Festool owes me money

[duburban]

Guys... I don't have the time to draft multiple versions of this post to properly capture the depths of my disappointment in Festool so we'll start here.

I received my $160 FSK 250 new from Amazon this evening, just in time to work on staging tomorrow BUT the splinter strip is falling off because FESTOOL HASN'T ADDRESSED A MAJOR PROBLEM............. STILL.....

What is the point of maintaining the FOG forum if we can't engage in a feedback LOOP? Need I create a paper trail of posts identifying the splinter strip issue dating back to... how long guys...? Years right?

The FSK 250 is worth about $80 but I went for it because I'm a really good sport when it comes to Festool junk.

Festool owes me the time it takes to replace the strip with Makita brand strip and also owes me for the rolls of Makita strip I use to fix my other 7 tracks.

I'm going to fix the strip on the job tomorrow so that the guy I'm working with knows I'm not kidding when I'm telling him to buy the Bosch track system.

Festool, PM me for my address so you can send me a reimbursement and maybe next price increase we can hire someone to figure out what glue Makita is using?

Thanks

 

[glass1]

It’s designed to be re usable. I mean unusable.  [scared]. I have had problems in the past but the last strip I put on has held up. The Makita does stick well the only down side is when it needs to be replaced the glue is a mess meter to remove.

 

[duburban]

It’s designed to be re usable. I mean unusable.  [scared]. I have had problems in the past but the last strip I put on has held up. The Makita does stick well the only down side is when it needs to be replaced the glue is a mess meter to remove.

I have other tracks that are not in use because I haven't taken time to replace the loose ends with Makita.

 

[ChuckS]

One can't but ask why an established company like Festool would let such a small and easy-to-fix product deficiency irritate its customers.    [blink]

 

[TomGadwa1]

They need to have 3M design a quality adhesive and then have workers who CARE install the strips correctly!!! I have a couple of rails that have the splinter guard strips that are not aligned properly!! For the money I have spent on Festool products thousands and thousands the OP is correct!!!

 

[Cheese]

I was hoping that when I joined this forum 3 years ago, that because people were so outspoken about issues with their Festool tools that this forum, because it is owned by Festool, would become a conduit for Festool USA to fast track product issues or product enhancements to their product line.

I also held out hope for that same situation occurring when Festool recently announced the manufacturing of products in the USA.

Well optimism is fine, but pragmatism is more useful.

Not to be a Debbie Downer here, but look at the track record.
An official Festool impact wrench survey was initiated 3 years ago...where’s the wrench?

An official Festool Kapex fact finding commission was initiated 2 years ago...where’s the fix?

Then there’s the imperial tool vs metric tool issue.

Then there’s the old hose connection vs the new hose connection issue.

Then there’s the Festool related story that the 150mm pad won’t fit the ETS EC 125 because:
1. The ETS EC 125 needs to be modified...well that wasn’t right.
2. There’s an imbalance situation if you swap pads...well that wasn’t right.
3. The brake mechanism for the pad won’t work.. well that wasn’t right either.

With that track record, should we really be holding out hope that Festool will dedicate resources to reformulate an adhesive to secure splinter strips on a guide rail?    I’m not.  I’ll just pick out a VHB product from 3M, grab a new splinter strip and move forward.

In the marketing specter it’s called opportunity lost.

 

[duburban]

It’s probably just perception but I feel like this would have been addressed by festool in years past. Perhaps they were just better a pacifying folks like me on this forum.

I’m actively suggesting alternatives to these products because I expect Festool to be the best tool company, not just the most expensive and I feel they’re taking advantage of my loyalty.

 

[duburban]

Still waiting to hear from Festool

 

[peter halle]

Still waiting to hear from Festool

And you will probably be waiting for a long time based on your post. I might suggest that if you really want assistance versus venting that you actually call Festool and talk to them about your issue.

Peter Halle - Moderator

 

[duburban]

So this forum is not a place where we can communicate with Festool?

 

[Cheese]

So this forum is not a place where we can communicate with Festool?

Yea that’s my read.

The bottom line is, it’s just a forum for old woodworkers to talk to other old workers about Festool tools while the forum slowly dies and eventually becomes extinct. A dinosaur in it’s final throes of life.

The energy of this forum emanates from enthused members yet, it’s not recriprocated from Festool corporate.  They own this platform but there’s no infusion of corporate Festool enthusiasm at any level. They come along every 6 months, offer a new product and then skulk away only maybe to be heard from in another 6 months down the line with another product introduction

Information is power...just produce a road map of where you’re going...what you’re focusing on and the faithful will follow. We don’t need release dates...just a road map of your vision of the future. Tease us...titilate us...reward the faithful.

This platform could become so powerful...yet it’s left to languish and it will eventually die because of a lack of corporate Festool support.

Who wants to talk about things that could be...at 70 years of age I want to talk about things that can be done right now. And there are 3 generations behind me that are looking for answers for the future. .

 

[duburban]

I've been pretty darn loyal to Festool, especially when considering my means. Its a big deal to own 2+ truck full of Festool in rural Vermont, there's not a lot of money to be made up here. I've helped spread the word to so many people, including a building of architects when I did 5 years of arch. school.

