Everything you wanted to know about Plug-Its conversions (USA Version)

[guitarchitect]

For those that put the computer style connectors on their tools... Why not just put a normal plug on it? You can just shorten the cord to 6" can't you? Some companies sell extension cords that lock the outlet on, so I'm wondering what is gained by using a different connector

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[JimD]

The computer style connectors are significantly more compact and stay connected better than normal power plugs.  But you are right that you could just use regular ones.  I also got the computer style ones inexpensively (around a buck each).  The biggest disadvantage is the small size makes the space inside tight so you have to be careful how you make up the conections or you cannot put it together.  I put ring connectors on the wires but had to trim them down.  I also soldered them in place.  I consider putting these on neither a real easy or a real difficult task.

Using standard power cord ends will cost more (at least the ones I've seen), be bulkier, come apart easier, and I am not aware of a locking end (although it is significantly pricier and partially defeats my price argument).

But both Festool and the computer connector idea are not functionally any different from just having a small cord on the tool.  I think the Festool design would be the best for not coming apart when you do not want it to and for the size of the tool without the cord.  I think the computer connector design is less elegant and potentially not as good functionally (coming apart) but it costs a lot less and is much easier to put on non-Festools.  Short power cord only advantage is no special cord is required (from what I can tell). 

 

[martin felder]

Forgive me if I failed to see a better or more recent thread on this topic.  I am guessing this is a common topic and of interest to many.  When I started to get more Festool products and the CT-36, I ran a plug it cord along my dust hose with zip ties for the easy connect-disconnect right at the tool. Since some of my tools are not Festool but have dust extraction, I started to cut the factory cords short and added a plug, but that was the 2-prong.  Therefore I had to run a second cord along with my hose and a 3-way outlet adaptor at the collector so whichever cord was used, the collector would turn on with the tool in auto.  At that time, the information I had was that one can't buy a Festool plug that will allow the plug it system to work. 

I was wondering if anything has changed so I can have a plug-it compatible connector coming from my tool?  I was about to cut a couple more cords, but figured I would check first.  If no such option, if anyone has a suggestion for a specific 2-prong that is better than what I used without being so bulky as some of the Leviton options, that would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

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[promark747]

Forgive me if I failed to see a better or more recent thread on this topic.  I am guessing this is a common topic and of interest to many.  When I started to get more Festool products and the CT-36, I ran a plug it cord along my dust hose with zip ties for the easy connect-disconnect right at the tool. Since some of my tools are not Festool but have dust extraction, I started to cut the factory cords short and added a plug, but that was the 2-prong.  Therefore I had to run a second cord along with my hose and a 3-way outlet adaptor at the collector so whichever cord was used, the collector would turn on with the tool in auto.  At that time, the information I had was that one can't buy a Festool plug that will allow the plug it system to work. 

I was wondering if anything has changed so I can have a plug-it compatible connector coming from my tool?  I was about to cut a couple more cords, but figured I would check first.  If no such option, if anyone has a suggestion for a specific 2-prong that is better than what I used without being so bulky as some of the Leviton options, that would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

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Discontinued a few years ago and dealers have been out of stock.  I’ve been looking too.

 

[martin felder]

Thanks.  Is there a specific name and product number for what could be attached to a cut power cord of a tool to connect to the plug-it cord that comes with Festool products?

 

[guitarchitect]

I was wondering if anything has changed so I can have a plug-it compatible connector coming from my tool?  I was about to cut a couple more cords, but figured I would check first.  If no such option, if anyone has a suggestion for a specific 2-prong that is better than what I used without being so bulky as some of the Leviton options, that would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

General consensus seems to be that a NEMA 5-15 style connector is the best option, even though it doesn't lock as well as the festool one. for a one-cord-hose solution i would lop off the plug end of a Festool cord to make a 1' long whip (probably just using a leviton end), and use a locking extension cord on my hose. That way I just plug in the whip for festool cords and the shortened tools plug in as usual.

 

[mike_aa]

[member=71926]martin felder[/member]  I recall seeing some postings about using these replacement sockets to outfit other tools for plug-its.  Of course, you'd have to determine if you could retrofit any of them to fit your tools.
https://toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/FS-SOC.XX?searchterm=festool plug it

Good luck!

Mike Andrzejewski

 

[usernumber1]

mirka uses a locking NEMA 5-15 to  IEC C13  ?  that works quite well. anyone got a source for them somewhere?

 

[martin felder]

If I understand correctly, the one cord option suggested is to use the plug-it cord that is now available and make pigtails (short power cords) for the Festool products, like sanders, then use a commercially available connector (where there are several options) to connect to the power cord along the hose.

For me, that make sense as a way to have 1 cord and not have to modify the Festool products.  However, I like not having even a short power cord connected to the Festool hand-held power tools.  For example, my sanders are all Fesool and sit on a shelf.  I would not want power cords handing out from all of them.  I would prefer my current setup of 2 cords with the Plug-it going to the end of the hose and the standard cord 12 inches shorter.

If there ever was a noa discontinued product that would give me the tool end of the Plug-it, I would be very interested in knowing the product number so I could keep an eye out for it.  Thanks.

