My review of the Workcenter, it's a work in progress since I'm still figuring out how I'll be using it.  I'm sure someone will ask so I'll address it now, I paid full price for the Workcenter just like the rest of you guys.  You can check for updates on the WCR review on my site. Anyhow, here's what I've got so far...

 
Text and photos by Brice Burrell, copyright 2011 (except the Festool's product description of the Workcenter)

The new Festool Workcenter is an accessory to help organize your workspace. It mounts to any of Festool's larger dust extractors, CT 22, 26, 33, 36 and 48 extractors, it's also compatible with the boom arm. In a nutshell, it's an adjustable platform for storing and organizing your tools and accessories with pegboard, tool hooks and shelves. I believe the Workcenter is going to change the way I view workspace organization.
   
Let's take a closer look at the Workcenter. Festool lists the min. height as 21 1/2" and max. height about 31", that's without being mounted to a vac. On my CT26 it stands about 51" off the floor at max. height. There is a rotating shelf with adjustable height, a drill tool hook, a sander hook (will hold two sanders) and six hooks and one shelf for the pegboard.
   
In the video below I take a closer look at the WCR 1000.

Festool Workcenter product tour

I’m not too proud to admit I have a problem, a workspace clutter problem. My workspace at home is small and it’s rarely much different on my jobsites. As my projects get into full swing the tools and the accompanying accessories start coming out of their Systainers. The tools pile up until I end up knocking things off the table. Or I literally trip over them as I start stacking them on the floor in an attempt to get them out of the way. We’ve all run into this problem at one time or another and it really hampers productivity.

The dust extractor is the heart of the Festool system, so it only seems logical to center a work station around, or in this case, on the extractor. And that is just what the Workcenter is, a mobile and customizable work station for your Festool extractor.



Here's what Festool says about the Workcenter:
Introducing an entirely new way to think about project workflow! The CT Workcenter WCR 1000 is designed to change the way you organize and arrange your workspace, helping you to work more efficiently than ever before. The CT Workcenter provides a convenient way to keep your tools and accessories close at hand, without cluttering your valuable workspace.

The CT Workcenter can be mounted easily to all of Festool's larger Dust Extractors, enabling freedom of movement throughout the shop or jobsite. The CT Workcenter features numerous options for hanging an assortment of tools and accessories, plus height adjustable columns, allowing for easy storage of task-specific Systainers, keeping critical items within arm's reach.

Okay, Festool's product description got me off to a good start but how can I adapt the Workcenter to fit my workflow and make it solve my workspace challenges?



First, let me talk about some of the options already available and why they don’t necessarily work for me. Festool has an outstanding tool storage solution, the Systainer. These uniform tool boxes are great at storing and transporting my Festool tools. I like the compact storage they offer and being able to clip a stack together to get my tools to and from the jobsite. But that’s where the convenience ends for me. Inevitably the tool I want will be in the middle of the stack, so I have to shuffle Systainers. With the tool and accessories inside some Systainers are overly crowded making it harder to get things in and out easily. I do believe the new T-Loc Systainers will be a big improvement and should make accessing the contents much easier, especially when stacked. Festool has the Sysport, a tool chest for Systainers to help make accessing your tools more convenience. This looks to be a nice way to store and organize Systainers without stacking them. However, the number of Sysports I’d need to organize my Systainers the pricing puts these outside of my means. Besides, they wouldn't travel easily to the jobsite. Of course there are things that help, the MFT/Kapex and roll board (Systainer cart) come to mind. I use the small MFT/Kapex as a place to store tools or stage area for materials during a project. Also, the roll board allows me to easily wheel around stacks of Systainers when they need to be relocated.

So, where does the Workcenter fit into all this? I getting to that, I promise, just bear with me a little longer. When a tool comes out (and the Systainer goes back on the shelf) it has to go somewhere when not in use. That usually is in the hose garage of the vac or on the MFT/Kapex-but those spaces fill quickly during a project. Now, this is where the Workcenter is going to come in, a place to store tools and accessories. Okay, thank you Captain Obvious.

