Festool rip-offs

[Frans]

I just found a Belgian company selling some tools that seem to be 95% copies of some Festool items.

Doesn't Festool do anything against this? I can imagine companies adopting some of Festool's (or others) good ideas to their own machines, but in this case the copying is very, very blatant. They even did the systainer!

TT55 a.k.a. TS55

TT85 a.k.a. TS85

TT225 a.k.a. CS70

Frans

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

A lot of the components of their SCMS look suspiciously like parts from the Makita saws, particularly the fence and rail assembly.....
http://www.tendotools.com/documents...ap-en-verstekzagen/m-saw-tt305-sl.xml?lang=en

 

[nickao]

Well in the US even the patents run out. After all copying is the best form of flattery. It will keep Festool on its toes to keep improving tools and other products instead of just maintaining the status quo.

I  have had copiers and improved my items in response and I have taken other peoples ideas and expanded upon them too.

nickao

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      It is bound to happen. Do you know how the price compares?    If it is a copy and costs significantly less it probably is power quality.  Can you tell from the pics if the Systainer is a real Tanos  one, or also a copy?

Seth

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  I just did some looking around at the website.  The description of the TT85 says it is based on the Holzher design. In another thread it was mentioned that Festool had purchased Holzher.   

    The miter saw with the mini table saw on top is  certainly different :-\    Looks a little funky to use, and I wonder about safety ???

Seth

 

[Christian93117]

Frans,

Festool is protecting their investment like any company would do. In some cases, like when patents have run out, there is not much that can
be done. We are convinced that if customers start comparing products that look similar, they will find out that the similarity is pretty much
limited to the looks. You can copy certain things, but you cannot easily copy thousands of hours of engineering, design and manufacturing knowledge.

Regards,

Christian

 

[nickao]

Actually Christian, not only can they be copied, but improved upon, IMHO.

This is more than likely why Festool keeps coming out with newer and better stuff. They do not want to be surpassed by others using their own initial ideas.

I am sure people can name quite a few things where the original is not as good as some of the knock offs.

One  thing that comes to mind is the Incra VS  Jointech debate.

Nickao

 

[woodshopdemos]

Just think about the TS55 and its predecessor - the ATF55. Both work very well, but the TS55 has some real improvements. A company working to copy a product where the patent(s) have run out can only come up with a product that was state of the art years ago. I am sure that the TS55 has patents on its improvements and those make it difficult for the "competition" to stay competitive. And remember, there are always  "competitors." But it is the  competition that counts. I think, if nothing else, the FOG is living proof that the Festool brand is solid in the US.

 

[The Dude]

It is NOT the person / company that can do it the best that wins...

It is the person / company that can do it the best the longest that wins!!!

IMHO (I just love those abbreviations) lol....

TC

 

[Christian93117]

Nickao,

There are two ways of copying: One is to copy to make something better, and the other way is to copy something to try to make
some money quickly.

I was mainly referring to the products listed in Frans' email. Try them when you get a chance, and you'll know what I mean.

Regards,

Christian

 

[nickao]

No thanks, I think I am good with what I have right now

 

[Frans]

Nickao,

There are two ways of copying: One is to copy to make something better, and the other way is to copy something to try to make
some money quickly.

I was mainly referring to the products listed in Frans' email. Try them when you get a chance, and you'll know what I mean.

Regards,

Christian

Perhaps I'll try them out, just as soon as my trusty Basis system dies. Which I don't expect to happen for a couple of decades  ;D

I'm pretty sure I'll come racing back to my Festool dealer afterwards to get me a proper CMS4 or CMS5 system, whatever you've got by then...

 

[turbogeezer]

I think "knock-off" is the phrase for this, rather than "rip-off". Perhaps it's regional.

 

[dirtydeeds]

your comment here is england is perfect idiomatic usage

of course a knock off product sold at genuine prices and as geniune product would also be a rip off

 

[Frans]

Turbogeezer,

In this case it's not regional, it's a matter of me not speaking English on a daily basis, most people here in the Netherlands tend to speak Dutch most of the time .
I think dirtydeeds is right in it being both a knock off and a rip off.

I haven't got a clue what he means by "your comment here is england is perfect idiomatic usage" though.

 

[Bill Wyko]

I go by a little saying "The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the cheap price is forgotten" Many times things will look the same but the guts are gutless. Festool has proven themselves to me time and time again. No Guessing. IMHO ;D

 

[slb]

One of the ice cream parlor chains here in the US used to have a John Ruskin quote posted that went something like "There is nothing one man can make that another can not make a little worse and sell a little cheaper.  Those who shop based only on price are the second man's fair game".