Comment on Festools & Improvements you may want to see for them.

[tallgrass]

i think as the dust settles this will become useful.at least good reading while i drink the cool aid
;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[tallgrass]

oops lack of perfection sorry guys :'(

 

[Michael Kellough]

2) Three out of six mft 1080's came with damaged profiles.

3) One OF 1400 routers I received just would not turn on, I took it apart and fixed it myself, loose wiring

4) One LS 130 sander had the dust chute missing. Not that I ever use it, but what the heck.

5) Two MFT tops ordered seperately were  crushed on the corners and it was NOT from shipping, the boxes were perfect. Looks like whoever packed it knew about it and just packed them anyway.

Nickao

Nick, looks like you bought 3 too many MFTs, 1 too many OF 1400s, 1 too many LS 130s, and prematurely bought replacement MFT tops.

In addition, you have clearly violated the law of averages.

Obviously I'm kidding.

I've had a few problems with my purchases but it looks like I've bought about half as much stuff as you. About half of my issues were shipping problems and half quality control problems. But, these problems were spread over a broad time frame, you discovered yours all at once. Reading between the lines I gather that some of your problems were discovered after the 30 return window had closed. Did that prompt this thread?

All of my problems were quickly resolved to my complete satisfaction. How about yours?

 

[Brice Burrell]

 Nick and all other forum members, for the record, I've had Festool give me products to help promote here and on my site, that is no secret. Read through the form, I've pointed out things that I don't like about Festool products, it true I tend to focus on the good stuff about the tools. I'm one the members that helps more people out with questions about Festool products and problems than perhaps any other member. I think I've earned the respect of the bulk of the members here through my efforts to provide help and information. I don't feel that trust should be thrown out the window because I've worked with Festool to help promote their tools. The members have every right to question the work I do, but I am indeed a regular or normal Festool user and I'd like to be viewed as such, not as a Festool puppet. I ask the members here to keep in mind that Rick, Jerry, John and myself have worked hard to bring quality information to this forum and Festool owners around the world.

 

[tallgrass]

Tallgrass is that Kool aid regular or funny in some way?

i was poking fun at myself as one who has almost all of their stuff therefore i am  kool aid drinker....it is a reference to people who buy the party line....i was not commenting on anyone else. just having a little fun at my own expense. sorry if this came across in some other way. ???

 

[Brice Burrell]

What don't you like about Festool, this thread was one of the most viewed and replied to threads, all Festool comments are indeed welcome here.

 

[Scott W.]

If you think a better thread title is in order, great. But in a search anyone that reads this thread would think hey this guy Nick is a member and is non biased, let me look through the rest of the forum.

I have no problem with the title

.....
What you may be really saying is this thread may give people a negative feeling about Festools. SO WHAT!

Actually, what I was trying (unsuccessfully) to say is that only the good -or- only the bad in any one place doesn't tell the whole story. There needs to be a way to organize the information (good & bad) together. By tool if possible. I have no idea how to do this in this forum environment.

If they get into the reading of the threads they will see Festool are the greatest! And that this forum is really about the tools and NOT the  Festool company making money.

I agree. especially about the second sentence)

All I wanted was a  list of problems we are having with each tool and for people to list their experiences, that to much to ask? ....

I think it would be a great resource, but better if good and bad were together somehow.

Scott W.

 

[Bob Marino]

 Nick and all other forum members, for the record, I've had Festool give me products to help promote here and on my site, that is no secret. Read through the form, I've pointed out things that I don't like about Festool products, it true I tend to focus on the good stuff about the tools. I'm one the members that helps more people out with questions about Festool products and problems than perhaps any other member. I think I've earned the respect of the bulk of the members here through my efforts to provide help and information. I don't feel that trust should be thrown out the window because I've worked with Festool to help promote their tools. The members have every right to question the work I do, but I am indeed a regular or normal Festool user and I'd like to be viewed as such, not as a Festool puppet. I ask the members here to keep in mind that Rick, Jerry, John and myself have worked hard to bring quality information to this forum and Festool owners around the world.

Brice,

Without getting into the initial thread regarding problems with Festool tools, I must tell you that I greatly appreciate the work done and information dissemimated by you, Rick C, Jerry W, John L and Per here and in the many PM's and emails you guys answer. None of you, as far as I see, looked to promote the tool to the point of not recognizing shortcomings and some have worked diligently to overcome many shortcomings themselves. I see the reviews as illustrating in the best way, how to use the tools/accessories and how to run with that, be more creative and find uses most of us have not thought of. The fact that the tool or accessory may be loaned or given, or the writer paid for his time by Festool, doesn't change my opinion, because I sense it has not changed the reviewer's opinion.

Bob

Bob

 

[Scott W.]

 Nick and all other forum members, for the record, I've had Festool give me products to help promote here and on my site, that is no secret. Read through the form, I've pointed out things that I don't like about Festool products, it true I tend to focus on the good stuff about the tools. I'm one the members that helps more people out with questions about Festool products and problems than perhaps any other member. I think I've earned the respect of the bulk of the members here through my efforts to provide help and information. I don't feel that trust should be thrown out the window because I've worked with Festool to help promote their tools. The members have every right to question the work I do, but I am indeed a regular or normal Festool user and I'd like to be viewed as such, not as a Festool puppet. I ask the members here to keep in mind that Rick, Jerry, John and myself have worked hard to bring quality information to this forum and Festool owners around the world.

Brice,

I do not think your reviews are in the least way biased or "tainted'.
I appreciate very much your efforts as well as the efforts of the others who take the time to help and explain how to use the tools.

I hope they send you a whole truckload for your efforts.

Scott W.

 

[Mirko]

I wish this forum was more about USING Festools and posting pictures of jobs that where built with them.

