Power cords, a gripe that is getting to be obsolete.

[Packard]

My Bosch jig saw was highly rated when I bought it about 15 years ago.  If I were rating it today, I would give it high marks too.

The one thing that I appreciate each time I use it, is the 12-1/2 foot power cord. 

I do wonder if the battery powered tools would have gained so much of the market share if all tools had a similar 12 - 15 foot cord.

The thing I notice about my other power tools is, “darn, this cord is way too short.”  And then I have to go look for an extension cord.

 

[six-point socket II]

Funny you mention Bosch, they have shortened their cords nowadays - however, they still sell the longer cords via their spare parts catalog and obviously offer to fit one to your tool when you ship the tool to their repair/service center & pay for that service.

But there are still manufacturers who fit long cords and the accountants didn't win.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[mino]

Plug. It.
Ahem.

I am selling my TSC 55. It is a better saw than a TS 55 R I will be getting.

But it is also
a) comparatively heavy
b) actually a PITA when my PlugIt-integrated hose has the cable just hanging around ...

Same with my PSC 420. Just sold and will be getting a corded PSB version. Without PlugIt, I would never even consider the switch.

 

[Mini Me]

I have changed my view on long cords on tools since I installed overhead electric reels as the tools store better with minimal length cords.

 

[Packard]

I have changed my view on long cords on tools since I installed overhead electric reels as the tools store better with minimal length cords.

Good at the work bench, not much help on site.  I had not thought of that and I will consider it.

I just looked on  Amazon.com.  They have 12, 14 and 16 AWG listed. I am guessing that the 12 or 14 is what I would need.

Suggestions?  Some show 4 outlets.  Some do not. In any case, I would use one machine at a time.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Most of my corded Makita, Hilti, and Metabo tools came with 12'-16' cords, I find that the 8' cords tend to ship on more budget-minded tools where they're trying to shave off a fraction of a penny where they can.

Any tool I have that arrived with an 8' cord gets replaced with at least a 12' cord. Most of my framing tools (worm drive saw, recip saw, etc...) get retrofitted with a 25' 12ga outdoor, cold-weather rated cord.

I'm really lamenting the shift to cordless tools, as I have yet to find a Li-Ion battery that performs well in cold (below 15F/-12C) weather. The tools "work", but battery life is often cut in half, and then it's not unusual for the chargers to report that the battery is outside of acceptable charging temperature range. Same on hot (95F/35C) days, the thermal protection shuts down the batteries and the chargers won't work unless you take them inside to cool down.

So, in spite of the convenience of cordless in mild conditions, corded tools with 12'-25' cords still definitely have a place in my climate (Climate Zone 6)...

 

[PaulMarcel]

I have the Rockler reel mounted to the ceiling and it's great for the dust extractor as it is up and out of the way.
The Rockler reel is 12 gauge. I'd rather have 12 ga for 20A rating vs 14ga with 15A.
The Rockler reel has 3 outlets. I'd think on-site 3 would be handy to leave things plugged in; in the shop, maybe that isn't as big a deal as you have more outlets. There are always those small pigtails that breakout into 3 outlets if you decide on a reel with just one.

 

[Laminator]

  I run 30' Kirby vacuum cleaner cords on all corded laminate trimmers, heat guns, and belt sanders.  It sure makes life easier on the jobsite and in the shop.  I have put the plug-it ends on several of these cords to run the  MFK 700's,  1010's, and jig saws.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

For the most part, the only thing that matters to me is that the cord is the same length as the extractor hose. A large percentage of my power tools are Festool, so both are deployed the majority of the time.
The extractor's cord works into the equation too, so you can get pretty far from an outlet.

 

[HighlandMarine]

The Mafell P1cc is another jigsaw with a healthy length of cord on it, and more importantly, incredible performance in most situations.

Also another one who reaches for the TS55F over the TSC due to weight and the plug is always next to the hose. TSC and CTC sys have their place for quick site cuts.

