replacement cord cost and the worst festool product i own

[cartman bob]

Hi folks, I'm a newbie here, signed up to join the fun, learn some stuff, maybe teach a tip or two, and hopefully get some help with a couple of problems I'm having. But there is something I need to get off my chest...

First of all, $44 for a replacement cord is a royal rip off.

Secondly, the deflector is by far the worst piece of equipment festool makes in my opinion. I have striped the insulation off of several cords by way of the cord becoming lodged in the far left channel of the guide rail. Which takes me back to bitch #1 above. Why doesn't the deflector cover the entire end of the guide rail?? If I need to use a gecko or something else that slides into this channel I could take it in from the opposite end, right?

Yeah, I know, just make sure the cord doesn't get near this channel, but its hard to catch it everytime.

 

[semenza]

Hi folks, I'm a newbie here, signed up to join the fun, learn some stuff, maybe teach a tip or two, and hopefully get some help with a couple of problems I'm having. But there is something I need to get off my chest...

First of all, $44 for a replacement cord is a royal rip off.

Secondly, the deflector is by far the worst piece of equipment festool makes in my opinion. I have striped the insulation off of several cords by way of the cord becoming lodged in the far left channel of the guide rail. Which takes me back to  #1 above. Why doesn't the deflector cover the entire end of the guide rail?? If I need to use a gecko or something else that slides into this channel I could take it in from the opposite end, right?

Yeah, I know, just make sure the cord doesn't get near this channel, but its hard to catch it everytime.

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

      Basically the deflector was never updated to the width of the current generation of guide rails. It fit the full width on the previous one.

Here are a couple things I came up with years ago.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/guide-rail-deflector-modification/msg14955/#msg14955

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/offset-deflector-position/msg47311/#msg47311

Seth

 

[wow]

Welcome Cartman Bob!

Somebody here on the FOG made some neat deflectors out of MDF and was selling them here and on ebay. Let me see if I can find a link for you...

Edit: Here you go:

It was a member named squarecut:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/my-custom-built-guide-rail-deflector/

 

[charley1968]

Tried some gaffer tape? Worked for me.
Nowadays i use a sleeve on DC-hose/cord, no trouble with that either.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Hi folks, I'm a newbie here, signed up to join the fun, learn some stuff, maybe teach a tip or two, and hopefully get some help with a couple of problems I'm having. But there is something I need to get off my chest...

First of all, $44 for a replacement cord is a royal rip off.

Secondly, the deflector is by far the worst piece of equipment festool makes in my opinion. I have striped the insulation off of several cords by way of the cord becoming lodged in the far left channel of the guide rail. Which takes me back to  #1 above. Why doesn't the deflector cover the entire end of the guide rail?? If I need to use a gecko or something else that slides into this channel I could take it in from the opposite end, right?

Yeah, I know, just make sure the cord doesn't get near this channel, but its hard to catch it everytime.

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

      Basically the deflector was never updated to the width of the current generation of guide rails. It fit the full width on the previous one.

Here are a couple things I came up with years ago.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/guide-rail-deflector-modification/msg14955/#msg14955

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/offset-deflector-position/msg47311/#msg47311

Seth

That's one problem. The other is that newer cords are sheathed in a soft textured neoprene that snags on everything. The older cords have a harder smooth neoprene sheath that will still snag on a square aluminum edge but slides over other things much easier than the new cords.

 

[teocaf]

true, it's an outdated design.  it's good that it's being brought up here so that festool can see the concerns and address it in future designs.  but how are you tearing up 5 cords?  one of the realities of any shop is all kinds of stuff snagging on other stuff.  we devise work arounds,change methods of work, build our own solutions etc.  if i encounter resistance during a cut, i stop, clear the problem and then continue.  i don't power through hoping that the extra force will free the entanglement.  i don't use those deflectors any more because they just get in my way.  but i place the hose and the cord in such a way at the beginning of each cut so that it runs free of snags.  i just can't figure out how you've ruined so many cords.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]
I share your disappointment with the deflector Bob.

