Plug it cord connectors
- Thread starter Sta2LT
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Welcome to the forum and thanks for the question.
There are two versions of the Plug-It cord and it has to do with the gauge of the wire and the amperage load that each cord can handle. One is keyed so that it can't be used with certain tools. You can use the Plug-It from your TS and OF 1400 with your RO 90 but not the other way around.
Here's one of several existing forum threads about the topic:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/plug-it-diferences/
Shane Holland
Festool USA
There are two versions of the Plug-It cord and it has to do with the gauge of the wire and the amperage load that each cord can handle. One is keyed so that it can't be used with certain tools. You can use the Plug-It from your TS and OF 1400 with your RO 90 but not the other way around.
Here's one of several existing forum threads about the topic:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/plug-it-diferences/
Shane Holland
Festool USA
I totally agree. In order for Festool to save a few penny's by using a smaller gauge cord on a few tools, I'm now forced to look at EVERY cord end before I can connect. This is a stupid approach for such high end and expensive tools and literally makes my mad every time I have to search for the right cord. Penny wise but Pound foolish.
I am not a fan of the Plug It system at all.
Almost every Plug It cord that I own has the 2 inner wire/cables exposed.
For a normal person, this might not be a problem.
But here in Australia, it is illegal for me to use a cable with exposed inner wire/cables on site.
I have 14 Plug It 4 metre cords.
12 of those cords have exposed inner wire/cable.
As far as I know, it is impossible to open up a Plug It cord and repair the exposed inner wire/cables.
Therefor I have to purchase 12 new Plug It cords at $51.00 each.
Thats a total of $612.00.
A little pricey, don't you think?
When my Makita planer or Bosch rotary drill has exposed inner wire/cable.
It is a simple matter of opening the tool housing, unscrew the inner wire/cable, cut to length and screw inner wire/cable again. Then screw the tool housing back together.
This normally takes about 10 - 15 minutes per tool.
I would really like to see all Festool's with standard electric cords.
I have noticed the Festool ETS sanders are now available with standard cords.
This is probably because of the abuse they take in a normal workshop environment where the person using the tool, is not the person actually buying the tools and therefor the tool does not get taken care of as much.
By the way, I am not a licenced Electrician, but I have completed an Australian Government Workplace Health and Safety recognised Electrical course which allows me to test and tag my power tools.
The P.A.T. (Portable Appliance Tester) cost me $1000.00.
So I am legally allowed to fix my power tool cords.
If only Festool would give me the opportunity to do so.............
Justin.
Almost every Plug It cord that I own has the 2 inner wire/cables exposed.
For a normal person, this might not be a problem.
But here in Australia, it is illegal for me to use a cable with exposed inner wire/cables on site.
I have 14 Plug It 4 metre cords.
12 of those cords have exposed inner wire/cable.
As far as I know, it is impossible to open up a Plug It cord and repair the exposed inner wire/cables.
Therefor I have to purchase 12 new Plug It cords at $51.00 each.
Thats a total of $612.00.
A little pricey, don't you think?
When my Makita planer or Bosch rotary drill has exposed inner wire/cable.
It is a simple matter of opening the tool housing, unscrew the inner wire/cable, cut to length and screw inner wire/cable again. Then screw the tool housing back together.
This normally takes about 10 - 15 minutes per tool.
I would really like to see all Festool's with standard electric cords.
I have noticed the Festool ETS sanders are now available with standard cords.
This is probably because of the abuse they take in a normal workshop environment where the person using the tool, is not the person actually buying the tools and therefor the tool does not get taken care of as much.
By the way, I am not a licenced Electrician, but I have completed an Australian Government Workplace Health and Safety recognised Electrical course which allows me to test and tag my power tools.
The P.A.T. (Portable Appliance Tester) cost me $1000.00.
So I am legally allowed to fix my power tool cords.
If only Festool would give me the opportunity to do so.............
Justin.
