Folding FESTOOL Outdoor Work Canopy

[spikfot]

"I setup my Robland X31 onsite"
I just had to write that out to see how it felt.

On site stair work makes for a heavy toolbox. No doubt about it.
Thanks to Festool, I've gotten away with it minus any heavy equip so far:
The CS70, an MFS System, Incra LS Sys. CT, 3 routers, 2 planers, 4 sanders and a whole lot more make it possible.

I have considered a tandem 5th wheel trailer lined with solar cells and pop-outs on both sides.

 

[stairman]

You use an x31 too, William?
I use the daylights out of mine!  I originally bought it to replace several machines I no longer had room for,  but last year I decided to rig up a small flat trailer so  it could be transported easily.  -it doesn't come off the trailer...  rather, I use it on the trailer as a sort of platform...
If I could get my hands on a Festool CMS system, that would solve for all but full on millwork,  and I would probably never take it out of the shop again,  but for now, it's what I have and the way I have it setup does work very well...
I intend to step up (WAYYY UP!)  to either a Felder or a Knapp once work picks up and is stable once again.

For you guys in Europe,  are European Combinations the norm there?  A lot of the marketing I see insinuates Combination machines are the status quo throughout Europe, and I was just wondering if there is truth in that?

 

[spikfot]

No, Just the set up I mentioned- plus the Domino and MFT, Those are actually crucial.
Most Kombis I've used would need to be recalibrated after a trip on a trailer.
3xKombi machines seem to have peaked in sales in the last decade. I have used them- but personally- I would only have a separate planer. The idea of the shaper built into the TS is very workable for most shops of limited space, and a huge bonus with a feeder.
Large horizontal panel saws have a lot of dead space by design. A shaper also fills that void nicely.  The Felder sleds are bombproof. One must try to appreciate.

I don't own any Felder machines yet...but it's only a matter of time...

 

[SteveC]

I have been considering a 10' x 10' or 12' x 12' for several years. But I work alone and from  what has been said they are hard for one person to set up  ?

As far as a Festool one goes, one more requirement..........   must fit in a Systainer.  [smile]

Seth

I have a 10 x 10 from Sports Authority. Solo setup requires lifting 3 legs off the ground while pulling open frame and working each one a little at a time in a circular pattern.

 

[JLB builders LLC]

I have been considering a 10' x 10' or 12' x 12' for several years. But I work alone and from  what has been said they are hard for one person to set up  ?

As far as a Festool one goes, one more requirement..........   must fit in a Systainer.  [smile]

Seth

I have a 10 x 10 from Sports Authority. Solo setup requires lifting 3 legs off the ground while pulling open frame and working each one a little at a time in a circular pattern.

I do the 12x12 by myself also. Same way and for $99 I have more money for Festools I thought about having my Company name done on a banner for it but I get all my work by word of mouth even from people I haven't done work for and stay plenty busy in these slim times.

 

[stairman]

The tent canopy  plan is all sorted out,  I just need to come up with the $$$ for product + screenprinting + shipping.
FedEx will cost between $300 and $400,  shipping by sea only costs $55,  but it takes 35 days...

I have one of the $99 10x10 canopies,  and I wouldn't take it on a jobsite to represent myself...  it just loks cheap and ratty,  but this is because I have used it for many many things for a long time,  my kids have used it,  friends have borrowed it.  in fact, someone has it now IIRC..

the aluminum extruded frame + all the other nice-ness this one has is well worth the cost IMO,  and I am going to order one  as soon as I can easily spare the $  so I'll update this when the time comes and show pics when it arrives.

as for the portability,  the tent folds up and goes into it's own travel case dolly.  -like a pull along cart.
here's a photo of the mobility cart:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/482813492/hexagonal_aluminum_frame_pop_up_tent/showimage.html?newId=508639776&pn=3&pt=10&t=12&cids=10102646,50067997,213619283

and another with better photos of the tent I have chosen (although mine is black with a Festool Green stripe around the top.  -no "Festool" logos,  because...  -well,  because it is NOT a Festool product,  and while the Chinese company who makes them will print anything anyone pays them to ,  I have a problem with putting a name on something that it doesn't belong on...  anyway, here's the tent, and if you scroll down, you can see closeups of the frame + pitching instructions.  they call for 2 people, but the sales guy swears he can set these up by himself very easily, and that he is not a very big guy either...
we'll see!  in any case,  I think these are a far cry from the econo steel frame with plastic joints cheapie popup tents everyone has used or owns,  don't you?

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/482813492/hexagonal_aluminum_frame_pop_up_tent.html
the conceptial design proofs look really good.
it will match my arsenal  very nicely  8)

 

[Steve R]

Been watching this thread for some time... just have to ask is this a solution to problem that does not exist?  You can buy these canopies everywhere...  They are cheap and last till the first High wind event. 

If I need one they are sold close to me.... being that Festool doesn't make them....

Sorry just confused about what and why.... would I want or need to have a one....  Oh wait .... my clothing supplier is calling about my Festool Green work pants.....NOT!

Cheers and happy holidays,
Steve

 

[stairman]

sure, you can buy the cheap ones everywhere.  I have found two in dumpsters just this past year...
so:  "kick a garbage can and a couple fall out" is appropriate!  [tongue]

the high end ones with anodized hexagonal aluminum frames and screen printed canopy tops/sides...
those are not available anywhere unless you order one.
and ordering ONE costs quite a lot...

gotta get 10-15 for the initial order and ship by sea.
otherwise, they aren't cost effective.

this probably is the wrong time of the year to have mentioned this.
I live in FL where we work outside year round.

most of the country is experiencing honest to God WINTER,  so having a really nice color coordinated canopy to setup over your $25k tool rig isn't really a need right now.
once Spring gets a little closer,  perhaps some others might want one???

Happy and safe Holiday to all.
Kyle