Well, this is new. I was fact checking another post and came across a joint Festool and 3M press release that announced their new partnership.
3M and Festool Announce Strategic Collaboration to Serve Automotive Collision Repair Industry.
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3M makes all sorts of abrasive products and tools, including pro-only sanders. Roloc? That’s also 3M. 3M is an abrasives product kingpin.
Festool seems to mainly focus on woodworking tools and accessories, although I know some of their sanders and polishers are aimed at automotive body work.
So what are Festool and 3M doing together?
According to the release, they will be releasing a new and comprehensive surface preparation and finishing system.
Under the partnership, 3M provides the abrasives and automotive repair industry know-how (although Festool wood-sanding abrasives are very good too), and Festool will supply the power tool and dust extraction technologies, as well as their exceptional customer service.
3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division will become the exclusive supplier of 3M and Festool Automotive Systems products, which will launch in the USA and Canada in 2016.
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The new system responds to the increasing demand from customers in the automotive collision repair industry for highly efficient, all-in-one dust extraction solutions that support the ongoing need from customers to maintain cleaner, more efficient and profitable shops.
The press release also added:
Beyond its existing products, Festool continues to develop a new line of connected “smart tools” to power the future of collision repair.
Connected “smart tools?” Hmm… I wonder what that entails!
While somewhat of a surprise to see these two companies working together, I can’t see a downside. Can you?
Pst… Here are some more Festool tool posts.
More Info(via 3M)
fred
Sounds like a good collaboration. Only really big facilities can afford (or maybe need) industrial dust extraction – (like baghouses – electrostatic precipitators and scrubbers) – but there are many small autobody shops that probably want to do better
BikerDad
I have my doubts. Festool has always struck me as a company that builds very good, long lasting, but not sturdy tools. By that I mean they are the sort of tools that you see INDOORS at jobsites, not outdoors. They don’t seem to be tools that take getting kicked around very well. Are their vacs and such going to be robust enough for the auto body shop environment?
John
I dunno, I have my reservations. If its Festool its likely:
“According to the release, they will be releasing a” ->proprietary<- "new and comprehensive surface preparation and finishing system"
It could be nice, but my suspicion is that whatever system of abrasives will be pretty locked down to only use on Festool tools themselves much like the proprietary sanding disks of the rest of their sanders. This may not be a surprise being as its a joint thing and likely not offering this for the rest of the world outside festool, but "proprietary" and locking into "razor and blades business mode" where you can only get the consumables from the manufacturer really makes me upset and leery to invest in the "system".