Festool Basics :-)

[nico]

Being a Weekend Warrior, not a pro what Festool product does one need to have?
and what other none Festool product do you need to be one of the first purchases?
And I mean "basics" I'm very curious about your suggestions ?

kr

Nico

FYI (I already have a screwdriver, nails , screws ... )

 

[semenza]

Hi,

TS55 and guide rails.  Adding a CT would be good but any other vac would work for starters.

Seth

 

[vkumar]

Nico

Assuming you have no tools, and depending on what you want to do and your budget I would recommend the following:

1. Cordless drill (nice to have a Festool, but any good brand will be fine)
2. TS 55 saw with rail long enough to do the type of cutting you might encounter/ Festool bundles in a 1400 which might be a good start.
3. RO 90 sander
4.MFT/3 with 2 quick release clamps
5. A 1400 or 1010 router with a few router bits

I think this should be sufficient to start.  You will find out more as you do projects and fins out what you need.

Vijay

 

[Jack Parks]

Nico,

What you need to purchase first will greatly depend on what kind of woodworking you want to do but a TS55 and vacumn would be a good start.  Another tool I use all the time is a Kreg pocket hole jig.

Tell us what you plan to build and your budget and it will help others give you good advice.

 

[kdzito]

It depends on the projects you are doing and if you do not own any Festools yet this is a good start:

1. CT 26 or CT 36

2. TS 55 note: comes with guide rail FS 1400

3. MFT/3, with clamping elements and quick clamps. note: comes with guide rail  FS 1080

4. Parallel Guides, if I would of known about them when I first bought the TS 55 they would of saved me a lot of headaches.  Once again this is my IMHO.

5. RO 90, 125, or 150.  Depending on your sanding requirements and if your not going to strip finishes by sanding nor polish metal and paint finishes, I would get the ETS 150/3. 

6. OF 1400; however, if you already have a router and any router bits don't make this one your priority as IMHO you can get by without a Festool router until later on and more $$$$ to spend.

7. T series cordless drills; however, the same as the router.

8. WCR 1000, although it was just released and mine is forthcoming this week I can't really comment from personal experience; however, this item really caught my eye since I have a limited space to sit my tools and consumables nearby while I work away.  I sit all of my tools under, on top of, and near the MFT and CT which creates more clutter and causes me to spend more time than I can stand by moving one to get to another and undoubtedly so I eye the Workcenter to be my sanctuary and give me the peace of mind in maintaining a sense of organization.   

This should take care you in a great collection of Festools.

 

[nico]

Ok ,
we bought an old house.
The original owners build a very beautiful house,  but the next owners  let it deteriorate and "modernised" it in a cheap ugly way.
My wife and I did most of the rebuilding ourselves (spend a huge amount of time to restore it in the original way)
and I must say that we are both very proud of the result we've achived up to now, but we still have some work to do.

the projects:
*Renovation of the staircase (New England style ( have no other way of explaining it) , it is a very nice stair but in a poor condition;  remove paint... fill up some holes....I think I even have to replace one stair tread )
*1 built-in wardrobe that is about 4 meter width  and 2  meter height
*1 built-in cupboard  ( 6 meter width below a sloped roof)
*Build a porch  ((3, 5 meter width , 7 meter length ) the original wooden structure is demolished and was replaced by an ugly " thing"
*Build a garden shed
*Make some garden funiture / childrens toys

I already own:
1 TS 55 and 2 rails 1400 (it was a Festool promotion and I love it , best money ever spend)
1 OF 1010
1 Domino (purchased  it second hand ...)
1 Bosch miter saw (old one, but works fine)
so what are the tools that you guys recommend to this very motivated weekend warrior who loves the smell of fresly sawn timber in the morning ;-)))
and please do consider that I'm not a pro ... this means that my budget is not infinite

kr
Nico
(and I'm sorry for my poor English)

 

[cnewport]

Nico,

I don't see a sander on your list - a rotex will definitely help with any renovation project involving removing old paint or finishes.  If you have drywall I use my 150/3 and CT26 to sand small drywall jobs around the house - the noise and dust are so minimal that I did this while the wife was cooking and the 1 & 4 year olds were playing!  The drills are also brilliant - I'd see if you could get a deal on a discontinued C12.  The one tool I use more than any other is the MFT/3.

