Festools HL 850 E planer

Wow...... is all I can say on this baby. I know I'm repeating myself as to why I started getting all this Festool stuff, but I'll say it again........ I just got tired of making a mess at high end customers homes.

A few installations ago I had to plane a wall unit and couldn't do it for 3 day's due to rain, and not wanting to do it in the room. The end result was that it rained all week, I needed to get paid, and get started on another project. I spotted Festool, and all it offered and after the hard swallow I made the move and didn't look back. Installing heavy doors that need to be fitted, can be back breaking especially taking it outside for any planing. Try it, then take it down again for another pass. I wanted something I could use right there on the spot without all this carrying, and this planer is just the ticket. Man, what a pleasure.

First, I'll compare it to my DeWalt that I really love. Festool is slightly larger and slightly heavier but not by much. Its balance really allow the user complete stable control. Note that the motor on both are extruding out on the left, while Festool is flush on the right side.

This allows the plane to get right up close, and I mean close to an inside corner. Really nice engineering. Flipping them over, you can see the cutter right up against one side and that little black piece is a guard that is about 1/4".

Another nice feature are the knives. They are set at an angle allowing the knife itself to give a better cut in my opinion. Also, they are locked in with screws as opposed to gibbs like my DeWalt. Leaving less chance of coming out under use if not tightened correctly.

A quick slide of the guard, and depending what one was working on, you could get right up to the abutting corner. Both machines have a spring pop up foot to allow the unit down and not have the cutters touch a surface while shutting down, or resting. The Festool can be used with either a bag, or hose and extractor. A real nice feature is that it has a baffle in the dust port that can be shifted right or left with the shavings. Man, what a nice feature. Now for the test. I tried this on the old door before trying it on the new one, and highly recommend anyone to do the same so you can get a hang of using one of these. On the DeWalt, you really have to pay attention as to were you bear down pressure. Although, a bit exaggerated in this pic, you can see with the hand on the front knob and split shoe table, once it passes the end the tendency with any of these power planes is to gouge. I found the DeWalt more prone too, but its still user error and practicing prior can save one from a mess on a good piece when the time comes.

If your not careful and put to much front pressure, when you reach the end and the front of the shoe hangs off the door, the plane digs right in and your left with a gouge.

Also when staring any of these planes, you have to make sure you are sitting perfectly flat on the workpiece. Another nice point of the Festool is that it has a slight "non slip surface" on the base. I have to say, this sure is an aid in control. Both machine work nice, but I really have to pay attention to the DeWalt while the Festool just seemed to be more stable and aligned much better in travel.

I took the Festool without collection but set it for 1/16 or so. You can see the sawdust on the side and this is the result.

Now imagine making a single pass like this on someone's carpet, let alone seeing dust on upholstery or tables?

so you get a better Idea just how messy this can really be in a home, here's the amount swept up

This pass is with the bag on results..... whoaaaaaaaaaaaa

There is some on the floor, but the bag caught at least 95%.

Now for what I've been waiting for...... the hose and extractor. The balance isn't affected that noticeably and still a nice feel and control. Note the side, and lack of any dust on the machine as I make this pass.

Another nice feature about Festool is that every tool comes in a stacking box which makes it so nice to keep track of everything.

The boxes even have a picture of the tool so at a glance, you know exactly which tool is in which box. Man...... what a great piece of engineering seeing and using this tool.

Seeing as how I bought so much from them, they gave me the jointer cradle (bench unit) to try out and give my opinion. This is something I had years back doing window trim in an apartment complex, where I had to shave several window sashes to fit wall thicknesses. The cradle is really a nice piece of work and secures the planner really well. The base looks like the same material as the saw guide, and has strips of non slip rubber to reduce any movement. It also has grooves just like the saw guide system, so they're specially designed clamps can be inserted to further stabilize the unit. It also comes with a trigger locking device so that once its started and locked in place, the planner will stay running. The fence also has holes so an auxiliary fence can be attached.

Here I slid open the protective guard on the side to further illustrate how close it can get to inside corners that I mentioned earlier.

The only problem I found was the spring blade guard used in joining operations over the knives. Its made of plastic, and locks in place with a small plastic protrusion that firs into a corresponding slot, then the whole assembly has a long bolt passing through to secure it. First opening, the small plastic piece sheared off. No sweat, due to a replacement of the way from Festool, but I think this is the only thing I can see that could be improved. I think a screw or metal protrusion would be a preventative answer. Other than that....... this machine is a honey!

They also offer a wide variety of HHS and Carbide replacement knives in many designs I haven't seen before. Some are designed for undulating, and even some for rustic appearance such as found in hand hewn timber. This will come in real nice when I build my log home, or making false beams for ceilings.

First I made up a beam box by mitering corners then clamping with tape. The miters were cut using that technique I explain on the opening index page of my site.

I wish all cutters came packed this way. Man, when your through, just pack it away in its box and never worry about damage around the shop

I ordered the complete cutter head rather than just the special blades to save time changing over. Man..... I figured this operation would be sweet, but never imagined this fast. A few turns of an allen wrench, replace the washers and your good to go

Now..... I don't know how many times I've hand hewn beams for ceilings using a variety of tools and anyone who's ever done this can attest to the fact that its a back breaking chore. I've used everything form an adz to drawknives and brother...... this set up just is unbelievably the fastest method out there. My poor old grandfather would be smiling today if he ever saw this. I think this took me all of 20 seconds. Put some sleepers on the ceiling to nail too, and throw this hand hewn box up. Imagine what this would look like if it were done on an actual 4x6? Also notice the few chips on the table, is all that amounted to hooked up to this hose. Just incredible!

Once again........ I do allot of high end work that requires a high degree of professionalism. That encompasses a clean job. You can be the best craftsman out there, but leave a place a mess and your reputation takes a hit. Yes, these Festool tools are expensive, and maybe not for everyone but to me it was well worth it. Woodworking for 35 yrs, walking knee deep in sawdust, its just an absolute pleasure to run across a company like this who just took everything in mind designing tools like this.

www.festool-usa.com.

You might also want to contact Bob Marino at: ROBARLMAR@aol.com where I ordered mine from, or visit his website at: http://festool.safeshopper.com/