Video: Festool VAC-SYS

[grbmds]

erock,
I appreciate the video as I do most of your others. I could consider this but for the life of me I can't figure out the benefit using this thing. It holds the material up off the table surface, and then?  I currently clamp material to the bench top.
I just don't get it.  [unsure]
It's not even the nearly $1500 I'd think the same if it were $100.
Maybe it's one of those things you have to experience it to appreciate it.

Mark

Even though I didn't need to be convinced, once I used it for the first time at a Festool class, there was no question in my mind of it's uses. The price means it's not for everyone but, in the month I've owned it, I've already used it on 5 separate occasions and I am not a professional; only woodwork as a hobby.

When sanding, it means you can sand the whole side without moving the clamps or having the piece vibrate while sanding on a rubber drawer liner (because I didn't want to be troubled by clamping it).

When routing, it means you again don't have to rout around part of the piece and then move the clamps to get to the rest. It's one continuous operation rather than at least 2 separate ones.

I haven't tried this yet, but with a 1/4" hole drilled in the center of a template, the VacSys will hold both the  template and the piece being routed so that you, again, can rout around the whole template without reclamping and moving it.

Again, I have only used it with the Domino once but, when cutting slots, you just stick it on the head and cut. No need to worry about whether it's hanging off the end of the table far enough to create the required clearance or wondering where to put the clamps so you don't interfere with the Domino on smaller pieces.

I also understand that the Vacsys could be used with a vacuum bag to clamp veneer while the glue is drying and to do forming of wood or laminations for shallow curves. I really would like to experiment with lamination and veneering.

Since it sucks itself tight to a flat surface like my workbench, I believe it will allow me to hold pieces at any angle I want to carve edges with a spokeshave, pare with a chisel (actually have done that), and various other hand tool operations.

For me, it was almost a Domino-type tool in that it changes the way I work. It is admittedly hard to justify but it is an incredible assist for just everyday routing, Dominoing, sanding, and even some basic aseembly and I haven't even scratched the surface of what I can use it for. Try it, you might like it.

 

[Flatsawn]

[member=5854]Flatsawn[/member]  [member=8352]erock[/member]
I'm not Eric, but I'd say your best bet is to try to get a chance to see it in person at a demo or a dealer.  Once you see it in action, you get a better idea of its usefulness.  It's really a time saver when it comes to being able to quickly position your work in the right place even if it's not flat on the bench.  That's my  [2cents]  What part of the country are you in? 

Mike A.

Thanks for your response. I suppose that's  the only way I would know.
I live in Defiance OH

Mark

 

[Flatsawn]

erock,
I appreciate the video as I do most of your others. I could consider this but for the life of me I can't figure out the benefit using this thing. It holds the material up off the table surface, and then?  I currently clamp material to the bench top.
I just don't get it.  [unsure]
It's not even the nearly $1500 I'd think the same if it were $100.
Maybe it's one of those things you have to experience it to appreciate it.

Mark

Even though I didn't need to be convinced, once I used it for the first time at a Festool class, there was no question in my mind of it's uses. The price means it's not for everyone but, in the month I've owned it, I've already used it on 5 separate occasions and I am not a professional; only woodwork as a hobby.

When sanding, it means you can sand the whole side without moving the clamps or having the piece vibrate while sanding on a rubber drawer liner (because I didn't want to be troubled by clamping it).

When routing, it means you again don't have to rout around part of the piece and then move the clamps to get to the rest. It's one continuous operation rather than at least 2 separate ones.

I haven't tried this yet, but with a 1/4" hole drilled in the center of a template, the VacSys will hold both the  template and the piece being routed so that you, again, can rout around the whole template without reclamping and moving it.

Again, I have only used it with the Domino once but, when cutting slots, you just stick it on the head and cut. No need to worry about whether it's hanging off the end of the table far enough to create the required clearance or wondering where to put the clamps so you don't interfere with the Domino on smaller pieces.

I also understand that the Vacsys could be used with a vacuum bag to clamp veneer while the glue is drying and to do forming of wood or laminations for shallow curves. I really would like to experiment with lamination and veneering.

Since it sucks itself tight to a flat surface like my workbench, I believe it will allow me to hold pieces at any angle I want to carve edges with a spokeshave, pare with a chisel (actually have done that), and various other hand tool operations.

For me, it was almost a Domino-type tool in that it changes the way I work. It is admittedly hard to justify but it is an incredible assist for just everyday routing, Dominoing, sanding, and even some basic aseembly and I haven't even scratched the surface of what I can use it for. Try it, you might like it.

You do bring up some good points. I do remember trying to hold a work piece flat between a clamped board and a tail vise. It would vibrate out of position. It would work well in that situation. It is awkward to clamp a drawer side to the table while sanding the opposite side. If you could put an assembled drawer on this, holding it on the inside of the drawer side, as the drawer is over hanging on the corner of the bench, it would be much more stable to sand down the tails. Or it might stick to the bottom of the drawer as you rotate the drawer to sand each side. I'm thinking  [scared]

 

[mike_aa]

[member=5854]Flatsawn[/member]  [member=8352]erock[/member]
I'm not Eric, but I'd say your best bet is to try to get a chance to see it in person at a demo or a dealer.  Once you see it in action, you get a better idea of its usefulness.  It's really a time saver when it comes to being able to quickly position your work in the right place even if it's not flat on the bench.  That's my  [2cents]  What part of the country are you in? 

