Festool Alternatives

[Bigchasbroon]

I don't know if this is considered subversive and I might get in trouble but how about a sticky thread with items that we use which are non festool. For example I use Henry hepa filter bags in my midi. They don't have quite the same capacity but 100 cost the same as 5 festool bags.
Also the chain Oregon 91PX039E is the actual chain used on the sword saw. £9.75 or £25 in a festool packet.

 

[tallgrass]

do they work just as well? what sizes do they come in?

 

[jools]

Also guilty of using Henry Hoover bags in the midi. Looking forward to seeing axminsters new range of drills bits etc that fit centrotec. I use the Saxton blades in the ts55. 60, 48 and 36 teeth at £29.99 for the 3

 

[Bigchasbroon]

do they work just as well? what sizes do they come in?

Are you talking about the bags or chain? The chain is the actual chain festool use. The bags are for a Henry numatic but numatic do other vacs so I assume there are bigger ones.

 

[Bigchasbroon]

Also guilty of using Henry Hoover bags in the midi. Looking forward to seeing axminsters new range of drills bits etc that fit centrotec. I use the Saxton blades in the ts55. 60, 48 and 36 teeth at £29.99 for the 3

Are you happy with the blades? That's about what it costs to sharpen the festools.

 

[orm8426]

To be honest, other than the domino machine, everything is a Festool alternative. As far as I can tell the Domino joiners are the only tools in the Festool range that doesn't have a cheaper comparable equivalent from another manufacturer.

 

[Nippychippy]

I don't know if this is considered subversive and I might get in trouble but how about a sticky thread with items that we use which are non festool. For example I use Henry hepa filter bags in my midi. They don't have quite the same capacity but 100 cost the same as 5 festool bags.
Also the chain Oregon 91PX039E is the actual chain used on the sword saw. £9.75 or £25 in a festool packet.

Is there a certain type of Henry bags sick of emptying my cheap reusable one and I don't think is as good as the festool ones

 

[Bigchasbroon]

I don't know if this is considered subversive and I might get in trouble but how about a sticky thread with items that we use which are non festool. For example I use Henry hepa filter bags in my midi. They don't have quite the same capacity but 100 cost the same as 5 festool bags.
Also the chain Oregon 91PX039E is the actual chain used on the sword saw. £9.75 or £25 in a festool packet.

Is there a certain type of Henry bags sick of emptying my cheap reusable one and I don't think is as good as the festool ones

I got 100 from Costco for around £20. You have to put it on the vac first rather than clip it into the base but it's a small inconvenience.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/251180193777?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=t&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0

 

[Nippychippy]

Thanks for that I'll look it to them  [big grin]

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

I brought a set of 3 of those Saxon blades for my TS 55, they are ok for "Rough" work/cuts that are not going to be seen, but are not a patch on the Festool blades for quality of cut.

I also use the Numatic bags in my CT and have been for the last few months. So far, no problems and the dust extraction seems to be just as efficient.

 

[jools]

No not as good as the Festool blades but 75% of my cuts with the ts55 are plasterboard, OSB, Chipboard and ply. The posh ones stay in the van till required [big grin]

 

[andy5405]

No not as good as the Festool blades but 75% of my cuts with the ts55 are plasterboard, OSB, Chipboard and ply. The posh ones stay in the van till required [big grin]

I tend to agree with the above but have stopped using Saxton Blades because of the perceived damage they do to the splinter guard. I'm fairly convinced that even if the kerf and offset is right on a cheaper blade that they still flex more and therefore damage the splinter guard more. That becomes a problem when you do get your posh blades out and want a super clean up cut.

As I said it's more perception than anything I have bothered to try and prove scientifically. The other factor in my decision was finding a good sharpening service 5 miles from my front door.

 

[jools]

I have not noticed any problem with switching between them although what you said Andy makes perfect sense. I did find a dirty gummy blade from cutting rubbish was causing breakout and I'm convinced OSB has a handful of nails thrown in during manufacture having seen sparks fly before. I don't have the luxury of a near blade sharpening service. If any one knows of one in the kent area please let me know.