Author Topic: Vac-sys (Read 15463 times)

pettyconstruction · « **on:** January 02, 2021, 09:51 PM »

What is the difference between the Clamping unit SE-1 and SE-2?
Or is there a difference ?
Thanks ,Charlie

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PaulMarcel · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2021, 10:04 PM »

The SE-1 comes with the set (vacuum pump and clamp head). The SE-2 is intended to add a second clamp head to the existing Vac-Sys pump+SE-1. For one, the SE-2 doesn't include the foot pedal the SE-1 includes. The SE-2 attaches to the foot pedal of the SE-1 (hence the two ports on the back). Kinda eager for a Festool Recon sale of the SE-2 alone, tbh

pettyconstruction · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2021, 10:13 PM »

Thanks Paul,
I am looking hard at the system. Kinda spendy though.
Charlie

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RJNeal · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2021, 11:07 PM »

Yes it’s kinda speedy. The secret is to have them out and available to use. If you always have them put away then it becomes a hassle to bring them out.
They’re sweet.
Rick

SRSemenza · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2021, 11:52 PM »

Also---------- The SE1 comes with the round pad. The SE2 comes with the 275mm x 100mm oval pad.

Seth

StanB · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2021, 12:13 AM »

Quote from: RJNeal on January 02, 2021, 11:07 PM

Yes it’s kinda speedy. The secret is to have them out and available to use. If you always have them put away then it becomes a hassle to bring them out.
They’re sweet.
Rick

Yeah I got them this past summer and I am integrating them into my work bench. I have the se2, just working the last clamp mount.

I barley use clamps anymore for piece work. It simplifies a lot of clamping ops. Worth every bit spent.

PaulMarcel · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2021, 02:42 AM »

I agree with @RJNeal : you need to have it easily available or it will sit there. I stowed mine under the MFT, but it still required a decent amount of setup. After FestoolSedge's Live on the Vac-SYS, I made a similar side mount for the table and custom cart to hold the SE-1 head on that mount, the foot pedal, and accessory SYS. Now it takes seconds to setup. I know I'd use it a lot less if it wasn't for making its setup short and easy. If you want to learn how to make custom heads for it, watch Sedge's Live on it: basically, ply with a bead of silicone, but it helps immensely if you have a lot of similar parts that aren't easily serviced with the accessory heads.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2021, 09:11 AM »

Big fan of the Vac Sys. .I made a cart dedicated to it.

I even use vacuum clamp pods to speed up LR32 work

Cheese · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2021, 09:52 AM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on January 03, 2021, 09:11 AM

Big fan of the Vac Sys. .I made a cart dedicated to it.

I even use vacuum clamp pods to speed up LR32 work

I really like the clamp pods twist...do they still function off of the Festool foot switch?

JD2720 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2021, 11:01 AM »

I will agree with others, that if you have to set it up each time, you will not use it very often. I have owned mine for several years, but only used it a hand full of times. I like the dedicated stands. They look nice & will be an upcoming project for me very soon.

Last week I used both heads to hold long drawer fronts, so I could rout a profile on the edges. Today while applying the last coat of finish on the fronts. While spraying the finish on the back sides, I noticed an odd pattern on the on them. Then I realized it was a pattern of the suction cups. Anyone else ever noticed this?

swedishwoodworker · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2021, 12:54 PM »

I purchased Vac Sys last year. Wish I would have purchased it sooner as it quickly became a work holding problem solver. Like others have shown mine is mounted to the bench.

Stan Tillinghast · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2021, 02:33 PM »

Spendy (yes Autocorrect changes it to speedy, which is a different criterion for purchase):
SE-1 System Set: $1375
Accessory Set: $380

So far $1755.

Add the SE-2, total is $2230.

Hard decision for a hobbyist. Is my time spent on my hobby a negative or a positive? Does making it easier with the Vac-Sys mean I’ll do more fun things? Maybe.

08G8V8 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2021, 03:28 PM »

Quote from: Stan Tillinghast on January 03, 2021, 02:33 PM

Spendy (yes Autocorrect changes it to speedy, which is a different criterion for purchase):
SE-1 System Set: $1375
Accessory Set: $380

So far $1755.

Add the SE-2, total is $2230.

Hard decision for a hobbyist. Is my time spent on my hobby a negative or a positive? Does making it easier with the Vac-Sys mean I’ll do more fun things? Maybe.

The VAC SYS System Set includes the SE-2 head and splitter for the foot valve at $1375.

The VAC SYS System is $990 with the pump, SE-1 head and foot valve.

Confusing naming and the website pics don’t accurately show what’s included in the a System Set.

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pettyconstruction · « **Reply #13 on:** January 03, 2021, 07:25 PM »

Thanks for the postings , I will take my Trump money and put it towards a set , the SE-1 set first.
If I feel I need another head, I’ll get it later.
Thanks again,Charlie

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DynaGlide · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2021, 10:47 PM »

Quote from: Cheese on January 03, 2021, 09:52 AM

Quote from: DynaGlide on January 03, 2021, 09:11 AM
Big fan of the Vac Sys. .I made a cart dedicated to it.

I even use vacuum clamp pods to speed up LR32 work

I really like the clamp pods twist...do they still function off of the Festool foot switch?

@Cheese I have mine setup so I use the quarter turn valves to release them. You could use the foot valve but that's holding the panel.

