Author Topic: VAC SYS (Read 17831 times)

richard.selwyn · « **on:** January 10, 2010, 02:35 PM »

I know it may not be in the USA yet, but Europe seems sorely lacking in any useful FOG - plenty of annoying fog on the roads this week though.

So

I finally broke down and bought the vac sys this week. I had a load of small signs to do before Christmas for a hotel and would have really liked it then. Of course, right now I don't have anything to use it for......

To the point:

My first question question is, can I use it with a vacuum veneer system?
My second question is, can I fix it to the MFT table using the holes in the table? There are holes in the base, but I can't tell if they are threaded or not. I have searched elsewhere but haven't found any answers.

Thanks in advance.
Richard.

Festool USA · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2010, 03:32 PM »

Richard, since it's not available in the US (yet), I don't have the answers to your questions. I have not personally used the Vac-Sys and I'm certainly not an expert on it at this point. Maybe some of our European members can help answer your questions. And, if the information does exists somewhere out there in cyberspace, I have little doubt that our good friend Forrest can find it.

woodguy7 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2010, 03:48 PM »

Richard,

I could be wrong but i don't think it will work on the mft. As far as i understand, when the pump is switched on the base sticks to the bench by suction. Because of the holes in the mft it wouldn't stick. Like i said, i could be totally wrong. I did get a demo of this ages ago but didn't take too much notice as it is not something i am interested in.

Woodguy

Peter Halle · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2010, 04:00 PM »

Richard,

Some of our Australian members have the system as well as James Metcalf here in the US. Maybe they will drop by and offer their experiences. I thought that I heard mentioned at the class in August that there were plans for a vacuum bagging attachment in the future, but I could be wrong.

Peter

Forrest Anderson · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2010, 04:13 PM »

Quote from: richard.selwyn on January 10, 2010, 02:35 PM

I finally broke down and bought the vac sys this week.

Congratulations - you are one of the very few members of FOG to have one! It's one of the things on my Wish List, and I am sure that many of us will be looking forward to hearing about your experiences with it. I'm envious!

Quote

My second question is, can I fix it to the MFT table using the holes in the table? There are holes in the base, but I can't tell if they are threaded or not. I have searched elsewhere but haven't found any answers.

There are four recommended methods of securing it to a surface, as far as I know:

1. Place it on a smooth and non-porus surface (not an MFT!) and it will clamp itself to the table by suction if you move the green sliding valve on the left-hand side of the base towards you (in the illustration below, move valve 6-1 to position B to clamp onto the table, and to A to release).

2. Fix it to an "Adapter VAC SYS AD MFT/3, Order number: 494977", and fix the adapter to an MFT/3.

The unit will swing down under the MFT out of the away when you don't need it. The unit is secured to the adapter by four M5 x 40mm long machine screws. The screws fit through four holes in the corners of the adapter plate, then through the four holes in the "feet" of the vacuum clamping unit (5-1 in the first diagram above), and are secured by four nuts and washers. It would therefore appear that the four holes in the base of the vacuum claming unit are not threaded.

3. Clamp the unit to the MFT using standard clamps like the FSZ100. Probably best to use the clamps inverted, so that the handles are underneath the MFT and the feet of the clamps are placed on the ridged portion of the corners of the unit.

4. Screw or bolt it onto any suitable worksurface using the holes at each corner.

So, in answer to your question, yes, you can use the holes in the MFT to secure the unit - you insert clamps through the MFT holes and clamp down the corners.

Forrest

WarnerConstCo. · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2010, 05:34 PM »

I would use a piece of solid surface material, drill 4 holes in the corners, use the kapex hold down bolts or something similar.

You could bolt that base on your mft and then set the vac sys right on it.

Rick Christopherson · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2010, 08:32 PM »

Yes, it can be used with a vacuum bagging system if you have the appropriate fittings to connect it. I don't have the mounting hardware kit that Forrest showed for mounting it to the MFT yet, so I just grab a sheet of scrap plywood and place it over the MFT for now. For use with the MFT, that hardware kit is really a must-have.

By the way, to my fellow North American's who don't have a Vac Sys, Nah...Nah...Na...NAINIA!

I got Mine!

Chuck Kiser · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2010, 06:26 AM »

Quote from: Rick Christopherson on January 10, 2010, 08:32 PM

By the way, to my fellow North American's who don't have a Vac Sys, Nah...Nah...Na...NAINIA!

I got Mine!

Rick,

Does your vac system have the motor/pump in the Systainer? Did you 'import' it from friends/family in Europe?

ForumMFG · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2010, 09:04 AM »

I bet Festool sent him one so that he can make a awesome manual for it like he did the Domino and the other tools.

harry_ · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2010, 09:25 AM »

Quote from: ForumMFG on January 11, 2010, 09:04 AM

I bet Festool sent him one so that he can make a awesome manual for it like he did the Domino and the other tools.

