Festool Hatred

[Holmz]

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Festool make some excellent and unique tools, that are either better or different than the competition. Festool also make some tools that are equal to the competition and they make some that are worse than the competition.

What I think gets people's backs up is that some people create a euphoric like fanboy buzz around the tools under the assumption that Festool can do no wrong. Caring more about collecting mountains of cream/green systainers than assessing each tool purchase individually.

I can also be guilty of this behaviour. I compared the Bosch 125-150 sander to the ETS150 and the Bosch IMO is a better tool, yet I had to force myself to buy it over the Festool because I quite fancied another Festool systainer, even though the Bosch had less vibration, twin size pads and felt more solidly built. It took a lot of logical inner argument to eventually buy the Bosch.

What Festool are the best at is marketing and brand management getting so many people to blindly accept that Festool are the only tools worth having, and anything else is a compromise or inferior product.

So back to my opening remark. If some go overboard to make Festool out to be beyond reproach, human nature will see others go overboard criticising the brand to restore balance. Equal and opposite reactions.

[member=49749]Locks14[/member]

Maybe you're not really aiming at insulting people here, but the reality is - you are!

What's your real problem with people being happy about a brand? I personally choose Festool often because I'm confident for a given tool purpose I'm likely to get a good solution. In my circumstance (I'm not a tool professional, I do "other stuff") the time taken to look at the alternatives will cost me more than simply buying the Festool equivalent.

I've certainly had an axe to grind with local (Australia) distribution, but I'm extremely happy with the Festool offerings! What's the harm in me choosing a Festool product first and only resorting to an alternate brand if I'm not entirely happy with my Festool choice? Also, what's wrong with being enthusiastic about a brand???

I suppose there's nothing wrong with being "enthusiastic" about the brand.  Though that does suggest an emotional attachment/thought process is being employed to influence the purchase of a purely utilitarian inanimate object, which is a bit odd, when the primary concern when buying a tool should be function, not form I.e. the desire to have piles of systainers or lust after "the green".

I've got nothing against Festool, I just don't subscribe to the obsessive pattern of defaulting to their tools if they don't offer any tangible benefit when compared to their competition on individual, tool by tool merit.

Well articulated.
I am with you on that.

Almost seems you are suggesting that FOG is "Festool Owned Group"?

 

[Lbob131]

People are enthusiastic  about  hilti, bosch,  makita  etc. But I don't believe  an emotional attachment/thought process is  going on.
Its because  the tool  does the job  they want it to do  at a price that suits them. 

 

[Kev]

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Festool make some excellent and unique tools, that are either better or different than the competition. Festool also make some tools that are equal to the competition and they make some that are worse than the competition.

What I think gets people's backs up is that some people create a euphoric like fanboy buzz around the tools under the assumption that Festool can do no wrong. Caring more about collecting mountains of cream/green systainers than assessing each tool purchase individually.

I can also be guilty of this behaviour. I compared the Bosch 125-150 sander to the ETS150 and the Bosch IMO is a better tool, yet I had to force myself to buy it over the Festool because I quite fancied another Festool systainer, even though the Bosch had less vibration, twin size pads and felt more solidly built. It took a lot of logical inner argument to eventually buy the Bosch.

What Festool are the best at is marketing and brand management getting so many people to blindly accept that Festool are the only tools worth having, and anything else is a compromise or inferior product.

So back to my opening remark. If some go overboard to make Festool out to be beyond reproach, human nature will see others go overboard criticising the brand to restore balance. Equal and opposite reactions.

[member=49749]Locks14[/member]

Maybe you're not really aiming at insulting people here, but the reality is - you are!

What's your real problem with people being happy about a brand? I personally choose Festool often because I'm confident for a given tool purpose I'm likely to get a good solution. In my circumstance (I'm not a tool professional, I do "other stuff") the time taken to look at the alternatives will cost me more than simply buying the Festool equivalent.

I've certainly had an axe to grind with local (Australia) distribution, but I'm extremely happy with the Festool offerings! What's the harm in me choosing a Festool product first and only resorting to an alternate brand if I'm not entirely happy with my Festool choice? Also, what's wrong with being enthusiastic about a brand???

I suppose there's nothing wrong with being "enthusiastic" about the brand.  Though that does suggest an emotional attachment/thought process is being employed to influence the purchase of a purely utilitarian inanimate object, which is a bit odd, when the primary concern when buying a tool should be function, not form I.e. the desire to have piles of systainers or lust after "the green".

I've got nothing against Festool, I just don't subscribe to the obsessive pattern of defaulting to their tools if they don't offer any tangible benefit when compared to their competition on individual, tool by tool merit.

You're missing my point entirely .. for me, choosing a Festool as a solution to a specific tool need is cheaper than spending my time performing research in a given tool category. This won't be the norm for every hobby woodworker - but it is for some.

Further, Festool has proven a good choice for me in every case of chosen them.

