First Festool(s) for remodeling and general home improvement

[cgrutt]

Posted a couple other threads looking forward to many more.  New to the Festool system and just bought an extractor and some sanders.  Looking to next purchases...

I'm currently trying to get a solo home improvement and carpentry business off the ground.  I've got tons of tools collected over the the past three decades.  I prefer to buy USA whenever I can but German is a close second, lol.  Recently acquired a bunch of Milwaukee battery operated tools... I know they're PRC but offer a pretty wide selection for reasonable prices...  Most of my carpentry (powered) tools are older Porter Cable or Bosch.  A few Makita and Hitachi.  Most of my nailers are Bostich. 

So now that I have a Festool extractor I'm thinking about next purchases. 

First on the list is a track saw.  Which would be best for general home improvement?  Breaking down sheet goods.  Flooring.  Maybe some decks...  Does this with the MFT really replace a portable table saw?  Interested but not convinced...

Next on list would be the miter saw.  Current saw is a 10" Bosch sliding compound with the Bosch stand.  I'm interested in the Festool but read some issues with Kapex motor?  Is this a real issue or just Internet bravado?  Also the Bosch stand is pretty good for larger moldings, etc.  What do you use for Festool to handle 12' or 16' moldings?

After that I'm not sure.  Currently use a Fein Supercut the Festool seems similar.  Could always use a new router or jig saw.

What do you recommend? 

 

[duburban]

just buy as you actually need things for billable projects. you could buy forever and ever...

definitely don't buy a Kapex. I DO NOT OWN ONE, so i have no right to say that but I've been checking the Kapex pulse for a long time and it aint looking good to me. you could buy a makita sliding saw, track saw, and router for the cost of the Kapex.

Festool sanders I would not replace with anything else, Mirka if I had too. I would also re-buy my Festool tracksaws because the aftermarket accessories are geared towards festool track.

MFT table is killer but buy the basic and jump straight into the bench dog system, specifically TSOproducts.

Don't fall into the jewelry collection line of thinking with festool, put your work first and use the gear to serve it.

Shop space is a great investment..!

 

[cgrutt]

Yeah, solid advise.  I "think" I've got a solid intro into Festool with my current project and yes, all billable.  Just thinking about next projects to capitalize on the dust extractor.  Kinda sorry to hear about the miter saw wouldn't have expected that response here.  Track saws are good to go?  Which one?  Thanks! 

 

[Cheese]

Don’t be apologetic for the Milwaukee cordless tools. They’re good stuff. I’ve had a “wall of red” in my shop for 40 years and they’re all good, hard working tools. I have  a Milwaukee drill from 1948 and it still works.  [big grin]

The Festool offerings are just a bit more friendly and a lot more fun to use. Also you’ll get dust collection that Milwaukee never even dreamed of.

I own a Kapex and I love it. However I still keep a Milwaukee slider hidden in the corner just in case I become another victim of the white smoke syndrome.

I also have a small “wall of yellow” (not Dewalt) that I also have no qualms of purchasing. I have 7 Bostitch nailers that still serve me well. The Paslode items however, are another topic for a later conversation.  [crying]

If you’re considering a track saw go for the TSC for sheet goods. More power than the TS 55 and the battery life is outstanding.

If you really want a corded track saw, consider the Mafell 55 or the Festool TS 75.

You mentioned decks, the HKC 55 is really sweet with darn good dust containment considering it’s open blade design.

For routers consider a 1010 or 1400. I have them both and use the 1010 twice as much because of it’s compact size. The poor Milwaukee Body Grip routers just sit on the shelf and frown at the Festool routers.

Finally for a jigsaw I’d purchase the Trion unless you want to go cordless. I own both the corded Trion and the corded Carvex and prefer the Trion. It’s built more solidly than the Carvex although the lighting on the Carvex is a BIG plus.

However, if absolutely perpendicular cuts (plus/minus 1 degree) in thick stock is a requisite with a jig saw, you’ll then need to go to a Mafell P1cc jig saw.

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks.  Good info.  I have to look more into the Mafell you're not the first to recommend that over Festool.  I haven't even used my Festool purchase yet but everything seems awesome.  I'm sure I won't be disappointed.  Primary concern right now is with dust collection.  I have a job lined up on a very historic house that is occupied and full of historic memorabilia and family heirlooms.  Mostly repairs to water damaged ceilings and walls and some floor work.

 

[Cheese]

I have a job lined up on a very historic house that is occupied and full of historic memorabilia and family heirlooms.  Mostly repairs to water damaged ceilings and walls and some floor work.

So old ceilings, old walls and old floors...how much dust is that going to raise? Don’t forget about the potential asbestos complication.
[smile]

The old Festool vac certainly has its work cut out for it.

Sounds like there’ll be a lot of taping and plastic sheeting.

 

[cgrutt]

I have a job lined up on a very historic house that is occupied and full of historic memorabilia and family heirlooms.  Mostly repairs to water damaged ceilings and walls and some floor work.

So old ceilings, old walls and old floors...how much dust is that going to raise? Don’t forget about the potential asbestos complication.
[smile]

Sounds like there’ll be a lot of taping and plastic sheeting.

Yeah, not going to be digging too far into those old walls, lol... 

The old Festool vac certainly has its work cut out for it.

EDIT> fixed quote box

 

[DeformedTree]

I would second the comment about buy a basic MFT and get dogs.  I got the regular one (with rail), I scrapped that in a hurry and just went to dogs.  I don't see it replacing a table saw.  Also sheet goods (when still large) will be on saw horses anyway till you get down to more manageable sizes.  I have 2 MFTs, the second came very fast after the first.

