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.
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.
Here are some tool-by-tool details:
ROUTERS
OF 1010 EQ, OF 1400 EQ, OF 2200
Changes
The depth scale is a metal strip. This will now be in imperial.
But the micro-adjustment is still calibrated for metric. Doesn’t this kind of suck?
Once you’re at the point of making micro-adjustments, very few people are actually measuring out – for example – 3/10 of a mm. Philosophically, is it inconsistent for it to be in metric? Sure. Practically, does it affect how most people use the tool? No.
Converting existing metric tools to imperial
If you already have one of the affected routers and would prefer it in imperial, we’ll send you a new depth scale free of charge. (We’ll have an online form shortly.)
Converting new imperial tools to metric
The same as the above answer … but in reverse. We’ll send you the scale, and you can apply it yourself.
TRACK SAWS & PLANERS
TS 55, TS 75, TSC 55, HL 850
Changes
The depth scale is actually built into the machine. With the track saws, it is on the casing. With the planer, it’s on the scale window.
Converting existing metric tools to imperial
Affected track saws and planers can be mailed in, because the tools need to be disassembled in order to replace the scale. There is a charge of $75 (US) or $85 (CAN). This price excludes tax but includes shipping.
Converting new imperial tools to imperial
The same as the above answer … but in reverse. It will be the same process and price to convert an imperial TS 55, TS 75, TSC 55 or HL 850 to metric.
PARALLEL GUIDE ACCESSORIES
The Parallel Side Fence and Parallel Guide Extension will be available to purchase in both imperial and metric.
A FEW OTHER QUESTIONS
Q. Imperial drill bits and Imperial router bits? (from [member=49013]clark_fork[/member])
A. No. Those will stay as is for now.
Q. Why didn't Festool pursue a dual scale strategy where ever possible? (from [member=4834]PaulG[/member])
A. If by dual-scale, you mean having both imperial and metric on the same scale, that would have led to additional confusion. Having two scales on one tool might sound like a good idea, but it would be confusing, cluttered and difficult to use in practice.
Q. The Kapex UG extensions are currently sold with metric scale . Will we see a change over to imperial ? (from [member=1812]Eoj[/member])
A. Yes, this will eventually move to imperial as well. This change will likely happen within the next year.