Stan Tillinghast · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2021, 10:55 PM »

08G8V8--thanks for the correction. Wow, now it looks cheap! And yes, it is confusing.
I actually had to go to the festoolproducts.com website to clarify that.
So $1375 + $380 if you want the accessory heads.

Stan Tillinghast · « **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2021, 11:06 PM »

Dyna-Glide:
It looks like the vacuum clamp pods are permanently screwed on to the rail?
Where did you get those pods, if you please?

Rick Herrick · « **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2021, 11:17 PM »

Quote from: Stan Tillinghast on January 03, 2021, 11:06 PM

Dyna-Glide:
It looks like the vacuum clamp pods are permanently screwed on to the rail?
Where did you get those pods, if you please?

@DynaGlide I will add my request to this info search. Thats a fascinating set up. Also the longer measurement bars are interesting.

tjskinny · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2021, 02:29 AM »

DynaGlide did talk about it in this post a bit:

https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/home-improvement-other-projects/home-office-remodel/msg612293/#msg612293

But the vacuum rail clamps are from this one:

https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-sales-dealer-area/new-vcs-r-vacuum-clamping-system-for-festool-guide-rail/msg598206/#msg598206

Bob D. · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2021, 04:21 AM »

Does Festool still offer the pump in a Systainer?

https://www.festool.de/produkte/arbeitsplatz-organisieren/vakuum-spanntechnik/580060---vac-sys-vp#%C3%9Cbersicht

DynaGlide · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2021, 08:12 AM »

Quote from: Bob D. on January 04, 2021, 04:21 AM

Does Festool still offer the pump in a Systainer?

https://www.festool.de/produkte/arbeitsplatz-organisieren/vakuum-spanntechnik/580060---vac-sys-vp#%C3%9Cbersicht

Not in the U.S.

@Rick Herrick @Stan Tillinghast I think the link @tjskinny posted covers everything. Let me know if you need to know more.

Rick Herrick · « **Reply #21 on:** January 04, 2021, 09:20 AM »

Thanks Matt. I remember now seeing parts of these threads when they were current. I was newer to all this then so I didn't know what I didn't know and it went over my head. But been using LR32 a few times now and always looking for a less clumsy way to do those 261 holes. I had not seen the one on the pods themselves though. I reached out to the seller to see where things stand. Thanks for the pointers.

EDIT: I heard back from Simon, the creator of the pods system. COVID has cut into his schedule quite heavily so there is no inventory at this time. If he gets things running again, he will let me/us know.

Jeff Zanin · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2021, 09:31 AM »

Agreed with others, Vac-Sys is great but best if kept ready for use.

Cheese · « **Reply #23 on:** January 04, 2021, 10:26 AM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on January 03, 2021, 10:47 PM

I have mine setup so I use the quarter turn valves to release them. You could use the foot valve but that's holding the panel.

Ahhhh, thanks for that @DynaGlide now I can see the panel you're working on being held in place. The vacuum lines for the pods are tee'd off of the original vacuum connector.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #24 on:** January 04, 2021, 10:28 AM »

@Cheese it's a slick setup. I never cared for bending down to fuss with clamps to secure the guide rail to the panel.

Rick Herrick · « **Reply #25 on:** January 04, 2021, 10:33 AM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on January 04, 2021, 10:28 AM

@Cheese it's a slick setup. I never cared for bending down to fuss with clamps to secure the guide rail to the panel.

Plus, I have found that using the FT quick clamps, I have dented the panel. When you first see that, it really causes me to make up new bad words. I was shoving the clamps all the way up against the panel. I am trying now to keep it a 1/4" away to minimize the issue.

Cheese · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2021, 10:36 AM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on January 04, 2021, 10:28 AM

@Cheese it's a slick setup. I never cared for bending down to fuss with clamps to secure the guide rail to the panel.

Ya, it seems real slick...

I have a bunch of kitchen cabinets to build summer/fall 2021, I think I'll pick up a pair of pods to make that task easier.

08G8V8 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2021, 10:53 AM »

Quote from: Cheese on January 04, 2021, 10:36 AM

Quote from: DynaGlide on January 04, 2021, 10:28 AM
@Cheese it's a slick setup. I never cared for bending down to fuss with clamps to secure the guide rail to the panel.

Ya, it seems real slick...

I have a bunch of kitchen cabinets to build summer/fall 2021, I think I'll pick up a pair of pods to make that task easier.

I saw the post Simon made about these pods, but at the time didn't have the VAC-SYS. I recently picked the System Set up and realized how nice this would be......so I looked at his Ebay listing, and they are out of stock. I messaged him inquiring about them, and he responded he doesn't know if/when they will be available again, due to Covid.

Stan Tillinghast · « **Reply #28 on:** January 04, 2021, 11:57 AM »

Well, I for one would definitely want to buy a pair of simonh’s pods, so hope they will become available again.
DynaGlide, thanks for the video at the link. One thing I did notice that would bother me is: you were using only one VAC-SYS head, so the panel you were routing moved at each end of the process. I think I would need to have both heads up to prevent that, or have some support at the ends. Has anyone else dealt with that?
Also Dyna-Glide: where did you source the hexagonal rod for your LR-32 side stop extensions?

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #29 on:** January 04, 2021, 01:35 PM »

Since Simon has no plans to make more pods for sale you can make your own. He used Delrin but HDPE should work just as well and it’s cheaper and easier to mill. With HDPE you might want to make the pod thicker so the area over the slot remains strong enough to resist bending. Or just add a little mechanical reinforcement, pop-rivet a strip of aluminum etc.