First tool for a small workshop?

[gshepherd]

I apologize and fully admit up front that I am green to woodworking. I have done a lot of research however (google, youtube, DIY forums, etc.)

I recently purchased a new house, and wanted to setup a small workshop to pursue my interests in woodworking. I would mainly like to be handy around the house and make things like: desks,  bookcases, picture frames, end tables, bed frames, molding, etc.

In terms of versatility it seems like festool offers the most on a per tool basis meaning each tool seems like it can do more than competitors tools.

I was thinking of starting out with one of the festool MFT/3 work tables, and the festool miter saw. Followed shortly thereafter with a  festool track saw, and then eventually a festool router.

I am mainly concerned with being able to do all I need to do in a small workspace.

All my items will need to be stored inside the garage off to the side, and pulled out when I want to work on something, which is why the worktables are very attractive, as is the miter saw, and track saw.

Can I do everything I want with these tools...

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[mouppe]

Have you decided to go down the power tool route or did you consider hand tools? It would be a shame to invest heavily in one and then migrate to the other.

My workshop is principally hand-tool focussed but I could not live without my tracksaw, domino, sanders or dust extractor. The router is useful every couple of months.

Whatever you decide, the festools are excellent value and won't let you down.

 

[SS Teach]

Mostly, You left out sanders and a CT. A Domino would be great for joining the projects you are talking about. Now lets talk accessories. If you're thinking repetitive cuts of sheet goods a parallel guide would be useful. For the book cases a LR 32 system would make it easier. Of course the Domino needs the Domino systainer full of Dominoes and bits. For the sanders keeping the sandpaper in systainers allows you to have all the papers in one spot next to your sanders. Since almost everything can be put in it's systainer and stacked, storage is simplified. Welcome to the slippery slope. You will enjoy working with Festools, sawing, sanding, routing, or using a Domino in a clean environment makes wood working even more enjoyable. Your lungs will appreciate also. I'm sure I left out things others will be happy add. Happy building. 

 

[gshepherd]

Have you decided to go down the power tool route or did you consider hand tools? It would be a shame to invest heavily in one and then migrate to the other.

My workshop is principally hand-tool focussed but I could not live without my tracksaw, domino, sanders or dust extractor. The router is useful every couple of months.

Whatever you decide, the festools are excellent value and won't let you down.

Thanks for your post! I love working with my hands, and my earliest memories of building things were without the aid of power tools. I would love to learn the craft of hand tools, and actually think some things would/could be easier, and more rewarding with hand tools. However, I think for making repetitive, repeatable, and precise cuts, I personally would need/desire the aid of quality power tools and a quality work area (tables, guides) that would promote precise repeatable cuts.

 

[gshepherd]

Since almost everything can be put in it's systainer and stacked, storage is simplified.

Yeah that is the other thing that is so appealing about festool... The systainers look like a great system! Also, all the accessories to extend the already impressive list of things each tool is capable of. It really seems like festool thinks of everything!

If you're thinking repetitive cuts of sheet goods a parallel guide would be useful.

Doesn't work table the MFT/3 contain a parallel guide already?

A slippery slope indeed!  [eek] Time to consolidate hobbies!  [wink]

 

[copcarcollector]

If you buy a tool and vac at the same time, you typically get 10% off the vac (in the USA), check your dealer for the details.

Have fun with whatever you end up buying.

 

[Birdhunter]

In Atlanta, there is a woodworking workshop that allows clients to use all sorts of hand and power tools on a per hour basis. The workshop provides skilled supervision.

That type of help or support from a local woodworker guild is a good starting point for a beginning woodworker.

Just to start out buying expensive tools can be a blind alley.

 

[gshepherd]

In Atlanta, there is a woodworking workshop that allows clients to use all sorts of hand and power tools on a per hour basis. The workshop provides skilled supervision.

That type of help or support from a local woodworker guild is a good starting point for a beginning woodworker.

Just to start out buying expensive tools can be a blind alley.

Thank you for your response... I actually pursued that route first, and the biggest and only real guild I could find in the Phoenix, Arizona area was for senior citizens only. Unfortunately I have another 20+ years until I qualify for their guild!  I was really bummed about that one! It is one thing to have nice tools, totally other thing to know how to properly use them!

 

[mo siopa]

I'd have to say the TS 55 (or 75 if you need to cut thicker material) and table first.  The saw will give you perfect edges ready for glue-up and you can do miters on the table with the angle guide and fence.  Skipping a miter saw, (for now- I have one and love it but it would not be my first purchase) will free up money for a router and LR 32, RO150, domino, CT, etc.  Whichever you feel is most necessary.

 

[ear3]

I wouldn't stop you from buying the kapex, but in terms of bang for the buck you might get more from the track saw first and a sander or domino. The track saw + mft combo will also duplicate a lot of work you might otherwise need a table saw to do.

You can get a pretty decent miter saw for a third of the price of the kapex, and apply the savings elsewhere,  then upgrade later if you want to.

