POLL: What level of interest is there in the Vac-Sys in the US/Canada?

[promark747]

I would be interested.

 

[jamanjeval]

I'm not interested in getting one immediately, but maybe within a year or two if the Vac also works well for vacuum bagging.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I was told that it can be used for vacuum bagging as well, but I don't know any specifics. Maybe some of our European members can offer some insight on that topic.

 

[grbmds]

It seems to me the whole thing really hinges on cost. It would appear that the basic setup sells in the UK for around $1,500, including the vacuum pump and the single basic  round "clamp" or pedestal that would hold the piece worked on. That's even with removal of the VAT (if that applies in the UK) and I have my conversion rates between British Pounds and USD correct. For most of us hobbyists, that's quite a purchase. Having said that, though, it seems like a tremendously versatile tool, especially if you can Domino on it. I thought I saw it's use with the Domino on YouTube somewhere but could not find it again. It should work for Dominoing given it works for routing. It's a big purchase but so are a lot of things that work well and make life easier and safer for woodworking.

 

[kelauben]

I'd look at buying the workholding component, and attaching my own vacuum pump to it. My vacuum pump is currently used for veneer work but can also be used as a vacuum clamp. I'd pay perhaps $300 for the clamp part.

I've often thought that the vac sys should be modified to permit its use for vacuum clamp veneering. In its current format it really only does half the job of other vacuum pumps.

Just curious and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but what vacuum pump are you using?  I'd be interested in hearing about your setup.

karl

 

[mouppe]

I'd look at buying the workholding component, and attaching my own vacuum pump to it. My vacuum pump is currently used for veneer work but can also be used as a vacuum clamp. I'd pay perhaps $300 for the clamp part.

I've often thought that the vac sys should be modified to permit its use for vacuum clamp veneering. In its current format it really only does half the job of other vacuum pumps.

Just curious and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but what vacuum pump are you using?  I'd be interested in hearing about your setup.

karl

Karl, here's a link to my pump. I have the blue model. A fantastic machine, very quiet, has never failed in several years of use, and certainly powerful. FYI the bag is almost as important as the pump for good results.

Just by way of reference, this model and the bag costs around $1000, so if the vac-sys was priced around this level it would be attractive. In the UK, you can get a vac-sys including VAT for about $1200. $1500 is the list price but there are discounts available.

We can start a new thread if you want more info on my setup or PM me. Happy to help.

https://www.vacupress.com/products.htm

 

[dltflt]

If it could be used as Vacuum Press that would definitely make more palatable.

 

[BobcaygeonJim]

I would be interested in one

 

[sicd_steve]

Well us lucky Aussies down under get most of the Festool gear you just have to throw buckets of money at them. I have 2 vac sys heads each has the full range of heads from the smallest to the largest, I use it all the time and just love it  look it is a luxury I admit but cuts you work time down that's for sure. I would highly recommend it to anyone doing cabinets these are very strong suction to test it I used the large pad and attached to the face of a 40kg door this will hold the door vertical or even on a angle no worries the suction is amazing. Funny thing though if you hold MDF board on it the suction pulls right through the board and you can hold another board on top as well....great party trick. but I must say you can have a board being held on a vertical angle and then decide oops it's time for lunch and then go and turn off the vac!,,, oopppp bang goes the board as it drops off the vac heads with no suction. .....lucky I have a thick rubber.mats at my work bench. You don't get this issue with clamps, I JUST LOVE IT ALL THE SAME

 

[trappier]

Hi Shane,

Thanks for the Poll..It is very helpful to gauge interest and feedback. As for the kind of work that we do ( carpentry and cabinetry maker for Pre Fab homes) this vacuum system would be a God send because it would cut down on the normal clamping and unclamping that goes on during the cabinet making process that would speed things up.

Hopefully, this product will finally make to our shores in the USA..Keep us posted. Thanks.

Oh..One more thing..price is immaterial if the product make our work easier and quicker (period).

