Festool Systainers: model selection and overview

Proper organization of storage and transportation of tools not only saves the time of the master, but also allows to ensure their safety. Therefore, it is worth considering the overview of the Festool Systainer models and the recommendations for their selection.

The rights to the Festool brand belong to the Festo company, which was founded in Germany in 1925 under the name Fezer & Stoll. In the first years of its existence, the company mainly produced equipment for wood processing. Then the company began to develop and market innovative products for the time, among which were the world's first mobile chain saws (1927) and circular saws (1930).

In 1933, the name of the German company was changed to its present name. Since 1975, the company has changed its priorities and, instead of manufacturing machine tools and hand tools, switched mainly to the production of power tools. In 2015, the company celebrated its 90th anniversary. It is noteworthy that the granddaughter of one of the founders works in the management of the company, which is why Festo still rightly considers itself a family business.

The main office of the company is located in the German city of Wendlingen. In the same place, as well as in the neighboring Naidlingen, Illertissen and the Czech town of Ceska Lipa, most of the company's factories are located. Subsidiaries are open in 25 countries of the world, including Russia; there are branches in 68 more countries. Festo employs more than 16 thousand people, and the annual turnover of the German company exceeds 2 billion euros.

Festo is the inventor of the Systainer. The first such product on the market appeared in 1993 under the name Festo Systainer. Since then, this name has become a household name, and any tool box that can be used to organize modular storage and transport systems is called a Systainer. At the same time, branded Systainers have such main advantages over conventional tool boxes as:

• robustness and reliability - Festool drawers can be freely stacked on top of each other, can be used as a stand or stool;
• a pre-prepared place for all common types of instruments;
• the ability to create your own modular systems that combine as many boxes as you like;
• dust, moisture and shock resistance, resistance to temperatures from - 40 to + 90 ° С;
• the ability to connect proprietary dust removal systems.

All boxes of the company are distinguished by a stylish design that combines a white background with green elements.

Even the newest Systainer models (except SYS-Mini) can be connected to each other and older containers, including the legendary 1993 Systainer.

In order to make it possible to assemble modular storage systems from different models of its products, Festool produces Systainers in five standard sizes, which differ only in height:

• SYS 1 is the smallest option at 10.5 cm (3 inches) high;
• SYS 2 - characterized by a height of 15.75 cm (5 and 1/16 inches);
• SYS 3 - has a vertical dimension of 21 cm (7 and 1/8 inches);
• SYS 4 - differs in height at 31.5 cm (11 and 1/4 inches);
• SYS 5 is the largest variant with a height of 42 cm (16.5 inches).

If you are going to integrate Systainers into an existing system or want to estimate in advance whether it will be possible to place all the tools you need in them, then you should familiarize yourself with their drawings. Dimensions are for SYS 1 format.

The current range of Festool modules includes the following options.

• SYS-T-Loc - a classic product without inner liners. Available in all five sizes. Depending on the height, the mass will be 1.30, 1.50, 1.80, 2.10 or 2.70 kg.

• SYS-Combi - a hybrid version combining a Systainer (a vertically opening drawer for easy storage of tools) with a Sortainer (a drawer with a pull-out shelf, ideal for storing fasteners and small parts). Available in two heights of 27 and 32.2 cm.

• SYS-ToolBox - model with open top and carrying handle, available in SYS 1 and SYS 2 sizes. Convenient for carrying light tools, fasteners and accessories.

• SYS-StorageBox - a hybrid of a Systainer and a classic accordion-style folding toolbox. It has dimensions of 39.6 × 29.6 × 16.7 cm and a weight of 2.5 kg.

• SYS Maxi - a variant of increased capacity with increased dimensions (up to 59.6 × 39 × 21 cm). It is compatible with standard models (dimensions correspond to 2 side-by-side Systainers).

• SYS-Midi - extended model with dimensions 49.6 x 29 x 21 cm.

• SYS-MFT - Systainer / workbench hybrid. The top surface of this box is equipped with an MDF panel, on which it is convenient to fix the workpieces with clamps. Supplied in SYS 1 format.

• SYS-PowerHub - a unique hybrid of a tool box and an electric extension distributor. There is a cable drum with a 10-meter cable inside the device, and 4 powerful sockets are brought to the surface. Another 1 socket is located inside the container. Supplied only in SYS 2 format and measures 39.6 x 29.6 x 15.75 cm and weighs 4.2 kg.

• SYS-Mini - a series of mini-Systainers incompatible with the main line. Such models are suitable for storing fasteners and small inventory. Length - 26.5 cm, width - 17.1 cm.

To facilitate the organization of the workspace, the company offers aids to its Systainers. Among them:

• sets of protective inserts and overlays;
• mobile workbench MW 1000 with pull-out shelf and drawer holder;
• SYS-Roll 100 trolley;
• roller board RB-SYS;
• steel rack YS-Port 1000/2 on casters for storage and transportation of five boxes of different dimensions;
• pull-out shelf SYS-AZ for installation in modular systems;
• SYS 4 TL-Sort / 3 plastic mini-rack with 12 drawers for storing fasteners and other small parts, which can be installed in a Systainer system.

See below for an overview of the Festool Systainer.