Bloggers' Visit to Festool HQ 2017

[Stone Message]

I am taking a break from video editing of the main video.

We were able to try out the new cordless sanders. They are not as heavy or as unbalanced as I had expected and, as everyone will know by now, they can be both battery or mains driven.

They can run with either the small dust bag that we have seen with the sanders released not so long ago or be connected, via a 27 mm hose, to the extractor.

The ergonomics with battery and dust bag make them ideal for work above chest level and overhead. Noise levels are low and they work as well as the sanders of the 3 respective formats.

Here is a video clip of them being used:


Peter

 

[Bob Marino]

Peter and Phil,

Curious, are either of you guys going to cross the Pond and attend the Festool Connect event in September?

 

[Stone Message]

Peter and Phil,

Curious, are either of you guys going to cross the Pond and attend the Festool Connect event in September?

Hi Bob

I am not being funny but I only do long haul flights in business class due to my arthritis and so I doubt whether you will see me on your side of the Pond very soon.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Georg van dem Bussche showing us inside the new Airstream battery packs and inside the charger unit. Air is blown through the batteries driven by a fan in the charging unit. The fan is near the rear left hand side.


Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Hi [member=41214]Phil Beckley[/member]

Am I right that the new sanders come in the Sys Combi 2 or is it only for a particular "Set" version?

[attachimg=1]

Peter

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi [member=41214]Phil Beckley[/member]

Am I right that the new sanders come in the Sys Combi 2 or is it only for a particular "Set" version?

[attachimg=1]

Peter

....the set version in the combo. The others are a sys 2
Rg
Phil

 

[Phil Beckley]

Peter and Phil,

Curious, are either of you guys going to cross the Pond and attend the Festool Connect event in September?

......quite happy to go cargo class, walk, swim, Fed ex, DHL, Bi-Plane......only hic up is i need an invite from the US and also to fit around the commitments in the UK on my calendar
Rg
Phil

 

[Stone Message]

Peter and Phil,

Curious, are either of you guys going to cross the Pond and attend the Festool Connect event in September?

......quite happy to go cargo class, walk, swim, Fed ex, DHL, Bi-Plane......only hic up is i need an invite from the US and also to fit around the commitments in the UK on my calendar
Rg
Phil

If Phil goes cattle class then the money saved would easily pay the extra $17.50 to upgrade me to Business Class !

Mind you, if Tyler can hitch a ride on a tramp steamer then Phil could do that too and I would happily take his small bag with me as the overhead lockers in Business are quite generous.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

A car has just smashed into a power and landline pole 20 yards from our house. We are the only people still with power and phone line. I may be a bit slow responding to posts once they send the repair guys in to clean up the mess.

Peter

 

[bobfog]

Looks like an interesting trip, should do wonders for increasing advocacy of the bloggers and reviewers to return the favour!

Hi
It was an interesting visit for them.... [smile]
All the attendees have complete editorial control over the post Festool experience 2017 and Festool paid for the hotel, travel and the food - all standard stuff and not excessive in anyway.....they also visited some areas not normally permitted and the only control was a request for no images to be taken ...on with the report Peter
rg
Phil

Oh I'm sure it was within the bounds of the gifts and hospitality guidelines of Festool's ethical governance, but it's not the monetary amount that raises an eyebrow, more the demographic it was spent on - not professional buyers who wouldn't be swayed by a few nights away all expenses paid, but "enthusiasts" who might.

At least we know who went to take an extra pinch of salt when reading future reviews.

 

[PeterK]

What is a professional buyer? Never heard of such. I see nothing nefarious about this event and it doesn't change my enjoyment of posters who attended.

Nothing wrong with this trip in my opinion. In the earlier days of the FOG Festool put on an invite only event in the US for the more prolific posters and people who made a living with their tools. Brice was one if my memory is any good anymore. They came back with their learnings, their exposure to new tools, their hands on experiences. We all benefited from that event. If you would like a similar experience make a trip to Festool USA in Lebanon just outside Indianapolis. The employees there love visitors. Best way is to sign up for one of their multi day mini classes. Incredible experience.

I am unaware of other tool companies allowing customers this type of access. I applaud Festool for making this available.

 

[Phil Beckley]

Looks like an interesting trip, should do wonders for increasing advocacy of the bloggers and reviewers to return the favour!

Hi
It was an interesting visit for them.... [smile]
All the attendees have complete editorial control over the post Festool experience 2017 and Festool paid for the hotel, travel and the food - all standard stuff and not excessive in anyway.....they also visited some areas not normally permitted and the only control was a request for no images to be taken ...on with the report Peter
rg
Phil

Oh I'm sure it was within the bounds of the gifts and hospitality guidelines of Festool's ethical governance, but it's not the monetary amount that raises an eyebrow, more the demographic it was spent on - not professional buyers who wouldn't be swayed by a few nights away all expenses paid, but "enthusiasts" who might.

