Am I The Only One?

[Kaiden]

Just a quick thread checking to see if I am not the only one who cleans there Festools after using them!  Air off, then wipe down...

 

[wow]

Not all the time, but - yes.

 

[Michael1960]

Not always - Some tools get more attention i.e. Rotex 90 & 150 - I'll remove the pad and clean out the accumulated dust (after most jobs)

 

[dltflt]

Never, just put them away.  They don't get that dirty when using DC.

 

[overanalyze]

I don't clean them, but a quick blow out with some compressed air does happen to the Ts and Kapex...oh and the Rotex.

 

[Kaiden]

Nice, at least I am not alone!  Thanks for the feedback!  Now I feel less like an odd ball...

 

[PaulMarcel]

I'll wipe them down with a microfiber cloth that I always have around if they get really dirty, but normally they don't.

Rumor has it Brice hits them with Armor All after each use...

 

[SittingElf]

I'll wipe them down with a microfiber cloth that I always have around if they get really dirty, but normally they don't.

Rumor has it Brice hits them with Armor All after each use...

WARNING: Don't listen to anything PaulMarcel says!  I'm pretty sure he is a vampire. All of his posts are ALWAYS in the middle of the night. I think he would burn to ash in the daytime Scary!! [scared]

[not worthy]

P.S. - Yes, I clean my Festools, as well as my big machines after use. Blow them out with an air gun, and like PaulMarcel, I use microfiber cloth (purchased in bulk at Sam's Club) to wipe them down.  Also wax all my cast iron tables regularly and run the floor with the kit for the CT36. Don't like dust or rust! [mad]

 

[Kev]

I'll wipe them down with a microfiber cloth that I always have around if they get really dirty, but normally they don't.

Rumor has it Brice hits them with Armor All after each use...

WARNING: Don't listen to anything PaulMarcel says!  I'm pretty sure he is a vampire. All of his posts are ALWAYS in the middle of the night. I think he would burn to ash in the daytime Scary!! [scared]

[not worthy]

P.S. - Yes, I clean my Festools, as well as my big machines after use. Blow them out with an air gun, and like PaulMarcel, I use microfiber cloth (purchased in bulk at Sam's Club) to wipe them down.  Also wax all my cast iron tables regularly and run the floor with the kit for the CT36. Don't like dust or rust! [mad]

That's true, the only way you can kill him is with a sharpened Domino tenon to the heart. (dry fit is fine - you don't need glue)

 

[GarryMartin]

I keep a few cheap dusting brushes around for cleaning off tools, and a much more expensive hog's hair one for dusting down pieces.

Cleaning dust etc. that has accumulated over time can be a pain and I'm sure ultimately will affect the performance of the tool or the accuracy of the gauges. Maybe it is just my OCD kicking in, but it only takes a few moments to clean a tool after use before you put it away.

You do put your tools away, don't you? [blink]  [unsure]

 

[batcave]

I use my ct to vacuum with the brush attachment to clean any dust that escapes.

 

[Kev]

I often think about this topic in terms of "tradesman v's craftsman". A craftsman would typically care for his a tools ... a tradesman could look after his tools, but often not.

Here in Oz you'll see rusty tools careless thrown into the back of utilities. You won't see this with the guys that care about their tools - they're clean, packed away and secure.

BTW Garry, I'll see your OCD and raise you an ECD. There's one thing worse than obsessive and that's excessive! [embarassed]

 

[SittingElf]

I often think about this topic in terms of "tradesman v's craftsman". A craftsman would typically care for his a tools ... a tradesman could look after his tools, but often not.

Here in Oz you'll see rusty tools careless thrown into the back of utilities. You won't see this with the guys that care about their tools - they're clean, packed away and secure.

BTW Garry, I'll see your OCD and raise you an ECD. There's one thing worse than obsessive and that's excessive! [embarassed]

You know, it's kind of funny.  I used to be somewhat surprised when I sold a bunch of my existing tools being replaced by Festool's...and my heavy machinery being upgraded. I sold generally via craigslist, and when people came over to look, they always have this "I can't believe the condition" look on their faces. Never had anyone leave without the item they came to see.

Now, I understand.  I've been dropping in on yard and garage sales when I see them in my area, and I am absolutely stunned by the terrible condition of the woodworking tools and other machinery I've seen at these sales. I have YET to see a single item that I would pay money for at ANY sale!  Unbelievable!  Massive rust, pieces missing, clearly dropped, so dirty you don't want to even handle, and prices beyond comprehension.  [doh]

I'm not a craftsman nor a tradesman. I'm a simple hobbyist who tries to take care of my equipment. After all, I've spent a ton of $$ on them, and I don't get how some people can spend that kind of money, and then just let them deteriorate to the level of not being usable at all.  I feel the same about my photography equipment. OCD, anal, whatever...but well worth it in the end!

Could be a byproduct of being a professional pilot as well. We don't fly things that don't work, or look like they're ready to fall apart! [eek]

 

[Max Neu]

Sometimes I will use my CT with a brush attachment to get off the heavy dust,but that's about it.I am not a fan of blowing off things with compressed air,I think alot of times you can end up forcing dirt in places you don't want it.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I vac the Kapex,sanders, and all stationary tools at end of day. I keep the RO90 clean under the pad. Occassionally, I wipe down, when needed, all power tools with some rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth. My father used to say,"Take care of your tools, and your tools will take care of you." So true.

 

[Sparktrician]

Like Frank, I am appalled by the condition of items listed on Craig's List or found in yard sales.  I would be embarrassed to walk into a client's home with tools that filthy, thrown in a mud bucket.  When I walk in, my tools are clean, in clean Systainers, power cords have been wiped down after the last use, and I have a trash bag over the back of the Sysroll, ready for any debris.  When I'm done, I use the CT to clean tools out before putting them back in their Systainers, then wipe down flat surfaces and leave no trace of my presence when I leave the client's home.  I can't imagine a client hiring anyone that doesn't take care of their  home as they would wish it to be done.  

 

[mike68au]

I like to keep them clean.... Will always brush them off wipe then down and the end off the day if needed.  Occasionally i like to give them a wipe of Plastic protectant (not armour all) to help look after the rubber and plastic.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I hardly clean them. Only when they're noticably dirty do I clean them, but most of the time I just toss them in their box after the job is done. Only saws like the TS55, jigsaw and CS70 get a good brushing, or else they keep pouring dust around after use.

 

[Birdhunter]

Guilty as charged!

I clean all of my tools, guns, bike, and whatever after every use.

I vacuum not only the Festool tools, but also my table saw, workbench, and work area.

Most of the work I do is very high precision joinery. Sawdust on a table saw, a Kapex, or a measuring device can throw off a cut enough to mess what needs to be a perfect joint.

Also, I like to think a guest coming into my shop will see a tidy, orderly, and efficient area. I know that I feel better knowing everything has been put away with respect for the effort the designers and builders put into making the products. Cleaning up also gives me a chance to spot something that's come loose or needs maintenance.

I'm not obsessive about cleaning up I just want everything, absolutely everything, to be perfectly, absolutely everything, absolutely perfectly perfect

 

[Zacharytanner]

Clean all my tools after every use. Very OCD about that.

Frank