Constantly backfilling each Festool purchase

[McNally Family]

Is it just me, or does everyone spend tons of money trying to constantly backfill each Festool purchase with their related accessories?

With what I have spent on accessories, I could have already purchased my TS 55, or DF 500, or MFT/3, or OF 1400 EQ, or ....

Only problem with that of course, is I would then need the accessories for those purchases as well.  DOES IT EVER END?

I took delivery of my Festool ZOBO metric/imperial bit sets today, which would have almost paid for a TSC 55.  However, what is a C18 drill (that I purchased the Centrotec Installers set for), without proper drill bits (answer= an expensive screwdriver).  I have the RS 2 E sander, and love it, but I'm finding a need for a lighter touch, for sanding between coats of finish, so now I am getting ready to purchase the Hand Sanding Block 115mm x 226mm, with the HSK D21.5 5m hose.  With my CT, I first purchased the CT Mounted Tool Holder, then the Hose w/ Sleeve in SYS 3 Systainer, 3.5m, and then the CT Wings Attachment, not to mention the blue water sponge filter (should I ever need to suck up water).

Please tell me that one day, even if it is far into the future, I will wake up and not need to spend money with Festool, PLEASE!!

 

[leakyroof]

Um, no ..-and um, no.... [wink]
Seriously ,setting up shop is always hardest in the beginning.
Eventually you run out of space and money.... [wink]

 

[Holmz]

...
I have the RS 2 E sander, and love it, but I'm finding a need for a lighter touch, for sanding between coats of finish, so now I am getting ready to purchase the Hand Sanding Block 115mm x 226mm, with the HSK D21.5 5m hose.
...

I was not able to work out whether that 115x227 hand block was hook-n-loop or paper, but the Mirka version in 115x230 is about the same size (hook-n-loop).
I can see how for doing a lot of sanding that the FT RS2E would be a good value when punching your own paper. If you are using Mirka screens on the RS2E then the Mirka hand-block would be another option, and Mirka has a hose that allegedly fits a CT26/36. I'll know when it arrives.
http://www.autopaintsbrighton.co.uk/mirka-hand-sanding-block-115x230-grip-36h-6040-p.asp
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/201499244541?lpid=107&chn=ps

 

[sancho57]

Dood it's a never ending travail on your bank account .

You can do what I do, have the wife and kids get jobs to support my habit..

 

[leakyroof]

Dood it's a never ending travail on your bank account .

You can do what I do, have the wife and kids get jobs to support my habit..

. It's only fair, right.... [wink]

 

[rst]

Hook, line, and sinker!!!  [embarassed]

 

[roblg3]

It's about prioritizing your needs. Building a "Complete" and fully stocked woodworking shop is nearly impossible. I seem to have made out ok as a cabinetry shop without the very lovely zobo s. I purchase white side and cmt router bits for use in my routers, not Festool bits(mostly). Drill bits and many other things are more "consumables" in my mind. I would buy cheaper paper for my sanders, but the Festool paper is damn good, longer lasting and I find it's worth the cost. When I buy a tool, I usually buy the set, but if the set isn't going to be used regularly, then just the tool is the priority. I understand wanting a "complete" ( which it isn't) drill set up, but how often are you using the forstners? Big it's not several times a week, then a different purchase is more justifiable. I could use a $2,200 Stihl concrete chainsaw...but it can NOT justify the payback. I have to show myself how/where the money is going to come from to pay for the tool. That's how I decide whether to purchase the tool or not. If it's a hobby, it can still be justified. "This tool will allow me to be X% faster, better or safer..."set a threshold and stick to it.

 

[bobfog]

I think the reality is a lot of people on this forum have almost a fetish about tools. They don't buy what they need, more over buy what they imagine they anticipate they might need, at some point, possibly, maybe, in the future. I think the nice new tools become more of a motivator for work than the desire to actually make things. This can be dangerous because eventually you'll either run out of money or run out of tools to buy, then what will motivate you?

It's a bit like the mentality of doomsday survivalists who take comfort in preparing for an event that will probably never happen. It's not really about doomsday, it's about them engineering an excuse to satisfy a desire.

 

[SS Teach]

It will never end. I just ordered two quick clamps, it goes on and on. That's the genius of Festool. Once you buy into the system they've got you. It's only been recently that other companies have figured this out. The tools are great no question. But the fact that they are designed to work together, and even more efficiently with Festool accessories is the coup de grace. Lately I've been looking at the Boom Arm Set for my CT 36. Like I said it never ends.

