When did the world go mad for Festool?

[Nelsun]

The ebay rail dogs arrived yesterday (along with some rails and saw) and first impressions are good. The dogs themselves are a tight fit (if Veritas Parf Dogs are snug, these are very snug by comparison) but that's better than having any slop for their intended use. They are a faff to get on and off (due to tightness mainly) but hopefully time and experience will help there. I should add that the MFT 1080 top is brand new and had 2 thin coats of Osmo PolyX wiped on and carefully rubbed into the dog holes - so tolerances will be ever so slightly tighter to begin with.

About the only niggle so far is the bolt head that slots into the track. It's been ground on the edges to let it fit in the track slot - but only on one matching pair of edges. That's not bad at all if that's the worst I can grumble about

 

[wcndave]

Note that on Youtool, the delivery cost shown is Germany only, you need to add from £10-25 for other countries.

 

[pcb1962]

Note that on Youtool, the delivery cost shown is Germany only, you need to add from £10-25 for other countries.

And given that anything longer than 1m is outside the comfort zone of any of the reasonably priced carriers in this country it could well be a bit more than that.
Has anyone asked Youtool about shipping to the UK?

 

[n0legs]

Update..
My original post below and some comments made by others on the issue of the Plug-It system.
At the end is an email I received this morning from Festool.
I add, this has taken them 11 days to come back with an answer. This may be due to tardy performance or they've gone away and done some head scratching. I'm not sure which is the case, but I have posted this for any who are/were interested.
My own opinion is covered by something I quoted from the instruction manual and I believe, (whether stated or not by Festool) it is certainly implied by these lines:-

► Disconnect the plug from the power source before
making any adjustments, changing accessories, or
storing the tool.

Original post:-

MMUK wrote:
I don't see how the power cable thing is a time saver? Other tools have a fixed cable so don't need swapping out all the time.

I have an issue with this feature too.
Do the instructions say the swapping of the mains power lead can be done whilst it is still live?

Some responses :-

pcb1962 wrote:
n0legs wrote:
Do the instructions say the swapping of the mains power lead can be done whilst it is still live?


Yes
https://youtu.be/sD2QxrwuvJk?t=1m


That's not strictly correct.
I downloaded the instructions for the domino.

Page 4:-
► Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for
carrying, pulling, or unplugging the power tool. Keep
cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving
parts.
► Disconnect the plug from the power source before
making any adjustments, changing accessories, or
storing the tool.

It's like an old Swan kettle, switch it off at the socket, as the plug and socket on the appliance is not to be used to make or break a live circuit.. Therefore this feature does not speed up it's use. The instructions state disconnection from the mains first.
So their innovative design ( copied I think from Black and Decker ) just allows one lead to fit other tools. Is that such a clever idea?

The Plug-It system that Festool utilizes on most of it's power tools is very useful. I was using 5 of their tools today on a project in my workshop. All the tools required dust extraction and I only needed 1 power lead that was plugged into the autostart power point on the CT dust extractor. At no point during their use did I have to turn the power supply off to change tools.

Swapping the Plug-It lead from one tool to another is not the same as unplugging a 3 pin 13amp plug from a wall socket whilst the tool is under load. When you disconnect the lead from one tool and then connect it to another tool, unless you have your finger on the run switch of that tool, then no current is flowing....!!!!!

If you read the quote from the Domino instructions again, it only states the need to disconnect the plug whilst making any adjustments, changing the cutter, resetting depth settings etc. No mention of turning off the supply to the Plug-It lead before connection or disconnection to the tool itself.

Where in the quoted text does it say you can't use the plug to make or break the circuit? I don't particularly care if the plug it system is innovative, clever or copied, it's just a handy thing to have. Simply having less cables lying around is nice. No big deal. Maybe you're not supposed to, I'm not sure. I certainly do though

Email :-

Good morning

With regards to your email below, if the socket is live then yes we would suggest you unplug it first for safety.


Best regards

Kerry Barrs

TTS Tooltechnic Systems GB Ltd

Customer Sales Administrator
Dept. Sales
Phone +44 (0)1284 760791
Fax +44 (0)1284 702156
E-Mail [email protected]
Web http://www.festool.co.uk

Registered office address:
Saxham Business Park
Saxham, Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk, IP28 6RX
Great Britain
Place of registration: England & Wales
Company No.: 1970070

 

[porker]

To be honest, I can't see them stating anything else. This is the difference between what you can do and what you should do. I never unplug mine but if it got damaged I could replace without having to dismantle the tool and rewire.

