Festool customer training: Feedback requested

[Christian93117]

Hello FOG community,

We are getting many requests from our customers to provide classes on Festool. In order to better understand what your expectations are, we would like to get your feedback on this topic:

- Do you simply want to enhance your technical understanding of Festool products and their use, or would you prefer to build a project in class?
- Any specific topics the class should cover?
- How long should the class be: 1 day, 2 days, 3 days etc.?
- How far would you travel for such a training?
- Any other thoughts?

Don't limit your answers to those questions, just let us know your thoughts, so we can get a good understanding of your expectations.

Thank you!

Christian

 

[ForumMFG]

- Do you simply want to enhance your technical understanding of Festool products and their use, or would you prefer to build a project in class?
- Any specific topics the class should cover?
- How long should the class be: 1 day, 2 days, 3 days etc.?
- How far would you travel for such a training?
- Any other thoughts?

Christian,

Thanks for your post.  I have inquired about this as well.

-Depending on how long the class is I think building a project would be a bonus and not on the priority list.  But hands on with the tools I feel is a must. Like you said, "to enhance our technical understanding of festool products" would be a good purpose to attend this class.  I would like to learn how to correctly use them, see what applications they excel in, learn the tips and tricks.  During this class I would like to see a questions and answer period so that anything we may have experienced, good or bad, we can bring it up and get insight from the pro?s.

-Specific topics I would like to see are:
-Detailed intended use of each tool and hands on training for certain applications
-The tips and secrets of each tool (I hear that dealers that take this class and are woodworkers on the side learn a lot more about these tools then they can ever imagine)
-I'll be adding more as I think about this.


-How long should the class be?  I think depending on the cost of the class coupled with travel expenses and hotels would determine how long someone would want to stay.  I think options should be available.  Maybe Cover the DOMINO, KAPEX, MFT/3 one day and others on the second day, or something like that.  Or you can cover the tools one day and maybe technique specific to the tools another day?  

-How far to travel?  I think being that flying can get you anywhere in no time, distance shouldn't be an issue except for cost.  I think the cost of travel compared to how much knowledge you can get from these classes will offset.  That's how I feel about it.

-Dave

 

[immunoboy]

It seems to me this would require two classes - ready to take the plunge and already took the plunge.  

I'm ready to take the plunge and buy a domino.  I've seen demos, but I would find a class useful.  It would be helpful to just do some simple joints, as well as more complicated angled joints,  thin versus thick stock, multiple domino's, etc.  As stated below, please build in large Q&A blocks.  I have attended several Festool demos at local dealers, and often the most useful part is when a festool user pipes in with a tip or actually goes up and does a quick demonstration.    

For items I've already taken the plunge on - advanced techniques and the tips and secrets would be very useful.  

Finally - podcasts can be very useful.  I can see how detailed podcasts that feature particular items in a single project could be very informative.  In this case, all festool (or mostly festool) projects done as podcasts could be of help.  I know Mark Spagnolo has done a few like this, but you could certainly just make it a quarterly competition - send festool your podcast and the best one gets a free whatever.  A small collection of podcasts from a variety of festool users would be useful.  

How long?  As soon as you go over a day, you will lose a certain percentage of the folks.  Personally I would not mind a two day event.

Targeted audience?  Should there be specific sections for woodworking hobbyist vs professionals?  

 

[Tom Ryan]

I want to learn about Festool products and their use.  A project is only desirable if it helps us reach that goal.

Since the track system is the heart of (a portion of) the Festool system, I'd like a day(or more) on uses of the tracks, joining them, TS55(75) on the track, routers on the track (ideally including use of the MicroFence system), Parallel Guides, MFT, the Hole Drilling System, and anything else that works on the tracks.  In this, include enough basic into to each tool used so we can

Then a day or so on other aspects of the tools, and other tools such as sanders and vacs.

I'd travel anywhere the air fare isn't too high (which is currently many places).

I really hope you do this training.  It would increase my productivity, I'm sure, as well as my enjoyment.

Tom in SE Pennsylvania

 

[joraft]

Targeted audience?  Should there be specific sections for woodworking hobbyist vs professionals? 

