Another UK Virgin 😀

[IWANTBLUE]

Just saying Hi,...

I guess I shouldn't be a member really as I'm only planning  my assault on my Festool Virginity...

A few years ago I researched the Ts55 and CXS  along with MFT before doing some internal shelving/ built in work, but decided the project didn't warrant the expense as I realised how much the slippery slope was going cost  me

So a cheap miter  saw and circular saw saw me through and that was that... I later decided on the Dewalt brushless range of battery tools as I also love the Tough boxes I intend outfitting the rest of my old tools with those once my new shed arrived (which it has). I had wanted to build the shed myself for years but unfortunately chronic arthritic knees put paid to that idea,so I bought a substantial shed for joint storage and workshop duties at 7 x 2.5m  the reason for this little introduction /story (sorry, I do ramble.......) is whilst I know it's going to be circa £2k anyway I need to make sure I get the best deals and route to get to where I want to be.

I aim to build a bench along one side for up to 4 metres max but pref. 3.5m including draws and storage.  I always intended to have one or two removable cut outs in the front of
the bench to allow various tool sections to be rotated out as and when required, (rather like the cms system in actual fact,) so now I'm considering incorporating that??discuss...

Also toying with incorporating the mft/3 as well??  As I would use this as my workbench to construct the bench and previous shelving (needs to be the first job to maintain some order whilst I get all my tools back in the shed and work aT the same time)

I'm thinking TS55 and ÇT ??which one? Is midi fine for small non profit. Workshop or should I make do with old Hoover's??

The mft/3. As the ready to go workbench and all much more,d discuss ...

Then add cms table with sliding extension and angle fence.... again......

I'd love the router table extension but can't afford the router on top when I have an old Bosch and unused ehinell or whatever...can you bodge ahem forgot where I was for a moment,' macguiver' an off brand machine to the unit??  Or are there blank replacement ally tops that can be self made to fit satisfactorily until I can afford the real version???

So with a bunch of clamps and other ancillaries I see that little lot pushing  through 2k so i would also like recommendations for any deals/ sales etc....I think I've just missed a £250 n+b one .

So any deals available and also any thoughts on my first purchased or alternatives?? In both route and end result??  As well as any links to similar 'incorperated' setups??

Rip away . And thanks for having the stomach to read this far lol..

Nick.

 

[IWANTBLUE]

Sorry for the woeful spelling  and diction...I hope it's more readable now after multiple editing...this tab autocorrect is awful

I should have also said I actually arrived back at FESTOOL after researching a basic table saw, I figured a contractor mobile unit would suit my situation better so was deciding between the Dewalt DW745 and the 7491 is it? both with mobile stand, and potentially a cutout in my bench for mounting in or very close to it when in the shed...

From there I wondered what Festool did in table saws and from there back to the old favourite Ts55... Though I did wonder if the newer tracksaw circular saws were better suited to my initial heavier work??

Oh and again for light duty would the new battery 55 be a more suitable option giving the mobile versatilityand cordless option for very little loss of work/power when i will never be giving it industrial workload?  sorry for the2030 questions..

 

[Holmz]

A lot of questions and tools. What are sort of stuff arryou intending on making again?

 

[Kev]

I'll take a stab at a few points ... The cordless TSC55 is really handy, but I don't use mine at the MFT .. The dust bag can fill quickly, so I'll always use the corded TS55 as the power cord is nothing when you've also go the DC connected.

Which CT ? A 26 or 36 seems to be the fav of small workshops. I've got a 36, but I also have a mini that gets about for sanding jobs round the home.

If I didn't have a Festool router, I wouldn't get a CMS OF to try and build a franken-table-router. Not worth it and and a generic router lift in a custom panel will be a cheaper option. You can always clamp it to the side of your MFT if you like.

Talking MFT ... Really handy for cutting panels while you're making cupboards, shelves, etc - but it would help you ripping thick stuff.

Look at Festool in terms of their game changing tools - the Domino, their sanders, etc as this may also direct your Festool related spending.

