$50 Tool Voucher, What Would You Buy?

[The Craftsman]

Hello Everyone!
This is my first post, and after buying my first Festool(s), I figured it was time to stop lurking and join  [big grin]
I was lucky enough to pick up the new Pro 5 LTD sander for $100, and bundled it with a Midi Dust Extractor.
I am a carpenter/contractor, and do mostly renovations and finish carpentry (crown, base, doors, etc.), and I knew that adding a dust extractor would change the game for me in a big way, and the promo for the new sander was a great excuse to plunge into my wallet and take this combo home. It also came with a $50 tool voucher for my next tool purchase!

Festool was wise in not allowing the voucher to be used on the MIDI, because the 10% discount on tool bundles excluded a second promotion, SO............What do I spend it on?
What in your opinion is a must have Festool for a fella' in the carpentry business, sub $500?
I already have a router, multitool, and circular saw, of which I am totally pleased with.

I like the idea of picking up a CSX drill to make my work drilling/driving work easier, and making the task much less cumbersome than my Ridgid brushless hammerdrill and impact combo. I would still keep the impact for obvious reasons, but could I get by and not be needing much more from just a CSX and an impact?

My apologies if this question has been answered before, trust me, I have read the posts if it has, but hopefully this will help others besides myself as well.
Thank you!
- Carl

 

[Shane Holland]

Carl,

Welcome to the forum.

You can use the voucher on the MIDI. And, it can be used even if the tool was purchased as part of a package deal. Adding dust extraction would really let you experience one of Festool's biggest advantages.

The CSX is a sweet compact drill.

You can't go wrong with a complementary sander like the DTS 400 or RTS 400, either.

The Carvex or Trion jigsaw would also be good options.

Shane

 

[The Craftsman]

Thanks for clearing that up for me Shane!
The tool department where I bought the tools did some research at the time of purchase, and told me I couldn't, I'm glad I can!
So now the question is burning less of a hole in my wallet  [cool]
But still, I'd love to hear more suggestions!

 

[ScotF]

I would still opt for a track saw...that is game changing and worth spending a little more than your $500 budget. If you need to stick to that, then the CXS or in my opinion the better TXS would be great and accessories for that and your sander. Maybe a combi-Systainer for organization makes sense for all tools.

 

[RustE]

My voucher is going towards the HK 55 EQ that I got this weekend.

Prior to that, I was thinking of the RTS 400 sander.  Klingspor also makes some abrasives for the RTS 400 but not the DTS 400.

 

[EdL]

Mine is going toward a Syslite Duo.......

Ed

 

[The Craftsman]

What are the practical differences between the TS 55 REQ and the TS EQ Plunge cut saw? A Track saw is definitely on my list, and would have really come in handy the other day, when I had to rip 4 doors down, about an inch on each side, to fit in a door jamb with specialty hinges. I made due with my Stanley Bailey #4 and some patience, but I could see the track saw being a major time saver!

I suppose I don't really need the CSX, but man, it would be nice to not use a 4 Lb drill every time I need to tighten up door hinges, or install cabinets. Maybe that's why my right arm is like Arnold's and my left is like Lady Gaga's  [big grin]

 

[Shane Holland]

[member=64182]The Craftsman[/member], the TS 55 EQ was discontinued several years ago and the REQ is the new version. Sorry, when I read your first post and you said "circular saw", I thought that meant you had a Festool track saw.

Here's what changed with the new TS 55 REQ over the previous model, the TS 55 EQ.

Easy-to-read, dual-depth scale - Large, readable scale indicates depth setting, for cuts on or off the guide rail. Also includes a self-adhering Imperial scale.

Micro-adjustable depth control - Integrated micro-adjust knob enables precise depth adjustment, so you cut only what's intended.
More protection from splintering - Streamlined Splinterguard is always there when you need it, eliminating tearout on both sides of the blade.

