What type of mains outlet does the CTL36 E AC have in the UK?

[RC]

I'm looking at getting a CTL 36 E AC VAC, but prices in Finland are ridiculous so after looking around it seems that the UK retailers have more reasonable prices. The AC voltages, frequency and all are the same here and in the UK, but the sockets & plugs are different. Playing with converters will not work reasonably in the long run.

The possible gotcha here might be the VAC's power cord to the wall (is it a fast-fix cable or permanently attached to the VAC?) that would definitely have a UK plug, but also is the tool power outlet socket a UK-type socket on them?

If yes (as I would presume) can both the accessory and the main outlet socket be swapped to the German/Finnish type sockets by getting a couple of the extra wallsocket modules for the VAC or would I be stuck with one UK and EU socket if I got the EU socket module from Germany?

 

[jonny round boy]

RC,

Yes, the UK models have a UK plug moulded on to the (fixed) cable, and a UK socket.

Swapping the first is simple - just cut off the UK plug, and attach a euro plug.

Swapping the second is possible - just order a replacement part from EKAT through your dealer. Or, as you say, just fit a euro socket as an additional module.

You'd have to decide whether doing that (and risking the possible voiding of the warranty) was worth the saving on the initial purchase price...

If prices are high in Finland, would you not be better buying one in Germany, or another country that uses the same connections? The price in Germany is EUR791.35, which is just shy of GBP700. The CTL 36 E AC is not even listed on Festool.co.uk, but looking at the pricing on the other vacs, I don't think it would be any cheaper here in the UK.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I don't think there will be much left of your saving by buying in England. Couldn't find any prices in Finland, but they're probably more expensive in Finland than here in Holland or Germany. But when I compare the prices between Holland/Germany and England and take the euro-pound conversion in account, you'll only safe like 70 euro on a vac. Then take into account that you have to buy an extra socket and an extra plug, pay shipping from England (which is more expensive than on mainland Europe), and that you possibly forfeit your warranty, all for like 30-40 euro savings, then I'd say it's totally not worth it. You'd be better of ordering one fom Germany.

Another way to spare some money is to buy a smaller model like the 26 or skip the AC feature.

 

[RC]

With the normal CTL 36 E costing over 800€ and AC-models having a projected price closer to 1000€ here a £650 price tag (for example from: http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/festool-ctl-dust-extractors/festool-ctl-36-e-ac-mobile-dust-extractor-584025.html) sounds really nice... ofc that is not counting the cost of getting a EU expansion socket or playing with UK-to-EU conversion sockets so I guess getting one from Central-Europe would be the winners choise in this case.

It's a pitty the power cord isn't one of the detachable ones like in their routers, which makes the cut-the-cord-to-swap-the-plug warranty problem go away. Otherwise Festool seems to have an international warranty program, since my other UK bought Festools have been happily registrable to the local Festool representative as my first point of contact.

But yes, I guess I'll have to play a bit more with Google translate and see if there are any web-shops in Germany or the Netherlands that will ship to Finland. For some weird reason most UK shops don't have a problem on shipping stuff overseas, but the Germans are remarkably reluctant to send anything outsiden their own borders or max. France, Austria and the Netherlands.  [sad]

 

[AlexThePalex]

With the normal CTL 36 E costing over 800€ and AC-models having a projected price closer to 1000€ here a £650 price tag (for example from: http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/festool-ctl-dust-extractors/festool-ctl-36-e-ac-mobile-dust-extractor-584025.html) sounds really nice... ofc that is not counting the cost of getting a EU expansion socket or playing with UK-to-EU conversion sockets so I guess getting one from Central-Europe would be the winners choise in this case.

Wow, that's really expensive, even for European standards. For that price England seems really cheap. But I still think you'd be better off getting one from Germany then.

It's a pitty the power cord isn't one of the detachable ones like in their routers, which makes the cut-the-cord-to-swap-the-plug warranty problem go away.

The plug-it cord is only used with tools up to 1500 watts. Tools with a higher power consumption always have attached cords. When you run a vac with a tool plugged in you can run up to 3400 watts (1200 vac + 2200 for an OF220 or CS70) and that's way too much for the plug-it connection. Also, vac cords are generally of a sturdier and thicker quality because they are designed to lay on the grond of the work place all day.

Otherwise Festool seems to have an international warranty program, since my other UK bought Festools have been happily registrable to the local Festool representative as my first point of contact.

It's not the international thing to worry about, it the swapping of the plug and the socket that can void your warranty.

But yes, I guess I'll have to play a bit more with Google translate and see if there are any web-shops in Germany or the Netherlands that will ship to Finland. For some weird reason most UK shops don't have a problem on shipping stuff overseas, but the Germans are remarkably reluctant to send anything outsiden their own borders or max. France, Austria and the Netherlands.   [sad]

This German shop is a very good shop for getting Festools all through Europe, including Finland. Very fast and reliable. I've ordered a couple of times from them and couldn't be more satisfied with their service. Their tools are the same fixed price as everywhere else, but if you want some accessories also you'll find them 30-40% cheaper.

 

[RC]

Thanks Alex for the pointer - I'll definitely have a look at this shop  [smile]