FESTOOL training

[roblg3]

Bryan gives great instruction, Minnie is super capable and they took great care of us.  I've been working for decades as a carpenter and general construction guy.  I now have a much deeper understanding of festool yes, but a better understanding of how to refine a lot of my processes and that will make me money.  Of course festool will be the recipient of some of that money, it'll be happily spent. 
As an aside, the people that work there seem to be happy to be working there.  To me that is a great sign of how a company will treat their customers as well.
Thanks Festool!  I had a great time and this is HIGHLY recommended for all interested in woodworking.

 

[copcarcollector]

Agreed! Same goes for Steve Bace in Henderson, NV. In fact, I am on my way there again in August.

 

[tbellemare]

Agreed! Same goes for Steve Bace in Henderson, NV. In fact, I am on my way there again in August.

In my opinion, Steve's a Gem!

Tom

 

[Colonel Panic]

[thumbs up] for Greg in NC. Not really a Festool employee but he has the same attitude.

 

[wow]

So if I could only do ONE training session (or one week) for now, what would you experts suggest?

 

[NC57]

I spent Monday and Tuesday of this week in the Festool Systems Essentials class at Gregory Paolini Design in Asheville, NC.  I enjoyed the class immensely.  The class focused on the MFT/3, TS 55 REQ, Kapex, dust collection, Domino 500 and XL, OF 1400 Q Router.  Class size was 6 which allowed Greg to work with us individually.  While I've owned my tools for almost a year the class was extremely helpful.  It provided great insight to the tools as well as practical instruction using the tools on specific applications.  I left with an understanding of how to fix some of the problems I've experienced and motivated to try some of the new knowledge I picked up during the class.  Greg is a superb instructor with tremendous enthusiasm for Festool and woodworking.  I highly recommend the class.

 

[tbellemare]

So if I could only do ONE training session (or one week) for now, what would you experts suggest?

It really depends on what tools you have and what you want to accomplish in the near/far future. There are a variety of good offerings.

As a secondary consideration, do you prefer IN or NV?

I can personally recommend Steve Bace in Henderson NV. He's worth the visit...

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Sparktrician]

I've had the privilege of attending most of the Festool classes with both Brian and Steve.  As instructors, they're tops in my book.  [thumbs up]  It's not possible to attend these classes and not learn many things of value in using these great products.  And as for Minnie, she's a gem and such a treat to deal with.   [not worthy]

 

[sancho57]

Agreed! Same goes for Steve Bace in Henderson, NV. In fact, I am on my way there again in August.

Whaaaaaaaaaatttttttttt You going again ???????????

Man you Yanks are lucky. We dont get those classes over here.

One thing Im going to do when I return to the states is get me into a class

 

[roblg3]

The way my partner for the class talked, I think my personal learning style will be better suited to paolini.  I haven't met Bace, but would very much like to.  The good thing about NC is you can get in without it being a FESTOOL class and that's my plan.  I will not hesitate to go back Indiana though.  I'm pretty sure this is a personal preference that will vary with the individual.

 

[Bob Marino]

  I attended many of the classes years ago, with both Steve and Bryan, IN and NV, when they were dealer only attendees.
The classes were hands on, well thought out, informative and lots of fun also. It's also nice that both Bryan and Steve have very different styles and personalities.
The classes, with either - are highly recommended.

Bob

 

[sancho57]

I know Bob,
though I havent been to a class with Brian yet, I loved the looks Steve gives when when I make a wise crack during class or ask my usual dumb question.
Quite a character, When I get back to the States for a visit or move back Im going to go to Vegas and visit him.

If hes there he always welcomes me and chats me up.

A real good guy

 

[Bob Marino]

I know Bob,
though I havent been to a class with Brian yet, I loved the looks Steve gives when when I make a wise crack during class or ask my usual dumb question.
Quite a character, When I get back to the States for a visit or move back Im going to go to Vegas and visit him.

If hes there he always welcomes me and chats me up.

A real good guy

Sounds good. Steve is more quite and subdued yet has a more laid back sense of humor. Bryan aka Curly (I'm presuming as a reference to Curly of the 3 Stooges, since there is a physical resemblance - Shane, correct me if I'm wrong about that) is way out there - louder and more animated. Both guys have wildly different personalities and teaching styles, but both are fountains of knowledge about any and all things Festool, are excellent instructors and are class acts.
I have never had the pleasure of attending one one Greg Paoloni's classes, but I'm confident he is equally up to the task.

