tool gloves

[Timtool]

I bought a T15 this week and threw the 14.4V Bosch it is supposed to replace on the local CL, looking at the state of the Bosch after being only 2-3 years old, in good working order with good batteries, but full of scratches and spots. Even though i took care of it and it was my first cordless drill, it feels bad that my T-15 will probably undergo the same destiny, especially since i occasionally do job site work and would usually toss the Bosch in a systainer, not even thinking of taking my precious CXS out for dirty work.

So i thought it would be nice to have "gloves" of some kind that protect tools that are prone to exterior damage like drills, for those times you you need to use them outside installing fences or inside on rough concrete. Because how careful you may be, they always tip over, or fall off or it's often just more practical to lay them down on the side.
Some will think this is silly because they only do on site work and keeping their tools clean is impossible, but others like me who mostly work in their workshop and occasionally go on site this seems more interesting. Because now i am thinking of either keeping the Bosch or getting an already used T15 or older, and that would be silly when you have such a great tool and are afraid to use it.

 

[Timtool]

I see your point JMB, but i'm not sure i made my point clear enough, the glove is to be put on the tool, and not on your hand. It would be some kind of thin fake leather that covers the exterior of the drill, but leaving parts like all the knobs and vents open so it wouldn't hinder anything besides adding 2mm thickness. It's just there to take all the scratches and abuse in the occasional extreme use, not to prevent it from getting dirty.

 

[GhostFist]

Ya I never wear gloves, sense of touch is so important. Plus I have 80 grit fingers now because of it. Who needs a Rotex?

 

[peter halle]

Although I have never used it, you might want to check out brush-able silicone molding rubber as a possible solution.  Perhaps if the tool was wrapped first in shrink wrap tape and then this applied it could create a skin to be removed and appropriate cut outs made.

Just a thought.

Peter

 

[festooldude]

Maybe its something for festool to reconcider their design!
If you look at some other brands, lets say makita, they take
great care in making their machine somewhat scratch 'resistant'.
I got a lxt combo set i take out on the jobsite everyday, and bedside
from all the glue and paintresidu on the grip, its practially like new when
i clean it every week or so.. Alltough i love all my Festools, the darkblue
plastic is very easy to damage.. Its easily scratched..

Tim, i like your idea, but a tool is a tool, and needs to be made
by the factory to resist the handling of one.. I'm not gonna baby
my tools.. More and more i'm starting to think that my Festool
(except the ts55) are never leaving my shop again.. And thats a pitty..

I hope that in the future, Festool will redesign this..

Thnx for reading, Rick

 

[jonathan-m]

Yeah... maybe festool should just make sure their plastics are a bit more wear and tear resistant or as RvB said get some kind of rubber molding protection from the get-go.  [wink]
It's a good practice to maintain and generally take good care of your tools, which I make out is what you're trying to do.

So on a personal my 2cents kinda rant, and this is not directed to anyone in particular.
If you're the kind of person that's afaid of using or getting a few scratches on your expensive tools, you should consider buying less expensive ones you're not afraid of actually using. Spending huge amounts of money to put a tool in "a glass showcase" figure of speech, or generally use more as a status symbol than what it actually is, a tool to be worked, that in my opinion is quite silly.
Festool makes high quality tools, hence their price. They'll take quite a bit of abuse before dying on you. Besides, a weathered tool shows you actually work.
There, I said it. Been meaning to get that off my chest for quite a while  [tongue]

So please do yourself a favour and don't become on of "those"...

 

[MAK]

I agree a tool is a tool and is designed to be used. I use mine everyday in the trade. Like all my tools I treat them with care. But i do find the festool drills scratch up easily. I've had my festool drills about a year and a half and they look more scratched than my makita lxt gear which I've had for about 5 years.
I must admit though my c15 is tough, I've dropped it a few times and no problems.

 

[hockey_magnet]

I find the Festoool tools mark much easier than most others but I think it's due to the "soft" material they use. I think this material makes the drill or whatever tool more comfortable to hold onto than the harder plastics used by some of the other manufacturers. It may also make them less prone to cracking. I doubt there is a "perfect" material out there. As far as covering the tool, I wouldn't bother personally - Reminds me of the "armour" that you can buy for a DSLR. That concept never worked very well either IMHO

 

[Kev]

Forget the glove ... consider a sock. Possibly a neoprene sock.

Biggest issue is anything on the tool would impede the snug fit in the systainer and the on and off dance would drive you bonkers.

Festool make the Protool range more rugged ... but once again - not out in the US yet.

 

[leakyroof]

Timtool, interesting idea. If you research pneumatic tools like I use all day long, you'll see that thin plastic or rubber/plastic covers are fairly common as an add-on to the air tools out there. They've replaced leather, which DID see some use years ago. They literally fit like a tight glove, and have cut-outs for all the needed open areas that buttons/triggers/controls would need as you're using the tool. So, yes, as an Auto Tech, I'm surprised that no cordess tools are offered with these 'sleeves'. Could be a great niche for someone to tap into.
Since many air tools have composite bodies now instead of alloys like aluminum, you need the sleeves or covers more than ever since the plastic is softer and more delicate than the metal bodies were.

 

[Deansocial]

its a tool. It will get marked but it is only cosmetic damage. ive seen JMBS drill and i think he mixes glue with it but it still works the same.

 

[leakyroof]

Yes, but the OP is trying to prevent the cosmetic damage in the first place.

 

[Deansocial]

thinking of it, same goes for you chopsaw. i know festools are good but why are all yours sticky [tongue]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Just an idea I'll throw out there for you to consider.  If anyone wants to protect their Festools or other brands, consider asking your grandmother to knit them little snug fitting outfits that are easily removed and installed.

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[Vindingo]

I always thought of the scratches as street cred. 

Think of all the harassment the guy with a shiny new hammer gets...
(maybe it was only the wiseguys when I first started working?)