Festool University

[John Langevin]

I think it would be most providential for Festool to consider putting together one or several hands-on training courses that focus on how to use their tools properly. If you have been using other brands of tools for years (as have I) some of the Festools have a significant learning curve. I think the obvious candidates would be the TS-55/75, MFS, MFT, Routers, and for those fortunates the Domino and Kapex. Festool does occcasionally do product demos at the local Woodcraft but they are very simplistic and don't go much beyond the basics.

If any other FOGGIES 8) agree then perhaps Matt could create a poll to determine areas of interest and perhaps come up with the members' geographic distirbution to help select practical locations.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Even though I have used many of the tools for years, I am sure that I could learn from such a seminar.  I would think that at least a couple of days would be beneficial and I would probably not travel far for anything less.  I assume that there would be some charge to attend.

 

[Gene Howerton]

Forget about the travel, how about some good youtube videos.  Just like the ones to teach you how to Sketchup.  I really enjoy watching the ones Gary Katz does with Festool.

if they are on youtube then Festool could link them on their site.  I have also watched the ones Brice did on his site.  All of these helped me make purchasing decisions and I of course bought more Festools. 

 

[Frank Pellow]

Gene, those are good ---but nothing is better than hands on instruction and use.

 

[Gene Howerton]

I agree with the hands on use, that would be best.  But its hard to find the time and the travel budget.  I have learned about Festool reading Woodshopdemo over the years and quite a bit on how to do things on that site.  I also bought some videos from Woodhaven to help on router stuff.  I just think the web is perfect for these type of tutorials.  I am currently learning sketchup that way.

 

[John Langevin]

I agree with you both, properly done YouTube videos would be a great help especially with the basic procedures for tyros and to supplant the lousy (imo) factory manuals. But from what we heard from those lucky 'suckups' : that got to go to Vegas, the hands-on with the Kapex and Domino was invaluable.

I would certainly be willing to pay a reasonable amount to attend and agree with you Frank that if you have to drive any significant distance it would have to be for two days or more. The class sizes should be kept small as you would be paying for hands-on/one-on-one type of tutelage.

Not to volunteer anyone : but perhaps if Festool (or the local dealer) could provide any needed demonstration tools/accessories and pay their expenses (attendees would also contribute) we could get one or more of our own mavens to instruct (you studs know who you are! ).

If a dealer couldn't provide a suitable location for the training perhaps we FOG members could open our shops (I vote for WoodShopDemos - as long as the ladies are gonna be there! )

What would make the videos much more valuable is if they were done at a real seminar with FOG attendees (with some ordinary guys as well as experts like in Vegas) that way we would all benefit from the more experienced members' knowledge as well as the less experienced members' questions and concerns.

 

[peter halle]

If Festool would offer hands-on training classes for a fee, I would certainly consider attending.  Investing in high end tools and getting the most out of them is no different than buying high end software and maximizing its benefits.

Peter

 

[Brice Burrell]

This was discussed while us "lucky suckups" were in Vegas last year. At that time Festool's trainers were busy training dealers so there wasn't time to do hands-on training courses with end users. I bet Festool is still busy with it's dealers. User organized courses is one option another may be to try to set up am open house at the Festool training center once a year for the users. Since travel/lodging is cheap to Vegas it might be affordable. Just a thought.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Morning,
This is the kind of idea that makes this forum special.

It would be interesting if members of the Festool Owners Group could be the ones to organize such a venture.  Perhaps we could have some sponsoring dealers, have someone take good photographs, others could write up details of what happened and what we learned, and it could all be posted here on the forum.  Maybe it would be possible for Festool to provide the actual training space and the tools to demo.  It could be a positive thing for the company, for potential customers, as well as established customers, and of course our members.

This could be a really unique event.  I don't know of another user group that has done something like this.

I'll write to Festool today and ask them to drop by to take a look at this discussion.

If any other FOGGIES 8) agree then perhaps Matt could create a poll to determine areas of interest and perhaps come up with the members' geographic distirbution to help select practical locations.

Good idea.  I think a poll would work, and it would make sense for me to be the one to start it.  Let's hear from people what their areas of interest are, so I can get an idea of what poll choices to include.

Keep the ideas coming!