So based on your existing tool list, if I were in your shoes, I'd look for:

1. Rotex - size depending on jobs planned
2. Vac - one of the smaller ones - the 36 is really big for a homeowner
3. MFT/3
4. Drill
5. 150/3

 

[kdzito]

Nico,

I don't see a sander on your list - a rotex will definitely help with any renovation project involving removing old paint or finishes.  If you have drywall I use my 150/3 and CT26 to sand small drywall jobs around the house - the noise and dust are so minimal that I did this while the wife was cooking and the 1 & 4 year olds were playing!  The drills are also brilliant - I'd see if you could get a deal on a discontinued C12.  The one tool I use more than any other is the MFT/3.

So based on your existing tool list, if I were in your shoes, I'd look for:

1. Rotex - size depending on jobs planned
2. Vac - one of the smaller ones - the 36 is really big for a homeowner
3. MFT/3
4. Drill
5. 150/3

Ditto on the sander.

 

[nico]

Cnewport and Kdzito:
Thanks for the quick reply but regarding the sander
all the drywallling is already done , sanding is done (my wife and I used a huge amount of of elbow grease) even the painting is finished .
that project is done.
I think I need a sander for the stairs but which one ? a RO 90 ? (a staircase has many corners)
and what do you guys suggest for my other projects?

Nico

 

[cnewport]

For the stairs the 125 will get the treads and risers done faster but the 90 has the delta attachment for the corners.... I'd probably pick the 90.

These projects would benefit from:

*1 built-in wardrobe: parallel guides
*1 built-in cupboard: parallel guides
*Build a porch: a nice long rail to do the edges
*Build a garden shed: drill

 

[b_m_hart]

Cnewport and Kdzito:
Thanks for the quick reply but regarding the sander
all the drywallling is already done , sanding is done (my wife and I used a huge amount of of elbow grease) even the painting is finished .
that project is done.
I think I need a sander for the stairs but which one ? RO 90 (a staircase has many corners)
and what do you guys suggest for my other projects?

Nico

The RO 90 will be nice for the corners, but don't you think you'll want a bigger pad for sanding the rest of the area?  Go with either the ETS 150/3 or Rotex 150 in my opinion.  I have both, and they'll both work well for that, assuming you have the patience to do that much work without a specialized floor sander.  If you are planning on building a deck and shed, it might be helpful to have a good drill/screwdriver.  I'm assuming you have one already, but the C15 is a nice machine, lots of power if you need to do some drilling (or even mixing mortar or some concrete mixes).  

Given that you still have a fair amount of finish work (the built in and cupboard, for example), a MFT/3 might make good sense for you.  It's great for breaking down sheet goods, and is super convenient to glue up / assemble on.  Plus, you can fold it up and put it in a closet when you aren't using it - very handy.  Finally, get a vacuum.  I'd go with the Midi or CT26.  I have a Midi, and it's worked fine for me with the domino, TS55, and OF1010.

So, to recap:

1) rent a floor sander, or buy a RO90 and ETS150/3 or RO150
2) C15
3) MFT/3
4) CT Midi or CT26

 

[GruntSgt]

Tools are covered by everyone else, so I'll just say your English is fine...and pictures, we like pictures. [smile]

 

[dltflt]

I agree with everyone else about what to buy first but the truth is you are starting down a very slippery slope and you will become addicted like the rest of us.  You will enjoy using all of these tools

Don

 

[nico]

Thanks for the replies
and It seems that you are all fans of the mft , but wouldn't a small table saw ( like the DW 745, or something similar)
better for my kind of jobs ?

Nico

 

[tiralie]

Thanks for the replies
and It seems that you are all fans of the mft , but wouldn't a small table saw ( like the DW 745, or something similar)
better for my kind of jobs ?

