In the tread entitled “Tool Cases –what do you do with them”, several people commented on Festool systainers. In particular, there were several comments about the fact that the inserts that Festool puts within their systainers are away below the quality of the systainers themselves and of their tools.
I am, starting this new thread to solicit additional comments about the systainer inserts. My intention is to collate the responses then send them to Festool in an attempt to get them to bring the quality of their inserts up to the quality of the rest of their products.
Below are a set of comments re systainers that I extracted from the original thread:
Chris Padila:
All my Festool stuff stays in the systainers. I like cases...they work well for me and it makes storage and safe-keeping of the tool easier.
I'll chime in that I also agree the Festool liners are on the cheap, flimsy side and won't last. That said, I'm pretty careful with it. The one holding my CDD-12 drill is doing fine and the 150/5 is holding up well but if I used them daily for my job, I can't see how they would last very long.
Jim Becker:
Like some others, I toss them...EXCEPT for the Systainers that come with Festool and the metal box that my Sawsall lives in. It's not that I don't like the boxes, but for the most part, they take up a lot more space and don't "live together" very well, being different sizes and configurations. Systainers fix that...not that I'd trot out and buy "empty" ones for tools.
Frank Pellow:
In particular, I use the Festool systainers and have even purchased 2 extra systainrs and fitted them out for non-Festool tools.
I agree that the inserts for the Festool systainers are not of the same quality as the rest of their products. So far, mine are lasting OK, but I admit that I am being particularly careful with them. However Jason, I do not understand your comment about limited room for the cords. This is certainly not a problem with the tools that I have.
Jason Roehl
I like having "cased" tools for the various reasons already given--protected from dust and debris, easy transport to jobsite, etc. As for the Festool Systainers, I think they are a great idea, but poor execution. The case itself is fine, but I think the molded plastic insert is flimsy and I can't see it lasting very long, plus the way that insert rides in the case leaves little room for the cord--which to make fit you have to coil up fairly tight.
Greg Mann:
Frank, you and Jason are correct about the Systainer inserts. I believe I will wind up making replacement inserts for my AT55 and my planer. The Rotex insert, while made of the same thin material, seems a little more acceptable but not much. Just enough I probably won't replace it. I could overlook it more easily but Festool touts the Systainer as a significant advantage to their line. Perhaps we need to lobby them to improve these liners. Having said all that, I still love their tools. After using them for some time I guess I would buy them even if they came without the best boxes in the industry, liners notwithstanding.
John Miliunas:
Systainers for all my Festool and, when not in use (seldom!), they're in the systainers. The only other one I'm religious on, is indeed the Sawzall, as it also has room for extra blades. The blow-molded cases, IMHO, are pretty useless and eventually end up in the landfill.
Frank, I concur with your general observations. I too, do NOT have a problem with finding room for the cords on any of my Festool equipment, but the inserts do appear to be on the "delicate" side. For me, I'm both, very careful with them and don't have a need to lug the equipment from job site to job site. That said, others find the Festools GREAT for job site work and this would undoubtedly become an issue for them. I think Festool *should* be made aware of this.
Jay StPeter:
I agree that the systainer liners are flimsy.
After some digging on the Festool site, I see that tools are available without systainers in some other countries. I would gladly pay a little less and forego the systainer totally. Although I like the one for my circular saw, I can't imagine drills or sanders would ever find their way back into the sysainer in my shop. I might prove myself wrong here, but I doubt it
Peter Kuhlman:
I discard all of the cases my tools come in. The Festool Systainers I have stacked in my attic but the blow molded cases that so many portable tools are sold with just get junked.
Mark Valsi:
I have stored the Festool boxes under the house, hate to throw them out ,but they take up too much space in the shop !
Originally Posted by Chris Padilla
