Australian Electrical Specs

[FestoolMike]

Ws curious what electrical standards the Australian have?  I have a couple of trips to the Perth area coming up and had considered picking up a Carvex or two while there.

I would assume they are 50 hz AC with either 120 or 240 V.  Would I be able to swap out the power cord with a US ended version and it would operate?

Thanks for your time,

Mike

 

[Steve R]

Australia uses an electrical service voltage of 240 V alternating current with an electrical frequency of 50 Hz.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Eli]

You could not just swap a cord. Just wanted to make that clear.  [big grin]

 

[FestoolMike]

Figured ~ 50 hz...

Maybe I will just focus on the CMS then and a couple of inserts (router & saw).

Thanks for your input!

 

[chips]

It might pay to do some research on the price of festool products in oz, just so you don't get sticker shock when you enter a store in oz.

 

[justinmcf]

What chips and Eli said is true. Have you checked out festool.com.au?

The CMS is 240 volt also. You plug your ts-55/75 into the CMS and then plug the CMS into your power outlet in the wall, etc.

The CMS is not just a table like the MFT.

Apart from all that, you should be fine!

Justin

 

[Eli]

It is conceivable that you could use a CMS and the table inserts in the states. Of course i would never officially endorse this on a Festool sponsored site, as they must have their reasons for not offering it where you live. Hypothetically speaking then, the on/off would need to be exchanged for one appropriate to US power or removed as useless, but other than that, it is a table designed to hold your tools stationary. My CMS rivals any job site or contractor saw, except in one respect. It does take a bit longer to set up. But dead accurate with the LA-50 fence. If I was to do it again, I'd get the plate for the TS 75, not 55, especially if you rip a lot of heavier timber. Just trimming sheet goods or architrave, drawer fronts, fine. plate for the jigsaw is pretty cool, I carry it but don't use it much lately. The router table would be a pain to carry but I have used it quite a bit and I like it.

 

[mouppe]

FestoolMike, just to expand on the posts above, frequency is not the issue here. The operating range for all the Festools I can think of is 50-60 Hz, and that includes the Carvex. Regarding frequency, the motor can handle US, European, Australian etc. frequency deviations.

Voltage is a different matter. You would need a step-up transformer to run a 220-240V product in a country with a 110V supply such as the US.

Another alternative would be to pick up a 110V Carvex, such as is sold in the UK. Then you could use a simple power adapter.

 

[extiger]

I was perusing websites (woodworking) in Australia about the time the Domino was released. Australia imported it before North America. Along with the voltage difference (and cycles) consider that the single largest customer base worldwide for Festool is North America. Buying Festool is a bargain here compared to other countries.