Festool Toolie

Staniam · Oct 2, 2015

Just picked it up today on a whim. I went into my local dealer to pick up a couple of rail connectors (why they're sold separate is beyond me) and grabbed the Toolie as I was turning towards the register. I have a Milwaukee 6-1 ratcheting hand driver already but have seen the Toolie in plenty of videos and it seemed kinda cool.

Got it home and started fiddling with it, it doesn't even lock into place when you choose the driver you want to use. Anyways, I'm thinking about returning it and grabbing a Centrotec hand driver instead. At $36 the Toolie just isn't worth it in my opinion. Does anyone else have it and what are your thoughts on the Toolie and/or Centrotec hand driver?

Kev · Oct 2, 2015

Got a Toolie and think its very average. Think I've used it twice in maybe 2 years ...

mouppe · Oct 2, 2015

Yes, I agree. Poor quality and unergonomic.

JBird · Oct 2, 2015

The purpose of the Toolie is to have most the drivers you need to setup, tweak and maintain your Festools in one convenient tool. Something that will be easy to identify and retrieve without having to keep track of bits. If you want to do regular screw driving activities then the Toolie is not the right tool. The ergonomics are wrong for that. But it works great for tightening and loosening set screws here and there or removing a blade.

The Centrotec driver is fine. Its only claim to fame is the Centrotec compatibility. I much prefer a Wera ratcheting bit driver for regular scew driving tasks.

Kev · Oct 2, 2015

JBird said:
The purpose of the Toolie is to have most the drivers you need to setup, tweak and maintain your Festools in one convenient tool. Something that will be easy to identify and retrieve without having to keep track of bits. If you want to do regular screw driving activities then the Toolie is not the right tool. The ergonomics are wrong for that. But it works great for tightening and loosening set screws here and there or removing a blade.

The Centrotec driver is fine. Its only claim to fame is the Centrotec compatibility. I much prefer a Wera ratcheting bit driver for regular scew driving tasks.

If it worked well with the MFS I'd be inclined to agree, but it's cumbersome for that as well. You're probably right about it's intent, but I still see it as a promotional item and not representative of brand quality/image.

Staniam · Oct 2, 2015

JBird said:
The purpose of the Toolie is to have most the drivers you need to setup, tweak and maintain your Festools in one convenient tool. Something that will be easy to identify and retrieve without having to keep track of bits. If you want to do regular screw driving activities then the Toolie is not the right tool. The ergonomics are wrong for that. But it works great for tightening and loosening set screws here and there or removing a blade.

The Centrotec driver is fine. Its only claim to fame is the Centrotec compatibility. I much prefer a Wera ratcheting bit driver for regular scew driving tasks.

I just realized the Toolie was meant for Festool tools. It does make much more sense now to be used in that capacity. It's not a hand driver for every day use, your right and if I had researched a little more I'd have know what it was for.

Just imagining using one tool to work on the Carvex, TS, and rail connectors alone is nearly worth it. $36 is still kind of a stretch but for its purpose I think I'll hold onto it.

bkharman · Oct 3, 2015

I got mine in the UK years ago. I keep it handy because most of my CMS setup can be done with it. I have some Stanley T handles but alas they are are in Imperial.

Cheese · Oct 3, 2015

[member=41633]Staniam[/member]
On the other hand, the Milwaukee ratcheting screw driver really is handy for a lot more items than just Festool equipment. My only complaint is the extra weight because of all the tool bits that are contained in the handle...but that's a small nit to pick.

Staniam · Oct 3, 2015

Cheese said:
[member=41633]Staniam[/member]
On the other hand, the Milwaukee ratcheting screw driver really is handy for a lot more items than just Festool equipment. My only complaint is the extra weight because of all the tool bits that are contained in the handle...but that's a small nit to pick.

I thought about that but I realized Milwaukee sells a "mini" version of its 6-1 ratcheting hand driver too which I think I'll pick up from work tomorrow and return the Toolie. I can grab some more Rubin 2 with the savings.

Brent Taylor · Oct 3, 2015

A wee bit off topic, but the old TS rails had only one point of connection, plus now a days if you lose one you don't have to buy two.

