the 12 have been great for screws and parts. I like them for having an organization system that rolls around the shop.
 
This is an area that I have also just ventured into...  Started with a 4 drawer then added two of the 9 drawer units -- lots of combinations now!  I've still not decided what will remain in the 4 drawer unit, but the 9 drawer units will be used for screws and small hardware items. 

Having recently added a couple SysPorts, I now have three of the SysCarts, shall I say, available.  Like John (above post), I will now have a rolling hardware cart.  Sweet!  And the other carts may find a similar fate once I get another SysPort or two.  These SysCarts are a great way to slide down the slope going full bore...                CD
 
I have the Sortainer 4 and the Sortainer 9.

One Sortainer 4 houses my Dewalt drill, drill bits and some hardware

Another Sortainer 4 holds my Bosch Jigsaw, Jigsaw blades and some router bits

The 9 Drawer Sortainer holds my chisels, layout tools, pencils, tape measure, etc

Right now the system is living on top of my CT-22 in the rental suite and gets moved around from room to room. My wife loves it cause each drawer is labeled with the tools inside. My Mother In Law loves it cause I can pack it all up in my truck along with the TS-55, CT-22 and guide rails and wheel everything righ tinto her condo (Bungee cord the rails to the sides of the Sortainers on the CT-22

Would like to get one more 12 drawer Sortainer for the itty, bitty stuff

Dan Clermont
 
I started with the four drawer to put my jig saw in with the guide plate, extra blades, measuring tools, a couple of compasses.  i had space left over to compartmented one of the smaller drawers for spare parts & screws for my MFS.

This worked out so well, i got a second to store text book, spare parts, guides, bolts, and other items used with my WoodRat 

Both are crammed full.  i have not added labels yet, as i am waiting to be sure I don't figure other ways to fill.

I will be getting a third 4 drawer to sote my C12 (the old model) in along with extra chucks, drills, pocket screws (most used screws in my shop) along with whatever related will fit. 

Next will be to add a few of the other types with only small & medium drawers to house other sizes of screws and bolts, allen keys and allen sets, wrenches, measuring tools and whatever. 

I plan to get only one systainer at a time with an idea of what I want to put into it.  when i think that one has been filled to near (never perfection here) satisfaction, i will probably have ideas for the next one.

With so little space in my shop and so many toys to fill it, these sortainers are so much handier than permanant shelving. Being portable, i can move them around as a stack to make room for other things that must be moved to make room for other things that must be moved>>>>>>> well, you get the point. ???

Tinker
 
Gentlemen,

Many thanks.  This is great feedback.    This helps me to focus my thoughts based on what others are doing. 

I'm going ahead with the 4 and the 9 drawer to get started.  It looks like the 12 drawer might follow for storing small perts.   

Regarding labels, I'll stick with my labeler.  While at a tradeshow at Woodcraft, I noticed that the Festool rep used labeler labels on his.  Labeler labels are very easy to read and you never worry about changing your mind.  It's quick and easy to create a new one! ;D

Thanks and regards,

Dan.
 
Dan Clark said:
Gentlemen,

Many thanks.  This is great feedback.    This helps me to focus my thoughts based on what others are doing.   

I'm going ahead with the 4 and the 9 drawer to get started.   It looks like the 12 drawer might follow for storing small perts.   

Regarding labels, I'll stick with my labeler.   While at a tradeshow at Woodcraft, I noticed that the Festool rep used labeler labels on his.   Labeler labels are very easy to read and you never worry about changing your mind.   It's quick and easy to create a new one! ;D

Thanks and regards,

Dan.
Click to expand...

Dan,

What are "labeler labels"?

Bob
 
I have the 9 drawer and find its perfect for keeping a nice assortment of screws, bits, etc. with me on every job. It seems I do something different everyday and having all the needed little parts with me is crucial. Only bad thing about it is that the drawers sometimes (not very often really) get stuck when a screw or something moves while the sortainer is being moved around. Other than that, its great.

I personally wouldn't have much of a need for a 4 drawer, but I'll probably pick up another 9 and maybe a 12 in the future.
 
