Basic equipment list

[Birdhunter]

I'm impressed with your drone/camera gimbal design work. My dad was an early pioneer (Post WW II) in the application of servo mechanisms. One of the stories he told about his work involved an attempt to build a long range guided missile using gyros and servos. This was WAY before digital computers were anything but lab curiosities. He had little success as the gyros of that time were not very accurate and the analog servos were still crude.

I know he would be fascinated hearing about your drone and gimble controls.

Back to woodworking..... I strongly suggest you buy a Domino set. You will be amazed how much that tool changes woodworking methods.

 

[Kev]

Personally I think people under value the flexibility of the MFT/3 ... but it does come down to one's personal application. $1K will get you a lot of material, but there's also the effort you may choose to factor. At the end of the day it's a cutting station that doubles as a portable work bench .. that can also be a useful out feed when combined with other Festool stuff.

If your work home is Brookie I'll bet you're thinking Bruynzeel for sheet material ??

 

[fdengel]

never made a picture frame but don't suppose it's that hard!

Make sure you research that one first: while it shouldn't be harder than cabinets, there is more to a frame than meets the eye.

You should also be giving some attention to how you will matte the pictures - that can be an "art" of its own: https://www.larsonjuhl.com/matting-ideas.aspx

One thing that page doesn't mention is that you may want to adjust bottom weighting depending on where the picture will hang with respect to eye level, as it can help to compensate for the difference in perspective...

 

[Lynn Willis]

I would recommend the lr 32 system and when you purchase the TS 55 pay a few dollars more for the hole track in place of the other. I would stay away from the router setup and spend the money on a good sander and dust collection. The OF 1100 is ideal for small stuff and under power for larger bits. I've had the OF 1400 for 3 years and it the perfect over all router. I've purchased the contura 3 months ago and it has saved me a lot of time. Their a lot of labor hours in raise panel doors

 

[mike_aa]

Brother Kev here ... [wink] [big grin]

I haven't made a recent pilgrimage to the Festool shrine at Northern Abrasives due to a crazy work load (IT related unfortunately).

There's also Brother Locky of the Holy Habitual Festool Buying Order who's a member of our diocese.

[member=13058]Kev[/member],
LOL [big grin]

When I read that I was laughing so hard I nearly spit out my coffee!

 

[Zebt]

I'm impressed with your drone/camera gimbal design work. My dad was an early pioneer (Post WW II) in the application of servo mechanisms. One of the stories he told about his work involved an attempt to build a long range guided missile using gyros and servos. This was WAY before digital computers were anything but lab curiosities. He had little success as the gyros of that time were not very accurate and the analog servos were still crude.

I know he would be fascinated hearing about your drone and gimble controls.

Back to woodworking..... I strongly suggest you buy a Domino set. You will be amazed how much that tool changes woodworking methods.

The drone and gimbal work has been great, especially the carbon fiber stuff, making it from scratch (except for the tubular areas) with cloth and resin and a vacuum bag method, very satisfying. I hope to incorporate the carbon/composite work into my woodworking.

Yes, the Domino looks a great machine. Is it possible albeit a bit fiddly to make the mortise with a router?
Cheers

 

[Zebt]

Personally I think people under value the flexibility of the MFT/3 ... but it does come down to one's personal application. $1K will get you a lot of material, but there's also the effort you may choose to factor. At the end of the day it's a cutting station that doubles as a portable work bench .. that can also be a useful out feed when combined with other Festool stuff.

If your work home is Brookie I'll bet you're thinking Bruynzeel for sheet material ??

Haha, yes, I went to them a few years ago when I kitted out my VW T4. Not cheap but the have the good stuff.

I will probably go with the MFT/3 as I will most likely be working at various mates places on stuff so it will be invaluable.

 

[Zebt]

never made a picture frame but don't suppose it's that hard!

Make sure you research that one first: while it shouldn't be harder than cabinets, there is more to a frame than meets the eye.

You should also be giving some attention to how you will matte the pictures - that can be an "art" of its own: https://www.larsonjuhl.com/matting-ideas.aspx

One thing that page doesn't mention is that you may want to adjust bottom weighting depending on where the picture will hang with respect to eye level, as it can help to compensate for the difference in perspective...

Interesting points, thanks. [smile]

 

[Zebt]

Brother Kev here ... [wink] [big grin]

I haven't made a recent pilgrimage to the Festool shrine at Northern Abrasives due to a crazy work load (IT related unfortunately).

There's also Brother Locky of the Holy Habitual Festool Buying Order who's a member of our diocese.

[member=13058]Kev[/member],
LOL [big grin]

When I read that I was laughing so hard I nearly spit out my coffee!

Yes, that gave me a good laugh too, and how right is it? I am used to hobbies grabbing hold and all the associated stuff like tools, my drone work for the last few years has taken over, one look at the hobbyking website and the mind just gets lost with project ideas. I have always worshipped the Green and Black God so it's nice to be made welcome by Brothers Kev and Locky, I just hope I can be productive for the Order!  [wink]

 

[Birdhunter]

Is it possible albeit a bit fiddly to make the mortise with a router?