At least we know who went to take an extra pinch of salt when reading future reviews.

...take a pinch of salt if you need to but at least as you imply it is above board and totally open. Yes it is a marketing exercise and it reaches far and wide. Maybe you have seen some of the posts from the US guys who went but not from the Turkish cabinet maker who is also a lecturer, or the French guys who are also professional and the team from Korea....I could go on and post their history in the industry but they all had one thing in common like myself and Peter - help anyone to learn and benefit when the chance arises.
  They were also treated to one of the most enjoyable regions in Germany and 'Swabian' culture - if anyone is close to Stuttgart take some time to visit this area in the Spring when all the fruit trees are in blossom only one word for it Stunning  [cool]....Schnapps is nice as well  [wink] and as for the timber framing it is well worth a close look
rg
Phil

 

[Bob D.]

Could not help but notice the laminated/phenolic MFT top in one of the pictures. 

Wonder if that is something new or just a one off for show purposes?

I noticed that right off too.

Great job as always reporting on the event Peter. Looking forward to your video when it's ready.

 

[Stone Message]

One of the things we saw were the new mesh abrasives and the new pads for the rotary sanders. These pads have a modified hole system to reduce the amount of dust that escapes from the side when working on or over an edge. I have a video that illustrates the advantage but cannot process it today.

In the meantime here is an image of the new pad. I have no more information but Phil may be able t  help at some point.

[attachimg=1]

The mesh abrasives are best used with a thin interface pad to reduce damage to the main pad as it can pull off the little loups that perform the stick-fix function. Again I will let Phil give more detail as I have no written stuff about this.

Peter

 

[peter halle]

Let's calm down here with the stupid innuendo. 

There has been full disclosure on both fronts here and PR visits are the norm for manufacturers.  Just because you visit a factory and have some meals doesn't mean that you have sold your soul.  I know I simplified their itinerary but the point is spot on.

Would the simple act of Festool Germany paying the expenses for me to go to visit their factory and enjoy learning about parts of the company that I have only heard cause me to be a different moderator?  Heck no.  Would it make me more or less pro Festool?  Nope.  Would it be an interesting experience?  Yep.

Keep it polite or don't post.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

I just found a shot of the mesh (Granat) abrasives and one of the new thin interface pads.

[attachimg=1]

I also forgot to mention that the new pad with the better air flow has more holes in between the holes that we are used to.

Peter

 

[Phil Beckley]

I just found a shot of the mesh (Granat) abrasives and one of the new thin interface pads.

[attachimg=1]

I also forgot to mention that the new pad with the better air flow has more holes in between the holes that we are used to.

Peter

....the pad is the protection pad for use with the Net abrasive - this should always be used with the Net abrasive to save damage to the hooks on the pad. Available from September
rg
Phil

 

[Phil Beckley]

One of the things we saw were the new mesh abrasives and the new pads for the rotary sanders. These pads have a modified hole system to reduce the amount of dust that escapes from the side when working on or over an edge. I have a video that illustrates the advantage but cannot process it today.

In the meantime here is an image of the new pad. I have no more information but Phil may be able t  help at some point.

[attachimg=1]

The mesh abrasives are best used with a thin interface pad to reduce damage to the main pad as it can pull off the little loups that perform the stick-fix function. Again I will let Phil give more detail as I have no written stuff about this.

Peter

....better airflow removed more of the dust from the surface which I turn reduces clogging. The green lines on the edge 'pull' the dust back in to the centre to be cleared.
  The advantage of the 49holes is again all about dust control and clearing the dust from the abrasive to improve the cut of the grit.
All of the Granat, Rubin 2, Saphir and Brilliant 2 will move to the 49 hole pattern in the 150D.
rg
Phil

 

[semenza]

Looks like an interesting trip, should do wonders for increasing advocacy of the bloggers and reviewers to return the favour!

Hi
It was an interesting visit for them.... [smile]
All the attendees have complete editorial control over the post Festool experience 2017 and Festool paid for the hotel, travel and the food - all standard stuff and not excessive in anyway.....they also visited some areas not normally permitted and the only control was a request for no images to be taken ...on with the report Peter
rg
Phil

Oh I'm sure it was within the bounds of the gifts and hospitality guidelines of Festool's ethical governance, but it's not the monetary amount that raises an eyebrow, more the demographic it was spent on - not professional buyers who wouldn't be swayed by a few nights away all expenses paid, but "enthusiasts" who might.

At least we know who went to take an extra pinch of salt when reading future reviews.

The details of the trip have been openly stated.  Take it as you wish but there is no cause to be taking shots at others.

Seth

 

[awil66]

If festool never did this and their competitors did, the same people would complain about the closed system and secrecy. Why not be like so and so and whatnot. You can't win. Some people on here just want to bitch all the time.