Sortimo availability in the U.S.?

[hdrider_chgo]

I'm looking into standardizing on the Sortimo boxes (similar to Systainers).

http://www.sortimo.co.uk/L-BOXX.295.0.html

Sortimo has a distribution point in the U.S. in Atlanta, but seems to sell only through truck equipment dealers. The local dealer knows little to nothing about the product, has nothing in stock, and it has taken weeks to get answers to basic questions. Tried calling Atlanta, they are equally non-responsive.

However I did get pricing yesterday. It's extremely high, plus there's no place to look at the stuff and they want a 15% restocking fee plus shipping on returns (purchased through dealer but returned to Atlanta). I suspect a good chunk of that cost is dealer markup.

Additionally, I understand that Bosch is selling some of the same components under their brand. Prices are considerably less (as seen on Amazon). I could buy some of the stuff there (if these are the same boxes).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

Has anyone found a good way to buy this stuff, or have any experience with it? It is just plastic boxes after all, but I've seen nothing else that comes close to meeting my needs.

I'm looking at standardizing on two systems: Systainers for the Festool stuff, since even though I'm not a big fan, I have them, and they come by default, and Sortimo for just about everything else, which would mostly be parts, and specialized tools.

Working in the city, space is always at a premium, in the shop, on the truck, and at the job site. Going bigger, and just hauling and storing air is not an option. I've got to pack more stuff in a smaller space and keep track of it all. Luckily most of what I need to carry is small, but there is a huge variety.

I'd welcome comments from our European friends as to their experience as well.

[Lettusbee67]

I ordered a complete set of Bosch l-boxes on Sears.com a coupla weeks ago. Their website showed them in stock. The distribution was handled by tiger supplies, who has their own website. So far, I have rec'd only one of the 5 boxes. It seems ok, but the latches are kinda flimsy, and don't inspire confidence. A review on CT claims the boxes break easy in cold weather.
I too am reunification to standardize my storage, but have added the dewalt tough system to my setup. The boxes are sturdy as he ll, but they are big and bulky.

[GregBradley]

I can't comment about durability in cold weather since it doesn't even freeze here every winter.

I do own Sortimo plastic and metal boxes and Tanos original and T-Lock boxes.

The Sortimo metal box organization & rack is great but I don't think that is what you are looking at. Works great for storing rotary hammer bits or heavy grinding wheels and other heavy stuff. We use them around equipment, not for storing carpentry tools.

When you take an original Tanos box (original Festool) and add it to the stack, you set some down on top of the ones below. If it is a bit off, you just move it until it falls into place as it lines up with the one below. You then flip the clips to lock it together.

The T-Locks are a bit different in that you put the top ones on a a slight angle and they fit together, then you just rotate ONE lock. You can even open a box in the middle of the stack if your willing to tilt all the ones on top to do it.

The Sortimo LBoxx stuff in some ways is an improvement over the original Tanos boxes. It works MUCH better in Size 1 & 2 than in size 3 & 4. You lock them together by lining them up and slightly dropping the top ones onto the bottom one to clip them in place. They have to line up exactly or you have to try again or push the release clip in on each side while lowering the top ones onto the bottom ones. The problem is the LBoxx-3 is tall enough that they try to spread a bit and they don't always lock into place properly. If you are locking boxes onto the top of a LBoxx-4 it always is a pain.

The LBoxx seem like they might be a bit stronger than the Tanos but they have less space inside compared to the size outside. They also taper a bunch from top to bottom in the size 3 & 4. They will look "beat up" much faster than Tanos.

We buy a ton of Bosch so they sold us the LBoxes cheap when they were introducing them. I think we paid $36 for the #1 up to $47 for the #4. If we had paid the kind of prices shown on the link to Amazon, I would have been returning them.

Since you can't see these in person, I hope this long "review" saves you some money.

[tom dickey]

lettusbee how do you like the dewalt boxes I just ordered the extra large one today been looking at them for months online.

[hdrider_chgo]

Thanks, guys.

I did look at the DeWalt Tough boxes, but they have nowhere near the variety and flexibility of components I need, nor do I feel confident about DeWalt's long-term commitment to the platform.

The T-lock Systainers are a definite improvement, but I'm still not a big fan of Systainers. I just don't consider them a very good design for a variety of reasons.

