Woodworking With Festool

Overview

• In 1929, Albert Fezer and Gottleib Stoll developed the first portable chainsaw and created a company called Festool. All these years later, the company designs and manufactures a variety of portable woodworking tools. According to Festool's website, its reputation has been built on precision and ergonomic design. Its products are used for sawing, routing, sanding and planing.

Circular Saws

• Festool's plunge cut circular saw features a patented cutting system using a guide rail and splinter guard for precision cutting. The splinter guard and guide rail system make it possible to have splinter-free cuts on both sides of the blade. These saws can be utilized to make perpendicular or beveled cuts. They can cut large panels of standard wood as well as specialty woods for cabinet making. The edges created by these saws are considered "glue ready." Models include TS 75 EQ for large heavy-duty projects and TS 55 EQ for use on fine woods in cabinetry.

Stationary Routers

• A router hollows out, cuts, trims and shapes an area on a piece of wood. Festool has three types of stationary routers, models numbers 1010, 1400 and 2200. The 1010 is small and utilized for delicate tasks of profiling, grooving, rebating, and routing dovetails. The 1400, for basic projects, can do routing circles and cutouts, and rout mineral material. The 2200 is the top-of-the-line, featuring increased comfort and safety, and low torque. This model is utilized for rabbeting, grooving and profiling, as well as large cutouts, circles and arcs.

Rotary Sanders

• Festool's two types of rotary sanders are RAS 115.04 and 180. The primary purpose of these sanders is to efficiently remove thick layers of paint, lacquer on metal or wood. They can also polish metal and remove rust. The 115.04 is for small, confined areas, while the 180 is used for large, expansive surfaces.

Handheld Electric Planers

• These tools are utilized for shaving or trimming a piece of wood. Festool manufactures two types, EHL 65 E and HL 850 E. Both allow for controlling the plane in one hand while the other hand secures the material being planed. The EHL 65 E, good for hard-to-reach areas, has a single-knifed cutter head that creates a sheer, smooth and clean cut for easy finishing or gluing. The HL 850 E is designed for creating a joint with two pieces of wood.