Now when using a saw or router with rail, I have the DE behind me and the hose and cable loosely running back over my shoulder. Thus they both come with me as I move down the rail. You will see variations of this in some Festool videos.

I also use a Pur High Strength Cable for shop use. This has a tougher covering. Some users have criticised this cable as being relatively inflexible for tasks such as sanding. Yes it is stiffer, but I find this not to be an issue. It is also Festool Green and so easier to see in those 'busy' moments.

Unfortunately this is another NAINA item.

http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/en_AU/?ObjectID=25634

 

[Sparktrician]

I have striped the insulation off of several cords by way of the cord becoming lodged in the far left channel of the guide rail.  ... 
Yeah, I know, just make sure the cord doesn't get near this channel, but its hard to catch it everytime.

Got to ask a Dr. Phil question here - "Are you a slow learner?"  I have to admit that I caught a couple of cords in the guide rail when I first bought and started using Festool products, but like other smart folks, I learned from that experience and adapted my work habits. 

 

[andyman]

The other thing that really annoys me is the swivel nozzle on the back of the ts55 I wish it was notched so it could hold a certain position as it swings where you don't want it when you don't need it to

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have striped the insulation off of several cords by way of the cord becoming lodged in the far left channel of the guide rail.  ... 
Yeah, I know, just make sure the cord doesn't get near this channel, but its hard to catch it everytime.

Got to ask a Dr. Phil question here - "Are you a slow learner?"  I have to admit that I caught a couple of cords in the guide rail when I first bought and started using Festool products, but like other smart folks, I learned from that experience and adapted my work habits.

6 years of owning a ts55 and never once have I cut the cord on the guide rail, I guess I just pay attention to what I am doing. 

 

[Laminator]

Its been so long ago that I forget what I wrapped it with (maybe teflon thread tape) but my dust port stays where I put it.  Quick and easy fix.  Loosen a couple screws so that you can remove the nozzle, wrap the flange and reinstall.  It takes a good grip to move it now.

Also you can rout the cord through the handle so that it trails out close to the right side of the base plate.

 

[#Tee]

I hated deflector since day one, i wrap the cord and hose over and under my arm for every cut now.

 

[mastercabman]

I have striped the insulation off of several cords by way of the cord becoming lodged in the far left channel of the guide rail.  ... 
Yeah, I know, just make sure the cord doesn't get near this channel, but its hard to catch it everytime.

Got to ask a Dr. Phil question here - "Are you a slow learner?"  I have to admit that I caught a couple of cords in the guide rail when I first bought and started using Festool products, but like other smart folks, I learned from that experience and adapted my work habits.

I also hate when the cord get stuck into that channel
I wish that festool made an "end cap" to stop that problem and to protect the ends of the rails
I think Bosch makes something like that for their rails

 

[Slartibartfass]

Boom arm anyone......?

 

[carlb40]

The other thing that really annoys me is the swivel nozzle on the back of the ts55 I wish it was notched so it could hold a certain position as it swings where you don't want it when you don't need it to

That is the one thing that really annoys me too. I would rather have a fixed one as when cutting i always hold the hose up, and the dust port is always pointing up.

 

[mastercabman]

Boom arm anyone......?

Yes boom arm are nice but not for onsite work

 

[Dan1210]

The other thing that really annoys me is the swivel nozzle on the back of the ts55 I wish it was notched so it could hold a certain position as it swings where you don't want it when you don't need it to

                                                                                                                                                                  This x10! my new ts is much worse than my old one for this,
one reason im thinking of switching to mafells mt

 

[JCLP]

I made a portable hose holder out of spare plywood that can be clamp to any work table. It keeps the hose approx 2' in the air and prevents the hose from catching the end of the rail. I have another one on my Kapex stand which I use in conjuction with the portable when I'm in the shop.
Cheers, JC.

 

[Paul G]

Yea, that cord deflector sucks, hose always slips off and you have to remove it to remove the rail clamp. Maybe someday Festool will FINALLY put an engineer on it.