Some Suggestions for Improvements

[ebenkin]

I recently received a Festool 150/3 sander and a mini dust extractor.  Both work as designed, but I have some suggestions for better design (in my opinion).

The mini has space to store the hose, but not to store the enormously long cord.  When the cord is wrapped up and put on top of the hose there is no way you can attach a systainer (with tools for vacuuming).  I'd love a way to wrap the cord or, even better, a way to retract it into the case.

I find that the hose to sander connection doesn't work well.  Maybe it's me or maybe it's the design, but the hose falls off when it gets caught on the edge of my sanding surface.  Maybe some good designer could come up with a way to make it a positive connection rather than friction.

It is relatively easy to roll the DC from place to place, but a leash would make it even easier for those of us getting older and having bending down issues.

Last, but not least, I'd love it if the top of the sander were flat so that it would lie still while I change sandpaper.  Now I have to try to balance it while lining up the holes.

No bashing here.  Both products work fine, but there is always room for improvement.

By the way, don't bother telling me that the solutions to my DC comments would have been to buy a bigger, more expensive, model.  That is not really helpful.

 

[nclemmons]

I have a Midi and you can get both the hose and the cord in it and stack systainers on it.  it's tight, but here's how i do it:

First, insert the hose and push the hose to the outside of the compartment so that it leaves the center open.

Then, wrap the hose in your hand to a tight loop.  I usually try to get it maybe 6" diameter and drop that over the center handle of the Midi.  It goes in fine.

One other consideration - lightly sand the inside edges of the notch where the cord comes from the outside of the vac to the interior.  That will help preserve the cord but also with putting things away from storage.

Hope these tips help you.  A bit more space would help, but I've found I can make it work with the current design.

Neil

 

[Brice Burrell]

First, welcome to the FOG. 

I do things a little different than Neil.  I put the cord in first, still on the inner portion of the hose garage but not as tight as he does.  Then the hose goes in.  I have no problem making big loops in the hose that stick out the front of the hose garage.  That way the hose and cord are much easier to get in.  

As for the hose to sander connection-I've not had trouble, but I know a few members over the years have mentioned having problems too.  Maybe the rubber hose end is stretched out and/or you aren't pushing the hose all the way on.  

 

[Timtool]

Welcome!
T add to what the others said, the mini was designed in Europe with European cords which are thinner and more flexible. But even with our cords you have to carefully pack it to get everything neatly in there and still be able to grab the handle.

Your hose problem sounds strange, i don't think mine have ever come off the ETS150. With other tools like the TS or OF1010/2200 it does tend to come loose.
I suppose the vac is new, are you maybe using it on other tools where you have to force the hose on and stretch it? I recall that my previous Bosch tools had slightly bigger tube which would stretch my hose and make it fit loosely on the Festools.