Yes, I believe that a (small) table saw is invaluable for ripping boards, and cross cutting small pieces. These saws are not good for accurately breaking down sheet goods your TS 55 is much better for that. As has been mentioned a good dust collection machine (Midi or CT26) would be a good idea, particularly because (I assume) you are working and living in the the house and breathing that dust all day and night is not good for your health. I suggest you also consider getting a good jigsaw...I heard Festool is coming out with a new one that kicks ass! [big grin]

To accomplish the tasks on your list, here are my comments on what tools you might need in addition to the ones you already own:

*Renovation of the staircase (New England style) - I have no idea what this and what materials you are using but you could use the TS 55 you have, a router for the edge etc. and maybe a jigsaw to fit a new tread in place

*1 built-in wardrobe that is about 4 meter width  and 2  meter height - use your TS55 to break down sheet goods, a table MFT or homemade permanent table (if you have space) for cutting and assembly and depending on the style (euro etc.) and material (Melamine, veneer, plywood etc.) used for assembly a drill, Domino, router, table saw, sander and jigsaw.

*1 built-in cupboard  ( 6 meter width below a sloped roof) - Same as above.

*Build a porch  ((3, 5 meter width , 7 meter length ) - Depending on construction type a Table saw to rip boards, drill, jigaw ladders, levels, etc.
*Build a garden shed - depending on the materials used - a table saw, jigsaw, drill hammer nails, screws, ladder, level
*Make some garden funiture / childrens toys - a table saw with an accurate fence, Jigsaw, sander, router and drill.

Good luck.
Tim

 

[fdengel]

If you don't have a Festool dust extractor, you have no idea what you're missing.

+1 to the Rotex, AFTER the dust extractor...

What's a table saw?  I've never used one...  quite happy about that, too.  [laughing]

 

[nico]

So ,
what would be the best money spend?
MFT or table saw?
difficult ...

Nico

 

[tiralie]

So ,
what would be the best money spend?
MFT or table saw?
difficult ...

Nico

If you have room for a fixed table, build one, and then buy a table saw. You can work with out a table saw, but why should you. Remember even Festool makes a table to convert the TS55 and TS75.
Tim

 

[sancho57]

Small TS
MFT with associated clamps.
MFT table extension/ build a out feed table or buy 2 MFTs like I did.
compressor
15 ga / 18 ga nail guns
cordless impact gun/driver
good set of chisels
Sliding Compund Miter saw/ Kapex

 

[Grinding One]

Ok ,
we bought an old house.
The original owners build a very beautiful house,  but the next owners  let it deteriorate and "modernised" it in a cheap ugly way.
My wife and I did most of the rebuilding ourselves (spend a huge amount of time to restore it in the original way)
and I must say that we are both very proud of the result we've achived up to now, but we still have some work to do.

the projects:
*Renovation of the staircase (New England style ( have no other way of explaining it) , it is a very nice stair but in a poor condition;  remove paint... fill up some holes....I think I even have to replace one stair tread )
*1 built-in wardrobe that is about 4 meter width  and 2  meter height
*1 built-in cupboard  ( 6 meter width below a sloped roof)
*Build a porch  ((3, 5 meter width , 7 meter length ) the original wooden structure is demolished and was replaced by an ugly " thing"
*Build a garden shed
*Make some garden funiture / childrens toys

I already own:
1 TS 55 and 2 rails 1400 (it was a Festool promotion and I love it , best money ever spend)
1 OF 1010
1 Domino (purchased  it second hand ...)
1 Bosch miter saw (old one, but works fine)
so what are the tools that you guys recommend to this very motivated weekend warrior who loves the smell of fresly sawn timber in the morning ;-)))
and please do consider that I'm not a pro ... this means that my budget is not infinite

kr
Nico
(and I'm sorry for my poor English)

What you are going to need in the future is Wood,so I would buy wood.The price of it is going thru the roof faster then the tool prices.Just listen to the guys on here and they are all tearing thru wood as fast as they get it.You could be a wood broker soon if you would just buy Wood.