Free Festools

[marrt]

I've noticed that several people across the web seem to have a "special" relationship with Festool.  I recently built a new shop.  So, here's my question...if I were to start a website and commit to writing glowing Tool Reviews about Festool, create "manuals" showing how to use the products more effectively, document before and after projects showing the use and benefits of Festool, post videos of projects where Festools are used exclusively (Wood Whisperer-like), etc...can I be sponsored by Festool?  I'd like to have a shop full of "loaner" Festools that I don't have to return unless asked.  And since the tools are loaners and still officially owned by Festool, I wouldn't face any ethical issues, correct?  I can't afford Festools otherwise right now (see comment about new shop).  Is this possible?     

 

[mastercabman]

That would be nice!!!!!!

Put me down!

 

[erikfsn]

Sounds like a lot of work. You could probably put in a fraction of the time in paid work
and buy the tools outright.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Sounds like a lot of work. You could probably put in a fraction of the time in paid work
and buy the tools outright.

That's exactly what I was about to say.  Producing good documentation about tools ands their use is a skill that not many people have.  I am sure that the so called "free" tools do not compensate people like John Lucas, Jerry Work, Rick Christopherson, and Brice Burrell nearly as much as the value that these folks have provided to the woodworking community and to Festool.

 

[Jim Becker]

Sounds like a lot of work. You could probably put in a fraction of the time in paid work
and buy the tools outright.

Exactly. There ain't no such thing as a "free lunch" when it comes to this kind of thing. Those folks probably paid well over retail when you place a representative value on their time and effort in producing the documents, etc.

And speaking from experience, I did get a pre-release Festool product to play with for a weekend...and had to give it back when I was done writing my review. And, of course, I subsequently bought my own at regular price since I felt I could not be without it. It was a very good sales technique to use on me. LOL

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

These guys are exactly right about the price they have really paid for the tools.

And if you get creative you can use tools to make the money to pay for the tools and even more tools...

Learn to think in terms of "how can I" instead of "I can't"....

Best,
Todd

 

[JeromeM]

I've noticed that several people across the web seem to have a "special" relationship with Festool.  I recently built a new shop.  So, here's my question...if I were to start a website and commit to writing glowing Tool Reviews about Festool, create "manuals" showing how to use the products more effectively, document before and after projects showing the use and benefits of Festool, post videos of projects where Festools are used exclusively (Wood Whisperer-like), etc...can I be sponsored by Festool?  I'd like to have a shop full of "loaner" Festools that I don't have to return unless asked.  And since the tools are loaners and still officially owned by Festool, I wouldn't face any ethical issues, correct?  I can't afford Festools otherwise right now (see comment about new shop).  Is this possible?     

I think that true not 'glowing Tool Reviews' would be needed. And I would guess that you need to have the website traffic first. So it would probably be 1 or 2 years before you got any "loaner" Festools (if ever).  ??? And though I have no insider knowledge I guess that most "loaner" Festools are on a limited time loan.

So it is easier and faster to earn the cash than try your system 

There is no such thing as a free lunch

 

[nickao]

Without building up a reputation what you say about the tool means diddly anyway. I do not care how thorough the review is I have disagreed with many reviewers though the specs they gave were correct and now have a feel for which reviewers think like I do.

More than web hits is the good reputation you need build up so people actually read and listen to you and even agree with you to a certain extent.

Why do so many people say its so tough to get web traffic?

If you have money just get adwords and beat the top bidder ,you will be on the first page. Heck google even tells me what I have to bid to get on the top page. Of course organic search is different it does take time. Its not the web traffic per se but the quality of the traffic which comes through their site, their age, sex, propensity to purchase tools, etc, that matters to sellers.

I would rather have 50 people a day come through that actually seeked me out than 1500 per day that just clicked because an ad was up on some site they were already on that had nothing to do with what I was selling or reviewing, etc.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I wholly concur with those who recognize that it takes talent to write a good tool review.  First, they have to know how to do a good tool review.  That means they need to know something about tools and what people who may be interested in the particular tool under review are likely to want to know.  In other words, anticipating the questions many potentially interested buyers want to have answered.  Second, they have to know how to write well.  That, too, can mean different things to different people, and definitely means different things in different types of writing.  Writing a contract, a patent application or a will is very different than writing a novel, a play, a news brief is very different than writing a tool review.  But I think it means, clear, concise, comprehensive and at least interesting, if not also entertaining.  As in any human activity, some are much better at it than most others.  Not many can do what Rick C., Jerry W., John L. and Brice B. can do, although there have certainly been excellent reviews of certain Festool products by Matthew S. and Bill E. as well.  And far fewer can say as much in as few words and be as entertaining as the one and only Per S.

