Replies

1. 
   badoyn | May 12, 2005 05:55pm | #1

   I think most are talking about the vacuum with the Festool. I have a Festool AT55 and a Fein vacuum that works great.

   Michael

2. 
   wspievak | May 12, 2005 06:43pm | #2

   If you are not using the Festool with a vacuum then it isn't giving you the best it can.  I use mine with a Fein II and can tell you the Festool has gotten me some referrals because of the lack of mess at a client's house.

3. 
   RandMCapozzi | May 12, 2005 07:17pm | #3

   You don't need the fancy Festool vac but you do need a vac hooked up to the sander to get the famed dust collection.

   --Rob

4. 
   Woodhead | May 12, 2005 10:07pm | #4

   I do just about all my sanding with the 150 Festool. I've punished this thing for 5 long years - dropping it off workbenches as well as all the other stuff. I can't praise it enough. However, I think you do need to hook it up to a vacuum system. I purchased a Stihl shop vac system.

   One other "tip". When I'm fine orbital sanding or sanding between finishing coats (240, 320 grit or higher), I keep my air gun handy and every so often blow the surface of the sanding pad clean. I've been impressed by how much extra life I can achieve out of my fine sandpaper by doing this.

   Richard

1. 
   DDay | May 13, 2005 06:01am | #7

   Pick up a few of those eraser type cleaning blocks, those take everything off of the sanding pad.  They are really cheap, about $7, depending on size and they'll take off much more than just shooting it with air.

5. 
   nikkiwood | May 13, 2005 02:05am | #5

   I think you got your answer.

   Hook it up to a vac to see how it performs -- before shipping it back.

   I don't have one, but everybody raves about this sander, especially when hooked up to a tool-activated vac.

   "I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
   -- Bertrand Russell

6. 
   adastra | May 13, 2005 04:43am | #6

   Using it with a vacuum will make a huge difference. I use my Porter Cable RO hooked into my central dust collection and its night and day. Very little dust escapes.

   I don't care much for the sander but it does do the job. But its hard on the body and that is why I am still considering Festool.

   How is the Festool comfort compared to your DeWalt?

7. 
   sailalex | May 13, 2005 02:46pm | #8

   Thanks all for your comments, both on the Festool and suggestions on lengthening the life of sandpaper. I "bit the bullet" yesterday and ordered the Festool Vac. Can't believe I am spending almost $600 for a ROS. ARGHHHH!!! I guess I am getting a base (dust extractor) to buy more Festools and spend even more money. :)

   Does the router provide the same excellent dust extraction with the vac?

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 13, 2005 03:55pm | #9

   I assume you know about the Festool owner's group discussion forum:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FestoolOwnersGroup/"I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
   -- Bertrand Russell

1. 
   sailalex | May 13, 2005 09:30pm | #10

   Thanks, I was not aware of this group. I will check them out.

2. 
   Woodhead | May 14, 2005 03:05am | #11

   In my first response to you I should probably have mentioned that my shop vac (I have a Stihl, but It's similar to the festool, I think) is also used on just about every other power tool I have. I can quickly attach the dust extractor tube to my 4 inch belt sander, my router, my biscuit jointer, router table, ....... And it's a GREAT general purpose vacuum cleaner (just about sucks the concrete off the shed floor). By attaching a dust extractor vacuum where possible to your power tools, it makes for less or no dust and more effective use of the tool. (Until I attached vacuum extraction to my biscuiter, the damn thing would plug up instantly.... etc etc..)So your festool vac should be able to be put to multiple tasks. You made a good decision...Richard

1. 
   AhneedHelp | May 15, 2005 07:32am | #12

   I own the Rotex and 150/3 sanders and the CT-22 vac.
   (Also the ATF-55 saw and router, etc.)
   Hardly anything left on the surface after sanding.
   I've even used them for smoothing down plaster and drywall patches.
   Yes, the dust collection works.However, I would not bother with the dust collection bag attachment.
   Defeats the purpose of buying Festo tools in the first place.

3. 
   jay101 | May 15, 2005 07:56am | #13

   yes.. all of their tools have excelent dust extraction...

    you see, in europe there are standards the companies have to meet on dust collection.

