where are the plug-it adapter cords?!?!?

[johnny t]

I am just venting......

I  recently zip tied a festool power cord to the vacuum hose...a big mistake!!

now when swapping in my older ro150 sander w/o plugits or some of my bosch tools that lack the nifty little plug,  I curse life.

I used to see some adapters on ebay but to no avail recently, does anyone know where some can be found?  Or festool just needs to get on the ball with this one.

johnny

 

[MarkF]

Got $3.71?  I posted this a few days ago here:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=901.0

How about ordering a female Plug-it connector from spare parts and splicing it to a standard female electrical receptacle?  You would not have to cut your power cord unless you want to.  I think this is the one from the RO150FEQ:
490282 Socket housing 120V 1 3.71 USD

 

[Dan Clark]

Johnny,

How about this:

Perhaps not perfect, but I use it with all of my non-Festool tools.  I got it from Lee Valley.  It's called a Three-Way Y-Adapter Currently it's $9.50.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[johnny t]

In order to fulfill a shooting off at the mouth too-soon conclusion..

while calling festool US today to complain, the sales person on the phone claimed to know what I was talking about.  the plugit pigtails were $8 plus change and I should have them after the weekend. I asked if there were different wire gauges but sales lady said there was only one kind. did festool finally bring the elusive plugit pigtails to the USA?? 

will post what I recieve.....

Mark F...I was thinking of your idea before, although instead of sensibly modifying an existing recepticle to accept a plugit socket, I was going to over engineer by stopping by my friends machine shop and turn some housings for the  plugit female socket out of aluminum or delrin.  but then I realized that was too much work for a project that should not be.  there was also the question of which female plugit socket to get, there is a different part #  for every festool.

 

[MarkF]

My thoughts were to use some wide cable shrink tubing between the two female adapters to form a case.  I like the idea of spending a little more on a ready made solution.  We look forward to seeing photos of your pigtail.  Please post when you can.

 

[rich1]

Please Please Please post pics and part numbers when the part arrives. I was the one who started the other thread and I am in the same boat with you.

Ric

 

[Toolpig]

found this online.  can't imagine why these aren't available in the US.....
http://www.idealtools.com.au/prod3022.htm

 

[Bob Marino]

Those pig-tails like the ones shown by IDEAL TOOLS were brought here by Festool but were nixed by UL. So at this point in time and probably forever, they won't be available from Festool.

Bob

 

[Toolpig]

Bob -- your post got cut off.

TP

Those pig-tails like the ones shown by IDEAL TOOLS were brought here by Festool for

 

[fcraven]

Sorry,

Removed post. Apparently my opinion of Festool and and UL, and my way of expressing said opinion,  is offensive to some.

I have believed that Festool's decision to require UL certification to be problematic since Festo started selling products in the USA. I won't back down on my oppinion; however, I won't get in a flame war about it; publically or privately.

Fred

 

[Bob Marino]

Those pig-tails like the ones shown by IDEAL TOOLS were brought here by Festool but were nixed by UL. So at this point in time and probably forever, they won't be available from Festool.

Another example of Festool's stupidity with UL. At the price Festool charges for their products, why should they even care? They come up with a good, useful idea, then they don't put it all their tools, and then refuse to provide their own retrofit kit it because of UL. UL is nothing. UL is marketing and not required to sell in the US.

OK, maybe UL is something, but Festool's consistently thwarts their own innovation with their paranoia over being UL certified. UL certification appeals to the masses: those buying toasters, and microwaves, at "made in China" prices. Festool does NOT manufacture mass market products and, as demonstrated by the people on this board, Festool users don't care. How many of us would NOT buy a Festool product simply because it was not UL certified?

The question is, "Why would the plug-it adaptor not be certified?" a better question is, "Why does it matter." The installation of the adaptor voids the warranty, does it not? We aren't supposed to open up our tools and rewire them. Ironically, in my usage the plug-it connector (built into the tools) has made tool use safer. Instead of having to inconveniently unplug a tool (sometimes forgot), I quickly "sweeeept" the plug-it connector off at the tool--a very nice safety feature.

So, thank you all for this opportunity to whine about Festool and it's love for UL again. In the mean time, should I ever need or want a plug-it adaptor, (I don't need one right now) I know that I'll be looking to the gray market for my solution.

Fred

Fred,

I am guessing, and it is a guess, that Festool isn't wild about people opening up the tools for the re-wire also. And I don't know how big a liability issue this particular item presents, but the little I do know is that in this very, very litigious country, a small company like Festool, is way better off, liability/insurance wise, obtaining UL approval on their products.

Bob

 

[MarkF]

Johnny T,
Any deliveries from Festool?  We are on the edge of our seats.  Some of us are restless too ;D

 

[johnny t]

Johnny T,
Any deliveries from Festool?  We are on the edge of our seats.  Some of us are restless too ;D

Well, I did recieve a package today and it contained.....drumroll......

the 20amp to 15amp pigtail that comes with your festool vacuum.  I found that somewhat Ironic in that I replaced my vacs native plug with a 15amp unit and threw out the pigtail I would eventually lose. I guess "plug-it" meant "plug".  arrg...

the link toolpig provided of course showed exactly what I am looking for, and it looks very producible. I guess a trip to the machineshop is in order.  the festool version looks like they took the female plug found in your late model festool and made a housing for it that screws together.  hmm, all festoolusa has to do is just make available the individual "parts" to the alleged pigtail that the end user would have to assemble. maybe would be a go around the UL?
   
I would be damn comfortable if it voided the warrenty too. I already did it too my vacuum,  whats stopping me now?  thats how much I hate my current cord swapping arrangement.  meanwhile I am going to make my own, and do a difficult job that should not be.

 

[MarkF]

Thank Johnny T.
Best laid plans huh?

 

[Programmergeek]

If you find them (make them) let me know I need soem also.

 

[Toolpig]

Will Festool dealers overseas ship pigtails to the U.S.?  I'm sure they could be adapted for 110v.

TP

If you find them (make them) let me know I need soem also.

 

[Kevcoleman]

perhaps if there is enough interest we can get a group buy together to miminize the cost of overseas shipping.

 

[rich1]

You can count me in!!!!

Ric

 

[Programmergeek]

I'm in if someone can find a dealer in Amsterdam or France I have family they can ship to there and then they can just send them here to the states.   I tried contacting a dealer in Austrila but he just stopped responding to me when I told him I was in the states.   They make 2 adapters the difference is the cord length, me thinks....  Can anyone verify this and what is the part number for hte one with the longer cord, I guess that would be the one to get since the price is the same. 

 

[Bob Childress]

I have family they can ship to there and then they can just email them here.   

Sure, as soon as I e-mail you the check!  ;D ;D