FastCap FASTenon

[SoonerFan]

I bought these things as a possible alternative to Lamello Tenso fasteners for installing face frames. The FASTenons are obviously inferior but cost about 1/3 as much as the Tenso’s without the pre-load clips.

@Michael Kellough have you used the Fastenons to attach face frames much over the last couple of years since you posted this short review? If so, did you also need clamps or other fasteners to hold everything in place while the glue dries? I need to attach a face frame to a built in for a project. Clamping is not a viable option. I would like to paint the face frames in my shop and then install without exposed fasteners if possible. I like the thought of getting a Zeta P2 and some Tenso connectors but it’s a lot of money. My current needs don’t justify the cost of the tool and connectors. I watched a demo on YouTube of the Fastenons on the tightest 6mm setting and it appeared to hold the boards tight. Would be nice for me if it worked. I already own a DF500 and the connector assortment so can do knock down connectors and alignment currently without a Zeta P2. Thanks.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I think the Fastenon crowd missed an opportunity to come out with a serious competing product to Lamello. If the barbs were set to a higher angle, and the Fastenons came in a female/male form with fingers down the middle, they could have had a one time fit tenon that would really grip either side and hold fast without clamps. Think Tenso's but narrower and elongated.

 

[SoonerFan]

I think the Fastenon crowd missed an opportunity to come out with a serious competing product to Lamello. If the barbs were set to a higher angle, and the Fastenons came in a female/male form with fingers down the middle, they could have had a one time fit tenon that would really grip either side and hold fast without clamps. Think Tenso's but narrower and elongated.

Like you, I think this could be a missed opportunity but I decided to give them a try. I bought a box of the Fastenons to see how they do holding a face frame to a carcass without other fasteners while the glue dries.

 

[SoonerFan]

I used the Fastenons on a recent cabinet build. Worked fine to hold on the face frame for dry fit. I was hoping these would also provide clamping pressure for glue up but did not. Guess I will look into getting a Zeta P2.

 

[luvmytoolz]

@SoonerFan Couldn't recommend the Zeta highly enough, I'd be surprised if after the first couple of uses the wallet hurt isn't completely forgotten!

I freakin love using my Zeta, incredible tool!

 

[SoonerFan]

@SoonerFan Couldn't recommend the Zeta highly enough, I'd be surprised if after the first couple of uses the wallet hurt isn't completely forgotten!

I freakin love using my Zeta, incredible tool!

@luvmytoolz thanks for the strong recommendation and the positive feedback on the Zeta P2. I have a project coming up next month where I am building a vanity, cabinet for under a TV, and some other stuff for a basement remodel. I want to be able to scribe the face frames and then install without mechanical fasteners or clamps messing up the paint. My recent cabinet build leads me to believe for clamping pressure, the Zeta is the way to go.

I have decided to get the corded model. Any advice on carbide cutter vs. diamond cutter? I read the carbide cutter is better for hardwoods and the diamond is better to plywoods, partial board, etc. My biggest usage will be to connect hardwood face frames to plywood cabinet boxes. Also, any suggestions on what connector set to purchase? I believe I will mostly use Clamex and not as many Tensos or biscuits. Reason being I have dominos for alignment and domino connector for knock down type connections.

 

[luvmytoolz]

@SoonerFan Good choice on the corded I reckon, I too debated whether to get the cordless, but it just seemed pointless as I always use tools like this with a dust extractor anyway. So far as blade goes, on a non-commercial basis the carbide stock blade will be more than adequate for many years use. I did buy a PCD blade off Ali Express for around 1/20th or so of the cost of the genuine, and I've been using it the last 6 or so months with no discernible difference. I'd say buy a PCD blade cheap for sure as a spare, but unless you plan to do an astronomical amount of MDF or Plywood it's not really necessary. I seriously can't express enough about what an exciting and amazing tool the Zeta is, I'm finding I'm using it for far more than I ever thought. It's such a fantastic complement to the Domino's.

As I'm in OZ we get screwed badly on the connectors, so aside from the Professional Accessory Kit I got with the Zeta, I've bought a large amount of 3rd party Tenso, Clamex and Divario connectors really cheaply off a number of sellers off Ali Express, Ebay, and Temu.

The Divario are obviously very application specific and likely to be the ones used least for most people. I'd say the Tenso's would be the ones I use the most by far, with the Clamex's used to supplement the Tenso's, or for really fiddly scenarios that they excel at.

I'm linking to a thread I started some time back discussing and showing the 3rd party connectors and blade that might be of interest. I do want to point out the 10mm Tenso connectors I used to assemble the plinth blocks that would have been really impractical to do any other way I reckon:

Thread 'Lamello Zeta / Project'

Mar 16, 2024

I've been working on a pretty large oak mantel and I'm on the home stretch now. Having the Zeta to install the Tenso connectors really makes a difficult fixing job easy!

Apart from using the Domino or biscuit joiner to actually glue the top would have been the only realistic way to affix the top, other than a horribly complex sliding dovetail arrangement I guess. I don't really know if it matters at all, but it seemed to make sense to alternate the connectors.

This way I can do test fits, and pull it apart easily, as I need to build up a layer of mortar on the cement sheet to move the...

• luvmytoolz
• Replies: 27
• Forum: Other Tools & Accessories

 

[SoonerFan]

@luvmytoolz thanks for the additional information. I will look at the other thread for connector options and will focus on the Tensos given I plan to use these the most. Thanks again, you have been very helpful.