All Festool cords aren't the same?

[sprior]

I hadn't realized this before, but today noticed that the power cords for my TS55 saw and ETF125 sander aren't the same.  I thought they were supposed to be universal.  Does anyone know why they're different?

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Different gauge....the heavier duty one comes with the TS saws and routers and the other tools come with a lighter duty cord.  The little tab prevents you from using a lighter duty cord with the tools that require the heavier gauge.

Scot

 

[peter halle]

But you can use the cords from the TS-55 / 75 and the OF 1400 with all the other tools.  (I don't know what cord the Domino XL700 has).

Peter

 

[Timtool]

Must be a NA thing because of the 110V? I never noticed a difference on my cords, besides the OF2200 which has a thicker non-plug-it cord.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Yeah, it's a 110v only phenomenon.

 

[Jackoman]

I think the saw and router use a 16 gauge coerd and the sanders only require 18 gauge.

Could be wrong.

Dave

 

[NuggyBuggy]

So why not just supply all North American tools with the same Plugit capable of feeding all Plug-it connected tools ?

It can't be just to save a bit on the heavier gauge wire.  It's a complete contradiction of the systems approach.  Stick the wrong plugit in a Systainer and you could be stuck unable to run the tool.

 

[sprior]

Maybe the light cord is more flexible and less annoying to deal with while using a sander - I don't know.  In any case the different cords should be made more obvious - like a different color for the connector on the light duty cord and a similar indication on tools that can use the lighter cord.  Festool is so well thought out on so many things that it's just glaring when something like this comes along.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I have wondered that myself...I just stuck the heavier gauge on my Boom and do not bother with the lighter cords.

Scot

 

[flair woodworks]

But you can use the cords from the TS-55 / 75 and the OF 1400 with all the other tools.  (I don't know what cord the Domino XL700 has).

Peter

Both Domino joiners use require only the 18-gauge cords, so either will work.

 

[sstch]

Thanks guys.

Does anyone know the Festool numbers for both the 16 gauge and 18 gauge cords?

 

[peter halle]

Perhaps this will help.  The more expensive is the thicker cord used by the TS saws and the 1400 router.  The less expensive one has the extra tab in the plug it end to prevent it from being used with higher amp machines.

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Peter

 

[shed9]

To be fair Festool were never going to win on this one. If they made all the 110V cables the same gauge suitable for all the relevant tools, there would be a similar thread asking why thy don't make a more flexible one for the lower rated devices.

I agree, a colour coding would help and it does, a strip of coloured insulation tape on the machine end of the plug-it cable helps me.

 

[iamnothim]

This thread has given me a window to vent about something I've wanted to post about.....  Same general topic.

Hey Festool !  "What Gives with using 23 different types of fastener heads !!!!"

Thanks,  I feel better now. [smile]

 

[Tinker]

I bought a too lie a few years back thinking they had a driver head for all of those different screws.  I still ended up looking for a few more odd sized drivers.  [mad]
Tinker