So, choosing a reliable brand and only deviating for a specific need is a strategy that works. No need to call it emotional or odd. The lust dig is right of the chart.

Why object to how people make their choices? It doesn't hurt you in any way.

 

[woodtradesman]

Take this for what is worth. Results speak for them selves.

I work in "the trades" and often enough when I bust out my 6 year old TS 55, most tradesman drool or drop their jaws when they see it in action and I do believe a fair number of them have gotten one as a result of the exposure I created.

Just today I offered to unscrew open the controller cover of an HVAC unit with my CXS and angle attachment. The fella I opened the cover for was like "What the hell is this and where can I get one?".

 

[Holmz]

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
...

[member=49749]Locks14[/member]
...

...

You're missing my point entirely ..
...
Why object to how people make their choices? It doesn't hurt you in any way.

With care editing...
I am left thinking about the Frenchman's post about the fellow that sold his Vectoro on ebay. [wink]

"Why can't we all just get along"? King ~92

 

[Kev]

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
...

[member=49749]Locks14[/member]
...

...

You're missing my point entirely ..
...
Why object to how people make their choices? It doesn't hurt you in any way.

With care editing...
I am left thinking about the Frenchman's post about the fellow that sold his Vectoro on ebay. [wink]

"Why can't we all just get along"? King ~92

Don't confuse the action with the motivation [smile]

To me, what we have going on here is a misunderstanding of motivation as opposed to the dislike of an action (where there was no confusion with the motivation).

 

[Motown]

Competitors. Many online reviews/comments are from competitors and/or ex employees. Guys, its the internet so anyone with a connection can get on a soap box.....god knows I am guilty.

I do think there is something to the tools being expensive that creates resentment but that is a Festool business issue to address or not address. I feel very fortunate that I am able to be my hands on these tools and other quality tools as they make me look alot better than I really am at this craft.

 

[sancho57]

People hate change and things they don't understand. Most just look at the tool and price and tell themselves it's over priced and they can get the same thing cheaper.

Look at the discussions we've had here over track saw v table saw. People don't want to give up their methods of work, can't teach old dogs new tricks sort of thing,

Bring the saw to the work?

I was the same way at one time until a bud if mine Joe Fusco clued me in about Festool and explained the advantages so on his word I tried them and now I have a full Festool shop with only a few tools that are not Festool.

So when I recommend Festool on different sites and get some hater raggin on me

I tell them : Don't hate me cuz ya ain't me.

 

[Kev]

Don't hate me cuz ya ain't me

[member=10147]jobsworth[/member]

We all luv ya jobbie ... you know that [wink] [big grin]

 

[sancho57]

Nothin but love for you to my brother from another mother

 

[Zacharytanner]

I have been a member for 8 years and was reading the topics for 2 years before I even bought my first Festool. This site was/is the best site I know with people from all over the world who help others and give great advice. This coupled with a great company who builds solid tools is why I purchase Festool.

Note on Peter Halle - anyone who has been on this site for any amount of time knows what a caring and helpful member he is.

Frank

 

[them700project]

I actually just watched this last night. It was interesting. He was very hateful of it from the start. I only watched the first half as the intermission video he put in sidetracked me for the rest of the night. But what from what i saw of the video he tried melting it with a soldering iron an the motor cover melted at a lower poiint then he would have liked it too ????? He didn't like the rubberized plastic on the handle and the bearings on the drive gear. The stuff he did like he almost had a hard time admitting on camera.

 

[demographic]

Holy almost entire thread multiquotes Batman.

It is possible to just quote one person Y'now.

 

[Lbob131]

I actually just watched this last night. It was interesting. He was very hateful of it from the start. 

That guy  is a fixer. Not a maker.
You  have to be a "maker"  to really appreciate  quality  tools  IMHO. I bought my  ts55 about 10 years ago.  It seemed more like  a  finely honed  "instrument"  at the time  and not a "tool". Especially  when I looked at what it replaced.

 

[rst]

It seems to be an unfortunate side effect of the power of greater communications that the darker side of human nature runs rampart.  If you don't like agree with my religon...you're a heathen, not worthy of respect or even life,  don'tlike my politics..go get f***fd, do'nt like my tools...your an idiot and so on and so forth.  While these attitudes are not the majority, a certain amount of people cling to the attitude that if you are different in veiws or practice than you are nothing or worse.  As a world if we as human beings don't soon learn that inately we are much more alike thatn different, I rue the future.  Sorry for the rant...old hippie.

 

[Just F Me]

Festool make some very expensive basic tools, their batteries are a joke, their latest carnation takes 90 minutes to charge.

Festool says they use matched battery cells in order to get the best batteries.  In order to also make sure the batteries last, you can just charge it at a high rate because that will degrade the cells.  For your next cell phone, use a 2A charger to charge your phone.  Sure it charges very quickly, but you'll be getting a new phone/batteries for it within 6-12 months. 

This might not be the best comparison, but check out battery reviews for Makita drills.  Sure, the battery charges fast, but people complain a lot about them.