Flat housing for flush-cutting - With a flat housing offset to 1/1-15/16", you'll make straight cuts perfectly parallel to any edge, further increasing your range of applications with the TS 55 REQ.

Pick up where you left off - Redesigned riving knife emerges before the saw blade for easier positioning in existing cuts lines.

Greater bevel range - Simple detent-override function extends angle cutting to -1° to 47° with positive stops at 0° and 45°.

Better dust control - Improved dust channel design further enhances extraction efficiency, so you can work right in the customer's space, with less clean-up.

 

[RustE]

...
I suppose I don't really need the CSX, but man, it would be nice to not use a 4 Lb drill every time I need to tighten up door hinges, or install cabinets. Maybe that's why my right arm is like Arnold's and my left is like Lady Gaga's  [big grin]

I use the Makita 10.8V cordless impact driver for those tasks.  The model that I have was later changed to 12V Max and then discontinued.  The current Bosch 12V offerings are the closest form factor.

You might also want to look at the newer Makita SubCompact offerings.  The reps at a local tool sale said these have as much power as the 18V brushed tools.

 

[RKA]

Your right arm is huge because you were ripping a door an inch on each side with a #4!  Get the saw!  [tongue]

 

[sheperd80]

My 2 cents as a fellow carpenter. Festool drills are not worth it at all! I wouldnt trade my Milwaukees for Festool. Use a CSX next to your current tools and see if u rly want one. I didnt. I feel the same about their jigsaws... no thanks.

I havent got my pro 5 yet but from what i understand its a fine finish sander. Not aggressive like most 5" orbitals so u may want another sander.

The ts55 has been a revelation for me. For cutting doors and breaking down sheetgoods by myself, I love it.

I have 4 routers and still got an of1010, for the most part i love it. It has replaced both my bosch colt and dewalt plunge router at work except for that rare occaision i need 1/2".

The real question is where do u want to end up with your festool system? For me, i decided i want to cover the common handheld woodworking tools with Festool for the sake of running everything off my midi with the same cord and rolling it in as one nice neat woodworking stack. So i got a domino, tracksaw and an of1010. An ets/ec sander is next. No festool jigsaw, drills or kapex for me... ever.

Ymmv.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Getmaverick]

I was in your shoes a couple of years ago. My first purchase was an RO90 and a CT26. Customer was so impressed (the lack of dust), it landed me an additional $30,000 worth of work through out the year just from her.
I have since outfitted my whole shop with Festool and new cordless Milwaukee. The only drill I have from Festool is the CSX. It was my second purchase. It is my go to drill for most tasks. Perfect drill for pocket hole assembly, installing hardware i.e hinges, slides, knobs etc... I would get one, try it for 30 days. If you don't like it , take it back.

 

[sheperd80]

I was in your shoes a couple of years ago. My first purchase was an RO90 and a CT26. Customer was so impressed (the lack of dust), it landed me an additional $30,000 worth of work through out the year just from her.
I have since outfitted my whole shop with Festool and new cordless Milwaukee. The only drill I have from Festool is the CSX. It was my second purchase. It is my go to drill for most tasks. Perfect drill for pocket hole assembly, installing hardware i.e hinges, slides, knobs etc... I would get one, try it for 30 days. If you don't like it , take it back.

I second that. Customers are impressed by the lack of dust and the proffesional, organized appearance of a festool stack. It may seem silly but if you hear the phone calls i get youd see what i mean. Especially in high end homes where many customers are dust-phobes and neat freaks, they absolutely love the way my jobsite looks during and after the job. Its safe to say my midi alone has earned me a handful of jobs. Of course your work has to be up to standard too though lol

 

[TheSergeant]

I was thinking about buying a CXS based on all the positive reviews on this website.  Then I read a thorough shootout between several different brands and realized how much the CXS is lacking compared to the other brushless drills being offered now.  I'm going to hold off on a CXS until Festool releases a brushless version.  The Makita and the Bosch simply dominated the CXS is the head-to-head that I read. 

