Do you hate putting the cord back in the Systainer?

[James Biddle]

I hate putting it back as well.  It's the only thing that usually keeps me from closing the Systainer.  I'm thinking about pulling all of them out and coiling them with a velcro strap and hanging them on a wall (or in a van for the mobile).  Right now I have 10 corded tools, 2 Festool vacs (one with a cord strapped to the hose, one without) and a Fein vac with a Festool hose (no cord attached).  What do you do? (Oh, and as bad as Festool may be, Fein and Dewalt are way worse and without choices).

 

[semenza]

I don't keep any cords in the tool Systainers. I have one hanging with the vac hose from the mounting set in my shop (CT33). I keep one cord with the site CT Mini. And one in a storage box in my truck just in case. I work alone so never need more than one cord at a time.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

When I purchase a new Festool tool, the first thing I do is to open up the Systainer and place a twist-tie around the new coiled cord. From then on, I simply pull out the tie-wrapped cord and use just the tool. Replace the tool & replace the cord...everything fits as it did from the factory.

My vacs are fitted with the sleeved hose/cord so I have no need for the coiled cord from the new tool. The only reason I keep it with the tool is just in-case I need to remotely use the tool. I can just pick out the tool Systainer/Systainers I need and walk away knowing I have everything I need to use the tool.

A bonus round is when I have needed to use the original coiled cord, because it has been coiled for such a long period of time, it has a memory and thus, after its use, it was easily coiled back into its original size.

It's kind of like keeping that extra $20 or $100 bill tucked away in the back of your wallet...just in-case you need it.

As an aside:
I also place the tool manual under the Systainer plastic insert, which yields more room while still allowing me the use of the manual if I need it.

 

[Klemm]

this has to be a universal issue affecting everyone at one time or more often.

Is there a way to easily identify which cord plug-it en works with which tool - WITHOUT going through an analysis of the cord end and then looking at the tool to find the right match every time? - color coding? - or?

I'm not sure what necessitates having different cord ratings and connectors for all these FESTOOL power tools in the first place. What creates the need for more than one-size-fits-all?

Hans

 

[peter halle]

In a perfect life there would be only one cord here in North America.  That would be the cord that is used on the 1400 and the Ts-55.  Thicker gauge to meet requirements for the larger motors and exceed the requirements for the sanders and other tools with smaller motors. 

Game over, mic drop.

But then you start to factor in cost ( I suppose),  flexibility (never been an issue for me), and whatever else and there are two cords which in some instances are interchangeable and then in some not.

Peter

 

[tjbnwi]

I don't understand the issue/problem. Please explain or tell me what I'm missing?

Tom

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

One thing I've seen mentioned again and again, and experienced myself, is that industrial designed seem to forget that power tools have cords, when designing the cases for power tools. If the designers do consider the cord, they seem not to realize that some users will automatically put a longer cord on the tools the moment they get them, and don't estimate that into case design.

For festool, the sustainers are slightly better than many other tool cases, but the Plug-It cords semm to need to be wrapped to a specific diameter and shape to fit in the systainers, especially for things that come in a cramped sys 1 or sys 2, and good luck if you want to just keep a the longer Plug-It cord in the same systainer as the tools.

Also, Velcro manufactures they're One Wrap brand velcro cable wraps. Thesr are wonderful for keeping cords wrapped. Maybe Festool should buy a batch in lime green and throw one in with each cord. 

 

[Klemm]

[member=42462]Rip Van Winkle[/member]  - you struck a nerve with me on the subject of Industrial Design. Form and Function co-exist in the end product. To my mind, - and in my experience, - both are essential in a truly successful product.

What I have found to work is when I was in a position to directly control BOTH engineering (mechanical/electrical) AND Industrial Design, it enabled me to authorize business risks and give the Ind Designer great latitude without compromising the functional integrity of the end result. Terrifically satisfying work and commercially successful results

But this process results in some pretty heated battles before you get to the end. In my limited observation, the managers who have the ultimate say are typically too far removed from the details to make the best decisions. The result is a product that is pretty good but not a game-changing stand-out.

Our own Guide Rail Square did not compromise on function but I'll be the first to tell you it could stand improvement in the area of design. - a limitation of a small start-up.

Let's hear it for Form AND Function!

Hans

 

[tjbnwi]

There are very few Festools I remove the plug-it cord from when I place it back in the Systainer (or any other time). Cant remember the last time the cord has been removed from my TS's. ETS, DTS, RTS all go in with the cord attached. RAS is a little close, but really not an issue. The Vecturo I do have to remove the cord, wrap it, place it, close Systainer.

I've done this with every brand I've owned.

Again, I don't understand the issue.

Tom

 

[ChuckM]

snipe

One thing I've seen mentioned again and again, and experienced myself, is that industrial designed seem to forget that power tools have cords, when designing the cases for power tools. If the designers do consider the cord, they seem not to realize that some users will automatically put a longer cord on the tools the moment they get them, and don't estimate that into case design.

The problem is not just limited to cords or Festool cords, but many tool cases or boxes that include accessories. Nicely laid out and put, they are fine when you first open the case, but every time you use them, you may have a hard time remembering their positions and putting them back where they belong!

As for the Festool cords, I have had no issues with them as I wrap one cord around (in sleeve) the vac hose and use the same cord/vac hose for my DF500, sanders, and Kapex (which has its own cord and plug).

