Plug-It-izing non Festools

[kmalone]

I have read through some old posts on this topic, but I really would like to convert my Lamello Zeta to have a Plug-It socket. The proudcts referred to in those old posts are no longer available, at least that I have been able to find. Have any of you successfully (and recently) converted a non Festool tool to use Plug-It cords?

Thanks!

 

[neeleman]

You mean a Plug-it like on the picture. Alas the "pigtail" is no longer available.
I also have this pigtail on my Zeta and when a Plug-it cord is connected there is quite a bit of bulky plastic hanging on the cord and grabbing the workpiece. I should stick to the regular cord. Or try to connect the Plug-it cord directly to the back of the machine.
[attachimg=1]

 

[kmalone]

That would work great!! A little velcro strap to hold the plug to the vacuum hose would do the trick. I see this thing on some European sites, but none are willing to ship to the U.S. Have you tried this?

 

[neeleman]

I also tried the part you showed but is not easy to fit it inside the back of the machine.
Wiring is simple but you have to remove some plastic to fit it in and screw it to the body.
Many of the Festool machines (and others) with fixed cord have a cable relief clamp which can be exchanged for the part you showed.

 

[ChuckM]

I have read through some old posts on this topic, but I really would like to convert my Lamello Zeta to have a Plug-It socket. The proudcts referred to in those old posts are no longer available, at least that I have been able to find. Have any of you successfully (and recently) converted a non Festool tool to use Plug-It cords?

Thanks!

Something like this?:


or this?


Disclaimer: I've never tried any of the above (and have no plans for trying either).

 

[Michael Kellough]

I put those Plug-it adapters on a few of my non-Festool tools and like neeleman I wish I hadn’t, except when it is time to put the tool away.

I was using a Plug-It adapted Bosch 6” ro sander today and the bulky external wad of plastic is awkward.

 

[gwendal]

There is a 3d print to recreate the pigtail. It is a good quality print, but in addition to the extra bulk of the original product, some crimping is needed.
Instead I designed new parts to replace the tool cable altogether:

• Makita Plate Joiner
• Makita Palm Router

 

[tsmi243]

That would work great!! A little velcro strap to hold the plug to the vacuum hose would do the trick. I see this thing on some European sites, but none are willing to ship to the U.S. Have you tried this?

I've done a ton of these.  You have to be brave enough to cut up your tools, but the result is fantastic.  Look em up as repair parts on Ekat, then order from mmtoolparts or similar.  They're easy to get, and maybe 10 bucks ea.

I epoxied mine in place inside the tools.  You need them to be real strong, the plugits take more torque than you might think.

 

[kmalone]

There is a 3d print to recreate the pigtail. It is a good quality print, but in addition to the extra bulk of the original product, some crimping is needed.
Instead I designed new parts to replace the tool cable altogether:

• Makita Plate Joiner
• Makita Palm Router

This looks great!!

 

[kmalone]

That would work great!! A little velcro strap to hold the plug to the vacuum hose would do the trick. I see this thing on some European sites, but none are willing to ship to the U.S. Have you tried this?

I've done a ton of these.  You have to be brave enough to cut up your tools, but the result is fantastic.  Look em up as repair parts on Ekat, then order from mmtoolparts or similar.  They're easy to get, and maybe 10 bucks ea.

I epoxied mine in place inside the tools.  You need them to be real strong, the plugits take more torque than you might think.

The bravery part is a valid point. I am having some internal debates about cutting up an expensive tool to make this work. Any chance you have done this to a Lamello?

 

[afish]

I prefer the pigtail approach.  I have done it to a few of my corded tools and since most of my other corded shop hand tools are festool it was a pain to keep switching out cords.  The only tool left I need to do is my makita track saw.  but tool curve doesnt sell the pigtails anymore so I guess I will need to 3d print something.  The nice thing about the pig tail method is it easily reversed. The velcro tape from HF has been the best method for attaching the cord to hose

 

[jeffinsgf]

A couple years ago a member here went through an amazing amount of hassle to get a dozen of the pigtails sent to the States by a compassionate European member. I was lucky enough to get a few and converted my old Festool track saw and OF-1000 which were both pre-Plug-It. Despite the bulk, I'm very pleased I did it. I sleeved a cord with my vac hose and now I have a one-piece tail.

 

[tsmi243]

Any chance you have done this to a Lamello?

No, but the way that one goes together, I'd bet it's pretty easy.  Looks very similar to my DD40, which was a cakewalk compared to some others I've done.  Remove the back cap, drill out the cord hole if needed, then caulk the plugit in place.  Then hold it vertical and pour epoxy in around it, the caulk is just there to keep the epoxy in place while it cures.

Some tools, the cord restraint inside just happens to have the same screw spacing as the Plugit socket- if that's there, definitely try to use it. 

 

[DynaGlide]

I've been happy with this setup:

I bought two of those pigtails when they were available. The other one is hanging out until I need it. It's too bad you can't get them anymore.

If I recall the housing on the Zeta rear section is separate. It would be a simple matter to buy another housing and modify it as above without damaging your tool.

Matt

 

[afish]

I've been happy with this setup:

I bought two of those pigtails when they were available. The other one is hanging out until I need it. It's too bad you can't get them anymore.

If I recall the housing on the Zeta rear section is separate. It would be a simple matter to buy another housing and modify it as above without damaging your tool.

Matt

agree thats how I did my DDF40.  As mentioned its easy to switch back if needed. The biggest issue is I have found is this is an all or nothing approach for me.  I dont want to have to worry about switching cords when I switch to a non festool or vise versa. I just want one cord that will work for everything.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I'm trying to figure out why Festool has eliminated the pigtail...not just from the U.S. apparently...from everywhere. Seems like keeping it available to modify other brands of tools would bring their loyal customers even tighter into the fold.

 

[squall_line]

I'm trying to figure out why Festool has eliminated the pigtail...not just from the U.S. apparently...from everywhere. Seems like keeping it available to modify other brands of tools would bring their loyal customers even tighter into the fold.

My best guess would be people adding 18 ga pigtails to non-Festools that require 16 or 14 ga and similar.  Possibly UL/CE requirements, too.

They can't get rid of the molded plug that's integral to the tool, since it's a replacement part, but the pigtail represented a liability.

Or it never sold volumes that it required to remain in production, but that's never stopped them from killing off things like Surfix, RAS, Vac-SYS, etc.

 

[hdv]

I think I read somewhere that had to do with possible safety/liability issues. Sadly, I can't for the life of me remember where I read that.  [embarassed]

P.S. I suspect I was that "compassionate European member" being referred to. What a nice way to describe trying to help fellow FOG member joelm out at the time. That put a smile on my face. I believe that was June 2020. How time flies...  [blink] Once in a while I don't mind acting as an intermediary for stuff that's NAINA for established members of this much valued forum. This was one such occasion. Nice to read others apart from him benefited from it as well.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

That's the biggest issue I have with the RAS115, a pre-Plug-it designed tool. I'd never give it up though.

 

[kmalone]

I bought two of those pigtails when they were available. The other one is hanging out until I need it. It's too bad you can't get them anymore.

If I recall the housing on the Zeta rear section is separate. It would be a simple matter to buy another housing and modify it as above without damaging your tool.

Matt

You are correct Matt. I did a closer inspection and the plastic housing is held on by two screws and slides right off. I will see about ordering one from Lamello. It shouldn't be too difficult to modify it to hold the Plug-It socket.