If that is the case, would that not be prelude to a NA release?

jonny round boy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2010, 09:50 AM »

Quote from: harry_ on January 11, 2010, 09:25 AM

Quote from: ForumMFG on January 11, 2010, 09:04 AM
I bet Festool sent him one so that he can make a awesome manual for it like he did the Domino and the other tools.

If that is the case, would that not be prelude to a NA release?

Yes, it would. Shane has already stated that the vac sys will be released in NA, just that he wasn't certain of any dates yet.

Festool USA · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2010, 10:02 AM »

Yes, the plan is to get it released in the US. No, I don't have a definitive time frame other than he hope is some time this year. We have demonstrated the Vac-Sys to the folks that have attended the end user training classes. We have a couple of them here but I haven't taken the opportunity to familiarize myself with it.

richard.selwyn · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2010, 03:58 PM »

Thanks for the replies everybody. What I was hoping was to bolt it through the MFT from underneath using the holes in the MFT and those in the base. I'e seen a picture on the web somewhere of something that looks like it would do that the big black Festool nknob with a cylindrical piece with a thread sticking out- just haven't found a reference to order one.

Unfortunately I haven't used it yet other than to mess with it as I'm luckily quite busy - although part of the job involves skimming a wall which is not something I really want to be doing as I'm not very good at it, which is why I'm glad I've got the Planex

Which makes me ask if anyone has tried out the new harness for the Planex?

Regards,
Richard

tvgordon · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2010, 07:46 PM »

I was just at WoodWerks in Columbus, OH and the Festool rep had one of the Vac-Sys there. The suction cup was swiveled at an angle and he placed a 2" x 10" x 60" board on it (off center) and it held it firm. It was quite impressive, but I didn't ask how much it cost. He also said there would be a rectangular suction head available in addition to the round head. The vacuum unit itself is in a systainer. There's just the hoses, footpedal and pressure gauge showing. He had it suctioned onto a piece of plywood and then the plywood was clamped to the MFT.

Tom.

WarnerConstCo. · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2010, 10:18 PM »

I want a planex

Can I at least get the harness, just to feel special?

EcoFurniture · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2010, 01:30 PM »

Anyone here (from outside North America) have the Vac Sys?

I'm thinking of bringing one over from Germany together with the Kapex station...

I would like to know if the vacuum will be strong enough to hold rough lumber, veneered plywood and other not so smooth surfaces? Just need some feedback from a user.

Thanks!

EcoFurniture · « **Reply #16 on:** May 01, 2010, 12:38 AM »

Nobody?

woodguy7 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 01, 2010, 04:58 AM »

Sorry Andreas

I do not have one. I did get a demo of one some time ago. It looks very good as you would expect but i don't think it is something that i would need or use enough to justify the price. I don't know how good a seal you would get on rough lumber but smooth & sheet materials was very good. I think for things like long lengths of worktop they recommend a second suction unit which, i think can be worked from the 1 pump unit.

Sorry i cant be of more help but i thought someone here would have had one. I am sure there was someone in the states talking about the one he had one time ?

Cheers, Woodguy

Peter Halle · « **Reply #18 on:** May 01, 2010, 07:40 AM »

Andreas,

Go to the start of the thread. The original poster has one. He is in France. I believe a couple of our Aussie friends also have the system. A few posts down is another name - this time of a North American member. Rick Christopherson also has mentioned that he has one.

Peter

ForumMFG · « **Reply #19 on:** May 01, 2010, 10:38 AM »

Peter, I can't believe you don't remember the demo we got from Rick Bush at the first Festool end-user training class we took. Rick took a piece of 8/4 rough saw oak that was about 8" wide by 4' long. He put it on the vac-sys in a way so that all the lumber was hanging off of one edge and nothing on the other! The vac-sys did a great job holding it in place and also held it place will working the wood! To me it was truly amazing and I want one so bad!

To answer your question EcoFurniture, YES, it will hold large rough lumber amazingly well!

Peter Halle · « **Reply #20 on:** May 01, 2010, 11:18 AM »

I remember that demo. I was just answering Andreas question if anyone had one.

Peter

EcoFurniture · « **Reply #21 on:** May 01, 2010, 11:43 AM »

Peter: Thanks for pointing those posts out! I should have read through the whole thing first

MFG: Thanks for the info! That's exactly what I needed to know

Now I can call my family in Germany to place the order....

PaulMarcel · « **Reply #22 on:** May 03, 2010, 01:46 AM »

Wow, 8/4 oak... up until now, I wasn't paying much attention to this product since I assumed it would be mostly for smoother surfaces like smooth surface or a carving base that's prepared. Nice. Would be cool, too, if it could be used for smaller vacuum pressings.

richard.selwyn · « **Reply #23 on:** May 06, 2010, 04:14 PM »

What it really likes holding is melamine and similar products. With that you can even turn the pump off. Rough sawn wood can be held reasonably well, but it depends on your definition of rough sawn. Some plywoods seem more "porous" than others so don't get clamped down as hard. I use it for planed oak no problem - the more i use it the more I like it.
I am hoping to get a hand held edgebander which should really make the VacSys come into its own.

Richard