Yesterday I was using my TS 55 and then my mother came home from work and she wanted to help me do some finishing work. I dont live with my mother still if you were wondering, im actually fabricating her kitchen cabinets and using the garage as a shop. Anyway, I have my plug it cord, the one that came with my TS 55, taped together with my CT 22 vacuum hose. I do this so its easier to maneuver around the workpiece, less hangups. So I went to give it to her to use with the ETS 125 and it works fine. The problem is then I open my systainer for the ETS 125 and go to plug it into my TS 55 and it will not plug in due to a little bump on the ets 125 plug it cord. Well I was wondering if there is anything different about the ETS 125 cord than the TS 55 plug it cord, because if not I was going to cut off the bump with a razor knife and then it would plug into the TS 55. Thanks, Oh yeah I also have the domino and the plug it cord is the same as the ets 125. So needless to say, I couldn't cut with the TS and have my mother sand with the ETS simultaneously, unless i untaped the TS 55 plug it and the vacuum hose, but then I would have to change it yet again when I go back to cutting sheets with the TS. This was a real bumber and I almost cut the little bump off but I wanted to check with you guys first.
plug it cord not compatible with all tools
- Thread starter fesfrank
- Start date
Brice Burrell
Member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2007
- Messages
- 7,385
Frank, there cords are different gauge cords. The more powerful tools like the TS saws, routers and so on use the heavier gauge plug-it cord. As you've noticed the heavier gauge cords work with the small tools like the sanders but not the other way around. So, don't cut off the little tab.
Wood_Junkie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2009
- Messages
- 1,311
I'm all over the place helping family with their projects, and have a cord perma-wrapped with my CT hose... so I know your pain of not having the right one. Bob Marino has a good story about this, too.
As Brice said, there are two different 'sizes'. The larger able to carry a heavier electrical load. The "universal" is 16g. The smaller is 18g.
Quick and easy solutions:
1- Buy a spare cord. The 16g cord is $35. Ironically, the 18g is $36.50, IIRC.
2- If you have the OF1400 it has a 16g cord and you can use it with the TS55 (and every other tool!).
Also, maybe the Rotex 150 and/or the RAS 115 might have a 16g cord. Can someone else verify?
As Brice said, there are two different 'sizes'. The larger able to carry a heavier electrical load. The "universal" is 16g. The smaller is 18g.
Quick and easy solutions:
1- Buy a spare cord. The 16g cord is $35. Ironically, the 18g is $36.50, IIRC.
2- If you have the OF1400 it has a 16g cord and you can use it with the TS55 (and every other tool!).
Also, maybe the Rotex 150 and/or the RAS 115 might have a 16g cord. Can someone else verify?
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2007
- Messages
- 13,126
I can tell you that the RAS 115 doesn't have a Plug-It cord at this time.
I am pretty sure that both Rotex sanders come with the smaller cord. As Peter stated, the RAS has a fixed cord.
I bought a couple extra 16g cords, and have been very glad I did. One is in my truck, and the other is in the hose-garage on my CT-Midi. I have only used them maybe a half-dozen times, but each one was critical.
I bought a couple extra 16g cords, and have been very glad I did. One is in my truck, and the other is in the hose-garage on my CT-Midi. I have only used them maybe a half-dozen times, but each one was critical.
Wood_Junkie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2009
- Messages
- 1,311
fesfrank said:
It's worth it.
Just try to live off using the cord that's taped to your CT hose, and keep the stock power cords in your Systainers with their respective tools. That way, if you ever have need of a given tool, and the CT isn't available, you've still got power.
I seriously doubt that it's "over engineered". Perhaps it's a liability issue ?
AFAIK there's only one type of Plug-it cord avaliable over here, and that goes for Germany and the majprity of continental Europe as well.
The supplied Voltaged being halved, that means the current would be doubled for the same power output. In my country, 16 Amps is the maximum current supplied by a standard outlet.
Higher currents are possible, but in 99% of the cases that means switching to 3 phase. There is an outlet specified for higher output single phase, but it's very rare - mainly used for it's weatherproof capacities.
Still, 16 A in 230V means 3680W - or 4-3/4 Hp consumed.
All the standard Plug it leads are 16 A rated, so no need to switch over here.
The higher currents on your side of the pond may well have warranted the thicker cord for the larger machines - and you wouldn't want to drag around a 16 Gauge cord on an OFK500 or one of the smaller sanders, would you ?
