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.