Festool Basics class, well worth it...

[BraniffK]

I have to send out props to Brian Sedgeley (fellow plane head)...after attending his Festool Basics class in Indi recently. I was amazed how many new things I took away from this class. It's definitely not what you think of when you read "Basics". You work through the basic tools that are needed for most any project and how to best utilize them. Along with tricks to maintain them properly & "Game Changer" feature that you may not be utilizing efficiently or effectively.

His delivery is on par with Gary Katz, except he effectively uses some slap-stick to keep you engaged & moving along seamlessly. You start the day off and next thing you know it's the end of the day, if it wasn't for lunch you would stay working at your station and not even think about wanting a break! Your having to much fun & learning going on to even look at the clock. Enough that Brian has to force you out the door to eat ;D

If you have a chance sign-up for the Basics class or any other and you will not be disappointed!

Cheers!

 

[leakyroof]

Totally agree. I took the class earlier this year, April I think. So many little things to remember that you didn't know before the class, and hope you don't forget AFTER the class since they make your life easier when using the tools, or as a system approach on a whole.
Other than Brian speaking in some foreign tongue known as New Englander from time to time[ [wink]], we totally understood what he was trying to teach us each day. And yet I still have to buy that 150mm Rotex that he was amazed that I don't yet own.  YET...... [big grin]

 

[ccarrolladams]

Many FOG members know I am a total supporter of Festool End User Classes.  At this time I have participated in all the different classes. In fact, when someone dropped out of the combined Cabinet and Door class this spring I filled that slot. I had taken both those classes, but separately.

So far I have not taken a class in Lebanon, but back in 2010, both Steve Bace and Brian "The Sedge" Sedgeley were co-trainers. So for the three classes I took in 2010 I had the benefit of both Steve and The Sedge. Then in early 2011 for the premiere Solid Surface class, The Sedge was there in Henderson. The first Doors class in Henderson also had The Sedge. Good times and great jokes!

It is ironic that I was never able to re-work my schedule so I could take Intro to Festools until I had already completed all the other classes. I found it to be excellent.

Sure, I own virtually all the current Festools. However, even with the Kapex, which I use every day, I hardly make use of all the features routinely. So it is marvelous to get to spend a lot of time in the class practicing all those other uses under the expert eyes of Steve Bace.

 

[BraniffK]

Admittedly, I was skeptical of taking a "Basics" course. A couple of hours into the course & breaking out my mental New Englander translator...I was disappointed I had not taken it earlier!

To make things worse, today I was getting ready to sign up for the seperate Cabinet and Doors & Drawers classes. Only to loose cell coverage and internet needless to say I missed out. I want to take the Adv. Router course, just not sure I can squeeze it in. Would like to take a class with Steve Brace.

Keep up the great work!!!!

 

[ccarrolladams]

Admittedly, I was skeptical of taking a "Basics" course. A couple of hours into the course & breaking out my mental New Englander translator...I was disappointed I had not taken it earlier!

To make things worse, today I was getting ready to sign up for the seperate Cabinet and Doors & Drawers classes. Only to loose cell coverage and internet needless to say I missed out. I want to take the Adv. Router course, just not sure I can squeeze it in. Would like to take a class with Steve Brace.

Keep up the great work!!!!

There are some advantages to taking Festool End User classes in Henderson, NV. That is the city just south east of Las Vegas in which much of the airport is located, so it is an easy hop. Steve Bace (the spelling of his name he prefers) has been conducting classes in Henderson for many years, long before he was hired by Festool. So Steve has a marvelous relationship with the management and staff at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino. That is about a 10 minute drive from the Training Center. The couple of times I have visited Lebanon, IN the folks at Festool suggested a hotel over 45 minutes from their HQ. With all the discounts of flights to Las Vegas, in every class I have attended some participants were from the East Coast. They told me they spent less flying to Las Vegas than to Indianapolis. The recent trips I have made there were part of tours, so I have not priced the cost from Los Angeles to Indianapolis.

Trust me, Sunset Station will treat you very well. Steve Bace knows all the best places for the class dinners. The staff at those places clearly like serving Steve and his guests.

Of course in Lebanon you are within a few feet of a massive Festool warehouse of tools. That can be very tempting. All I can say is that as a result of every visit to Lebanon I have spent more on Festools than I did on airfare, hotels and food!

Some of our good friends here on FOG consider the cost in time and money attending training classes to be a luxury. Personally I look on training as an investment, the same as purchasing tools. The fact is there are some tricks to getting the most from many Festools. Many people who play golf pay for lessons. But, to each his or her own.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Ok, after reading this, I think we should reconsider the name of the class. I'm open to suggestions. Maybe "Getting the most from Festool"?

 

[ScotF]

How about Festool Essentials

Scot

 

[sancho57]

When I took the class in LV I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought a "intro" class would be just that. But as I found out it was a lot more then that. Steve opened the class with the statement that most people only use a tool to  50% of its potential. He was right during the class he taught us the other 50%.

I honestly would like festool to give a DVD video which covers the basics of the class to use as refresher when we are back in our shops trying to remember all the techniques that we are shown in the class.

There is a heck of a lot of info thrown at us is a short amount of time.

Id like to take the class again, if I could .

Even if festool came up with a intro pt 2 would be awesome.

There is so much you can do with these tools they could do that and not cover the same thing twice.

 

[ccarrolladams]

How about Festool Essentials

Scot

Scot, I really like your wise suggestion.

Personally I have always thought of Festool as a system, not just individual tools. Steve Bace and Brian Sedgeley always stress the Festool system concept.

So how about a slight expansion upon your idea: Festool System Essentials

 

[ScotF]

How about Festool Essentials

Scot

Scot, I really like your wise suggestion.

Personally I have always thought of Festool as a system, not just individual tools. Steve Bace and Brian Sedgeley always stress the Festool system concept.

So how about a slight expansion upon your idea: Festool System Essentials

Yep -- I like it...

Scot