Newbie - can you please identify this?

[javery]

Hi, newbie to this forum and would appreciate your help and direction.
I was watching Festool Live #55 on YouTube, where he is demonstrating using a domino on bevels and miters. He uses this extremely cool item/accessory to hold the wood in place while he mortises the end of the wood stock. What is this? You can see it at 3:48 minutes (and throughout the video). It looks like it works by suction, but I can't find it online, and Google Lens thought it was a seatbelt.
thank you all

 

[Ace8]

VAC SYS, unfortunately discontinued

 

[DanesRFun]

Yeah, he says what it is at 4:40... VAC-SYS, which thankfully for us other noobs, Google described, and then at the end noted as discontinued... bummer... it looks cool:
AI Overview


The Festool VAC SYS is a vacuum-based clamping system designed to securely hold workpieces for various tasks like routing, sanding, and finishing. It uses a powerful vacuum pump and non-marring suction cups to firmly clamp materials without damaging delicate surfaces, allowing for full access to the workpiece. The system can be adapted to different shapes and sizes of materials using interchangeable vacuum cups.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Vacuum Pump:
  The VAC SYS includes a powerful vacuum pump that creates a strong suction force.
  
  
• Clamping Module:
  The system features a clamping module with a suction base that adheres to non-porous surfaces.
  
  
• Interchangeable Vacuum Cups:
  The clamping module can be fitted with various vacuum cups of different sizes and shapes to accommodate different materials.
  
  
• Ergonomic Design:
  The VAC SYS allows for 360-degree rotation and tilting of the workpiece, providing better access and reducing user fatigue.
  
  
• Applications:
  The system is suitable for a wide range of woodworking and finishing tasks, including routing, sanding, planing, sawing, and more.
  
  
• Benefits:
  It reduces setup time, protects workpieces, and allows for efficient and comfortable work.
  
  
• Discontinuation:
  Festool has discontinued the VAC SYS system due to supply chain issues, according to US Tool & Fastener.

 

[javery]

Thank you both! Now I am really curious, this looks very cool, very effective, like the exact right thing for the job...why would it be discontinued? I am guessing they are hard to find? Make me feel better and tell me they didn't really work that well.
Elizabeth

**just saw in prior post that it was "supply chain" issues...hmm.

 

[DanesRFun]

Found this on fb marketplace out of Los Angeles... still listed, but from a year ago. Pricey!

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[DanesRFun]

Found this on fb marketplace out of Los Angeles... still listed, but from a year ago. Pricey!

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That's weird... it is in English.

 

[luvmytoolz]

If you can't find one of the Vac SYS kits, there's plenty of alternate products around, including the ones from Virutex.

Ebay also has a variety in plastic/aluminium including larger units that are also used as vacuum tables for CNC machines.

 

[onocoffee]

Thank you both! Now I am really curious, this looks very cool, very effective, like the exact right thing for the job...why would it be discontinued? I am guessing they are hard to find? Make me feel better and tell me they didn't really work that well.
Elizabeth

**just saw in prior post that it was "supply chain" issues...hmm.

If you're patient and troll continuously, they do show up on Marketplace from time to time - typically they are US$2,500 and up (sometimes $4K). Though one day, there was some person in North Carolina selling a kit for a very cheap price (I think below $1K).

 

[tjbnwi]

A short video of what the VAC SYS is great for.

 

[luvmytoolz]

The VAC SYS seems to be one of the tools that people who have them really hang onto even more than other Festool tools, it's quite rare I ever see them for sale.

 

[SoonerFan]

The VAC SYS seems to be one of the tools that people who have them really hang onto even more than other Festool tools, it's quite rare I ever see them for sale.

I have one with two heads and I would never sell it. I use it all the time. The kit was expensive when I bought it years ago but to me it was worth the cost.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I have one with two heads and I would never sell it. I use it all the time. The kit was expensive when I bought it years ago but to me it was worth the cost.

I can get that, the large vac table I use for my CNC has astounding holding power under machining load. The smaller pads like in the VAC SYS would be insanely useful for general woodworking.

 

[onocoffee]

Speaking of Vac-Sys - was just trolling Marketplace and found these:

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[javery]

OMG, these listings are for more than some cars are worth! How much did they sell for originally? I would think that Festool would be exploring how to solve the supply chain issues or license the manufacture to some other company - seems like there is demand.

 

[tjbnwi]

I have one with two heads and I would never sell it. I use it all the time. The kit was expensive when I bought it years ago but to me it was worth the cost.

Ditto.

My shop is at 6800 feet above sea level, there is a decrease in the holding power. LMT mentioned the vac table on his CNC, my CNC runs the two main pumps then a booster pump which is large than the two combined, it will spit parts off the table every once in awhile. We have to be carful with full cut through on parts less than 2 square feet.

Purchased mine from Tom at Tool Home, sad day when he past away.

Tom

 

[MMCO]

There is a new Vac Sys for sale in Denver on FB Marketplace if anyone is interested.

 

[MMCO]

Ditto.

My shop is at 6800 feet above sea level, there is a decrease in the holding power. LMT mentioned the vac table on his CNC, my CNC runs the two main pumps then a booster pump which is large than the two combined, it will spit parts off the table every once in awhile. We have to be carful with full cut through on parts less than 2 square feet.

Purchased mine from Tom at Tool Home, sad day when he past away.

Tom

I live in Denver area, around 5,800 feet, and have both the SE1 and the SE2 along with the factory pump. I have run both clamps at the same time and had no issues with the clamping pressure.

 

[tjbnwi]

I live in Denver area, around 5,800 feet, and have both the SE1 and the SE2 along with the factory pump. I have run both clamps at the same time and had no issues with the clamping pressure.

I lived in Chicago (~550 feet above sea level) until 6 years ago, there is a very noticeable difference in the SE1 and SE2 holding power here. I recall there is one member here at ~7800 feet, he has stated he finds the system unusable.
The elevation is the same reason the CNC needs a third vacuum pump, without it on nothing sticks firm to the table.

Tom

 

[MMCO]

I lived in Chicago (~550 feet above sea level) until 6 years ago, there is a very noticeable difference in the SE1 and SE2 holding power here. I recall there is one member here at ~7800 feet, he has stated he finds the system unusable.
The elevation is the same reason the CNC needs a third vacuum pump, without it on nothing sticks firm to the table.

Tom

Good morning, Tom,

I'm sorry if you read my post as if I was questioning your statements, not my intention. I was simply providing my experience.

 

[Cheese]

OMG, these listings are for more than some cars are worth! How much did they sell for originally?

Here's the original price when it was released in the US in 2016 and here's also the price when it was discontinued in 2021. Originally, the $1800 price tag in 2016 seemed steep however now the final price of $1375 in 2021 seems like a steal.