HL 850 Planer Interface With the Festool Systems

[Doubled33]

I am looking at getting a power hand planer.  I have a few festools Vac, Router's, Kapex, MFT, Sander's, MFT, Tracks, Domino, etc...  I can't find a lot of information on the planer in regards to interfaces.  I noticed there was a bench table that seems to have been discontinued.  The cord does not even interface as it does not have a quick connect...

My question is does the planer have any useful interfaces with the rest of the festool system's available in the US.  If not is there any justification to buying this over a non Festool planer? Unless I am missing something blatant it seems there are other tools in this category that offer the same options (except distressed heads which could be mimicked with blade grinding) and perhaps more bang for the buck.

Thanks

 

[sheperd80]

I have an older version of it. It has a fixed power cord, so no plug-it like your other tools. But it does have a dust collection attachment. So it doesnt fully integrate like other tools, though im not sure about newer versions.

As far as the 850 vs other planers, the distressing heads are really cool if you do that kind of work. For flat planing, its a beast, does a great job but its large so it depends on your usage. If your using it for scribes or light-duty fitting then a smaller planer may suit you better. Most ot the ones ive used dont accept dust collection though. :-/

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[ScotF]

You can do unlimited depth rabbets, so good for doors and larger work. I really like mine and it is very smooth. The carbide blades are easy to change, require no jigs or other tools and leave a great finish, even in tough wood. I would also consider the newer Bosch units - they look pretty nice and have many similar features at a lesser price point. With that said, I think that the 850 is a hidden em in Festool's arsenal and it is one of my favorites.

 

[Linbro]

It's a great planer, so if you need one go for it. But yes, it's only suitable for 'big' jobs. I've planed cabinet scribes with it and it gets real painful, real quick!
I wouldn't be too worried about system integration. Pretty sure there's some kind of certification issue preventing it having a Plug-It. Was the same with the smaller 65 planer, though that does now come with one.
And, you'll want/need the 36mm vac hose for it.

 

[Frank-Jan]

What I like about mine is, that it comes in a systainer, it's very quiet, nice rebate function, good quality edge guide and it's stops spinning really quick (but the brake function usually doesn't apply to 110v versions.

But I still use my old makita 1100 planer more, the depth adjustment works better for me, the edge guide swivels both ways, it has a longer sole; the only thing that works less in "the system" is that it won't fit in a systainer, and is less color coordinated But the main reason is, that I got the festool as an ex demo, and it produces snipe that I haven't figured out how to fix.

 

[semenza]

The DC is excellent especially with the D36 hose. Can be positioned on either side which is really nice so that you don't have the hose crossing over.

It doesn't have a Plug-It because it is an older tool that has not been updated.

Extremely smooth cut!

Seth

 

[Nat X]

When I was testing planers, it was the only one that actually took absolutely NO material off when set to zero depth consistently. Everything else on the market was made primarily for straightening out studs and doors where that kind of sub-millimeter accuracy is just a waste of time, so the tolerances are quite loose. I was able to adjust a Bosch unit to the point that it would deliver the same performance, but it took over an hour, and every time I changed blades, it'd have to be repeated. I've never had to "tune up" my 850 in any way--just throw the blade in there and go.

Things may be different today, but I'd still be surprised if anyone had a more accurate hand power planer out there, and the dust/chip extraction is darn near 100%, which is great if you're horribly allergic to walnut.

 

[sancho57]

First as I have said here many times. When I buy tools , I buy for versatility.

I have one and I have the bench stand and the accessory fence.

I don't use mine a lot.  do plan on setting up the stand and leave it in the stand for quick edge jointing on small pieces when I get back to the states and have more shop space.

When I need a hand power planer its the bomb. Great dust collection , plenty of power. The controls in the handle make it easy to use.

For installing doors with the accessory fence, its the best  door planer out there IMO.

I haven't got any of the rustic heads for it yet.

But I will when I return to the states.

but at the end of the day , it depends on what you want to use it for.

 

[Doubled33]

Some good points. I do really like the accuracy of FEstool. I purchased a new Bosch router a few years back when they came out with the trigger control and was quickly disappointed with the accuracy especially in my Leigh FMT. The plunge base only locks on one side and has wobble noticeable enough to show in the joints.

It will be a big step for me to buy another Bosch and I would entertain other brands. So still deciding but I guess if I want dead on accuracy I know what my decision needs to be.

