RS 2E Sander Gripe - and dealer question

[butzla]

I recently purchased an RS 2E.  I think it's a fine machine in terms of performance.  I've been using it to sand sheet stock smooth, face frames even and was delighted to find it excels in knocking the sharp edges off of face frames right before paint.  Previously I used a RO sander which was ok but inconsistent.  The RS 2E puts a micro chamfer on the edge with ease and like no other sander I've used.

My gripe is with the power cord and the lack of a quick changing "plug-it" cord.  For the life of me, I can't figure out why they would exclude this feature.  It works 'ok' when I'm sanding at my MFT.  I have a boom arm on my CT and so I have to leave the plug-it cord that's hanging it from it dangling while I have to plug the power cord on the RS into the CT.  Kind of annoying but doable.  But yesterday I had to sand the tops of some installed cabinets in the field and this is where it turned nightmarish.  The cord was all twisted around the vacuum hose and kept catching on edges and every other conceivable obstruction.  The dangling plug-it cord was banging against the sides of painted cabinets, making a mess there.  I haven't dropped that many F-bombs since before I  discovered the convenience of Festools. 

My first question is to dealers, or others in the know,  Why was the plug-it cord left off the design?  Second question is to all about where I can get me one of those pigtail thingies so I can convert it.  It galls me to think I have to spend the moola and time on making this necessary correction.  Something I think Festool should have come up with in the first place.  I mean there must be a reason, a good reason why and not just a cost-cutting procedure. 

Forgive me if this has been covered before.  Thanks for listening.

 

[wnagle]

Stoolman,

Maybe someone will chime in that has one for sale.  I got one from Seth.  With his suggestion, I made a universal pigtail adapter instead of installing it on the tool.  That way I can use any umber of tools (Bicquet joiner, all my PC, Bosch and Dewalt routers, planers and other power tools)  with the plugit adapter in between... and I don't have to alter any tools or buy ten plugit adapters.  So far everything I use also fits the Festool vac hose as well.  I have not tried this with the boom arm though.  Since you end up with a power cord that is longer than your vac hose, I'd have to try it to see how it works.  I can tell you that when the hose and cord are on the floor, the extra length in the power cord is a plus, prevents tangles, and actually works better.

If the shorter cord works better on the boom arm, maybe another option to keep you from modifying each tool on the inside is to make the universal pigtail adapter and just shorten the cord on your tool, reinstalling a plug a couple feet from the tool.  then you can still get by with only one 40 dollar adapter to use on all your tools. 

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[Brice Burrell]

Jim, I understand your frustration. This has been discussed before and Christian O. addressed the issue. The RS2E was designed before the plug-it and sales don't justify the expense of redesigning the the sander to except the plug-it. As Wayne said look at buying an adapter from other members.

 

[butzla]

Brice,  that makes sense.  Thanks for bringing that to light.  I knew there was a plausible reason.  I still think they should redesign them though.

Wayne,  Thanks for posting your pictures.  So the Deltex lacks the plug-it cord too?  and thanks for jogging my memory about Seth.  He send me a private a long time ago about selling them ..before he became a full time "Other" (Lost reference).  I dropped the ball.  I'll hit him up for some on the other forum. 
BTW,  Nice job on the Nahms, workshop hutch!  That's the next build on my list for my shop.  Post some more pics if you please.

 

[wnagle]

Stoolman,

I guess I did ok on the hutch... since you were able to recognize it!  I just finished phase 2 of my miter station for the kapex that uses the norm hutch for the right outfeed table.  However, I deleted the pics of it for poor quality.  As soon as I get some more I'll repost them.

As for the plugit adapter, it works great... buying only one is a plus...as long as I don't misplace it!

 

[Woodenfish]

I can't help but think that in the days of CAD and plastic injection moulding this tool cannot be modified relatively inexpensively. For what this family-owned business makes in profit from their entire tool line I would think it beholds them to give their customers what they want, what their core mantra states, being faster, easier, smarter. Enough excuses, suck it up and fix it already!

 

[peter halle]

Just because it doesn't have all the features of later tools doesn't mean it's broken.  It just doesn't have the plug it cord.  Isn't evolution in tools and other products natural?

 

[butzla]

Woodenfish,  you hit the nail on the head.

Update,  I just bought 2 pigtails on Ebay from Healys Tools in GB for $52 including shipping.  Will this void my warrantee if I hard install?  Why don't they sell these in US?!

 

[Brice Burrell]

Woodenfish,  you hit the nail on the head.

Update,  I just bought 2 pigtails on Ebay from Healys Tools in GB for $52 including shipping.  Will this void my warrantee if I hard install?.......

You may want to call Festool to get a definitive answer but I believe it might so I wouldn't just jump into installing them.

............Why don't they sell these in US?!

They won't pass the UL approval process.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I still think they should redesign them though.

Well, actually, they did.

Because, for a couple of years already, the RS2 has been superseded by the RS200 EQ.

And this RS200EQ does have the plug it cord.

