Festool Schools online

[suds]

It's great that Festool sees the need for seminars/schools.  Too bad they can't see the need for getting more of us involved by using technology to create online schools.  I've mentioned this before that Shopsmith has been creating their classes/instructions for years and have a tremendous following to their "Sawdust Sessions".  I'd sure purchase a DVD or subscribe to a online class if it was available.   

 

[peter halle]

This subject comes up often.  Perhaps we will see it in the future, but in the meantime you may want to check out Festool TV which is their YouTube channel if you haven't already.

Peter

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

This is something that we've talked internally for years now. We just don't have the resources to support such a project at the moment. But, you may have noticed that the quantity of videos has been steadily increasing and I was recently part of a conversation advocating more educational type videos. An example would be the CMS setup video that we recently published.  So, you're going to see more and more of that type of content, just maybe not at the pace that you'd wish for.

 

[suds]

Shane. I don't think the videos have to be all that professional.  I remember watching a video with a instructor explaing to a group of guys how the Parallel Guides work. It was really helpful seeing just how he set everything up and where everything fit.
It didn't look to me like it was too staged.  Paul Marcel does a great job of showing how things work, as does the Wood Whisperer. If you just show how things are set up and run through examples it would be very helpful.
It sounds like you have a great start with Festool TV. I wasn't even aware that it existed!!

 

[peter halle]

I am not speaking for Shane or Festool here, but if they produce a video it will have to be what they feel to be professional.  It is what Festool is all about and to do less than that would be unacceptable.

I wish that one day Paul Marcel would share how much time a 10 minute video takes to plan, shoot, edit, and upload.  I suspect that it is more than many would expect.

Peter

 

[Scott B.]

I wish that one day Paul Marcel would share how much time a 10 minute video takes to plan, shoot, edit, and upload.  I suspect that it is more than many would expect.

Peter

Good point

 

[Frank Pellow]

...

I wish that one day Paul Marcel would share how much time a 10 minute video takes to plan, shoot, edit, and upload.  I suspect that it is more than many would expect.

Peter

Based on my experience setting up presentations, demos, and lectures (in my case mostly relating to computer software but also a bit on woodworking and other crafts) I doubt that any 10 minute video of the great caliber that Paul produces could be done with less than two hours preparation -and it would probably take me twice that time.

ANd, I am not even thinking of the editing that Paul must do after he shoots his videos and before he pieces them together for us.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

In my conversations with Paul-Marcel, I get the impression that it takes sometimes weeks for him to edit down his videos. Granted, he does it in his "spare" time.

Doing a quick impromptu video is sometimes the right path, and we have done that in the past.

However, in most cases, it's best to ensure that everything is right. The fact is that we open ourselves to liability with any video we produce. So, we do our best to make sure it is easy to follow, contains all of the information needed by the customer, shows proper techniques and safety practices, is concise, etc. So, grabbing the iPhone or Flip Camera and shooting some haphazard video isn't the right way to do it.

I realize the video and educational content is not flowing as quickly as some would like, but we have a commitment to producing more. In the mean time, this is an amazing online community with volumes of information to help you get the most from your tools. And, if you can't find it or it doesn't exist here, ask the question and you're almost sure to get it in less than a day.

Shane

 

[Jmaichel]

It would be nice to see video series dedicated to all an "all Festool shop" I am not talking about product tours or setup videos I am talking about videos making projects aimed at hobbyist and semi pros. I see discussions come up all the time on using a TS55 vs a table saw or Festool routers vs other routers. There seems to be a huge interest in the Festool system from hobbyist woodworkers but yet no real marketing to support the growing demand in that market segment. IMHO Festool is missing out on the opportunity to capture some of that market share and a video series would really help that. I would gladly volunteer my services as a Festool only hobbyist shop, Festool just has to send me a bunch of tools [big grin]

James

 

[RONWEN]

In my conversations with Paul-Marcel, I get the impression that it takes sometimes weeks for him to edit down his videos. Granted, he does it in his "spare" time.

Doing a quick impromptu video is sometimes the right path, and we have done that in the past.

However, in most cases, it's best to ensure that everything is right. The fact is that we open ourselves to liability with any video we produce. So, we do our best to make sure it is easy to follow, contains all of the information needed by the customer, shows proper techniques and safety practices, is concise, etc. So, grabbing the iPhone or Flip Camera and shooting some haphazard video isn't the right way to do it.

I realize the video and educational content is not flowing as quickly as some would like, but we have a commitment to producing more. In the mean time, this is an amazing online community with volumes of information to help you get the most from your tools. And, if you can't find it or it doesn't exist here, ask the question and you're almost sure to get it in less than a day.

Shane

Perhaps the Festool instructors need to have keys to the office assigned to them with a reminder that Paul Marcel does his excellent videos 100% on uncompensated "overtime" hours.  [unsure]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Perhaps the Festool instructors need to have keys to the office assigned to them with a reminder that Paul Marcel does his excellent videos 100% on uncompensated "overtime" hours.  [unsure]

I can tell you that I work with some of the most dedicated, hard working people you'll ever meet. So, please don't question their passion or work ethic.

Edit: And, Paul-Marcel has been compensated with free tools from us, in the spirit of full disclosure. He does a magnificent job at his videos and we're glad to have him as a proponent for the brand.