Far as tracksaw/dust collection/in house.  I was just using mine in my living room today.  It's not exactly a finished room, but i don't wan it filled with sawdust.  The track saw won't be 100% in it's collection, if I had something under the plywood as I cut it, it could improve.  Still, it's really not that bad and what does get loose is pretty manageable and local to the saw.  It's nothing like using regular circular saws. Pretty sure most the dust/debris is from drilling and oscillating tool.  If in someone else's home I would still plan on something like zip walls to control things, but with the dust collection tools it won't be that much to contain.

 

[Pnw painter]

It’s already been mentioned, but you should invest in some zip wall poles. They’re an  easy and fast to way to set up contain dust containment. They save a huge amount of time and you’re not risking damaging painted surfaces with tape.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sanderxpander]

I think if you do a lot of sheetgoods for walls or cabinets, the TS55 or its Mafell equivalent the MT55 are both great products. The TS75 has an even better rep, especially its increased power is appreciated, but for sheetgoods it's heavier, needs more room on the rails and it's not as easy to get splinter free cuts in regular sheetgoods (or other thin stock).

I personally hate ripping thin stock with a track saw, sheet goods are ok but something like a ripping a 2 x 4 in half gets annoying quickly. I'm just a home remodeler doing my own home and can't justify the expense or space for a table saw but I would love to add a DeWalt Dwe7491 portable contractor saw, it seems like it would be an ideal combo. With a custom miter fence (I hear the included one sucks) you could probably forego the miter saw completely.

 

[chrisrosenb]

I have been earning my living from remodeling & woodworking since 1975. I got my first Festools in 2007. I started with sanders for the shop because of the great dust collection.

This was the order I purchased the rest for remodeling. TS55 & MFT, although I have never used the MFT as a cutting table. I prefer saw horses & a job site table saw. Dust extractor, Kapex, RAS 115 sander, this replaced a belt sander for scribing, dust extractors, jig saw, drills, HK 55 saw. Last year I purchased cordless TS 55 & HK55 saws for my work truck. 

Festool extended my life in the remodeling business by several years. They have made so many jobs easier & cleaner.

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks for replies some helpful info!  I was just looking into those zip walls last week lol...  Planning on picking up a set before next project as I will also be applying some ceiling and wall texture on repairs.

 

[mrFinpgh]

Thanks.  Good info.  I have to look more into the Mafell you're not the first to recommend that over Festool.  I haven't even used my Festool purchase yet but everything seems awesome.  I'm sure I won't be disappointed.  Primary concern right now is with dust collection.  I have a job lined up on a very historic house that is occupied and full of historic memorabilia and family heirlooms.  Mostly repairs to water damaged ceilings and walls and some floor work.

Sounds like a buildclean would be a great purchase for dealing with the airborne dust.

The tracksaw does a great job with removing a precise section of floor.  You'll still have all the debris/dust from pulling the floor up but at least the cuts were clean.  I have the TS55 and it can cause the breaker to trip if you're running it through the vacuum on a 15a circuit.  I hear good things about the TSC, but have never tried breaking down 10 sheets of Melamine to see if the battery life holds up.

For damaged plaster, I'm not sure it's the best choice.  Particularly if that plaster has asbestos in it or lead on it.  I think a hudson sprayer + some sharp chisels/hatchets may give you a better time removing it and containing the dust. 

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks.  Good info.  I have to look more into the Mafell you're not the first to recommend that over Festool.  I haven't even used my Festool purchase yet but everything seems awesome.  I'm sure I won't be disappointed.  Primary concern right now is with dust collection.  I have a job lined up on a very historic house that is occupied and full of historic memorabilia and family heirlooms.  Mostly repairs to water damaged ceilings and walls and some floor work.

Sounds like a buildclean would be a great purchase for dealing with the airborne dust.

The tracksaw does a great job with removing a precise section of floor.  You'll still have all the debris/dust from pulling the floor up but at least the cuts were clean.  I have the TS55 and it can cause the breaker to trip if you're running it through the vacuum on a 15a circuit.  I hear good things about the TSC, but have never tried breaking down 10 sheets of Melamine to see if the battery life holds up.

For damaged plaster, I'm not sure it's the best choice.  Particularly if that plaster has asbestos in it or lead on it.  I think a hudson sprayer + some sharp chisels/hatchets may give you a better time removing it and containing the dust.

Oh no, I wouldn't use track saw for any plaster removal.  Thanks for heads up about BuildClean I hadn't heard of that before.  Looked at some of the videos it seems like a pretty good product.  I just might get one of those too! 

 

[Laminator]

I've had a buildclean for almost a year now an it is great. I used one or two jet AFS400 air filters for over 10 years and the buildclean is just far superior although more expensive.
Dust extraction on the track saw is almost total with a good backer sheet.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Chris

When I bought my first bunch of Festool tools I had the Kapex 120, TS55, CT26, Domino 500 and the RO90 sander. I have since added the CXS and PDC drill drivers, several sanders and especially the ETS EC 150, te OF1010,1400 and 2200  and various smaller items. I could not manage without my CMS - OF (with my OF1400) or the CMS-TS with a TS55.

I also bought the MFT3 but would have to think hard about getting the MW1000 instead.

The non Festool kit must include some bench dogs and there are many on offer from Qwas, Veritas and Axminster. The MFT3 is a great work bench for jig work but you might like to see what Ron Paulk has to say about benches and the way to create tops.

If you want to browse other kit then do look at TSO for their wide range of clever add-ons and also Axminster here in the UK.

Peter