Vacuum Clamping System

[Birdhunter]

I'm a late adopter so just picked up the Festool vacuum clamping unit.

My first impression is that the unit holds better than I expected. I was disappointed that the two pieces than came in Sustainers came in the old style and not the T-Lock style.

The vacuum pump is fairly quiet. If I'm sanding or using the Domino, the CT's noise will be the loudest.

I only bought one clamping head as I don't anticipate doing large panels.

Overall, I'm pleased.

 

[rst]

Birdhunter, the longer you have vac system, the more uses you will find to use it.  I have a pair of Virutex clamps that I replaced my home made clamps and they worked well but the Festool units are light years more versitile.  I have two and all the heads.  So far the heads that I have not used are the really narrow long ones.  Most of my vac clamping work is plastics (acrylic and poycarbonate) commercial refrigeration dividers and baffles for units that are out of production or that too long from the manufacturer.  The vac clamps make edge finishing much more convenient.

 

[grbmds]

Is especially useful when routing and sanding. For me, it's one of those tools that I bought, used immediately, and have used more in the first month I owned it than some tools I've owned for years. Assume by clamping head you mean the base unit. I don't see how you could get along with just one  of the "cups". I've used every one of the oblong cups in the set and the round one that comes with the base unit. They all work great and hold the piece strongly.

 

[Kev]

Agree on the traditional systainers ... we get the vac pump in an old style sys as well as the units and the heads sets, so I've added 5 "old style" systainers to my family [sad] It's actually unimportant other than aesthetically for the pump and you tend not to whip the heads out every five minutes either .. but when I move and get myself organised I'll probably swap the systainers with the heads over as I actually find the old style systainers annoying now - funny, I loved them before the T-locs came out [embarassed]

Even though I've had almost zero time to play, I'm convinced I'll progress to vacuum bag approaches to glue ups, etc in the near future ... it's cool to be able to care for surfaces and not worry about leaving compression marks from conventional clamping.

 

[Birdhunter]

To clarify, I got the pump with the foot switch, the actual clamping head with a circular suction cup, and a Sustainer with 3 different shaped suction cups. I've ordered the MFT base for the clamping head that allows the clamping head to be flipped under the MFT and stowed there. With all that, I got 2 old style Sustainers and 1 cardboard box.

I have used the unit to sand a number of panels and do some Domino work. I really like the way I can sand panel edges using the unit. I can see big time savings ahead.

I do find the working height of the unit on top of the MFT to be higher than optimal. The idea of a specially designed mobile work station for the unit is beginning to germinate.

 

[nclemmons]

I also have the VacSys.  Ended up replacing the Systainer with a T-Loc for the vacuum head. 

I also adapted the three smaller heads to fit in a Sys1 T-loc in the interest of saving space in the stack.  Works great!  A little CNC work to hold the heads in alignment in the Systainer made it really easy to keep the heads in place.

You might take a look at page 73 in this supplement -http://www.festool.com.au/WebRoot/S...res/edge-bander/manual/FESTOOL_EN_CONTURO.pdf

Very simple plywood piece for attaching the SysVac to the side of the MFT table.  I made one and it makes it more comfortable at a lower height, plus it is out of the way when you want to use the MFT for something else.

 

[rst]

Birdhunter, I made drop legs with 8020 that attach to the MFT rails so that the cup height is level with the top.  Two drop legs and two out riggers that I attach a polycarbonate base for the vac sys to suck onto.  Sorry about no pics but my computer is funky and more often then not I cannot access my pictures.

 

[Kev]

I also have the VacSys.  Ended up replacing the Systainer with a T-Loc for the vacuum head. 

I also adapted the three smaller heads to fit in a Sys1 T-loc in the interest of saving space in the stack.  Works great!  A little CNC work to hold the heads in alignment in the Systainer made it really easy to keep the heads in place.

You might take a look at page 73 in this supplement -http://www.festool.com.au/WebRoot/S...res/edge-bander/manual/FESTOOL_EN_CONTURO.pdf

Very simple plywood piece for attaching the SysVac to the side of the MFT table.  I made one and it makes it more comfortable at a lower height, plus it is out of the way when you want to use the MFT for something else.

@nelic yes, the cheap alternative for mounting the vacuum clamping heads on the MFT makes the swing out metal brackets a little crazy. Plus if you get the height just right you can simply remove the suction head to give yourself clearance for items larger than your MFT surface.

A dedicated separate vac clamping station is on my (very long and currently stalled) to do list too.

 

[grbmds]

To clarify, I got the pump with the foot switch, the actual clamping head with a circular suction cup, and a Systainer with 3 different shaped suction cups. I've ordered the MFT base for the clamping head that allows the clamping head to be flipped under the MFT and stowed there. With all that, I got 2 old style Systainers and 1 cardboard box.

I have used the unit to sand a number of panels and do some Domino work. I really like the way I can sand panel edges using the unit. I can see big time savings ahead.

I do find the working height of the unit on top of the MFT to be higher than optimal. The idea of a specially designed mobile work station for the unit is beginning to germinate.

Use on top of the MFT or my workbench is just too high for sanding. I found that, with it on top of the MFT, I was actually doing something with the Domino that got my slots out of alignment for the first time since I got the Domino. I did mount the
VacSys on the side. I can just fold the suction head 90 down and still have clearance across the MFT when the VacSys isn't in use. It's much better height for working and it's very convenient. I think it's much easier than using the plate Festool sells for folding under the table. With it mounted to the track on the side of the MFT, it's just always there and available when needed.