 

[n0legs]

To be honest, I can't see them stating anything else. This is the difference between what you can do and what you should do. I never unplug mine but if it got damaged I could replace without having to dismantle the tool and rewire.

Oh absolutely, what we do with anything once we have purchased it is up to us and in all honesty the feature of changing out a damaged lead or removing the lead for storage is good.
My point has been around the claim it saves you time between going to the extractor/whatever and using the tool. There is no doubt that time saving is there, but is the operator putting themselves in the path of risk.
Just my musings.

 

[pcb1962]

Update..
My original post below and some comments made by others on the issue of the Plug-It system.
At the end is an email I received this morning from Festool.
...

Maybe you could reply and ask them why their own video clearly shows them plugging the cable into the CTL and switching it on before connecting the plug-it to the tool.

 

[wcndave]

They're just covering themselves. It's totally fine to just "plug-it" however you shouldn't stick your screwdriver in the end, or drop it in a bucket of water etc....

 

[n0legs]

Update..
My original post below and some comments made by others on the issue of the Plug-It system.
At the end is an email I received this morning from Festool.
...

Maybe you could reply and ask them why their own video clearly shows them plugging the cable into the CTL and switching it on before connecting the plug-it to the tool.

Done.

 

[Distinterior]

Anybody who owns or uses more than one Festool tool on a project that has the Plug-It power cable, is highly likely to swop tools without unplugging the 3 pin 13a plug at the wall or on the CT Dust Extractor.

I stand by my original statement that as long as the user does not have their finger on the On/Off button at the time they plug in the Plug-it cable, then there is no issue as no current is flowing......!!!!!

Its the difference between having used the tools/system and not.

I am expecting a visit from the Festool Service Engineer/Rep soon, I will ask him about this subject and post his response........!

 

[SteveF]

does the fact it is plugged into the extractor make any difference?
I am not an electrician but guess it is not live till u press the green button

Steve

 

[pcb1962]

does the fact it is plugged into the extractor make any difference?

Nope, you plug it into the extractor, switch the extractor to auto, and leave it that way all day.
The socket on the extractor is as live as a socket on the wall.

 

[n0legs]

Maybe you could reply and ask them why their own video clearly shows them plugging the cable into the CTL and switching it on before connecting the plug-it to the tool.

Done.

Last update from me on this matter.
Received this email from Festool regarding the video:-

Hi Allan

I have spoken with my technical man who has advised that it is the way the video is edited.


Best regards

Kerry Barrs

TTS Tooltechnic Systems GB Ltd

Customer Sales Administrator
Dept. Sales
Phone +44 (0)1284 760791
Fax +44 (0)1284 702156
E-Mail [email protected]
Web http://www.festool.co.uk

Registered office address:
Saxham Business Park
Saxham, Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk, IP28 6RX
Great Britain
Place of registration: England & Wales
Company No.: 1970070

Managing Director: Ole Held

My email asking about the video:-

Hi Kerry,

Thank you for the reply and advice.
Not wishing to be too much more of a pain I have one more question/issue.
The reason for my initial question was due to this video:-
https://youtu.be/sD2QxrwuvJk?t=1m.
In it the operative can be clearly seen to make the connections at the extractor and switch it to the auto function before connecting the tool to the Plug-It lead.
Is the power socket on the extractor constantly "live" or does the extractor possess some kind of auto switching/load sensing ability?

Best wishes and thanks in advance

 

[Bodgers]

With the greatest respect, I think you are chasing a problem that to the vast majority of sensible real world users, doesn't exist. I would move on.

Sent from my MI 3W using Tapatalk

 

[wcndave]

I have received a 800mm track from youtool.de anyone interested in some pictures and comparisons with Festool track?

 

[pcb1962]

I have received a 800mm track from youtool.de anyone interested in some pictures and comparisons with Festool track?

Yes please, definitely, also interested in how it was packed, although 800mm is hardly a problem. I would love to order a 2.7m track but I'm dubious about the chance of it arriving here without being bent followed by all the hassle of returning it.

 

[Ed Bray]

I used my TS-55, Carvex and DF700 all afternoon today and swapped the lead/hose constantly between the tools, I also had the Kapex plugged into the second port on my CT26 at all times. No issues with swapping the lead.

 

[Jmac80]

Hi ed.
do you have some kind of splitter on your Festool vac?
Would like one that is standard size hose and a larger one on the other side for mitre saw.

 

[n0legs]

Sausages

 

[MMUK]

Sausages

Walls!