Split Topic - Festool Belt Sanders

[justinmcf]

festool make 2 belt sanders.

a 75mm and 100mm version.

google festool bs105.

justin.

 

[Jonathanerrrm]

Festool BS 75 E & BS 105 E

 

[jonny round boy]

Festool BS 75 E & BS 105 E

Is it just me, or do the belt sanders both look a bit naff? I'm sure they work exceptionally well, but 99% of Festools have a look which is pleasing to the eye, and tells you "this is a well designed tool".

These just look like those black rubber bricks you had to rescue in school swimming lessons...

 

[Jonathanerrrm]

I feel the same JRB they seem so out of keeping with the rest of Festool's product line. I wonder when they were brought into production?

 

[jonny round boy]

I feel the same JRB they seem so out of keeping with the rest of Festool's product line. I wonder when they were brought into production?

I've seen them on eBay with the Festo name on them, which makes it certainly pre-2000. It wouldn't surprise me if they were 20 years old.

 

[Jonathanerrrm]

That's funny I was just thinking the same. I noticed a Festo RSE3 listed this morning and was wondering about it's age and how Festools designs have evolved over the years.

 

[AlexThePalex]

These two belt sanders originally come from the firm Holz-Her, another German quality brand that was bought by Festool years ago. Holz-her had a rep for being very sturdy and innovative, but aesthetics was definitely not on their list. Most Holz-Hers look very ugly and for practical purposes only. Metabo also had the BS 75 in their line up under the name BAE 1075. Anyway, I don't know of any good looking belt sander yet. They're mostly just square looking beasts. As they come, I don't think the BS75 and BS 105 look that bad.

 

[neeleman]

As Alex already mentioned Metabo also used the old Holz-Her model.
But speaking of good looking belt sanders, since last year Metabo has a new model BAE 75.

Looks pretty good to me.

Festool might also thinking of upgrading to a new model.
But I don't think they sell so many belt-sanders so there is no reason for a new model.

 

[Jonathanerrrm]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the information, I didn't know that. I agree with you that I can't think of any good looking belt sanders either, I think what I was trying to say was that BS 75 and BS 105 just have a totally different aesthetic compared with the rest of Festool's offerings and stand out because of it. So I was just curious about their origins and wether Festool had really spent much time developing them. Thanks again.

 

[Jonathanerrrm]

Hi Neeleman,

Thanks for the pictures. I hadn't seen the Metabo and yes it looks more up to date or at least like a design team has been involved. I would be interested to see what Festool would come up with if they get round to updating theirs or at least making it look like it belongs to their stable of products.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Well, Jonathan, you have a keen observation because it definitely was spot on.

Neeleman, I agree that new Metabo looks a bit more sexy. But not much though. Anyway, for me looks aren't that important, it's the functionality that counts. I surely doubt we'll see any updates to the Festool belt sanders either. Like you said, I don't think they sell that much of them. I think that's also the reason they never bothered to re-engineer some 110v models out of them for the UK and American market.

 

[Michael_MA]

Festool BS 75 E & BS 105 E

Is it just me, or do the belt sanders both look a bit naff? I'm sure they work exceptionally well, but 99% of Festools have a look which is pleasing to the eye, and tells you "this is a well designed tool".

These just look like those black rubber bricks you had to rescue in school swimming lessons...

as 'm just akin with an BS105, you're completely right.. it does look a bit awkward.. but have you seen any other 100mm Belt Sander with nearly the same capabilities, which looks trendy or flashy..
The BS line of sander is coming a long way out of a time, where design really followed the function.. and thats how it looks like on a Belt sander  [big grin]

kind regards, Mike

 

[Jonathanerrrm]

I can't really comment with regards to it's capability's and function is of course a primary concern, after all we are talking about tools. My interest was becuase of the way it looks was how much Festool have been involved in it's design and development from the original manufacturer, after all it comes with a Festool price tag.

 

[neeleman]

Here are the pictures of the original Holz Her and (imitation) Metabo and Festool brother belt sanders.

 

[peter halle]

And then you have really ugly available in NA belt sanders:

[attachimg=#]

 

[jonny round boy]

I think we're in danger of slipping off topic here....

Peter,

Perhaps you could separate this belt sander discussion to a new thread?

 

[Michael_MA]

And then you have really ugly available in NA belt sanders:

[attachimg=#]

Yeah, it may look ugly on the first look, but i assume once you use it, it shows to be very well ergonomically thought out..

Peter, i also opt in for Splitting off this thread in a belt sander subthread.. Thanks in advance.

kind regards, Mike

 

[Deansocial]

bosch also have a holzher sander too

 

[Jonathanerrrm]

a couple more...

 

[jonny round boy]

Yes, I like that! [big grin]