All those Festool goodies...

[AHoman]

... that aren't available in the U.S. 
Now, I realize that our gov't's safety standards are preventing the upside-down circular saw tables from coming here, but I recently read an Australian website of a Festool Dealer there --- there were hundreds of pounds of Festool products that don't come to American shores --- all sorts of renovation tool, and the Protool line (is this part of Festool?), portable table saws, and a miter saw.  Many of these tools don't appear to be as "innovative" as the part of the Festool line that is sold in the U.S., but it still seems like some Americans would be interested in Festool (German) quality and precision.
-Andy

 

[Festoolio]

There's this great systainer filled with all the Centrotec  bits, et. al., that I would love. I can't imagine that there are any import issues with this one, and it's a much more reasonable way to get them all instead of piecemeal. Not that it could be considered reasonable in the "non Festool" sense.

 

[Terry Flowers]

I'm curious, for tools that don't have electrical issues, is it not possible to order a product from a foreign source and have it shipped here, or is that illegal?

Terry

 

[mysterium]

Terry,

I doubt there are legal issues...

But practical?  The cost due to our week dollar & overseas shipping would make it expensive. 

Wait a minute.... never mind.... Festool is expensive. ;D

I would be interested in the big Centrotec kit & 4 pig tails...

jim 

 

[Dan Lyke]

I'm curious, for tools that don't have electrical issues, is it not possible to order a product from a foreign source and have it shipped here, or is that illegal?

My impression is that the main stumbling block is Underwriter's Labs, not the FTC or other governmental agency. So there should be no problems with import, beyond the usual duties and tarriffs. Might be some electrical compatibility issues for things that aren't 110v/60Hz, but a lot of what people seem to be asking for are just mechanical parts.

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for some out-of-the-country suppliers. Do we have any of them who'd be interested in shipping product to the U.S.?

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I'm curious, for tools that don't have electrical issues, is it not possible to order a product from a foreign source and have it shipped here, or is that illegal?

... a lot of what people seem to be asking for are just mechanical parts.

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for some out-of-the-country suppliers. Do we have any of them who'd be interested in shipping product to the U.S.?

It may well be an opportunity, but both parties in any such transaction need to also be aware that such "grey market goods" may not have any warranty or customer support associated with them, even if they are identical to those officially authorized by Festool to be marketed in USA.

 

[Dan Lyke]

It may well be an opportunity, but both parties in any such transaction need to also be aware that such "grey market goods" may not have any warranty or customer support associated with them...

True, but it's something camera geeks, for instance, have been happily accepting for years.

 

[Terry Flowers]

And who cares about a warranty on something like pigtails and most mechanical items.
Terry

 

[wmhyman]

I actually emailed Christian Oltzscher a while back inquiring about the pigtails.  Christian responded that they had tried to bring them to the US, but Festool is required by their insurance company to get UL listing for items in the US.  Thinking along the same lines as some of you, what was the big deal about the pig tails. An opportunity came up when a co-worker went to Europe, so I asked him to track one down for me.  When I got it, it was marked ~10A, 250VAC and the wire insulation and gauge was much thinner than what would be used in the US.  Though plenty thick enough for a TS55 overseas that is drawing ~5A at 240VAC.  I was disappointed, but I guess that's the price we pay for using 120VAC while most of the rest of the world is in the 240VAC range.