The Right (Fes)tool For The Job
Popular Mechanics South Africa|Popular Mechanics September/October 20 21
A Festool plunge-cut saw is a versatile addition to your workshop. Add ‘cordless’ to the equation, as well as Festool’s rail system, and you have a highly capable all-rounder that’s suited to a range of cutting applications.
Mark Samuel
The Right (Fes)tool For The Job

WHEN I WAS A boy, my dad was always doing woodworking projects, so I was exposed to a garage full of hand- and power tools. My dad has a safety-first philosophy, so wearing eye-, ear- and body protection when operating power tools was the norm. (He was the operator, I was the helper.)

But all the protective gear in the world didn’t make me less afraid of his radial-arm power saw. That thing seemed angry, and the unreasonable sounds it made while dad was cutting certainly backed up my theory. Like an enraged predator, it looked poised to devour a finger, hand or forearm in the blink of an eye.

That impression has always stuck with me, when it comes to power saws, so when I received a new Festool cordless plunge-cut saw from Vermont Sales to review, I had a nagging apprehension deep in the reptilian complex of my brain. Was this tool going to exhibit those same angry traits as my dad’s decades-old saw?

I can happily reassure you that the answer is a resounding no. Never have I used such a politely behaved, easy-to-operate and well-designed power saw. Festool knows a thing or two about making power tools.

This cordless plunge-cut saw takes the notion of circular saws to the next level. It’s designed to be exceptionally safe, operating in a way that makes it very difficult to injure yourself. Every component on the saw that can be adjusted is bright green, a clever feature on all Festool power tools. The depth-of-cut adjustment (up to 55 mm on this model, or 5 mm less when paired with a guide rail) is green, the cut-angle adjustment lever is green, the safety trigger is green, the cut speed dial is green, and so are the knobs for detaching the batteries. Even the zipper on the sawdust bag gets the treatment.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Popular Mechanics September/October 20 21-Ausgabe von Popular Mechanics South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Popular Mechanics September/October 20 21-Ausgabe von Popular Mechanics South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS POPULAR MECHANICS SOUTH AFRICAAlle anzeigen
Can a retired rocket engine take us to Mars?
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Can a retired rocket engine take us to Mars?

The space shuttle's main engine was mothballed with the programme in 2011. Now NASA believes it's the future of interplanetary travel.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
January/February 2023
6 metre waves. All engines on fire. 1 500 Km from land.
Popular Mechanics South Africa

6 metre waves. All engines on fire. 1 500 Km from land.

How Flying Tiger 923 and its 'miracle pilot' made an impossible ocean landing.

time-read
10 Minuten  |
January/February 2023
Land Rover Discovery D300
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Land Rover Discovery D300

A FEW MONTHS ago a $2 billion lottery jackpot was won in the United States. It’s fun to sometimes ponder outrageous winnings like that, and how I’d spend it, even if it’s completely detached from reality.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January/February 2023
Volkswagen Taigo R-Line 1.0 TSI
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Volkswagen Taigo R-Line 1.0 TSI

The compact proportions make this a delightful daily commuter.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January/February 2023
Mazda CX-5 2.2 L De Akera AWD
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Mazda CX-5 2.2 L De Akera AWD

Floor the pedal and overtaking is achieved easily and safely.

time-read
1 min  |
January/February 2023
Making the most out of your grinder
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Making the most out of your grinder

THE HUMBLE BENCH GRINDER IS A STAPLE of the handyworker's home shop, largely due to its versatility. But, while you can employ one to remove metal from just about anything, the traditional kind may not provide the precision you need for every grinding operation. Here, we shed light on the best ways to use the different types of grinders, gleaned from our testing.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January/February 2023
Unlock your devices' full potential with a USB-C hub
Popular Mechanics South Africa

Unlock your devices' full potential with a USB-C hub

AS NEW TECH SHRINKS EACH YEAR, essential ports such as USB-A, HDMI, and ethernet are being replaced by the slimmer USB-C.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
January/February 2023
WE BUILT THE WORLD'S FIRST V-8 TESLA
Popular Mechanics South Africa

WE BUILT THE WORLD'S FIRST V-8 TESLA

THE RICH REBUILDS TEAM HAD A DEAD MODEL S. THEY FIXED IT WITH A CAMARO ENGINE.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
January/February 2023
I bought a GHOST TOWN
Popular Mechanics South Africa

I bought a GHOST TOWN

This abandoned California mining village once had 400 buildings. Now I'm restoring the 20 that remain.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
January/February 2023
F1 taught me that speed starts with comfort
Popular Mechanics South Africa

F1 taught me that speed starts with comfort

AS A FAN OF MOTORSPORT, I'M ALWAYS fascinated with the finer details that go into Formula One racing. Piloting the fastest racing cars on the planet subjects drivers to savage forces - up to 6 G's under braking which has led to an almost endless pursuit of comfort.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January/February 2023