Often it has been discussed how to best collect dust created by a SCMS or CMS. The answer has almost always been, it cannot be done with great results. Many have shown devised setups that seem to work well but is it also reported that regardless of how well these modifications work there is still a pretty good mess to clean up. On top of that, the collector is most often stationary or part of a stationary stand. Changing direction for a bit here it has often been mentioned the seemingly excessive expense of certain brand tools and how the expense would prevent a person from ever considering that brand. As true with anything the initial cost of purchasing a tool will always be out of someone's price range. At one time PC products were a stretch for me, fortunately I have over come that obstacle. Back on topic, I was watching "Ask" This Old House today and noticed Tommy using a new tool. In recent months Tommy has been using a lot of new tools and not too coincidentally they are of the same brand. Is he or Ask TOH using a new sponsor? I have not seen credits going to this company nor does a search of this company on the "Ask" TOH web site turn up any results. Of all the wood working shows and talented professionals on these type shows I have never heard any discouraging words that would indicate that he does not carry the respect of most any wood worker. A viewer asked "Ask" TOH to help him out with crown moldings in his kitchen. The homeowner had been able to do most every thing himself but the crown moldings in a seemingly complicated area had him baffled. Tommy stepped in and showed how to cut crown molding for irregular angled corners with a SCMS. No coping, all cuts were done on the SCMS, right there inside the house. It took me a few minutes to realize that there was not a cloud of saw dust in side the homeowners house. For that matter I backed the video up and watched the cuts being made and again did not notice any saw dust escaping. Then I saw a black hose with green stripes in it. Hum the mostly black SCMS had a few green spots on it as well. Backing up again and forwarding frame by frame revealed the Festool name on the SCMS motor housing. The saw is not available for sale in the US yet so I would be sure that the saw was probably donated but it was certainly not promoted in the show or web site. Surely this is going to be another expensive product from Festool and many are not going to be able to justify the price of this machine. For those that make a living using their wood working tools I can see how this saw would be a big benefit when working inside a customers home and not having to set up shop in the rain or snow so many yards away from the project. Imagine not having to put up dust screens or go in and out side the home time after time to saw or sand pieces on the project. Imagine not tracking saw dust all over the house on the way outside to make another cut. Imagine this 2 hour crown molding job only taking 20 minutes because you spend your time working and not cleaning up, walking in and out side time after time for a 10 second cut.
- posted
16 years ago