CT 22E will not work with Porter Cable Plate (Biscuit) Joiner

[Don Bullock]

I'm trying to use my Porter Cable Plate (Biscuit) Joiner with my CT 22E vac. When I plug in the joiner just like I do my Festook sanders it won't start. [eek] It works fine otherwise when plugged directoy into an outlet or on an extension cord and my sanders work fine with the CT 22E. Am I missing something or is the Porter Cable Joiner not compatible with the CT 22E for some reason. Thank you.

 

[Billedis]

I have the CT-48, and mine works fine with my PC biscuit joiner.  Bill

 

[AlexThePalex]

Have you tried to connect the PC through an extension cable to your CT, in order to rule out a plug/socket problem? If your PC is a standard 110v tool, it just should work.

 

[rvieceli]

Check the rotary switch on the right front of your ct22. On the ct22 the outlet is only powered when the switch is set to auto as I recall.

Ron

 

[rvieceli]

In addition, check to make sure the tool plug is getting a good connection in the outlet on the vac. The older ct had a tendency to have the outlet get a little sloppy.

 

[Don Bullock]

Thanks for all the replies. I have the CT on auto. I'll try it on manual and see if that makes a difference. Perhaps bending the prongs on the plug of the joiner for better contact might help too.  [smile]

 

[TylerC]

Unfortunately, we can't comment on other manufacturer's tools. We don't have any insight or involvement on that Porter Cable joiner, so we'd just be speculating. It sounds like some fellow FOGgers might be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck.

 

[Don Bullock]

For a company as prominant as Festool that comment is unacceptable. The tool in question, my CT 22E, is one of your tools. All I'm interested in knowing from you is Possibility that a tool like the Porter Cable joiner wouldn't work with my vacuum. Obviously, from your comment, Festool doesn't care if such a compatibility issue might exist with your machine. You need to understand that this kind of attitude is not helpful to those of us who have spent a lot of money on Festool tools. It's a signal to me that perhaps I made a mistake purchasing your tools and bought a different brand.

 

[Don Bullock]

Again, thank you to those who had suggestions on how to "fix" my problem. I havn't had time to check out the issue since reading your thoughts. If I get some shop time tomorrow I'll report what I find out. As I've known for many years, the Festool users are a great bunch of people.

 

[Gwerner]

I'd definitely make sure the vac is set to Auto. I never thought about it until tonight when I couldn't find an extension cord to plug my Dremel tool into, but my CT36 was right there. Plugged the Dremel in and turned it on, no joy. Set the CT36 to Auto and the Dremel fired right up.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

As far as I'm aware it shouldn't cause any problems for the auto start on the CT vacuums, but all the Festool tools in the recent lineups I'm familiar with have had "fancy" electronics for soft start, variable speed, etc. built in. Most ither high end German power tools I can think of also have the "fancy" electronics as well, except some of the newer Fein angle grinders, that are meant to be useable on DC current.

All the versions if the Porter Cable 557 biscuit joiner, both the older types with the PC made motor, and the newer type that uses a B&D/Dewalt made motor, use a simpler motor without the "fancy" electrical modules. I believe the Porter Cable 556 biscuit joiners also lacked the "fancy" electronics.

Another thing that may cause issues, is that European made North American spec, electrical cords seem to use slightly thinner plug prongs than those found on US made power tools. I haven't measured the thickness difference, but the plug ends on the EU cords seem to fit loser into sockets. This doesn't seem like it should be an issue related to your problem, but who knows.

As others hame mentioned also check to make sure the auto start switch is in the right place.

 

[Huxleywood]

For a company as prominant as Festool that comment is unacceptable.

In reality that is the response you will get from most any company where they have not expressly said their tool will interface with tools from another company especially if they have a competing product, as you stated it works correctly with Festool products.

Let us think this through.  First, the vac works fine with the Festool sanders so as long as the joiner draws enough current (it does) and you haven't changed the vac mode then it "has" to work.  Second, you have verified the PC works when plugged into an outlet.  Good old William of Ockham and the law of parsimony would suggest that the circuit is not being completed at the plug/receptacle interface and the poor electrons are not being allowed to dance down the cord to the 557.  Seriously, 10 to 1 that's your issue now the only question you have to answer is squeeze or spread in order to get your biscuits baked. 

 

[antss]

Don, you don't seriously expect Festool to test all of their vacuums with every single power tool available in every single market they operate in. Do you ?

Bosch doesn't test their vacs that way. Nor Fein, or Metabo, or Karcher, Alto - or Husqvarna, or Dewalt, and certainly not Porter Cable.  Festool guarantees their tools will work with their vacs and backs it up.  Asking them to certify that a harbor freight multi tool will work with their 110v USA vacs is kinda nuts.  So the obvious is that anything is possible when it comes to a tool not working or being compatible.

Before maligning the corp. policy not to comment on other makes - which is what you'll get from all tool companies - check to see if your issue is user error.  Then check the socket and the PC's cord prongs as suggested.  I think the 22 was discontinued about 7-8 years ago , so don't wait as parts will start to be phased out of the system.

BTW - I have a ct22 and a PC 557 and they work fine together. As does the Dewalt version and a rotozip........and anything else I've ever plugged into it.

 

[peter halle]

The CT-22 front receptacle was known to have the contacts spread and cause operational issues.  It can be user adjusted - I have done it with mine numerous times.  It is held in by 4 screws which are hidden under the cover plate which pops off.  I later bought the replacement part which is a superior design and will probably have to make adjustments on mine after 4 years or so of usage.

Of course if you decide to try and adjust yours make sure that you pay attention to the wiring and make sure the CT is unplugged.

Peter

 

[antss]

[member=725]Don Bullock[/member]  -did you ever get your biscuit joiner and CT to play together ?

 

[Don Bullock]

[member=725]Don Bullock[/member]  -did you ever get your biscuit joiner and CT to play together ?

Not yet!  [sad]

Peter,
Thank you for your reply!! That makes sense. I'll look into that tomorrow when I'm out in the shop. I appreciate your help.  [big grin]

As for Festool "testing" other brands for use with their CTs, what's wrong with that? When I pay a "premium" price for a tool like I do with Festool I expect it to be fully tested. Not all of us can afford a shop full of their tools. From what Peter stated, HE HAD A similar issue and the plug on the CT has been improved since I purchased mine. Obviously someone within Festool knows that there was a problem with the orginal design.  [eek]

 

[P2P]

Do you really expect any tool company to purchase every single power tool made by every other power tool manufacturer just to make sure it works with their equipment?
[eek]

 

[Laminator]

My PC joiner works fine with all 3 of my ct22, as well as a mini and ct26.  The receptacle on the 22's are weak but still work ok. 

 

[demographic]

I'd be tempted to just swap the plug over on the powertool or have a look at the socket part of the extractor.

 

[TomE]

FWIW

My CT22E (2005) has worked with any tool I've plug into it so far including my PC 557.

On a subjective note, my slightly newer Fein vac seems to respond a tad quicker to the trigger.

Both vacs get used regularly with any brand tool that is fitted for dust extraction.

Even the slightest pull on a VSR drill trigger will activate both quite well.