Plug-It-izing non Festools

[jeffinsgf]

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

It may not be an issue of "pre" or "post"...that's a big motor...they may have treated it like the OF2200, which doesn't have Plug-It, either.

 

[rmwarren]

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

It may not be an issue of "pre" or "post"...that's a big motor...they may have treated it like the OF2200, which doesn't have Plug-It, either.

I added the heavy pigtail that Matt used on his Zeta to mine years ago, never had any problems with it. I don't think the amp draw is any more than a TS75, for example.

The RAS doesn't get used often, but like CRG I wouldn't part with it.

RMW

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The thing is, I think (know) I would use it more, if I didn't have to deal with the cord every time.
I have all of the cords of my corded tools wrapped up in their original pattern held with a cable clamp. The only exceptions being the Milwaukee routers, because the cord wraps around them in the clamshell case so well.
I can't see the RAS115 being a huge draw tool, I just assumed that it was a holdover of an old design that never got updated.....then discontinued.
Weren't the old OF 900/OF1000 pre-Plug-it too? The OF1010 was the update, to get Plug-it, wasn't it?

 

[rmwarren]

The thing is, I think (know) I would use it more, if I didn't have to deal with the cord every time.
I have all of the cords of my corded tools wrapped up in their original pattern held with a cable clamp. The only exceptions being the Milwaukee routers, because the cord wraps around them in the clamshell case so well.
I can't see the RAS115 being a huge draw tool, I just assumed that it was a holdover of an old design that never got updated.....then discontinued.
Weren't the old OF 9000/OF1000 pre-Plug-it too? The OF1010 was the update, to get Plug-it, wasn't it?

500W total draw, so only ~4 amps.

I happened to have my 1010 EQ sitting nearby as I was considering selling it, it has Plugit. Not sure if there was a prior version, mine is perhaps 10 years old.

Really haven't been using Plugit much recently, the TS55 is cordless, and I've been using a Dewalt 20V sander and palm router for the most part. I do keep a Plugit cord installed in a splitter outlet box I have plugged into the CT, for those occasions when I grab a different sander or the Domino or OF 1400.

Partly a consequence of not doing many big projects with wood over the past couple years, that may change in the spring.

RMW

 

[jeffinsgf]

Weren't the old OF 9000/OF1000 pre-Plug-it too? The OF1010 was the update, to get Plug-it, wasn't it?

OF-1000 was pre-Plug-It. That's what I have and one of the two tools I bought the pigtails for. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

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.

It is all because of the European nanny state with their constantly more severe safety rules. Every kind of modification that has even the slightest chance of failure becomes outlawed. Festool's just covering their bases.

Doesn't matter if a million people find something useful, if one or two idiots make a boo-boo the entire product goes on the no-no list.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Weren't the old OF 900/OF1000 pre-Plug-it too? The OF1010 was the update, to get Plug-it, wasn't it?

My OF900 which is ~40 years old was pre plug-it, and came in a metal case, no systainers then. Same for my RS2E, and the RS300 was also pre plug-it. The first plug-it I saw was when I got the LS130. By then almost everything was plug-it except for the planers, BS105 belt sander and saws.

 

[jeffinsgf]

...

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.

Thanks again. Joel was very gracious about setting the whole thing up and distributing them after arrival. I couldn't be happier with the mods to my OF-1000 and AT-65.

 

[PaulMarcel]

I put a pigtail on the RAS-115 and RS-2e. It is true that the cord will hang down just right to catch the edge of the panel you're sanding with the RS-2e, but (if I'm not using the boom arm) I grip it like a TS-75 reaching under the cord. I also have velcro straps on the workcenter specifically for tying back pigtails. Still nicer for tools you want to conveniently use with the boom arm.

The BS-75 doesn't use a Plug-It either, but it goes to a 220v socket.

Certainly seems like someone could take a pigtail apart to create 3D print projects of the two half pieces. I don't recall how the contacts were made. I mean if you're violating a warranty, let's go all out

 

[Cheese]

I mean if you're violating a warranty, let's go all out

[big grin]

Hey, I’m all in with that idea…anything worth doing is worth overdoing.  [big grin]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

[member=3513]PaulMarcel[/member] is your TS75 just so old that 220V was all they made? or did you import a European one? For any specific reason?