Wait a minute, let me explain. You may have seen Festool’s promotional pictures and video for the Workcenter where they show it being used in an auto body shop. They have a sander, a cordless drill, a couple of Systainers, sandpaper and a few other small items that I joking refer to as knickknacks hanging on the Workcenter. I can’t help but feel the Workcenter would never be able to earn its keep if I couldn’t make better use of its potential. I envision using the Workcenter as platform to store numerous tools, far more than Festool shows the Workcenter holding. Check out the video below to see what I mean.

Festool Workcenter

So, in the video you just seen I placed twelve tools and a few other items on the Workcenter. Even with that many tools it wasn't too crowded to easily access everything. Also, it's robust and isn't likely to tip over.

You may not want to store twelve tools on your Workcenter but you certainly could if you choose not keep your tools in Systainers. I’ll admit that if all the accessories that come with the tools were also on the WCR it would become quickly overrun. Realistically, you’d be able to get 4-6 tools with a full set of accessories without overcrowding.



In the picture above I have my four drawer Sortainer with the WCR to keep accessories organized. I have a piece of anti-slip matting to help to keep tools from sliding off the top. Also in the picture I have my mini compressor on the WCR with 23 gauge pinner. My Veto OT-LC tool bag also fits in the WCR dock, that thing is pretty heavy so it’s nice to be able to wheel it around.

In the video below I talk about some neat things I've figure out to do with the Wrokcenter.

Festool Workcenter ideas

There are some tradeoffs for the convenience. One of the tradeoffs is a less mobile dust extractor. Wheeling the extractor/WCR around is no problem even fully loaded with tools. However, the WCR really needs to removed to carry extractor. Also, changing the filter bag in the vac is more effort with the WCR mounted on my CT26. With the older models CT22 and CT33 the WCR needs to taken off to change out the filter bag. Removing the WCR is very challenging in itself; it collapses quickly to its stored position. You do, of course, need to clear off most, if not all, of the tools to collapse and remove it from the vac. Another thing to keep in mind is the tool/Systainer dock on the WCR is a solid piece of plastic so you can’t reach the hose garage on the vac. I think the benefits of the Workcenter far outweigh these small inconveniences.
   

I’ve not owned the WCR long so what I’ve written thus far is more of a first impression than an in-depth review. I have gotten to use the WCR for a couple of small projects at home and one in the field. Everything seems to be working out very well so far. I didn’t find the WCR hard to take to the job at all and once setup it was a real asset. You still need to make an effort to keep things organized on the Workcenter. Keeping the tools organized is easy but you need to pay some attention with what you do with the accessories to stay efficient. In other words, don’t be tempted to pile on the accessories until you’ve got a cluttered mess on your hands. While the Workcenter isn’t large enough to organize everything I’d need for all of my projects, it is a good first line of defense against my workspace clutter problem. It’s not that it just gives me a place to store tools out of the way; it helps me neatly organize them while still having them right at hand. I liken the WCR to the boom arm, it just makes life a lot easier. That has a real value to me.

I plan on adding updates to this review as I learn more at this new accessory. In the mean time you may want to check out Paul Marcel’s blog, Half-Inch Shy for some good info and few informative (and fun) videos on the Workcenter.

Excellent review Brice.  Its now on my must buy list.

Only two videos at 5 and 3 min each?!? Where's the 30 minute three-part video review? you call this a FOG review?

Hey Brice - are you going to put a boom arm on that or keeping it as is to be most portable?

Any issues having a boom arm as well as the WCR?

Love all the tips and ideas. Thanks.

Thanks for doing that shake test for those of us living out here in "Shake-n-Bake" land.

I received the Work Center yesterday and set it up last night.  Wow, I'm really impressed as it really took care of the clutter.

My initial comments are:

1.  I love its height since I'm tall and in the top tray I set in the colored boxes (to store fastenters) from my SYS-BOX systainer.

2. At the both ends of the top tray there are 2 holes and this is where I put my quick clamps, safety glasses, and clamping elements.

3. On the rotating tray I have put large handled screwdrivers in the wide long open slots.  I saw that Brice Burrell made a wood insert for this slot which is a great mod; however, for my needs I didn't have to do it.