But as we see a lot, it's not exported to the USA. That UL approval must be a pain in the a**.

One should think that if a machine gets CE approval, which means it is safe enough for Europeans to handle, it should also be safe enough for Americans to handle. We even got 220 volts while America only has 110.

 

[nickao]

The USA uses 110 and 220, but 110 is what homes are built with for most outlets.

Still almost every home does accommodate a few 220 V outlets for various appliances.

I  put the pigtail on my RS2 and no problems at all, I have used it extensively for over a year now.

One comment:

The last two pigtails I received from Healy's are different from my previous orders. They do not fit EITHER cord we have in the US anymore. I think they changed to to keep people from the US from using them. I just shaved off part of the nipple and it still works fine and the wiring is safe. The newer pattern does not match either "plug it"  here in the US, It will  not fit either the  TS 75 or the Trion's plug.

If you order the 220V pigtail from Healy's that will fit all the cords, but then the wires in that 220V pigtail are not big enough(the correct gauge) to handle the 110V current. So get the 110V "pig tail" version from Healy's to get the bigger(correct gauge) wiring, but be prepared to have one side of the nipple shaved off in the actual "pig tail" receptacle.

Of course it would void a warranty, come on any changes you make will be a  reason for them to deny you. Just put the old cord on before sending it for work. The pigtail with the right size wires will have no effect on the tool no matter what they say.

Most people do not beat the crap out the their tools like I do and I doubt the RS2 will fail anyway during the warranty period. I bet the RS2 is one of the least sent in tool for warranty work, its quite solid, durable  and simple in its construction.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I can't help but think that in the days of CAD and plastic injection moulding this tool cannot be modified relatively inexpensively. For what this family-owned business makes in profit from their entire tool line I would think it beholds them to give their customers what they want, what their core mantra states, being faster, easier, smarter. Enough excuses, suck it up and fix it already!

I generally agree, although I am happy with my Deltex 93 despite the fact that it does not have a Plug-It cord.  I note that Festool's official line regarding the variation in kerf width of their fine cut, general purpose and rip cut saw blades for the TS 55 saw was impossible to reconcile for blah, blah, blah engineering reasons.  After Tenyru came out with rip blades having the same kerf width as Festool's fine cut and general purpose blades, Festool "figured out" how to match that engineering accomplishment.  I, too, am puzzled at Festool's philosophy of not updating these otherwise fine older tool designs.  Maybe it is because they wait until they think it appropriate (for whatever reasons, e.g. to meet or exceed competition, new government regulations, etc.) to entirely rethink and re-engineer the tool, and not just modify the end of the housing to fit a Plug-It connector.  An example of this is the RO 125 and later the update of the RO 150 sander.  On the other hand, I think Festool would better serve its growing customer base if they would offer an Pug-It pigtails, and an adapter like Wayne's at a reasonable price throughout the world, and especially in USA.  If such Plug-It units were openly available, I think they would sell a lot of them to Festool owners who want to update their non-Festool machines to facilitate use with Festool's vacuum machines and Plug-It system.  When they later redesign a tool such as the RS 2E, they could still add or change whatever other features their engineers come up with and still cause us Festoolaholics to salivate for the new machines.  I'd like to see Festool redesign the Deltex 93 to include Plug-It and a smaller diameter, shorter length motor housing, maybe through use of neodymium permanent magnents in the motor, and to add a tachometer to enable it to run a steady speed.  I see that design and marketing approach as a win-win for both Festool and its customers.  Festool likely does not.

Dave R.

 

[butzla]

I just bought and rec. 2 pigtails from Healy's tools from the UK on Ebay.  I installed one on my RS2 with no troubles.  I was going make a pigtail like the one Wayne made in the above photos to use with other non-festool power tools.  But then I thought, I'll still have the long cord coming off my non-festool tool to deal with.  Wayne,  what's the benefit of your method?  Why not just plug your non-festools into the CT directly.  Easier and not to mention you save ~$20 on the female plug you won't have to buy.

 

[justinmcf]

hi stoolman, the RS 2 E is the only model available in the states, but in europe and here in australia we have the new version of the RS 2 E, which has been renamed "RUTSCHER RS 300 and it does have the plug it cord.

if you take a look at festool.com.au or festool.co.uk you will see that all sanders now come with plug it cords except the belt sanders.

i understand festool was a latecomer to the states, this is probably why you do not get the latest models.

regards, justin.

 

[wnagle]

Jim,

I only made one because I have 8 other tools that need pigtails which would cost a lot more than one with a standard plu.  and I find the extra lenthg cord is a plu and doesnt get tangle in the hose.  Also, plugging in at the hose end is still easier than walking back to the vacuum. 

I am about to update everything with boom arms so that may change how I set it up, we'll have to wait and see.  I just installed another dust deputy yesterday mounted on top of the ct33.  As for the boom arm, I still haven't decided if I'm going to put one on hte ct or build one into the wall.  I ahve one in each garage to set up with boom arms.  I'll get some pics when I get further along.