 

[McNally Family]

Up to this point, all my purchases have been in the order I needed them.  My initial drill purchase came about because I ordered my Wife a redwood lounging chair from Forever Redwood, out of California.  It was an anniversary gift, made of old growth redwood (at least 200 years old), and pretty expensive (I call it functional jewelry).  It arrived in a crate that had been built using at least 75 long wood screws.  I dug out my 20 year old battery powered drill, and realized when the battery got so hot while charging that I could not touch it, that I needed a new driver.  The following search for quality tools led me to both Festool and Germany.  The Installers set seemed logical since I was now buying into the Festool System, and Centrotec is part of that system.

Looking for my old driver in the basement made me realize it was time to clean up and create a workshop, for both my Son and myself.  That created the need for the Festool CT26 (after a long internal debate about what size to get), and it's associated Installer cleaning set.

When I realized I needed a sander to sand between coats of finish on the plywood we were hanging on the basement block walls, the RS 2 E sander stood out to me for two reasons;  first it was something like my Dad used when I was a kid, and second, I like the idea of sheet sandpaper (I use VSM Vitex from Germany and Mirka from Finland).
http://vsctools.com/shop/product-category/vsm-vitex-sandpaper/http://beavertools.com/mirka/mirka-...paper-1/mirka-gold-sandpaper-sheet-1.html?p=2

Thankfully, I still had my 25 year old Milwaukee hammer drill, so I did not need to purchase either the Festool PDC or BHC to attach furring to the block wall (although I did think about it).

Now, I try not to think about potential projects that might require tools I do not yet have.  For our first shop project, my Son and I are going to build this workbench:
http://vsctools.com/shop/the-ultimate-work-table/

The designer has created 47 YouTube video's showing step by step instructions on how to build it.  I have been watching them, and writing down the tools I will need to complete the project (such as clamps, combination squares, cutting torch for metal work, etc.).

Here is one of his You Tube videos related to the metal work he incorporates into the workbench:
=youtu.be

No sagging on this workstation, ever!

Someone asked me if I had not accumulated any tools over the years, that could carry me for now (such as my Milwaukee hammer drill did).  My problem was the fact I had an undiagnosed brain tumor (congenital), that was not discovered until 2008, but had been impacting my life for years.  My old tools were put in boxes and had somehow become wet, so are now covered in rust.  Others simply can't be located, probably because I mistakenly threw them away when moving to our current home.  Surgery in 2009 removed the tumor, but did a little damage in the process, which as of now (2016), I seem to have pretty much overcome, unless you call my obsession with Festool a symptom, which it may very well be.

The Festool ZOBO's are probably the biggest stand out luxury item I have purchased to date, but I have alway's had an obsession with quality, and comparing them to other brands, they do stand out. 

 

[McNally Family]

It will never end. I just ordered two quick clamps, it goes on and on. That's the genius of Festool. Once you buy into the system they've got you. It's only been recently that other companies have figured this out. The tools are great no question. But the fact that they are designed to work together, and even more efficiently with Festool accessories is the coup de grace. Lately I've been looking at the Boom Arm Set for my CT 36. Like I said it never ends.

With the sale now going on, I have had the same internal debate regarding the boom arm, but because I will still need to use my CT26 for general basement cleaning, and my basement is rather large (shaped like the letter "L", that extends the length of the house), I am unable to utilize the boom arm with it's 7ft height requirement, under the HVAC venting that runs down most of the basement.

So far, my solution has been white plastic 4" hanging hooks sold by Home Depot, that can be tacked to the overhead joists, positioned where I need them.  Not ideal, and I don't get the swivel function the Boom Arm provides, but at less than $3.00 each, it does save me some money (how else do you think I can afford those darn Festool Zobo bits)?

Update 06/15/2016:  With the dust extraction/related accessories sale nearing it's end in two weeks,  I finally just bit the bullet and ordered the Boom Arm, deciding that in my next house, it will probably work well for me, and i did not want to miss the savings this sale provides.  For now, I will just use a broom and dust pan on the portion of my basement the boom arm can't access (how primitive).

 

[chewy]

My mate showed me this superduper  festool router he'd bought. I had a quick go and it seemed fantastic ! I asked what the fence was like, then he dropped the bombshell [emoji1]

 

[McNally Family]

I think the reality is a lot of people on this forum have almost a fetish about tools. They don't buy what they need, more over buy what they imagine they anticipate they might need, at some point, possibly, maybe, in the future. I think the nice new tools become more of a motivator for work than the desire to actually make things. This can be dangerous because eventually you'll either run out of money or run out of tools to buy, then what will motivate you?