4. I found that the Universal Hook and Double Hook Tool Rest that are shown as mounted to the ends also have the same hole pattern as the peg board.  What I mean is that you can mount these to the pegboard as well. To me, this way is much more secure than using the single "slip-in and fall-out hook".  I'll definitely get at least 2 more of the Universal Hooks and have a total of 3 Universal Hooks on one side of the pegboard.  Voila!!! Now I still have 6 prongs without the aggravation of the Single Prong Hook.  Since only 1 Universal Hook came with the Work Center I'll have to make due with it now until I get the 2 more.    

5. I used the shelf for all my finishing cans and glue bottles.  I also have ordered another shelf.

6. I'm not a big fan of the single prong hooks that slide into the peg board.  I can see myself buying more of the double prong hooks and fastening them to the peg board.

7. I placed 2 Sortainers in the Work Center's base.  This set up reminds me of my rolling tool chest.

8. Once I had the Work Center all loaded up I found that my vac bag was full and will have to change it soon so this is my DUH moment.

All in all the Work Center is a wonderful investment and so far has helped immensely.

Oh, my final comment about the Hooks and Peg Board!!! It became very clear not to get 2 more universal hooks (at $50 a pop) but to take the single prong hooks and drill out their tabs and then I can fasten them to the peg board with oversize washers and the appropriate cap screws & nuts.  And I won't have to wait to do this mod.  It's off to the wonderful world of McMaster Carr!!!!!!!!

pics or it didnt happen.
 

cant wait to see how you set it up. are you saying that the double pronged drill clips fit to the peg board. if so will the sander hanger fit also.

Alan, it most undoubly should as it has the same hole pattern as the Universal Hook.  Kurt

Thank you Brice for the review and wonderful video.  You convinced me once you stored all the tools and accessories located previously on the MFT3 on the WCR1000.  The biggest problem one encounters on a work site that require multiple tool usage is where to place them in order that they are readily available and in proximity of the work surface.

What is the height of the it on it's shortest setting and from floor with vac. My van has about 48-50" clearance to put things in height wise. Want to see if I have to remove it to put in van or not. Thanks

That depends on what you set it on, Kreg. It's about 21" or 535mm from the bottom of the unit to the top. It sits in the tray part of the Sys-Doc.


Tom

Okay thanks !  Lol about cutting hole in roof. Thanks Tom

For the measurements. But  sounds like I will have to pop it off any way but I will see  tomorrow when I pick it up!

No ramp just heave ho and up it goes!

Thanks bob!  Lol. Oh don't forget I still have that Festool shirt and cap I got you ,,,  at this rate it will just be the shirt. Med.

Brice, you are dangerous. I have a small shop and quickly dismissed this as something I do not need, but now I am thinking about how I have difficulty managing all the things I use over and over and am constantly putting here,there and everywhere. My Festools in and out of sustainers and the vac hose connected to all, my drills, marking tools, tapes, squares and rules... I have thought about building a little mobile cart, but maybe, just maybe, this could be the item that gets my act together? Again, like all the newer Festools the price is at a point where it hurts a little, but not enough to say no. 

This is how I was using the WCR earlier. It is quite nice because you can contain your mess, sort of. I can roll almost everything out of the way at the end of each evening.

I have little room for error on this one. LOML's dad is coming in about 2 weeks and that's our kitchen. I have the stove pulled and everything in shambles. Oops. I got the electrical work done tonight. It was a lot of 10-gauge copper-clad aluminum (aluminium for you Brits) in very small boxes. Ideally, I would rip all that crap out but it isn't an ideal world.


Tom

I don't know Kreg, that job site photo is like pooping your pants - not something you should be advertising...

You post that on JLC, and I think it'd take longer to live down than the TS55 cutting in the grass scenario.

No job is so rushed that you couldn't take a quick 5 to tidy up - clean jobsite is half the appeal to clients.

Sometimes jobsite habits speak louder than the end result to folks.

Julian

Julian, I generally take time to keep things fairly neat but in the heat of battle things don't always go as planned.  Kreg's picture is a good example of a real jobsite after a few hours of work.  Sure, you could take the time to put every tool away and then get it back out shortly there after.  What I'm I saying, you're no rookie, you already know all this.  I've found the WCR to really help keep thing organized by having a place to put thing until I them again.  And, I don't have to stash tools on the floor.  You know what a hassle that is. 

Kreg, your picture is the real thing so thanks for posting.   

