Why are my power cords different?

[chrismorrow]

I own several Festool power tools.  One thing that has annoyed me is, I have 2 different power cords between several tools.  My OF 1400 and TS 55 both have power cords with a notch on bottom and without a protrusion on top.  But my Carvex and RO 125 both have protrusions opposite the notch on the plug.  While I can certainly use the cord from the router and circular saw to power everything, I don't always work that way.  As a result, I find myself having to change power cables between various tools. I'm about to change my setup a bit so I always have a compatible power cord always hooked up to my CT MINI so I'm going to take care of the problem.  I've just often wondered why it was necessary to add that tiny bit to the plug rendering it incompatible with the other tools.

 

[GarryMartin]

They're rated for different amperage so it is to protect you from using a lower amp rated cable with a tool that will draw more amps. The lower rating has a slightly more flexible cable that may be useful with some of the tools (sanders?) but as you have discovered, you can use the higher rated cable with all tools.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

A popular topic lately. Like Garry said, they are different amp ratings. The thinner cord is supplied with tools, such as sanders, that draw less power because the cord is more flexible than the thicker cord.

Here are some other links to discussions about it if you want to learn more.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/all-festool-cords-aren't-the-same/

and

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/plug-it-diferences/

Shane

 

[chrismorrow]

Makes sense.  Thanks guys!

 

[PaulMarcel]

I'd like it if we could pay an upcharge on a tool that comes with the small gauge wire to get the larger gauge usable with all tools.  I have a box of unbundled 18ga PlugIt cords that never get used since I put a 16ga cord on the boom arm and have another two scattered about for use sans boom arm.  One 16ga has a split in the insulation sleeve so I feel silly buying another with so many unused cords around.

 

[RONWEN]

I'd like it if we could pay an upcharge on a tool that comes with the small gauge wire to get the larger gauge usable with all tools.  I have a box of unbundled 18ga PlugIt cords that never get used since I put a 16ga cord on the boom arm and have another two scattered about for use sans boom arm.  One 16ga has a split in the insulation sleeve so I feel silly buying another with so many unused cords around.

+1

 

[peter halle]

I would much rather see a price increase in the cost of all the tools and 16 gauge cords be standard on all plug-it tools here.  The difference in cost of the two as accessories is less than $3 so my guess is that there wouldn't be a push back from purchasers in a $5 increase in tool costs.

Peter

 

[Davej]

Both my carvex and ts55r have the same gauge cord . Seems strange that festool does 2 different types for your market.  Surely producing 1 cord size fits all would be easier and addding a couple of bucks to the price wouldn't be an issue.
Dave

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The choice to have two gauges is not one based on cost. It's a matter of cord flexibility.

 

[duburban]

This is a great question. I'll do a flexibility test tomorrow, it better be good!

 

[Davej]

Mine are far more flexible than the vac hose  [smile].and as all the tools are designed to be used with the vac wouldn't  the different flexibility in cable  be negated by the stiffness of the hose. Just my humble opinion .
Dave

 

[RONWEN]

I would much rather see a price increase in the cost of all the tools and 16 gauge cords be standard on all plug-it tools here.  The difference in cost of the two as accessories is less than $3 so my guess is that there wouldn't be a push back from purchasers in a $5 increase in tool costs.

Peter

This appears to be the arithmetic used by everyone in Washington, D.C. -- how does a $3 difference magically become a $5 increase to the buyer???    [big grin]

 

[duburban]

I would much rather see a price increase in the cost of all the tools and 16 gauge cords be standard on all plug-it tools here.  The difference in cost of the two as accessories is less than $3 so my guess is that there wouldn't be a push back from purchasers in a $5 increase in tool costs.

Peter

This appears to be the arithmetic used by everyone in Washington, D.C. -- how does a $3 difference magically become a $5 increase to the buyer???    [big grin]

Dont go there!

 

[peter halle]

I don't live in Washington, and frankly I don't think that rounding up to $5 from whatever the actual cost to produce or sell the would make one little bit of difference in the grand scheme of things.

Just my 2 cents 5 cents worth.  [poke]

Peter

 

[bkharman]

I don't live in Washington, and frankly I don't think that rounding up to $5 from whatever the actual cost to produce or sell the would make one little bit of difference in the grand scheme of things.

Just my 2 cents 5 cents worth.   [poke]

Peter

"Grand" is definitely the right key word!!  Could easily be "in the (multi) grand scheme of things.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I have never noticed a difference in the flexibility of the cords.  If there is a difference, it must be pretty small.  Frankly I think in a systems context it makes no sense to have two types of cables that are essentially indistinguishable by eye except when looking in a particular end of the cable.  I also think that it doesn't make sense to force people to repeatedly buy cables they may well already have with each new tool, especially when the system is designed for cables and hoses to be shared.

Personally, I'd rather have the tools sold without cables, and be able to buy only those cables I need.  Since Festool exerts tight control over their dealers, educating them to check whether their customers need a cable would be easy.  I have two Festool setups - at my home and cottage - but many more Festool tools.  All my cables beyond the first two are essentially waste - wasted space, wasted money, and wasted resources.

 

[duburban]

I have never noticed a difference in the flexibility of the cords.  If there is a difference, it must be pretty small.  Frankly I think in a systems context it makes no sense to have two types of cables that are essentially indistinguishable by eye except when looking in a particular end of the cable.  I also think that it doesn't make sense to force people to repeatedly buy cables they may well already have with each new tool, especially when the system is designed for cables and hoses to be shared.

Personally, I'd rather have the tools sold without cables, and be able to buy only those cables I need.  Since Festool exerts tight control over their dealers, educating them to check whether their customers need a cable would be easy.  I have two Festool setups - at my home and cottage - but many more Festool tools.  All my cables beyond the first two are essentially waste - wasted space, wasted money, and wasted resources.

My local festool dealer knows very little about the specifics of these tools. Its kind of sad. I dont see them catching this detail very easily.

 

[Paul G]

Mine are far more flexible than the vac hose  [smile].and as all the tools are designed to be used with the vac wouldn't  the different flexibility in cable  be negated by the stiffness of the hose. Just my humble opinion .
Dave

That makes perfect sense to me, but my Festool sanding is measured mostly in minutes to a few hours. Would like to hear from others who sand all day if the added flexibility of the cord matters to them.

 

[RONWEN]

I don't live in Washington, and frankly I don't think that rounding up to $5 from whatever the actual cost to produce or sell the would make one little bit of difference in the grand scheme of things.

Just my 2 cents 5 cents worth.   [poke]

Peter

Sorry Peter, I won't be voting for you.  [big grin]

 

[festivus]

As a side note - I've never noticed this and checked all my tools - and none have the other notch including the sander and 1100w router.

So maybe just an American phenomenon (I'm in the UK)?

Is there a reason whey the battery chargers don't use plug it cables? Would be handy I think. I love the plug-it concept - it makes the tools almost as convenient as cordless a lot of the time. Plus it makes me use the vac .