VAC SYS DISCONTINUED?

[DynaGlide]

I've never found a need for the 2nd head. Now i'm considering one, just in case?

Better sooner than later Matt...TN had 2 of them in stock, they now only have one left.  [big grin]

I'll hold out for the discontinued discount [member=44099]Cheese[/member]  [wink]

 

[Cheese]

I'll hold out for the discontinued discount [member=44099]Cheese[/member]  [wink]

Nicely played Matt..  [thumbs up]

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

Well, thanks again for the heads up, gentlemen.
I've ordered from Lee Valley, backordered but expected 12/13/21.
This was already on my next to buy list, thanks to the recommendations of all of you.

 

[Bob D.]

I was not in the market for the Vac-Sys but I am sad to see it disappear from the ranks of the exceptional Festool product line.

For those that have one or one on order from that last remaining stock, I wonder what the support situation is now. If they can't source enough parts to build new where will they get parts to maintain systems previously sold.

I don't know if there are any consumable items, but the seal around the perimeter seems like something that could be damaged during use or may require replacement from time to time. Hoses, O-rings, and that sort should be easy enough to find alternate sources for if need be.

If there are wear parts or consumables it might pay to assess future need and stock up if/while you still can.

Or maybe [member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] can shed light on what the spare parts situation might be going forward.

 

[Vondawg]

I was thinking the same thing…how does one fix or get parts in the future

 

[manuc]

I'll hold out for the discontinued discount [member=44099]Cheese[/member]  [wink]

Nicely played Matt..  [thumbs up]

I’m not sure if these will be discounted given the limited stock. Similar to the router table. I ordered a second head unit since I wanted one but thought I would have more time… [sad]

 

[jhall]

I noticed the vac sys was mia at the festool live on Friday.  I wonder if that means they have to go back to a time without.  My understanding of discontinued tools is they keep a supply of parts for repair for some time.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

That's funny. Yesterday was the first time that I actually wished I had one in the shop. I was doing some edgebanding, by hand, on some fairly small parts that had curved edges. They were too small to clamp from the surface and the curve going around a 90 angle made it impossible to clamp from the edges.
I ended up making a fixture to hold a MFK700 upside-down and stationary. This way I could move the parts over the tool, instead of the usual.
There have been other times when it would have been handy, but a work-around wasn't so big of a deal either. This time, it took as long to build the fixture as I actually needed to use it, but I will have it for future use, so not a big loss either.
Still would be nice to have a Vac-Sys though.

 

[afish]

I agree,  The vac sys looks really handy for doing hand applied edge banding.  I built my own vac sys and rarely use it.  Just goes to show everyone is different I guess.  I have went back and forth on buying one many times just to have and a few things turn me off from it. Id like that super narrow pod but it looks like I have to buy a whole kit which is pricey and the rubber cups if or when the rubber dries, cracks etc. is like 70 bucks each and I could only find the part# for the main round pod.  I didnt go into super sleuth mode but I did look for the others.  Im not trying to get stuck with something that is unrepairable in the future. Im also not sold on the foot pedal. I know I could change that over to a switch like I use on my other stuff but... For now I just make my own simple vacuum pods that plug into the MFT holes if I need some vacuum clamping.  They are easy to make and the rubber cord probably only cost 70 cents not 70 bucks.  The vac sys is still a nice system though.  I wouldnt buy the pump though.  I know its quiet but I dont need or want some motor that is running continuously.  My old senco air compressor is converted into a vacuum pump and sits there silently holding about 25" of mercury 24/7 and only cycles when needed.  I would probably put the 700 towards a vacupress pump

 

 

[ChuckM]

Not that I want this product, but I find it hard to understand the given reason for the discontinuation of this product. Supply chain issues affect all kinds of products including automobiles, and I know of no other products going into retirement with supply chain difficulties, a temporary condition, being stated as the justification. There should be more behind the story, which, of course, we probably won't know in the end.

 

[squall_line]

Not that I want this product, but I find it hard to understand the given reason for the discontinuation of this product. Supply chain issues affect all kinds of products including automobiles, and I know of no other products going into retirement with supply chain difficulties, a temporary condition, being stated as the justification. There should be more behind the story, which, of course, we probably won't know in the end.

I mean, they were still selling it in a Classic Systainer, so it's not like they've updated it for a long time.  The owner's manual still shows the original Systainer-mounted pump rather than the stand-alone pump.  I wouldn't be surprised if there was regulatory pressure that required a major re-design that they decided wasn't financially worth it, like the CMS system.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I'm already in a big shop with plenty of random sound going on, so the quiet aspect means nothing to me. The ability to hold small parts, fully exposed on the edges, is attractive though.
Most of what I do is large or oddly shaped.
Edgebanding of typical parts gets done on a machine that costs more than my house. It does straight, simple stuff very quickly, but it cannot do angles or curves. That kind of stuff has to be done by hand.
I do have access to a Cantek portable unit, that can do radius edges, but even that can't do 45 degree clipped corners. However, it only applies the edging, you still have to flush trim it off.

