Closing in on the Festool Finish Line....

[SittingElf]

Thanks Festool for the February Kapex sale!!

I took advantage and ordered the Kapex with a CT-mini plus three additional blades; a Vecturo Set; and a RAS 115.04, all this last week. Also bought and arranged for the new NAINA 2015 Centrotec Set to be shipped to me while I'm in Scotland for a few days in March. These purchases now put me well within arms reach of completing my full Festool equipped workshop! [tongue]

The five powered products I will purchase in the next couple of months to complete what is currently available, and that I still want:
TS-75
OF2200, OF1010, and MFK 700 Set
HL850

The only other tool I can think of that I will purchase instantly is an 18V Impact driver if Festool releases one. (Rumored)

In addition to the powered tools above, I will also probably add two more MFT/3 tables, one of which will be dedicated to the Conturo Edge Bander table insert and the other with the Vacu-Sys mounted permanently. I'll also purchase the LR32 System as well as the MFS 700 Multi-Router Template system.

After that, it all comes down to maintaining consumables! (Abrasives, Glue Pucks, Bits, Blades, etc...)

Still some Heavy Machines to buy or replace with newer ones (SawStop 3HP PCS being sold to buy the 5HP ICS saw, and adding Drum Sander, Dedicated Router table, and large disc sander), but the shop is getting close to equipment completion.  Should be able to start showing shop tour pictures by this summer...but have to get the floor of the shop completed first. (Doing a full porcelain floor over 950SF)

This has been an interesting two years since discovering Festool....but couldn't be happier, and very lucky to have had my wife stationed in Germany for two years where I was able to take advantage of a lot of NAINA gear.  Some is left over, and here are a couple of pictures that may indicate that I might need some help/plans/suggestions in the future, and what may be sent to those who may be of assistance in "Thanks" (These items are NOT FOR SALE!) [big grin]

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Billedis]

I am looking forward to seeing your shop.  I currently live in Riverview, FL, across the state from you.  We are moving to Hiawassee, GA and I plan on building a 30x40 shop so getting all the ideas I can now.  Congrats on all the festoons and machines.  Bill

 

[pettyconstruction]

Nice stuff
Do you work off site? Or is it all in a shop? Portability is festools strong suit,if not leaving the shop,aren't there better/cheeper tools.?

 

[SittingElf]

Nice stuff
Do you work off site? Or is it all in a shop? Portability is festools strong suit,if not leaving the shop,aren't there better/cheeper tools.?

Mostly used onsite, but my wife is an Air Force Lt. Col, and still has another 4-6 years before retirement, so I DO truck up tools to whatever house we are currently renting wherever she is stationed.  Currently 6-hour drive from our Florida permanent home to Macon, Georgia. Ugh! 

We also own a house in Valdosta, GA that we rent out, so when repairs or maintenance is needed that I can do, the trailer heads that way as well! [big grin]

Of course there are cheaper tools as you mention. I've owned a LOT of them. Some good, some really bad. The reality is that I currently have the income to support a Festool habit, and that won't last forever. German, Austrian, and other European precision just isn't found in Chinese manufactured tools. I want to be in a position that when I am fully retired, I won't ever have that nagging feeling of "wishing" I had purchased better tools when I had the chance, and can no longer justify the expense. Additionally, prices will only go up and up and up. This is an investment that in the unlikely event I can no longer use tools, selling them may recover much of my initial payout for the tools.  I buy tools that I don't ever expect to feel the need to upgrade or replace....and that means the Green Machines!

Nonetheless, eventually my wife will retire, and I'll quit flying for a living, so the shop is being set up to act as a lifelong woodshop through my later years. Wahoooo! [thumbs up]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[AlexThePalex]

So Frank, when are we going to see some of those exquisite projects you can do with all these exquisite tools you bought?

You make sure we are notified of every cent you spent on Festools and other stuff, but we're still dying to actually see them in action.  [tongue]

 

[Scott B.]

This is the real Festool Finish Line

[cool]

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/Festool%20Paint%20Magazine%20Spring%202014.pdf

 

[SittingElf]

So Frank, when are we going to see some of those exquisite projects you can do with all these exquisite tools you bought?

You make sure we are notified of every cent you spent on Festools and other stuff, but we're still dying to actually see them in action.  [tongue]

Nothing "exquisite" lately. Been doing a lot of repairs on the house we are renting in Georgia. (The owner is deployed in Iraq and can't make arrangements...so I'm doing a lot of the grunt work like fence repairs, outdoor stiles and stairs, wood flooring recovery, etc..).  Also have had a ton of household wood products that have been languishing on shelves awaiting refinishing and repairs for a long time. I've been getting to them as time allows while on break from Nigeria, and at home in Florida. (I spend at least a month with my wife and son in Georgia on breaks). So I'm very much looking forward to "making"....not just repairing and refinishing.

