Sacrilege, but is the plug it system that great?

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]
This might be seen as  sacrilege, but is the plug-it system that great?

From time time there is FOG discussion regarding tool damage due to plug it failure or wear. Does this suggest some systemic design failure? The plug it system, from my FOG reading, appears to particularly wear on sanders due to their movement patterns and frequent direction change. And corded drills do not have plug it, although this may be due to their recent transition from Protool.

I have some older Festools that are corded and find these just as convenient, and with only one, not two plugs to be inserted. This is particularly helpful in non workshop situations.

Conversely in the shop I find having one plug it cord attached to the DE very handy. And then there was the time the router bit (not me) cut the cord, easy to replace although embarrassing!

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

[ban]

I think there are some ways that the Plug-it cord might be improved. Having a dot on the tool connector and one on the Plug-it cord to show when they are properly married/connected would be a simple step in the right direction.

For me, the Plug-it system is a huge convenience. One cord does it all. Quick and easy tool swaps.

Also, remember, us poor North Americans only get one outlet on the CT.

If you're experiencing issues with your Plug-it cords, contact Festool service. We have hard-wire kits if you want a fixed cord.

Shane

 

[jacko9]

I think the plug in cord is an excellent design since I don't have to fold a cord to put the tool away and I now have about 8 spare cords for whenever I need one [wink]

Jack

 

[promark747]

We have hard-wire kits if you want a fixed cord.

Shane

I wish Festool also had a plug-it kit to change the few remaining hard-wired tools (RS2E).  Love the plug-it.  Having the cord and vac hose together is so nice, when I switch to the RS2E I really notice the absence.  Luckily, I haven't had any issues with a burned-out or damaged plug-it.

 

[tjbnwi]

The plug-it cords do have alignment indexes on them.

Tom

 

[r cash]

I have ten festool sanders the first one from 13-15 years ago rs 400eq came hard wired pre Shane I think.  I am convince of the Plug-it is great. I swap out sanders all of the time with 3 ct22s an 1 fein vac. The sys works the problem that does not seem to get addressed is when a machine with to much draw on current connected to 18g wire and Plug-it ----heat duh.
I have never had any issues with my sub 500w motor sanders ever!
I am a professional woodworker for 37 years festool change many things for me for the better.
When a error is made in design for my clients I promptly fix it .
As good as the Plug-it is you can't repair it replacement is the only option.Now$44
I own 2 Kapex saws 2 of2200 2of2000 and 850 planer why they are the best.
These machines draw a lot of power all hard wired. Rotex150 18g plug it??
I have been told here and by festool employees how to correctly set a Plug-it I guess they thought I am a hobbyist that needs to guidance oh well.
Have a great day
Rc

 

[AlexThePalex]

On one hand I find the plug-it cord very convenient. It makes storing the tool and getting it out again easy. It is also very convenient when you use your tools with the dust extractor, and swapping tools is done at the end of the hose/cord without having to go to the vac all the time.

But on the other hand, I find it quite a bore that the plug-it cords break so easily. The very high cost of a replacement makes it even more problematic.

I never experienced the burn issue, but with me cords break often at the point where the cord leaves the sander. I've always had this with sanders from other brands and with sanders from Festool. When you move your sander around, this is the point where the cord is stressed the most and over time it will break there internally. With sanders from another brand I would simply take the cord off, shorten it 15 cm and place it back again. A cost free solution that could be done multiple times. With Festool's plug-it cord this is not so easy. And I've also had both the plug and the socket on the tool side come apart.

I don't have a car and as such prefer to travel as light as possible, but I always bring two plug-it cords with me, because experience taught me not to trust on a single cord for a full days' work.
 
So in short, I like the plug-it's convenience, but would like it to be more durable and cheaper. For me, they're almost a consumable instead of an accessory/replacement part and I think pricing should be accordingly.
       

 

[Sparktrician]

I rather like the convenience of the Plug-It cords from the standpoint that I can leave one with each of my CTs and have another in each of the Systainers with the tools (as backups).  In the shop I have one on the boom arm with the 36mm hose in a Gorilla Sleeve.  That works great for me.  Guess I'm just lucky, but I've never had a cord fail on me. 

