When a circular saw warrants a name change

Lets face it : most circular saws are less than interesting. They basically cut straight lines across materials, and they all do it in pretty much the same manner. Spin a blade, cut along a line. However, the Festool TS55EQ is much different. In fact, it is so different that it warrants a different name.

Visible Differences
The first thing I noticed is that the blade is covered a bit more than normal. They also always picture it with the guide rail and the vacuum hose attached. But those differences aren't enough to warrant changing the name. Sure, it has some nice stuff with the guide system that is accurate regardless of the angle of the cut. Sure, the dustless cutting system is nice. But that's not the real change. Someone might also notice that there is a knife blade right behind the saw blade. More on that in a bit.

Plunge Cutting
Festool calls this saw a plunge cut saw, and for good reason. This particular saw is capable of doing "Plunge Cuts". As I mentioned in my simple overview of routers, plunge means you start above the material and drop down into it to begin a cut somewhere other than an edge. The knife blade will retract automatically when doing a plunge cut, then drop down into the cut slot as you begin doing a cut. The knife blade is to prevent the saw blade from getting pinched as you move along a longer cut. Older models required removing the knife for plunges, but this time around it is spring loaded.

Where Would I Plunge?
At first, this was a "Cool" type of a change to me, but I couldn't think of a use. Of course, there are lots of uses. If, for example, I need to cut a window out of a cover (I do this for car audio on a regular basis), I don't need to use a jigsaw and hope to get a straight cut. I can plunge this saw instead and use the guide to get a perfectly straight cut, all without the need to pre-drill anything. Anywhere that a straight cut is desired that doesn't go all the way to the edge is a perfect spot for this saw.

I Want It!
Knowing how much of a pain using a jigsaw for the straight line is, I really want one of these saws. Once again, I don't do it enough that I can warrant spending the money, but the saw is just unique enough that it's on my wish list. Of course, it still works exactly like a circular saw when you need to use it that way (with the additional function of the spreader knife), but plunging with a circular saw is just way too cool for a geek to miss.

Random Orbit Sanders - What are the holes for?

Pictured to the right is a random orbital sander, as some of you probably could tell pretty easily. I've looked at them quite often in my position at a tool company, and I've noticed the holes in the abrasive discs, but I hadn't ever really thought about what those holes were for. I just assumed they had a purpose, not really caring what that purpose was. Festool explained it nicely when they came in to give us product training, so I don't have to wonder any more.

Dust Extraction
Yes, since my previous post was talking about the dust extractor, this is again a dust extration technology. The holes are used to allow the sanding dust to collect in the bag on the back of the unit or in the dust extractor instead of bunching up and getting packed into the grit of the sandpaper. What a novel idea! Just one problem - if you apply suction to the sanding surface, it will be tougher to move the sander. While most vendors simply fix this issue by allowing for a suction leak out of the side of the pad, Festool has a patented active approach to the suction problem.

Guided Debris
By adding in a center hole which blows air out, the sander is no longer stuck to the surface of the material. But wait - it does more than that. By having the outer holes with vacuum and the inner hole blowing air, the result is actually an outward path of all debris to the collection points. Instead of just hoping that the holes eventually get close enough to the material, it now gets guided to where it needs to go and the sander becomes even more efficient. Festool calls this the "Jetstream principle". Other companies added that center hole to make them look the same, but after use there is just a large collection of sanding dust in that hole since it doesn't expel air.

Not Just Holes
When you really stop to consider it, those holes aren't just holes. They are an active part of making a random orbit sander work as it was intended. Knowing this, I may never look at holes the same way again - at least not on a tool.

Festool Dust Extractor

The Festool Dust Extractor is an integral part of the Festool system. With this as the starting point for any Festool user, it becomes a high quality building block for high end woodworking shops.