Bob

 

[Sparktrician]

I know Bob,
though I havent been to a class with Brian yet, I loved the looks Steve gives when when I make a wise crack during class or ask my usual dumb question.
Quite a character, When I get back to the States for a visit or move back Im going to go to Vegas and visit him.

If hes there he always welcomes me and chats me up.

A real good guy

Sounds good. Steve is more quite and subdued yet has a more laid back sense of humor. Bryan aka Curly (I'm presuming as a reference to Curly of the 3 Stooges, since there is a physical resemblance - Shane, correct me if I'm wrong about that) is way out there - louder and more animated. Both guys have wildly different personalities and teaching styles, but both are fountains of knowledge about any and all things Festool, are excellent instructors and are class acts.
I have never had the pleasure of attending one one Greg Paoloni's classes, but I'm confident he is equally up to the task.

Bob

I've always thought of Brian as a cross between Mr. Clean and the Energizer Bunny, having had about four too many espressos. 

[big grin]

 

[copcarcollector]

So if I could only do ONE training session (or one week) for now, what would you experts suggest?

I am not an expert! But honestly I think anyone would get great information from any of the classes.

As a Festool newbie, I found the Festool essentials class useful - its an overview of many of the main tools, MFT/3 and its set up, track saw, Kapex, Domino

Advanced Router Techniques worried me as I had little experience with woodworking (They should change the name!), but found it useful to learn about the MFK700, OF1010 and 1400 - we got to run the OF220 quickly but just to feel it out, not really do anything with it. We did circles , arcs and clearing a field with the smaller routers. Pretty sure we discussed the LR32 line boring but don't remember being hands on with that.

Cabinet Construction Class was great, never having built even a cabinet before, I found the material useful and straightforward. We made a faceframe and then the box to fit it as a lower cabinet, then an upper frameless cabinet box. We used the Kapex, track saw, Domino, RO90 if I recall correctly, LR32, this time hands on. It was really good.

I am signed up for the week long cabinet construction & doors and drawers class next month.

Each time I have learned useful tips and tricks for the machines covered. I still have very little hands on time with my own Festools, so reminders about depth settings , accessories and such are helpful to me.  Steve Bace is also very easy going and fun to work with. He will go over additional machines if someone asks - for example we had a short demo on jigsaws, drills and a tutorial on toe kicks and scribing. It might be stuff you already know, but for me it was all new and good to see in person and be able to ask questions along the way. There is no timeline set in stone, each class goes at its own pace based on the attendees speed, questions that come up etc. Its a very mellow atmosphere. And, the fridge is well stocked with sodas!

I would like to take the Farm Table class, and I know they are developing additional classes as well. It is frustrating that there are so few classes available and slots available for each class, but when you go through the training, you really appreciate the basically one on one teaching that you get.

 

[Scott B.]

I know Bob,
though I havent been to a class with Brian yet, I loved the looks Steve gives when when I make a wise crack during class or ask my usual dumb question.
Quite a character, When I get back to the States for a visit or move back Im going to go to Vegas and visit him.

If hes there he always welcomes me and chats me up.

A real good guy

Sounds good. Steve is more quite and subdued yet has a more laid back sense of humor. Bryan aka Curly (I'm presuming as a reference to Curly of the 3 Stooges, since there is a physical resemblance - Shane, correct me if I'm wrong about that) is way out there - louder and more animated. Both guys have wildly different personalities and teaching styles, but both are fountains of knowledge about any and all things Festool, are excellent instructors and are class acts.
I have never had the pleasure of attending one one Greg Paoloni's classes, but I'm confident he is equally up to the task.

Bob

I've always thought of Brian as a cross between Mr. Clean and the Energizer Bunny, having had about four too many espressos. 

[big grin]

Sedge has trekked to Vermont to sit in with us for a week during each of the past two years, joining us in the field for real life job site experiences. He is an animal. An incredibly hard worker, and smart. It is a very reciprocal exchange, and there are 2 of us and just one of him.

I have also learned a ton from Steve. And planning a cool thing with him for this Fall.

Both are great educators. Different styles but with the common denominator of making it knowledge accessible to all.