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[PeterK]

I definately would try to attend a hands on type demo - preferrably done by Festool personnel. Here in Louisiana, there is only one stocking dealer with very minimal stuff so having a local dealer provide training will not work. No choice but to travel to do this. Even though I have used my tools, I know they have functionality that I don't use since the manuals surely don't explain anything.
Pete

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Morning,
I'm thinking this could be a centralized effort, run at the Las Vegas center by Festool.  Or it could be a series of events that take place in centers around the country.  Either way, there are great opportunities here for member connctions, company publicity, and forum material.

By the way, I think this is such a great idea I sent a not to Christian Oltzscher this morning to let him know about our discussion.  Here's the text of my message to him:

Hi Christian,
Hope all is well with you.  I know how busy you are, so I try to keep you updated on discussions in the FOG that sound like great opportunities for the company
and the membership.  Well, one has come up recently.

Members are talking about a "Festool University."  This would be a hands-on training session of some kind, where members could get to see the tools in action.  Your
trainers would get to hear from dedicated and interested users of the tools, which could help them fine-tune their training materials.  Also, this would be an excellent publicity
event for the company itself: we'd have some great photos, videos, and stories to share.  It could really show the company's friendly side!

All around, this sounds like the makings of a great, beneficial project.  I don't know of any other user group/company connection like this.

The idea was originated by a forum member, and I'm just the messenger here!  The discussion is still young, so let's see how it develops.  But I'd be very interested to hear
your thoughts about this.

If you or others at Festool want to keep up on the discussion, check out this link:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=6585.0

Stay in touch,
Matthew

* * * *

Matthew

 

[Frank Pellow]

I think that we would get a better level of training with a centralized session lasting at least two days and using the regular peole that Festool uses to train their dealers.

 

[bruegf]

This was discussed a couple years ago and at one point it sounded as if Festool was considering customer level training at their facility in Indiana starting in either 08 or 09 IIRC.  Hopefully they are still considering this.

Fred

 

[Walt300]

How about teaming up with Woodcraft and some of the other dealers who have class room facilities to offer the seminars.

 

[sw1211]

How about teaming up with Woodcraft and some of the other dealers who have class room facilities to offer the seminars.

That might work provided the training is done by someone other than Woodcraft employees.  I doubt if the employees at my local Woodcraft can even spell Festool.  I'm sure they vary by location but they are far from experts.

 

[John Langevin]

Walt,

That is what I am thinking also. The local Woodcraft (West Springfield,MA) has the training space and the tools but their staff (no disrespect intended) lack even basic training. I think most would agree that we would all benefit from more knowledgable and experienced dealers and I firmly believe that one of the greatest assets any company can have is well-informed and knowledgeable customers. Festool could "kill two birds with one stone" by scheduling their dealer training in sequence with customer training; thus making better use of their training personnel and material resources.

Matt, I like your idea of having attendees document the seminar and share it here at the FOG. An additional idea that just occurred to me is perhaps we could create our own instruction manuals/video tutorials for some of the various accessories that have little or no documentation.

One of the most important aspects of the FOG is the value it adds to Festool ownership. Although I purchased my first Festools before I was aware of the forum, the time I spend here and all that I have learned from others has given me the confidence to buy more and get more use from them. It is however, very disconcerting to read here about a neat little accessory that can expand your capabilities or make a task simpler, more accurate or more efficient; go out, buy it and then get home and find there are no instructions whatsoever.

 

[Daviddubya]

I emailed Marc Spagnuolo at The Wood Whisperer, who is an active vendor in the Festool community, and suggested he read this thread and consider making some Festool-specific videos.  Marc already has a video presence on the web as well as a relationship with Festool.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I emailed Marc Spagnuolo at The Wood Whisperer, who is an active vendor in the Festool community, and suggested he read this thread and consider making some Festool-specific videos.  Marc already has a video presence on the web.

I've also been in touch with Marc on various forum matters.
Matthew

 

[Dan Uhlir]

Let me get this straight. There is a training center in Las Vegas Nevada. Where we could go for say 2,3,4, days hang out, talk festool ,sports and things of this nature. I understand the weather in May is real nice there.Why would festool charge us for essentially shopping/ promoting their tools. Heck we should get free pops for goin.
                                                                                                                                              Dan
                                                                           

 

[John Langevin]

I'm with you, Dan! Why not have a lottery drawing or something similar?