Festool’s T-Loc Systainers are great modular tool cases, and I would outfit my storage space with more of them if not for the high cost of SysPort drawer cabinets. SysPorts are even more expensive when you have to buy more drawers than the 5 they come with in order to fit additional smaller Systainers into the cabinets.
Because of this, a lot of Systainer fans make their own Systainer ports, but this can be time intensive to get right. I had been planning to make a drawer unit for my Systainers, and another for L-Boxxes, but just haven’t found the time. It’s been on my to-d0 list for the longest time.
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I guess I’m not alone, because Festool has just come out with the new Sys-Az Systainer drawer system, (500692). With these drawers, you get everything you need to create your custom Systainer Port in no time.
Slap a cabinet carcass together with some sides, a top, bottom, and back, attach the drawer slides, and you’re done. The example here shows two drawers installed in a cabinet made with adjustable drawer and shelf heights. This is useful because it allows you to adjust the positions of your drawers to accommodate different Systainer sizes as your needs change over time.
These drawers are full-extension and work the same as SystPort drawers. Pulling them out completely allows you to fully open the lid of inserted Systainers in order to access their contents. This is a time saver since you don’t have to remove the case and set it down somewhere when opening it.
Accessing tools is not as quick as with a toolbox with ball bearing cabinet drawers, but it’s the next best thing. Plus you can still take Systainers with you if and when needed. That’s something you cannot do with the drawers of a regular tool cabinet.
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Each drawer is priced at $45, and some dealers will offer a 5-pack for $200.
Maximum load rating is said to be 44 pounds per drawer. The drawers are compatible with Festool’s classic or T-LOC Systainers, which are of course sold separately.
Cabinets should be 16-13/16″ (427mm) wide by at least 14-31/32″ (380 mm) deep, with a minimum of 1/2″ (13mm) under the bottom drawer and 5/16″ (8mm) above the top drawer.
An optional $15 lock system allows you to secure the contents of individual drawers.
fred
Neat I’d probably would have gone this route if it had been available at the time I bought my 2 Festool tools. What I opted for was to stack my 3 systainers for my Festool track saw and the 3 (2 hold dominos) that I use with my Domino-XL on Festool rolling dollies. Naturally I have to take the stack apart to get at accessories and dominos. If these had been available, I’d have built the plywood cases (using dominos – naturally) and added some nice caster wheels to the bottom.
BikerDad
Only 44 lbs? That’s disappointing. I would have expected more, say about 110 lbs (i.e. 50 kilos.)
But it's me!
I have to agree, 44 lbs is just too weak.
Stuart
I’m pretty sure that the Systainer Ports have higher load ratings.
They might have purposefully designed these drawers so as to not compete too strongly with the SysPorts.
Also, how many people will be loading Systainers beyond 44 pounds?
I don’t think my heaviest Bosch L-Boxx or Festool Systainer is loaded beyond 40 pounds. I cannot say the same about my Dewalt ToughSystem tool cases though.
Dan
Those look good, I wonder if they would be strong enough for use in a van rack system. 44lb is enough per box, otherwise they would be difficult to carry about when stacked.
Dennis
If money was no object I’d switch over to Systainer system. But since I committed myself to the more reasonably priced L-Boxx, here’s hoping that Bosch/Sortimo come out with something similar. And furthermore that they sell it stateside.
But I have to say the part of me that is enamored with good design and modularity is in love with these.
John S
I agree that I hope l-boxx comes out with something, or simply makes more of their offerings readily available to NA at reasonable prices
James
My garage workshop needs upper and lower cabinets. I have presently about 12 systainer cases; probably will eventually have 15-20. I don’t need them to be mobile, so the sys-port seems like a waste of money for me. However, the Sys-AZ drawers don’t have the security and even the add-on locks are another $15 for each drawer just to jam a flimsy plastic lever. I think there is still a wide middle ground where it would be better to just build your own drawers. High quality full-extension drawer slides aren’t cheap either. It’s a dilemma figuring out what to do.