Festool Live is DEAD.

[MacBoy]

I was just listening to that podcast on my drive this morning. 18.5 years? And then to be blindsided and "laid off"? You're right, he was the face of Festool USA and the de facto face of Festool for many people worldwide. There's been a lot of talk about how Festool is a "family company" - it's kind of difficult to rectify that with just walking in one day and letting a swath of people go with no prior notice. Sedge even said that he was in shock for three days. You could always see the enthusiasm he had for the company and the tools - he was the quintessential "Festool Fan Boy" and known as "Festool Sedge" - and then to be out in the cold. That IS cold. I hope he finds a new path and will be happy in that.

I don't really listen to their podcast so this is the first time in a very long time, but is this current episode reflective of their typical topics? I couldn't listen to it all because they spent an inordinate amount of time (mostly Bent and the other guy) bitching about the commentary they receive on their videos - and then Bent was boasting about how he gets free equipment from the companies anytime he wants. All he has to do is call and that he's got so much gear stacked up he doesn't use. And then more bitching about comments from viewers.

I just couldn't listen anymore and went back to listening to Paul Sellers videos on my drive. Is this typical of that podcast?

Jason Bent is always about himself, and his wallet, and his whiny kids, and his perceived woes. He should go on mute.

Did you notice when Sedge said his zen was in cutting dovetails, then Bent immediately responded, “oh that’s going to make good content”.

What a knucklehead.

Sedge was talking about his recovery from the layoffs.

Jason Bent showed his inability to read the room — again

 

[smorgasbord]

Now he is on a podcast with sedge and ronnie, and the three gel quite nicely as they're all somewhat similar personalities and all have major drinking problems.

Do you have a link to the podcast?

Nevermind - found it on Apple Podcasts

 

[CloudFlare]

I was just listening to that podcast on my drive this morning. 18.5 years? And then to be blindsided and "laid off"? You're right, he was the face of Festool USA and the de facto face of Festool for many people worldwide. There's been a lot of talk about how Festool is a "family company" - it's kind of difficult to rectify that with just walking in one day and letting a swath of people go with no prior notice. Sedge even said that he was in shock for three days. You could always see the enthusiasm he had for the company and the tools - he was the quintessential "Festool Fan Boy" and known as "Festool Sedge" - and then to be out in the cold. That IS cold. I hope he finds a new path and will be happy in that.

I don't really listen to their podcast so this is the first time in a very long time, but is this current episode reflective of their typical topics? I couldn't listen to it all because they spent an inordinate amount of time (mostly Bent and the other guy) bitching about the commentary they receive on their videos - and then Bent was boasting about how he gets free equipment from the companies anytime he wants. All he has to do is call and that he's got so much gear stacked up he doesn't use. And then more bitching about comments from viewers.

I just couldn't listen anymore and went back to listening to Paul Sellers videos on my drive. Is this typical of that podcast?

Festool IS NOT a family company.

If you dont sign an NDA, you can speak freely about their treatment towards employees and brand ambassadors. They will use you and dispose of you at a moments notice when theyre done. They will openly accept your ideas for products, marketing, etc, use them and then not give you any credit for them.

Yes they make some fantastic tools, but the USA HQ upper management staff are terrible people. They are snakes.

 

[CloudFlare]

Jason Bent is always about himself, and his wallet, and his whiny kids, and his perceived woes. He should go on mute.

Did you notice when Sedge said his zen was in cutting dovetails, then Bent immediately responded, “oh that’s going to make good content”.

What a knucklehead.

Sedge was talking about his recovery from the layoffs.

Jason Bent showed his inability to read the room — again

JB is a total tool bag.

I got to know him behind the scenes and its all about money. Influencing his audience all in the name of commission, and hes quite proud of it too. His buddy Ronnie is identical, and has his nose so far up Festools behind, he would do anything for free tools, or a trip to a festool event.

 

[peter halle]

How about we keep things civil here on a platform owned by Festool, please.

Peter

 

[hdv]

Ehm, what all this bad blood about? If you don't like him, just ignore the guy. But this thread is quickly transforming into something I see all too often on social media. And it is also what I hate about social media. Could we please let go? Let's get back to the original topic of this thread please.

[Edit] Sorry Peter, saw you post a bit too late. Thanks though for the reminder!

 

[smorgasbord]

Jason started out talking about having too many tools, then delved into companies giving him tools to review, then saying free tools were "a given" because his channel is "the SuperBowl." He also admitted to doing things in non-optimal ways since getting comments, good or bad, helps with the algorithm.

The only thing that cracked me up more was when he kept asking "why do you need a jointer?" when you have a track saw and router table. Finally, Sedge chimes in with "face jointing."

 

[peter halle]

I hadn't listened to a podcast until today when I listened to that one. I came away from it feeling like I was listening to a conversation between three friends that really only had a meaning to those in the conversation, and frankly some of that conversation should have just remained private. To each their own I suppose.

Peter

 

[COBill]

They will use you and dispose of you at a moments notice when theyre done. They will openly accept your ideas for products, marketing, etc, use them and then not give you any credit for them.

This is how every company works.

Any ideas you have while working for a company… belong to the company, and your renumeration for said idea is… the salary they've been paying you or perhaps a one-time bonus.

Also, no matter whether you were hired yesterday or have been there for forty years, the minute you don't align with the business' goals, you're gone.

It would be no different at TTI (Ryobi/Ridgid/Milwaukee), Black and Decker (B&D/DᴇWALT), Koki (HiKOKI/Metabo HPT) or Makita.

I've mentioned previously I own most of my Festools because of Festool Live! and will forever refer to my Systainers as "Systainahhhs."

