Are there any Festools that you wouldn't want?

[Runhard]

What Festools have you bought and either regretted or don't have a use for?
The reason I'm asking is because I'm trying not to buy every tool Festool makes. I'm in the process of building a shop in my basement and have a good start on some Festools as well as a few other things like a Kreg router table with lift and PC7518. Ultimately I would love to have a larger shop with some machines such as a band saw, table saw, jointer/planer and so on, but for now it's the basement. I also need to start purchasing some hand tools and I'm thinking about Veritas, any advise on this as well? I've been watching all the Paul Marcel, the woodwhisperer, and many other videos as well as reading a lot on here, online, and books from the library. My problem is that I'm an extremist, it's either all or nothing  [big grin]

 

[PaulMarcel]

Well, I have no interest in the Planex because I'd have to do drywall to use it.  I don't do well with drywall

No interest in the Festool baseball cap; I don't wear hats cuz they give me headaches.

Not sold on the folding rule either.

Someday, I'll travel to Europe and haul back the belt sander.  Paul Schurch uses it to flatten marquetry (1/42"!) and says anybody can flatten marquetry with that belt sander; others take a lot of skill to avoid burning through.

(and thanks for watching!)

 

[Runhard]

Well, I have no interest in the Planex because I'd have to do drywall to use it.  I don't do well with drywall

No interest in the Festool baseball cap; I don't wear hats cuz they give me headaches.

Not sold on the folding rule either.

Someday, I'll travel to Europe and haul back the belt sander.  Paul Schurch uses it to flatten marquetry (1/42"!) and says anybody can flatten marquetry with that belt sander; others take a lot of skill to avoid burning through.

(and thanks for watching!)

No problem. When I get a larger shop I'll be getting a saw stop and I originally thought I would get powermatic machines but you have me looking into laguna. How is your jointer/planer? You haven't done a review on it have you?
Thanks for all the great videos.

 

[Kev]

I really like the look of the pwermatic table saw.. The new power attic bandsaw is also a nice looking thing ... But yellow/gold  [eek]

I'll probably lean towards hammer.

I won't be getting RAS180, RS300, RS100, Deltex as they are overlap. I will also only buy one of the belt sanders - probably the larger.

PLANEX is very much a needs based animal, either you're doing your house or it's your profession ... Another no.

Only one of the trimmers MFK700 - not the entire set and if I had my time again the OF1010 + OF2200 and skip the OF1400 (good as it is).

I'm skipping the T18 for Protool gear - but same family. There's overlap in the drills, so you certainly don't need them all.

None of the air tools - not my need.

VacSys is cool - but again, don't see a need for me (at least at the moment)

Sysports are overpriced - nope to them.

A sensible rang of rails.

No to Shinex.

Yes to the rest.

Then table saw (not panel), band saw, planer, thicknesses - plus a router table (probably OF2200 + CMS for me).

NO LATHE. EVER !!!

200 clamps.

PS also decided to skip the work centre and expensive roller stool thing.

 

[RussellS]

I have the barrel grip Festool jigsaw and wish I had not purchased it.  Waste of money.  First off it does not have a variable speed trigger.  You set the speed with a dial and then its all or nothing with the trigger.  Not good control at all.  And then the barrel is not as good a control as the other kind of jigsaw.  Top handle?  Sadly I still use my Bosch top handle jigsaw because it has better control when cutting.  Unfortunately the Bosch does not cut vertical.

 

[RC]

I am not very happy with my purchase of the CMS-PS (jigsaw) module (search for my write up a couple of weeks ago, 'First impressions of the CMS-PS and Carvex'). I must add that many of my gripes are due to the battery Carvex I have and the ill fit of it to the module - having a Trion or a mains Carvex there would make half of them go away.

Also the Surfix Set I got hasn't seen any action since I haven't built anything with a large level surface that it would shine at. I still default to wipe-on finishing oil from other manufacturers that don't require any or little sanding and massaging into the wood.

