The DOMINO Joiner has evolved.

Beginning August 1st, the Domino will be available with several improvements including a new fence and a new Base Support Bracket. The Domino will also see the addition of a 4mm cutter and tenons which are sold separately (see details below). If you're not familiar with all of the unique advantages of the Domino joiner, visit the Festool USA website for complete product details, features, photos and video.

In June, we asked SysNotes subscribers to provide us with testimonials about their experiences with the Festool TS plunge cut saw and guide rail system. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the contest and submitted a TS Success Story. It's always a pleasure for us to hear about how Festool is making a positive influence on your quality of workmanship, ease of use and profitability.

After receiving all of the entries, several of us headed off to the Green Room here at Festool USA headquarters to pore over all of the contest submissions. After some discussion, we selected the story that we thought was the best representation of Festool's commitment to working faster, easier and smarter. In the end, we selected the story submitted by Len MacGregor who is now the winner of a free Parallel Guide Set. Here's what Len had to say...

"I am the owner of MacGregor Building & Remodeling, Inc. based in Natick, MA and have been in business for 15 years. Being such a small company I am always looking for ways to run things more efficiently, cut down on labor time and increase productivity.

My company provides all aspects of home improvement from small repairs, to room renovations, and complete new home construction.  The part of my job that I enjoy the most though is having the opportunity to do “custom woodworking".   As anyone who has done any of this work knows, it takes a considerable amount of space to set up for even the smallest job. One major problem that I have always been confronted with was achieving acceptable rips of sheet materials.  To set up a saw, in-feed and out-feed table in my space is impossible.  In the course of the TS 55 demo at a recent JLC Live event, I witnessed the ease of set-up, superb quality of the cut and, ultimately, how little room was necessary for its use.  Seeing these things, it quickly became clear that I needed this saw!

Although I wasn't at first certain how I would employ the saw, it wasn't long before the perfect application presented itself.  I had recently begun an exterior renovation, which was just then presenting a significant design dilemma.  I had finished installing and trimming the windows on a 3-story, 45deg bay on the front of the house when I realized that there just wasn't enough room for siding below the windows.  I really wanted the bay to stand out and the recessed panels just didn't seem to accomplish the goal.  At this point, I decided that I would install full-coverage raised panels to the bay.

I considered outsourcing this part of the project to several companies, but the cost, lead time and need to pull together detailed design specs made me decide to have a go at them myself.  I took all my measurements, stopped at the lumber yard to pick up all of the Koma I needed and headed to the shop to get started.  Because I wanted the panels to match the width of the windows, my rail and stile size were all different dimensions. 

Starting with sheet goods, I was able to use the TS saw to rip each piece to exactly the size I needed, virtually eliminating any waste.  Considering the cost of these composite materials, this was a huge factor.  Also, the ease with which I was able to make several cuts (using two 55" rails, coupled) with only a set of horses and a couple of 2X4s as a base was fantastic!  After milling down 4 sheets of ¾" plastic composite to 9 raised panels without having to wrestle a single full sheet through a table saw in a cramped space by myself was like a little slice of heaven.  After assembling all 9 panels, I made my compound miter cuts on the ends, and brought them to the job site.  With a little scribing on the tops, they fell together as though they were all one piece.

Now looking back at this project, when I figure my time and material costs, I am confident that I saved roughly $800 over my lowest quote.  At the same time, I was able to construct them to exactly the dimensions that I wanted, and easily completed the install within 3 days of first deciding to make them on my own.  All on top of achieving the precise finish product I was looking for!

Prior to owning the TS saw, I probably would not have attempted this job.  If I had, there would surely have been a considerable amount of head-scratching, and I may have ultimately conceded a loss on the project.  Following this project, I realized a lot of new possibilities and potential for my small company & shop.  I have several ideas on the drawing board right now (my 6-yr old daughter's desk at the top of the list) and I can't wait to see what else I can do with my TS 55.  My way of thinking used to be that as a small business I couldn't afford to own Festool... Now I realize that I can't afford not to!"

~ Len MacGregor

Festool cordless drills deliver epic amounts of power and torque when compared to competitor's models. For those of you who now own a Festool drill, this will come as no surprise since you have experienced it first hand. One reason that Festool cordless drills can attain performance levels that leave you reeling in astonishment is the use of the brushless motor (available in C 12 and T+3 series drills).

The brushless motor technology employed by Festool has been proven to provide high efficiency and longevity versus the standard DC motors used in nearly all other cordless drills. Brushless motors are generally 60% more efficient. This allows Festool cordless drills to make better use of the available energy generated by the battery. For you car fanatics, this is like comparing an engine's horsepower rating to the actual horsepower at the wheels. What really matters is the amount of power and torque generated at the bit. As a comparison, the Festool T15+3 14.4 volt cordless drill delivers 11.5 volts at the bit while a standard 24 volt cordless drill would offer about 12 volts at the bit.

The long term advantage comes from the lack of wearable parts in a brushless motor. This means that your Festool cordless drill will not have the same wear and cost of replacement brushes associated with other drills. The advanced technology used in the Festool T+3 cordless drills allow us to offer a 3-year warranty on the drill, charger and batteries.

Visit the Festool USA website for more information about the new Festool T+3 Lithium Ion cordless drills featuring brushless motor technology.

Doug Mooberry builds incredible American furniture inspired by antiques, but adds his unique Kinloch Woodworking creative touches to every piece. Founded in 1982, Kinloch Woodworking has assembled a massive portfolio full of examples of awe-inspiring woodworking prowess. As stated on their website, "Details Do Matter" and attention to those details is important and what makes the furniture they produced collectable.