My experience with making mortises with a router has not been good even with jigs. I tried the router approach and ended up buying a bench top mortiser. It has been gathering dust since I bought the Domino.

 

[Holmz]

I have an MFT and while you could make you own, it gets you going quicker.
I like mine.

I know you need a saw, the rest I cannot envision you using for sure.

----
I was just relooking at vacuum bagging yesterday.

 

[bdiemer]

Health first. My first festool purchase was the ct 26 then the sanders. Domino is a cabinet making game changer and nothing similar is on the market.

 

[Kev]

Is it possible albeit a bit fiddly to make the mortise with a router?

My experience with making mortises with a router has not been good even with jigs. I tried the router approach and ended up buying a bench top mortiser. It has been gathering dust since I bought the Domino.

Routing small and accurately placed holes requires a very accurate and stable jig. Making a jig in a way that gives fine adjustment and repeatable results is the challenge. I can imagine someone making a specific pair of jigs for creating routed mortises for joining specific thickness and width boards in a highly repetitive fashion ... but make the jigs support variable thicknesses, widths, spacing, mortise sizes, etc .... ummm .... Domino [wink] [big grin]

 

[Zebt]

Is it possible albeit a bit fiddly to make the mortise with a router?

My experience with making mortises with a router has not been good even with jigs. I tried the router approach and ended up buying a bench top mortiser. It has been gathering dust since I bought the Domino.

Routing small and accurately placed holes requires a very accurate and stable jig. Making a jig in a way that gives fine adjustment and repeatable results is the challenge. I can imagine someone making a specific pair of jigs for creating routed mortises for joining specific thickness and width boards in a highly repetitive fashion ... but make the jigs support variable thicknesses, widths, spacing, mortise sizes, etc .... ummm .... Domino [wink] [big grin]

Yeah, seeing videos of the domino in action makes me want to just make stuff!

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]Get a Domino Zebt


[size=13pt]
Given what you have stated you want to do - I would consider, TS55 with Rails  and joiners to 3000mm, Router [1400], Sander [probaby a ROTEX to start, or ETS150] and Domino 500. Naturally a Festool vac too - Midi. Then as I have previously suggested purchase to need, rather than wish, perhaps starting with a CSX.  [smile]
[size=8pt]
Made the clip during lunch this afternoon.

[member=54871]Zebt[/member]

 

[Zebt]

[size=14pt]Get a Domino Zebt


[size=13pt]
Given what you have stated you want to do - I would consider, TS55 with Rails  and joiners to 3000mm, Router [1400], Sander [probaby a ROTEX to start, or ETS150] and Domino 500. Naturally a Festool vac too - Midi. Then as I have previously suggested purchase to need, rather than wish, perhaps starting with a CSX.  [smile]
[size=8pt]
Made the clip during lunch this afternoon.

[member=54871]Zebt[/member]

Awesome!!
Just dropped 10K to have my VW van pop topped so need to go easy for a few weeks! [eek]

 

[Stephen B]

Awesome!!
Just dropped 10K to have my VW van pop topped so need to go easy for a few weeks! [eek]

[size=13pt]
Thanks.

Remember my suggested list is only around 5.5 grand Australian!  [eek] [eek] [eek] [smile]

 

[Kev]

Awesome!!
Just dropped 10K to have my VW van pop topped so need to go easy for a few weeks! [eek]

[size=13pt]
Thanks.

Remember my suggested list is only around 5.5 grand Australian!  [eek] [eek] [eek] [smile]

In other words, try to spend under $5.5K on Festool every couple of weeks [wink] [big grin]

 

[Zebt]

This is a struggle!
Just left the shop, now have a list of options and variations and combos and it's hard to work out what's best!! Aaarghh.
So much of it is like, ....if you get one bit then you need the other....if you don't have this bit then there is no point having this bit... [unsure] I wish I knew my budget, but just can't figure that out either, or if I should embark on this at all??

 

[Kev]

This is a struggle!
Just left the shop, now have a list of options and variations and combos and it's hard to work out what's best!! Aaarghh.
So much of it is like, ....if you get one bit then you need the other....if you don't have this bit then there is no point having this bit... [unsure] I wish I knew my budget, but just can't figure that out either, or if I should embark on this at all??

For the cabinet work you'd do for a camper fit out ... my honest thinking would be ...

MFT/3
Track Saw
DC
Sander
Domino DF500
Router

Anything above that you can already limp along with (sander / DC) postpone for a bit. Keep in mind, a Festool sander behaves best with variable suction. A track saw and the Domino just need plenty of sucking power!

Sure the LR32, OF1400, etc, etc make for a more interesting cabinet build - but I'm not in favour of shelf pin internals for a mobile application. I prefer solid, fixed and thought out positions in advance.

Over and above I'd be getting some bench dogs for the MFT and some quick clamps.

Then you have a foundation that'll get you really producing. To grow your collection, get a green tin and just put some spare $'s and make that your new tool limit. If you can justify a new tool outside of you saving fund, great .. but don't let it send you broke or break the calm at home [wink] [smile]

No doubt you've got a decent drill driver and a viable jigsaw from you other hobbies.

You will need decent measuring and making stuff. Maybe the odd template or jig for drawer runners hinges, etc.