Vac Sys in North america?

[dawosura]

Hi folks,
Any news on whether the VAC SYS clamping system is going to be available in north america anytime soon? ....in another thread it was mentioned that it might happen this year.....
Otherwise it might have to be my French Connection  [wink]
D

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The latest news is that the Vac-Sys may not ever make it to the U.S. due to UL certification.

 

[dawosura]

Ouch. Okay, thanks.

 

[bobbobbob]

Das saugt die grossen!    [mad]

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Ohhh thannnnnnk goodness the UL will protect me from myself and this oh-so useful, but obviously utterly dangerous and pitifully designed pile of voltage shocking pain and dismemberment.

Everyone knows that if we were able to buy one and attempted to use it, I'd wind up vacuum suctioning my child's face to the mount and being the litigation-prone US citizen would have to sue the pants of Festool, my tool dealer, the electric company (it wouldn't be dangerous if it didn't have power, after all), and probably my neighbor across the street, just for good measure 'cuz maybe it should've been his kid that got suctioned onto the sucking-whirlwind-workbench-wonder-of-Doom!

*roll eyes*     [bite tongue]

Nothin' but love for y'all Shane & Festool!    UL nonsense just chaps my hide.

 

[nickao]

Man I wish I had a company with absolutely no authority at all that could shape other companies selling practices. What if some day we find UL has been getting kickbacks to certify certain products? They have no legal standing and are not backed by the government, only OSHA approved, which has been found to take kickback here and there. I am not commenting on Festool at all, just that UL has a hell of a business plan and power that may or may not be deserved. They have a lot of control and are totally trusted, I wonder who looks over UL's shoulder to make sure their processes of certification are correct?

The UL Mark indicates compliance with certain Standards only. Compliance with Standards is not a legal requirement nor an indication that legal requirements have been met. So really why they carry so much weight is beyond me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwriters_Laboratories

To bad, that Vac Sys is one product I always wanted.  

 

[tbellemare]

It's likely written into an insurance policy.

Tom

 

[Corwin]

Well, I guess this will mean that we'll all have fatter wallets, as will Joe the Woodworker. 

 

[mouppe]

Politely put: what a joke!

Why doesn't Festool find an alternative and competent testing body? There are several that cover the US market if that is what they are looking for. Festool are really boxing themselves into a very tight corner with the whole "UL-approved" classification that means nothing anyway to consumers. It's ridiculous that a product such as the vac-sys is unavailable in North America because a bunch of muppets refuse to stick a logo on it. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to UL's methodology and the time delay is unacceptable.

Richard.

 

[atomicmike]

I'm curious... does anyone know if the Domino has UL certification? I don't see a UL certification anywhere on it, and the UL label that was in the Systainer says it is for a "Power Cord". I also don't see the Domino included in UL's listings for Festool; actually, there's a lot of tools not listed there.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Maybe Christian would be interested in a dual position, Festool executive and Underwriters Laboratories executive, unless Shane wants to do it.  That would solve most of our issues in North America.

 

[atomicmike]

Maybe Christian would be interested in a dual position, Festool executive and Underwriters Laboratories executive, unless Shane wants to do it.  That would solve most of our issues in North America.

I think we'd even be fine with a few select FOGgers working on the inside at UL. Any volunteers?  [wink]

 

[nickao]

Well, I guess this will mean that we'll all have fatter wallets, as will Joe the Woodworker.  

Already have all the Joe Woodworker stuff and use much of it everyday, it's nice, but nothing as cool as the Festool Vac Sys. 

 

[Toolfest]

Hi Shane. "UL certification" is given as the reason for many tools not making it to North America. What does this mean? Does it mean that it would not pass the certification process, or is it the expense of submitting it to UL for certification, or something else?

Speaking of tools not available in North America. Are there any plans to bring over the Festool Shinex RAP 150 or RAP 80 to NA.

Thanks

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Hi Shane. "UL certification" is given as the reason for many tools not making it to North America. What does this mean? Does it mean that it would not pass the certification process, or is it the expense of submitting it to UL for certification, or something else?

It means that it didn't pass UL certification.

I'm curious... does anyone know if the Domino has UL certification? I don't see a UL certification anywhere on it, and the UL label that was in the Systainer says it is for a "Power Cord". I also don't see the Domino included in UL's listings for Festool; actually, there's a lot of tools not listed there.

Mike, yes, I am quite sure it's UL approved.

 

[nickao]

Does UL then give a report of what the product needs so it can pass? Was the denial based on a fundamental point of design? If not a fundamental design flaw(in UL's eyes) did Festool choose not to make smaller changes because of a cost issue or that it would make the product ineffective?

Are you  in a position to even answer these questions?

I guess Festool decides on making a version for the American market based on the hassle of implementing two designs and how much money they can make on it .

 

[Toolfest]

Thanks for that Shane.

Do you know if there are any plans to bring over the Festool Shinex RAP 150 or RAP 80.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The Shinex RAP 150 already has UL approval, however I'm not sure at this point what the plans are for introduction in North America. That tool is designed specifically for the automotive industry.  We have brought over a few units for evaluation from some industry experts.  One of them posted his comments and photos of some exotic cars he works on about a year ago.

As for the UL testing process, first let me qualify that I am no expert on the process, but they do provide information about the reason(s) a product does not pass.  Regarding the Vac-Sys, I don't know what that reason is right off hand.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Man I wish I had a company with absolutely no authority at all that could shape other companies selling practices. What if some day we find UL has been getting kickbacks to certify certain products? They have no legal standing and are not backed by the government, only OSHA approved, which has been found to take kickback here and there. I am not commenting on Festool at all, just that UL has a hell of a business plan and power that may or may not be deserved. They have a lot of control and are totally trusted, I wonder who looks over UL's shoulder to make sure their processes of certification are correct?

The UL Mark indicates compliance with certain Standards only. Compliance with Standards is not a legal requirement nor an indication that legal requirements have been met. So really why they carry so much weight is beyond me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwriters_Laboratories

To bad, that Vac Sys is one product I always wanted.  

Hmmmmm, they are located in cook county, hmmmmmm.  I smell rotten eggs.

Here is what I think of the UL [dead horse]

In 2007 they changed to a for profit company? [scratch chin]

 

[John Stevens]

Hmmmmm, they are located in cook county, hmmmmmm.  I smell rotten eggs.

ROFLMAO.  At least they're not "sanctified" by federal statute or regulation to rate bonds like Moody's or Standard and Poor's--we all know how thorough and accurate they've been.  :

Regards,

John