Importing Festool Products From UK to USA?

[AlexThePalex]

Does anyone know how big the largest socket is, in that set?  I am assuming in millimeters?

And 3/8 inch drive?

13 mm and 1/4''

Link.

 

[Timtool]

You should keep the VAT in mind!

If you purchase something in Europe and have it shipped by a friend, you'll end up paying the VAT (arround 19%) and possible custom charges on top when importing to the US. Better find a dealer who'll deduct the VAT and ship directly. If it's just about non electric tools maybe you'll find a dealer who'll ship it to you.

how is that possible? don't you always pay the VAT. and if you have a registered business you can detuct it.
or is that not the case when shipping to the states or so?

 

[ajones]

You should keep the VAT in mind!

If you purchase something in Europe and have it shipped by a friend, you'll end up paying the VAT (arround 19%) and possible custom charges on top when importing to the US. Better find a dealer who'll deduct the VAT and ship directly. If it's just about non electric tools maybe you'll find a dealer who'll ship it to you.

how is that possible? don't you always pay the VAT. and if you have a registered business you can detuct it.
or is that not the case when shipping to the states or so?

When exporting out of europe the item can be sold less the vat, any duty's being payable on arrival/or in destnation country.this is done so there are not two lots of duty being paid on an item. this probably applies to goods leaving the states?

 

[jmbfestool]

Yip you will have to pay the vat unless you can find some one on Fog or some one in UK who is Vat registered and can swallow the vat for you!  Currently the Vat is 20% in the UK and properly will go up no doubt.

I think from UK you will struggle to find a UK dealer to ship out to USA  as some wont even ship out of the UK to Ireland or any other european country.

JMB

 

[pugilato]

Its a conspiracy, I tell you... They dont want us to have the cool tools.

 

[mouppe]

Methinks there is more to that set than just sockets...

http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/category-1281/festool-14-ce-ra-set-37-ratchet-set-497881.html

It should be in a t-loc though, I wonder if the picture is old? Also, the screwdriver handle comes in the centrotec drill set along with all the bits.

 

[AlexThePalex]

[It should be in a t-loc though, I wonder if the picture is old? 

It's a sys mini.

 

[mouppe]

Alex, yes, thanks for the clarification.

As an aside, I am off to Brazil in a couple of weeks and I thought I would check out some Festool stuff whilst I am there since they have the whole range of stuff available including the CMS, Vac Sys, Carvex, etc. Also, Brazil runs on 110V so voltage conversion is not a problem.

SHOCKER!!!

The prices are insane, and make Europe look cheap by comparison. For example, T12+3 set is R2500, or about $1560. In the US it was last selling for $525 I believe. FS 800 Guide rail is R260, or $160. In the US, it's $65.

Absolutely crazy prices.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Methinks there is more to that set than just sockets...

http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/category-1281/festool-14-ce-ra-set-37-ratchet-set-497881.html

It should be in a t-loc though, I wonder if the picture is old? Also, the screwdriver handle comes in the centrotec drill set along with all the bits.

The socket set comes in a Sys Mini, not a Sys1.  So, no T-loc.
I looked at this set while overseas.  It's really quite nice.  But only metric sockets, which makes it nigh useless in the US for most tasks. 

If I could've bought just the insert and the socket handle for much less, I'd have done so and simply added imperial sized sockets and put it into a Mini I already have.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

Alex, yes, thanks for the clarification.

As an aside, I am off to Brazil in a couple of weeks and I thought I would check out some Festool stuff whilst I am there since they have the whole range of stuff available including the CMS, Vac Sys, Carvex, etc. Also, Brazil runs on 110V so voltage conversion is not a problem.

SHOCKER!!!

The prices are insane, and make Europe look cheap by comparison. For example, T12+3 set is R2500, or about $1560. In the US it was last selling for $525 I believe. FS 800 Guide rail is R260, or $160. In the US, it's $65.

Absolutely crazy prices.

Play arbitrageur and bring some NA Festool stuff to Brazil and sell it.  Then buy what you can't get in Canada.  Problem solved !

 

[GPowers]

I'm not even looking at powered tools though. Things like the centrotec kit with systainer, the digital level, the oil dispensing kit, the socket ratchet kit. I would think that it would be a no-brainer to get these in the US. but who knows.

The centrotec kit you want was announced today (Aug 3rd) as a limited time promo item.  more info here:
http://drills.festoolusa.com/cordless-drills/models/centrotec%20set/

 

[pugilato]

vas ist los?  (my german version of "what is this?").  I do believe that this is a sign that we are being listened to.  Power to the people!

 

[GPowers]

I would be happy to buy the metric driver set in the mini systainer. Does not need to be imperial in my book. My mechanics tool box is full of both Metric and imperial tools. You need both in today's world.

 

[Brice_Arnold]

I would be happy to buy the metric driver set in the mini systainer. Does not need to be imperial in my book. My mechanics tool box is full of both Metric and imperial tools. You need both in today's world.

