I just received my set from USTF. A month earlier than projected so mad props to USTF.
Only problem is I can't exactly claim it as a birthday gift a month early! 

@elfick  No problem!  My birthday is today so just send it to me!   
Mike A.

Quote from: elfick on January 18, 2022, 03:51 PM

I just received my set from USTF. A month earlier than projected so mad props to USTF.
Only problem is I can't exactly claim it as a birthday gift a month early! 

@elfick  No problem!  My birthday is today so just send it to me!   
Mike A.

@mike_aa ,  !

These posts remind me I need to check on the status of the order I placed for the narrow and small oblong heads from ToolNut.  I think they were slated to ship closer to the end of the month, though.

Nope, a different and less-famous Greg from Asheville.

Quote from: AVL_wood_shop on January 16, 2022, 07:44 PM

I’m getting ready to sell a bunch of woodworking tools. Including a complete VAC SYS setup:
Two modules, vacuum pump, and foot pedal
Two MFT mounting brackets
The set of three mounts in the Systainer
One additional D215 mount
A spare vacuum hose that I used for some custom vacuum jigs

I really prefer to deal in person. I’m in Asheville, NC. Any of you guys looking for a VAC SYS near western NC?

Otherwise, what have you had good luck with in terms of online sales?

-Greg

Hmm Greg from Asheville. Your last name doesn't happen to be Paolini does it? 

Hey All,

So been searching for another option.

Found Doscornio

https://www.doscornio.com/produktuebersicht/bankmaster-vakuumspannsysteme/bankmaster-mono-s/

I inquired with them, and they got back to me yesterday. They don't have any distribution in the US, but you can order as a private person (love translations). She mentioned needing to pay VAT and of course longer shipping time, but whatever. I'm in the US, so i think we are VAT exempt anyway.

The prices are WAY more comparable to Festool.  Looks around a little over $1300 US, if VAT is exempt, for one Mono S head unit and vacuum pump.

I'll keep the thread updated if i pull the trigger.

That's a great alternative. I like the heads better than Festool, they are more streamlined and adjustable.

There is a pricelist in German. Looks like $865 for the head only.

RMW

Yeah hard to really see it on the phone. The 3D version is just two of those heads for about 250 more bucks

yea, the price list was a little unclear to me too.  It looks like its about twice the price of the Festool unit.  You dont get to say that very often.  looks nice but at that price point Ill just stick to the custom pods I make for $0. The tilting, spinning option is nice but I just dont need it very often for what I do.  If the vac sys ever comes back in stock I might grab one since it is the best thing out there for the price but if not Im not loosing any sleep if I dont.  RIP VAC SYS

Hrm, where did you get twice the price from? it's actually quite comparable in price.

This is from their price list located at https://www.doscornio.com/wp-content/uploads/Pricelist_Doscornio_2021_2022_EN_web.pdf


bankmaster® MONO 3D

MONO 3D with vacuum pump K 0415 1.250,00 €
MONO 3D without vacuum pump K 0416 935,00 €
Option: Other variants of vacuum plates (page 24) without surcharge
Option: Foot valve K 0135 165,00 €
Option: Tubestar® adapter plate for tubes K 0399 480,00 €


Adding it up and converting to dollars:
MONO 3D with vacuum pump - $1411.09
Foot valve - $186.26
Shipping - ~$90
Total = $1687.35

Things missing from this price is cost for the other plate sizes, and if they only sell 220-240v pumps, which in that case, someone wanted 110v, could just get a nice pump locally, like a Robinair? If getting local pump, i'd imagine that would greatly reduce the weight/shipping.

I just sent them the following questions to try and clear it up. I'm hoping the 3D is literally just two S's, because 190 bucks for a second stand is a no-brainer!


Is the MONO 3D the same thing as the MONO S with an extra Suction plate stand?

Are your vacuum pumps only available in 220-240v? I ask because of the typical 110v standard here in the states.

How do we go about getting the whole range of available plate sizes?

I think being in the US, I would be VAT exempt?

These come with all the tubes for hooking everything up?

I reached out to the company also and received clarification on the Mono 3D product. As I feared, it is not 2 Mono S heads, it’s just one head with enhanced swiveling capability.

Here’s the full message from the rep:

“ Thank you for your message. The difference between the MONO 3D and the MONO S is the swiveling by 90° in two (MONO 3D) or only in one (MONO S) direction.

The benefit of the MONO 3D is, that you can perfectly handle 3D and curved workpieces. But therefore you need 2 x MONO 3D with foot valve. So, no, one MONO 3D is not two MONO S.

Our vacuum pumps are normally also available in US standard. Unfortunately they are not deliverable at the moment. Delivery time is 12 weeks +. ”

Their vacuum pump is designed to support 5 clamps units at once, so might be more than one would need anyhow. I sent her the specs of the Rockler pump to see if that would be sufficient for a single Mono S head, which is the option I would get, if I go with a vac clamp at all.

The Mono S alone is 765 Euro, plus 95 Euro for shipping, or about $950 USD.

