Vac-sys

[jarbroen]

Handy!
Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Now I’m excited to build myself some Sys-Vac storage!

 

[presidentsdad]

Hey all,
Good info in this thread.  Question:  I'm thinking of getting the Vac Sys...does everyone just go ahead and buy the "set" (aka pump, SE1 and SE2) or will just the pump and SE1 be good enough for most things?  I'd mainly be using it to speed up sanding of parts and for speeding up Domino work.  Thanks for the info....

 

[squall_line]

Hey all,
Good info in this thread.  Question:  I'm thinking of getting the Vac Sys...does everyone just go ahead and buy the "set" (aka pump, SE1 and SE2) or will just the pump and SE1 be good enough for most things?  I'd mainly be using it to speed up sanding of parts and for speeding up Domino work.  Thanks for the info....

As always with these things, "it depends"...

It depends a lot on what type of work you typically do: is it larger pieces that would need two clamps (doors, etc), or smaller work that would only require a single clamp?

The second clamp, besides offering more holding power for heavier items, theoretically also helps prevent rotation.

The difference in price between the "System" and the "Set" is $385, the SE2 alone is $425, so the Set savings is only $40, which is one of the smaller "set" price differentials in Festool's lineup (the MFT/3 set vs. basic is one of the more egregious in this regard).

My understanding is that the pedal that comes with the SE1/System, when paired with the SE2, runs both pads simultaneously, so when you're using two pads you're always unlocking both at the same time, rather than being able to control them independently.  If you want independent control of two pads, I believe you need a second pump and pedal.

The SE2 comes with the oblong pad and the System/SE1 comes with the round pad, so the Set is also a way to get a second pad shape if you want, but it's also something to keep in mind if you think you'd want two of the same pad.  The round pad is only sold separately, there is a Pad Set that includes three different oblong pads.

The Vac-Sys is one of the few items not listed on the 2022 price increase list (other than the accessories).

 

[semenza]

Yes, the foot peddle operates both heads at the same time. 

  I think it is well worth having the double head set up. Even though one will easily hold large long pieces, sometimes you want the second for support. You can also support pieces by having them run onto a work surface but then you have the old problem of the bench top in the way of long router bits and such.  Plus it is nice to have two pieces at a time when working through a bunch of small ones.

    I just started using the Vac-Sys recently. It is one of those things that you don't necessarily see the full potential until you have it. It is obvious that it holds flat pieces. But ........

      It is great that there are no obstructions so that you can run a router all the way around with nothing in the way.

      It is great to just turn a knob and spin a piece to the opposite edge when using the Domino.

      It is great to be able to flip from horizontal to vertical in one quick motion.

      I found that you can stick a drawer box on it (even a really big drawer) vertically so that the drawer side is in the horizontal plane to install side mount slides. Do one side, then rotate it to do the other.

      It also becomes a work space / surface/ bench extension. You can do work on the Vac-Sys even if your main bench is fully occupied with other stuff.

      One thing ..................  be sure to set it up so that it is always available with out having to get it out. It needs to be handy and ready to use. Otherwise it will just sit in a storage spot.

Seth

 

[presidentsdad]

Thanks Squall and SRS.  It sounds obvious that two is better than one in most cases, but what I'm really wondering is that, in folks experience, does everyone find that one clamp head (the system) is good to start getting most things done and two clamp heads (the set) would eventually be better to have?  Trying to see if I can get the system first, start using it, get used to it and then next year add the SE2 to make the set?  Do most folks do that or just dive right into the deep end and get the set??  

 

[greg mann]

I think starting with one set makes sense and is easier on the wallet as well. If you go full bore I would suspect you might feel the need to often use both heads when only one would truly be enough. By starting with one and using it for the type of work you do I think you will soon determine when and how often the 2nd one would be helpful.

 

[Cheese]

Like greg mentioned, I started with a single head just to get my feet wet and that approach worked well.

Here's an example of what a single head is capable of holding. These cabinet sides are about 4' long and 26" wide. Because of the LED wiring and the slide hardware, I couldn't mount the vacuum head in the middle of the panel but had to cantilever it off to one side. This is how the cabinet side was held so that I could Domino the edges, it was approx a 1/3 to 2/3 split. There was no vacuum cup movement or deflection, everything was rock solid.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

 

[presidentsdad]

Thanks Greg and Cheese!  That is the info I was looking for!   Truth be told, I'll likely end up with both, but it's nice to know that I can start with just one.