 

[peter halle]

[member=3513]PaulMarcel[/member] is your TS75 just so old that 220V was all they made? or did you import a European one? For any specific reason?

He has the BS75 which is the belt sander that even has the sanding frame (never offered in NA to the best of my memory).

Peter

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=3513]PaulMarcel[/member] is your TS75 just so old that 220V was all they made? or did you import a European one? For any specific reason?

He has the BS75 which is the belt sander that even has the sanding frame (never offered in NA to the best of my memory).

Peter

That belt sander was only available in North America under the AEG tag, although it was made by Holz-Her. I had been using the AEG for around twenty years when I learned that this company called Festool had bought the Holz-Her factory and would be continuing to produce the belt sanders. That was over twenty years ago and I have bought many Festool power tools since then but unfortunately, not the belt sander. Because they only make it in 220v.  [mad]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

[member=3513]PaulMarcel[/member] is your TS75 just so old that 220V was all they made? or did you import a European one? For any specific reason?

He has the BS75 which is the belt sander that even has the sanding frame (never offered in NA to the best of my memory).

Peter

I missed that. One letter changes things dramatically.  [unsure]

None of the BS were ever offered here were they? I sure would like to have one.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Ha! Yes, one letter and totally different thing.

I had the chance to pick up a BS-75 plus sanding frame from someone moving here from Germany. He had both the BS-105 and BS-75 and wanted to keep the 105.

I wanted this sander specifically for marquetry and veneer work. Paul Schûrch was given a BS-105 by Festool USA to try out and report back. He told them he would never return it, or so the folklore goes. I believe his is 110V. I brought the BS-75 with me when I visited him in Santa Barbara and he liked it so much he wanted to get one, too. He generally does large pieces so the BS-105 is faster. But he loved the 75's size better for some smaller projects. Long before I got mine, he told me it was absolutely idiot-proof for flattening marquetry; challenge accepted.

Sadly, they never released it here. I have a 220V socket by my bench and an extension so I could use any 220V tool in the shop. For the BS-75, I replaced the plug with a NEMA 2-20 plug as I didn't want to make a "NEMA 2-20 to whatever was on the end of the BS-75" adapter.

That's interesting, Michael, so some AEG versions may still be floating around. I'd bet a call to Eagle Tools would net one, tbh. If you're an Inca fan, you need to know this place.

 

[Packard]

Is there some major advantage in having the power cord being removeable?  I do recall having cut the power cord on a circular saw once.  I had to order a new cord.  But that is one event in 50 years of using tools. Hardly a major consideration.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Is there some major advantage in having the power cord being removeable?

For me, it's mostly about using it with the CT. With the power cord in the vac hose sleeve, I'd have to tie back the cord, plug in the hard-wired cord from the RAS-115, and likely bungee cord the power cord so it stays mostly out of the way with the hose. Not the end of the world, but if a $15 pigtail (IIRC) improves that, I was all for it. I usually use the RAS-115 for shaping so having the sleeved hose+power is nice for keeping both out of the way.

Same for the RS-2e.

First-world problems for sure.

 

[Michael Kellough]

For me using the Festool sleeved hose/cord combo with a pigtail adapted tool is a pain because the the power cord can’t retract far enough, or the pigtail is too long. I could open the tool and shorten the pigtail but then I’d loose the very nice crimped ends on the wires.

Here is the original belt sander.

 

[kmalone]

I contacted Colonial Saw to see about getting a spare rear housing. Though not a cataloged part, they do have a pile of them laying around the warehouse and agreed to sell me one. I will post some updates when it arrives and the tickering begins...

 

[thudchkr]

Certainly seems like someone could take a pigtail apart to create 3D print projects of the two half pieces. I don't recall how the contacts were made. I mean if you're violating a warranty, let's go all out

Simpler yet might be to create the 3D print project to go around a replacement socket for a TS-75.  Might need to put a sleeve and/or a cord strain relief, around the wires as well.