Festool is (partially) moving to imperial in North America

[bobfog]

Dear America,


Thank me later.

I think you're overestimating the average intelligence of an American citizen!

Joke... [big grin]

 

[jethreaux]

I think you're overestimating the average intelligence of an American citizen!

Easy now. I resemble that remark.

 

[TylerC]

What's confusing about dual scale? Most in the uk have been using them since metrication was phased in from 1965- 1975. I work on sites most days with most guys working in metric, a few in imperial and the one who uses both sometimes on the same measurement ( 457mm x 17 and 5/8s ) which is bonkers. Most of my work site tapes are dual scale although I work exclusively in metric. All my shop tapes are metric only where all my machines are metric.

Tape measures are one thing, but getting it into the limited space on the actual tool is another.

 

[bobfog]

I think you're overestimating the average intelligence of an American citizen!

Easy now. I resemble that remark.

[big grin] [big grin]

 

[Paul G]

[member=57769]TylerC[/member] glad to see some sense is returning. Does this translate into people being able to effectively order a metric tool from Festool, or will it need to be shipped three or four times to get a metric scale on a new imperial labelled tool?

(Festool to dealer >> dealer to customer >> customer to service >> service to customer)

At this point, there will be only imperial versions that can be retrofitted to metric. It's not going to be sold as two separate items. For routers, the tools don't need to be shipped to us. We'll just send you the scale for you to add yourself.

That said, the numbers could change things. If few people choose to have their tools converted to metric, we'll probably keep with the new/current plan. If there proves to be significant demand for metric tools, it's possible that we'll offer both. (This last paragraph is pure speculation on my part. Not really an official position.)

How will the demand for metric be measured?

 

[typeshige]

This is great news.

I'd like to get the larger tracksaw in metric, eventually.

Couldn't the dealers request converted-to-metric track saws by special order?  Then have those sent directly to the store (or drop shipped directly to the customer in the case of on-line stores)? 

It seems inefficient to do all that shipping and risk the damage that might result.

Another question, would the UG extensions be offered in both metric and imperial?  It seems like the parallel guides will be offered in both, and so it makes sense for the UG extensions as well. (The Q and A seems to imply that the metric would be phased out..)

Thank you for listening and I for one are a lot less stressed about it.

 

[Davej]

[member=57769]TylerC[/member] glad to see some sense is returning. Does this translate into people being able to effectively order a metric tool from Festool, or will it need to be shipped three or four times to get a metric scale on a new imperial labelled tool?

(Festool to dealer >> dealer to customer >> customer to service >> service to customer)

At this point, there will be only imperial versions that can be retrofitted to metric. It's not going to be sold as two separate items. For routers, the tools don't need to be shipped to us. We'll just send you the scale for you to add yourself.

That said, the numbers could change things. If few people choose to have their tools converted to metric, we'll probably keep with the new/current plan. If there proves to be significant demand for metric tools, it's possible that we'll offer both. (This last paragraph is pure speculation on my part. Not really an official position.)

How will the demand for metric be measured?

In 'buttons'  of course !
Dave

 

[rizzoa13]

It's good that the conversion from imperial to metric is available, sucks that it would cost an extra $75 for a metric version of the tool. Wouldn't it be simpler and cheaper for all involved if customers asked dealers to "special order" a metric version through festool Germany and have it added into the dealers next shipment? Id think there would be no added cost for doing it that way just some extra wait time for the customer.

It's not like you are discontinuing the metric versions in other parts of the world and you already have all the UL listing and certs for those tools in the US (since they are currently available) so I couldn't see any red tape to this approach.

 

[GPowers]

I’m back from Festool HQ in Germany, and I have some updates and answers. We had several conversations about the imperial change and much of your feedback was part of those discussions.

While we’re still committed to moving to imperial – it’s the US standard used by the overwhelming majority of craftsmen here – we appreciate that we’ve spent years asking you to invest in Festool, which required an investment in metric. Therefore, we’re going to make a few adjustments.

.....

This is all great news. Nice to hear that Festool is listening.

 

[TylerC]

That said, the numbers could change things. If few people choose to have their tools converted to metric, we'll probably keep with the new/current plan. If there proves to be significant demand for metric tools, it's possible that we'll offer both. (This last paragraph is pure speculation on my part. Not really an official position.)

How will the demand for metric be measured?

In 'buttons'  of course !
Dave

Keep in mind the last part of what I wrote here. This is just me speculating. I would imagine (key word: imagine) that we might look at the total number of (for example) TSs converted to metric compared to the total number of TS sold during a certain time period. If the conversions-to-sales number is high, it would suggest there's significant demand for a metric TS. If the conversions-to-sales number is low, it would suggest otherwise. Of course, don't ask me what a high conversions-to-sales number would be, because that's where I go from Employee-Who-Is-Casually-Theorizing to Former-Employee-Who-Spoke-Out-Of-His-Rear.

Also, buttons.

 

[Paul G]

Keep in mind the last part of what I wrote here. This is just me speculating. I would imagine (key word: imagine) that we might look at the total number of (for example) TSs converted to metric compared to the total number of TS sold during a certain time period. If the conversions-to-sales number is high, it would suggest there's significant demand for a metric TS. If the conversions-to-sales number is low, it would suggest otherwise. Of course, don't ask me what a high conversions-to-sales number would be, because that's where I go from Employee-Who-Is-Casually-Theorizing to Former-Employee-Who-Spoke-Out-Of-His-Rear.