As much as I’d love a vacuum clamp, that’s a bit steep. I just found a CMS GE  (router table) that I think I’d rather spend the money on, if I’m choosing amongst recently discontinued Festool products!

I reached out to the company also and received clarification on the Mono 3D product. As I feared, it is not 2 Mono S heads, it’s just one head with enhanced swiveling capability.

Curious, what were you fearing? To me, and they clarified the same point to me, 90 degrees both ways makes it even more versatile. Also, the 3D comes with 2 heads, with second head only running an additional 170 euro; it almost seems like a no brainer. I can't think of a reason NOT to just go that route if you want two heads.

The price is close with what Festool was charging for two heads, vacuum pump, and foot pedal. I sent this to the rep, my buddy wants a 3D setup too, but no pump. I have an older pump, and the rep confirmed the 110v pump will just ship later, which is fine.

Setup with two heads, pump and foot valve comes to 1415 Euro/$1618 US, of course before shipping, which was in the range of 90 US bucks. One thing i still have not got pricing on yet is the additional round and oval plate sizes; there are 3 other round sizes and 4 other oval sizes.

So yeah, it's fair to say, it's a few hundred more bucks. It is the most affordable/quality solution compared to the Vac sys i've found though. It's not a "cheap" option by any means, but if you were in the vac sys ballpark, this can at least get you a still made/supported option.

Also, FYI, i got in touch with a US supplier; they tacked on 1200 US dollars for the pleasure of getting it shipped here for me; I passed.

Gotcha, yeah the 3D is two heads though.

I've been communicating with the same person there haha.

Just FYI..... for anyone looking to get one before they are gone.
I just got a VacSys SE 1 from ToolNirvana.com  I think they had a few left.   (awesome help on the phone)
Then I got a  VacSys SE 2 from Beavertools,  Think they have a bunch left.
Then I got a  Really nice Pump from veneersupplies.com  (Super nice people)  Awesome pump.
https://www.veneersupplies.com/products/Excel-3-Continuous-Run-Vacuum-Press-System.html

All in  $1249   (yea, that's a lot of money.... BUT, it's less expensive the having purchased the Complete VacSys Kit) 
So that's a win.   

@Domino11 can you share a link to the pump you ordered? Or a model number if no link?

Just off the phone w ToolNirvana. All SE1 units are sold out (they went fast!)

However, they may get more SE1 units in from Germany later, and are waiting to hear from Festool.

I received a tracking number for my SE2 today from the ToolNut, which was a great surprise as I assumed it would be backordered. I also have a foot valve coming from Hartville, and am eying the $400 Rockler vacuum pump to sub for the Festool one, in case my order from Lee Valley for the pump falls through.

If I’m able to get an SE1 which includes the foot valve, then I’ll sell or return the one I bought. That would bring my total cost for a full SE1+SE2 set purchased piecemeal to $1,530, which is $155 more than the cost of buying the package.

If I substitute the Festool pump with the Rockler one, my all in cost would be $1,250 (basically the same as Domino11).

I would steer clear of that pump from Rockler just because its only 1cfm which isnt much.  It would take a while on bigger vacuum bags and if trying to clamp porous woods it would help to have more CFM's to keep up with any bleeding.  Vacupress also has some pumps but the ones linked above are way more economical If it was me I would spend the extra 50 bucks and get the excel 5 which is 5cfm pump at only 55db.  The closest pump from vacupress is almost double in price.  Not sure what the specs are on the festool pump but that excel pump looks real nice.  If my Senco vacuum pump ever dies I would buy that one tomorrow. 

Thanks for the heads up @afish and the link to the excel pump @Domino11

Did you have to buy additional connectors?

I will get the same one if my Festool order doesn’t pan out. I was told that they are no longer making the pumps, but it sounds like they are still producing limited quantities of the heads (which is the more important part of the set anyway). I was given a ship estimate of late March for the Festool vacuum pump. Will see.

Thanks for the heads up @afish and the link to the excel pump @Domino11

Did you have to buy additional connectors?

I will get the same one if my Festool order doesn’t pan out. I was told that they are no longer making the pumps, but it sounds like they are still producing limited quantities of the heads (which is the more important part of the set anyway). I was given a ship estimate of late March for the Festool vacuum pump. Will see.

I cant answer that for sure, I dont use the VAC SYS system I use my own vacuum pods I make myself.  I also have my vacuum pump in a shed (along with all my other noise/dust generating items.  I also have vacuum lines run to a few different areas in the shop. I use 1/2 pvc for as much as I can and then transition to reinforced vinyl tubing and barbs up to my valves.  From the valve out I use the push connect fittings for convenience but the push connect fittings can have a tendency to leak.  By using the pvc and barb fittings up to the pump I have a 100% air tight system.  As long as I have the pneumatic switch in the off position I can leave the pump on 24/7 and have no cycles.  If the push-connect fittings leak a tiny bit its only while in use and the pump is going to cycle anyways so it doesnt much matter. 

I have 2 valves that each T off to 2 ball valves.  I use one valve to suck the part down to the bench and the second valve operates any type of vacuum fixture or template independently of the 1st valve.  I added the 4 ball valves just in case I run into a use I havent thought of yet.