In this video, Richard McMurray of DFW Crown Moulding in Dallas, TX—and Finish Carpentry TV— unboxes and tests out the EXO Active from Festool: an artificial strength system for overhead work. The bottom line is that it works as expected: amazingly well. Just don't try to do any pull-ups...
EDITED VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
Everyone these days is talking about AI—artificial intelligence—but nobody's talking about artificial strength. That’s what we’re getting into today.
Right now, I'm not doing anything. What you’re seeing is the Festool EXO Active, an exoskeleton designed for overhead strength.
I’ve got a mock room I’m setting up—three walls in, which I knocked out the other day. Today, I just finished cutting joists for the ceiling, and I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to test this out with some actual overhead work.
This is a battery-powered exoskeleton that you wear like a backpack. Let me show you how it goes on.
Putting on the EXO exoskeleton
It fits snugly at the lower arm, tightened on both sides. Waist buckle clips in, and then the upper chest strap tightens for stability. Once it's on, I power it up using a walkie-talkie-style controller located on the front.
When you press the power button, a compressor kicks on—that’s the sound you’re hearing. It fills a pneumatic tank, which is what provides the lift assist. The controller shows your power levels, and I’ve turned it all the way up for this demo.
EXO is for overhead applications
This thing is built for overhead work. If you’ve ever installed tongue-and-groove ceilings, sanded drywall, or rolled paint on ceilings, you know how tiring that can be. With this, I can hold my arm overhead and the device is doing the work—it’s holding me up.
It activates around elbow height. Once you drop below that point, it disengages, and you're back on your own.
First impressions of EXO Active under load
Let’s put it to the test. I’m lifting 2x6 joists for this mock room. Holding one up, I can feel the assist—it’s like the exoskeleton is doing 70–80% of the work once I reach the activation point. I still have to balance it, but the upward force is very real.
With lighter loads, it feels almost effortless. I just set one side, then walk over to secure the other end. The assist is especially noticeable with heavier tools like a cordless framing nailer.
Wearability and value
I've had this on for about 20 minutes. You can tell you’re wearing something—it’s not weightless—but it’s worth the trade-off. If you're shooting nails overhead all day, or brushing ceilings, this could save your shoulders and joints.
Yes, it's $3,400. Some might say that's outrageous. But if your job involves nonstop overhead work—like a painter or ceiling installer—it could easily pay for itself in reduced fatigue and long-term joint health.
I can already hear the backlash: “That’s weak, people didn’t use this building the pyramids.” Sure. But why push yourself into injury or exhaustion to prove something? I’d rather be efficient and safe.
This is about working smarter. Fatigue leads to mistakes, especially when operating tools. If you’re worn out, your focus is gone. And that’s never good on a jobsite.
For fun, I tried doing a pull-up with the exoskeleton on. Spoiler: it didn’t go well. The device isn’t designed for that—it resists movement at the elbow and shoulder to provide lift support. It’s not made for bending or curling, so don’t expect gym gains here.
Side-by-side comparison
To really see the difference, I turned the device off and lifted a joist manually. Instantly, I noticed how much more effort it required. Turning the assist back on made a huge difference—it wasn’t just in my head. The pneumatic support really does lighten the load.
So there you have it: the Festool EXO Active exoskeleton. This is real, working technology, and it's pretty sweet.
If your tasks are mostly overhead—ceilings, drywall, painting—this tool can change your workflow. You likely won’t get the full benefit if your work stays waist-level or below.
I used to think this kind of gear was overkill. But people have been getting hurt and worn down for years. Anything that helps preserve your body while staying productive? That’s a win in my book.
At the end of the day, I want to stay sharp, safe, and effective on the jobsite. And if a tool like this helps me do that, I’m all in.