Sortimo seems like a better design and the most comprehensive system, that could handle any organization problem I could come up with, now or in the future, and integrates with vehicle racking systems if I ever go that route. But high cost and difficulty obtaining the product may put it out of reach.

Right now I'm leaning toward Systainers. At least if something better comes along, they may have some resale value.

[JAlvis]

I started a thread on the Sortimo products a while back. Not sure if you read it already but I will post the link for your review. Theres a comment with contact info to a dealer that I've talked with in the thread. Give him a call.

Be ready to pay some large numbers for the options. I priced some items out and it was hard to swallow but I agree that they have the best options.

http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/s...hlight=sortimo

[hdrider_chgo]

Thanks, I forgot about that thread.

Tried your contact in Atlanta, which I found through another source. Not very responsive. They just wanted to push me off to the local dealer, who then has to contact Altlanta anyway, because they don't have anything in stock and don't know much.

All these components should be available for purchase on the web via point-click-ship. Trying to sell small orders of boxes through truck dealers just wastes everyones time and drives up the cost.

So, did you buy?

[GregBradley]

Looks like I have 2-3 each size LBoxx.

One one of them, I bought a Bosch 1590EVSL Jig saw that came in a #2. I hook a #1 to it with all the accessories for that unit + extra blades, etc. That works out great.

When I tried to make a stack of 5 with a #4 on the bottom, it went downhill. The worse part is when you are carrying several to put on top of the bottom unit. You have to set it down, bend over to reach the very bottom and lift with both hands with your hands on the latches. Then set it down on the stack, while you press in on the latch. Could be a real killer on the lower back. If the stack is top heavy it can get ugly.

If you are looking at the van racking units that put individual units in each drawer and you might clip 2 or 3 smaller ones together, it could work out a lot better.

The metal units that are mounted permanently in a work truck do work very well. They are expensive but not worse than Vidmar and more configurable plus you can take one box out and carry it to where you need it.

[Lettusbee67]

I picked up the Dewalt boxes on a great introductory price, with two of the carts. It was the carts that made them worth it for me. We frequently work on school or office campuses, where we may have to park two blocks away. The downside of the dewalt boxes is it is just a standard toolbox with a tray. I do wish the dewalt boxes could have drawer options, like the sortainers. I would also like to see vertical dividers in the deep boxes, and am considering making my own.

However, for certain tools, these things work. The boxes seem durable, but I do have doubts about some of the plastic components in the hinged lid for the smallest box. I plan on buying more of these, but I also plan on buying more systainers for some things, as well as some of the stanley organizer boxes and wheeled tool totes. For me, there is no one system that is perfect.

Hew DEWALT! I would like to see some tough system brackets that are designed to mount to the trailer wall. I could make the plastic cart versions work in my trailer, but they look like they'd snap in half under the rigors of daily driving abuse.

[hdrider_chgo]

I often need to park blocks away as well, but I'm not seeing the advantage of the little custom carts. I'd like to snap together a stack of boxes up to 5' high, and put them on any standard hand truck or wheeled platform.

[Lettusbee67]

I often need to park blocks away as well, but I'm not seeing the advantage of the little custom carts. I'd like to snap together a stack of boxes up to 5' high, and put them on any standard hand truck or wheeled platform.

Now there's no need to bring common sense into this! :)

No, I thought that as well, but the width of the dewalt boxes makes more sense for some items.
and the pricing discount was the deciding factor.

However, I didn't intend for thread drift, I also would like to know of a decent sortimo supplier in the U.S.

[JAlvis]

So, did you buy?

I ended up buying a trailer instead of a van so I didn't buy Sortimo. Eventually I will change to a euro style van and reconsider the Sortimo line.

There products are by far the best engineered. Smart and versatile.

When I was looking Knapheide was the installer for there products so you could contact them for more information.

[JAlvis]

Maybe theres a 'Bott' dealer in the US. Very close to the Sortimo design.

http://www.bottltd.co.uk/

[shop_guy]

Bosch is running a special May 1-June 30. If you buy most any of the 12vMax tools you can choose an LBOXX 1, 2, or 1A(the one with isert containers for fasteners and such) by mail in rebate.

I have a couple of the LBOXX and like them, they work well and no problems so far.