Good Morning,
Thank you everyone for your responses so far!  I've received several notes from members asking for voting options beyond $1500.  I have added a few more.

Everyone who voted for the "Over $1500" in the original poll, please edit your vote to be more specific!

Thank you again!  This information is extremely valuable.

Stay in touch,
Matthew

After my BIL bought the TS-55 I tried it. At that point I was hooked. Of course I had to get the TS-75. Wouldn't want to copy him.

Our First Festool purchase was a second hand 55 (dont remember the exact pre-cursur) skill saw with one rail.

My first purchase was a TS55 with a CMS table and a fence. No CT yet, so I was sometimes ankle deep in sawdust. It was not my last Festool. Total price around $1750.

Two OF2000's

How do you see the results, David?

I'd like to know what the heck you would buy for < $100 as your 1st purchase.  Router bit, clamp, sandpaper?

David, or anyone:

I know this probably seems stupid but I was wondering how one sees the data as a result of this or any other poll. I'm not seeing it and probably because I don't know where to look.


Thanks in advance,

Tom

     1st tool....C12 drill with all the chucks....525 if I remember....24 hours later...T55 saw with CT22...OF1400 router...MFT3 table....you know the prices   Within 7 days...add the Domino set...domino assortment....RO150 sander...DTS400 sander and ETS 150/3 sander.
Now the only tools I don't own are the Kapex...the jigsaw and the planer, all of which will probably be in the arsenal before summer the way its going. 
     I am not a pro woodworker.  I have worked with metal  or humans all my life.   I am now enjoying wood working more then I had ever anticipated.  I don't think it would have been possible without the quality of Festool and this board for that matter.  The wife does not know what I spent on the equipment, nor does she bother to ask knowing of my previous Snap On tool habit, which seems to have been replaced by Festool:D  She even likes what I have done so far as to commision me to build things for her

My first purchase was the old AFT 55 or whatever saw and a 1400mm guide rail about 10 years ago.  I think I can say without exaggeration that it changed my life.  I'm now broke  (too many (Fes)tools) but have changed jobs to become a professional (I'm not sure I will ever merit that term) woodworker thanks in a large part to that saw.  Other than a Striebig panel saw or a table saw with a huge slider (my Austrian Felder saw only has a 2-metre slider) there's nothing that can compete for cutting down panels.  Discovering Festool was certainly the start on a slippery green slope but was also an eye opener.  The quality of their dust extraction has made working with MDF, if not a pleasure, at least a daily reality.   Discovering this forum was also the first time I had ever communicated in such a way - a real eye opener as well.  Thank you Festool and thank you FOG.

The Rotex 150 FEQ.

I wanted the 125 because I thought that would be enough for my needs and 125 size sanding paper is cheaper and better available than 150 size. Turned out God or faith wanted me to have the 150 because I got a deal on it that was too good to let go. Really, half price on a machine that was only used for 3 days on one single project.

I was immediately impressed by the power of the rotary action of this machine. This made work so easy. I was equally impressed by the excellent dust collection. And as a result of that, the long time the paper lasts. I have worked with many different brands and types of sanding machines but none of them made it so easy and clean as this one.

Best sander ever!

So this machine got me hooked on Festool right away, and as it stands for now, at least for sanders, I'm not considering any other brand any more.

Only thing I don't like now, is the terrible availability of Festool sanding media.

My Very First Purchase was for ?3500 My Second was for ?2600 and to date have not used them due to in the process of building new workshop
Can't wait to play with my toy's

Funny, that is the exact opposite of what I thought and did.

The TS55 is underpowered and I can't stand a 500.00 saw bogging down or even completely stopping.

I can zip through 2" Wenge, Brazilian Cherry, Ipe, etc with the TS 75, can't do it with a TS 55. I guess I just am in a hurry all the time.

If all you are cutting is 3/4" ply the 55 is fine. I would rather have the 75 or one of each, but just a 55 can't handle everything I throw at my saws everyday.

For me the weight is irrelevant. The saw sits on the rail, the weight is nothing like holding a skill 77 worm drive free hand off your foot. Man that worm drive used to hurt my wrists.

You have to find a way to get a CT and a sander at least a 150/5, preferably a 150/3 and a Rotex. Sanding becomes fun once you get the Festool sanders so put it high on your list. I would not rule out putting the sanders above the saw purchase, actually I did. The sanders and dust collection is what really made my work more enjoyable much more than the TS saws.

