DIY Festool Systainer Cart | 3D Printing + Woodworking

Make your systainers mobile and learn how to build your own Festool Sys-Cart with 3D printed cleats and a scrap piece of 2×4.

Hello everyone, today I’m sharing build details on my latest shop project: a mobile systainer cart! This was a really easy build that combined two of my favorite hobbies: woodworking and 3D printing.

Buying the official Festool systainer cart will cost you about $100. I was able to build mine for just the cost of the caster wheels. (I bought these 2″ ones on Amazon!) The rest of the supplies I already had on hand.

Most of the work for the systainer cart was cut out for me because the model for the 3D printed cleats is available on Thingiverse.

Let’s get started with the build!

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Tools and Supplies

The following items are some of the tools and supplies I gathered to build the mobile systainer cart.

Tools

• a 3D printer
• Table saw
• Hand saw and saw guide
• Bandsaw

Supplies

• Atomic Filament Black PLA
• Scrap 2×4
• Screws and washers (4 per caster)
• Wood glue
• Double Sided Tape

You can keep the project simple and use a pocket hole jig to join the base boards together, but I thought this project would be a great opportunity to practice other forms of woodworking joinery: specifically, half lap joints.

The only other time I’ve made half lap joints was for when I built my mobile base for the Ridgid Jointer.

How to Video Tutorial

Watch the how to make video below or continue reading for the written tutorial.

How to build a Systainer Cart

Here’s how I built the systainer cart.

Step 1: 3D print the cleats

Download the STL files via Thingiverse and 3D print them. I used Black PLA from Atomic Filament.

Step 2: Mill the 2×4

I used some 2×4 scraps to construct the base. Because I decided to use half laps for my joinery, I felt that it was worth it to go the extra mile and square the boards.

Step 3: Cut the 2×4 to size

To measure the size of the 2×4, I dry fitted the cleats on the base of one of my systainers and measured the distance between the parts.

I took that measurement and added 1/8″ to the lengths.

My cut list is:

• 10 3/4″ (2)
• 15 3/8″ (2)

These measurements will vary if you opt to use pocket hole joinery to build the base.

Step 4: Cut the half laps

First time I made a half lap joint, I used my circular saw and a chisel. This was a tedious process so this time around I opted to use my bandsaw and a handsaw.

Step 5: Assemble the base

I assembled the base with wood glue and clamps.

Step 6: Install the 3D printed cleats

To install the cleats and avoid issues with aligment, I dry fitted the cleats onto the base of a systainer and applied double sided tape.

Once the tape was on each cleat, I carefully placed the wooden base on top it.

Then, I removed the base from the systainer and screwed the cleats to the base.

Step 7: Install the caster wheels

Finally, install the 2″ caster wheels and enjoy!

Homemade Systainer Cart

Thanks for checking out my project! I hope it inspires you to build one for yourself!