 

[ChuckM]

snipe

Again, I don't understand the issue.

Tom

I think the issue some people have is that if you put the cord randomly in the systainer, the lid may not close. Such is the case with the DF500 as I have experienced. I have now used one cord from the vac and all the unused cords are bundled and kept from the tools.

 

[rst]

As an ex Boy Scout and climber, I was taught to respect the natural tendency of a rope and cord to curl in a natural manner.  I get teased about being neurotic about way I put my cords away.  Every new Fes cord I receive gets stretched over a pull up bar to take out the kinks left by being coiled and strapped.  I put my cords into my systainers in as big a coil as possible with out forcing the cord into shapes that resist it's natural curl.  I never have a problem putting my cords into my systainers.

 

[James Biddle]

C'mon. Most people know the big cords work with every tool, big and small. It's a financial decision to not upgrade and consolidate.

 

[semenza]

this has to be a universal issue affecting everyone at one time or more often.

Is there a way to easily identify which cord plug-it en works with which tool - WITHOUT going through an analysis of the cord end and then looking at the tool to find the right match every time? - color coding? - or?

I'm not sure what necessitates having different cord ratings and connectors for all these FESTOOL power tools in the first place. What creates the need for more than one-size-fits-all?

Hans

Hans,

  Just put the cords that are the lighter gauge for the smaller tools in a cabinet, sell them, or give them away. The heavier gauge works on all the tools.

Barring Festool adding an identifier a wrap of colored electrical tape could be added to quickly ID the two.

Seth

 

[leakyroof]

snipe

Again, I don't understand the issue.

Tom

I think the issue some people have is that if you put the cord randomly in the systainer, the lid may not close. Such is the case with the DF500 as I have experienced. I have now used one cord from the vac and all the unused cords are bundled and kept from the tools.

. This was the issue I had with my Fein MM when I got it. It ‘fit’ until I used it for the first time, then was a puzzle to sneak back into the Factory Case after that.
Drove me to buy a Systainer and insert for it which had more room for the cord. I sold the Fein case  and never looked back .

 

[Cochese]

I have a 16ga (I think 16 and 18, right?) attached to my CT hose, and another coiled up to use outside the shop. That's it. The 18ga cords get tossed in the corner and forgotten about. I should think about selling them.

 

[tjbnwi]

snipe

Again, I don't understand the issue.

Tom

I think the issue some people have is that if you put the cord randomly in the systainer, the lid may not close. Such is the case with the DF500 as I have experienced. I have now used one cord from the vac and all the unused cords are bundled and kept from the tools.

. This was the issue I had with my Fein MM when I got it. It ‘fit’ until I used it for the first time, then was a puzzle to sneak back into the Factory Case after that.
Drove me to buy a Systainer and insert for it which had more room for the cord. I sold the Fein case  and never looked back .

I had a MM (gave it to our son in law), after the first time I got it figured out.

Tom

 

[Klemm]

this has to be a universal issue affecting everyone at one time or more often.

Is there a way to easily identify which cord plug-it en works with which tool - WITHOUT going through an analysis of the cord end and then looking at the tool to find the right match every time? - color coding? - or?

I'm not sure what necessitates having different cord ratings and connectors for all these FESTOOL power tools in the first place. What creates the need for more than one-size-fits-all?

Hans

Hans,

  Just put the cords that are the lighter gauge for the smaller tools in a cabinet, sell them, or give them away. The heavier gauge works on all the tools.

Barring Festool adding an identifier a wrap of colored electrical tape could be added to quickly ID the two.

Seth

Hey Seth - thanks for the clarification. It was one of thos issues that just seemed less than optimal without any compelling need to be that way.
Thanks for shedding light so I don't have to sort it out myself. - ah - the FOG forum  [smile]

thanks  buddy
Hans

 

[antss]

snipe

Again, I don't understand the issue.

Tom

I think the issue some people have is that if you put the cord randomly in the systainer, the lid may not close. Such is the case with the DF500 as I have experienced. I have now used one cord from the vac and all the unused cords are bundled and kept from the tools.

. This was the issue I had with my Fein MM when I got it. It ‘fit’ until I used it for the first time, then was a puzzle to sneak back into the Factory Case after that.
Drove me to buy a Systainer and insert for it which had more room for the cord. I sold the Fein case  and never looked back .

Did you get a sys2 then ? 
I found the sys1 for a fein mm to be worse than a fein OEM case with regard to cord management.

 

[leakyroof]

snipe

Again, I don't understand the issue.

Tom

I think the issue some people have is that if you put the cord randomly in the systainer, the lid may not close. Such is the case with the DF500 as I have experienced. I have now used one cord from the vac and all the unused cords are bundled and kept from the tools.

. This was the issue I had with my Fein MM when I got it. It ‘fit’ until I used it for the first time, then was a puzzle to sneak back into the Factory Case after that.
Drove me to buy a Systainer and insert for it which had more room for the cord. I sold the Fein case  and never looked back .

Did you get a sys2 then ? 
I found the sys1 for a fein mm to be worse than a fein OEM case with regard to cord management.

. Yes. I think it was here on FOG that I found out about the Tanos insert for the Fein MM and using a Sys 2 with it.
The Fein Case was pre- Systainer, the old Orange Case.