Opinions on Festool use from a "different" perspective

[JohnDistai]

I just purchased my first batch of Festool stuff and am awaiting it.  I was explaining the Festool system to a friend, in particular, the TS55 saw.  My friend thought this sounded great, and thought that this may enable him to do more woodworking and projects around the house.  The catch is, he lost his right arm due to some sort of cancer.  He was thinking that a rail guided tool system would allow him to do one-handed wood working.  Since I don't have any experience with the tools, I'd like to hear some opinions from the rest of you.  Would the Festool saw, rail, MFT, and router systems be usable by a guy with only one arm?

Thanks!

 

[Gaijin Daiku]

My heart goes out to your friend.

I suggest:

After your stuff is set up and you've (mostly) figured things out, have him come over and try it out...first perform a "dry run" (no power, just to learn the sequence of motions), then live.

Best of luck!

Bruce

PS:  I hope you boys wear eye/ear protection.

 

[Bob Marino]

John,

I was going to post a response as in "yes, if he can use a table saw or other tools, the Festool should/will work for him, etc." But Bruce has a waaaay better and certainly more useful recommendation; let him try your set-up.
Bruce, well said.

Bob

 

[JohnDistai]

How stupid of me not to think of that...  Thanks!

 

[peter halle]

I could envision that using the rail system and clamps could result in enhanced confidence.  I could see the MFT as being good.  Plunge routers I could see as being more difficult.  But the one thing that I think should never be discounted is the human spirit and ability to adapt.  He is interested and thinking about adaptability - that's great.

Peter

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Not to sound like a wise guy but, you are supposed to use two hands on my ts-55?

I reach over and pull the darn thing to me some times.

 

[PaulMarcel]

I can't recall once using the TS-75 with the two-handed grip suggested in the manual.  I also steer my car with one hand most of the time going against the DMV's 2-handed suggestion

What type of woodworking is your friend interested in?  Big cabinets could be a problem for glue-ups... I need 4 arms for those.  A Domino would help greatly in speeding up making the joints although a Domino is a two-handed tool out of the box.

If he wants to make small boxes, the TS-{5|7}5 might be a little awkward.  There's a whole field of small box making that is interesting... beautiful designs, veneers, exotics, and (uhg!) flocking   If that area interests him, there are other power and hand tools that would be entirely more useful especially for one-handed use (hand saws naturally, but also a BCTW Jointmaker would allow for very precise cuts with hand power).

 

[justinmcf]

i reckon your friend will be fine.
i cannot remember the last time i used the ts-55 with both hands.
i would also recommend the clamps for clamping down the rails to the timber while cutting.
your friend may have to try these first before purchasing. i suspect the quick release clamps could be difficult to clamp with one hand. the normal screw down clamps may be a better option.

regards, justin.

 

[bionicus]

I'm thinking the Dewalt clamps (DWS5026) would be an even better option.

 

[whk]

I have a friend with just one arm (his left, and he started out right handed).  This says more about my friend's approach to life than anything else, but...nothing gets him more fired up to learn a skill than being told he might not be able to do it.  This started the day after being wheeled out of the operating room when the therapist told him she would now teach him how to tie his shoes, at which point he said thanks, but he could figure it out himself.

I still don't know how anyone can tie their shoes with one hand, and I'm glad no one has challenged him to use a chain saw.  The TS55 with a guide seems like an inspired choice for your friend.

 

[woodguy7]

I also generally use one hand to use the ts55.  But my other hand is usually on the rail so the clamps would possibly be a good idea, for the first while at least.  Like Justin said, the quick release clamps are 2 handed clamps & the screw ones will be much better.

I hope he gets on ok & would like to hear how he gets on with it.

Regards, Woodguy.

 

[AlexThePalex]

When you have only one arm, you'll find a way to get by in life anyway. Those who really want to and have good general motor skills will learn to do almost any task, including working with (power) tools. I'm sure Festool's guide system will only facilitate that.