I second Kev in the router section that if I got to do it again I'd get the OF2200 first and add an MFK700 to it and then if the need arises for LR32 I'd get an OF1010 and skip the OF1400 I have. Now I just have to do it all with my OF1400 since it can be used for everything, but it's what it is - a all-round-average model in every respect so it always too large, heavy or underpowered i.e. it gets the job done but is not optimal to most jobs from an ergonomic perspective.

 

[JLB builders LLC]

On my list of Festools to get is:

Planex- get rid of my Porter Cable version. I end up finishing basements and remodeling and customers love not having to clean dust when I am done.

The complete LR32, 1010of, 55" rail

An assortment of sanders

A  D-handle jig saw

MFT3

After working on a Custom built in and having my CT26E set up outside that a Mini/Midi might be good for the inside of the house for light cleaning and dust control of the Domino 500 and sanders.

 

[Kev]

A  D-handle jig saw

I went with a barrel CARVEX as I felt the handle of the "D" was too thin/skinny ... with 20/20 hindsight, I should have got the one with the handle and wrapped it with a neoprene +velcro sleeve (like a chain stay protector) to give it more substance.

 

[Runhard]

Thanks guys, nice suggestions and input. I'm already well down the slippery slope and already regret a few purchases. I should have bought the CT36 or 46 and a midi. I will probably be buying the midi in the next few days with a sander. I will use it for the Kapex and around the house. Now I'm rethinking my OF1400, but I do have PC7518 in my router table. I'm kind of rethinking the RO150 as well, probably should have went with the RAS and ETS150. I guess there is no perfect solution and it all depends on what projects one is doing. I should just purchase on my needs and not on my wants. I have heard it say that it is hard to try to buy everything that you think you might need because you will end up regretting some of the purchases, I think that is what I am doing. It is a little comforting to see used tools selling for a good % of new.
I have a lot of projects I want to do, but before I build any of them I need to build a Kapex/systainer station and an assembly table. I have seen some good ideas on here, but I'm still trying to come up with a great design. Is sketchup usefull?

Oh, should have bought a TS55 instead of the TS75 [mad]

 

[JLB builders LLC]

A  D-handle jig saw

I went with a barrel CARVEX as I felt the handle of the "D" was too thin/skinny ... with 20/20 hindsight, I should have got the one with the handle and wrapped it with a neoprene +velcro sleeve (like a chain stay protector) to give it more substance.

I have the PC D-handle. Im use to it so I thought I would prefer it more.

 

[fdengel]

NO LATHE. EVER !!!

Your loss - one of the most uniquely enabling machines in a shop.

200 clamps.

It'll never last.  You'll get more.  [laughing]

 

[GhostFist]

I have the barrel grip Festool jigsaw and wish I had not purchased it.  Waste of money.  First off it does not have a variable speed trigger.  You set the speed with a dial and then its all or nothing with the trigger.  Not good control at all.  And then the barrel is not as good a control as the other kind of jigsaw.  Top handle?  Sadly I still use my Bosch top handle jigsaw because it has better control when cutting.  Unfortunately the Bosch does not cut vertical.

I don't think there is a barrel grip jigsaw on the market that has a variable speed trigger. Variable speed at the trigger is nice but I'm just more accustomed to using a barrel grip, I find it more versatile. Just a matter of personal preference I suppose.

I'm really finicky with my tool purchases and research the hell out of them before I blow the bank on them so I can't say that there is anything I've purchased that doesn't meet up to my expectations, often I'm surprised at how much better they are than I expected. That being said, I try not to buy a tool based only on its brand name, it's performance and usability I'm after not gang membership [big grin]

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I'm cramped for space, so my rule is that if a tool isn't used for 1 year, it goes on Craigslist.  Only Festools that have gone out the door so far are the MFK700 and the DTS400  Fine tools, but the MFK700 just didn't fit the kind of work I do.  The DTS was upgraded to the RO90 which has both round and triangular heads.

 

[RONWEN]

Well, I have no interest in the Planex because I'd have to do drywall to use it.  I don't do well with drywall

No interest in the Festool baseball cap; I don't wear hats cuz they give me headaches.

Not sold on the folding rule either.

Someday, I'll travel to Europe and haul back the belt sander.  Paul Schurch uses it to flatten marquetry (1/42"!) and says anybody can flatten marquetry with that belt sander; others take a lot of skill to avoid burning through.