Mike A.

Thanks for your response. I suppose that's  the only way I would know.
I live in Defiance OH

Mark

[member=5854]Flatsawn[/member]
Hi Mark, here's a link to find the Festool Dealers closest to you.  Festool is also doing a roadshow at different locations, but they've only listed the April locations so far with none near Ohio.  Click here for the link.

I live in the Cleveland area and the local Woodcraft has Festool demos from time to time so you might contact the Toledo Woodcraft to see if they have them there or if they have one you can try.  Both Hartville Hardware in Hartville and WoodWerks in Columbus have tool shows with Festool present, but that's a far drive for you.  I know that Larry Smith of Festool does the ones at Hartville and the Cleveland Woodcraft so I would imagine he would also cover Toledo.  The reason I mention him is that he is very knowledgeable and he has had the VAC-SYS at the demos I've attended.

Hope this helps!

Mike A.

 

[tjbnwi]

I've used the Vac-Sys everyday I'm in the shop since I've owned it.

Epiphanies are very common with this tool in the shop.

Get the extra heads. I do like having both bases, can work on multiple sets ups. I'm considering getting the MFT brackets.

Tom

 

[Kev]

I've used the Vac-Sys everyday I'm in the shop since I've owned it.

Epiphanies are very common with this tool in the shop.

Get the extra heads. I do like having both bases, can work on multiple sets ups. I'm considering getting the MFT brackets.

Tom

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member] really curious whether you'd consider mounting the two heads on a "horse" setup so you could have a full walk around your workpiece.

 

[jimbo51]

I am tempted by this system for use with the Domino and for continuous edge routing. Use of a Domiplate on small pieces would be so much easier with the workpiece clamped from the bottom and the edge lifted many inches above the bench top.

 

[grbmds]

erock,
I appreciate the video as I do most of your others. I could consider this but for the life of me I can't figure out the benefit using this thing. It holds the material up off the table surface, and then?  I currently clamp material to the bench top.
I just don't get it.  [unsure]
It's not even the nearly $1500 I'd think the same if it were $100.
Maybe it's one of those things you have to experience it to appreciate it.

Mark

Even though I didn't need to be convinced, once I used it for the first time at a Festool class, there was no question in my mind of it's uses. The price means it's not for everyone but, in the month I've owned it, I've already used it on 5 separate occasions and I am not a professional; only woodwork as a hobby.

When sanding, it means you can sand the whole side without moving the clamps or having the piece vibrate while sanding on a rubber drawer liner (because I didn't want to be troubled by clamping it).

When routing, it means you again don't have to rout around part of the piece and then move the clamps to get to the rest. It's one continuous operation rather than at least 2 separate ones.

I haven't tried this yet, but with a 1/4" hole drilled in the center of a template, the VacSys will hold both the  template and the piece being routed so that you, again, can rout around the whole template without reclamping and moving it.

Again, I have only used it with the Domino once but, when cutting slots, you just stick it on the head and cut. No need to worry about whether it's hanging off the end of the table far enough to create the required clearance or wondering where to put the clamps so you don't interfere with the Domino on smaller pieces.

I also understand that the Vacsys could be used with a vacuum bag to clamp veneer while the glue is drying and to do forming of wood or laminations for shallow curves. I really would like to experiment with lamination and veneering.

Since it sucks itself tight to a flat surface like my workbench, I believe it will allow me to hold pieces at any angle I want to carve edges with a spokeshave, pare with a chisel (actually have done that), and various other hand tool operations.

For me, it was almost a Domino-type tool in that it changes the way I work. It is admittedly hard to justify but it is an incredible assist for just everyday routing, Dominoing, sanding, and even some basic aseembly and I haven't even scratched the surface of what I can use it for. Try it, you might like it.

You do bring up some good points. I do remember trying to hold a work piece flat between a clamped board and a tail vise. It would vibrate out of position. It would work well in that situation. It is awkward to clamp a drawer side to the table while sanding the opposite side. If you could put an assembled drawer on this, holding it on the inside of the drawer side, as the drawer is over hanging on the corner of the bench, it would be much more stable to sand down the tails. Or it might stick to the bottom of the drawer as you rotate the drawer to sand each side. I'm thinking  [scared]

[member=5854]Flatsawn[/member] I just recently sanded the outsides of 4 dovetailed drawers. I used the VacSys and clamped the opposite side from the one I was sanding and tilted the head so that it was not so high in the air (VacSys mounted on the MFT). Mostly there was no vibration and got the result I wanted without worrying about clamping the drawers in my bench vise. This might not work with larger drawers but, for this size (about 17" X 16") it worked well. Each time I sand or do something I usually think about how I could use the VacSys. It isn't the answer for all my holding/clamping needs, but it does help a lot.