 

[Getmaverick]

I was thinking about buying a CXS based on all the positive reviews on this website.  Then I read a thorough shootout between several different brands and realized how much the CXS is lacking compared to the other brushless drills being offered now.  I'm going to hold off on a CXS until Festool releases a brushless version.  The Makita and the Bosch simply dominated the CXS is the head-to-head that I read.

I would take these "shootouts", head to head reviews, with a grain of salt. The only true review is your own.

 

[ScotF]

I was thinking about buying a CXS based on all the positive reviews on this website.  Then I read a thorough shootout between several different brands and realized how much the CXS is lacking compared to the other brushless drills being offered now.  I'm going to hold off on a CXS until Festool releases a brushless version.  The Makita and the Bosch simply dominated the CXS is the head-to-head that I read.

I would take these "shootouts", head to head reviews, with a grain of salt. The only true review is your own.

I agree. I honestly never really liked the CXS, but I played with a TXS at my dealer and it came home with me earlier this year - the most balanced drill I have ever used. It packs plenty of power and the batteries last a very long time. It is perfect for most of what I need it for in furniture and cabinet making. I think you will be waiting a long time for brushless.

 

[The Craftsman]

Thank you all for the great suggestions!

The main reason I bought into the Festool system was to bring my work as close to "dust free" as I could.
Since the only drills with dust extraction are bulkly and overkill for what I need, I bought the drill vacuum attachment for the MIDI.
I could buy a Milwaukee 12v set and have plenty left over for the track saw, compared to what I would spend on the CSX set, but I think it all comes down to what feels best in my hands at the end of the day.

I'm sure I will buy the domino and the router at some point, but right now I see the TS 55 REQ as my next big purchase. SO many great reviews and youtube videos showing the multitude of applications the saw has! I don't like bringing a table saw unless I really need to, and I see the TS being great for ripping boards in a pinch, so that's an immediate +1. Although I like the workout that hand planing a door provides, the TS is a no brainer for fitting doors, and I have 3 clients who need doors fitted in the next 2 weeks.

This Festool koolaid is tasty
As I like to say...."buy nice or buy twice"
No Regrets  [big grin]

I havent got my pro 5 yet but from what i understand its a fine finish sander. Not aggressive like most 5" orbitals so u may want another sander.

After using the Pro 5 to revive some wood countertops, I have to agree. It is a fine sander, very well balanced and oozes craftsmanship, but even with a rough grit, it takes even more time than my Dewalt 5" RO did. So, I guess I could see a Rotex, or something similar in the future for bigger jobs. For now, my hand planes are excellent at taking out saw marks, and bringing it close to a finished surface. I have to say that adding hand planes to my tool box has made my life much easier, and I feel like I am paying homage to my ancestors and the craftsmen of the past when I use them!

 

[leakyroof]

...
I suppose I don't really need the CSX, but man, it would be nice to not use a 4 Lb drill every time I need to tighten up door hinges, or install cabinets. Maybe that's why my right arm is like Arnold's and my left is like Lady Gaga's  [big grin]

I use the Makita 10.8V cordless impact driver for those tasks.  The model that I have was later changed to 12V Max and then discontinued.  The current Bosch 12V offerings are the closest form factor.

You might also want to look at the newer Makita SubCompact offerings.  The reps at a local tool sale said these have as much power as the 18V brushed tools.

. They discontinued it.... Glad I got one recently then as a replacement for my 10.8 volt impact that was very well used from 2008 until a few months ago.... [eek]
Hopefully the new models are just as nice as those older ones. Quick change 1/4" chuck always works smoothly. Battery life was very good and the 10.8 Li-on batteries still take a strong charge. I'm giving a relative the 10.8 version and keeping my 12 volt version.
The only knock I have is the rubber outer 'trim' pieces on the body start falling off after time and get gummy in an automotive usage environment... [embarassed]