You may recognize the monstrous slab of wood used in the table in the photo to the right. Ok, give up? It's featured in an article entitled Success With Large Slabs in the August issue of Fine Woodworking magazine. In the article, Mooberry discusses the methods for selecting, working with and incorporating large slabs into furniture design.

In a recent visit to Kinloch Woodworking in Pennsylvania, Tom Loveless of Festool USA talked with Doug about some of the challenges faced in dealing with these beautiful hardwoods. Doug identified dust collection and the speed at which material was removed when sanding as areas that he would like to improve. With the addition of a Festool CT 22 dust extractor with boom arm attachment, the RAS 115.04 E Rotary sander, the Festool RO 150 FEQ Rotex sander and the use of Festool's highly aggressive Cristal sanding abrasives, the process of finishing is vastly improved.

Here's what Doug had to say about the addition of Festool to his shop...

"Grinding and sanding large slabs has always been slow, which means it's expensive from a labor perspective. It used to be a very noisy and dirty process which just adds to the fatigue and we worked in an environment covered in sanding dust and debris.  Then, we tried the Festool solution.  These tools are really great! Fast, quiet and with the dust extractor all the dust magically disappears.  We use the Rotex for most sanding but when you really need to remove lots of material the RAS 115 is just the tool.  Great designs that allow much greater productivity and profitability."

Festool's comprehensive line of sanding abrasives offers optimal material removal and long life. Cristal is the most aggressive of our abrasives offerings and incorporates a durable aluminum oxide bonding material and no load coating which makes it a top performer for rapid removal. Cristal stays cool and won't clog which prolongs abrasive and pad life. Festool's patented JetStream technology results in unsurpassed dust extraction and abrasives that last up to 30% longer.

Festool sanders and abrasives can tackle the most demanding jobs and make the arduous process of sanding a more enjoyable experience. For more information about Festool's complete line of sanding abrasives, check out the Festool Abrasives Decision Guide (PDF).

	Success With Large Slabs, Fine Woodworking, August 2009
	Kinloch Woodworking Website

Recently, the editors of Fine Woodworking (FWW) posted an online review comparing 6-inch Random Orbit Sanders and selected the Festool ETS 150/3 as the Author's Choice for Best Overall sander.

As with all Festool power tools, ergonomics are a primary design consideration. FWW stated that the ETS 150/3 was the easiest sander to control, with no vibration or wobble. They noted that the ETS 150/3 was actually so stable that it could be controlled using a single finger. In fact, it was the only sander in the test group that was rated as having "excellent" handling on both wide and narrow stock. The ETS 150/3 was rated with the lowest noise level at just 86db. Just more evidence that the ergonomic design features of Festool sanders prevent fatigue and offer the most comfortable operating conditions for the user.

The ETS 150/3 was able to achieve up to 100% dust collection when combined with a Festool CT dust extractor and removed the most material when compared to other similar sanders. Notably, FWW used the Festool CT to test dust collection capabilities of all of the sanders. There's little doubt that Festool has become synonymous with sensational dust extraction.

If you're looking to add a great finishing sander to your arsenal, you should definitely consider the Festool ETS 150/3 or 150/5 random orbit sander.

As a professional, you'll want to attend the Katz Roadshow before your competition does! The Katz Roadshow is a great (and completely free) opportunity for you to see industry leaders put Festool power tools to the test in real-world applications, while demonstrating methods to increase competency and proficiency.

For Festool it serves two purposes; we are educating professionals on what makes our products work together as a system, while giving back to the trade community. Festool understands that it's a combination of advantages created by superior products, and advanced techniques that ultimately take your work to the next level. Gary and Mike's presentations exemplify this balance. There are few presentations that deliver the value obtained from attending the Katz Roadshow.

Gary Katz and Mike Sloggatt, in their respective clinics, teach the techniques that they have hung their hats on for years, stressing the importance of doing it the right way. They are no strangers to the industry, having enjoyed the success of the Journal of Light Construction Live clinics and from countless years of successful work in their private practices in the construction industry. Attend a show to learn from Gary and Mike about how great tools, combined with great methods can help you to differentiate yourself in the market, thus making you more attractive to your prospective clients.

We encourage you to register early to reserve your space.

Upcoming Katz Roadshow Events

Register	Date	Roadshow Host	Location
	8/3	Sears Tostel Lumber	Fort Collins, CO
	8/5	Sunroc Lumber	Salt Lake City, UT
	8/10	Builders Alliance	Bellingham, WA
	8/12	Dunn Lumber	Bellevue, WA
	10/5	Lincoln Hardwood & Tool	Lincoln, NE
	10/12	Carter Lee Lumber Co.	Indianapolis, IN
	10/14	Home Lumber	New Haven, IN
	10/16	Neu's Building Supply	Menomonee Falls, WI
	10/27 - 10/30	Indiana Convention Center, Remodeling Show	Indianapolis, IN
	12/5	Anderson Plywood	Culver City, CA
	12/10	Dolan Lumber	Walnut Creek, CA
	12/12	Beronio Lumber	San Francisco, CA

The content contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Festool, its affiliates, and any other entity referenced herein are not responsible for the results of your use of this material. While effort is made to provide accurate information, Festool is not responsible for typographical errors. Prices and content are subject to change without notice and prices are only valid for merchandise shipped within the United States.