 

[tjbnwi]

[member=13058]Kev[/member],

Had not considered it until you brought it up.

The heads rotate, not sure if it is better to move me or rotate the piece, something to ponder.

Tom

 

[rst]

Rotating is much easier.  I just finish sanded two 3' x 4' 3/8" polycarbonate doors.  Rotating the pieces to sand the edges was a breeze. 

 

[Flatsawn]

I've used the Vac-Sys everyday I'm in the shop since I've owned it.

Epiphanies are very common with this tool in the shop.

Get the extra heads. I do like having both bases, can work on multiple sets ups. I'm considering getting the MFT brackets.

Tom

Thanks for the response, You realize you made me look up that word. A christian festival sounds like fun.
You may have intended the other definition [big grin] the other inspiration.

Mark

 

[tjbnwi]

I've used the Vac-Sys everyday I'm in the shop since I've owned it.

Epiphanies are very common with this tool in the shop.

Get the extra heads. I do like having both bases, can work on multiple sets ups. I'm considering getting the MFT brackets.

Tom

Thanks for the response, You realize you made me look up that word. A christian festival sounds like fun.
You may have intended the other definition [big grin] the other inspiration.

Mark

The plural of epiphany is the correct word.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(feeling)

I find the epiphanies very serendipitous.

Tom

 

[Flatsawn]

[member=5854]Flatsawn[/member]  [member=8352]erock[/member]
I'm not Eric, but I'd say your best bet is to try to get a chance to see it in person at a demo or a dealer.  Once you see it in action, you get a better idea of its usefulness.  It's really a time saver when it comes to being able to quickly position your work in the right place even if it's not flat on the bench.  That's my  [2cents]  What part of the country are you in? 

Mike A.

Thanks for your response. I suppose that's  the only way I would know.
I live in Defiance OH

Mark

[member=5854]Flatsawn[/member]
Hi Mark, here's a link to find the Festool Dealers closest to you.  Festool is also doing a roadshow at different locations, but they've only listed the April locations so far with none near Ohio.  Click here for the link.

I live in the Cleveland area and the local Woodcraft has Festool demos from time to time so you might contact the Toledo Woodcraft to see if they have them there or if they have one you can try.  Both Hartville Hardware in Hartville and WoodWerks in Columbus have tool shows with Festool present, but that's a far drive for you.  I know that Larry Smith of Festool does the ones at Hartville and the Cleveland Woodcraft so I would imagine he would also cover Toledo.  The reason I mention him is that he is very knowledgeable and he has had the VAC-SYS at the demos I've attended.

Hope this helps!

Mike A.

Thanks Mike,
There was a time Ft Wayne had a Woodcraft but since has closed. There is a retailer on Rt3 North I can't think of the name but know its approximate location. I could check that one. It never occurred to me to take some time to see a demo there. Or I could move to Cleveland  [big grin]

Thanks, Mark

 

[Flatsawn]

I've used the Vac-Sys everyday I'm in the shop since I've owned it.

Epiphanies are very common with this tool in the shop.

Get the extra heads. I do like having both bases, can work on multiple sets ups. I'm considering getting the MFT brackets.

Tom

Thanks for the response, You realize you made me look up that word. A christian festival sounds like fun.
You may have intended the other definition [big grin] the other inspiration.

Mark

The plural of epiphany is the correct word.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(feeling)

I find the epiphanies very serendipitous.

Tom

Sure, who wouldn't [big grin]

 

[erock]

[member=5854]Flatsawn[/member]

Mark, 

If you can't find a dealer near you and want to take a road trip, you're more then welcome to come over to my shop and check out the VAC-SYS for some hands on experience. 

Eric 

 

[greg mann]

Epiphanies? Isn't that a varnish for boats?

 

[Flatsawn]

[member=5854]Flatsawn[/member]

Mark, 

If you can't find a dealer near you and want to take a road trip, you're more then welcome to come over to my shop and check out the VAC-SYS for some hands on experience. 

Eric

WOW !! That's the first time I've ever been invited to a movie star's home. Can you imagine after that visit I'd want one of every thing.  [scared] 
Do you think I could co-star in Festool VAC-SYS Part II in HD  This eposode- Erock explains the particulars in the steps of how to vacuum bag a visitor [big grin]

 

[Flatsawn]

Epiphanies? Isn't that a varnish for boats?

No that's epoxy

 

[erock]

[member=5854]Flatsawn[/member]

Mark, 

If you can't find a dealer near you and want to take a road trip, you're more then welcome to come over to my shop and check out the VAC-SYS for some hands on experience. 

Eric

WOW !! That's the first time I've ever been invited to a movie star's home. Can you imagine after that visit I'd want one of every thing.  [scared] 
Do you think I could co-star in Festool VAC-SYS Part II in HD  This eposode- Erock explains the particulars in the steps of how to vacuum bag a visitor [big grin]

HA-HA-HA !  You bring the body bag and I'll figure out how to hook it up to the VAC-SYS.  We'll have a nice experiment and some great Youtube footage !    I'll need you to sign a waiver of coarse.      [tongue]      [eek]

Eric