I'm frustrated that I haven't been able to get as much done in the shop as I'd like by now, but it's all due to time constraints.  I actually have to BE HERE to get things done, and LOML and my son want my attention as well, which means locking up the Florida house to go freeze my butt off in Georgia...then a few days back at my shop before flying back to Africa for six weeks at a time! [blink]

Still... it's slowly getting there, and hopefully ready to make a lot of sawdust by this summer. (HVAC coming in April with a new 2.5ton AC/Heater/Dehumdifier, followed by the work on  the floor. Electrical work, DC ducting and boom arm mounting immediately following).  I told my wife we are NEVER leaving, or selling this house after I finish!! [eek]  I won't go through this again.....

By the way....my seven year old son thinks the CXS is the greatest thing in the whole world. When I pull it out for something, he literally BEGS to be able to do the screwing!  Love it, and he's going to be a real "helper" in the shop!  (Might have to buy him his own for Xmas).

Cheers,

Frank

 

[gsdvorak]

Yes- but do you have a Festool Clock?  That counts as a powered tool- right?  ;D

Hopefully they release that in NA soon.

Regards,
Gerald

 

[SittingElf]

Yes- but do you have a Festool Clock?  That counts as a powered tool- right?  ;D

Hopefully they release that in NA soon.

Regards,
Gerald

I have two!....  Sold or gave away twelve more I brought from Germany in our household goods. [tongue] (They are only about $25 in Germany)

Frank

 

[teocaf]

This is the real Festool Finish Line

[cool]

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/Festool%20Paint%20Magazine%20Spring%202014.pdf

there is no "Festool finish line"--all compulsive tool collectors should know that.  there is however a Festool Finnish line:
https://www.festool.fi/Pages/index.aspx

 

[Scott B.]

This is the real Festool Finish Line

[cool]

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/Festool%20Paint%20Magazine%20Spring%202014.pdf

there is no "Festool finish line"--all compulsive tool collectors should know that.  there is however a Festool Finnish line:
https://www.festool.fi/Pages/index.aspx

What's the deal with tool collection? I don't get that?

 

[pettyconstruction]

Nice stuff
Do you work off site? Or is it all in a shop? Portability is festools strong suit,if not leaving the shop,aren't there better/cheeper tools.?

Mostly used onsite, but my wife is an Air Force Lt. Col, and still has another 4-6 years before retirement, so I DO truck up tools to whatever house we are currently renting wherever she is stationed.  Currently 6-hour drive from our Florida permanent home to Macon, Georgia. Ugh! 

We also own a house in Valdosta, GA that we rent out, so when repairs or maintenance is needed that I can do, the trailer heads that way as well! [big grin]

Of course there are cheaper tools as you mention. I've owned a LOT of them. Some good, some really bad. The reality is that I currently have the income to support a Festool habit, and that won't last forever. German, Austrian, and other European precision just isn't found in Chinese manufactured tools. I want to be in a position that when I am fully retired, I won't ever have that nagging feeling of "wishing" I had purchased better tools when I had the chance, and can no longer justify the expense. Additionally, prices will only go up and up and up. This is an investment that in the unlikely event I can no longer use tools, selling them may recover much of my initial payout for the tools.  I buy tools that I don't ever expect to feel the need to upgrade or replace....and that means the Green Machines!

Nonetheless, eventually my wife will retire, and I'll quit flying for a living, so the shop is being set up to act as a lifelong woodshop through my later years. Wahoooo! [thumbs up]

Cheers,

Frank

I was thinking cheeper like incra-woodpecker- type stuff. We all know the value of festool,I just was thinking for a shop environment,other brands.
Btw,I would do the same if I had the budget.
Chuck

 

[SittingElf]

I was thinking cheeper like incra-woodpecker- type stuff. We all know the value of festool,I just was thinking for a shop environment,other brands.
Btw,I would do the same if I had the budget.
Chuck

Heh heh... I AM an Incraholic as well. I have tons of Incra, which is all U.S. made and outstanding. Woodpeckers...not so much.
Incra's WonderFence system on my SawStop is awesome. I'll still use Incra for my new saw when I get it, and I will have a dedicated Incra Router Table, Lift and positioner for that as well. I wouldn't say that Incra is "cheaper" though.  It's on par with Festool's pricing in my opinion.

Cheers,

Frank