I was at a trade show in Charlotte back in '99 and saw a guy using a Festool domino joiner for the first time.

I mean, it was just a demo on a simple frame, but watching how fast and strong those floating tenons were made me realize my whole hand-cut mortise and tenon process was about to get a major upgrade, idk, has anyone else had a moment like that where a new tool just changed your whole workflow?

3 comments

3 Comments

wilson.anthony10d ago

Oh man, totally. For me it was getting a decent random orbit sander. I was using this old worn out sheet sander for years, fighting swirl marks on every project. The first time I used one with a good dust hookup and just a smooth finish, it cut my sanding time in half. Suddenly finishing wasn't this huge chore I dreaded. What was the last tool that saved you a bunch of time?

aaron_flores8410d agoMost Upvoted

Got to be the track saw for me. That thing changed how I break down sheet goods. No more wrestling a full sheet of plywood on a wobbly table saw. Just clamp a straight edge and zip, perfect cuts every time. My cuts are cleaner and I'm not scared of the tool anymore. It paid for itself on the first big cabinet project.

aaronowens10d ago

Random orbit sanders are a total game changer, aren't they? Which model did you end up going with? I'm always curious about the dust collection on different brands, some seem way better than others. Did you notice a big difference in how much dust stays in the air with your new one?