Dave R.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Sounds like a lot of work. You could probably put in a fraction of the time in paid work
and buy the tools outright.

Well, that's pretty much an understatement. I've put in many hours here and on my site that far out value that of the tools I've gotten from Festool for "free".

 

[honeydoman]

i have written several articles for magizines and have received a few free tools even a set up that was about a $900 value that I still use and have....  it is not easy to get to do this as most tool companies already have several people lined up that they use for reviews etc.  ethical?  hey if the tool is great I say so... if it sucks I say that too.

companies respect that, might get pissed but hey make a better tool.  no reason to bs or constructions buddies.  I am aware that most reviews do not go to the suck side aas the companies also pay for advertising in these magizines so the reviewers dance around issues instead of just saying it like it is.

but of the aqbout 50 gran in tools that I own I have paid for 98% of them from hard work and depriving my family of clothes, shoes, etc.......... lol

but when you are a professional you got to have tools,  I have tools, lots of 3 of the same for back up etc.  but WTF  that why I do this buisiness so I can buy the tools and use them!

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Do Tom Silva do paid reviews?  He seems to be using more and more Festools in his "This Old House" programs, and he seems to have nearly every tool known to mankind, and how to use them.  I'm thinking of his $1000s coping machine and his W&H molding machines as some examples.  I get the impression that he gets and uses whatever works.  Undoubtedly, due to the success of that TV series he gets "offers" and "freebies" from tool companies in the hope he will use them in a program and thus the company gets free promotion of its products.  As I recall, on one of his programs I saw him using a track saw before I knew of Festool.  If I was a pro, I would want whatever tools I thought made me money by enabling me to do whatever work I had more quickly, of higher quality with greatest safety and least fudging, rework and messes to clean up, and I would want them to be durable and reliable.

Dave R.

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

With the reputation they have built up from the years on TOH the Silva brothers probably can pick and choose which jobs they want to take on and make a good buck doing the work too.  I am sure they have all the money they need to get the tools that they to do any job.  They may also get some freebees but I guess they only use the tools that they want and that get the job done. 

I have seen Norm use the molder on NYW a few times, but the one tool I never recall seeing him use is the Delta shaper even though it is right there in the background each week.  Of course Norm usually turns to the router table which more guys are likely to own and relate to, but I would like to see more people exposed to the capabilities of a shaper.

Best,
Todd

 

[ThomasC]

I'm pretty sure I saw Tom Silva using a Kapex quite awhile before it became available in NA.  One benefit he does receive is access to some otherwise unaccessible equipment.  Just a thought.

Tom

 

[Jim Becker]

Tom Silva had to be sold on Festool before he started using them. That took some work on the part of the particular dealer who started the relationship...

 

[Hoover]

From what I've heard, most of the time people do reviews, they must return the tools when they are finished.

Tom Silva bought most all his original festools from Bob Marino.  Those ones I don't think were seen on "this old house" since that show rarely allows anything in camera range that isn't giving them money.  He did get the Kapex early and now they show festools a lot.  I don't know how the relationship is now but I would guess there is some type of agreement between festool and TOH (may or may not be with Tom Silva) because TOH is all about product placement.  Just like the off shoot show "new yankee workshop" using all delta and porter cable for the most part.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

And Hometime showing off Rigid brand, and Extreme Makeover showing off Sears/Craftsman.  Note they all get the jobs done.

Dave R.

 

[honeydoman]

on those shows they never mention the name of the tools or usually never show the name on the tool....since tools are all color coded we can usually figure out which ones they are using. and since they are using them... we usually go and buy them.  if they actually endorse the tool and say the name.... major bucks have to be paid to toh I think.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I understand the not-so-subtle product placement marketing strategy.  That has been used by companies in many Hollywood movies, too.  Like Goodyear's role in Grand Prix, although at that time, Goodyear was a major player in the that category of racing.  Ford Mustang in the Bullet movie.  And BMW and Aston Martin in the James Bond movies.  And the beverage companies in movies.

What bugs me is PBS' solicitation of money from the government (our tax dollars at work?), planting of sponsors products in the programs and additionally including several minutes of nearly ordinary commercials as well.  The average length of true programming seems to be steadily falling as more and more commercials are inserted.  Why don't they just go commercial like the other stations and cut the ruse?

Notwithstanding my griping above, I don't mind DIY programs that show various tools in use.  What better way is there to demonstrate how various products can be used to accomplish various tasks?

Dave R.

 

[mastercabman]

.... Note they all get the jobs done.

Dave R.

Keep in mind,it's television!!!!