Also, buttons.

This leads me to another question, will the conversion option be effectively marketed or is it just a word-of -mouth thing that only active FOG members will know about?

 

[six-point socket II]

...
Of course, don't ask me what a high conversions-to-sales number would be, because that's where I go from Employee-Who-Is-Casually-Theorizing to Former-Employee-Who-Spoke-Out-Of-His-Rear.
...

LOL!  [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Great to see you haven't lost your humor over the course of 13 pages, keep up the great work Tyler!

Also, I think what has been decided now is a wise move.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[RKA]

Tyler, thank you for the update and thanks to all at festool that are listening!  It's a reasonable compromise considering the plans to conquer the last bastion of imperial measurement were already unfolding.

 

[SoonerFan]

I was one that stated my concern about the switch to imperial so I want to give credit where credit is due.  Thanks Tyler for listening.  Thanks to you and the others at Festool who made this accommodation.  This change in policy gives us metric fans in the US the options to stick with and in the future convert certain tools back to metric and keep a warranty.  And a terrific warranty it is.

Much appreciated.  I hope y'all sell a lot of metric and imperial tools moving forward. 

Last week we made two adjustments to our imperial change:

1. In addition to offering to convert existing metric tools to imperial, we will also provide options to convert new imperial tools back to metric. No, we won’t be selling tools in both metric and imperial, but you’ll be able to retrofit them in either direction.
2. The Parallel Side Fence and Parallel Guide Extension will be available for purchase in your choice of imperial or metric. Essentially, this means that the imperial accessories will be offered as new products, and we won’t be discontinuing the old ones.

 

[erock]

$75 to switch a TS75 from imperial to metric.........$75 on top of a $780 saw...........okay.  [bite tongue]

Switching now in 2016,  because the standard in the US is imperial.......and Festool Germany had NO clue about this when they broke into the US market back in 1990-ish?    Okay...... [bite tongue]

Switching the router from imperial to metric........free sticker.  GREAT !

You couldn't offer a free sticker for the track saw?  REALLY ???????    Didn't Festool USA already offer a FREE sticker for the new TS55 when it was released??????

Stating that a dual scale is "confusion".......Um.........okay?  [bite tongue]      A Bosch router has a dual scale.  I'll have to use my new Bosch router for a few projects and see if I find it confusing.      [tongue]

Eric

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I understand what folks are saying and it seems a little silly to charge a hefty fee to revert a TS to metric or imperial. But honestly I have never relied on a tool's scale for any critical cut. They are directionally accurate in my book, at best. But if I need dead nuts accurate and repeatable results, then I use set up blocks and other means to dial in that accuracy. At the end of the day I am not sure it is going to really matter all that much. That is just my opinion, of course and very user is going to have their own thoughts on this.

I do think it is reasonable to sell both version of the TS saws or at least let you order metric if that is what you want.

 

[Kev]

I understand what folks are saying and it seems a little silly to charge a hefty fee to revert a TS to metric or imperial. But honestly I have never relied on a tool's scale for any critical cut. They are directionally accurate in my book, at best. But if I need dead nuts accurate and repeatable results, then I use set up blocks and other means to dial in that accuracy. At the end of the day I am not sure it is going to really matter all that much. That is just my opinion, of course and very user is going to have their own thoughts on this.

I do think it is reasonable to sell both version of the TS saws or at least let you order metric if that is what you want.

The depth scale on my track saws are something I rely on a lot. Measuring the depth of the stock I'm cutting and adding 1~2mm is all I need to adjust the cutting depth to get a clean cut and not blow through whatever I'm using as a cutting surface. This makes the scale valuable to me and anyone that uses the track saws in the same manner.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I understand what folks are saying and it seems a little silly to charge a hefty fee to revert a TS to metric or imperial. But honestly I have never relied on a tool's scale for any critical cut. They are directionally accurate in my book, at best. But if I need dead nuts accurate and repeatable results, then I use set up blocks and other means to dial in that accuracy. At the end of the day I am not sure it is going to really matter all that much. That is just my opinion, of course and very user is going to have their own thoughts on this.

I do think it is reasonable to sell both version of the TS saws or at least let you order metric if that is what you want.

The depth scale on my track saws are something I rely on a lot. Measuring the depth of the stock I'm cutting and adding 1~2mm is all I need to adjust the cutting depth to get a clean cut and not blow through whatever I'm using as a cutting surface. This makes the scale valuable to me and anyone that uses the track saws in the same manner.

Yes and I think that the newer style depth adjustment on the 55 would allow you to fine tune. But with the 75 I usually just adjust the saw so that it clears the cut. Now, I work mostly in solid wood and varying thicknesses so getting an exact depth is faster to adjust on the rail rather than measure and use the scale, but again just my workflow.

 

[Ajax]

Might consider a Festool router with imperial scale, but I have my Bosch routers which are holding up just fine.

I could use a TS75 for dealing with 6/4 and thicker hardwoods.  My TS55 with the imperial scale sticker just gets by with a Panther blade.  I could use the extra power of the TS75, the imperial scale would be a plus.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Since it will cost $75 to convert an Imperial labeled saw back to metric you should multiply the number of conversions by a hefty factor, like 10x, to judge interest.