Festool End-User Training ? Participants Needed for Trial-Run

Below are pictures of the Festool Training Facility, I know you guys will enjoy these.

-Dave
 
I know that everyone out there is waiting for tidbits of knowledge that we picked up.  I started last night putting together things that I picked up and woke up this morning asleep at the computer.  I believe most everyone is traveling back home today so stay tuned.  Brian, Rick, and yes, even occassionally Shane,  ;D ;D, as the primary, but not only people involved, gave us so much info so naturally that it kind of got absorbed.  In the days to come I would guess that there will be a flurry of infor, but then a month from now something might be asked here that will trigger something else we were shown that might help. 

Thanks for your patience.

Peter
 
I am SO JEALOUS!!! I desparately need to attend as I have so many usage questions.  Sure hope they get a training plan put together with a schedule. What a nice facility - just look at that wall of Systainers! They could make it a week long class at a significant price and I will still go.
 
PeterK said:
They could make it a week long class at a significant price and I will still go.

Now there's an idea.  Book it through your favorite dealer and get a credit for an equal value of new tools when it's over, dropped in the back of your truck on the way out!  Then, when you come home with all the tools, it would be simple; "but Honey, they GAVE us these tools with the training."  ;D
 
You know - - that is a GREAT IDEA!!!  Charge based upon tool price or package price. I want - no NEED - the Kapex.  ;D

Another option - they could sell the demo tools used for the training at some discount as a draw to come to the classes.

I really don't need an excuse to go but to come home with a new toy would be really nice.  :D
 
There was a lot of information learned for some people and not so much learned for others.  I think we all agreed that these classes need to be based on experience.  I can go on and on about what information they did provide but I don't want to be redundant to some people so I will share the "tips and tricks" AKA "Ah-Ha's" that I felt were most useful to myself.

1.)  On your TS saws - When you put the saw in FastFix it automatically sets the saw up to cut  3/4" material.  Fast and easy.

2.) CT 22 & CT33 - The whole head is quickly removable.  When you open the CT the green latch inside the machine keeps the top from falling down right?  Well when you go to put the top back down you push in and drop it down but instead push in and pull the whole top assembly off.  It's a really nice feature.

3.) Just a note: The parallel guides are so easy to learn.  Don't make it harder than it really is.

4.) When you put your Kapex on the MFT/Kapex you can put your MFT/3 right next to it and the MFT/3 top is the same height as the work surface of the Kapex.

5.) TS SAW - On the body of these saws there is a line stamped into it indicating where the entry and exit point is of the blade for plunge cut.  When you use your outrigger splinter guard it covers up those marks right?  Well the splinter guard itself actually has that same mark on it so you can still use it.

6.) Sanding pads - This is an easy one.  Festool makes interface pads for sanding contours.  They work great.  It is complete different from the polishing interface pad.  A lot of people don't know they offer this.

7.) For me this was a big one.  People ask all the time why the systainers don't come in a cardboard box or why they are not sealed.  It's because Festool cares about the environment.  The less cardboard/packaging material you use the more you help the environment.  When they get a shipment of tools from Germany, they come on a pallet that is shrink wrapped.  No wooden crates or nothing.  Even the pallets are not solid wood.  I don't know what they are but they seem to be recycled cardboard.

8.) How small of a workforce it really is to make all this happen.  Granted, more employees are in Germany but you think there were more people.

9.) This is an awesome one ? How small the repair shop is.  It is literally the size of a 1 car garage.  That means they don?t fix many tools.

I?d have to say that Festool is a truly one of a kind company.  When you talk to the employees you get this feeling like it?s a family there.  Everyone there bleeds green and has a passion for Festool and what they do.  It?s great.  

One piece of information they released to us was:  Get ready for the future!  Amazing products are coming out!

Hope this helps.

-Dave
 
For some reason I don't think that anyone has to worry about the possability of classes in the future.  We spent a good 1.5 hours late on Tuesday discussing the class, and what we could envision future classes to be.

We all had a great time and sitting in tha airport waiting for my plane, I'm smiling because more little things are popping into my head that I heard or saw that makes something else click into place.

I can't wait to see what comes out of this class.  It will be so neat.  Wait and see.
 
Thanks for the reports, guys.

I know how hard it is to enjoy a class while thinking about documenting it for others. But you're doing a great job.
 
I'd like to add real quickly that it was a pleasure meeting all of the guys that attended the event this week.  It was great to have the opportunity to meet each of you.  What a fantastic group of people!  You're feedback about all of the topics were very valuable.

I think there's little doubt that more of you will have the opportunity to participate in future events and there are already plans being formulated for additional events before the end of the year here in Indianapolis and at our facility in Las Vegas.