This is a very good point, but I think it should be based on "skill level", since there are many hobbyists out there who can rival some of the best professionals.

In classes I've attended, if there is too broad a range of skill levels, the lower level will become quickly overwhelmed, and the higher level will become quickly bored. A skill level rating for each class could help solve this problem.

Speaking for myself only, I'm willing to travel almost any distance, and spend any length of time for a good class. But I'm retired with little else to do.  

One day classes are good, but generally pretty local, which can limit attendance. However, at the Gary Katz Road Shows some people I talked to had traveled quite a distance to hear him talk for just one day. So if the subject is good enough, folks will get there. And for many people, one day at a time may be all they can invest in training.

I think building projects is a very good way for the less experienced to get a jump start with their Festool stuff. The more experienced would probably rather have classes based only on advanced techniques, demonstrations rather than "hands on", so more material could be crammed into less time.

 

[Jay Knoll]

Christian

Great idea, much needed, especially for those of us who live away from stores selling Festool products.

I think that it would be great if you had somebody on the wood working show circuit

http://cms.thewoodworkingshows.com/cms/

You could have a series of 1 hour demos, repeated throughout the 3 day span of each show.  With the scope of this show's coverage, I can't imagine a Festool owner/prospective owner who couldn't get to one.

Jay

 

[ForumMFG]

Christian,

TalkFestool.com has started their own thread on this and have made some great suggestions already.  I woud suggest that you also view their thread for more possible feedback.

This is the link to their thread:
http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festool-tools/2273-festool-request-feedback-possible-customer-training.html

Or

Click Here

-Dave

 

[hasslefactor]

This is great - thanks for asking!

About Format:
I think webinars (live, with Q&A) would be an ideal training delivery vehicle, and the taped versions could easily live on YouTube and/or iTunes forever as videos or video podcasts - with an RSS feed so people could subscribe and be notified of new content as soon as it's posted. To get the best of all worlds, it would be especially engaging to present the webinars in the context of real classroom events, with real attendees. This would be very doable, as long as the production environment is effectively set up and managed to maximize the experience value for both the live and virtual audiences.

About Audience:
I agree with John (joraft) - organize classes by skill level, and let people self-select where they belong. Most attendees will make the right choice, and the experience will be enriched for everyone. Assuming people will be able to register online for classes, then it would also be a simple matter to design and post some interactive "decision-tree" tools to help attendees guide themselves to the right subject matter and class level.    

About Content:
There is an extreme scarcity of information and training resources for Festool selection and usage in NON-woodworking applications (and I'll be the first to say - before someone else from talkFestool says it for me  ;D - that my own YouTube video of using a Rotex to restore the hull on my sailboat is NOT what anyone in their right mind would call a "resource"). I'm making a list of specific suggestions and will come back to post them separately.

About Vision:
I'm still a Festool newbie, so I'm sure others have said this... wouldn't it be terrific to turn all this classroom content into a virtual Festool University, with all the training available online, 24/7, to Festool fans (and all the future Festool fans) all over the world?

Thanks for listening!

 

[PeterK]

Here in Southern Louisiana, I have no access to stocking dealers or knowledgable sales people other than on-line. I would gladly pay to travel to a class. It would be required to have hands-on time with the tool. Would love it to be a 2 day training with a 3rd day optional as 1 day would be too crammed in my opinion and I would have too many unanswered questions. As an owner and user in hobby use only, I need to learn the tricks and hidden benefits of each tool. Specifically and most importantly the Domino that I am currently so frustrated with. Many of the accessories are NOT self explanatory on the website and would sell better if I understood how to use it and the benefits - for example the MFS, the various polishing accessories for the Rotex, the parallel guide, and VS router accessories. I know the lucky dogs who got to go to the Las Vegas product info class a while back learned so much and shared their experiences on this forum.

This would also be a time to try out tools that I would be interested in for the future - like the RS-2E and RAS and the planer models. Would think the classes would benefit Festool just as much as the end user.

The class does not need to be a project but would need to be actual usage with wood.
This coud also be a chance to bring in your own tool that you are questioning the setup on to be checked out. Again, my Domino I would like to be looked at to see if it is my technique or something wrong with the tool adjustments.