 

[Cheese]

For locking 2 conventional cords together I've installed Q-Lok ends on several extension cords, they're terrific. They are a little bulky but it's certainly better than tying them in a knot.
http://qlokpro.com/index.html

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As far as Festool plug-it cords go, I know these were once available.

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[jeffinsgf]

Have any UK members had dealings with a internet retailer called Klium? They show the 491145 as available in 6 days.

If they don't do over overseas shipping, I would be happy to pay someone in the UK to buy a couple of these and post them to me.

 

[guitarchitect]

If I understand correctly, the one cord option suggested is to use the plug-it cord that is now available and make pigtails (short power cords) for the Festool products, like sanders, then use a commercially available connector (where there are several options) to connect to the power cord along the hose.

For me, that make sense as a way to have 1 cord and not have to modify the Festool products.  However, I like not having even a short power cord connected to the Festool hand-held power tools.  For example, my sanders are all Fesool and sit on a shelf.  I would not want power cords handing out from all of them.  I would prefer my current setup of 2 cords with the Plug-it going to the end of the hose and the standard cord 12 inches shorter.

If there ever was a noa discontinued product that would give me the tool end of the Plug-it, I would be very interested in knowing the product number so I could keep an eye out for it.  Thanks.

No, I'm thinking just one pigtail that you use if you need to. Putting a pigtail on every tool would certainly be annoying!

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[blaszcsj]

Have any UK members had dealings with a internet retailer called Klium? They show the 491145 as available in 6 days.

If they don't do over overseas shipping, I would be happy to pay someone in the UK to buy a couple of these and post them to me.

[member=7266]jeffinsgf[/member] do you know if these cables are 16ga. I can’t find any info anywhere on them

 

[dltflt]

Have any UK members had dealings with a internet retailer called Klium? They show the 491145 as available in 6 days.

If they don't do over overseas shipping, I would be happy to pay someone in the UK to buy a couple of these and post them to me.

You will need to find someone overseas to get one for you.  Yes they are 16ga or least the one I purchased was.

[member=7266]jeffinsgf[/member] do you know if these cables are 16ga. I can’t find any info anywhere on them

 

[rivingman]

This thread seems to have everything except the amp rating for the connection...  [wink] [wink] [wink]

The cable looks like 1.25mm2 but maybe it is 1.5mm2

So perhaps it is rated for 13 or 16 amp?

 

[guybo]

https://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?pretty;board=festool-jigs-tool-enhancements;topic=everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-plug-its-conversions-(usa-version).0

 

[rivingman]

https://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?pretty;board=festool-jigs-tool-enhancements;topic=everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-plug-its-conversions-(usa-version).0

That does not have the amp rating of the connection.

Partially answering my own question, looking at the cable supplied in the UK for the it a has 1mm2 cable (from the stamp printed on it), which is roughly equivalent to 17 gauge cable. i.e smaller than 16 gauge suggested in the first post and bigger than 18. This is the "heavy duty" cable that works with "all" tools.

In the UK flexible cable of that size would be considered to have a maximum rating of 10 amp for continuous use. The cable would get quite warm, and the plastic would soften but would include a reasonable safety factor, if you drew 10amp continuous. (not really all that easy with a saw)

This is the cable for my TS-55 so has the plug it connection for all the "big" power tools. The bigger tools will draw more than this in lower voltages, a TS-75 would draw 15amps at 110V but not continuously.

Still would be nice to no what the amp rating for the plug it connector is.

Final edit, the CT-15 is supplied with 1.5mm2 cable a little bit bigger than 16gauge, which in the UK would be rated at 13amps and on the continent 16amps. (the UK is very conservative) This is the biggest cable that will fit in both these European plugs. These ratings would be for continuous use, using a saw even with the hardest wood you need to stop from time to time, so you can comfortably over by a quite a bit. Maybe using something like a router sled on a big job you may have a problem. Which may be why the big routers are not provided with the plug it.

 

[DynaGlide]

I don't know why I sat on this. This is so much better:

My only other regret is I didn't order two of these plug it conversions. Amazon.de no longer carries them. I'm going to convert my Zeta P2 over next. Toolcurve had 2 (now 1) in stock but about $20 more than what I paid for the first one.

Matt

 

[Crazyraceguy]

That is the biggest annoyance of the RAS115. I would use it more often, if it had a plug-it.  As it is, I sometimes just keep going at it with the RO a little longer, rather than having to deal with the cord.
That's not to say I don't use it, I do and quite a bit, but not every time where it really would have been the better choice.
Sadly, I think that if I had known about that before I bought it, I might have passed on getting one. Turns out I'm glad I did, it has replaced my mini beltsander.

I would prefer that it screwed directly into the tool, but that would be acceptable.

 

[greg mann]

I have so many non-plug-it tools that I just don’t fret it. I love my RAS and it saves so much time compared to anything else for what it does that the extra effort is worth it to me. That said, I do like going cordless when I have the right tool, but at my age and for the limited time in the shop I am probably not a good sales target to switch everything over.  [unsure]