 

[suds]

I understand all the liability/corporate hurdles but you have the same liability/corporate hurdle everytime you conduct a training session in Las Vegas.  The only problem is there are few that can attend the event.  They all come away from the session enthused and post there experiences here.  I for one could care less how "professional" the video would be.  I just want to see how the tool is used.  Reading instructions versus actually seeing how tools are used is much more instructional for me than a inch thick operators manual.  I'm strictly a hobbyist so I probably am in the minority for the Festool "market".  However, even though I am a hobbyist I am the Customer.  I purchased the Parallel Guides and really did not fully understand the instructions/setup until I saw the video of how they are setup and how to use them in different situations.  The same thing happened with the Domino until I saw how it was used in different applications.
It seems to me that if Festool can figure out how to fund and setup a complete training session they can figure out how to produce more instructional videos of their products.  If it's strictly a funding problem then suspend the training sessions and put the money where more customers will benefit.   Your customers sure see the need for it or videos like Paul makes would not be watched.  The end result of all this is Festool will broaden their market and people like me will end up purchasing more tool/accessories.  If Festool considers their market to be contractors and the professional woodworker then all this is a moot point.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

No doubt that we want to do more video and you guys want to see more video. We realize that and are working toward that goal.

As for the training centers and liability, you signed a waiver when you went to end user training. It's required. We can't have people watching a video sign a waiver before they watch it...

It's not about having it look professional, or budget. It's about personnel and resources. We are a small company, probably much smaller than most of you think, here in the U.S.

We work with folks like Paul-Marcel, Dave Reinhold, Brice Burrell, Marc Spagnuolo and others to help supplement our video content because we can't produce it as quickly as we would like. We still have more work to do for sure.

 

[RONWEN]

Perhaps the Festool instructors need to have keys to the office assigned to them with a reminder that Paul Marcel does his excellent videos 100% on uncompensated "overtime" hours.  [unsure]

I can tell you that I work with some of the most dedicated, hard working people you'll ever meet. So, please don't question their passion or work ethic.

Edit: And, Paul-Marcel has been compensated with free tools from us, in the spirit of full disclosure. He does a magnificent job at his videos and we're glad to have him as a proponent for the brand.

I certainly apologize to those people already working above & beyond to improve the quality of the Festool videos.

I'm sure that you also realize the tools that Paul receives are "peanuts" compared to his extremely skilled day job or even what he could make putting his time in consulting instead of providing us great videos.  

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Ron, I'm not going to debate the issue, but some people do things because they enjoy them and it's their passion, not just for compensation. I think that's the case with Paul-Marcel. He enjoys woodworking as a hobby, apart from his day job, and likes to share his knowledge and passion with others. We send a lot of traffic to his blog which could be monetized at some point if it's not already through an Amazon affiliate program, YouTube's kickbacks for ads, etc. I think we've been fair in our compensation to Paul-Marcel and doubt he would continue his relationship with us if he felt otherwise.

I've admitted that we need to do more video and we are working toward that goal. I'm not sure what more I can say at this point. We've (Festool USA) produced more video in the past 6 months than probably the past 6 years.

 

[honeydoman]

I see nothing wrong from using a flip video or iPhone of it gets the message across as my videos have as per hundreds and hundreds of compliments on my videos which is now over 252,000 views  and the end user love to watch them  and have bought tons of tools because of them

But I think festool doesn't realize the value of most of my videos that much I feel I guess it's because they are simple and entertaining but get the message across I'm too real and not conservative I guess. And yes they have like a few. But my videos are helpful just like using the lr 32 Or the rustic mantel one but I made the videos for my friends and carpenters to give back my knowledge the best way I can. I do not have time to edit and make it all fancy. Why?  They work

So let me ask you folks why do you as a consumer like my videos ?

 

[RONWEN]

Ron, I'm not going to debate the issue, but some people do things because they enjoy them and it's their passion, not just for compensation. I think that's the case with Paul-Marcel. He enjoys woodworking as a hobby, apart from his day job, and likes to share his knowledge and passion with others. We send a lot of traffic to his blog which could be monetized at some point if it's not already through an Amazon affiliate program, YouTube's kickbacks for ads, etc. I think we've been fair in our compensation to Paul-Marcel and doubt he would continue his relationship with us if he felt otherwise.

I've admitted that we need to do more video and we are working toward that goal. I'm not sure what more I can say at this point. We've (Festool USA) produced more video in the past 6 months than probably the past 6 years.

With that, I couldn't agree more. [wink]  

 

[suds]

Honeydokreg....where do I find your videos?  Ron... please don't think we don't appreciate all your efforts.  I think you're on the right track with the Festool TV.  You actually have a nice problem on your hands...customers clamoring for more information on how to utilize your products.  Better to have that than no interest at all.  I would purchase the CMS if I thought I could actually get enough training to use it.  I'm convinced I'm more of a tool nut than anything else but there are a lot of us out there like me who don't have the knowledge but enjoy using fine tools. 

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Honeydokreg....where do I find your videos?

I would purchase the CMS if I thought I could actually get enough training to use it. 

And more on the way, including a supplemental manual from Rick Christopherson.

 

[suds]

LOL...that was a easy sale!!!