 

[IWANTBLUE]

Thanks Kev, and I'm of the same opinion regarding the need for a battery Tx55 really as that's exactly what I thought, if I'm using the CT anyway there's no real benefit to the TSC (bearing in mind it will predominantly be used in a v.small workshop. but I asked the question as I haven't been aware of the TSC since I gave up the idea of purchasing Festool a few years ago. The HKC and track system is also new to me so I had wondered if it was more suited to my initial uses of Shed shelving and Bench construction as I suggested the bench is not intended to be a simple affair I want to involve some machinery utilisation/siting etc. But effectively I am intending to fit out the shed as a workshop with the ability to make whatever I want including potentially an internal computer desk of lounge/dining furniture standard that would be built in and house specific set-up but effectively everything from Garden furniture to "trinket boxes", whatever takes my fancy really I'm an electro-mechanical engineer by trade but got made redundant for the second time in my life after about 24.5years this time, so have a little folding that could be used to purchase some woodworking tools, as I'm pretty covered on every other tool I might require in triplicate, although as you guys are to festool I am to Wera Facom Knipex Bahcho etc.

I agree it's not worth buying the cms-of  I was only mentioning that as I said I can't afford the Router at the moment and quite happy to build myself a router table with something offline and perhaps a generic drop in plate , I just like the 'system' that cms lends it self to and figuered as the CMS-TS55R was interchangeable with OF unit that might be nice but for another time...

I think the MFT/3 will be a godsend initially because of the ready made nature of it and future mobility of it so my orignal plan is MFT3,
TS55Rebq or after a bit of research possibly the HKC55 and FSK system might be more appropriate for my initial purchase?

then the CT?? if a midi is fine for a small home shop then I can stick with that rather than a full sized CT26 etc?? but if this seems overkill for my set-up please feel free to sayso, I love the idea of auto-on but the shop will be so small that it's hardly an issue if the same level of suction is available from domestic cleaners, that's why I asked??                                               

is there anywhere in the Uk doing deals at the moment?? I saw N+B had some discounts but seem similar to other suppliers if a deal can be done for a few extra bits I'm happy to make the extra outlay sooner..

there seemed to have been £250 on offer up untill end of july for a £1250 or £1500 outlay

do ya'll think the HK55 andtrack would be better for my initial workload than the TS55?

                                                   

 

[Holmz]

...
do ya'll think the HK55 and track would be better for my initial workload than the TS55?                                               

No I don't think so.
If you were always in the fresh air working on timber on a roof, then maybe an HKC style.

But for anything flat and under 2", especially for sheets like plywood or melamine, and in a shed then a TS55/Mt55/GKT55 will have dust collection... and also fit on an MFT.

Either way would probably work though.

 

[Kev]

HKC is not an in shop tool - it's "designed to be out in the wild".

I do love the FSK rails though .. best Festool innovation in a long time.

 

[Holmz]

HKC is not an in shop tool - it's "designed to be out in the wild".
...

In the Wilde as in 'A Picture of Dorien Green'...

...
I do love the FSK rails though .. best Festool innovation in a long time.

It seem similar to the KSS300?

 

[Kev]

It seem similar to the KSS300?

[member=40772]Holmz[/member] to be fair to Mafell - probably yes (but I haven't experience the Mafell stuff myself).

 

[Holmz]

I think one preceded the other by a few years, but I would gladly take either one if given it.

Here it is at ~:45  (Green and wild):=42

 

[geoffshep]

It sounds like you would be better with a TS55 than an HK55 - I think many hobbyists (me included) have started with a TS55/guide rail/vacuum package and expanded from there.  I got the CTL26 and it has handled everything I have thrown at it, from sanding to bathroom demolition.  BTW, the midi also has the auto on/off facility.

I have an MFT3 but it's my least convincing purchase for a predominantly fixed workshop.  Great for mobile use, and it probably started a craze of precision drilled tops, but you can get the same cut accuracy using an accurately drilled top and using dogs to square the workpiece and guide rail - but then again, you need a bench to build your bench!

Anyway, Hi and welcome to the FOG. It might help to add your location to your profile - there might well be a fogger round the corner who can show you some of the kit.  Incidentally, the UK £225 voucher was not from N&B - it was direct from Festool and was only available to those who had already registered a Festool tool.