Something that comes along with using a tool, is experience with that tool, and how you make it work for you.

Finding the perfect tool is in some ways like finding a good friend... we would like that person to be just like ourself... but its not going to happen!

Bottom line for me is I reduced complaints with my Festools, because I learned how to use them! and I'm man enough to say that... they are different thats all.

Mirko

 

[Bob Marino]

Bob, no disrespect intended here mate, or intended to anyone else for that matter.
Of course You appreciate the reviewer's efforts, wouldn't it be fair to say You gain financially from those efforts?

And yes, Brice, you do a lot for the forum, it's plain to see.

No disrespect taken. I/dealers/Festool probably do gain financially by quality, well written and honest reviews/articles/manuals.  I think that if the reviews/articles/manuals are good as well as honest (I believe the tools are good enough to warrant those positive comments) and if they don't over sell the tool by ignoring any problems or shortcomings, the review is sound as well as helpful for the customer.
Though I think Festool tools  (by and large) are the best available, I never believe in overselling a tool, promising other than what it can deliver. That's a recipe for problems.

Bob

 

[mhch]

I really think it's great to know what are the typical weaknesses or problems met with a tool.
This thread should definitely not be turned into a discussion of the commissionned reviews.
That's totally pointless, a big waste of energy, and it may hurt those who do a real good
job for the community.

The solution is often found in this forum, or the several excellent manuals.
  The reference library would be great if it includes a short list of problems
  and suggested solutions (threads) in addition to the many good other
documents.

 

[dirtydeeds]

the original festool manuals used to intrigue me, now it doesnt

my guess is that its a german cultural / training (apprentiship) thing

these tools are SERIOUS trade tools so the style of the manuals suggests to me that tradesmen in germany still (on the whole) get a full proper apprentiship, where they learn the techniques, so the manuals dont have to be detailed

i think weve got used to manuals which fully describe how to use the tools are a "device" whereby diy tools can be sold by sheds to users who havent the faintest clue, the legal teams probably drive some of this to avoid law suits

 

[kmhphoto]

The TS75 saw cuts the bevel farther out from the strip than the 90 deg cut. So when cuttn the 45 after the 90 it leaves a flat. I fixed it myself with no help from fesfool. I tried calling the service dept with this issue and they could not help. I have to say they have been great with everything else but on this issue they ignored me. Total false advertising here.

I have 4 TS55's that have the same problem. The 45 cut is about 5mm off the strip.

 

[Corwin]

I hate spending time with threads like this one.  Should just skip it all together, but how else would I know I didn't like the direction it would take...

IMO, any single thread to discuss each tool individually is already starting off in the wrong direction, as the information on any single tool becomes further and further buried within the bulk.  If the FOG's topic structure had a specific area for each tool to be discussed separately, then that might work to discuss BOTH the likes and dislikes on a tool by tool basis.  While in individual approach may not address the 'System' aspect of these tools, it might prove far more valuable than one long thread that fails to offer anything much more than to irritate.

 

[Bob Marino]

That's quite a diplomatic response there Bob
but thanks all the same

Well, yes, I usually try to be diplomatic (why would I not?) but my response is my honest opinion, nothing more, nothing less.

Bob

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I hate spending time with threads like this one.  Should just skip it all together, but how else would I know I didn't like the direction it would take...

IMO, any single thread to discuss each tool individually is already starting off in the wrong direction, as the information on any single tool becomes further and further buried within the bulk.  If the FOG's topic structure had a specific area for each tool to be discussed separately, then that might work to discuss BOTH the likes and dislikes on a tool by tool basis.  While in individual approach may not address the 'System' aspect of these tools, it might prove far more valuable than one long thread that fails to offer anything much more than to irritate.

It's perfectly fine if someone wants to create a series of specific discussions for each tool.  As far as the forum structure, we have experimented with boards for specific tools, or at least groups of tools.  But most members seem to prefer the structure we have now.

To see some of the discussions we had on the original forum structure, click here.

Matthew

 

[Michael Kellough]

I wish this forum was more about USING Festools and posting pictures of jobs that where built with them.

Something that comes along with using a tool, is experience with that tool, and how you make it work for you.

Finding the perfect tool is in some ways like finding a good friend... we would like that person to be just like ourself... but its not going to happen!

Bottom line for me is I reduced complaints with my Festools, because I learned how to use them! and I'm man enough to say that... they are different thats all.

Mirko

I agree completely Mirko.

I do think there is room for discussions of inherent faults in the tools ie design or manufacturing shortcomings and how to work around them. A good example is the TS 75's (at least some of them) failure miter in the correct relationship to the rubber splinter guard and how you "fixed" it.

In fairness to Nick he isn't complaining about the tools themselves or the way they work but an apparent inadequacy in quality control and packaging. He received tools with a high percentage of problems. If this is a widespread problem I think it is worth discussing here but the argumentative character of many replies detracts from the point of the thread.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The TS75 saw cuts the bevel farther out from the strip than the 90 deg cut. So when cuttn the 45 after the 90 it leaves a flat. I fixed it myself with no help from fesfool. I tried calling the service dept with this issue and they could not help. I have to say they have been great with everything else but on this issue they ignored me. Total false advertising here.

I have 4 TS55's that have the same problem. The 45 cut is about 5mm off the strip.

That is way way too far off! What did Festool say?

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I think its healthy to have an open and frank discussion about the tools.  Festool is always in a continuous improvement mode and this type of discussion may offer some useful input for product or process improvements.  Certainly the damaged shipment issue is one that everyone must want solved, especially Festool.

One thing I will say is that I have never had a problem that was not resolved promptly and fully to my satisfaction - not too many companies I can say that about!