Why read the manual?

[Jesse Cloud]

OK, I admit I'm like a kid on Christmas morning when a sizeable Festool box comes out of the big brown truck.  Got my RO90 today, Thanks Bob!, and couldn't wait to try it out.  Lots of non-woodworking things filling up life these days, but I figured I had 30 minutes to unpack it and take it for a test spin.  Gave the manual a very quick once over, mostly on the pages on how to change sanding heads.  I'm slow, it took me about 10 minutes to figure out that all you have to do to take off the round head is to set the selector to delta mode and give the head a twist.  Slapped on some Saphir 24 grit and took it to the seat blank that I roughed out with the RAS115.  Boy that little sucker ate up that hardwood like nobody's business!  There was a lot of vibration, so I went looking for the speed control.  Not where I thought it would be, nor the next few places I looked.  How crazy to make a sander without speed control!  Well, I manned-up and ran it for another 15 minutes or so until I heard my teeth chattering. 

Sat it down, turned off the radio, took a step back and son-of-a-gun, the speed control was staring up at me from its hiding place under the handle. [embarassed]

Next time I'm gonna read the manual first! [big grin]

BTW, I was really impressed with the dust control on the RO90.  The RAS hogs wood out faster, but (at least with my beginner's technique) the dust control doesn't keep up.  Until I master the technique, my RAS work will be outdoors.  The RO90 with 24 grit at speed 6 needed just a wee bit of cleanup.  Good pair of sanders!!

 

[JustinHoffmann]

I don't have the RO90, but the manuals to my TS55, TS75 and OF2200 were all pretty much useless.  Are there any supplemental manuals available for the RO90?  I've found those to be very useful for the items I own.

I did find this microsite, I'm not sure if it has anything that would help you out:

http://rotex.festoolusa.com/

 

[Alan m]

i only ever read the manual when
A. something is wrong
B. im suposed to be doing something else and want a break

i think the manuals whith all of the festools i have  were useless. thank god for the reviews on here, and the work on the suplimentry manuals

 

[jmbfestool]

Never read manuals.  Take a good look all over the tool before use  1. To learn about the tool as much as possible and figure out what each switch button lever does before powering the tool up!  2. To check for any damage before use.

Manuals are just a waist of paper and ink for me and environment

JMB

 

[hanshamm]

I'm not one to read manuals either but I've found some interesting operational guidelines.  The most notable being the domino and changing the width dial while the tool is running.  I would have never guessed that

 

[Sean7a]

I have to disagree.  It might be a generational difference, but for a new purchase I love to read a manual and figure out every damn little function that said new toy can perform.  I want to make sure I"m getting the most bang for my buck.  I love being wowed when I read about something that I had no idea my new purchase could do.  What's better than that?

Additionally, sucks to break something int eh first 10 minutes you had it because you tugged on this too much or zigged when you shoulda zagged and poof, it's broken.

Flame away....

 

[jmbfestool]

I'm not one to read manuals either but I've found some interesting operational guidelines.  The most notable being the domino and changing the width dial while the tool is running.  I would have never guessed that

What? to change the width while the tool is running to me seems obvious not to do that while the tool is running! unless u r going to say u can change the width setting while the tool is running then da I would not of known.    I just assume you can not change it while it is running so I have never tried  as I think it will break it.

JMB

 

[Sean7a]

I'm not one to read manuals either but I've found some interesting operational guidelines.  The most notable being the domino and changing the width dial while the tool is running.  I would have never guessed that

What? to change the width while the tool is running to me seems obvious not to do that while the tool is running! unless u r going to say u can change the width setting while the tool is running then da I would not of know.     I just assume you can not change it while it is running so I have never tried  as I think it will break it.

JMB

JMB, I don't think it's unreasonable for one to presume you could change that setting without the domino running.  Think about the majority of power tools on the market whose adjustments can be "screwed" with without a need for the motor to be running.

 

[hanshamm]

JMB brotha I'm not sure if it's your accent but no idea what you're trying to say

"Rotate the adjustment dial only when the motor is running" pg 10.

I would assume it should be the other way around but that's just me.

 

[mouppe]

JMB brotha I'm not sure if it's your accent but no idea what you're trying to say

"Rotate the adjustment dial only when the motor is running" pg 10.

I would assume it should be the other way around but that's just me.

Clearly you haven't read the "guide to JMB's English" manual.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I always read the manual of whatever thing I buy. You might learn something. It's not like you need to be some perfesser or something like that to read a manual, ain't it?  [tongue]

 

[hanshamm]

Bahahaha

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I try to read through it...I did not with my T15 drill and I thought I had a defective charger, but nope -- I was not inserting the battery correctly which I would have known had I taken the time to read it in the first place!  Lesson learned...

Scot

 

[FestoolMike]

I read the manual whenever I get a new tool, electronics, etc.  I just wish the "manual" that came with Festool items was useful.  I don't necessarily need it over done... but they are bare bones at best.  Which explains the other unofficial examples that pop up.  I recognize these are sponsored by Festool, but put it in the box.

Mike

 

[Steve R]

In today's world with on line manuals... I read them  prior to purchase...so I know what the product can do! I learned long ago to not make Assumptions... as we all know that just makes a** out of U and ME...

Anyone that doesn't read the manual on my crew...pays for the repair even if it is under warranty. Never have had that issue, also never had a crew member not do the job to spec.  Quality work is Quality work...

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Kevin D.]

You hear a screwy one?  We just bought an above ground pool.  The installer unpacks all the boxes, and only finds a DVD for the assembly/installation instructions.  Now I'm being asked to print about 50 pages, with a lot of descriptive pictures.  What were they thinking (manufacturer), that installers are in the field - in this case, the backyard - with notebook computers at their fingertips?  And believe me, you need the manual.  Had no idea a pool could have so much assembly/parts.

Insofar as Festool, glad I read my Domino manual for aforementioned reasons, as well as my TS75 manual.  I also recall reaching for the manual when I couldn't figure out how to change off the base on my MFK700.  Doh moment on that one.

Thanks goes to the writers of the supplemental manuals!!!

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I read the manuals so I know about the less obvious features and so I don't break or screw up the item like a previous post uses for an example, the Domino mortise width switch.

So when are they coming out with Festool manuals on Audiobook?  Rick C., you narrating?  [blink]

 

[Steve R]

You hear a screwy one?  We just bought an above ground pool.  The installer unpacks all the boxes, and only finds a DVD for the assembly/installation instructions.  Now I'm being asked to print about 50 pages, with a lot of descriptive pictures.  What were they thinking (manufacturer), that installers are in the field - in this case, the backyard - with notebook computers at their fingertips?  And believe me, you need the manual.  Had no idea a pool could have so much assembly/parts.

Insofar as Festool, glad I read my Domino manual for aforementioned reasons, as well as my TS75 manual.  I also recall reaching for the manual when I couldn't figure out how to change off the base on my MFK700.  Doh moment on that one.

Thanks goes to the writers of the supplemental manuals!!!

That is the Walmart model...lower the price by not providing paper instruction, lower quality so it doesn't last as long as the ones before it..

But that is just my opinion.. and a few other thousands...  Would anyone here want Festool sold by Walmart?  I'm thinking not... we want quality.... 

Cheers,
Steve 

 

[sancho57]

Manuals are great bathroom library reading material.