nickao said:
Yep people that do not start with the vacs and sanders really are missing the boat. Once someone sees that you can sand next to the kitchen table with no dust then they start to see the benefits of tools made specifically to catch the dust better.
For me, that is really what the Festools are about, collecting the dust which makes woodworking a joy rather than a chore.
It's actually funny that you mention the ability to sand in finished spaces.
When we finished the basement renovation, we moved the "office furniture" out of the space that was originally my office, but had since gotten taken over by the wife and kids' junk. I now have a 10x12 space with double french doors and hardwood floors, that was destined to become my "office", so I started layout various options for bookcases/desks, built-in worktops, etc. The thing is, I really don't need an "office"- I need about a 4' wide bookcase, and someplace to spend 30 minutes a day checking email and various forums.
When I brought all this stuff home today, I started opening boxes and assembling the MFT in the "office space" rather than the garage, as it was still around 90 degrees outside, and I wanted to relax. My 9 year-old daughter came in and said "You're setting up your shop in your office instead of the garage? Good idea." That got me thinking- why build an "office" that I won't use, and have all of my tools/equipment in the garage, when I can build a workcenter/hobby area instead, and do some of the work inside in the air conditioning? Of course, I'd never try this without great dust extraction, and large sheets will still need to be broke down outside or in the garage (or will they? With the double doors open, the sheets wil barely stick into the foyer....lol), but for small projects, assembly, etc., it's a great solution.
Gotta love the things that come out of kids' mouths sometimes.....