It's a bit like the mentality of doomsday survivalists who take comfort in preparing for an event that will probably never happen. It's not really about doomsday, it's about them engineering an excuse to satisfy a desire.

Hey, it takes tools to build those false walls, hidden doors and shelving for food stuffs, not to mention gun racks.....Oh great, now I need a jig saw (and blades of course).

 

[six-point socket]

Hi!

I think every adult should be aware of his/her personal monetary situation and decide if a tool, accessory or whatever can be bought or not - no matter if it's an real, imminent need to complete a project or if its just because it's nice to have.

And I will admit that a couple of accessories (not limited to Festool) I bought in the past didn't serve any imminent purpose. But I always ende up being very happy I had them on hand at some point.

Want examples?

Stanley Wonder Bar X21 (54 cm pry bar) - I bought this because it did catch my eye. Sure enough a week after the purchase I get two shipping crates (wooden boxes, nailed shut) - without that thing I would have had to abuse one of my demolition screwdrivers or go out and buy a pry bar then. Since then I had numerous uses for that pry bar.

Multi construction drill bits with HEX shaft. I bought them even though I have/had every drill bit I needed with cylindrical shafts. A couple of days later I find myself having to drill through the back portion of a sidewall on an already installed kitchen cabinet close to a wall. So I got the angle attachment (first time I really needed it space wise) from my CXS set, and if you have it - you know that the angle attachment only accepts HEX shafts. I didn't even have that on my mind when I bought the HEX shaft drill bits.

I found a sale for large 450 mm SDS-Plus drill bits from Hawera - diameters over 10 mm but below 20 mm. I bought a couple. Sure enough I ended up using them in rather short time - although - at the time of purchase I didn't know I would install new floodlights around the house and need to drill through the wall for the cables.

I think quality tools enable their owners to do stuff they otherwise wouldn't do or they simply come in very handy during moments that would otherwise end in sheer desperation.

Of course all within at least a little reason - I'm not going to buy a 3/4", 1" or 1 1/2" socket wrench set and impact driver/ hi-torque driver even though there is some pretty neat stuff on the market... But chance of using that are well below zero. (Ok, if WW 3 breaks loose and I capture a tank, maybe not so useless after all... I have to give that some more thoughts... mmhhhmmm.  [scared] [scared] [scared] [scared]  [eek] [eek] [eek] [eek] [eek]  [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]  [wink] [wink] [wink])

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[chewy]

My thoughts to my workmate were, wtf ? It costs £200 quid more for a fkin fence !

 

[ear3]

It's the system, man!

It might be worth it to make a permanent thread that sits at the top of one of the subforums that lists the true costs of an item.  But disallow any

Like, if you're going to get the Domino you are probably going to get the domino assortment systainer and bits as well.

Or how much would a full complement of grits in one abrasive for a single sander cost?

That said, once you have the main components of the system there is a tremendous amount of power and range you have to tackle even the most difficult carpentry problems.

 

[Kev]

My solution has been to get ahead of the curve .. buy proactively [big grin]

There's still the project specific reactive needs, that'll never end.

Toying with the prospect of metal working now ... lots of directions there.

 

[McNally Family]

My solution has been to get ahead of the curve .. buy proactively [big grin]

There's still the project specific reactive needs, that'll never end.

Toying with the prospect of metal working now ... lots of directions there.

I have alway's envied my friends who could just "weld it up", or "cut a bead", or whatever they call it.  In the past I have been a little intimidated by the whole concept, but like anything else I guess, if you take your time and pay attention, everything will be ok....

 

[Steve-Rice]

I can honestly say my shop has everything I need and everything I want, yet I still find myself wondering through tool stores and catalogs looking for "something new" that I might find useful.

You ask if "it ever ends", my answer would be "I hope not". Buying a new tool and/or accessory is one of life's little joys which I look forward to.

I'm guessing you feel the same way, or you wouldn't be buying every accessory for every tool.  The real question is why are you even asking...  Just enjoy...

 

[Holmz]

My solution has been to get ahead of the curve .. buy proactively [big grin]

There's still the project specific reactive needs, that'll never end.

Toying with the prospect of metal working now ... lots of directions there.

This is a rabbit hole...
I have a TIG welder, and combining metal and wood can be an enjoyable endeavour.
And a costly one.