Festool Capabilities/Potential

[MrToolJunkie]

I remember hearing in Festool class that most users only use a certain percent of a typical Festool's potential or what it is capable of.  Does anyone know offhand what that statistic is?  One of those little fun trivia things and it has been driving me nuts trying to recall exactly what Steve Bace had said...

Thanks!

Scot

 

[Scott B.]

A turning point for me was the day Bace told me that I was failing to meet that minimum requirement. That was rock bottom for me. I stepped up my game after that.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I remember hearing in Festool class that most users only use a certain percent of a typical Festool's potential or what it is capable of.  Does anyone know offhand what that statistic is?  One of those little fun trivia things and it has been driving me nuts trying to recall exactly what Steve Bace had said...

I don't think you should be looking at it this way. There is no data whatsoever about this. There is no definition at all of what the upper and lower boundaries are. You use a Festool for the job you need it for, and that's it. The moment you put your Festool to the wood you use it 100%, be it a small job or a big one. There's nothing more to it. No need to go nuts about this.

   

 

[wrightwoodwork]

If it can be imagined it can be done, no such thing as can't only a lack if trying

 

[Scott B.]

I remember having this discussion somewhere with someone, but I don't remember where or with whom, about learning curve and whether or not sophisticated tools help or hinder learning curve. This is what this topic reminds me of.

Its similar to musical instruments. I can go out and buy a vintage Fender Strat, but without years of skill building, knowledge and experience, I probably won't be able to play that instrument to its full potential like a musician can. And that's fine, that's not always the goal. Like Alex is saying, we all just play it to the best of our abilities and to meet our own needs.

 

[peter halle]

I would swear that in the very first class I heard that the average user only uses about 60% of the capabilities.  I would imagine that number would include the capabilities including the various accessories which really add to the mix.

Please keep in mind that the majority of the users here are not the average users.

Of course I could be totally off base.

Peter

 

[Scott B.]

Who wants to be average?  [scared]

 

[Birdhunter]

In computer software, statistics show only 20% of features are used. My guess these stats apply to the more complex Festool products.

 

[sancho57]

I remember hearing in Festool class that most users only use a certain percent of a typical Festool's potential or what it is capable of.  Does anyone know offhand what that statistic is?  One of those little fun trivia things and it has been driving me nuts trying to recall exactly what Steve Bace had said...

Thanks!

Scot

I remember Steve saying something like te average tool user only uses a tool to 53% of its potential. I dont know where e got that number from. I dont remember if it was exactly 53% but it was 50 something % for sure.

 

[AlexThePalex]

So what is a tool's full potential exactly?

A belt sander can be used for power tool races, does that functionality count towards it's full potential, or does "full potential" only mean using all accessories Festool has envisioned for the tool? In the past I have rigged a drill motor to open and close an attic hatch, cordless drills were used as motors in Robot Wars and the Mythbusters use DeWalt batteries constantly to set off explosions.

If I have a hundred different bits for my drill or router, but don't have all the other bits out there, am I not using my tool to it's full potential? 

I am just a bit curious about how this potential is defined, how Steve knows such precise figures about it and why I should worry about it.

 

[Scott B.]

I am just a bit curious about how this potential is defined, how Steve knows such precise figures about it and why I should worry about it.

You shouldn't worry about this, Alex.  [unsure]

 

[Stephen B]

[size=12pt]

P = E X [(Q+D+En)x Ex]

Where P is Potential, E is Efficiency, Q is Quality, D is Designed for tasks, En is enjoyment and Ex is Experience.

Yes I made this up, and no element is really quantative because we all have different experiences and expectations (if not budget). [wink]

So Alex is correct!   [smile]

 

[chrisrosenb]

Maybe some one can get a billion dollar grant from the uncle sam to study this & then write a magazine article about it.

Myself, I just use my tools to get done what I need to get done. I do not concern myself with pre or post sales hype.

 

[sancho57]

So what is a tool's full potential exactly?

A belt sander can be used for power tool races, does that functionality count towards it's full potential, or does "full potential" only mean using all accessories Festool has envisioned for the tool? In the past I have rigged a drill motor to open and close an attic hatch, cordless drills were used as motors in Robot Wars and the Mythbusters use DeWalt batteries constantly to set off explosions.

If I have a hundred different bits for my drill or router, but don't have all the other bits out there, am I not using my tool to it's full potential? 

I am just a bit curious about how this potential is defined, how Steve knows such precise figures about it and why I should worry about it.

Ill bite,

Well, I basically means fully use the tool in all its capabilities, including , jigs, functions, in-conjunction with other tools ect etc.

 

[Kev]

Daft, daft, daft, daft, daft !!!

I'm sure there's people out there using Festool sanders without DC and the like [blink] but there's way too many variables to come up with a number for something like this.

Gotta get me some Centrotec coffee stirrer bits [wink]

 

[AlexThePalex]

P = E X [(Q+D+En)x Ex]

Where P is Potential, E is Efficiency, Q is Quality, D is Designed for tasks, En is enjoyment and Ex is Experience.

Ok, I can work with this, finally some quantification. [wink]

 

[mouppe]

If I'm cutting 1/2" plywood with my TS55, am I only using 25% of the saw's capability?

If I'm sanding and I turn my CT vac down by 50%, etc. etc.

Seems to me this is an impossible thing to define and measure. We don't use most things in daily life anywhere near 100% of their potential. I don't drive my car at its top speed for example.

 

[wrightwoodwork]

That's just a marketing ploy to get us spend more money on accessories. If you need them buy them are going to be using then buy, but if don't need them don't buy. I only buy what I need, not what some marketing hype says I have to have. I use the tools not the marketing people and stastions

 

[peter halle]

I think that the statement was just to illustrate that Festools can do so much more than the average person uses them for. 

I know that I constantly read here about new uses.

Heck, some weeks I only bill 40% of my available time.  Numbers don't mean squat in some situations.

Peter

 

[tiralie]

A turning point for me was the day Bace told me that I was failing to meet that minimum requirement.

Ok you really need to give us some context here (if you want) I mean what were you doing: drinking coffee, smoking a cigarette while holding the sander in place while it ran?  [big grin]
For the record I have never done this 'cause I don't smoke any more [wink]
Tim