I am not posting review of the tools so much as a review of reviews I have read in this forum, where the dust collection system is mentioned in passing, as it relates to the physical surroundings - but I value my health and longevity more than my house or workshop, which are replaceable, and I can certainly afford $ 10K or so for some tools.

In the local Lee Valley Tools, a store where I expect both quality and good value, I was recently given a half-hour personal tour of the Festool line-up. I saw lots of reasons to switch to these tools. Since then, I have been reading reviews in this forum of specific tools, and all to often, the relative high price of the tools is mentioned, but without considering what I think that high cost relates to, which is health. I am in the midst of spending $ 10K on my teeth (dental work never comes cheap, there is no choice in the matter), so I think $ 10K invested in a set of tools with a proper dust collection system to protect my lungs is not out of line. That is, what convinces me most to consider Festool is the health aspect and here is where I'd like some feedback from you owners.

Is the state of one's lungs a factor for any Festool owners?

First Dr T,   to the FOG!

Dust collection and the resulting non negative health aspects is extremely important to Festool.  Heck, in Europe they even offer hand sanding blocks that have dust collection.  As a contractor with almost 30 years under my belt, dust collection and health is more important than 30 years ago.  In addition to whatever bad personal habits I have, I have inhaled enough stuff on construction sites to run a real risk of long term issues.

For me spending additional money to get the benefit of the Festool EFFECTIVE dust collection system is a small price to pay for the hope that my profession and hobby isn't the reason that my wife has to take care of my dogs by herself.

Peter

Welcome to the FOG and while I purchased Festool products for their engineering superiority, the dust collection has become one of those wow factors that you might not have appreciated.

I always disliked the cloud of wood chips and dust coming from my planer, jointer, table saw, and shaper but, sanding dust was so irritating to me that I took up hand planing and card scraping to avoid that fine dust.

Festool has saved me a lot of time by incorporating the dust extractors with their tools and now, I can quickly sand a finished surface without the irritation.

Jack   

My wife has smoked for about that long, too, but she started long before I met her, and so we won't go into that...
I will quote you on that 44 litres of dust, yowza.   As I alluded I do not own any Festools, but I have a budget to buy them, and feedback like yours helps me decide.

Hi Dr T

You raise a very good point.

I am a paint contractor with employees who have families. And we work inside and outside peoples homes, who also have families.

The sanders, abrasives and extractors are our primary interest in Festool, and we all (myself, employees and customers) have appreciated not having dust covered painters going around the house blowing dust through bad sander bags with no vacs. I am embarrassed to say how many years we did it that way.

It really sucks to sand all day with a bad sander, get in your car all covered with dust and take it home to your family. All set with that.

I write alot about what I call the "sensory" experience of Festool, and it does start to impact general well being in other ways, both blatant and innocuous.

For instance, none of us (myself and my employees) can use our old sanders (bosch and dewalt orbitals and palm buzzers) anymore. It is like getting pelted with shrapnel. Also, since we often sand for many hours at a time on a daily basis, better designed tools result in less user fatigue, which in turn points to a gain in safety.

Also, we have been blown away at the effect that proper extraction has on the quality of stained and clear oil finish by not heating up the wood surface and grinding wood dust particulate into the grain. Finishes become more crisp and rich.

There are many advantages to the system. Its all backed with above average customer service and a league leading warranty.

The fundamental question is: would you pay more for a better experience?

And that is the very same question that my company poses to its own customers.

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for raising such an important topic right out of the gate.

Hi DR T,


Welcome to the FOG! 

The dust collection was definetly one of the top reasons I started buying Festool.

On that sander selection..... you may already have done so, but you should consider the RO90 over the DX93.  Better ergonomics and much more useful overall while still maintaining the detail triangular pad.


Seth

Funny how the uninitiated scoff at my spending on Festool and similar products. Their eyes pop out of their head though when I use a router on MDF dust free. On the show I'm working on now, the production office asked me to modify a few things in their office but were extremely paranoid about dust. I just had a big grin on my face and told them not to worry about it. The "oooo's and ahh's" were a plenty thanks to my midi. My drills create more dust than my saws or routers funny enough.

Needless to say, using those tools in the office, while they were working, dust free, in front of producers and the money men and women on this show, earned me some respect for certain.

Now if I could quit smoking once and for good.....

Today I had an outside job I was trying to sneak in between rain bursts ... I didn't want to get the EST150/5 and CT-Mini out, so I thought I'll just grab the old Makita half sheet and it's collection bag.

How quickly you forget. All I had to do was sand a couple of filled joints and the filler in some countersunk screws in an area approximately five square metres.

For the first ten minutes I couldn't understand why it was barely working with a 60 grit on the thing ... then I realised I needed to put my weight into it ... there you go, that's working and there's the associated clouds of dusk 

Dust everywhere and all over my clothes - I'd forgotten about that too. Also blowing my nose ... where does this dust come from???

To anyone that's getting a little less than super enthusiastic about their Festool sanders - go and pick up one of your old ones for a "quick job" that ISN'T.

Kev.

PS Welcome on deck Dr T.

Dust collection is the main reason I got started with Festool - wish I had started much sooner.  I have poor lung function and suspect years of dust contributed.

I think the reason you don't see a lot of discussion on Festool dust collection is that we come to take it for granted.  DC is always built into the product from the beginning, not a an awkward half-assed accessory as in many tool companies.

Dr. T,

First, welcome to the FOG, it is a great resource.

Second, I had a run-in with too much Bubinga dust thru not being really careful with my non-Festools; I did too much cutting without a mask and ended up with a nasty respiratory infection. That was 2-months ago and I still have a slight lingering cough and persistent tickle in my lungs. I am more careful now and it does not seem to be getting any worse but that was a real wake-up call for me.

Lastly, I highly recommend the RO90 sander, I use it more than any other sander and it has the delta capability for detail work. If you wife does much work on small or intricate stock it is great to have. Just my  .

RMW

I have nothing more than what has been said -- I almost can't remember the "old" days before Festools.  Sanders, routers, saws all make this hobby much more enjoyable.
 If I were earning as a contractor, cabinetmaker or other tradesman the Festools would have to ensure a healthier career.  I can't imagine how much better the new drywall sanding system makes life.

A true Canadian would have grabbed the Centroec or non-Centrotec Robertson bits as soon as he/she entered the store with their large shopping cart. 

Nice haul, Dr T.

I believe Lee Valley has one or two Centrotec sets left in stock- I recommend you grab one while you can.

P.S. They have free shipping at the moment!

Festool purposely made it a limited edition only in the USA. Don't ask me why. They could easily sell a lot more sets there, but somehow they don't seem to want that.  

When they ran the TS55 in the store was it on a solid cutting surface / table, or the MFT or something open underneath? Collection is definetly better when run on a solid completely closed bottom surface.


Seth