VAC SYS Demand

[Cheese]

I didn’t think it was good for my uses until I used one. It was unavailable by then but I have everything but the pump. The prices are high and I keep watching for one but am going to try putting a pump together myself. I looked into ordering the parts but they aren’t all available

You're lucky, the vacuum pump is the one item that's a free substitution. I run my Vac Sys off of a Milwaukee vacuum pump made for a concrete core drill. [member=25351]rst[/member] runs his off of a different manufacturers vacuum pump. Some folks substitute a pump used for vacuum bagging and I've heard of folks turning small compressors into vacuum pumps.

Make a decision on the pump and go forward because that Vac Sys is a jewel.  [smile]

[attachimg=1]

 

[peter halle]

I didn’t think it was good for my uses until I used one.

Same.

The VAC SYS is in a tool category that I previously didn't understand why it existed or how useful it could be. Work holding, right? I've got dog holes, clamps, and various other means for that. It wasn't until I saw videos of others using it that its usefulness clicked. It's also a great companion to the Domino. And maybe that's why there's demand for it after it has been discontinued? People are seeing others use them and realizing it could also work well for them.

I ultimately went with an alternative thanks to a couple FOG posts from [member=66038]Ebuwan[/member] and have been happy with my decision.

This post and others similar in this thread basically confirm one of my thoughts - you had to see it in a more extended use or had a hands on.  If Festool had the network of influencers back then that they have now, and it they had done some key placements, well who knows where we would be now...  I know that when I first saw it I scoffed and said to myself "I have plenty of clamping and hold downs..."  Of course the I saw it in 2009 I also didn't have an MFT/3 and had no inkling to buy one.  That too changed in due time.

Peter

 

[mcfal12]

I saw the ad, thought about it, but I agree the eBay prices put me off and I didn't want to be rude and offer anything less.  I don't need it NOW badly, and can cobble together something a tad less than MSRP also factors into it.

Well said and it’s the exact reason I didn’t respond to the post. I don’t want to offend anyone by offering a price. I prefer to know what’s being asked and then decide if there could be a conversation on the price or it’s a non starter.

 

[festal]

I didn’t think it was good for my uses until I used one.

I ultimately went with an alternative thanks to a couple FOG posts from [member=66038]Ebuwan[/member] and have been happy with my decision.

I just looked at the link. Wow very nice and looks better quality then festool. Pricing is on par though those workbenches are very nice

 

[rst]

I ran self made vac templates for 20+ years using a $15.00 surplus HVAC pump, was cheap as it was 220v.  I needed a 120v pump when I built my shop as I did not have service and needed to run off a 120’ 10 ga cord .  I bought a pump off Amazon, a Vacumaster for $238.00. I’ve been vacu templating for close to 50 years, started using my Craftsman vacs, went from there to the intake on my air compressor before getting the HVAC pump. I’ve only ever used standard air Milton air fittings and hose.

 

[Ebuwan]

I didn’t think it was good for my uses until I used one.

I ultimately went with an alternative thanks to a couple FOG posts from [member=66038]Ebuwan[/member] and have been happy with my decision.

I just looked at the link. Wow very nice and looks better quality then festool. Pricing is on par though those workbenches are very nice

Yeah it's super nice.

I ended up missing a systainer for the vac pump and i store the heads in an XXL, with all the hoses etc, fits great.

I'd love one of their tables I can't imagine what shipping would be!

Fwiw, they shipped it from Germany, I had it less than 24 hours later

 

[Chainring]

The VAC SYS was one of those tools I saw and thought, "Wow, that's really neat. The price though. I'll wait." It wasn't until I started watching Blacktail Studios on YouTube back in 2019 or so that I saw a VAC SYS in regular use. Still, a bit much to stomach at the time.

Fast forward to the discontinuation announcement and I figured it was now or never. Got on the pre-order for the last ones coming to the US and I have a full set. Haven't been able to use it a ton due to my current workshop setup, but for the time I have, it was awesome. Used it to polish a Corny keg, so that was a different but useful thing.

 

[nclemmons]

I owned one and used it.  Converted to T-loc for the main base Systainer and fit the other heads all in a Sys3 vs I think versus the original Sys4.

When I moved, I sold it.  Found that I really needed to have it in a dedicated space to get the value out of it and in a small shop, even with a single SE1 base like I had.  Plus the drone of the pump noise got old after any extended use.

If I was doing production work, I'd have kept it and could definitely see the value, particularly for edge banding and routing, but also for sanding.

 

[squall_line]

I didn’t think it was good for my uses until I used one.

Same.

The VAC SYS is in a tool category that I previously didn't understand why it existed or how useful it could be. Work holding, right? I've got dog holes, clamps, and various other means for that. It wasn't until I saw videos of others using it that its usefulness clicked. It's also a great companion to the Domino. And maybe that's why there's demand for it after it has been discontinued? People are seeing others use them and realizing it could also work well for them.

I ultimately went with an alternative thanks to a couple FOG posts from [member=66038]Ebuwan[/member] and have been happy with my decision.

This post and others similar in this thread basically confirm one of my thoughts - you had to see it in a more extended use or had a hands on.  If Festool had the network of influencers back then that they have now, and it they had done some key placements, well who knows where we would be now...  I know that when I first saw it I scoffed and said to myself "I have plenty of clamping and hold downs..."  Of course the I saw it in 2009 I also didn't have an MFT/3 and had no inkling to buy one.  That too changed in due time.

Peter

That's what still blows my mind about it.  Sedge was using the Vac-SYS extensively in his Festool Live episodes, and even had an episode where he showed how to make custom templating pods to route cutting/charcuterie boards.  Within weeks, they discontinued it.  I sought out my set based on those Festool Live videos, and the Vac-SYS was completely removed from the set and never used again in FLive videos.

They did the same thing with the RO90 headlight polishing; they aired the episode a week before (or after?) they announced that they were discontinuing their polishing products.

Either there's no internal communication, or it's collusion to get the final bits of product out the door.  Neither is a good look these days...

 

[rmhinden]

Either there's no internal communication, or it's collusion to get the final bits of product out the door.  Neither is a good look these days...

I think this falls under  Hanlons Razor

My favorite version of this (from the link above):

Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.

Bob

 

[pettyconstruction]

I have one , but don’t use it that often , yet.

When I have used it, it was great.
I like most was on the fence until it started to get scarce, boy am I glad I got one.
The Vac-sys shines at any routing , sanding and edge banding ,
Very convenient .
I have mine in my garage but if I took it to a job site , I would get a T lok systainer for the pump and head unit.

It’s to bad it’s discontinued , but if it wasn’t selling I could see that.
Even with my sporadic use , I don’t think I would sell it.
I have the single head version.
Cheers, Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[smorgasbord]

Just wondering...I assume Sedge has to remove any tool not currently sold by Festool for the Festool Live series on YouTube. So, when was the last we saw the VAC SYS there? I know Sedge also has his own channel and wondering if he still uses it there?