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JOEL Joel's Blog

I Go To Festoool Training and Find Out About Splinter Guards on Jigsaws

06/09/2011

I Go To Festoool Training and Find Out About Splinter Guards on Jigsaws 4The reason I didn't have a blog entry for Tuesday was that I was at Festool training. We need to be able to answer technical questions and also show people how to get the performance the justifies the cost of the tools. Brian Sedgeley, the instructor, is pretty well known across the US as knowing more about the tools and being able to teach it better than just about anyone else. While intellectually I Go To Festoool Training and Find Out About Splinter Guards on Jigsaws 5I know how important splinter guards are on the Festool jigsaws the picture at left taught me a simple way to explain it. The saw cut on the left is a typically splintery cut made without a splinter guard. The saw cut in the middle was made after inserting the small plastic splinter guard that comes with every Festool jigsaw and is replaceable. The top of the cut is dead smooth. The third cut on the right was made with a narrow blade and shows how tight a turn the saws can make without thinking about it. Brian did the cut in a second. He also showed us how to adjust the blade guides for blade thickness so you get the best tracking.
I Go To Festoool Training and Find Out About Splinter Guards on Jigsaws 6One difference between dealer training and practical training to end users is Brian shows us simple ways of demoing the tools. Here he is cutting a 2x4 the long way and by showing that the resulting cut is square you get a real sense of how good the guides are on the saw and get a sense of how much time you will save by not having to clean up the cuts. I've learned tons more tips which I will write up as time permits.

I Go To Festoool Training and Find Out About Splinter Guards on Jigsaws 7Earlier in the year most of the jigsaw excitement was on the imminent introduction of the Carvex jigsaws, which has now been postponed. While the Carvex when it comes out will represent the next generation of jigsaws, its announcement does an injustice to the current line of Festool jigsaws which are fantastic. Festool also just lowered by $60 the cost of the saws and all the saw packages that include a vacuum. Click here for more information about the jigsaws.
Join the conversation
I have used this jigsaw for more than 3 years, primarily cutting curved parts out of plywood when building furniture and cornices, accepting the resulting splinters that came with it. I never even knew there was a splinter guard. After reading what you said about the guard I rummaged around in the box, found it and put it on my saw. WOW, what a difference! No splintering and the dust collection even works right without clogging up the ports. I'd always thought this was Festools one product that wasn't quit right but now I'm convinced they know what they are doing. Turns out it was me. Thanks for turning me on to a better way of working this this jigsaw.
07/07/2011 Matthew Platt
I talked with a pro cabinetmaker a few weeks ago who specifically mentioned the seven years of faultless, flat-out market beating, noting else comes close, performance he has had from his Festool Jigsaw as his justification for insisting on Festool for all his hand held power tools. When someone (who knows what they are doing) questions it, he gives them his jigsaw and says try that, 30 second later, see? Bingo, another Festaholic!
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The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the blog's author and guests and in no way reflect the views of Tools for Working Wood.
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