You'll have to excuse my tone but getting a new product with a disconnected strip is analog to Festool sending me a box with a middle finger in it.

 

[duburban]

So this forum is not a place where we can communicate with Festool?

Yea that’s my read.

The bottom line is, it’s just a forum for old woodworkers to talk to other old workers about Festool tools while the forum slowly dies and eventually becomes extinct. A dinosaur in it’s final throes of life.

You're perhaps even more grim than I, you'll have to let me catch up. I would hope that this forum pays respect to the professional user that has less time to spend time working on the tools. An understandable by product of packing more performance into a tool is maintenance, setup, etc... but the issue I'm concerned with here is just sloppy.

If I follow Peter's advice and contact Festool I'll end up returning the track and get another one which may have the same issue and definitely will eventually thus magnifying my inconvenience.

 

[MGDS]

Agree with all said, Festool is turning even more boutique from when they owned the market. Much like 10k mountain bikes reserved for dentists and racers, we can now buy comparable tools without spending 2x as much. I bought into the system 3+ years ago...ts75, hkc55, 4 tracks, ets125, rotex125, ct midi, mft/3, carvex420 w/ accessorie kit (I do not recommended this jigsaw, another topic)

Im happy with all the Festool tool purchases (minus the carved), and there wasn’t many alternatives available at the time. Hindsight, with the new tool brands becoming available/comparable, there isn’t anything else Festool offers that I want other than a domino, and that patent won’t last forever.

The price increases aren’t going to help either, I hope TTS’s pockets are deep, I’ll only be purchasing new sandpaper, maybe...and my dust deputy is -300 cheaper than the new cyclone.

Festool allowed me to learn a new approach, and what real dust collection is, but the other manufacturers learned also.
End rant - millennial

 

[semenza]

The price increases aren’t going to help either, I hope TTS’s pockets are deep, I’ll only be purchasing new sandpaper, maybe...and my dust deputy is -300 cheaper than the new cyclone.

Isn't it $75 cheaper?  DD for Festool $300 vs. Festool Cyclone $375.  Unless you don't count the catch bin , hoses, connecting stuff etc. And then build / assemble your own. Which is fine, and if you buy the basic DD and do the rest yourself to save $300 then yes. But need to compare apple to apples.

Seth

 

[chrisrosenb]

The price increases aren’t going to help either, I hope TTS’s pockets are deep, I’ll only be purchasing new sandpaper, maybe...and my dust deputy is -300 cheaper than the new cyclone.

Isn't it $75 cheaper?  DD for Festool $300 vs. Festool Cyclone $375.  Unless you don't count the catch bin , hoses, connecting stuff etc. And then build / assemble your own. Which is fine, and if you buy the basic DD and do the rest yourself to save $300 then yes. But need to compare apple to apples.

Seth

It depends on the model you get.

This one is normally $99. I have seen it on sale for less than $80. It comes with the cyclone, 2 containers, lid, casters, hose, clamps & elbows.

Dust Deputy Deluxe

 

[MGDS]

DIY setups a bucket, same results...not that their new setup isn’t cool, but not immediately compatible with the Midi, and I’d buy the Oneida/Sys one instead. It’s that it is all they have to offer in the last 3 years, along with Bluetooth, a new hose that comes with an inferior connector, maybe a radio and some led lights? for 20% more..
I’ve never had to warranty a tool of theirs, and am not knocking their tools, but where does this end...a Domino in 2022 for 2k
I’m just bitter because I jumped all in, then eventually saw the light and won’t be going back, could have saved 2k, with the same results.
This is for the fellow lurkers as a word of caution, Kool[attachimg=1]-aids isn’t as green.
I still appreciate lurking in the forum and learning from fellow craftsman, but these are tools/consumables, not investments (watch AvE’s tear down of the ts55, not exactly confidence inspiring). TTS is for the share holders more than ever and not the consumer.

100 b.f. of solid milled hickory so you can see I’m serious...

 

[glass1]

Is this a place to communicate with festool?  Not to be rude but thats pretty funny. This is a place to communicate with the festool secretly paid off apologists pretending to be moderators. This maybe harsh and may get me banned but if y'all are not paid off why blindly defend festool? If it quacks like a duck its a duck, and the kapex is crap, the track saws are under powered, and the jig saws are average. But, the vacuums are good, the routers are awesome and their are some other winners. I post in the hope that festool will see the light and make all their tools kick butt !

 

[Svar]

but if y'all are not paid off why blindly defend festool?

Wait, we get paid off? How do I collect my share?
The title of the post is very appropriate I might add.

 

[duburban]

While I agree that a savvy woodworker can do as much with less, my point is less about value and more about Festool living up to the name they are trying to create for themselves. They are getting lazy and sloppy. I knowingly pay more for a tool that does equal to competitors. I do not knowingly pay more for a tool that needs to be fixed upon receipt... and I do not accept that as a norm from this company.

I agree that there are folks on here that constantly stick up for them because they are dutifully loyal or have connections that gets them better service or whatever. Those that do this do not help the community or the brand.

Look... I can fix the splinter guard but thats not the point... I shouldn't have to.