Any reconditioned tool purchases recently?

sessler2013

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Feb 7, 2013
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I was wandering what to expect if I decide to buy a CT 26 marked down 20%.

"20% Discount level – Slightly used tools. Original packaging with slight impairment (damaged, label residue, and dirt/dust)."

What kind of damage or "impairment" is possible?? Just wandering if its worth the savings or should I just buy one new?
 
Hi JD,

I got started with Festool with a large purchase of recon tools in 2011, everything from a CT 33, TS, Domino and even the Kapex. At the time all those tools were 20% off, I believe, and all came in great shape and it was almost impossible to see they had been in use before.

I bought through Bob Marino up in New Jersey and had the tools drop shipped from the warehouse to our place in Houston, TX at the time. I've had no regrets with the reconditioned tools and they are all functioning perfectly today almost 3 years later after considerable use and moves as well. Bob is a very attentive and approachable dealer and I'd go for a reconditioned tool again without hesitation.

Hope that helps

Glen
 
I bought an OF2000 router through Bob Marino and was very impressed.  It was listed as a 30% tool but it looked to have been barely used at all.  Best of all, when I opened the classic Systainer I discovered that it came with the optional (and $150 value) parallel guide fence.  The router itself is awesome-- smooth, powerful and extremely well-made.  That's no surprise as it was made by Mafell and closely resembles the hugely-expensive Mafell LO65 which is the router-of-choice for the timber framing industry.  All in all, for $220 I don't think I could have done better!
 
I've bought three reconditioned Festool items (OF 1010, ETS 125, TI 15), and all are like new with very minor wear.  I have been more than pleased with all of them.  How can you go wrong? 

 
I just received a 20% off TI 15 impact drill and couldn't tell it had been used at all. I decided to pick up a new TS 75 saw and a new sander and ordered them today. The only downside is missing a couple years of warranty but all my other festools are still going strong after about 3 years
 
I've had similar success.  Bought three OF 2000 routers and while the 30% version had some dust, a little cleaning (basically blowing with air and polishing the plunge posts) brought it back to great condition.  Couldn't be happier with the three routers and new jigsaw.

Speaking of the OF 2000 router, I'm wondering if anyone has tried making an additional plastic piece to fit over the existing dust shroud.  The hole is fairly large (no doubt to accommodate larger bits) but it would be cool to have something that covers more of the top when using smaller bits.  Maybe a 3D printer could make something that would snap on...

Also, one tip on protecting the dust shroud from potential damage (I've read it can break relatively easily if it gets bumped).  I attached a flexible rubber cable strap using the two knobs.  Works great.

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I bought a Domino 500 set at 20%.  Although it did appear used (not new) I was more than happy.  The body of the tool had some scuffs and scrapes, it had clearly been used minimally but cleaned well (there was some sawdust in the nooks and crannies indicating use, but that's it).  The installed bit is sharp.  The fence height gauge was smashed/bent and one of the cross stops had the scale markings abraded (probably happened in shipping).  The first item didn't affect usability, the second one did.  I called about those two issues and they happily sent a new height gauge and a brand new set of cross stops.  I was hoping for "indistinguishable from new" as others had described, but ultimately  I feel I got exactly what festool said I would get and the two small issues I found they immediately resolved.  All in all, I'm very happy!
 
copcarcollector said:
All of the recon items I purchased at the last 2 sales were pretty much new. No dust, no label residue, no glaring issues. One item was missing a part and it was sent right to me.

There have ben several recent topics with satisfied buyers, and Erik made a nice video about the recon tools he received.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xmU42I2Jm58

I say go for it, before the specials go away......
Another great video by Eric! But if you got the MFK700 set it comes with the 1.5 degree horizontal base not the 0 degree one. The 1.5 degree base is intended for trimming edge banding without damaging or cutting into the thin veneer of the plywood that is being treated. The zero degree base is designed as a flush trim solution where that is the desired function. This is as I understand these bases are to be used. By the way the zero degree base should have a sticker on it that reads "0 DEGREES" which alerts the user so it will not be used accidentally when the 1.5 degree base is the one that is to be used. 
 
