Festool Manuals - Surely they can be improved?

[shed9]

Never understood why the manuals supplied with Festool kit is so dire. I appreciate most people don't read them, but if we did why don't we expect the same attention to detail in them?

I understand the aspect of multiple translation requirements and what gets lost in that, but surely where specific languages are involved Festool will have technical presence in those countries capable of doing the company justice. Everything else about the products are thought out from the device, how it interacts with everything else and even the box is clearly the result of good engineering but when it comes to the manual it seems to be just bumpf with disclaimers.

And while I'm on my soapbox, why don't we have a kit list in the box or is this just a UK thing?

Don't get me wrong, its not enough to stop me buying or coveting but if your going to do it, I'd say do it properly.

Are am I being picky?

 

[gkaiseril]

This is a very common complaint with any manual that is translated from a foreign language. The manuals are also basic reference for assembly and use of the tool and appear to assume a fairly high level of understanding how to use the tool and for some tools how to calibrate them and use them for very precise work.

There are any number of discussions about setting up the MFT tables and aligning the guide rails and protractor. Many users assume that a "square" is truly a right angle and in so many cases it is not and they do not know how to verify that their square has true right angle. Measuring the length of the sides is not sufficient because a small error in the measurement of a 3, 4, 5 triangle may show the error in the angle. And this assumes the legs and diagonal of the square do not have rounded ends.  Drawing the vertical side from a straight line and flipping the square across the vertical line can detect the error and the deflection from the vertical line will be 2 x the actual error. This is an old finish or joiners trick to test the accuracy and quality of his/her tools. Many woodworkers are not as precise or accurate as others. Framing carpenters only need to be within 1/16 of an inch for happiness while finish carpenters want 1/64 of an inch or better.

Many of the tools also integrate or used together with another tool like dust extractor, not be confused with a shop vacuum cleaner, which also have some very specific settings or accessories to get the best possible result from the combined use.

Fortunately there are Festool users that have created supplemental manuals that can be downloaded from the Festool USA site and printed or read on your computer.  There are in the PDF format so you need Acrobat Reader or other program that can read the PDF type file.

If you think Festool is bad you should see the manual Canon or Nikon puts out for their professional cameras. There are a whole host of authors making a living writing user manuals for the cameras that are twice as big as the vendor supplied material.

 

[Sparktrician]

One VERY good place to check for supplemental manuals is Waterfront Woods. 

 

[RKA]

I would like to fill a cargo container with the manuals and ship them back to the lawyers that wrote them!  [big grin]  They do an ample job of explaining how NOT to use the tool, but fall short in the areas that are important.  But as said, the supplemental manuals are readily available, even on Festool USA's site, and are excellent, which makes me happy. 

 

[fin]

tool manuals are rubish... i did find something worse though. a manual for an extractor hood i fitted in my kitchen. the manual told me in broken english that if the motor emitted smoke i was to put yacht varnish into it.  [blink] [blink] [blink] [eek] [eek] [eek] [eek]

 

[shed9]

I agree with the comments above and I know as a rule tool manuals are not worth the paper they are printed on.

Just strikes me as odd that a company that clearly has a systematic and holistic approach to their entire product range treats the associated paperwork with the same disdain as an assembly pamphlet for an Ikea GronkFriggflufflle table is all.

 

[joiner1970]

Most powertool manuals are usually very basic I wouldn't single out festool. At least festool has great back up from forums like this one

 

[shed9]

Most powertool manuals are usually very basic I wouldn't single out festool. At least festool has great back up from forums like this one

Don't get me wrong, I'm not attacking Festool, just a tad confused by it.

I'm a happy camper with Festool!

 

[Locky]

In oz we get one great festool manual it's for the MFT and shows you how to set and use the table with the saw, router,cms and at the end it shows you how to make a bench. Do you guys get this manual?

 

[RKA]

LOL, I don't think we do (well, I didn't get anything like that).  That looks to be pretty well done!

 

[Wooden Skye]

Locky,

I wish I got a manual like that for the MFT like you get in Oz.  You should make copies and post the PDF on here.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Also, in the U.S., we have begun creating how-to videos to help customers get acquainted with their tools. So far, 10 videos.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpBJfh9Law-B1LgLVaSpulymR94MOWkXM

 

[shed9]

Also, in the U.S., we have begun creating how-to videos to help customers get acquainted with their tools. So far, 10 videos.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpBJfh9Law-B1LgLVaSpulymR94MOWkXM

[smile]

 

[GPowers]

Also, in the U.S., we have begun creating how-to videos to help customers get acquainted with their tools. So far, 10 videos.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpBJfh9Law-B1LgLVaSpulymR94MOWkXM

Nice videos, can not wait for more.

 

[RKA]

Also, in the U.S., we have begun creating how-to videos to help customers get acquainted with their tools. So far, 10 videos.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpBJfh9Law-B1LgLVaSpulymR94MOWkXM

Are 3 & 7 and 4 & 8 the same videos posted twice?  I can't watch them at work, but the titles and times match, so they look like dups.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Are 3 & 7 and 4 & 8 the same videos posted twice?  I can't watch them at work, but the titles and times match, so they look like dups.

Oops, yes.  [embarassed]

Ok, we have 8.  [smile]

 

[Stephen B]

[size=10pt]

I have no real problem with the actual manuals. Yes they assume you already have a basic knowledge of how to use a tool safely, but most people purchasing a Festool are not beginners. But some mention of vacuum settings would be a significant improvement.
[size=11pt]
My real issue is that on all the Festool websites, the download versions are in a PDF format that cannot be read on an IPad. If the sales/publicity and 'how to' brochures can be downloaded to an IPad, why can't the manuals?
[size=10pt]
I would like to be able to read the manual when considering a purchase and not all tools have one of the excellent supplementary manuals.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

In oz we get one great festool manual it's for the MFT and shows you how to set and use the table with the saw, router,cms and at the end it shows you how to make a bench. Do you guys get this manual?

You gotta be kidding me.  What good reason could there be for not giving North Americans a manual halfway as good as that one ?

 

[Mr_Mod]

In oz we get one great festool manual it's for the MFT and shows you how to set and use the table with the saw, router,cms and at the end it shows you how to make a bench. Do you guys get this manual?

Your kidding me, there was nothing like this in the MFT/3 I bought 2 weeks ago.
Was this manual supplied in in the box when you received it or something Festool sent you after you registered it on their web site?

 

[PaulMarcel]

I'd be interested in at least an online copy of that MFT/3 manual. Granted, it covers NAINA items, too, but would be nice to see.  Like the lay-flat spiral bound.