 

[onocoffee]

I hadn't listened to a podcast until today when I listened to that one. I came away from it feeling like I was listening to a conversation between three friends that really only had a meaning to those in the conversation, and frankly some of that conversation should have just remained private. To each their own I suppose.

Peter

I share that feeling as well. After the Sedge segment on Festool and Dovetails, I kept asking myself "what value does any of this bring to an audience???"

The only thing that cracked me up more was when he kept asking "why do you need a jointer?" when you have a track saw and router table. Finally, Sedge chimes in with "face jointing."

I wasn't able to endure the diatribes to make it that far!

Well, I don't have much interest in beating on a podcast that I don't actually listen to - just wanted to know if this episode was indicative of what actually happens in each ep or the anomaly.

 

[smorgasbord]

I wasn't able to endure the diatribes to make it that far!

Yeah, well the only things you missed were them saying that some tool show was worth visiting because the few lucky winners of tools felt it was worthwhile, and that everyshow should sign up for the Patreon. I guess since losing their Festool gigs, they might need the money.

I do hope Sedge continues on and does well. His persona on his own channel is way better than it was on Festool Live, and he is a fountain of information.

 

[Imemiter]

... Finally, Sedge chimes in with "face jointing."

[Goes straight to his channel to subscribe.]

 

[MacBoy]

I’ve been listening to the Three Splinters since they started.

Sedge is the main attraction. He drops nuggets of information on woodworking, cabinetmaking and about tool operation. He also shows his love for neighbors, friends and relatives through tidbits of stories.

Ronnie is interesting for me because we all do DIY and home maintenance. The discussion about his rentals and his paid gigs cover that category for me.

When they talk about comments on the YouTube videos, I simply ignore it. I’m not a creator, and cannot empathize. As a public personality, ya gotta have a thick skin — that’s a fundamental necessity.

Podcasts won’t be perfectly suited for me. I’ve learned to flex and to use the >> button occasionally.

I use the Overcast app on iPhone because it has a volume boost capability.

To check-out possible podcasts, I look at them on Apple Podcasts app. I quickly scan through the transcript to see if it’s a match for my personality.

Using that method, I’ve rejected podcasts, and yet I watch every one of their new videos (ENCurtis and Today’s Craftsmen).

 

[bwehman]

I don't really listen to their podcast so this is the first time in a very long time, but is this current episode reflective of their typical topics? I couldn't listen to it all because they spent an inordinate amount of time (mostly Bent and the other guy) bitching about the commentary they receive on their videos - and then Bent was boasting about how he gets free equipment from the companies anytime he wants. All he has to do is call and that he's got so much gear stacked up he doesn't use. And then more bitching about comments from viewers.

I just couldn't listen anymore and went back to listening to Paul Sellers videos on my drive. Is this typical of that podcast?

Very. I've been a listener since episode 1 and TBH most of the time an episode ends I wonder why I keep listening to it. I think the original hook was just having a fun little outlet to listen to a Festool-colored woodworking podcast. The best episodes are those Jason isn't on, which happens from time to time, because you're totally right, most of the time it's all about him complaining about... literally anything, wife, kids, free tools, his waning YouTube relevancy (happens when your personality sucks), etc.

 

[bwehman]

I was just listening to that podcast on my drive this morning. 18.5 years? And then to be blindsided and "laid off"? You're right, he was the face of Festool USA and the de facto face of Festool for many people worldwide. There's been a lot of talk about how Festool is a "family company" - it's kind of difficult to rectify that with just walking in one day and letting a swath of people go with no prior notice.

Having listened to nearly every podcast episode, things are often said where I'm like... "OMG... Sedge... you know Festool has to be listening to this, DUDE DON'T SAY THAT." And I wonder if maybe FUSA finally accrued enough soundbites to terminate him. Kind of a dicey thing having the unofficial face of your company out there representing his own opinions so publicly, which he's entitled to do, but being in this place of authority at Festool and having a woodworking podcast... might be too much overlap and blurs the line between Sedge's own personal opinions and those of FUSA? IDK. There might be something there. Further evidenced by them listing job openings for marketing positions.

 

[Redromad]

JB is a total tool bag.

I got to know him behind the scenes and its all about money. Influencing his audience all in the name of commission, and hes quite proud of it too. His buddy Ronnie is identical, and has his nose so far up Festools behind, he would do anything for free tools, or a trip to a festool event.

I don't get that impression from Ronnie.

I hadn't listened to a podcast until today when I listened to that one. I came away from it feeling like I was listening to a conversation between three friends that really only had a meaning to those in the conversation, and frankly some of that conversation should have just remained private. To each their own I suppose.

Peter

I agree and to add to my opinion of him is when he talks about having to many tools and how hard it is to have to store them. Frankly its elitist and I know there are some like that with tools but he is over the top.

 

[4nthony]

I don't get that impression from Ronnie.

I didn't get that vibe from Ronnie, either. Of the 3, he struck me as being the most level-headed. He will occasionally get dragged into groupthink but I've always felt that he's more the voice of reason in the group. I think it's cool that he's really engaged with his son in their business.

Also, interesting that this thread is at 6 pages now.

 

[Stevenski]

Also, interesting that this thread is at 6 pages now.

What is this podcast you are all talking about?

 

[Redromad]

I didn't get that vibe from Ronnie, either. Of the 3, he struck me as being the most level-headed. He will occasionally get dragged into groupthink but I've always felt that he's more the voice of reason in the group. I think it's cool that he's really engaged with his son in their business.

Also, interesting that this thread is at 6 pages now.

I concur with your opinion. Six pages are about to be seven

 

[luvmytoolz]

What is this podcast you are all talking about?

I never bothered with it but now I feel left out! ;-)