Fill in the blank: I wish Festool made a ______!

[Bob D.]

I wish Festool made a router with an LED light built in, or a retrofit kit to add a LED light to existing routers.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I wish Festool made a router with an LED light built in, or a retrofit kit to add a LED light to existing routers.

I see this a lot, but don't really get it? How often do you really see where you are cutting? With the above base dust port connected you can't see the bit at all, and light isn't the issue.
If you are doing things like butterfly inlays by eye, rather than a templet, maybe. But is that the main use of a router?

 

[Imemiter]

I see this a lot, but don't really get it?

You can always tell the guys who work in a nice dry well-lit shop.

I'm kind of with you there. With routers I try to corral the cut as much as possible and not even have to look. But other times it's nice to be able to see, like to get an idea of how much further to plunge before it hits the stop (and etc.) The Makita cordless was the first router I had with a light. I like that the light serves as a signal that the tool is spinning, or at least ready to go. I probably won't buy another router without a light. Same goes for my OMT. 

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I have a couple of those cordless Makitas myself and I just see the lights as something that draws the battery down faster....lol
Most of the routing that I do is either bearing guided, templet guided, or on a Festool rail, usually with stops too. Seeing the bit is just not necessary, besides, if you can see it, it can throw chips in your face.
Well lit shop, definitely. Sometimes you have to work for it though. The lights are all on motion sensors, so if you are working in one place, not moving around much, the adjacent sections will shut off. It doesn't happen often during a regular day throughout most of the shop, but there are fringe areas where it does. It's not like it goes dark, but it is noticeable. A few steps in the right direction fixes it, if you really need it.
Most of the 110v outlets go off about an hour after work too. This leaves time for battery chargers to work, if you choose to do that at the end of the day. There are some that stay on for computers, but that's it.
The air compressors go on and off automatically too.

 

[Cheese]

Longer jigsaw blades please. The longest for wood is the 204335 - I could use something that has a cutting length more than the 4.75.

Hey [member=42263]c_dwyer[/member] try Bosch, they offer 6”, 7” & 10”.

 

[c_dwyer]

Thank you [member=44099]Cheese[/member], I greatly appreciate the tip!! Problem solved!

 

[Cheese]

Ya, I purchased the 10" long Bosch version several years ago and wanted to do a Carvex vs Trion vs Mafell P1 cc comparison with that blade because this was the worst case scenario for cutting thick timber.  I originally figured that a jigsaw would be very interesting for cutting thick timbers. My hunch is P1 cc first...Trion second and Carvex third.

Here's a photo of the 10" Bosch blade.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Bob D.]

"I see this a lot, but don't really get it?"

I find it helpful when setting up. Makes it easier to see layout lines
by eliminating shadows.

I don't usually need or want to watch the bit spin with a guided cut.
But if I'm free-handing something I do need to see what's happening
at ground zero.

 

[allthegearnoidea]

10.8v range. Why do we only have the CXS? Is it something to do with the existing 2.6 ah battery chemistry just can't support the needs of saws, impact drivers, etc?

 

[squall_line]

10.8v range. Why do we only have the CXS? Is it something to do with the existing 2.6 ah battery chemistry just can't support the needs of saws, impact drivers, etc?

I mean, technically there's also the TXS...

I just don't know that Festool is interested in chasing another battery size/voltage/architecture at this point.  The T18 is already pretty small as a "compact" drill, the subcompact market is even more brutal both in terms of the number of offerings as well as prices.  With the CXS/TXS sets running $260 with just the standard chuck and Centrotec chuck, I can't see anything Festool competing at the price range that other subcompact offerings compete at.

As far as the battery, many of the subcompacts from other manufacturers use a stick-shaped battery; the old model of CXS and TXS used a flat/stick battery combo that went up into the handle of the tool, but they moved to a flat pack instead of a stick pack when they updated them a few years back.

I've used my CXS more than any other Festool in my possession, and more than almost any other drill I've owned in the past 15 years.  By the time I reach my 1-year anniversary of owning it, I expect I'll have more hours on that little drill than all of my other past drills combined for 20+ years, it's just that handy.  Doesn't mean I wouldn't take a "powered screwdriver" (stick-shaped battery driver) if one was offered, but I haven't run into the need for one quite yet.

 

[AMB]

I wish festool made a battery planner then my tool kit would be complete.

 

[Stone Message]

10.8v range. Why do we only have the CXS? Is it something to do with the existing 2.6 ah battery chemistry just can't support the needs of saws, impact drivers, etc?

I mean, technically there's also the TXS...

I just don't know that Festool is interested in chasing another battery size/voltage/architecture at this point.  The T18 is already pretty small as a "compact" drill, the subcompact market is even more brutal both in terms of the number of offerings as well as prices.  With the CXS/TXS sets running $260 with just the standard chuck and Centrotec chuck, I can't see anything Festool competing at the price range that other subcompact offerings compete at.

As far as the battery, many of the subcompacts from other manufacturers use a stick-shaped battery; the old model of CXS and TXS used a flat/stick battery combo that went up into the handle of the tool, but they moved to a flat pack instead of a stick pack when they updated them a few years back.

I've used my CXS more than any other Festool in my possession, and more than almost any other drill I've owned in the past 15 years.  By the time I reach my 1-year anniversary of owning it, I expect I'll have more hours on that little drill than all of my other past drills combined for 20+ years, it's just that handy.  Doesn't mean I wouldn't take a "powered screwdriver" (stick-shaped battery driver) if one was offered, but I haven't run into the need for one quite yet.

I think that the CXS/TXS is an excellent concept not just for its size but also the accessories that are standard. I agree that a roofer or 1st/2nd fix person would want more power but for 90% of what I do the small Festool machine is perfect.

Take a look at the use of the angle attachment in this video - it starts at 16 minutes and 30 seconds in:


Peter

 

[mnbmike68@gmail.com]

I wish Festool made a __Caring bag for 10 feet guide rail track

 

[George K]

a stationary dust collector, and a bandsaw  [eek]

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

a stationary dust collector, and a bandsaw  [eek]

Aren't those somewhat antithetical to their whole concept of mobile/portable/jobsite precision?

I'm all for them expanding their line, but I wouldn't hold my breath for large, shop-only tools.

 

[notenoughcash]

although mafell has their portable bandsaw.  although you may be hard pressed to fit it into a systainer short of making a sys4.  and THAT will piss people off [tongue]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

although mafell has their portable bandsaw.  although you may be hard pressed to fit it into a systainer short of making a sys4.  and THAT will piss people off [tongue]

Sys3 did that.....lol

 

[notenoughcash]

tho with the sys4 can wh have the plastic thickness of the classic, the top handle and the sizes of teh t-loc, and the lockky down stuff, the front handle, and the third hinge of a sys3, then that will make eveyone happy, exept those that think that change is bad [tongue]

 

[milo-vs]

I wish Festool made a usable Systainer inlay for the ETS EC 125.. There is so much unused space that easily could be used for storing sandpaper in an organized way.

 

[Woozal]

I wish Festool made a fairly priced tool.