Availability of MFT1080 Basic

[John Langevin]

I am in Springfield, MA and need to find another MFT1080 to join to my existing one, new or used in good condition would be acceptable. Can anyone of you Festool Dealers help? John

 

[Matthew Schenker]

John,
I'm also in the Springfield area.  I'm not sure about their stock at the moment, but the Woodcraft on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield carries Festool tools.
You can find their Web by clicking here.
When you find out, report back on what you saw.
Matthew

 

[John Langevin]

Matt, their web site only lists the complete MFT1080. I'll call today to see if they can get a basic.

 

[Matt_]

How did the search for the Basic model go?

I think I'd be interested in one if I can track one down...

 

[CharlesWilson]

I am going to stop by Coastal Tool, in West Hartford, so I'll take a look there and let you know if I find one.

Charles

 

[CharlesWilson]

I checked out Coastal Tool, and they said they have a barebones 1080 in stock. You can call them at 1-877-551-8665 if you want them to hold it for you.

Charles

 

[John Langevin]

Charles, Thank you very much. I called them just now and they are holding it for me. I had not heard of them  but am anxious to see if they are any better than Woodcraft (wouldn't be hard to do imho). Have you dealt with them and if so what do you think of their selection and service?

 

[Matthew Schenker]

John,
Actually, I was just in the West Springfield Woodcraft yesterday to buy some cyanoacylate glue (not for my Festool tools) and I wandered over to the Festool section to take a look.  I noticed that there was no longer an MFT set up like they had a few months ago.

The sales person came over and started telling me how great Festool tools are.  I nodded politely, but I was laughing inside.

Matthew

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I am going to stop by Coastal Tool, in West Hartford, so I'll take a look there and let you know if I find one.

Coastal Tool is an excellent company.  They are about 35 to 40 minutes from my house, and I've purchased major machinery from them over the years.  I've always enjoyed dealing with their staff.  I think I've written about this before, but it's worth mentioning again.

However, I didn't know they started selling Festool tools.  Haven't been down there for a while, I guess!
Matthew

 

[CharlesWilson]

Charles, Thank you very much. I called them just now and they are holding it for me. I had not heard of them  but am anxious to see if they are any better than Woodcraft (wouldn't be hard to do imho). Have you dealt with them and if so what do you think of their selection and service?

Before buying my first Festool (RO125), I purchased a number of things from Coastal Tool including a lot of 'big iron' with the DELTA name on it (Table Saw, Jointer, Bandsaw). They are right across the street from Home Depot in West Hartford (about 4 miles from my home), and continue to serve the serious contractors in the area as well as doing a good bit of internet / phone order business. They don't have all of the exotic woodworking and hobbyist accessories that you can find at Woodcraft, but their stock of Festools has increased over the years. They periodically have a Festool factory representative demonstrate the Festool system, and their people are dedicated to the products that they carry.

After walking into the store, you are probably not going to leave with just an MFT 1080!

Charles

 

[John Langevin]

Matt, I know the feeling. When Woodcraft became a stocking dealer they had a nice big display and carried all the tools and most of the accessories. I would ask Pete (their Festool "guru") how sales were going and he would say great. But I never saw anyone else buying the green stuff. Now they moved Festool over against the wall and don't seem to carry squat! I went in the other day to get setup for routing sliding dovetails as Brice described in his outstanding MFS thread. They didn't have the angle arm, support plate, dust catcher, or even a single dovetail bit. Even though they are only about 2 miles from my house I find it is a wasted trip. I am looking forward to checking out Coastal tool in hopes of finding knowledgeable staff who actually know and use the tools.

 

[butzla]

The reason that brick and mortar stores will fail selling Festool equipment is the fixed price.  It's the same price no matter where you go.  And free shipping over $150.  Woodworkers are thrifty by nature.  Only way to save anything is on sales tax.  You can spend 2k-3k on tools at the drop of a hat.  That's a savings of $100-150.  That can buy a few boxes of sand paper or a few clamps etc. 
The great service, fast shipping and knowledge that  the "ISA"'s have only compounds matters worse.  The other day I went into local Rockler store (for the 2nd time in 2 weeks) and the manager was noticably irritated that I left the store, once again without buying a single (Festool) item.  Yet had he been more knowledgeable, I might have made a purchase.  I am a sucker for being "sold" on anything, but I knew a lot more about Festool than he did.  When you are spending that kind of money and you ask a technical question about the product, you want solid responses without any hemming and hawing.  He didn't even know the current MFT's were discontinued.