Thought I'd share a photo we took of the group.
 
ForumMFG said:
2.) CT 22 & CT33 - The whole head is quickly removable.  When you open the CT the green latch inside the machine keeps the top from falling down right?  Well when you go to put the top back down you push in and drop it down but instead push in and pull the whole top assembly off.  It's a really nice feature.

5.) TS SAW - On the body of these saws there is a line stamped into it indicating where the entry and exit point is of the blade for plunge cut.  When you use your outrigger splinter guard it covers up those marks right?  Well the splinter guard itself actually has that same mark on it so you can still use it.

6.) Sanding pads - This is an easy one.  Festool makes interface pads for sanding contours.  They work great.  It is complete different from the polishing interface pad.  A lot of people don't know they offer this.

Thanks again for the report Dave.

Did they tell you what being able to remove the top of the vac helps you do? I don't know.

The entry and exit points on the circular saws are entirely dependent on the depth of cut. The stamped marks coincide with one particular depth. I guess it's the FastFix depth?

You're right I don't know much about other sanding pads. When you get a chance could you point them out at Festool's website?
 
Shane Holland said:
Thought I'd share a photo we took of the group.

Shane, thanks for the photo.

I do know several of the guys, but could we have some names to go along with the faces?
 
You have to engage the full plunge depth to make use of the marks... Not always possible when cutting on saw horses or on a workbench. But still very handy for sink cut outs in counter tops!
 
ForumMFG said:
6.) Sanding pads - This is an easy one.  Festool makes interface pads for sanding contours.  They work great.  It is complete different from the polishing interface pad.  A lot of people don't know they offer this.

Is this what you mean?

se_ip_492212_z_01a.jpg


"Interface Pad For Superfine Abrasive"

Is it limited to use with "superfine" abrasives?
 
Michael Kellough said:
............You're right I don't know much about other sanding pads. When you get a chance could you point them out at Festool's website?

Michael here's a line to the 150 mm interface pad, I assume this is what he is referring to. I've got one for the RTS400, works pretty well on relativity small/gentle curves.

Ha, you beat me to it, I believe that's it.  
 
Shane Holland said:
I'd like to add real quickly that it was a pleasure meeting all of the guys that attended the event this week.  It was great to have the opportunity to meet each of you.  What a fantastic group of people!  You're feedback about all of the topics were very valuable.

I think there's little doubt that more of you will have the opportunity to participate in future events and there are already plans being formulated for additional events before the end of the year here in Indianapolis and at our facility in Las Vegas.

Thought I'd share a photo we took of the group.
That's a fine looking group.  But, lets have names!
 
Mike,

Regarding the CT - If you don't have the bucket accessory for water, you can easily remove the top to empty the water. I really don't know if the FastFix puts the depth correctly at those points?  Maybe someone can test it.

Brice is correct on the sanding pads I was talking about.

I'm in the first row, 2nd from the left hold the RO125.

It might be a good idea not to list names because people might not want their names listed.  There was a guy who never posted on the fog before and 1 guy who only posted a couple times so they might want to stay behind the scenes.
 
I intentionally left names off of the photo for the sake of privacy.  I didn't ask everyone's permission and just want to be respectful of that.  I think anyone who wants to share which person they are in the photo can choose to do so themselves.  As far as Festool employees.... I am furthest right in the photo.  Rick Bush is right behind me, Brian Sedgeley is in front of me.  To the far left is Christian Oltzscher in the back and Michael Williams in front of him.
 
Perhaps some of the people who attended didn't want their names attached.  Me, I post under my real name so it wouldn't have mattered.  I was going to mention their real names but not their forum names.  But I'll point out who I am and the Festool folks.

First on left Front Row Michael Wiliams.  Behind him - Chrsitian Oltzscher

Far right Front Row - Brian Sedgeley  Behind him and to the right - Shane Holland

Tall Guy Back Row Far right - Rick Bush

Me - Front row lavender shirt holding the ts 55.

Looking at the photo, there is alot of of advertising space available on foreheads - especially mine.  Festool tattoos anyone?

EDIT

Sorry,  Shane beat me to it.

Peter

 
ForumMFG said:
Actually,

The good thing about going to this training class is that Festool USA does not have a retail store for us to buy anything.  What a blessing. ;D

This is a true story.  Festool USA does not sell directly.  You could attend a class and see something that you had to have and it was only yards away in the warehouse...

ADVICE:  if you ever visit - have your favorite dealers number in your cell phone.  You can have it drop shipped and walk away with the goods.

IT happened.  The names will not be revealed to protect the lucky.

Peter
 
Back
Top