Tool Triggered Power
One of the coolest geek features is the tool triggered power of the dust extractor. Simply by plugging in a tool to the receptacle on the front of the dust extractor, it will automatically power on when the tool is running and stop when the tool is turned off. If I didn't know better, I'd swear that Festool employs geeks to build these things.

Systainer Stacking
Ok, so systainer just sounds geeky. More evidence that they employ geeks. Every tool that you purchase with the Festool logo on it will come in a specialty case that securely holds the tool and is interlocking with other cases as well as the top of the dust extractor. They even have a storage system which allows for dropping in of the systainers and easy removal for taking the tool with you. When you just need a few, lock them on the top of the dust extractor and roll them with you.

Locking Rear Wheel Brake
When you've got a few systainers on top of the dust extractor, you can lock the rear wheels so it doesn't follow you via the dust extraction hose. Speaking of the hose, it's anti-static to prevent a huge clog inside. Clogs start with material sticking to the outside and slowly building up, so preventing the building up of material along the hose wall is critical in making sure dust continues to flow. At 11.5 feet, the hose is plenty long for almost any job.

Wet and Dry Without Complications
With a typical wet/dry vac, there is a lot of work in converting between wet and dry. Festool makes it pretty simple. You'll have to see the instructions to believe how simple it is. I'm not going to spoil the surprise for you.

Heavy Duty Cleaning Power
At 32 lbs, this is not your average vacuum. You could say that this thing really sucks, but a true geek says that it has an insatiable hunger for dirt and dust. With standard and hepa filters available, it'll do a great job of keeping the workplace clean, regardless how much woodworking you're doing in your shop.

Festool Jigsaw - Accuracy from top to bottom

Festool isn't a widely known brand in this area. In fact, Nebraska only has 2 dealers of their products. What makes them so unique is that you don't just buy a tool, you buy a complete system. Starting out, you'd get a dust extractor. This looks like a normal vacuum, but it has some very unique features that make it perfect for their tools. I'll leave the dust extractor for a later post, however. This time, I'm focusing on their 561097 Jigsaw, also known under the model number PS 300 EQ.

Why dustless?
Dustless seems like it's just a nicety at first. Less cleanup is a luxury, but what does that have to do with cutting a piece of wood? Let me tell you, it means a lot. Looking at other jigsaws, they have the orbital motion. This is to help get the sawdust out of the grooves of the blade. By adding in the dust extractor, you've got even faster cutting with less chipping of the wood and a longer lasting blade. This is a big deal if you, like me, don't like to change blades and tend to try cutting a bit too fast. Even if you don't mind changing blades and know the correct speed, this saw makes a cleaner cut due to the dust extraction. Very, very nice when you don't want to spend a lot of time finishing the edges.

What about blades?
While Festool doesn't say you have to use their blades, it comes highly recommended. The main reason is that you're guaranteed to have a quality blade by sticking with Festool blades. But there is more to it. Their blades are a bit thicker, making them better suited for their dust extraction system. It also allows you to have a very straight edge from the top to the bottom. Have you ever tried cutting just a bit more out of a curve? I have, and I always end up with a wider top than bottom because of the way the blades bend. Their blades are designed so they don't bend as much, making the top and bottom more consistent.

Get the table
Besides the dust extractor, the multi-function table is another really nice to have item. By using the table, no matter what the angle is you're always going to cut right along the edge of the guide. I know I've always been annoyed with trying to follow a line when cutting at an angle. The Festool table fixes that annoyance and makes it a huge positive.

Clean, accurate cuts
By using all of the pieces of their system together, you can end up with a cleaner workplace, clean cuts with minimal splintering, and accurate cuts from the top of the material to the bottom. If only I did woodworking every day, I'd know what tools I would own. Since I don't get to have that fun daily, I'll have to stick with my older model of jigsaw that isn't a pretty black navy blue and green. Oh, to have the fun of cutting stuff daily. Coding websites just isn't quite the same on the macho meter. It's higher on the geek meter, though.