 

[Holmz]

...
In terms of versatility it seems like festool offers the most on a per tool basis meaning each tool seems like it can do more than competitors tools.
...

Sometimes, but not always.
It is usually a safe bet if you make sure you are certain in the 30 day window.

The mention of handtools is sound.
You can get a miter saw which would do most of what you need, just not as fast.
One also needs a drill more
Often than not.

The vacuum and the MFT make a lot of sense.
You could make you own table, and there was a good
Example yesterday if you search for "torsion box" and 2 days.

With an MFT and a Track saw, you can do most things.
The other approach is a Craig's list compound miter saw. If you really fell in love with the concept you could always get a Kapex later.

By the time you get clamps and dogs, the MFT is $1000.
The track saw the same, after a few blades and tracks.
The vacuum with bags and filters, etc also is about the same.

If you are married, the vacuum should high on the list.

 

[Tinker]

If you are totally new to WW'ing, I don't think the Kapex should be high on your list.  I agree with others that you are headed in right direction in getting a MFT, new or used, with a track saw, either 55 or 75, first.  You can do everything with that combo and a dust collector (I have a CT 33 and a CT 22) that you can do with the Kapex and dust collector.  here are several great recommendations above about getting a miter saw first and upgrading to the slider in future. 

My first power tool (in the shop) was a Radial Arm Saw.  That was more versatile than my table saw and/or my SCMS.  I actually miss that more than my table saw.  I don't necessarily recommend the RAS, as many think it too dangerous.  I did a lot of work with it before getting a table saw and SCMS.  Now i have the Festoy MFT tables and TS 55, I can do anything I ever did with any of the three mentioned above, or even anything i could do with the combination.

I have found a bandsaw to be unreplacable.  I never dreamed i would find so many uses for it when i bought it.  I bought a cheeeepie and regret it.

Hand tools should not be discouraged.  you have experience with them, stick with them.  You will find the areas where you really want to expend to machines as you go along. Get machine toys as the need appears. 

I have to go now and play with my outside toys.  I started in with push mowers many moons ago.  Went to 42" gas powered to 48" gas powered to 54" gas powered to present 61" gas powered rider.  Had i started with the 61" way back when, i probably would have forced my way out of biz.  I worked up to it and it is great to know the 61" became affordable as i went along.  I have been 39 for a lot longer than i wasn't and I still enjoy going to work >>> sitting down

 

[Kev]

Get about twenty grand in cash and put it in a pile ... also, start a fire.

OK, now looking at the fire and the pile of cash - ask yourself "do I want to spend the money on tools or put it on the fire?"

Th fact is, in a couple of years time you'll realise that burning the initial pile of cash and never starting down this path would have made you better off.

Now that we've got that out of the way .. something like a KAPEX with the right blade, a router table setup, etc will have you knocking out some nice picture frames, etc ... Want to build a deck, KAPEX would be great. It all comes down to what you want to do. If money was no object I'd suggest getting the building the size of an aircraft hanger and filling it with every tool imaginable.

If you're a pragmatic person you will have projects in mind that will have an obvious impact on your tool choices, if you're impulsive ... reconsider and maybe burn the money [wink] [big grin]

 

[oldie]

My thoughts:
MFT with variety of dogs, track saw, RO90 + DTS400 sanders, dust extractor (Midi maybe). 
Handtools could, to start with, fill a lot of gaps.

Then take it from there. 
Would put Kapex on hold till you establish your needs and workflow; good chop-saw might do what you want initially. 

Agree with Tinker:  "One step at a time...)

Good luck
Richard (UK)

 

[leakyroof]

Th fact is, in a couple of years time you'll realise that burning the initial pile of cash and never starting down this path would have made you better off.

  Kev, why so bitter........ [wink]

 

[mouppe]

...

If you are married, the vacuum should high on the list.

I tried your suggestion but even the 36mm hose kept getting clogged up.

 

[SethThompson]

For the amount of money you're spending, I would get the track saw, extractor, and mft top. You'll be able to do a lot with those few tools.

 

[Birdhunter]

I did woodworking for 20 years without an MFT using a series of home build work benches. The MFT system is wonderful except there is no innate ability to mount a real woodworking vise.

If I were advising a new woodworker, I'd suggest he/she first build a good solid work bench incorporating a solid vise. Using an MFT top isn't a bad idea.

I'd suggest getting the TS55 saw with the longer guide rails for cutting plywood sheets down to size. A bench plane is very useful. A Domino 500 is a wonderful tool for the projects you describe. A T18 drill and a Festool vac. Would round out the basics.

 

[travisj]

In the US there is a 10% break on the MFT with any tool purchase.  Same 10% break on the extractor with any tool purchase.  It's worth loosely planning your purchases from that stand point.

 

[rvieceli]

Just to clarify (in the US):

the 10% discount on the MFT is ONLY available when purchased at the same time as one of the saws, the Kapex, the TS55 or the TS75.

You can also get the 10% off on the special MFT/Conturo table when you buy it at the same time as the Conturo.

The 10% discount on an extractor generally applies to an extractor and any tool with a cord bought at the same time.