Double-plug-it

[James Watriss]

It occurred to me today that part of the system is leaving the cord plugged into the vac, and swapping out the tool end.

I'm having the same problem as most of NA: loose plug on the vac.

I'd like a kit that swaps out the plug on the vac with a twist-lock plug, with a plug-it at the other end of the cord, so the cord is twist-locked into the vac, and into the tool.

All of the tools already come with plugs for wall-sockets. So we're not talking about any loss of functionality here. But if the idea is to leave the vac plugged into the wall, and the tool plugged into the vac... But we're not really messing with the vac plug... Why are we leaving things set up this way? This could exist side-by side with a "Standard" plug, or as a standalone that comes with a twist-lock to standard pigtail, to accommodate pre-plug it models, or other tool brands.

Tired of needing to spring-clamp the cord to the dust cover.

Who's with me?

 

[fritter63]

Pinch the plug blades together slightly for a friction fit....

 

[Frank-Jan]

Sounds like a good OAINA accessory for the expansion module of the CTL vacs.

 

[James Watriss]

I was hoping more for a replacement module for the plug on my CT33...

 

[AlexThePalex]

Tired of needing to spring-clamp the cord to the dust cover.

Why invent a new system when all that really has to be done is make the existing one work? In Europe we never have problem with the plugs and sockets. The plug makes for a tight fit into the socket, so it will never come loose by itself. But on this forum we constantly read about the problems Americans have with their plugs staying in the vac, so what Festool needs to do is to redesign the socket for the vac so it actually works as intended.

I know it should work normally, I have an American 110v sound module with an American plug and it fits very tightly into the socket of the step down transformer I'm using.  So it's not that the plug itself is to blame, it's just that Festool droped the ball on this.

Unfortunately I'm sure you'll never gonna see this improvement, with al these new vacs out now. Btw, did the sockets on the new vacs work out better?

 

[mat]

You would need something other than a plug-it on the vacuum end. You cannot leave live pins exposed at any time.

 

[James Watriss]

Good point.

I don't think it necessarily has to be the exact same connector, but something similar would be great.

Or, just a hard-wired cord, coming straight from the vac, coiled up with the hose.

 

[waho6o9]

Another Festoolian suggested using a power strip plugged into the vacuum. Great idea. I've been doing that and it helps immensely. I have both festool twist locks hooked up and several open outlets for different tools that are plug ins.  [big grin]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Tired of needing to spring-clamp the cord to the dust cover.

Why invent a new system when all that really has to be done is make the existing one work? In Europe we never have problem with the plugs and sockets. The plug makes for a tight fit into the socket, so it will never come loose by itself. But on this forum we constantly read about the problems Americans have with their plugs staying in the vac, so what Festool needs to do is to redesign the socket for the vac so it actually works as intended.

I know it should work normally, I have an American 110v sound module with an American plug and it fits very tightly into the socket of the step down transformer I'm using.  So it's not that the plug itself is to blame, it's just that Festool droped the ball on this.

Unfortunately I'm sure you'll never gonna see this improvement, with al these new vacs out now. Btw, did the sockets on the new vacs work out better?

I've had the CT36 since it came out, done plenty of plugging and unplugging and so far no problems.  Hopefully it stays that way for a long time.  I know that when people squeeze the plug's blades together or spread them apart and then insert it into any outlet, it causes the outlet's receptors to spread that will eventually lead to a lack of contact with the plug's blades.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Like Ken, my newest CT is a Model 36. I took delivery of it from my dealer about 3 weeks after they became available.

In addition I own many CT22, some of which I bought slightly used. All of those had functioning power receptacles. I have no way of knowing if any of those needed replacement.

My original January 2006 CT22 is still very much in use. From then until July 2010 that CT was moved from site to site and rented shop to rented shop countless times. The original receptacle is still working well.

 

[Steve R]

I don't have any issue with the US plug falling out. The US plug is not as robust as other countries plugs.

Also most people don't understand how it was designed to work.

If you look at the any device with a male plug on the end you will find that the male blades have holes in them. The holes are there to receive a sprung ball from female receptacle outlet... the issue is that most outlets today want to do it cheap and use side pressure alone to hold the blades.

Cheers,
Steve