 

[Cheese]

The Mafell P1cc is another jigsaw with a healthy length of cord on it, and more importantly, incredible performance in most situations.

Until you have to coil up the cord to put it back into its Systainer. 

With the tilting base, edge guide, extra blades and other items, it's a tight fit and it usually takes more than one try. If Mafell offered a #2 Systainer, I'd swap it out in a heart beat.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Agreed [member=44099]Cheese[/member] I have the same problem with the Lamello Zeta and the RAS 115. I would buy a Plug-it version of it in a second, but won't give up the old one, since they were discontinued.

My recent Makita miter saw change was a bit of an exception for me. I wanted the newer design of the saw carriage moving on forward-mounted rails, so take less space behind it. They offer 2 saws that are effectively the same, with AC versus DC power options. I went for the battery version mostly because of the batteries themselves. The price difference was very minimal, so gaining more batteries in my preferred platform, at no additional cost.
BTW, it has performed very well. I got it mounted/adapted into my existing station just in time for a job with a lot of trim pieces. The two batteries made it through all of it.

 

[Packard]

I wish all line voltage machines had removable cords like Festool’s saws do.  Then I could keep a longer cord for when I need it, and use a standard sized one when the longer one is not required.

Or run the standard size cord to the Systainer which contained a junction box, and plug in a long cord from the Systainer to the wall outlet.

The Systainer become the “wall outlet”, a home base, in effect.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

[member=74278]Packard[/member] the thing you describe is exactly how I use a CT. It is plugged in constantly and I leave a Plug-it connected too. That (and dust extraction) is the main motivation behind my expansion into the Festool system. The CXS and RAS are the only ones outside that fitment.

 

[Svar]

Until you have to coil up the cord to put it back into its Systainer. 
With the tilting base, edge guide, extra blades and other items, it's a tight fit and it usually takes more than one try. If Mafell offered a #2 Systainer, I'd swap it out in a heart beat.

Yes!!! Except no need for bigger systainer, just a different insert that doesn't waste space. What's up with that inclined place for the tilting base? If you get rid of that insert, put a soft mat on the bottom and arrange things differently everything fits fine.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] Mafell supply empty Systainers #1 through #4 over here as an accessory. Proper T-Locs, too. None of this new-fangled Sys3 nonsense. Hit me up by PM if you'd like me to fix you up with one of my near-legendary FOG member Transatlantic grey imports. [member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member] will vouch for the flawless efficiency of my personal service  [big grin]
https://www.toolnation.com/mafell-accessories-095179-t-max-systainer-no-2-empty.html

[attachimg=1]

Kevin

 

[squall_line]

Since all of the branding is on the lid, wouldn't someone just need to pop the hinges and swap the lid from the Mafell over to any other T-Loc generation Sys-II?

 

[jeh]

I have several of their tools and they were slower than Festool to move from the original to the T-Locs. I suspect they buy in bulk and so they cannot switch immediately. Mafell also has the best power cords in terms of flexibility and a lack of memory.

 

[jeh]

The Mafell P1cc is another jigsaw with a healthy length of cord on it, and more importantly, incredible performance in most situations.

Until you have to coil up the cord to put it back into its Systainer. 

With the tilting base, edge guide, extra blades and other items, it's a tight fit and it usually takes more than one try. If Mafell offered a #2 Systainer, I'd swap it out in a heart beat.

[attachimg=1]

At least the insert is made to accommodate the cord...

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Since all of the branding is on the lid, wouldn't someone just need to pop the hinges and swap the lid from the Mafell over to any other T-Loc generation Sys-II?

Fair point - but would you be happy if your new Festool tool was delivered in a plain grey unbranded Systainer so that you had to goof around finding a 'proper' Festool lid for it? And where exactly are you going to source a T-Loc spare-part lid from for your other (now-lidless) Sys2? And how much hassle would that entail? And how much would it cost? And how long would you have to wait for it? In my experience - instant, no-brainer solutions are always the best.