..::UPDATED::..New Festool C15, C12 and CARVEX

[peter halle]

I don't think that will be an issue - we don't know yet exactly how the 'strobe' light will be used, but I don't believe for one second that Festool will have ignored any possible safety implications.

It doesn't matter what Festool thinks is safe. They also think, like the rest of the world, that the CMS system is safe. UL somehow thinks differently.

That's why you have more cool stuff on that side of the pond. 

Peter

 

[EcoFurniture]

I think that many things are over regulated here in North America. Sure, stuff has to be safe to use. But as a result of "keeping us safe" people are getting lazy. We are getting used to being taken care of...

Best example:
Toyota with the stuck throttle. Why didn't those drivers put the car into neutral and apply the breaks?

Another example I notice on myself:
I own a van with a standard transmission and hand crank windows. I also own a Toyota with a automatic transmission. While driving my Van I'm way more aware of my driving as I have to "think". Driving our little car, makes me become lazy and I loose concentration.

I can see the same happening with all those UL and other safety tests.

 

[greg mann]

I think that many things are over regulated here in North America. Sure, stuff has to be safe to use. But as a result of "keeping us safe" people are getting lazy. We are getting used to being taken care of...

Best example:
Toyota with the stuck throttle. Why didn't those drivers put the car into neutral and apply the breaks?

Another example I notice on myself:
I own a van with a standard transmission and hand crank windows. I also own a Toyota with a automatic transmission. While driving my Van I'm way more aware of my driving as I have to "think". Driving our little car, makes me become lazy and I loose concentration.

I can see the same happening with all those UL and other safety tests.

Interesting points, Andreas. When I drive a 'stick', and the only one I have driven for several decades now was the farm tractor I had 15 years ago, I would de-clutch at the first sign of trouble. Driving an automatic moves you a step further away from the control process. This isn't inherently a bad thing, most drivers are probably better off using what the carmakers have given us, like ABS and such, but it does change the equation when you get into trouble and there is precious little opportunity to practice for system failure.

 

[JohnDistai]

The other issue with the strobe is the flash rate.  I don't remember the ergonomic specs for flash rate off the top of my head, but at a certain rate it can trigger epileptic seizures in those who are photosensitive.  This issue raised its ugly head when lots of little children would stare at Pokemon' on TV and then have seizures.  So, I can see the safety folks saying "well, a strobe has a flash rate greater than 3 Hz.  Unless the tool is trigger operated, a person could be using the tool, have it locked in the On position, cut a line while watching the strobe, and then suffer a seizure.  Since the tool is locked in the On position it would keep running and cut the crap out of whoever was using it.  Make the switch a trigger, or lose the strobe."

I just made all that up, so I'm not saying that this is what is going to happen, but it is entirely possible.  As I imagine the cries and epithets about stupid safety rules and nanny states being hurled in cyberspace, I rejoice in the fact that I gave up safety as a career. 

 

[greg mann]

The other issue with the strobe is the flash rate.  I don't remember the ergonomic specs for flash rate off the top of my head, but at a certain rate it can trigger epileptic seizures in those who are photosensitive.  This issue raised its ugly head when lots of little children would stare at Pokemon' on TV and then have seizures.  So, I can see the safety folks saying "well, a strobe has a flash rate greater than 3 Hz.  Unless the tool is trigger operated, a person could be using the tool, have it locked in the On position, cut a line while watching the strobe, and then suffer a seizure.  Since the tool is locked in the On position it would keep running and cut the crap out of whoever was using it.  Make the switch a trigger, or lose the strobe."

I just made all that up, so I'm not saying that this is what is going to happen, but it is entirely possible.  As I imagine the cries and epithets about stupid safety rules and nanny states being hurled in cyberspace, I rejoice in the fact that I gave up safety as a career. 

Well, John, you've gone and written it on the Internet so now it must be true. :

 

[Wim]

That is why stroboscopic lights in a certain frequency-range are forbidden in Holland at pop concerts and other noisy public gatherings. Even the flash rate of yellow traffic lights and warning flashers are regulated.