L.J · Oct 3, 2015

I'd like to know where you guys are even finding toolies now.

Sparktrician · Oct 3, 2015

JBird said:
The purpose of the Toolie is to have most the drivers you need to setup, tweak and maintain your Festools in one convenient tool. Something that will be easy to identify and retrieve without having to keep track of bits. If you want to do regular screw driving activities then the Toolie is not the right tool. The ergonomics are wrong for that. But it works great for tightening and loosening set screws here and there or removing a blade.

The Centrotec driver is fine. Its only claim to fame is the Centrotec compatibility. I much prefer a Wera ratcheting bit driver for regular scew driving tasks.

I agree with the premise, but in practice, the Toolie doesn't have the elements I use most commonly, aside from the T-15 Torx driver. It sits in the tool chest drawer, largely unused. I certainly don't see Pozi-Drive screwdriver providing any tangible value in my shop. The 2.5, 5 and 6mm hex drives have no useful purpose, and it lacks the 3mm hex drive that I use frequently.

JBird · Oct 3, 2015

Sparktrician said:
I agree with the premise, but in practice, the Toolie doesn't have the elements I use most commonly, aside from the T-15 Torx driver. It sits in the tool chest drawer, largely unused. I certainly don't see Pozi-Drive screwdriver providing any tangible value in my shop. The 2.5, 5 and 6mm hex drives have no useful purpose, and it lacks the 3mm hex drive that I use frequently.

FYI, you can use the T15 for Hex 3mm.

Sparktrician · Oct 3, 2015

JBird said:
Sparktrician said:

I agree with the premise, but in practice, the Toolie doesn't have the elements I use most commonly, aside from the T-15 Torx driver. It sits in the tool chest drawer, largely unused. I certainly don't see Pozi-Drive screwdriver providing any tangible value in my shop. The 2.5, 5 and 6mm hex drives have no useful purpose, and it lacks the 3mm hex drive that I use frequently.

Click to expand...

FYI, you can use the T15 for Hex 3mm.

That's good to know for emergencies, but generally speaking, I prefer to use the correct driver for the fastener. [smile]

mouppe · Oct 4, 2015

I'm well aware it is intended for use with Festool tools but it still doesn't excuse the softness of the metal and the awkwardness of the tool in ones hand.

Kev · Oct 4, 2015

Festool should get Lezyne to knock up their next "toolie" ...

http://www.lezyne.com/product-mtools-carbontools.php#.VhEl7dZ6TvU

[big grin]

Cheese · Oct 4, 2015

Kev said:
Festool should get Lezyne to knock up their next "toolie" ...

http://www.lezyne.com/product-mtools-carbontools.php#.VhEl7dZ6TvU

[member=13058]Kev[/member]
Boy they make some nice stuff...stainless, carbon fibre and titanium...they ticked all of the right boxes. [thumbs up]

yetihunter · Oct 11, 2015

The Festool Toolie is a variation of the Wiha Pocket Star.
I have experience with the latter and not the former.
Agreed, it's ergonomically cumbersome.
I also never was able to get the drivers to stay closed.
I thought I was just stupid or that it was broken. :0

sancho57 · Oct 11, 2015

I dunno,

I got one I use and 3 extra for when I go back to the states (bought them before they became available in the states).

I think its great. I don't have to fiddle around looking for the right tool to tight this and that, its all right there. No fuss no muss.

No complaints from me. It does exactly what its meant to o.

Tinker · Oct 11, 2015

I'm with jobs worth on this one.

My problem is that I am somewhat prone to use a tool once, maybe twice, put it down and spent a lot of time looking for the tool which has undoubtedly been covered by wood scraps and other tools. An allen key or small screw driver gets lost nearly every time i use. That toolie takes a lot of hiding before it can disappear. The awkwardness doesn't bother me. I carry the same type of tool in my pocket for doing a lot of minor/quick repairs on machinery while performing my "daywork" projects. None of them ever seem to work properly or as i would like them to work, but much handier than carrying a full toolbox in my pocket all day.
Tinker

Festool Toolie

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