As far as my use well small furniture pieces ( cabinets night stands dressers etc...)to ease sanding and help line up pieces.  and the occasional hardwood door.

 

[Acrobat]

If you do get the 850, see if you can stump up for the bench accessory and fence. Steep but once you have it, well worth it in my opinion and just adds to it's versatility.
I pretty much leave it set up in it and run all my rails and leg pieces over it and man it does a fantastic job. The cut and ease of dial in depth setting is awesome. I don't have a jointer so it gets used a fair bit on items I feel I can run through it. I really like the dial handle depth setting once I got used to it, but seemed odd at first. I wish it had a wider blade than 82mm.
If you are using it as I do for smaller furniture items it will serve you well with the bench accessory. I'm not sure if one would find it easy to handle given its size running it over small legs or rails but very simple in the bench accessory.
  The on side rebating edge design I thought I would never use, but lo and behold it was just the ticket for a specific job with some door framing where I needed to make the rebate deeper, made it so easy as i just ran it over it a few passes and got a sweet fit.
  Changing the heads is the best I have come across, no need to adjust and fiddle to get the blades right, just slide it in and secure quickly and easily.
The rustic head is a bit of a learning curve I found and i was quite nervous trying it out but once you just go with no fear all angles it gives that real hand hewn look quite effectively. My missus loves the look it gives. I have yet to get the wavy blades and try them.

It's also quieter than my other planer and yep chip extraction is such a bonus, no wasting time cleaning up piles of shavings. Switch lever to either left or right extraction setup, add hose and away you go.
On the downside, it is a big beasty, so if you were to try handle it all day you'd soon get tired I would think and look at getting the one hander 65 instead.

All in all a gem.

Some good points. I do really like the accuracy of FEstool. I purchased a new Bosch router a few years back when they came out with the trigger control and was quickly disappointed with the accuracy especially in my Leigh FMT. The plunge base only locks on one side and has wobble noticeable enough to show in the joints.

It will be a big step for me to buy another Bosch and I would entertain other brands. So still deciding but I guess if I want dead on accuracy I know what my decision needs to be.

As far as my use well small furniture pieces ( cabinets night stands dressers etc...)to ease sanding and help line up pieces.  and the occasional hardwood door.

 

[Flatsawn]

If you do get the 850, see if you can stump up for the bench accessory and fence. Steep but once you have it, well worth it in my opinion and just adds to it's versatility.
I pretty much leave it set up in it and run all my rails and leg pieces over it and man it does a fantastic job. The cut and ease of dial in depth setting is awesome. I don't have a jointer so it gets used a fair bit on items I feel I can run through it. I really like the dial handle depth setting once I got used to it, but seemed odd at first. I wish it had a wider blade than 82mm.
If you are using it as I do for smaller furniture items it will serve you well with the bench accessory. I'm not sure if one would find it easy to handle given its size running it over small legs or rails but very simple in the bench accessory.
  The on side rebating edge design I thought I would never use, but lo and behold it was just the ticket for a specific job with some door framing where I needed to make the rebate deeper, made it so easy as i just ran it over it a few passes and got a sweet fit.
  Changing the heads is the best I have come across, no need to adjust and fiddle to get the blades right, just slide it in and secure quickly and easily.
The rustic head is a bit of a learning curve I found and i was quite nervous trying it out but once you just go with no fear all angles it gives that real hand hewn look quite effectively. My missus loves the look it gives. I have yet to get the wavy blades and try them.

It's also quieter than my other planer and yep chip extraction is such a bonus, no wasting time cleaning up piles of shavings. Switch lever to either left or right extraction setup, add hose and away you go.
On the downside, it is a big beasty, so if you were to try handle it all day you'd soon get tired I would think and look at getting the one hander 65 instead.

All in all a gem.

Some good points. I do really like the accuracy of FEstool. I purchased a new Bosch router a few years back when they came out with the trigger control and was quickly disappointed with the accuracy especially in my Leigh FMT. The plunge base only locks on one side and has wobble noticeable enough to show in the joints.

It will be a big step for me to buy another Bosch and I would entertain other brands. So still deciding but I guess if I want dead on accuracy I know what my decision needs to be.

As far as my use well small furniture pieces ( cabinets night stands dressers etc...)to ease sanding and help line up pieces.  and the occasional hardwood door.

