New Rotex 150 added to the family, no Plug-it cord.

[AlexThePalex]

I was browsing the Dutch Festool site today, and I suddenly saw there was a new type of Rotex added to the line up, a model with an old fashioned connected cord, instead of the Plug-it cord.

I'm a bit curious why Festool decided to go back to this. Not that it matters. Just curious. Did they perhaps get complaints about the Plug-it cord in certain circumstances?

 

[Brice Burrell]

I was browsing the Dutch Festool site today, and I suddenly saw there was a new type of Rotex added to the line up, a model with an old fashioned connected cord, instead of the Plug-it cord.

I'm a bit curious why Festool decided to go back to this. Not that it matters. Just curious. Did they perhaps get complaints about the Plug-it cord in certain circumstances?

Alex, other than the new cord what is different about this model Rotex?

 

[Forrest Anderson]

I was browsing the Dutch Festool site today, and I suddenly saw there was a new type of Rotex added to the line up, a model with an old fashioned connected cord, instead of the Plug-it cord.

I'm a bit curious why Festool decided to go back to this. Not that it matters. Just curious. Did they perhaps get complaints about the Plug-it cord in certain circumstances?

Well spotted!

The UK Festool website now lists fixed-cable versions of the two ETS150 machines, ie the ETS 150/3 E-C GB 240V - Order number: 571770:

...and the ETS 150/5 E-C GB 240V - Order number: 571771 (not shown)

Note the lack of the Q suffix in the designation, which would normally indicate that the machine comes with a PlugIt connection.

Prices for fixed-cable and PlugIt versions in the UK are the same.

Forrest

 

[AlexThePalex]

Alex, other than the new cord what is different about this model Rotex?

Nothing I think. It's just the cord.

Only other difference I noticed is that the fixed cord version comes without systainer. 

And now that I see Forrest mentions there's also a fixed cord version of the ETS150, I'm even more curious why Festool decided to revert back to fixed cords.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I hope this is to offer options and not Festool phasing out the Plug-It cord.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Meh, the plug-it cord does nothing for me really. 

Oh sure, the cut the cord easy to fix, I can handle splicing a cord.

I think I have 3 tools with out the plug it, I make do with a 3 way or a power strip pluged into my vac.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Meh, the plug-it cord does nothing for me really. 

Oh sure, the cut the cord easy to fix, I can handle splicing a cord.

I think I have 3 tools with out the plug it, I make do with a 3 way or a power strip pluged into my vac.

Where the Plug-It really shines is with the boom arm. Using tools without the plug-it is a hassle on the boom.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I can see that, the boom arm is one of those things that I would probably never use, I don't like being tied down and it looks like a PIA to break down and set up.

[thanks]

 

[JeromeM]

I can see that, the boom arm is one of those things that I would probably never use, I don't like being tied down and it looks like a PIA to break down and set up.

[thanks]

I don't use the boom arm or my own version of it yet but I do use my own version of the vac hose with the attached power cable. I find it is much better than having a separate cable to deal with.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I guess I am glad that the hose and cord don't really bother me too much.

Could also be because the second tool I bought did not have a plug-it and I am used to it.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I guess I am glad that the hose and cord don't really bother me too much.

Could also be because the second tool I bought did not have a plug-it and I am used to it.

Doesn't bother me either.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I can see that, the boom arm is one of those things that I would probably never use, I don't like being tied down and it looks like a PIA to break down and set up.

[thanks]

You know that's what I thought too but it transports a lot easier than I expected. The top section of the boom comes off easily so moving the vac around isn't bad at all. Check out the picture.
[attachthumb=#]

It's nice to have the boom on the job but in the shop the it rules, a much have!

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

[thanks]  Brice.

That is not too bad at all.

Gee thanks, another thing I have to think about getting now. [cool]

 

[Brice Burrell]

[thanks]  Brice.

That is not too bad at all.

Gee thanks, another thing I have to think about getting now. [cool]

You know I've meaning to write a little piece about the boom arm and especially about how easy it to take to the job. The boom is really an under appreciated accessory. I know Dan Clark wrote a review on the boom arm, here is a great quote from his review:
 

So all day yesterday (I took Friday off) and today I worked on the bathroom, cleaning, straightening up, installing sheet rock, all sorts of mundane things.  I didn't think about the Boom Arm much.  Or the CT22!   Or cleaning up!   And that's the point...

They all faded into the background!  My work space got easier to work with.   Messes were much easier to clean up.    No more tripping on or fooling with hoses and cords!    My work space got cleaner.   The work was easier.   And all I did with it was to use it as a vacuum.   I haven't even had the opportunity to use it as a DC!

It's not that I get a massive emotional charge out of the Boom Arm.  I don't say, "Wow, what a tool!"   It's just that it makes my life easier.

Check out Dan's review here on the FOG.

 

[RONWEN]

My CT33/Dust Deputy/boom arm are never moved from my workshop.  It makes things so much faster switching between the saw, the Domino, the router and the sander by just changing the Plug-it cord and vac connection.  The boom swings from the MFT to the cutting table to the other MFT as needed without tripping on cords or hoses.  I can't imagine working without the boom ever again.  Unfortunately there are Festool sanders that I would like to have but I won't buy them without the Plug-it cords.