TomGadwa1 said:
copcarcollector said:
All of the recon items I purchased at the last 2 sales were pretty much new. No dust, no label residue, no glaring issues. One item was missing a part and it was sent right to me.

There have ben several recent topics with satisfied buyers, and Erik made a nice video about the recon tools he received.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xmU42I2Jm58

I say go for it, before the specials go away......
Another great video by Eric! But if you got the MFK700 set it comes with the 1.5 degree horizontal base not the 0 degree one. The 1.5 degree base is intended for trimming edge banding without damaging or cutting into the thin veneer of the plywood that is being treated. The zero degree base is designed as a flush trim solution where that is the desired function. This is as I understand these bases are to be used. By the way the zero degree base should have a sticker on it that reads "0 DEGREES" which alerts the user so it will not be used accidentally when the 1.5 degree base is the one that is to be used. 

Thanks Tom,  but if you pause the video at or around the 7 minute mark you will notice that I did receive the 0 degree base with my set.  [tongue]

I guess now I have to go buy the 1.5 degree horizontal base.  [sad]

Because the testing I have been doing with the MFK I've been  using the 0 degree for trimming my edge banding, with a bearing less bit.
At lease a couple times I've cut into the plywood I was trimming.  I Know it was because the plywood was bowed because the two or three times it happened to me it was in the middle of the plywood. 

I did all my edge banding with the 0 degree base.  I'll have to wait till the next project that calls for edge banding to look into the 1.5 degree.

Or I could just try using a flush trimming bit with a bearing.  Any way I choose, it's still a sweet little router and I'm very happy I bought it.

Eric
 
Thanks everybody for all the advise, Since everyone else had a great experience I went ahead and placed my order for the CT 26 Tonight. The video helped me out too!

Cant Wait!!  [big grin]
 
Well here's the outcome with my Recon CT 26, I just opened the box this morning and could not be happier with everything not only did I save 145$$ the Vac looks like it was never touched. I have looked everywhere for a scratch or dent, and all I could find is a little dust on the top of the Vac.

I also couldn't help but try sanding our cutting board with my ETS125 while standing in the kitchen. Not a spec of dust on the counter  [big grin]

 
For those of you who purchased a OF-2000, was this the "basic" model or something else?  I am considering a purchase, but I do not see one available with a systainer included. 
 
amt said:
For those of you who purchased a OF-2000, was this the "basic" model or something else?  I am considering a purchase, but I do not see one available with a systainer included. 

I bought one basic model and two sets that were in systainers.  The basic came with a wrench, 1/2" collet, dust shroud, guide bushing adapter, and chip catcher.  The sets included these items (minus the chip catcher) plus the parallel guide, guide rods, 8mm collet, and systainer.  From what I can tell, there are no more of these sets remaining in the recon sale.
 
Sorry, yet happy to say, I bought about 6' worth of recons, stacked on a roller base.  So far, all are great and came in what appears to be, new condition. 
 
Snagged a Rotex 125 at $20% off in a T Lock sys. Everything seemed new save for one little scrape on the bottom of the sander and a little nick on the systainer. Came with a brand new sample pack of sandpaper also. Extremely happy with the purchase! I wish I could've gotten a DF 500 as part of the sale.

I think I may have my wife talked into me pulling the trigger on a new one however. Everything she is asking me to make or remodel around the house now requires a domino joiner! Slowly but surely wearing her down.....
 
guyswoodshop said:
Snagged a Rotex 125 at $20% off in a T Lock sys. Everything seemed new save for one little scrape on the bottom of the sander and a little nick on the systainer. Came with a brand new sample pack of sandpaper also. Extremely happy with the purchase! I wish I could've gotten a DF 500 as part of the sale.

I think I may have my wife talked into me pulling the trigger on a new one however. Everything she is asking me to make or remodel around the house now requires a domino joiner! Slowly but surely wearing her down.....

LOL !  That's how you do it.  Keep talking about it, showing her pictures and video's.  After a while she says "fine, I don't care just get it already"

Next thing you know, she has a closet full of shoes and purses and you have a garage full of Festools. 

Eric
 
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