Festool

Festool tool systems are specialty items that should be in any good installers tool Festool Plunge Saw 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 above) 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.

See The Video Demonstration

Video duration: 9:35 minutes
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Festool & Miscellaneous Designs

A few years ago at the flooring industry's annual convention in Las Vegas, Festool put together a contest for laminate floor installers. Whoever could put together the best design in a 24 hour period would win $ 1,500 worth or power tools. Some of the designs below.

• Laminate Vs Hardwood Floors