Festool vacuum and ROS

[Mike1950]

I promised @Tony that I would review this. Now that was a while ago, probably 5/22.
But the first time I even plugged it in was today. It came as a package of burls and tools. Most of the tools I sold. But this is have a job for.
First off I would never spend the money I am way too cheap. But, the vacuum are quieter than my Dewalt and maybe the Bosch. And it is beyond clean.
Cons, maybe. Sander is big, and over course I started with the loose piece of paper. 20 grit. Yikes it is beyond aggressive paper and more than powerful enough to remove a lot of would fast. I assume they make a smaller sander. I only used it for a few minutes but will add more info in the comments as I go.
PS. It might have been a mistake to to not sell this. We will see.

 

[Tony]

If you decide to sell it let me know.

 

[woodtickgreg]

Interesting slab.........

 

[Mike1950]

Interesting slab.........

Headboard for bed.

 

[Mike Hill]

The guy here that does a lot of furniture from slabs (Littlebranch Farm) uses his multiple ones daily if not hourly. He likes them a lot.

 

[Arn213]

Headboard for bed.

I thought you were building a infill plane (or a bow) out of claro walnut and digging the butterfly/bow tie detail.

 

[Mike1950]

I thought you were building a infill plane (or a bow) out of claro walnut and digging the butterfly/bow tie detail.

I did it on end- I did not want to cover any of the black graft. Not being live edge guy, never did a bow tie. I do love working with walnut though.

 

[Arn213]

I did it on end- I did not want to cover any of the black graft. Not being live edge guy, never did a bow tie. I do love working with walnut though.

We would love to see more of what you are building Mike.

 

[Mike1950]

We would love to see more of what you are building Mike.

I will, but this is just a board, sanded and will be finished. Technical difficulty-IMO- on scale of 1-10=.5. Ya gotta be able to sand and smear on WOP. But the Mrs. wants it....

 

[Mike1950]

The guy here that does a lot of furniture from slabs (Littlebranch Farm) uses his multiple ones daily if not hourly. He likes them a lot.

I can see why- lots of power- quiet- clean. Definite mistake, residing in my shop... 20 grit almost as aggressive on rounding walnut as the electric plane, but a lot more controllable, cleaner and a lot quieter.

 

[SENC]

I have the same "package" - bought it 10+ years ago. Best vacuum I've ever had and damned good sander. Dust control is excellent. HEPA filter and filter bags are expensive, but IMO worth it. Will make sanding my boat so much easier and cleaner. Agree they're both big and a touch unwieldy, but functionally superb.

 

[Mike1950]

I have the same "package" - bought it 10+ years ago. Best vacuum I've ever had and damned good sander. Dust control is excellent. HEPA filter and filter bags are expensive, but IMO worth it. Will make sanding my boat so much easier and cleaner. Agree they're both big and a touch unwieldy, but functionally superb.

Ok you made me go through what I have.
About 200 various disc's. 2 boxes of the Heppa bags. You are right none of that comes with cheap price tag.
The disc base, soft, disintegrated. It had been in hot, Hawaii metal storage unit for 5-10 years. I am sure that did not help performance. Have a soft and hard one on the way.
I will be back when I get parts.

 

[SENC]

Ok you made me go through what I have.
About 200 various disc's. 2 boxes of the Heppa bags. You are right none of that comes with cheap price tag.
The disc base, soft, disintegrated. It had been in hot, Hawaii metal storage unit for 5-10 years. I am sure that did not help performance. Have a soft and hard one on the way.
I will be back when I get parts.

As I recall I bought an after-market replacement pad when I wore mine out. My vac was in a storage unit for a number of years, too, when we moved. The plastic upper housing (in which you can coil the hose) became very brittle and started breaking earlier this year. A replacement is available through Festool USA - cost me about $70 by the time it was shipped. That should indicate how I feel about the vacuum - I didn't consider for a split second putting that $70 to a cheap replacement vac.