 

[presidentsdad]

Another question for the group.  The three pack of system heads has a dupe of what comes with the SE2 (275x100), a narrower version (200x60) and a really narrow version (277x32).  I can see the 200x60 being useful for rails/stiles, is the really narrow one (277x32) useful? Is there a need for the duplicate one from the SE2 (275x100) if you already have one from the SE2??  Trying to see if I need to just get the pack or a couple of the individual items.

 

[squall_line]

Another question for the group.  The three pack of system heads has a dupe of what comes with the SE2 (275x100), a narrower version (200x60) and a really narrow version (277x32).  I can see the 200x60 being useful for rails/stiles, is the really narrow one (277x32) useful? Is there a need for the duplicate one from the SE2 (275x100) if you already have one from the SE2??  Trying to see if I need to just get the pack or a couple of the individual items.

My thought is that if you have two heads, it can't hurt to have a duplicate of the large oblong or the large round pad.  The super narrow pad seems like it would come in handy for 1x2 material depending on what you tend to work on.

I'm in a similar quandary other than the fact that I already have a second large oblong pad, so getting the three-pack would mean trying to sell off one of the large oblongs, but at least I'd have the cool classic systainer to hold them all?

 

[simnick]

The 277x32 was great for me to use last weekend sanding tapered table legs. Even the 200x60 was too large. Also narrow face frames, and other trim type pieces might work on the 277x32. I only had the round and the 277x32, and could do a remarkable amount with those, although I did pick up the rest when discontinuation was announced.

Another question for the group.  The three pack of system heads has a dupe of what comes with the SE2 (275x100), a narrower version (200x60) and a really narrow version (277x32).  I can see the 200x60 being useful for rails/stiles, is the really narrow one (277x32) useful? Is there a need for the duplicate one from the SE2 (275x100) if you already have one from the SE2??  Trying to see if I need to just get the pack or a couple of the individual items.

 

[pettyconstruction]

So a update.
I had emailed Us Tool about the order I placed,asking if it was futile .
I just got a reply sayin that they have a order coming over,and they have 14 available units,so my order will be fulfilled .

Good news.
If you want one, give then a call.
Thanks,
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Chainring]

On the subject of the VAC SYS and all the fun stuff to purchase separately, I've put together a list of all the different parts and accessories.

The big VAC SYS setup
Clamping module VAC SYS System Set: 203149 (Contains following three)
Suction-Based Clamping Pump VAC-PMP: 201064
Clamping module VAC SYS SE 1: 201065
Clamping module VAC SYS SE 2: 580062

The smaller VAC-SYS setup
Clamping module VAC SYS System: 203148 (Contains following two)
Suction-Based Clamping Pump VAC-PMP: 201064
Clamping module VAC SYS SE 1: 201065

The VAC SYS accessory kit with three heads
Vac-Sys Vacuum Pad Set: 495294 (Contains following three)
Vacuum Cup VT 200 x 60, Small: 580064
Vacuum Cup VT 277 x 32, Narrow: 580065
Vacuum Pad VT 275 x 100: 580066

Separate parts and pieces from the systems
Vacuum Cup VAC SYS VT 275 x 100: 580066 (Comes with VAC SYS SE 2)
Vacuum Cup VAC SYS VT D 215: 580067 (Comes with VAC SYS SE 1)
Vacuum Hose D 16 x 5m VAC SYS: 495293
Foot Valve VAC SYS FV: 580063

MFT Bracket
Adapter VAC SYS AD MFT 3: 494977

If you purchased the big VAC SYS kit with two heads, you'd only need two of the heads from the accessory kit to have all of them.

Vacuum Cup VT 200 x 60, Small: 580064
Vacuum Cup VT 277 x 32, Narrow: 580065

 

[simnick]

Any recommendations for vacuum hose? I want to hook up some other vacuum accessories up to my VAC-SYS (including trying veneering), I already have the v-type couplers needed.
Can I just use pneumatic air hose?

 

[squall_line]

Any recommendations for vacuum hose? I want to hook up some other vacuum accessories up to my VAC-SYS (including trying veneering), I already have the v-type couplers needed.
Can I just use pneumatic air hose?

[member=71672]simnick[/member], try these threads:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/vacuum-pump-for-vac-sys/
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/sys-vac-question/msg539496/#msg539496

 

[Cheese]

Any recommendations for vacuum hose? I want to hook up some other vacuum accessories up to my VAC-SYS (including trying veneering), I already have the v-type couplers needed.
Can I just use pneumatic air hose?

You really want to use actual vacuum hose that’s designed for the task.  It has a thicker/stiffer wall that prevents it from collapsing.