 

[score0matic]

With the strobe,  if Prior festool engineering efforts can be used to predict future features, I am guessing it is hooked not only into the switch but also the speed control  (think like a timing lite).

just a guess. 
Craig

 

[peter halle]

My spa has a strobe effect in the lighting package.  I think that the manual has a warning regarding its use! [eek] [eek]

Peter

 

[JohnDistai]

One of the posts mentioned a fan.  Put the strobe light on a fan, and the blades appear to be stationary.  The safety folks would say "The strobe light on the saw blade may cause the blade to appear stationary to some users.  These users, thinking the blade is stationary, may touch the blade and be cut."

Again, I made that up.  As a former Safety Professional though, I can see it being an issue.

 

[Per Swenson]

Y'all crack me up.
Hey wait a minute, who stole the instruction manual to these long johns?

Per

 

[AlexThePalex]

With the strobe,  if Prior festool engineering efforts can be used to predict future features, I am guessing it is hooked not only into the switch but also the speed control  (think like a timing lite).

It would have to. Otherwise it will only work at a fixed speed and is the adjustable speed dial useless.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

One of the posts mentioned a fan.  Put the strobe light on a fan, and the blades appear to be stationary.  The safety folks would say "The strobe light on the saw blade may cause the blade to appear stationary to some users.  These users, thinking the blade is stationary, may touch the blade and be cut."

Again, I made that up.  As a former Safety Professional though, I can see it being an issue.

Ha, this just reminds me how dumb we humans can be.  Someone WILL do what you wrote above.. heck, probably 10 people already HAVE done it somewhere..
My sister recently spent about 6 months in New Zealand and southeast Asia, home to loads of wonderful natural sites.  She said few, if any, of the locations have all the inane warning signs here in the US, because people there *KNOW THAT FALLING OFF A CLIFF CAN KILL YOU SO DON'T GET TOO CLOSE!*.  And if someone does, well....  natural selection, maybe?   [tongue]

It's kind of sad the insanity of warnings here..  So many say, betwen the lines, "You are too stupid for your own good, so we put this sign up so you don't put your hand in the metal fan blade with the flashy lightie things and making that whirring noise."  Reminds me of the book 'So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish (Douglas Adams).  Insanity is the fact that there are instructions on the box, on how to use a toothpick...

Anyway, minor rant over.  These new tools look awesome.  

< Edited for language, refer to the forum guidelines >

 

[harry_]

Caution: The contents of this cup (of coffee) may be hot!

I cite UL as blasphemy to the laws of nature as hypothesized by Darwin!

 

[wnagle]

Silly me... I was thinking that the grinding of the motor and the saw dust, and the kerf forming in the wood, might be another clue...   [poke]

 

[Wood_Junkie]

< Edited for language, refer to the forum guidelines >

Whoopsie!  Sorry gang.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

That isn't a light.  It's a camera so you can document your work.  A new feature for drills in this age of internet forums and high liability insurance.

No, no, nooo!!  You're right, it's a camera, but it's programmed with a secure chip to transmit its location via GPS together with a photo of the work being done so you cannot blame the manufacturer or dealer when its clearly your fault.  It's the new MicroSpy feature.

Dave R.

 

[EcoFurniture]

That isn't a light.  It's a camera so you can document your work.  A new feature for drills in this age of internet forums and high liability insurance.

No, no, nooo!!  You're right, it's a camera, but it's programmed with a secure chip to transmit its location via GPS together with a photo of the work being done so you cannot blame the manufacturer or dealer when its clearly your fault.  It's the new MicroSpy feature.

Dave R.

Also known as I-Spy  [eek] [big grin]

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Whatever..., I want one of the new barrel grip corded jigsaws with Plug-It.  I'm frustrated with the less than stellar blade guides on my Makita which is otherwise a nice jigsaw (with an LED light).

Dave R.

 

[neeleman]

On the Dutch website of Festool the prices of the Carvex machines just appeared:
PS400 & PSB400 euro 366,52 inclusive tax
PSC400 & PSBC400 euro 465,29 inclusive tax
See Festool.nl

Just half an hour later they are gone?
I think they are updating the web-site just right now.

 

[lordinteriors]

still no info on when these will be available in the uk i want one so bad anyone else got news im travelling to nuneaton tomorow to the axminster store with the festool instore shop will let you know what goodies i come back with

lee