Festool tool systems are specialty items that should
be in any good installers tool box especially if he
does
creative border and pattern work. Having
worked with
these tools in the past all I can say is absolute
top drawer German engineering at it's finest. Festool has a number of power tools that can be used
for hardwood applications.
The
most often used tool is the plunge saw (similar to
circular saws in their primary function) that can be
set on a guide rail system for precise cuts. No
concern over blade wiggling with this beauty.
The saw itself glides along the rail and will not
sway. The tool also has a plunge setting similar to
a router.
Our
example shows the workings of creating a starburst
pattern out of unfinished Tiete Rosewood. Once the
design was established and proper angles noted, a
template was formed. Next step? Bring in the Festool!
It's that easy!
Festool carries a dust extractor that can be
attached to all their power tools. I wondered what's
the difference? It looks like a vacuum cleaner to
me.
The test results prove it all. The dust
extractor can remove 99.7% of dust particles up to
to .03 microns in diameter through it's filtering
system. I'm not handy with microns, but having seen
it in use, it is quite impressive. Furthermore, it
is much quieter than conventional shop vacuums.
Guide
rail systems (shown right) are available in lengths
up to 197 inches, or almost seventeen feet long!
Other lengths include 32, 42, 55, 75, 95, 106, and
118 inch. No need for taping or using brad nails to
keep older guide systems stationary on the floor.
The rail system stays put with the use of a special
backing that keeps it snug to the
work when cutting.
Another impressive setup is the Festool workstation,
or as they like to call, the multifunction table
(MFT). The sky is the limit with the number of
creative things you can do with Festool. Guys and
gals, if you're looking for a career change and like
working with wood, an introduction into Festool land
may change your life. |
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