The two goals of my tote design are tool organization and flexibility. They look to be excellently designed but the downsides are they’re expensive and designed for very specific sets of often hard-to-find tools. There are a handful of commercially available Systainer tool inserts including one from Festool and other German specialty companies. With that in mind, I’ve created a Festool/Tanos hand tool insert designed to fit in a #4 Sys container. Rather then tools being scattered all over your workbench, toolbox, and floor, like a tool wall or cabinet, all your tools are in sight and easily accessible. When you get to your destination or woodworking class, pull out your open toolbox, place it on your bench and you’re ready to go. It’s lightweight, open and fits into a protective case for transport. This tool tote provides the benefits of a tool wall and a portable toolbox in one package. If it’s set up right next to your bench, that also makes it easy to develop good habits of putting your tools away immediately rather than letting them pile up on your workbench. The advantages of a tool wall or tool cabinet are everything is in sight, organized and accessible. Large toolboxes can be quite heavy and unless it’s close to bench height, a lot of bending over is required. Depending on the design, this may require a bit of digging to get to the tool you want. But, if you need to carry a lot of tools they need to be stored in layers, bins or sections. Toolboxes excel at transporting tools with dedicated compartments or dividers to protect different tools. The problem with the first two solutions is your tools are out of sight and may require moving or sliding something out of the way to get at the tools you need at the time. In your shop, you may store your tools in drawers, tool boxes or a tool wall/cabinet. Tool organization is an ongoing challenge for every woodworker. I’ve designed a handy, light-weight, customizable tool tote that organizes your tools and fits inside a Festool/Tanos Systainer box that you can make with a CNC in less than an hour.

The problem is, aside from the classic, wonderfully designed, heavy wooden tool boxes that some woodworkers build, you’re often left with few choices when it comes to making a small toolbox that organizes and carries your tools to say, a woodworking workshop or perhaps to a project outside your shop. As your collection of tools grows, sooner or later you’re going to need something to put them in. Using digital tools, you can make this handy tool tote in less than an hour.Īll woodworkers love tools. A Tool Tote designed to fit inside a Festool/Tanos #4 Systainer is perfect for organizing your hand tools.

Roy underhill tool tote plans