Regards,
Job
AFAIK there's only one type of Plug-it cord avaliable over here, and that goes for Germany and the majprity of continental Europe as well.
The supplied Voltaged being halved, that means the current would be doubled for the same power output. In my country, 16 Amps is the maximum current supplied by a standard outlet.
Higher currents are possible, but in 99% of the cases that means switching to 3 phase. There is an outlet specified for higher output single phase, but it's very rare - mainly used for it's weatherproof capacities.
Still, 16 A in 230V means 3680W - or 4-3/4 Hp consumed.
All the standard Plug it leads are 16 A rated, so no need to switch over here.
The higher currents on your side of the pond may well have warranted the thicker cord for the larger machines - and you wouldn't want to drag around a 16 Gauge cord on an OFK500 or one of the smaller sanders, would you ?
Regards,
Job
cfield60 said:
Not "over-engineering" but correct engineering.
The higher consumption tools need the heaver gage less flexible cable.
The lower consumption tools can use the lighter gage more flexible cable, so the have it.
You can retrofit the heaver gage less flexible cable to all your tools if you wish.
Brice Burrell
Member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2007
- Messages
- 7,385
jvsteenb said:
The difference in the stiffness of the two gauge cords really isn't noticeable. That's why some news users aren't even aware there are two different plug-it cords.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2007
- Messages
- 5,133
If the cord has the extra little nub on the flat side, it is the smaller capacity (18 AWG) cord. The nub is to prevent you from plugging it in where the larger capacity (16 AWG) cord is required.
This is a common sort of method to prevent using underrated devices where there are multiple, similar devices with different ratings. The high capacity Plug-It cord can be used where it is need and also fits on lower current draw devices. It doesn't have something sticking out of it.
The lower capacity Plug-It cord can't be accidentally plugged in to the higher current draw device because it has a nub sticking out of it and the high current device doesn't have a corresponding nub recess, where the low current draw device does have that extra recess.
It's similar (though reversed) to the 20A vs 15A outlets. 20A plugs have an extra leg that won't fit in 15A outlets but 15A plugs will fit in 20A outlets. That way, devices that draw too much current won't be plugged in to weaker outlets that aren't designed to carry that much current continuously.
People tend to like to break or cut off things that are designed to protect them, the most common being the ground lug of a plug. It's always a bad idea from a safety standpoint.
Tom
This is a common sort of method to prevent using underrated devices where there are multiple, similar devices with different ratings. The high capacity Plug-It cord can be used where it is need and also fits on lower current draw devices. It doesn't have something sticking out of it.
The lower capacity Plug-It cord can't be accidentally plugged in to the higher current draw device because it has a nub sticking out of it and the high current device doesn't have a corresponding nub recess, where the low current draw device does have that extra recess.
It's similar (though reversed) to the 20A vs 15A outlets. 20A plugs have an extra leg that won't fit in 15A outlets but 15A plugs will fit in 20A outlets. That way, devices that draw too much current won't be plugged in to weaker outlets that aren't designed to carry that much current continuously.
People tend to like to break or cut off things that are designed to protect them, the most common being the ground lug of a plug. It's always a bad idea from a safety standpoint.
Tom
WPeters
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2011
- Messages
- 206
I know this is an old post, I just wanted to clarify something. We just got a RO 150, 150 ETS and the plunge saw. I'm wanting to wrap my cord and hose together using techflex idea. The saw cord works in the sanders but not vice versa. Should i wrap that cord (the saws) with the hose? Or is it best to get a different hose and use that with the sander cord? Thanks!
EWTHeckman
Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2011
- Messages
- 294
One thing you might want to keep in mind is that dust extraction for the heavier tools works much better with the 36mm hose. On the other hand, lighter duty tools (such as my RO 125) can only be used with the 27mm hose.
I know this is going to sound sarcastic, not really my intension, but I do not get the better flexibility argument. there is a vacuum hose attached as well that is really stiff. So, yes I think it is over thought. I may have used the 18 gauge cord once and I have a string of 6 or so hanging in the corner new.
Jeff
Jeff
Deansocial
Member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2010
- Messages
- 2,110
i have the old jigsaw and have to buy the 240v cord to fit it and cut the end off and replace with a 110v plug. its not compatable with the rest of the stuff, great sysyem festool! Why not make them all heavy duty so they all fit each other that way it would be a better system
Similar threads