As a hobbyist, I thought Festool were pretty cool, but couldn't ever justify the upfront cost, especially when I already had a Skilsaw, some cheap RO sanders, etc. to get stuff done.   If I made too much dust in the shop, I just left and did something else until it settled and could be shop-vac'd.  A few years ago, I did talk myself into spending a bonus check on a Cleavue cyclone and a truckload of metal 6" ducting to hook up all the stationary tools, but just didn't worry about the sanding or benchtop power tool work.

When I started getting paid for my woodworking, and began spending whole days in the woodshop to meet schedules, justifying the ergonomics and dust collection became a little easier.  One drizzly day I had to section a whole sheet of veneered 3/4" MDF into 13" squares with my Skilsaw and homemade rail jig, and the rain meant I couldn't work outdoors on sawhorses.  Halfway through that horrible task, I went up to the house (well, the wife made me keep my dust-covered carcass out on the porch) to order a TS-55 and CT-33.  After a glass of iced tea and a phone chat with the dealer, I had added a 1400 router, a 150/3 sander, and the CT boom arm to my first order, along with a variety of consumables (sandpaper, CT bags, etc.) -- pretty much everything I needed for benchtop flatwork, even if the final pricetag did made me choke a little on the iced tea.  Having used them now for about two months, I couldn't be happier.  As a side benefit, visiting hobby woodworkers have nearly all remarked they can see I'm a pro/serious woodworker from the systainers (funny, but I suppose a little bit truthful).

-jon-

That's a good question...

We could start by the ease of use, which includes things like:

• Quick abrasive changes so you don't waste time "going through the grits". This saves time two ways - you don't waste time changing abrasives and the whole job takes less time because you didn't skip grits.
• Quick pad changes that allow you to move about a task or work piece with ease and always have the proper pad.
• Cleaner work piece because of proper airflow through the pads and the abrasives.
• Cleaner work place because of proper airflow through the pads and the abrasives.
• Cleaner lungs because of proper airflow through the pads and the abrasives.
• Non-tingling hands, wrists, and forearms because of properly balanced tools. Depending on what you use your hands for after the task, it makes a real difference.

These and other things add up to a better, longer lasting tool. Better means that it works better as a machine and feels better.

Machines last longer if they feel better for a reason and the reason isn't based on marketing, but usage. There are a lot of companies that base their strategies on marketing and not utility. Some of them have perfectly good, utilitarian products but have been led astray by "Marketing Geniuses", especially in our recent, tough economy.

You mention proper dust collection as if it is marginal. It isn't. It is an essential part of the value of the Festool system.


I can go on and on...

I'm going to stop now and let you fill in the blanks.


Tom

Thanks Tom, makes a lot of sense.

First Post!

I've been lurking around here for quite a while and thought this would be an appropriate place to make my introduction as I recently sold the farm to become a Festool junkie.  I dropped a chunk of cash on a TS 75, OB 1400, MFT/3, and mfs 400.  I concure with what almost everyone else says around here.  Once you go Festool, you don't go back.

My first purchase wasn't an impulse.  I have been a hobby-ist woodworker for several years and have an addiction to building speakers.  It is a pretty precise sort of woodworking for which I used a tablesaw, chop saw, router, etc...  The problem is that I live in a townhome with a basement for a shop and these large tools, with their lackluster dust collection became a much bigger issue when my daughter was born.  Before I bought any of my big saws I remember looking at Festool and wondering how anyone could justify paying so much for such diminutive looking tools.  If I had only known then what I know now...

I sold my saws, scrounged for some extra cash and now feel like I can accomplish just about anything.  But, like everyone else, I spend 1/3 of my time planning, 1/3 working, 1/3 dreaming about how to afford a domino.  

One caveat:  I love Festool, but don't ever ask me to part with my Fien Multitool and dust extractor (though I would like a CT 36 when it arrives).  And, when it comes to the sander discussion in this thread, I can't wait to get my hands on a Festool sanding system.  I use a Rigid right now.  Used to use a Craftsman (threw it in the trash this morning).   I can't wait to sand without that annoying numbness.  

Nice to meet you all

Welcome netcastle! 