1. 
   AhneedHelp | May 15, 2005 03:29pm | #14

   Festo/Festool has been in the U.S. market but not as visible as Fein in the 'old' days.Came very close to getting the Fein sander and vac combination around the time Festo retooled their distribution setup in the U.S. and became more aggressive with their marketing and pricing.
   It's nice to have a well-rounded selection of alternatives to Fein sanders and vacs.Fein and Festo are both excellent companies with well-proven products.
   The sanders are different in their dust collection methods but both use the small diameter (32mm) hoses that give higher velocity at the intake.
   In addition to the circular outer intake holes on the disc, Festo has an additional ninth hole at the center that blows air out to help facilitate the dust collection along the outer edge of the disc.Festo tools have dust collection integrated into the design - except for a few minor accessories, none are extra cost options.
   I own the Fein Multi-Tool/detail sander but in order to make it dust collectible it requires extra-cost accessories and pads - but I mainly use it for cutting, not sanding. At first glance the prices seem excessive but there's no turning back after you use a few of their tools.I loaned my sanders/saw/vac to a friend for couple months for an extensive remodeling that involved mahagony floors, stair building, kitchen contertops, etc.
   He ended up buying a set for himself but instead of returning mine, he gave me the new set.On a final note, if you already own a Fein vac, there's no reason to get Festo's when you're considering one of their sanders although I'm not sure about the hose attachment details on the tool end.

1. 
   Fingrs | Jun 23, 2005 06:51am | #15

   Long-time-no-speak, folks. 

   Broke down and bought the Festool ES 125 5" ROS to replace my dying PC 333s.  The sander arrived today, and it seems real nice, however, what do I do with the very fancy box the sander came in?  This box is about three to five times the size of the sander and I keep my sanders in a drawer in my workbench. 

   Now I understand Festool is marketing a whole line of tool storage boxes, racks, etc.  But, like all the other workshop tools I get that come in fancy plastic boxes, this latest addition will soon find its way into the garbage.  Festool will sell me this box (empty) for about $45.  The tool was $165 (including the box).  Think they'll buy it back from me? 

   Shall I try to sell it on e-Bay?   

1. 
   DDay | Jun 23, 2005 05:37pm | #16

   I've seen them on ebay, people get $30+ depending on the size.  I would keep the box though, it fits the top of vac and all the boxes lock together so you can carry 5 tools with the top handle.  Check out their website and you'll see some of the uses.

    

2. 
   MatthewSchenker | Jun 23, 2005 07:58pm | #17

   Fingrs,
   I hesitate to respond to Festool posts, since everyone knows that I am so obviously thrilled with these machines, but here goes...Those fancy boxes are in high demand! People buy extras to use with other tools. If you never take your tools out of the shop, it won't matter much to you. However,. if you're ike me and you do on-site work, you'll really appreciate being able to carry the tool around, lock it on top of the dust extractor, or connect several of those fancy boxes together and carry them around as a single unit.

   Edited 6/23/2005 12:59 pm ET by Matthew Schenker

3. 
   gregb | Jun 23, 2005 08:27pm | #18

   If you don't want it, I'd consider buying it from you. What's the asking price?

4. 
   Fingrs | Jun 24, 2005 01:42am | #19

   Thank you for the responses. 

   I generally don't take sanders into the "field", as most of my work is with cabinets that shouldn't need sanding once installed.  Depending on the architect involved in the project, my cabinets either fit perfectly or need a chain saw-level adjustment.

    I think Festool has a neat idea, but...

   I use the Fein vacuum system.  It stays in my shop.  My sanders (aside from the belt sanders) are kept close at hand in a deep drawer in my workbench (along with routers, nailers, plate joiner, etc.) because the time needed to remove each from a box and then replace it basically eliminates its value.  I used to keep everything in their boxes, but then didn't use them as much or wound up working more slowly. 

   Also, my shop is tiny and these boxes take up a lot of space.

   The sander is great and I hope it gives the years of service everyone raves about.  The disks are reasonably priced and seem to work very well.  The dust collection is awesome!  I suspect the next time the sander will need to be boxed up will be for the estate sale. 

   If someone would like to buy the case before I drill holes in it and use it as a cage for my pet rock, plese make a reasonable offer and I'll get it to you.  I live in the Philadelphia area.  $30 including shipping via USPS would be fine with me.  Send me a separate eMail and we'll set up the deal.  If you want to offer less, that's OK too.

   Good to hear from you folks.  BTW, I don't keep a cover on my Unisaw... 

5. 
   Bioman | Jun 24, 2005 02:41pm | #20

   If you have an SO, give it to them.  I have heard of few women comment how much they like the Systainer's organizational ability.