Tool porn

Thinking about buying a bunch of Systainers to fit all my tools, with customizable foam inserts.
I live in a small apartment and move often, so I thought it'd be the most modular and practical solution: for now I'll put them under my bed, then, once my living situation is a bit more settled, I'll probably use the rail system to put them in a custom cabinet with a door.
It sounds both more convenient and prettier than having a big tool chest with drawers in my living room.

To save some money, I was thinking about buying a single tall one and going the @Dammit route for my bike tools by stacking foam inserts inside, then separate the rest thematically in different systainers (metalwork, generic home tools, etc.).

Before I drop half a grand on that, any counter-argument to what I envision?

Also, what do you think about the SYS-MFT one? Could it replace a vice for simple metalwork (mounting mudguards mostly), with Festool's fast clamps?
I've seen it on here (@Dammit again, maybe?) but I can't find the post.

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I had a top made for my boxes that allowed use of the clamps.

Euro Crates by Auer rather than Tanos Systainers will save most of your cost.
They also come in so many more sizes.

Then buy Kaizen foam from any of the suppliers online.

Love those Auer euro containers. Did a wall of them in my office last year (no lids) from their B Stock so some were random colours from when they change dye(?) on the production line.

Would the ones with lids be as sturdy as a Systainer thou?

Nice!
I can stand on an Auer Eurocrate, definitely sturdy enough.

Depends on size. Found with the larger sizes that the long sides can bow.

Also depends on lid style, that was just with the pressfit (internal lip)

Or do you mean the Auer toolbox system?

https://www.auer-packaging.com/gb/en/Tool-boxes-Pro.html

Before I drop half a grand on that, any counter-argument to what I envision?

Don't DeWalt and Milwakie make the same thing but cheaper? I imagine others do too.

You can get 3d print designs for the tstak bottom to allow you to make a custom fixed or wheelie base, or potentially wall mount them. There are also a load of sale deals on tskaks right now - I'm in the process of procrastinating about buying the one that I need vs two which coats less per unit.

Euro Crates or Systainers will give max forum cred tho and ensure people assume you are a designer-come-craftsperson and not a builder.

Milwaukee sells wheeled bases for the Packout.
Ryobi makes a similar product that is less expensive.

Pretty sure the Packout has ones with draws so you could have a mix of types. There's also a much stronger water resistant version of the tstak - tough case or something like that.

Both the Packout and the tough dewalt ones often come in multipack deals, so worth checking toolstation and screwfix for what is on offer.

Are you happy with the clamps and do you think they work for bending or cutting mudguard struts for instance ?

@platypus: I'm on mobile atm so I haven't given an in-depth look to it, but it seems that the Auer products don't interlock or can't be put on rails (they do have a drawer unit with trays for the boxes but I'm not sure how modular that is).

The SYS-MFT pictured above is also a big selling point for me tbh, as I'd like to slowly get into woodworking, with the ultimate goal being cabinet-making. Not sure how realistic that is given my situation but it seems that a pair of SYS-MFT would make a decent stowaway workbench from the reviews I've watched.

@hugo7: yeah I've been oriented towards the Packout or TStak system, but they're minging 😅 and I wasn't able to find them for less than Systainers in France. Systainers are at least neutral, esp. if I replace the handles (I know Tanos' are blue, but I want Systainer 3, and the only ones I can find in France are Festool-branded).

Ffs... Now expanding my procrastination to solve for your issue too... 🫠

One plus for the Systainers is from what I've found they share euro box dimensions.

There are a lot of cool places 3d printed addons for tstaks, so I imagine the same goes for all of them. So whatever you want I wouldn't let future plans for a potential shelving or draw system figure too much as these seem to be able to be solved for with accessories.

Tbh I'd probably pick the colour you like the most.

They stack, but don't interlock.
I never understood interlocking boxes, they then become so heavy you can't pick em up.

There are a few bargain big blue systainers on ebay.

I ponder is there actual joy in these (sys system things) , can't help thinking a mechanic's draw set would satisfy more ,
Ended of the day, as it stands I'm still pro for the old tool bag

never understood interlocking boxes

I think they're more for trades. It means they can be wheeled safely together on and off site. You can also secure them to the inside of your van locked together to be more secure. Etc.

Also I don't think you'd lift 4 or 5 in one go, but 2 together might be useful.

If you like tools and can get to Wallington during their rather limited opening hours then check this place out.

http://www.thetoolshop.org/

They specialise in engineering and carpentry tools but have a normally huge selection of everything for very little money, the other day I got a decent big self locking wrench and a full set of high quality extra long Allen keys that have a mountable handle from v smol to fucking huge and it was like tenner.

New tool day.

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Agreed. I've got a fair few t-staks that I've accumulated over the years and I absolutely hate them. They are no doubt great to carry around to job sites in the back of a van, but to have at home they are a lot of faff.
The interlocking mechanism, the lid latches and the weird molding form factor make them very secure and robust, but very faffy and hard to organize.
I cannot recommend them and I'm personally looking to replace them with something else when I have the time and money to invest. Eurocrates will probably be the new thing.
Or this, if my dreams of having a shed/garage ever come true.

That's really good to know.

I didn't get around to deciding how many to buy. But I think you've answered it for me. I'll just grab one to house my multitool and router. Rather than going overboard trying to build "as system".

I absolutely love those black Sealy chests. Unsure it does anything more than the Halfords Advanced ones, but it just looks so much more badass.

On that note, I'm absolutely gutted that my local Halfords is gone. It was brilliant being able to nip down and get oil for my bike and car and any other tools and bits ad hoc rather than having to order everything. Great staff too.

In case you haven't seen them, there are 3d printed sidelocks which you can fix to drawer runners.

That way you can make a drawed cabinet. However, you still have the hurdle of unlocking. ...although you could just leave the catches unlocked then lock them when you remove them.

The Tanos/Systainer stuff has it's frustrations. As you get more of them there's quite a lot of air around the tools so each tool starts to take up more and more space. The rolling capacity is great in a big workshop with flat floors but not so useful in victorian homes. The new style locks are much easier than the old one which can get very sticky. When you use a lot of tools for a job you need somewhere to store lots of empty systainers and when you come to put the tools away you have to deal with all the boxes.

It's a system that appeals to the brain on the surface and over 20 years I've forgotten how it is to not have the boxes to deal with. It does work well for transportation and the tools stay in good condition longer.

Their carpentry organiser has worked for me for many years but I replaced it onsite with a bag because it's awkward to fit into some workspaces and a small bag works much better.

My latest bit holder,, non of that fancy click torque, but it can all 'work' from the set . £18 quid bosh looking suspiciously like the park-whatever-lidel does

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Not exactly porn, but yesterday I'd had enough of trying to remove completely fucked square taper BBs rusted into frames, and corroded cassette lockrings, so bought myself a nice deep spline BB tool with 1/2" drive, and a 400Nm impact wrench to take them out.

Took literally 2 seconds. Game changer.

400Nm impact wrench

Don't tease, tell us the brand!