Trappier Hall

 

[Rick Christopherson]

How much clamping power does it have? Will it hold a piece being dominoed? If so I'd definitely be interested

The vacuum creates approximately 14 psi (atmospheric pressure). So the clamping force is equal to the pressure times the surface area of the clamp head. The larger the head, the more force it applies. For the 8.5" round head, this gives 14psi x 56 inches2 = 800 pounds of force. (This is approximate and will vary with your altitude above sea level and the porosity of the workpiece being clamped.)

Here is a picture I took a few years ago. The 8-foot board is 1 to 1-1/8" thick mahogany, and cantilevered out about 7 feet.

 

[Mahogany Man]

I would buy it today if I could get one!
John

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Oh..One more thing..price is immaterial if the product make our work easier and quicker (period).

Trappier Hall

I wholeheartedly agree!! I'd hate to see Festool go the route so many other manufacturers have gone, sacrificing quality to meet some arbitrary price point so as to appeal to home hobbyists.

Shane, please bring us the VacSys, the WHOLE system, and charge what is necessary to keep Festool healthy and producing innovative new products that make my life easier and my business more profitable. Thanks again for running this poll!

 

[elfick]

Oh..One more thing..price is immaterial if the product make our work easier and quicker (period).

Trappier Hall

I wholeheartedly agree!! I'd hate to see Festool go the route so many other manufacturers have gone, sacrificing quality to meet some arbitrary price point so as to appeal to home hobbyists.

Shane, please bring us the VacSys, the WHOLE system, and charge what is necessary to keep Festool healthy and producing innovative new products that make my life easier and my business more profitable. Thanks again for running this poll!

After giving it some thought, I agree also. Even as a hobbyist, tools that make my time more enjoyable are inevitably worth the price. I've changed my vote.

 

[wow]

Oh..One more thing..price is immaterial if the product make our work easier and quicker (period).

Trappier Hall

I wholeheartedly agree!! I'd hate to see Festool go the route so many other manufacturers have gone, sacrificing quality to meet some arbitrary price point so as to appeal to home hobbyists.

Shane, please bring us the VacSys, the WHOLE system, and charge what is necessary to keep Festool healthy and producing innovative new products that make my life easier and my business more profitable. Thanks again for running this poll!

After giving it some thought, I agree also. Even as a hobbyist, tools that make my time more enjoyable are inevitably worth the price. I've changed my vote.

With a limited income, I can't say that price is immaterial. But I have purchased a fair amount of Festool regardless. Yes, I've watched for sales and used/reconditioned items so I can stretch my dollars, but most of my Festool has been purchased new and we all know what that means in terms of price.

I *do* agree with the value equation - i.e. for those who do this for a living, if the time savings can be calculated it's simple to determine a payback period and therefore a pretty easy decision on whether to buy.

As a non-profit professional (I hate the term hobbiest! [smile]) I have a harder time justifying a purchase, but if it makes my work :

• More accurate
• Repeatable
• Faster
• Cleaner
• Easier

I'm probably 'in'.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Thanks to everyone for their input. Much appreciated.

 

[ShilohWood]

Would definitely be interested!

 

[erock]

I've been wanting this for the longest time.  And never understood why it wasn't available in the states.

I could be wrong, but I believe that Tom Bellemare sell Schmalz…who makes the Festool vac sys.    I've been  eager to pull the

trigger and call Tom and order the Schmalz version that he sells.  The only thing stopping me from pulling the trigger is the fact

that the Festool version is in a systainer and goes with the system.  I'm a hobbyist as well.  And have no problem buying what makes

my hobby enjoyable.  So when Festool USA brings this to the state I'll buy one.  I think if Festool USA is going to bring that

edge banding machine (Conturo) to the states….then it would be ridiculous for them NOT to bring the vac sys over.

So please make this happen.  I've ran out of Festool items to buy and looking for something new and good to buy!  [tongue]

Eric 

 

[tjbnwi]

Shane while we're at it, as I was edge banding yesterday, I was thinking it sure would be nice to have the Cunturo to do this. I have some inside radiuses to do today, I may be thinking other things I can't post here.

I don't recall seeing the Conturo in your time frame post. I need the cordless SDS hammer drill also.

Tom

 

[stillwaterBR]

I would definitely get one plus another clamping module to facilitate clamping up an entire door slab