Quick Disconnect power cord system

[TealaG]

HI...saw this on YouTube and thought it was a great idea.  It's something I think I can do (skill wise).  But before I cut the cord and lose my warranty, does anyone else have any thoughts on it?  Honestly, most of my smaller tools are too old to have a warranty so it seems that the benefits may outweigh the risk.

My only real question is whether the weight of the connectors may become a problem with the cord getting in the way of working.
=6s

 

[grobkuschelig]

As others have suggested prior, if I were to undertake such an operation I would go for a different plug.
The one highly suggested for this would be a Neutrik PowerCon.

In my opinion these connectors shown in the video are not made for constant un- and replugging, much less to do so under power. Normally, with the type of connector shown, you plug the connector into the appliance, before connecting to the outlet.

But that’s just me.

I have also seen people order the tool-side connection from similar Festool tools and modding their respective other brand tool to really work with the PlugIt system, but that is another step up on the skill level, I recon...

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[Oldwood]

I love it!! It would simple to do all your tools to use a common plug system.

grobkuschelig said:
"In my opinion these connectors shown in the video are not made for constant un- and replugging, much less to do so under power. Normally, with the type of connector shown, you plug the connector into the appliance, before connecting to the outlet."

I was of the same opinion until I bought a pressure cooker with this same cord system that I had only seen on computer equipment. The cord on that appliance has worked just fine for over a year and makes it much easier to store the appliance. The addition of the locking option makes this a winner for tools.

Thanks for posting this,
Gerry

 

[grobkuschelig]

What ever works for you.
I might be the cautious kind...

The Neutrik PowerCon True1 was developed for Stage use, so it is designed to withstand abuse likely to happen with tools.

There are a lot of Videos on people using these on their tools:

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[TealaG]

I was concerned that Neutrik might not be available in the US or might require soldering.  I did more research and realized that it was just as easy to do and the True1 allows me to connect while the power is live.  I decided to go for it.  I've ordered the stuff and will start converting slowly. 

 

[demographic]

I half like the idea but they all look like they are at about the right distance from the tool to snag on every damn thing possible.

 

[Oldwood]

Can anyone explain to me the difference in a plug designed to be plugged under power and one that is not? I am trying to get my head around the idea. I think all of the plugs would be connected with the tool turned off so it should not be drawing current. When I look at the festool plugit connector compared to the IEC connector they both connect with friction but the IEC has a larger contact face.

The Neutrik PowerCon looks like a good option also.

Just to be clear I am not trying to be argumentative, I am just curious.

Gerry

 

[TealaG]

I was concerned that the connectors would weigh the cord down, but so many people are doing it and liking it...  It couldn't be all bad.  I'll try on one or two tools first. 

Regarding the power thing.  The tool is OFF when you plug in.  But with the True1, you don't have to unplug the cord from the outlet.  So when they refer to the power being "live", they mean that the plug is in the electrical outlet, you then plug that cord into the tool, but the tool is switched off.  With the other Neutrik system (not True1) you should unplug the cord from the outlet before putting the tool on the power cord.  To me, the convenience of this system is that you can switch at the tool without having to unplug at the outlet each time and not have multiple cords everywhere. 

My ultimate plan is to do something like I saw in a magazine.  This guy had a rope/wire attached to the ceiling, maybe approx 4" below the ceiling.  Then, he had something like shower curtain rings and attached the power cord to the rings so that as you pulled it out, you got more line and when you didn't need it, it "accumulated" at one end (similar to a shower curtain/rod system).    I'm probably not describing it as fabulously as the picture showed.  But by doing this, you have the minimum cord in the working area...just enough for you to move the tool comfortably to where it needs to go and not have it get in the way.  The plan would be to also hang the vacuum tube from the same line so that they move together.    That's the grand plan...thus far, I've only been able to try to manage the vacuum tube with a "pvc pipe"...that didn't work as well as I had hoped.