 

[afish]

As with any large co. The real reason is the bottom line. I think the VAc sys while its really loved by some is a pretty slow seller.  I remember reading here some people had bought a brand new unit and the mfr. date was already several years old.  This tells me its been sitting on some shelf for years.  The cost vs. reward for the tool is hard to justify for most.  Coupled with increasing hard parts to source it was probably just decided to pull the plug and focus on other items.  If it had been a top seller Im sure they would make every effort to continue. 

 

[Bob D.]

Suspending production until parts are available would seem to be a more appropriate response, unless sales are so low they can't justify keeping it in the lineup and are taking advantage of the pandemic to sideline the item. Maybe there is an economic or tax-savings angle to doing that now vice keep it active with minimal sales numbers.

Either way if there is still a market for a tool like this someone will step up and fill the void with a similar product.

 

[Cheese]

Interestingly enough, it appears that TN knows what they'll be getting and when it will arrive.

203148 single head system.....OUT OF STOCK
203149 dual head system.....Pre-Order - Ships on January 24, 2022 - Subject to Change
201065 SE 1 head.....Pre-Order - Ships on February 25, 2022 - Subject to Change
580062 SE 2 head.....Pre-Order - Ships on January 01, 2022 - Subject to Change
201064 Vacuum pump.....Pre-Order - Ships on January 01, 2022 - Subject to Change

 

[Rollin22Petes]

So I've done a little research and think I found something similar that will work (at least for me) It's the Virutex multiple fastening system, it uses compressed air instead of a vacuum, but is a very simple and affordable design that tilts and swivels.  You can also add multiple head units and get an option so you can vacuum it down to a work surface, it also uses a readily available rubber seal on the head.

 

[Jeff Zanin]

Unfortunate but serves as a reminder to get what you can while you can, even more so now with constant "supply chain" issues and businesses everywhere adapting / streamlining to survive and prosper as best they can.

I have the VacSys with two heads and the accessories, it was expensive but has been a very handy product and my only wish is that I had gotten it sooner.  Hopefully support will be there at least for a while.

 

[xedos]

Festool is permanently phasing out our Vac-Sys

Interesting word choice, there.  Perhaps the folks in Lebanon didn't translate the translation ?

I'll hold out for the discontinued discount [member=44099]Cheese[/member]  [wink]

Nicely played Matt..  [thumbs up]

If they actually are marked down.  If not you might just miss the boat and have to buy one on the secondary market.  For more $$$.

I wonder what the support situation is now. If they can't source enough parts to build new where will they get parts to maintain systems previously sold.

Very good question.  They're required by german law to carry parts for a specified amt of time, but I'm not sure if a out clause exists.  Even so, stocking up only works for some parts.  Old rubber is still old and stiff even if it hasn't been used.

I noticed the vac sys was mia at the festool live on Friday.  I wonder if that means they have to go back to a time without.  My understanding of discontinued tools is they keep a supply of parts for repair for some time.

Not surprising.  That's an advertisement.  No sense pitching something you don't sell.

but I find it hard to understand the given reason for the discontinuation of this product. Supply chain issues affect all kinds of products including automobiles, and I know of no other products going into retirement with supply chain difficulties, a temporary condition, being stated as the justification. There should be more behind the story, which, of course, we probably won't know in the end

Between the lines it seems like "we don't sell enough of these to deal with the hassle and growth potential is practically nil.  Just tell em it's Covid or Supply Chain issues - they won't argue or complain " 

Does anyone know if they source this from an outside company like they do with the quick clamps and multi tool ???  I always assumed it all came from their sibling co. Festo, who's entire biz is pneumatics.

I mean, they were still selling it in a Classic Systainer,

The reason for this was discussed years ago and IIRC had to do with electrical regulations and certification.  T-loc wasn't feasible for whatever reason.

     

 

[presidentsdad]

YIKES! I was already thinking about buying one.  Better get on the stick and start calling!

 

[Crazyraceguy]

As with any large co. The real reason is the bottom line. I think the VAc sys while its really loved by some is a pretty slow seller.  I remember reading here some people had bought a brand new unit and the mfr. date was already several years old.  This tells me its been sitting on some shelf for years.  The cost vs. reward for the tool is hard to justify for most.  Coupled with increasing hard parts to source it was probably just decided to pull the plug and focus on other items.  If it had been a top seller Im sure they would make every effort to continue.

I have found that to be true even in some of the more popular items too. Off of the top of my head, the only thing (date coded) tools that I have which were purchased it the year they were made, are my DF500 and the RO125.  The RAS115 was already 3 years old when I bought it and the TS75 was 2, everything else was at least the previous year, and most of it was purchased in Sept of 19, so most of that year was gone. That is well before the supply chain issues came up.
I just figured that this was rather standard for a lower volume product/brand.