Yep that is how it is brice, thanks. That is why the work center is nice keeps tools out and ready to use during the day

The pro's will have much better answers, but how much trouble it is to put on and take off depends pretty much on how much stuff you load onto it.  It snaps onto the vac like a systainer, so its not hard to put on and off.  Of course if you have a saw, a couple of sanders, and a drill on it - its gonna be heavy.  What I have done is to keep a large systainer on the WCR that I can use to put hanging tools when I need to take the WCR off.  I just toss the tools into the 'tainer, take the 'tainer off and lift of the WCR.

Hi,

I checked this out the other day. It is much more beefy and sturdily constructed than pics reveal. The hooks and such are all quite heavy gauge.

I don't think it works for my shop or site set up, but it does look like a useful and effective item.

Seth

Well just left woodcraft with the workstation!  Had to buy floor model which is great as it is all put together!!

Will post pics tomorrow with it all set up at my job I am doing

One main reason I bought it was because of brices video!

Plus can't let him get ahead of me on festools!  Lol

Well the stand worked out very well today and to keep remembering to hang stuff up instead of laying it very gently  on the ground!

 I have played with the WCR at my dealer a couple of times prior to this class and have been on the fence whether or not I needed this in my personal line up.   After using the WCR for the last couple days at the doors and drawer class in Indy, it was an easy decision.  My plane from the class landed last night @ 9pm.  I was at my local dealer @ 9:30 this morning to pick up my WCR 1000.
Here are some pictures of how I have modified and setup the WCR for my needs.  I have decided to rename this to the MFTSV (Multifunction Table Support Vehicle)  My plans are to use this set up to strictly aid the workflow around the MFT tables. 
I most likely will purchase two more WCR1000.  One for the van and one for another CT vac without a boom arm for the shop. 

Bob, Its been a long road to get the shop to this state,  Big plans for the future. 

I have a homemade fence that I clamp down with the Kreg clams.  It works ok.  After using the CMS last week, I will eagerly waiting for this to hit my shop..

I do have woodcraft about 15 min from my house and have a couple other dealers within the same distance that all sell the same stuff. 

Kreg,

I'm interested in how it is working out for you.  Has your productivity increased?  That's kind of the bottom line for me.

Aaron

Looks like the Festool classes are costing you more each time you go. I noticed two MFT in the background, did you buy the second one after the November Cabinet class?

Ya you need a JERK-center for that so do i apparently

  Any one taking this out to a jobsite (interior finisher) care to comment (Brice) on a longer term evaluation ? Im on the fence on this , mostly about having to tie up the vac if its over at the mitersaw or something,then rolling it back and having everything fall off or something?Not sure if I would want multiple vacs just to accommodate it , and would not want to make another base (I would just make a rolling slotwall/pegboard rack , if I was going down that road ) I can really see the need to have a small close at hand tool rack, and would love to hear any + or - feedback about this thing , before I dump another $500 (Cdn after tax).Thanks in advance ...

I have had the WCR for about a year now using it exclusively for site work and it transports just fine.  I did screw the metal tray in place so it can't bounce off and I also lightly strap it to the wall so it can't tip over on bumpy roads, but otherwise no issues in transport. I have a 16' enclosed trailer for my tools and the WCR lives in there on top of the CT26. It does not come out of the trailer for every job ( I do quite a bit of exterior work) but it has been a worthwhile investment for me.

It saves some time, although if you directly convert minutes saved to dollars earned without considering convenience it may not literally pay for itself in the short term. If you factor in that it is a pretty slick convenience, especially when working in occupied homes by helping to keep the work area neat and organized then it pays off in that sense. I often just wheel the unit (with all the tools on it) into a suitable corner at the end of the day and it is ready to start work again in the morning.

I never remove it from the CT for transport, just return the tools to their systainers, pick the CT/WCR combo up and carry it away, nothing to it.

j

There are men that will come for you - they are German and they won't be very nice. There's probably time for you to explain that the picture was a hoax and that no Festools were harmed during the filming ...

Think quickly.

Brice, I finally bit the bullet and purchased a WCR.  I am just assembling it now and I thank both you and Aaron for the tips and the ideas about how to extend and customize the WCR.