VAC SYS DISCONTINUED?
- Thread starter Rollin22Petes
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batmanimal
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Luis (ridgenj) said:
Check out Reply #33 of this thread (looks like the connectors work with the Excel5)https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/vacuum-pump-for-vac-sys/30/
User reported that this is the connector you’d need:https://www.zoro.com/parker-quick-c...thread-size-rf-254-4mp/i/G4872892/?q=G4872892
I would order from a retailer that has them in stock now. I wouldn’t wait for back order (especially as far off as June) because it may get cancelled again. Both Acme tools and Beaver have them in stock, according to their websites. Mine arrived from Beaver yesterday.
https://beavertools.com/580062-festool-vac-sys-se-2-clamping-module.html
https://www.acmetools.com/vac-sys-se2-clamping-module-580062/4014549075838.html
.
Having now used the SE1 and SE2 along with the Veneer Excel3 pump for the past week. All I have to say is, WOW.
Originally I was running the Rutlands Dual Vacuum Pads, which do well with Completely sealed wood, but couldn't hold plywood or MDF, ..etc. Even with a monster 60 hp compressor feeding it.
But now that I have switched to the VacSys, it's like night and day difference.
You really don't think you would need something like this, until you have it and use it.
The ease, freedom and simplicity of the device is amazing.
And the hold is so strong, with just about any wood in any condition, any size and shape. It will even hold a vacuum to my MDF table Top (Be it about 18 Hg, instead of 26 Hg which is still plenty enough to also hold wood on the Cups.)
The Excel pump is very quiet at 55 db, you really don't even hear it when you are working along with your project.
Definitely, recommend this setup to anyone on the fence.
From what Festool USA and Canada and U.K. Told me........ there will NOT be another VacSys system at this time.
Yes that could change someday Post Pandemic...... but as of now, all 3 said NO.
.
Having now used the SE1 and SE2 along with the Veneer Excel3 pump for the past week. All I have to say is, WOW.
Originally I was running the Rutlands Dual Vacuum Pads, which do well with Completely sealed wood, but couldn't hold plywood or MDF, ..etc. Even with a monster 60 hp compressor feeding it.
But now that I have switched to the VacSys, it's like night and day difference.
You really don't think you would need something like this, until you have it and use it.
The ease, freedom and simplicity of the device is amazing.
And the hold is so strong, with just about any wood in any condition, any size and shape. It will even hold a vacuum to my MDF table Top (Be it about 18 Hg, instead of 26 Hg which is still plenty enough to also hold wood on the Cups.)
The Excel pump is very quiet at 55 db, you really don't even hear it when you are working along with your project.
Definitely, recommend this setup to anyone on the fence.
From what Festool USA and Canada and U.K. Told me........ there will NOT be another VacSys system at this time.
Yes that could change someday Post Pandemic...... but as of now, all 3 said NO.
.
Vipersmith
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JMatthew84 said:
Mine as cancelled too - so now I have an accessory kit (they had that one and shipped it) but no Vac Sys - ugh.
My email too mentioned a "re-launch".
Maybe I should "roll the dice" and be patient for a late 2022 (or 2023) re-launch? Perhaps they got approval to put the Vaccuum in a new Systainer3 and are updating everything? I agree that's wishful thinking based on NOTHING.
ugh.
batmanimal
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Vipersmith said:
No need to roll the dice! Order from one of the retailers linked a few posts up that have the SE2 in stock now! Once you have that, you can construct a set using the Excel pump.
I would not wait for a relaunch that Festool has not publicly mentioned or confirmed. The person I spoke to at Tool Nirvana said Festool informed them they are absolutely not making the pump anymore. Not sure about the SE1/SE2 units, perhaps they will do another run of those, but that’s pure speculation on my part.
Stan Tillinghast
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I must second Luis’ comments: this thread has been invaluable for me, not only in warning about the discontinuation, but especially in guiding readers to alternative sellers and, more recently, alternative options such as the Excel vacuum pumps.
I too received that dreaded e-mail from Lee Valley saying my order for the Vac-Sys System Set had been canceled (I have not heard that about my order for the Festool pump, still showing as backordered to 2/22/22).
I have ordered pieces of the system in anticipation of the unavailability of the System Set: I have an SE-1 clamping module; an extra round head; a foot pedal; and the accessory head set.
Last night after reading the last few posts, I ordered an SE-2 clamping module from Acme Tools.
If I don’t get the pump from Lee Valley—and perhaps even if I do—I plan to talk to Joe at Veneer Supplies about the Excel pumps and needed hoses and connections; perhaps even order a set of Podz.
I too received that dreaded e-mail from Lee Valley saying my order for the Vac-Sys System Set had been canceled (I have not heard that about my order for the Festool pump, still showing as backordered to 2/22/22).
I have ordered pieces of the system in anticipation of the unavailability of the System Set: I have an SE-1 clamping module; an extra round head; a foot pedal; and the accessory head set.
Last night after reading the last few posts, I ordered an SE-2 clamping module from Acme Tools.