Corwin
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- Jan 22, 2007
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- 2,624
justinmcf said:
Hey Justin,
Uhm, you know full well that you really only need to purchase one (or two, if you would like a spare) new Plug-It cords to service all of your Festool power tools. That's the beauty of the Plug-It cord -- one cord (well, as long as it is not the smaller gauge) will work for all your Plug-It corded tools. So, you certainly would NEVER need to spend $612 on Plug-It cords.
optimistisch
Member
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- Jun 4, 2011
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- 52
There are Festool repair sets available. I made me my own Power Plug it cord with a 10 meter long H07 cable an an Protool repair plug. Now this is my cord that fits all tool with the Q in the name. There are also 7 meter versions with very robust cable (European connector only). I would recommend the Protool version for use on site the usable cable type is more robust.
Unfortunately this is all in German language, could find it on the US site. The part numbers may help you.
Ingo
Unfortunately this is all in German language, could find it on the US site. The part numbers may help you.
Ingo
[/quote]
Hey Justin,
Uhm, you know full well that you really only need to purchase one (or two, if you would like a spare) new Plug-It cords to service all of your Festool power tools. That's the beauty of the Plug-It cord -- one cord (well, as long as it is not the smaller gauge) will work for all your Plug-It corded tools. So, you certainly would NEVER need to spend $612 on Plug-It cords.
[/quote]
Hi Corwin.
I know full well the advantages of using the Plug It system.
However that does not address the issue of exposed inner wire/cable.
I can give an example of my normal daily use of tools. Just so you can appreciate my dilemma.
Site A. 3 Festools/Protools being used onsite by my 2 carpenters.
Site B. 4 Festools/Protools being used onsite by my other 1 carpenter.
Site C. 4 Festools/Protools being used onsite by me.
Its not rocket science.
I need all cables working. Period.
Regards, Justin.
Hey Justin,
Uhm, you know full well that you really only need to purchase one (or two, if you would like a spare) new Plug-It cords to service all of your Festool power tools. That's the beauty of the Plug-It cord -- one cord (well, as long as it is not the smaller gauge) will work for all your Plug-It corded tools. So, you certainly would NEVER need to spend $612 on Plug-It cords.
[/quote]
Hi Corwin.
I know full well the advantages of using the Plug It system.
However that does not address the issue of exposed inner wire/cable.
I can give an example of my normal daily use of tools. Just so you can appreciate my dilemma.
Site A. 3 Festools/Protools being used onsite by my 2 carpenters.
Site B. 4 Festools/Protools being used onsite by my other 1 carpenter.
Site C. 4 Festools/Protools being used onsite by me.
Its not rocket science.
I need all cables working. Period.
Regards, Justin.
AlexThePalex
Member
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- Nov 12, 2008
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- 7,808
I have also come to the conclusion that the plug-it system is not as sturdy as normal cords. I recognise justin's problem with exposed wires. The connector itself is also prone to break easily. I have 4 Festool's that need a plug-it cord and the last 2 years I had 4 faulty plug-it cords. Didn't replace them all yet so now I have 1 plug-it cord left for all 4 tools, and it has the exposed wires. Hm.
[scratch chin]
[scratch chin]
Deansocial
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- Mar 14, 2010
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- 2,110
i gotta say after replacing 3 cords recently i too dont like the system. i often have tools set up in different areas of the site so neen all cords plus my jigsaw which is 110v wont accept a 110v plug it??? i have to but a 240v and change the plug, what the hell is all that about
PaulMarcel
Member
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- Mar 6, 2008
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- 1,973
Some of the repair parts and different PlugIt cords in the links Ingo provided look like good solutions. One link shows 'extreme conditions' Plug-It cords. The plug on the end is a German plug, but would be worth looking for an Australian equivalent or buy these and swap the plug. Or buy the repair kit that has just the Plug-It head on it and supply your own long extra-durable pigtail.
Post back about your solution;
Post back about your solution;
AlexThePalex
Member
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- 7,808
PaulMarcel said:
I don't like the extra strong PUR cords, they are a lot stiffer than the standard cord. And most of the time, the cord itself is not the problem, it's the connection to the plugs where it goes wrong. Almost exclusively on the plug-it side because on the other side the plug is molded on and thus very solid.
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The cord on the Dominos (thinner - lighter gauge wire) does have the extra protrusion to prevent it from being used on higher amperage tools such as the TS-55, TS-75, OF1400. 16 gauge is too light for those tools.
Peter
Peter
