I have seen a few threads questioning the viability of it over some other machines.
I have a friend who works for Festool and he let me borrow it for a weekend.
I had a red mustang fender I tested it on. I was going to do up pix, side by side comparison etc. However, I've practiced so much on the panel I finally started going through the clear coat on the old thing so I didn't get too far into the comparision
To be clear, the Festool is made for sanding and not really designed for car detailing. It's a great tool. Seeing it paired with their vacuum and while sanding wood with hardly any sawdust was pretty cool.
I was asked about the noise and vibration. I had a noise meter but couldn't get it to work consistently but the flex was about 2 decibels lower. I'd say they are about the same just judging by the ear. The flex maybe a touch lower.
As for vibration, the Festool does have more power and does vibrate a little more. Nothing that would make me not use it.
I really like how the power chord disconnects so you don't damage putting it in storage.
It's not a true rotary. But it would be about impossible to stop the rotation with pressure. It's a beast and I end up running it on 5 instead of 6. I didn't have a scientific gauge but by feel, I would probably equate on 6 as being about as effective as my Flex Rotary at about 1400 to 1600 RPM. So I don't think it would replace a rotary if you need higher speeds.
The detractors for me was the speed control was on the back of the handle you can't adjust with your thumb like you can a DA or Rotary.
Also, the lack a speed adjustable trigger would be a reason I wouldn't pick it for detailing. I just like being about to control speed with the trigger.
The Festool has an on and off switch I would be uncomfortable with not having immediate control over around sensitive areas.
With that said, I'm not saying anything bad about the Festool as again, it wasn't designed for detailing and it's pretty cool it could double for several different things.
If I worked with wood and wanted something I could detail my cars with, I would go with the Festool.
But from a pure detailing standpoint, I'd stick with my Flex 3401 & rotary.
Thanks Dan, the Festool is definitely a solid product and I appreciate you letting me borrow it.
I have a friend who works for Festool and he let me borrow it for a weekend.
I had a red mustang fender I tested it on. I was going to do up pix, side by side comparison etc. However, I've practiced so much on the panel I finally started going through the clear coat on the old thing so I didn't get too far into the comparision
To be clear, the Festool is made for sanding and not really designed for car detailing. It's a great tool. Seeing it paired with their vacuum and while sanding wood with hardly any sawdust was pretty cool.
I was asked about the noise and vibration. I had a noise meter but couldn't get it to work consistently but the flex was about 2 decibels lower. I'd say they are about the same just judging by the ear. The flex maybe a touch lower.
As for vibration, the Festool does have more power and does vibrate a little more. Nothing that would make me not use it.
I really like how the power chord disconnects so you don't damage putting it in storage.
It's not a true rotary. But it would be about impossible to stop the rotation with pressure. It's a beast and I end up running it on 5 instead of 6. I didn't have a scientific gauge but by feel, I would probably equate on 6 as being about as effective as my Flex Rotary at about 1400 to 1600 RPM. So I don't think it would replace a rotary if you need higher speeds.
The detractors for me was the speed control was on the back of the handle you can't adjust with your thumb like you can a DA or Rotary.
Also, the lack a speed adjustable trigger would be a reason I wouldn't pick it for detailing. I just like being about to control speed with the trigger.
The Festool has an on and off switch I would be uncomfortable with not having immediate control over around sensitive areas.
With that said, I'm not saying anything bad about the Festool as again, it wasn't designed for detailing and it's pretty cool it could double for several different things.
If I worked with wood and wanted something I could detail my cars with, I would go with the Festool.
But from a pure detailing standpoint, I'd stick with my Flex 3401 & rotary.
Thanks Dan, the Festool is definitely a solid product and I appreciate you letting me borrow it.
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