If you're referring to the jig that converts the planer into a small jointer, holding it upside down, Toolnut said it was discontinued.

Mark

 

[Gregor]

If you're referring to the jig that converts the planer into a small jointer, holding it upside down, Toolnut said it was discontinued.

Which is a good reason to get it when seeing one, I did and I'm happy that I jumped through the hoops to obtain it.

 

[Tinker]

Quote from acrobat >>>The rustic head is a bit of a learning curve I found and i was quite nervous trying it out but once you just go with no fear all angles it gives that real hand hewn look quite effectively. My missus loves the look it gives. I have yet to get the wavy blades and try them.

 

[dalep]

The planing frame is no longer available in USA.  I don't know about Europe or other continents.  Maybe on Mars [unsure]  If you find one and you do smaller projects, you should consider grabbing it.
Tinker

Its discontinued in the UK too and I'm sure Festool Uk told me Europe too

Dale

 

[sancho57]

Hey Dale,

I got mines heheheheh

 

[Acrobat]

Tinker,
Which of the wavy heads would you say you'd use more? The bigger waves or finer waves.
They are pricey and I'd love to get them both but like everyone, I'm on a budget, so i guess I would like some idea on whether one is preferable over the other.
I'm not sure where I would use the effect but once I have it I'm sure it'll spark some ideas. Your picture frames are a good start. Reckon they would look sweet. [smile]

For anyone thinking of getting the rustic head, there is a little stop to fit that comes with it, to prevent you from going too deep and ruining either the workpiece or planer. Ensure you get it and fit it. I nearly forgot to fit mine - but did remember in time luckily enough. [eek]

If you already have a jointer then no point getting the table setup for the planer obviously, but for those like me who don't have a big jointer the planer in its table is fantastic albeit small.

 

[aloysius]

I am looking at getting a power hand planer.  I have a few festools Vac, Router's, Kapex, MFT, Sander's, MFT, Tracks, Domino, etc...  I can't find a lot of information on the planer in regards to interfaces.  I noticed there was a bench table that seems to have been discontinued.  The cord does not even interface as it does not have a quick connect...

My question is does the planer have any useful interfaces with the rest of the festool system's available in the US.  If not is there any justification to buying this over a non Festool planer? Unless I am missing something blatant it seems there are other tools in this category that offer the same options (except distressed heads which could be mimicked with blade grinding) and perhaps more bang for the buck.

Thanks

I think perhaps you are indeed missing something here.  Festo's 850 is a unique & quite exceptional tool.  Firstly, it cuts with a slicing action as opposed to the contemporaries' chipping/chopping.  This makes an extraordinary difference to the finished surface.

Secondly, it has unlimited rebating.  This, when properly setup with or without using the depth gauge & fence assemblies can be uniquely useful in certain circumstances.  At one time "rustikal" sets of blades & wedges were common to many Kraut planes, although it appears that the Festo is the last to still offer this facility.  The "undulating" option in particular if carefullly applied gives a remarkably realistic faux adzed finish to table tops, beams & rafters etc.  It's also if not the only, then at least one of the few planes that may have it's depth of cut adjusted "on the fly" in mid-cut.  Fantastic for initial roughing work in cranky grain, knots & the like, thanks to the clever "twist grip" adjuster.

In fact, as many users will attest, for some uses no other tool can offer such a uniquely versatile range of talents.

This planer is one of only a few Festo tools available that I would consider to be uniquely great.  These days some competitors are making tools as well or even better than Festo can.  I personally think that the very fact that the planer's design has remained virtually unchanged (with the exception of an electronic brake) for some 30 years speaks volumes for the design's integrity and ubiquity.  Lesser tools require much more frequent updates.

The fact that this magnificent tool, in common with other greats like the Deltex sander, is able to remain unchanged without having to resort to silly gimmicks like those ridiculous, troublesome plug-in power cables that Festo copied from Black & Decker & AEG indicates that as a toolmaker they can still be taken seriously.

 

[paulc75]

UK- HL850 bench unit and fence on eBay now if anyone is searching

 

[dalep]

Hey Dale,

I got mines heheheheh

Hello!! Hope you are well

I managed to bag 2 of each bench unit for the 850 and the 65, you never know when a spare will come in handy

Dale

 

[Doubled33]

Ok I am convinced that I need one of these planers and a bench unit would come  in handy for me due to limited space.

Thanks for the link  to the bench unit for sale.