Just finished first set of cabinets & countertops, loved it so much I want to step it up from the craftsman. I have decided on festool, but not sure where to start, looking to make cabinets with flat panel doors, maybe some raised panels. Also will be working with mostly rough lumber, eventually I'd love to own many festool tools, but the budget says to get just what I Need for now. Thanks for any input
Cabinet tools
- Thread starter Beerbear
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Really depends on the budget, of course. These toys get apendy in a hurry! I'd say get a track saw/CT vac, domino (500 - the smaller one) and MFT/3. If you've made it that far, grab a router - the OF 1400 is a good choice. It will work in the CMS, and also with the LR32 system (hole boring for the 32mm cabinet system)...
Still with me? Grab a sander, say the ETS 150. After that, sell your truck, and spring for the kapex and its MFT along with extensions. Since you've lost your will, and there's still room on the line of equity on your house, go ahead and get the CMS. You will want the parallel guides, of course, and a nice drill. Did I mention that you will want something to carry all these new tools around with? Get the hand truck thingy to help you with that.
Oh, and get someone to start tutoring you in German.
Still with me? Grab a sander, say the ETS 150. After that, sell your truck, and spring for the kapex and its MFT along with extensions. Since you've lost your will, and there's still room on the line of equity on your house, go ahead and get the CMS. You will want the parallel guides, of course, and a nice drill. Did I mention that you will want something to carry all these new tools around with? Get the hand truck thingy to help you with that.
Oh, and get someone to start tutoring you in German.
festooltim
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If your going to be ripping a lot of rough lumber I would get the ts75 and a long rail. Then get a big glass you will need it for all the green koolaid that you can't get enough of.
Birdhunter
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I'm curious about how you are going to make raised panel doors and cabinets using rough lumber.
The term "rough lumber" implies the warped and crooked stuff you typically see at big box stores like Home Depot.
I have to use a jointer and a planer to get the wood to where I can actually use it.
What am I missing?
The term "rough lumber" implies the warped and crooked stuff you typically see at big box stores like Home Depot.
I have to use a jointer and a planer to get the wood to where I can actually use it.
What am I missing?
I share the same curiosity...
If it is sawn timber (if that is what is meant by 'rough') then you will need a planer and a thicknesser (or a machine that does both).
For plain panels you will need to be able to cut sheet goods so a TS55R, rails and a CT extractor.
For the framing you will need to be able to cut square and so a Kapex. You will also need a Domino DF500 for the joints.
Cutting the relatively thin material for the framing you will either need a table saw or bandsaw depending on your other woodworking habits or ambitions.
Nobody can last long without a router and the OF1400 is a good start.
There are many other tools that you will need eventually but the list above is a good start. Try to avoid doing what I did for 40 years - do not buy cheap tools thinking you can make do - buy the best, and for me that means Festool motorised tools and Veritas planes.
Peter
If it is sawn timber (if that is what is meant by 'rough') then you will need a planer and a thicknesser (or a machine that does both).
For plain panels you will need to be able to cut sheet goods so a TS55R, rails and a CT extractor.
For the framing you will need to be able to cut square and so a Kapex. You will also need a Domino DF500 for the joints.
Cutting the relatively thin material for the framing you will either need a table saw or bandsaw depending on your other woodworking habits or ambitions.
Nobody can last long without a router and the OF1400 is a good start.
There are many other tools that you will need eventually but the list above is a good start. Try to avoid doing what I did for 40 years - do not buy cheap tools thinking you can make do - buy the best, and for me that means Festool motorised tools and Veritas planes.
Peter
Beerbear said:
Hi,
Welcome to the FOG! [smile]
As noted by others, if you are starting with rough sawn lumber you will need a planer (lunchbox or larger) for sure. But you have already built some cabinets so maybe you already have one? Which Festool tools you purchase first will depend somewhat on what tools you already own.
Seth
Funny to see so many other grab onto the word 'rough' as well, using typical festools like a track saw, router, domino, sanders etc kinda assumes your lumber is already flat and to thickness. If you're eyeing some nice chunks of 8/4 lumber for cabinets then there are other tools that will make your life so much easier before you start in with the festools. What you mean by rough needs clarification.
In my previous post I forgot to mention a Rotex sander. Having seen other comments I thought that it might be worth showing what can be done with an RO150 on rough sawn oak that my timber yard had put in the skip...
Here are the videos -
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Peter
Here are the videos -
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Peter
Jcwoodshop
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- Feb 24, 2014
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Great set of videos, Peter. I've enjoyed all your submissions to this forum ... thank you for sharing. The bench is lovely and it would look great in my backyard garden. I'm definitely adding it to my "ever growing" to-do list. [smile]
Many thanks JC. It does show off the capability of Festool kit even when you do not have (or choose to use) a planer/thicknesser. The other thing to take away is the long life of the Rotex 150 abrasives.
Peter
Peter
Greg M
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- Jul 13, 2014
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Peter,
I've now watched a few of your videos. I like how you take the time to explain the details and don't just assume that people know what you're talking about. Not only have I learned a few things but I've really enjoyed watching them.
Thank you for the time and effort you've put into making them. There are a lot of us that haven't had the opportunity to work with an experienced woodworker. Videos like yours give us that opportunity.
I've now watched a few of your videos. I like how you take the time to explain the details and don't just assume that people know what you're talking about. Not only have I learned a few things but I've really enjoyed watching them.
Thank you for the time and effort you've put into making them. There are a lot of us that haven't had the opportunity to work with an experienced woodworker. Videos like yours give us that opportunity.
mlfaber
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- Feb 19, 2010
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- 299
Beerbear said:
I just completed a custom pantry/cabinet. A must have tool would be a TS saw and Dust Extractor. In my build I used the Kapex, OF 1010 and OF 1400 routers, parallel guides, C12 and ETS 150/3 sander. Plus of course rails and MFT3 table. I was planning on using the domino but ended using the Kreg Jig instead. Although their tools are very nice you don't need to break the bank to buy them all at once. However, if you intend to produce many cabinets the parallel guides and track saw will save you a lot of frustration!
Marc
Greg M said:
Greg that is the kindest thing that has been said to me for quite a while - many thanks. I am lucky enough to have been employed since I left school and so now is the time to give something back - it is great fun too.
Cheers.
Peter
As far as I know, the only tool you can get in a bundle deal with the MFT/3 (to save some $$$) is the track saw.
On the other hand, you will need the dust extractor for nearly all of the tools, and that can be obtained bundled with most of them.
To minimize cost, suggest starting with a Domino, a sander or a router, and get it bundled with the dust extractor.
Then you can get the MFT/3 bundled with the track saw and save money there too.
Also, it looks like the reconditioned sale is still going on (?), and that may save you even more.
On the other hand, you will need the dust extractor for nearly all of the tools, and that can be obtained bundled with most of them.
To minimize cost, suggest starting with a Domino, a sander or a router, and get it bundled with the dust extractor.
Then you can get the MFT/3 bundled with the track saw and save money there too.
Also, it looks like the reconditioned sale is still going on (?), and that may save you even more.
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