 

[JeromeM]

, I'd like to hear some opinions from the rest of you.  Would the Festool saw, rail, MFT, and router systems be usable by a guy with only one arm?

Thanks!

I would say that the ease of use is very dependent on which arm he has, while using the right is OK for short cuts with the TS55 it is not very good for longer ones.

I found a small movie I made last year on my still camera to show some of my Japanese English students what I do on my holidays.
By coincidence I noticed that for long cuts I usually use one hand for most of the cut.
It isn't good but does show my usual usage & FWIW I uploaded it today (my first [eek])

TS55 one handed use

I would also think that the OF1400 (or OF1010) would be usable for some tasks. Much more so than most others due to the unique hand holds. But for me right handed use is better.

I am right handed so I think it would be very helpful to get input from left handed users.

 

[justinmcf]

hi jerome, you have made a good point there. i am right handed myself but always use my left hand with the ts-55. i suspect most people do the same.

john, which arm does your friend still have, right or left?

btw, why do tool companies design the saws to be used naturally with the left hand?
why not the right hand?

regards, justin.

 

[AlexThePalex]

btw, why do tool companies design the saws to be used naturally with the left hand?

Because they don't.  [smile]

When you look at the video, the saw is meant to be operated from the other side than where Jerome walks. The natural way to grab the saw is to use the right hand for the grip with the trigger and the left hand for the front handle.

 

[JeromeM]

btw, why do tool companies design the saws to be used naturally with the left hand?

Because they don't.  [smile]

When you look at the video, the saw is meant to be operated from the other side than where Jerome walks. The natural way to grab the saw is to use the right hand for the grip with the trigger and the left hand for the front handle.

I will do some testing in a couple of weeks time when I get back to my tools.

The following is from the point of a right handed user.

IMNSHO However unless the material to the left of the rail is narrow or short operating from the left of the saw is uncomfortable and impractical. The ideal would be to have a reverse TS55 for cutting from large sheets..

in fact IMO the current orientation is poor with a possible exception for use on the MFT and even there it is less than optimal. I (and I suspect most other users) want to be able to see the cut line most of the time. If I am using the saw from the left it is not easy in most cases.

We have heard from Justin that his use is similar to mine. I would like to know the views of more people and also whether they are left or right handed.

To avoid hijacking this thread I have started a poll http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/which-hand-do-you-use-ts-55-and-ts-75/

FWIW even with the less than optimal orientation I still think the TS55 is better than all the others for the jobs it is meant for and a great saw. With reverse orientation it would be a fantastic saw  [big grin]

Thanks to Brice Burrell for the Sketchup model. If you want my modified version it is at ftp://ftp.meekings.net/Woodwork/
[attachthumb=1]

 

[JohnDistai]

My friend has his left arm.  He has a great attitude about losing his arm.  I've only known him for a short time, but I guess he's been dealing with the loss of his arm incrementally over several years.  He has had recurring bouts of cancer in the same arm, and each time it occurred they amputated more and more of his arm.  Now they've taken it up to the shoulder, so I guess he doesn't have anymore to lose.  He doesn't let hit stop him in any way, and is still active and happy about life.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I hope your friend can enjoy working with Festool's system.  I agree with those who point out potential difficulties with some of the Festool clamps.  I have all of the Festool styles in my collection as well as the DeWalt's and many others.  Pistol grip clamps that can be squeezed with only one hand should work well.  So should the Festool Clamping Elements where they can be used. 

When in college I had a one-armed professor of organic chemistry.  He never commented on his having only one arm, and never seemed to have any problems doing whatever he chose to do.  And many times he amazed our class by assembling various laboratory apparatus arrangements with glass tubing et al and meting out various nasty chemicals, all with aplumb.  He was an inspiration to all, as well as a good teacher.

Dave R.

 

[Gaijin Daiku]

Hey, John...just wondering...

How did things work out with your friend trying the saw?

 

[Frank-Jan]

Going by John's recent posts, I assume his friend is a fictional character, used to start this thread as a "social scientific" experiment.