Dunno if you have time or cash right now, but you should take a close look at the Milwaukee craigslist.  Search for Festool...   
Specifically here:  http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/1911513298.html

You're juuust in range that the drive might be worth the savings.

There are also some sanders on there... The Festool sanders really are the absolute cream of the crop.   If you value your lungs and your work.. well, you're here now.  You don't need convincing.   

My first purchase was a mft/3 and the 55. I am currently setting it up

First Festool purchase was the ETS125.  While I was considering returining it for one of it's bigger brothers, I decided to hang on to the little guy just because it is such an easy sander to use.

ts 75 and clamps , more track . need a sponcership program for the pro

1st purchase:
TS55 / MFT 1080 / CT 22 / clamps

I've lurked for a little while...I'll tell my Festool story, because it is a bit accidental.    2 years ago we just started doing up another house.  As I screwed down the floor boards of the last one, I promised myself a decent box of bits for the DeWalt cordless I was using.   I saw the Centrotec set, and for some reason I bought it - it was on special offer (about £210 as I recall) and I thought, "stuff it, I've earned a decent set".

So I got home, and found that the chucks didn't fit on my DeWalt.   Ha ha.   Actually, nothing fitted.  I could see it was terribly clever, and I was intrigued.   So I bought a C12.       Brilliant combination, and I've used both today for building stud walls.    The DeWalt is still going as well, a good drill, very heavy with a crude clutch, but great for countersinking a bazillion holes in floorboards. 

Once I had the C12, it's all been downhill from there.   TS75, rails, RS100 and RS400 sanders, an OF1010...and last week, a Kapex.   If my Trend vac explodes (that thing has been through heck and back....), then a CTM36 will be on the list. 
 

Nick is wise.  Go with the flow.  Trust in the system....

Boy Scott you jumped in the green pool quickly!

Right new Years I had my shed broke into. They stole a lot of tool but NOT my Festool tools, they were in the garage.

Breaking down sheet good with out a table saw was one of the reasons I bought Festool products. You can read about all the thing i tried before buying the TS55 and the guide rail, when trying to stay away for a table saw.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/review-of-festool-guide-rail/

You have the most important starter products the CT26 Vacuum, the TS55 saw and he MFT/3. Now yo need the Parallel guides to start breaking down sheet goods.

Congrats!

Now the fun will begin.

Peter

Finally made the big step and just got a CT26 and a ETS 125. I originally was going to get the TS55 but that will have to wait until the new year.
Pete

First Festool - TS55.  I got it as a Christmas bonus.

First purchase:    Rotex 150 with MINI vac.  both were second hand but saw very use. 

First brand new purchas: Trion - I was disapointed in it, gave to a buddy

I had to remove my first vote of the TS55 since I had been able to cancel that order via Amazon. I was led to believe that it was going to ship but then it never came and after checking was told the cancellation worked. So...next I ordered directly from The Tool Nut and received the package deal of that saw plus the MFT/3. I had this for nearly two weeks and am still getting familiar with the equipment. The table gave me some fits initially but I believe I have it set up right now. My first project will be a work bench storage unit with six drawers so I can clear off the bench top. First cuts were the plywood for the case. Next will be for the drawers and I'm still working on the plans. Will be using Baltic Birch for the drawers in half-inch size. Also ordered a couple Qwas Dogs from Bob Marino's site.

My first Festool was a CXS drill. Excellent drill, but a weird design for the case.

PS300

Would be better to get the MFT and TS together to leverage the package deal.

Get the boom arm and router together in step 3.

Festool P26561438 TS 75 EQ Plunge Cut Circular Saw in T-Loc plus CT 26 E 6.9 Gallon HEPA Mobile Dust Extractor
Festool 495462 MFT/3 Multi-Function Table
Festool 491498 FS 1400/2 55-in (1400mm) Guide Rail(2)
Festool 497657 Guide Rail Accessory Kit
Festool 495415 Imperial/Metric Tape Measure
Festool 491594 Quick Clamp For MFT And Guide Rail System, 6 5/8" (168mm)(2)
Festool 488030 Clamping ElemenTS 2-Pack

C15. Thought it was going to be my first, last and only Festool. What a joke!   TS 55, MFT/3
, OF 1010, installers kit, RO 90, CT Mini, Kapex, all within 3 months of the C15

Welcome to the FOG!  I will bet that you will love the Planex!

Peter