 

[mouppe]

If I could change one thing it would be to color differentiate the two gauges so you can easily grab the one you want when they're all in a mess at the bottom of a systainer.

 

[waho6o9]

I use blue tape to differentiate the two gauges.

 

[r cash]

Consumable Plug-it I have to agree with Alex
I can repair most things in my shop except 5 hp motors and Plug-it.
I have had Alex's problem only three times @ $44 =$132
In my shop I have a 1/2 Milwaukee drill purchased in 1980 with a removable cord that only been replaced once.
Design it all comes down to that Tesla did not make the first electric car.
Anything can be made better just have pay for it. With Festool as we all know we pay for it.
It's a small detail a power cord in the big picture but if it stops me from doing my best I will just buy another. And think about how to make it better.
I have seen another sys on the Mafell forum but like so many things naina
Have a great day
Rc

 

[grbmds]

It's a good system for use with CT vacs and the boom arm since it doesn't require changing plugs. However, It would be better, I think, if it was a true Plug-It system with only one plug. If the heavier gauge plug works for all tools, then why not just provide that plug and make it completely interchangeable?

 

[AlexThePalex]

It's a good system for use with CT vacs and the boom arm since it doesn't require changing plugs. However, It would be better, I think, if it was a true Plug-It system with only one plug. If the heavier gauge plug works for all tools, then why not just provide that plug and make it completely interchangeable?

It's only a concession to the 110v system. In Europe there's only one plug.

But in America, because of the 110v system, the tools that draw more power require a heavier gauge cord. The heavier gauge cord in turn is less suited for smaller tools like sanders, due to it's rigidity, so Festool chose to make two cords for North America.

If they had to make a system with only one plug, they would have no other option than to use the heavier cord. And guess what? You can do this yourself already. Just use the heavier cord.

 

[Stephen B]

It's a good system for use with CT vacs and the boom arm since it doesn't require changing plugs. However, It would be better, I think, if it was a true Plug-It system with only one plug. If the heavier gauge plug works for all tools, then why not just provide that plug and make it completely interchangeable?

It's only a concession to the 110v system. In Europe there's only one plug.

But in America, because of the 110v system, the tools that draw more power require a heavier gauge cord. The heavier gauge cord in turn is less suited for smaller tools like sanders, due to it's rigidity, so Festool chose to make two cords for North America.

If they had to make a system with only one plug, they would have no other option than to use the heavier cord. And guess what? You can do this yourself already. Just use the heavier cord.

[size=14pt]
Two gauges down here too, but as you said Alex, we can use the thicker cable for all.

 

[AlexThePalex]

You have 110v in Australia too? I thought it was 220?

 

[Stephen B]

You have 110v in Australia too? I thought it was 220?

[size=14pt]
Hi Alex, yes we are 240/220V.

In the photographs I have just taken you can see plug it cables from ETS 125 [DOM 2012] at approx 6mm, QF1400 [DOM, 2006] at approx 8mm and Pur Universal Cable [NAINAC] at approx 7mm diameter. I measured with digital callipers, but could not put this in photo as readout was blinking from battery expiry.  [embarassed]

So it seems Festool and its cabling is having to cater for a number of electrical distribution specifications in UK, Continental Europe, NA and Australia. And probably other countries too!

 

[Frank-Jan]

...
I never experienced the burn issue, but with me cords break often at the point where the cord leaves the sander. I've always had this with sanders from other brands and with sanders from Festool. When you move your sander around, this is the point where the cord is stressed the most and over time it will break there internally. With sanders from another brand I would simply take the cord off, shorten it 15 cm and place it back again. A cost free solution that could be done multiple times. With Festool's plug-it cord this is not so easy. ...     

Alex, luckily the NAINA-ness of partnumber 489685 doesn't affect you.

Link

 

[AlexThePalex]

Alex, luckily the NAINA-ness of partnumber 489685 doesn't affect you.

I know, bought a couple of those, still expensive at €16,82.

 

[Dan1210]

i love the plug it system 7 years and still using the same plug its, my new ts55 has heavier gauge than the old saw tho, it would be nice if the of2200 and kapex were plug it too.

 

[acrewood1]

I have used the same plug it cord for the last 12 years. Pluged into MVP ct22 and never changed.  It's a uk 110v and never had trouble. Is it a design problem with the US version?