Occasionally, the question arises, “why plastic?” The following describes the type of “plastic” used in the machines made by Festool:

PA6 GF30

Polyamide 6 nylon reinforced with the addition of 30% long strand glass fiber. The long strands of glass make the material highly resistant to abrasion, compression and flexing. (Festool avoids using the short strand variety as seen in other brand tools) This material is UV and weather resistant and has good heat distortion resistance. It is a good electrical insulator and is resistant to alkali, inorganic compounds, solvents, many oils, greases, diesel, petrol and cleaning fluids.

WHY PLASTIC INSTEAD OF METAL?

• Festool machines are double insulated: The electrical insulation properties of plastic provide the 2nd layer of protection from electrical shock to the user.
• Weight reduction: less than ½ the weight of aluminum, it improves the end user’s physical ease in using the tools.
• Increased strength: Plastic parts can be stronger than metal parts. It is less likely to break. It can flex instead of fracture.
• Quieter: This material has good damping capacity for the reduction of vibrations and noise.
• No Rust: Plastic materials have greater chemical resistance than most metals. They do not oxidize and are not affected by acids or base compounds.
• Better dimensional stability: Castings made from this material can have more detail and a more accurate finish than those made from metal.
• More Comfortable: The operating handles of our tools are less likely to be too hot or too cold to the touch. So this nylon composite is the perfect choice for FESTOOL HOUSING PARTS. It is not “just ordinary plastic”… It is extraordinary plastic!

David McGibbon

Festool Service/Tech Support