As to webinars, I have done these with other companies and while beneficial, for tool usage NOTHING beats hands-on usage.
Thank you so much for seriously considering offering this training.
Pete

 

[AlexThePalex]

Like some people already mentioned, I also would like to see videos on YouTube demonstrating all different aspects of working with Festools. Would be a great and cheap medium to get a lot of useful information out.

 

[monte]

This is great - thanks for asking!

About Format:
I think webinars (live, with Q&A) would be an ideal training delivery vehicle, and the taped versions could easily live on YouTube and/or iTunes forever as videos or video podcasts - with an RSS feed so people could subscribe and be notified of new content as soon as it's posted. To get the best of all worlds, it would be especially engaging to present the webinars in the context of real classroom events, with real attendees. This would be very doable, as long as the production environment is effectively set up and managed to maximize the experience value for both the live and virtual audiences.

About Audience:
I agree with John (joraft) - organize classes by skill level, and let people self-select where they belong. Most attendees will make the right choice, and the experience will be enriched for everyone. Assuming people will be able to register online for classes, then it would also be a simple matter to design and post some interactive "decision-tree" tools to help attendees guide themselves to the right subject matter and class level.   

About Content:
There is an extreme scarcity of information and training resources for Festool selection and usage in NON-woodworking applications (and I'll be the first to say - before someone else from talkFestool says it for me  ;D - that my own YouTube video of using a Rotex to restore the hull on my sailboat is NOT what anyone in their right mind would call a "resource"). I'm making a list of specific suggestions and will come back to post them separately.

About Vision:
I'm still a Festool newbie, so I'm sure others have said this... wouldn't it be terrific to turn all this classroom content into a virtual Festool University, with all the training available online, 24/7, to Festool fans (and all the future Festool fans) all over the world?

Thanks for listening!
   

Firstly,  I'd like to ditto everything Hasslefactor (Laurie) has stated ( so well ) above.

Secondly, One of the major selling points of Festool is that they are a leader in Innovation.

What would put a smile on my face and what would help promote innovative ideas from the Festool community,

is if Festool would offer an advanced seminar / brainstorming / get together at Festool corporate and offer it to those that have

pushed the envelope of the usage of the Festool line of tools. Festool could set up "A call for entries for Innovation in Usage in the use of Festools".

The creative energy form such a gathering would be a win / win for everyone involved. (including Festool)

 

[Mac]

I agree with Alex; being based in the UK this would be a really useful resource.  I imagine a series of tutorials in the same sort of style as some of Marc's at the Wood Whisperer; I know he does have some videos exclusively talking about festools, but he doesn't really do any kind of detailed and copy-able walkthroughs of some of the more complicated aspects of the tool use. I say this as a relative newbie to woodworking who needs this kind of step by step guide to really appreciate and understand the capabilities of the tools.

Appreciate the interest.
Rick Mac.

 

[rwdawson]

... I also would like to see videos on YouTube demonstrating all different aspects of working with Festools.......

WOW, there are too many good ideas to quote.

To add to the YouTube concept, for those thinking about attending classes, a short video outlining class content might address the skill level and content questions that always come up.  It's been pointed out that too many people are overwhelmed, and too many are bored because the content isn't suitable.  Knowing what to expect could help a lot.  As an example, for the Domino, dealing with very thin and narrow stock, mitered joints, and structural considerations might be of real interest to some, too much for others, and not enough for the rest.  The video could show a very condensed version of the techniques discussed.  This visual syllabus would be a big help.

Also stating what you expect attendees to know in advance would be very useful.

 

[RONWEN]

Hasslefactor X 2. 
I think an innovative company like Festool would be missing the target by holding classes in any form but web seminars.  If held on line they would be available to all current and potential Festool owners any time of the day or night.
  I wouldn't be interested in traveling any distance to attend a seminar but I would certainly take advantage of a 24x7 opportunity to watch/participate.  This "library" could be viewed and returned to months later for reminders.
As you are aware, attendees of ALL live seminars only retain 25% of the subject content.  By being able to return to webinars that percentage increases dramatically.   
I very much appreciate your interest in improving all of our skill sets.