If I don’t get the pump from Lee Valley—and perhaps even if I do—I plan to talk to Joe at Veneer Supplies about the Excel pumps and needed hoses and connections; perhaps even order a set of Podz.
grobkuschelig
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I ordered a full set with pump and SE1 and SE2 last week, was confirmed on the phone that they had stock, hope that is true. 
…but I am in Germany and even here the offers showing stock start to disappear quickly.
I always wanted the system but was always weary for the cost. But I could not risk missing out. It is such a great product.
…Festool Germany even rewrote the text on their YouTube videos, stating that the VAC SYS is not part of their portfolio anymore.
…but I am in Germany and even here the offers showing stock start to disappear quickly.
I always wanted the system but was always weary for the cost. But I could not risk missing out. It is such a great product.
…Festool Germany even rewrote the text on their YouTube videos, stating that the VAC SYS is not part of their portfolio anymore.
Stan Tillinghast said:
Stan, if you ever talk to Joe, ask him if he can offer a set to connect Excel pumps to Festool. I guess that we are not the lonely guys going this route. I will also get the Podz from him. I guess that if you are not in front of the line, all "backorders' will not be fulfilled. LV have always been able to get me my orders, e.g. my SMT 1800 when nobody had inventory, voila, it came from Sin City.
.Luis (ridgenj) said:
Having done this exact setup, Excel Pump with Vacsys SE1 & SE 2, the ONLY extra part you will need to connect the Excel pump to VacSys System is this (1) HiFlow Male connector, which are readily available at Lowes and Home Depot and AMAZON.
You only need 1 of them to screw into the pump, and then all your VacSys will connect just like the Festool Pump.
Everything else is PLUG-n-PLAY.
HOME DEPOT HI-FLOW FITTINGS
LOWS HI-FLOW FITTINGS
AMAZON HI-FLOW FITTING
Many thanks Domino11, it is really plug and play once you have the help from people like yourself.
For those going this route, unfortunately, the SE2 Units have disappeared from the map. Apparently I got the last one from Acme Tools, was not able to order a second one. Similar situation with the D215,wiped out. Most vendors are offering backorders.
For those going this route, unfortunately, the SE2 Units have disappeared from the map. Apparently I got the last one from Acme Tools, was not able to order a second one. Similar situation with the D215,wiped out. Most vendors are offering backorders.
Stan Tillinghast
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Domino11, thanks very much from me as well. This is a new little world for me and getting very specific information is worth it’s weight in gold.
By the way, I ordered an SE2 module from Acme Friday night, they shipped it Saturday.
By the way, I ordered an SE2 module from Acme Friday night, they shipped it Saturday.
Michael Kellough
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smorgasbord
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A friend had a complete unit on order with Lee Valley. Just got this email:
What's the relaunch? Anyone have a clue?
What's the relaunch? Anyone have a clue?
No, it looks like Festool is pretty tight lipped about it. I find it interesting how they handled it, using the FOMO to sell the last units of old stock. Now that those are mostly bought up we start to hear about v2.0. If I had to guess I would say it probably has something to do with the pump but thats just a guess since I dont see a lot of room for improvement on the heads. That's not to say I hope there isnt something new or cool coming with different pods since I held off on v.1.0 I was close a few times of grabbing one up, so if they manage to hit a home run with the redesign I probably wouldn't be able to stop myself.
The other option is if they try to go cordless with the system like the grabo. This would not interest me at all but perhaps some would like it.
The other option is if they try to go cordless with the system like the grabo. This would not interest me at all but perhaps some would like it.
DynaGlide
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This is all speculation since Lee Valley seems to be the only company referencing a re-launch. However, cordless would be a natural fit. I don't think these pumps use a whole lot of power compared to other tools and I could see a pair of batteries running one for a good while.
If they were to go down that path they'd need to do something about the hoses to make them more quick connect/disconnect and less cumbersome, i.e. not as bulky and hard to store.
The heads are pretty much ideal as is not sure what else could be done there unless it was a cost savings measure i.e. cheapening the product. They could steal ideas from the community and offer various smaller heads and functional units. Like guide rail vacuum clamp, trim holding pads like the CT-Wings. Kourous Carpentry is launching their portable vacpad system for this purpose and it is receiving a lot of attention.
Matt
If they were to go down that path they'd need to do something about the hoses to make them more quick connect/disconnect and less cumbersome, i.e. not as bulky and hard to store.
The heads are pretty much ideal as is not sure what else could be done there unless it was a cost savings measure i.e. cheapening the product. They could steal ideas from the community and offer various smaller heads and functional units. Like guide rail vacuum clamp, trim holding pads like the CT-Wings. Kourous Carpentry is launching their portable vacpad system for this purpose and it is receiving a lot of attention.
Matt
Cheese
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DynaGlide said:
Especially if they include vacuum sensing capabilities in the pump to prevent it from running constantly. A few years ago I did a leak down test using the vacuum reserve space under the head along with all Festool vacuum connectors and the vacuum held the piece of laminate vertically for over an hour after the pump was turned off.
Did you get your Prevost connectors yet Matt?
