Can a Vecturo be used for Fine Woodworking?

[Frank Pellow]

• I didn't purchase my Vecturo with that in mind but, yesterday, I started wondering about just how precise I could be using the Vecturo that I have only had for about a week.
  
  I'm working on a couple of maple jewellery boxes with cumaru inlays and I thought this would be a good place to test my question.  The boxes have rabbets on the inside edge of both the top and the bottom.  After cutting the rabbets on my router table , I was left with 16 corners to square up.  Of course, the normal way of doing this is with a very sharp chisel:
  
  [attachthumb=1]
  
  I first tried a wood blade in conjunction with a depth stop:
  
  [attachthumb=2]
  
  I managed to get a clean cut but, with all the vibration going on, I had to be very very careful and I was quite nervous that I would screw up and cut out more than I intended to.
  
  I next tried a universal blade in conjunction with  the plunge base: 
  
  [attachimg=3]
  
  The magnet on the plunge base makes it much easier to control the blade and I was able to obtain clean cuts (5 of them) and I was much more confident in doing so.  But, and there is a but, it took me longer (an average of about 4 minutes per corner) with the Vecturo than it did with a chisel (an average of 2 minutes and 20 seconds on 10 corners) and I was still somewhat nervous using the Vecturo.
  
  So, with the limited experimentation I had done to date I would say.
  
  • It's possible but very risky using a wood blade and depth stop.
    
  • It's Ok but time consuming, using a universal blade and plunge base.
  
  I will be on the lookout for additional applications and will post my experiences in this thread.
  

 

[rljatl]

Glad you started this thread because I think the Vecturo has tons of potential for fine woodworking.  It will take some time and a lot more use for the user base to figure out exactly what is needed, but I think it will come.  An adjustable and easy to use depth stop for the plunge base is the first obvious need.  More specialized woodworking blades is another need.

Did you try turning down the speed to reduce vibration and help with control?  Also, clamping the base down either with your off hand or a clamp helps a lot too.

 

[wow]

A very timely post, as I have a project that would benefit from the Vecturo if it is repeatably accurate enough. I will be eagerly waiting for your updates and conclusions.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Glad you started this thread because I think the Vecturo has tons of potential for fine woodworking.  It will take some time and a lot more use for the user base to figure out exactly what is needed, but I think it will come.  An adjustable and easy to use depth stop for the plunge base is the first obvious need.  More specialized woodworking blades is another need.

Did you try turning down the speed to reduce vibration and help with control?  Also, clamping the base down either with your off hand or a clamp helps a lot too.

In all cases, I used the Vecturo at it's slowest speed.

I didn't actually clamp the base down, but will try that sometime.

When plunging, I put a small mark on one of the rods to show the correct depth.  As many many other folks have said, Festool should have put a depth stop on the plunge base.  I find it amazing (and disappointing) that that they did not.

 

[Scott B.]

I think it's cool when we want to explore the capabilities of what a tool can do. I do plenty of it too.

When I do, I always end up going back and looking at the mfr's intent for the tool.

Read: https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/oscillating-multitools/

It is described as an interior construction and reno tool. They describe it's precision in that realm, but also give a realistic expectation about control ability.

While some of the nomenclature associated with oscillating multi tools (from other mfr's as well) shares similiarities with words that describe woodworking tools such as routers and jigsaws, I just don't see this tool category flourishing in fine woodworking.

That said, it would be really cool if I end up being wrong!

 

[Frank Pellow]

I think it's cool when we want to explore the capabilities of what a tool can do. I do plenty of it too.

When I do, I always end up going back and looking at the mfr's intent for the tool.

Read: https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/oscillating-multitools/

It is described as an interior construction and reno tool. They describe it's precision in that realm, but also give a realistic expectation about control ability.

While some of the nomenclature associated with oscillating multi tools (from other mfr's as well) shares similiarities with words that describe woodworking tools such as routers and jigsaws, I just don't see this tool category flourishing in fine woodworking.

That said, it would be really cool if I end up being wrong!

Right you are Scott!  My justification for purchasing the Vecturo had nothing at all to do with fine woodworking uses.  But, since I have it, why not see just what the Vecturo is capable of.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

I staged this photo in the workshop a few weeks ago just to get a crosscut image of the blade. It was dirt simple and unplanned. I just rested my camera on the workbench and kept hitting the shutter button as the plunge progressed. What came about was a little surprising. I almost cleaned off the ultra-thin offcut shaving, but realized it was the coolest part of the picture. It really can make a pretty precise cut.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Brice Burrell]

I staged this photo in the workshop a few weeks ago just to get a crosscut image of the blade. It was dirt simple and unplanned. I just rested my camera on the workbench and kept hitting the shutter button as the plunge progressed. What came about was a little surprising. I almost cleaned off the ultra-thin offcut shaving, but realized it was the coolest part of the picture. It really can make a pretty precise cut.

I think Rick's picture illustrates the limitations of multi-tools well.  Take a look at the stepped cut at the beginning of the plunge cut.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have tried some precision cuts with the Vecturo in the plunge accessory. I find the trick is to line up the blade to a scribed line and just barely touch the wood with the blade running at full speed. This scores the cut line. I do the scoring the full length of the cut line. I then do a full plunge starting in the middle of the cut line and work in small increments to the ends. The scoring provides a guide for the plunge.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

I think Rick's picture illustrates the limitations of multi-tools well.  Take a look at the stepped cut at the beginning of the plunge cut.