 

[ForumMFG]

Hasslefactor X 2. 
I think an innovative company like Festool would be missing the target by holding classes in any form but web seminars.  If held on line they would be available to all current and potential Festool owners any time of the day or night.
  I wouldn't be interested in traveling any distance to attend a seminar but I would certainly take advantage of a 24x7 opportunity to watch/participate.  This "library" could be viewed and returned to months later for reminders.
As you are aware, attendees of ALL live seminars only retain 25% of the subject content.  By being able to return to webinars that percentage increases dramatically.   
I very much appreciate your interest in improving all of our skill sets.

So your saying if FestoolUSA was next door to you, you wouldn't attend these classes to get some hand on training?  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love your idea but I would like hands on training as well as online video to refer back too.

 

[sw1211]

YouTube or some other web based format has my vote. 

 

[clev1066]

A lot of good ideas and suggestions.

Knowing myself the way I do; I doubt I would attend a class. I will watch countless hours of videos and tutorials though. I guess it's something about going to listen to someone that I can't pause, rewind, or turn off.

 

[Neill]

YouTube or some other web based format has my vote. 

I gotta go along with my fellow Coloradoan for the following reasons:

.  I like the idea of training whenever and wherever that is convenient for me.  

.  What good is going to training course for something that you may not use immediately or may not use at all?

.  Let's say you have never done something or haven't done it in a long time, I like the idea that you can get a "refresher" course on a a tool or procedure just before you use it or do it.

.  I am a diy'er and hobbyist.  I do not necessarily want to be in a training class with a bunch of professionals that will dwell on techniques that I no not need or understand or be snickered at for asking a seemingly dumb question.  I also might not ask a question that is important to me for that reason.

.  This also gives the opportunity to evaluate a prospective purchase or acquaint yourself with a new tool.

Neill

 

[PeterK]

Guess it depends upon how you learn best. I work for a major oil company and we constantly have computer based training. I am just not one to retain info that way. I am a very hands-on type guy and need to actually perform an action to properly retain it for a long period of time. While I can read something and immediately take a test and not miss any answers, I have very little longer term retention learning that way. While I would surely use a video presentation to be introduced to a product and to see it's benefits, I would much prefer an in-person show and tell session.
Pete

 

[hasslefactor]

So your saying if FestoolUSA was next door to you, you wouldn't attend these classes to get some hand on training?  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love your idea but I would like hands on training as well as online video to refer back too.

I hesitate to put words in Ron's mouth (so please correct me if I'm mistaken, Ron   ), but I think what we all want most is options. In today's technology environment, it's just as easy to have all the options as it is to have only one, and there are a lot of benefits to both Festool and the end users in taking advantage of these synergies. For example:  

• Live classroom experiences are wonderful, especially when it involves getting together over a period of 2 or 3 days with old and new friends - all of whom share the same obsession.
• The cost of expanding live, multi-day classroom experiences to include a live webinar environment is purely incremental, since the space, materials and teaching staff are already booked.
• People who are not in a position to physically travel to the classroom can still attend all or part of the live webinar - which gives them the opportunity to submit questions and get answers.
• Since webinars require cameras, audio, and other production equipment, all of the the class content can be "captured" for post-production into manageable "chunks" suitable for YouTube (10 minutes max) or iTunes video podcasts (as long as you like)
• Video is "warmer" and more appealing when there are people in it, and the classroom environment - with live students - is an ideal location. (And, of course, it's video, so when we get distracted thinking things like: "Oh...., so THAT'S what John really looks like...." we can just refocus and rewind.)
• The big benefits for those who attend the class in person or via webinar are (A) they get the content first, (B) they have the benefit of each other's Q&A, and (C) for the classroom attendees, the networking opportunities.
• Even though post-production takes time, everyone stays interested and excited waiting for the release of each new episode.
• People who spend 2 or 3 days immersed in the subject matter will enjoy the opportunity to revisit the experience when they've forgotten something.

Okay, I'll stop now.....  ;D