 

[IWANTBLUE]

I don't  feel 'quite' so bad at missing out on the £225 by a day then.....though that's the equivalent of considerable consumables even if I would have been 'forced' to use it on another tool

I know the HKC in particular is really meant for out and about but as my first jobs will entail a fair bit of 3 x2 I didn't want to have a negative effect on the TS55......I know it's an industrial tool and I'm only pi$$ing in the wind but it will be mostly framing not sheeting initially although saying that I bought CLS so it's well under actually so shouldn't be a problem. I figured best to ask those that know and the new guides for the HKC seem a very good idea considering as it was so succinctly put above,i don't have a bench to build my bench.,.I do like the idea that the mft gives me all I'd need I initially though and after building the shed bench offers me that portability for external and family jobs..

I knew the CT26 would be more than man enough for my needs and as was mentioned like the 95% or 90%+ dust rate idea a lot as part of the shed is storage it's pretty important...(as well as my health)

I was really asking would the midi\mini\systainer unit do enough for my simple requirements?? Though once I add router and some firm of table saw cms or stand alone they'll need dual suction so need to be certain that's covered and he 27mm entry on the systainer unit worried me some.

I'm in Norwich btw.....

I have angliatoolcentre.co.uk on my doorstep but their prices seemed a little bit higher than I've seen though all the online places seem to vary slightly on each item.., do Festool run the voucher deal very often?? I could do with all the help I can get tbh.

It looks like I'm heading for mft/3 TS55 and rails and if I need it the CT26 or midi maybe??

R hanks for those that have made suggestions and info,greatfully received

Yet one more question is for bench depth suggestions?? At probably 3.5 m long I had considered 1metr to give me decent sheet support, but I've seen a few wall benches much thinner with traCk systems on and or tools inset at the backalthough a pedestal drill for example would leave barely any bench at all,i had intended a later purchase of a pedestal drill to stand at the end of the bench originally...   
Anyone have some links to their or of wall bench set-ups/systems??

Thanks again for reading war and peace.

 

[IWANTBLUE]

Do festool have regular promotions like has just finished with the £225 discount from previously purchased Tools worth £1500 or so??

Looking for any way to save really but also wanting to purchase Now too I could start outfitting the shed with the tools I have if necessary, but it would make sense if I'm going to buy some premium kit to use it in the construction of the shelves'n'bench etc.. 

 

[sancho57]

The only real difference in CTs is their capacity. They all have he same suction. I'd go with the TS55.  Especially if your using it mainly in a shop environment. The battery powered saw you would have to turn your CT on when ever you make a cut and turn it off when your done or just leave it running.

I got the CMS both GE and VL. It would be easy enough to make a router table that will mount on the end of a MFT like a VL

 

[IWANTBLUE]

The only real difference in CTs is their capacity. They all have he same suction. I'd go with the TS55.  Especially if your using it mainly in a shop environment. The battery powered saw you would have to turn your CT on when ever you make a cut and turn it off when your done or just leave it running.

I got the CMS both GE and VL. It would be easy enough to make a router table that will mount on the end of a MFT like a VL

Yup, I've been reading and price checking etc, and have come up with a fairly substantial list but a list that I think will give me immediate working tools, but also that won't become redundant once I build my own bench, as advised by most I agree with the TS55 anyway, I really added the new saws and the battery versions in case there had been general realisation it was the way to go even in a small shop environment, but obviously the auto power on/off is a really handy byproduct, so I'm currently looking at TS55 Plus pack with twin rails and bag etc. CMS-TS55R Plate, CMS-GE, CMS-ST(as I think I can utilise this in a number of places, MFT/3 , CT Midi or CT26 (Not sure I need the extra volume, but I gather the extra module is missing on the midi as well, so could prevent additional modification(maxsys/additional socket etc.etc.) 2xFsZ120, couple of fS HZ160 or similar couple of FSZ300 or similar, fine adjuster stop, Quick clamp for second rail,Split y hose assembly,

Any further suggestions for an initial purchase? or is there/are there any items currently on offer that are worth picking up?and do any of the UK dealers offer any sort of discount over their stated prices for a bulk buy? or does this not really count as a bulk buy when it comes to festool LOL, bearing in mind its only a tool and a vac??

cheers