Tip for Europeans: Protool sales!

J

jonathan-m

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Apr 4, 2012
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A small tip up for the Europeans maybe.
With the impending merger between Festool & Protool many online shops are having Protool clearance sales. Now might be a good time to get in on some deals!

I just put in an order for a VCP 260 E-L AC and sys-dock for 500 Euros  [big grin]
Bascially the same unit as the Festool CTL26E AC, but comes with 3.5m 36mm anti-static hose as standard and more than 100 Euros cheaper than the Festool equivalent :D

I'll post some pics and info once the unit's arrived. Can't wait.
 
I actually like the design of the protool vac better than the festool version (in regards to the hosegarage with the non-flat interior versus the flat top and the fold-away hooks for hose storage)

A friend of mine, who is an elictrician bought one when they first came out, and he complained to me a bit about the hose-end. Apparantly the hose is a bit different from the festool 36mm hoses, (at least the one that came with his vac) he said it tapered to a smaller diameter near the end, and has a different connector than the festool 36mm. (He didn't have his vac with him when he told me, and I didn't pay attention to it when he did bring it)
 
Frank-Jan,

I'm happy as a clam :D I just received my package (well most of it, the systainer adpater plate will be sent later) Firt thing I just did was check the hose.
- The hose diameter where it connects to the vac looks to be 36mm.
- The hose end at the suction nozzle appears to be 27mm.
- The rubber suction nozzle itself is a 36mm one, identical to the one on my 36mm Festool hose.

So I can confirm the hose itself is definitely tapered. My first reaction is I'm a bit bummed about this. I assume this hose most likely has better handling (just like a 27mm hose is easier to handle than a 36mm one). Nevertheless I expected a 36mm hose over the entire length.
Not sure how this hose impacts performance.  ??? I'd have to do some more detailled measurement before relegating it to Ebay or the likes.

I totally agree with you in that I find the foldaway hooks for the hose and most importantly the flat top surface more to my liking than the hose garage on the Festool brother. And theres an optional container to hang at the back of the vac to put a bunch stuff. A case of function over style?

Anyway let's not kid ourselves, I just got this because I think it was a good deal and a Festool AC would have cost me significantly more at this time.
I'll see if i can take post pictures of details that might be interesting later on tonight.
 
Thanks for the tips

I'm just looking for an AGP125 set with VCP260 E-L AC... My favorite tool's web site does not seem to make good price for now.
maybe you can give me a good place. Even in Belgium...
 
Hmmm... I'm in the market for an extra vac too, good idea to take advantage of this merger! So in specs the Festool and Protool vacs are the same, yes? It's just minor differences on the outside?

I'll be calling my dealer Monday and see what can be done here, I think I want a 480... Cool! Don't forget those pics Jonathan! ;)

Cheers, Bob.
 
First off, the gray & black colors look a lot less contrasting (and better) in person than they turned out in these pictures.

Some general pictures with systainer & saw to show the size of the unit.

I really love how the unit is a tad smaller than it's Festool CTL26 brother.
In its smallest configuration (read without the attachments box mounted on the back) it measures LxWxH 58,5 x 36,5 x 44,5cm.
Which makes it 2,5 cm taller than a CT Mini, 3cm lower than a CT Midi & 9,5cm lower than the Festool CTL26E.

This means it's ideal to put under a bench or shelf. This low height also means it has an excellent center of gravity and an extra Sys-1 can be put on top ;)
With the attachments box mounted, the length increases to 67,5cm though.
 
Some size comparisons and details with and without the attachments box that can be mounted on the back.
Also the lovely flat top surface with foldaway handle to put all sorts stuff on :D

The attachment box is very handy for all sorts of small bits & bobs, but it does add a 9cm of bulk. (See the pictures with and without)

I guess I'll have to see how much I like it after taking the unit on location for a couple of times. But I can already see myself putting & hanging all sorts of stuff in there.
 
The flipaway hooks in the front hold the hose remarkably secure. Didn't expect that.

I'll probably end up putting the hose in a systainer for transport, but the hooks are a nice & quick way to store the hose at the end of the day without first having to remove any docked systainers.

Good to hang all kinds of stuff on really, an extra extension cord or maybe even a tool?
 
Pictures of the supplied 3.5m 36mm AS hose.

If you look closely you'll see the hose starts off as a 36mm but after about 60cm it's narrowed down to a 27mm hose.

I guess it's kind of hard to see in the picture, but the suction nozzle has a very clean taper so airflow should be smooth.

The nozzles & connectors are identical to the ones on my non-AS 5m 36mm Festool hose.

My 5m full length 36mm hose has noticibly stronger suction. I wonder however, if this Protool hose has a performance that's somewhere in between the 36 & 27 or if it's got just the same suction of a full length 27mm hose  ??? (I don't have a 27mm hose at my disposal to test) Opinions anyone?
 
The container and self cleaning fiter bags are also look identical to those branded Festool.
 
Some more pictures showing the unit is virtually the same as the Festool CTL26E AC. The AC function however is a bit different. With the Festool model the AC function interval time is adjustable. The Protool unit simply has an on/off switch for the AC function. It then initiates every 10 seconds. Other than that, the units are identical to my knowledge.

Judging from pictures found on the web, the holes at the back & underside of the dust container are identical with the Festool. This means the boom arm can also be added to this one.
 
Concluding the bombardment of pictures are some of the motor housing.

Some quick general findings in comparison to my Fein Dustex 40 is that the perceived noise level both units produce is pretty much identical to my hearing.
The difference being the Protool has a higher pitched sound compared to the Fein.

Regarding suction the difference is quite small, but big enough to notice the Fein has a bit stronger suction at the nozzle. (Unscientific test at full suction & the same 5m 36mm AS Festool hose)

In summary: The reason I got this vac is I find myself more and more on the move and I was really looking  to get a somewhat more compact vac on which I can mount systainers to be more compact/mobile.
Though my Fein is an awesome vac to have in a fixed position in a shop, it's not very compact/ergonomic to lug around from place to place.

I contacted Starmix to inquire about their attachments & systainer storage. I was told still redesigning it and won't bring their solution to market until 2014. Bummer.

When I noticed many dealers starting Protool clearance sales I managed to get this unit at a very good price point (compared to the Festool AC brother). Not my first choice, but here we are with a somewhat ugly colored Festool CT AutoClean vac labeled Protool  [cool]
 
Very nice pictureset. If this one was a bit earlier around I would have gotten this one too instead of the CTL26.
 
Thanks Alex.
I might have gone a bit overboard  [embarassed] and maybe this thread should be renamed or moved? I'll leave that up to moderators.
Once I receive delivery of the systainer mounting plate I'll update a few pics. (They didn't have it in stock)
 
It would perhaps be better if you made this a separate thread in the review section, that would be more methodical. Maybe a mod can split it up.

But we always like to see pics.  [eek] Lots of 'em.
 
Thanks a lot for the pics, very nice vac ! my favorite one...

Order mine with the DSC-AGP 125 set at the end of the month, with long life bag, extra power plug, cleaning kit and systainers clip base...  [big grin]
I hope my dealer will be able to downsize the price.

Shame to see the end of PROTOOL because i really like the colors and the spirit of the brand.
 
JD Sessler said:
Does anyone know of european Protool dealers that ship to the united states??
Click to expand...

Yes, give it time and those will be your local Festool dealers.
 
A bit overdue, but here are some new pictures showing how the vac looks with the additional systainer adapter plate:
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