(and thanks for watching!)

I use Lufkin folding rules all the time, both 6' and 8'.  90% of those times I'm also using the brass extension scale, great for inside measurement and as a depth gage.  I don't believe the Festool scale has the brass extension & so I would have no interest in owning one.

 

[sancho57]

I buy my tools based on 2 things, NEED and VERSITILITY.

So with that being said, I wouldnt rush out and buy a bunch of tools initially.

I would keep the money in a "war chest" and buy them on a "as needed " basis.  

I also buy tools based on versitility for example:

If I buy this 850 planer, I can use it for door installs, a bench top jointer and to create distressed/rustic pieces.

Since you have a MFT and a TS75 with the help of some jigs you can do about 95% of the work using those tools so there is no need to run out and buy a band saw right away.

edited to add:

When I took the Intro to Festool end user class, Steve Bace (The instructor) said at the very begining of the class that "The average person only uses a tool to about 50% of its potential."

Festool as we all know is a different animal, a different way of doing things.

So use what you got , there are lots of jigs here in the the various folders in this  forum to do a lot of things with the tools you already got .

Buy on need/ versatility and use those every way you can think of and get close to your local festool rep he'll help you get more usage out of the tools.

Concentrate in shop organization and work flow.

You mileage may very

 

[Kev]

NO LATHE. EVER !!!

Your loss - one of the most uniquely enabling machines in a shop.

I suppose EVER is a long time - let's just say it'd be the last thing I'd ever buy with my current thinking. Metal working lathe? - different story entirely!

 

[jmbfestool]

I would NOT buy

Ti 15 drill

Shinex.

Rotex 125

Router OF 1010

ALL compressed air eccentric sanders

RUSTOFIX RAS 180

Rotary sander RAS 180

and few more things but to many to add all to the list

I am interested in buying

RAS 115.04 (plug it lead is putting me off though)
Domino XL

[big grin]

JMB

 

[PaulMarcel]

I am interested in buying

RAS 115.04 (plug it lead is putting me off though)

You guys have all the PlugIt kits readily available; no reason dude!  [tongue]

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Cool topic Runhard!

Ok, every time I need a new tool I really really really try to not get a Festool. Don't know why exactly but I feel a bit silly with all machines from one brand. However, I ended up getting more Festools than I ever would have guessed. I've gotten the Syslite last week!!! Basically a very very expensive flashlight at first site but they've managed to sell it to me and I soooooo happy with it.

However:

- I wouldn't have gotten the Precisio 70 looking back. It is ok but not brilliant, at least not for me. A table saw has to be simple and tough, Festool is all about precision though.
- Being very impressed with my new toy, the Mafell Kss 300, I would consider everything Mafell. So that means routers, sanders and saws, I'm looking at Mafell first for those from now on. Don't get me wrong, the Festools are terrific but I've got a feeling Mafell simply makes very special products. Need a new router and while I was sure to go with the 1400, I'm probably getting the smaller Mafell.
- The surfix stuff seems silly to me. How hard is applying oil exactly?
- I have never understood expensive jigsaws. For me a jigsaw is a coarse instrument for on the job site or with funny shapes that need sanding afterwards, I don't see why one wants it to be more than than. So, I would never get a Festool jigsaw I guess, especially that Carvex. There is a Protool on sale around here, might get that one day. Got a Wurth now, which is basically a Bosch, it's fine.

Those are the first things that come to mind flipping through the products. Will try to think of others.

Cheers!

 

[kev carpenter]

i wouldn't buy the of 2200 simply not for my needs, i had the of1400 but it was ti light for worktop mitres and dust extraction wasn't good enough but i did like it and would recommend  it if you were to buy just one router. i would buy the dewalt router simple and tough.

i do love my of1010 great router.

apex worth every penny

ts55 makes me wages every day

dewalt nail gun very good

t15 and 18 worth the money

and the midi is well worth it

any pocket jig is money well spent

used my shelf pin setup the other day and its great

domino is a lot of money but a great machine but hardly sees daylight