Same here. I would more than likely use this to tune up my machines which for the most part, use metric hardware. I think most of the wrenching that I do from RC cars, to automobile, to tuning woodworking machines, to working on machine shop machines is 90% metric.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Festool does make 110v versions of many tools for the UK. There the power is 50hz. No worries because all Festools can run as well on 50hz or 60hz.

Assuming a particular Festool is available in North America, it is likely the cost would be less than importing it.

The big problem, as I see it, would be the electrical connectors and outlets. Perhaps the 110v Festools for the UK use the same Plug-It cords at the tool end, so when in North America you could use a Plug-It with a NEMA male plug.

In theory you could install UK style 110v receptacles. Warning, those are not approved by UL or the Uniform Electrical Code. Cutting off the UK male plug and replacing it with a NEMA plug also would not meet the UEC. Violating the UEC could be a major problem for an employer.

Sure, in most places in North America it is legal to install 220v grounded outlets.

While Festools work on both 50hz and 60hz, those not made for 110v are designed for 240v. Hardly ever will you have more than 220v in the USA and often it will be 208v. Such under voltage increases the amps needed by the tool. Also often the tool will not reach working speed.

None of the 240v receptacles used outside the USA are accepted by the UEC.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Festool does make 110v versions of many tools for the UK. There the power is 50hz. No worries because all Festools can run as well on 50hz or 60hz.

Assuming a particular Festool is available in North America, it is likely the cost would be less than importing it.

The big problem, as I see it, would be the electrical connectors and outlets. Perhaps the 110v Festools for the UK use the same Plug-It cords at the tool end, so when in North America you could use a Plug-It with a NEMA male plug.

In theory you could install UK style 110v receptacles. Warning, those are not approved by UL or the Uniform Electrical Code. Cutting off the UK male plug and replacing it with a NEMA plug also would not meet the UEC. Violating the UEC could be a major problem for an employer.

Sure, in most places in North America it is legal to install 220v grounded outlets.

While Festools work on both 50hz and 60hz, those not made for 110v are designed for 240v. Hardly ever will you have more than 220v in the USA and often it will be 208v. Such under voltage increases the amps needed by the tool. Also often the tool will not reach working speed.

None of the 240v receptacles used outside the USA are accepted by the UEC.

Carroll, you're getting short changed on the west coast.  Come here and enjoy at least 230.  [big grin]

 

[ccarrolladams]

Ken,

My experience making movies and TV productions on location all over North America is that holding more than 220v all day long under load is rare.

It is based on my experience that I shared the information.

However, as always, each of us has different experiences. Perhaps for some 240v 50hz Festools will run fast enough on 208v.

Still, there will be major problems for employers allowing employees to use such "informally" imported tools which do not meet UEC requirements.

 

[mouppe]

Festool does make 110v versions of many tools for the UK. There the power is 50hz. No worries because all Festools can run as well on 50hz or 60hz.

Assuming a particular Festool is available in North America, it is likely the cost would be less than importing it.

The big problem, as I see it, would be the electrical connectors and outlets. Perhaps the 110v Festools for the UK use the same Plug-It cords at the tool end, so when in North America you could use a Plug-It with a NEMA male plug.

In theory you could install UK style 110v receptacles. Warning, those are not approved by UL or the Uniform Electrical Code. Cutting off the UK male plug and replacing it with a NEMA plug also would not meet the UEC. Violating the UEC could be a major problem for an employer.

Sure, in most places in North America it is legal to install 220v grounded outlets.

While Festools work on both 50hz and 60hz, those not made for 110v are designed for 240v. Hardly ever will you have more than 220v in the USA and often it will be 208v. Such under voltage increases the amps needed by the tool. Also often the tool will not reach working speed.

None of the 240v receptacles used outside the USA are accepted by the UEC.

All correct with one minor exception. Europe, Australia, South Africa and pretty much everywhere that used to be on 240V is now on 230V.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Richard,

My experience making movies in all those countries is that the voltage under load will vary from 210v to 244v but much is a function of load and distance from the transformer.

In the old days we always used big generators when all movie lighting used direct current, necessary for carbon arc lights. Once HMI lighting became popular, AC was necessary. Unfortunately large enough quiet AC generators did not get built fast enough, so in many places it was necessary to make-do with electricity off the grid. With movie set lighting control of voltage is vital, the reason why we spent so much attention to monitoring it.

Maybe 240v Festools work swell on 230v or even 208v service.

The point is will it be prudent as an employer in the USA to allow non-accepted and listed tools on your job sites or in your shops?

 

[jonny round boy]

All correct with one minor exception. Europe, Australia, South Africa and pretty much everywhere that used to be on 240V is now on 230V.

Indeed. Plus, in 2008 the tolerance band was widened to +/- 10%, meaning the supply could be anywhere fom 207V to 253V. This means any appliance/tool should be able to function correctly on as little as 207V.