"As for the dearth of north american representation, well in some ways the 3 countries that comprise the continent have only themselves to blame for that situation.  It's pretty difficult to design a high quality, robust and sophisticated tool around what amounts to an effectively 3rd world mains reticulation system.  Look what's happening to many of the Kapex saws connected to the north america's half-voltage network!  They were never the most robust of tools in the first place, and to connect them to such a primitive reticulation network is almost inevitably asking too much of their somewhat delicate nature."

Interesting statement about what you think our NA electric system is run on. Just to clarify, most homes in Canada and the USA have roughly 220V to 240V on between 100 and 200 amp services. Industry in Canada runs on 240V 377V 575V and 600V while in the USA its typically 220 and 440V. Households in both countries have 120V and 220V circuits. I fail to see whats archaic in this. We are not offered the higher voltage tools here for whatever reasons because of those that control the sales of these items. Many shops would have no issues, jobsites would either adapt or take the English road with both 120V and 220V tools.

John

Quote from: antss on June 19, 2017, 12:44 PM

Nice background piece.

However , for clarity , it needs to be mentioned that FESTO and Festool /TTs are not interchangeable when discusing power tools.

The companies were divide up around the turn of the century to various family members and are completely separate entities now.  FESTO is a pneumatics and industrial automation company .  TTS principally makes handheld electric tools, vacuums, storage solutions via Tanos and lately is into PUR molding processes.

A fair few of my power tools, systainers etc. are marked/labelled as "Festo".  Only those made recently have been called "Festool".  Ergo, either name has legitimacy when describing TT's power tool range.  Many of TTs tools are in effect merely rebadged versions of their original Narex, Protool, Kraenzle & Holz Her "originals" too.  I have/ have had  a few of these as well:  drill, vac, belt sanders.  They still retain the original company's DNA & design within, despite new labelling.  I find it vaguely insulting to those original designers who made these great tools to attribute these products to the new owners.