Oh, you mean where I stopped, unclamped it, and moved closer to the edge because I misjudged it the first time?  [big grin]

 

[wow]

Rick:

If you could measure, how accurate to do think the Vecturo could be when cutting to (on?) a scribed line?

I realize that operator error is more likely to affect the precision than the tool itself, so imagine that I use the back side of a guide rail as a fence. I clamp that down to the workpiece, then place the Vecturo's plunge base against that. The fence limits the movement in one direction, but I can slide the Vecturo against the rail if I am doing a bunch of cutouts.

Do you think I could get within a 64th? Half a millimeter? Other?

I think the Vecturo just moved to the top of my 'tools I need' list!

 

[Frank Pellow]

Rick:

If you could measure, how accurate to do think the Vecturo could be when cutting to (on?) a scribed line?

I realize that operator error is more likely to affect the precision than the tool itself, so imagine that I use the back side of a guide rail as a fence. I clamp that down to the workpiece, then place the Vecturo's plunge base against that. The fence limits the movement in one direction, but I can slide the Vecturo against the rail if I am doing a bunch of cutouts.

Do you think I could get within a 64th? Half a millimeter? Other?

I think the Vecturo just moved to the top of my 'tools I need' list!

Frank here rather than Rick.  On the job I did I was cutting to scribed lines and I would say I got to within half a millimetre. 

But, I hope that this tool has not gotten to the top of your list because you plan to use it for this type of task.  I really think you need to be able justify the Vecturo for the type of work that Festool advocates.

 

[wow]

Rick:

If you could measure, how accurate to do think the Vecturo could be when cutting to (on?) a scribed line?

I realize that operator error is more likely to affect the precision than the tool itself, so imagine that I use the back side of a guide rail as a fence. I clamp that down to the workpiece, then place the Vecturo's plunge base against that. The fence limits the movement in one direction, but I can slide the Vecturo against the rail if I am doing a bunch of cutouts.

Do you think I could get within a 64th? Half a millimeter? Other?

I think the Vecturo just moved to the top of my 'tools I need' list!

Frank here rather than Rick.  On the job I did I was cutting to scribed lines and I would say I got to within half a millimetre. 

But, I hope that this tool has not gotten to the top of your list because you plan to use it for this type of task. I really think you need to be able justify the Vecturo for the type of work that Festool advocates.

Thanks, Frank. Half a millimeter should do what I need.

I have been looking at (drooling over? [big grin]) the Vecturo since it was first made public. I sold my like-new Fein MultiMaster in preparation for getting it. And most of my work with it would be within the normal scope of use that Festool advocates.

It moved to the top of my list now because I have a current project for which I need that functionality now. Or - put another way - I can use my project to justify my purchase to my CFO/SHMBO.

[wink]

Thanks again for starting this thread!

 

[roblg3]

The answer to this question lies completely in the hands of the user.  No matter what the "listed" capabilities are of a tool, a very skilled user can get the tool to perform at a higher level than engineers expect.  Think race car driver with a prius... I'm sure the super experienced and skilled driver can push the prius beyond expected results.

 

[Greg M]

I don't think the question is if you can make it work but should you?  It's not designed for fine woodworking nor is it recommended for it.  If you try to use it for that then you're taking a chance on ruining your project because it's not a precision instrument.

I know that people will find all sorts of uses for this tool.  It has a wide range of uses but that range falls short of fine woodworking.  The right tool for the job.

 

[roblg3]

i have heard many times the right tool for the right job.  That statement has merit.  I would most likely not use a hammer for a cutting job, but I have made a hole in a piece of wood where i needed it with a hammer.  I usually would not drive a nail with a screwdriver, but I have.  The point I'm trying to make is that just because something was intended to do one thing does not preclude it's ability to something else also.  If I manage to accomplish my task without damage to the tool. myself or anything else, it was the right tool for the job in my experience.

 

[rljatl]

I think the aftermarket jig makers will figure out some ways to enhance the usability of this tool for common multi-tool uses and also figure out some new ways this tool can be used.  Give it some time.

 

[wow]

If I manage to accomplish my task without damage to the tool. myself or anything else, it was the right tool for the job in my experience.

BINGO!

I had an old boss who said 'The right tool for the job is the one that you have'. He wasn't a hack or anything - he was a grizzled veteran who understood that people sometimes go looking for an excuse to buy a specialized tool that they'll use once and then it will sit. Not a smart choice.

I think Frank was kinda making the same point when he said not to buy a Vecturo for the use I was asking about. And if that was the ONLY thing I was going to use it for, I agree. Fortunately I have many other uses for it that are exactly what it was intnded for and this is just the icing on the cake.

Plus, I *WANT* one...

[drooling]

Where are the enablers when you need one?

 

[Birdhunter]

Just had to flush cut a bunch of dowels and did the first one using a flush cut hand saw. Slow!

Pulled out the Vecturo and mounted the flush cut blade. Fast!

Not fine woodworking, but a great time saver.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Just had to flush cut a bunch of dowels and did the first one using a flush cut hand saw. Slow!

Pulled out the Vecturo and mounted the flush cut blade. Fast!

Not fine woodworking, but a great time saver.

Thanks for the tip.  That's a task that I do often.  The next time I will try my Vecturo.