Dan: I use both of the ones you have there: crammed with goodies, bits, drills, small tools etc etc. Labeled up with the Dymo labeler of course...

I got a lot of spare dividers after I was done and it looks like they will never be used but then again, there you have it.

After thinking it over I also got two of those sortainers with plastic inserts - one for screws, nuts and bolts of all kinds and one for miscellaneous small parts. They all tower up, neatly stored away and provide me with fairly good control of all those small stuff.

Man, it feels good to have those small items labeled, frustration over missing parts is a thing of the past...

;D

regards, Henrik
 
Lou, Henrik,

More great feedback!  Thanks.

Bob,

By "labeler label" I'm referring to labels from my little Brady IDPal, rather than using the labels that come with the Sortainer. No more hand-written labels for me!  :D

Regards,

Dan.
 
IMO, for the amount of money you folks are spending on fancy Festool parts bins and roller stands, you might be better suited to buying a nice roller tool chest and setting it up for organization.

I mean, I'm loving Festool as much as the other guy, but $100 + for a storage bin with drawers?  $400-600 later to get a stack of them that rolls around? 

I'm a contractor, so portability is key to my work, but I'm thinking most of you here are working in your garages and shops.

Everyone has a right to spend money however they feel is best obviously, and I like my stuff to match as much as the next guy, but that's a ton of money for nuts and bolts and drill bits storage.

Long as I'm complaining - I was thinking myself of getting one of the McFeely's screw assts., but what the heck is up with all of the mismatched color bins?  It's such a shame as Festool stuff is the classiest stuff to look, to have such dime store looking mismatched bright color bins for organization.

OK, rant over, I apologize if I've offended anyone, feel free to respnd in like...

For anyone in the Detroit area, there's someone selling these gray tool carts on CL for $75 each.  That's an amazing deal as they are most likely hospital grade carts that retail for close to $450 each.  They are roller bearing drawers - he had 5-7 to sell just recently, search for tool carts.

Regards,

Julian[attachimg=#]
 
FYI, the labeler info mentioned above got me to thinking that I'd like to get a good labler, so I started checking around... Looks like Dymo's RhinoPro 5000 system is every bit as powerful and durable than the Brady units, but at much less cost - runs about $90 thru Tiger direct.

If anyone's looking for a good labeler system, might be something to look at.

Regards,

Julian
 
Anyone with a 12 drawer unit:  Will the typical 1 lb box of screws (of whatever size) fit into one of the 12 drawer , um, drawers?  Thanks.
 
"I mean, I'm loving Festool as much as the other guy, but $100 + for a little bix with drawers?  $400-600 later to get a stack of them that rolls around?"


ok -- I asked myself that question before buying a lot of these things. I checked on other rolling storage that is of decent quality and I decided that the Festool sortainers and cart were not that bad a deal. yes, it is a lot of money, but it woks for me and if there were another good solution where there was predictable quality I would do it. However, if you order many things seen on the net sight unseen, well, I am just not sure of the quality. Look at lista or snapon rolling storage and the sortainers do not seem so bad.
 
Julian Tracy said:
FYI, the labeler info mentioned above got me to thinking that I'd like to get a good labler, so I started checking around... Looks like Dymo's RhinoPro 5000 system is every bit as powerful and durable than the Brady units, but at much less cost - runs about $90 thru Tiger direct.

If anyone's looking for a good labeler system, might be something to look at.

Regards,

Julian
Click to expand...
Julian,

Hi.  I'm not sure where you're getting pricing info.  My ID Pal cost $90.  Here's a link:http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...angId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100373831.  Three things I like about mine are the quick change change label cassette, non-smudge labels, and multiple type and size labels.  The Dymo may be a better unit, but it looks like they cost the same and I'm happy with mine.

Regards,

Dan.
 
Gentlemen,

Again, many thanks for your help.  I just ordered the 4 and 9 drawer Sortainers.   Now my bits and pieces will have a place to live! 

Dan.

p.s., ain't it fun to spend someone else's money? ;D
 
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