frustrated "FNG" (Friggin' New Guy...)

[stevelf]

OK, well, long story made short...I'm like 1/4 down the slippery green descent into woodworking bliss, when my 81 yr. old Mom calls me after seeing some wood TV show. She calmly informs me that she wants to buy me my next "dream tool". She specifically mentions Festool because she knows I've been raving ( yes, in that good raving way...) about this company that makes tools that I'm all fired-up about. And did I mention that she says, " And I'm not talking about some $200. tool!' ? Now my Mom is not a gazzillionaire and this was quite a surprise because she generally is totally tight with $$$$.
  I am a finish guy, independent and nomadic. I am currently in Sonoma, CA. , working at a friend's old house here. I am satisfied with my Makita CMBS, I don't remember the model, you know it, the 1013, or whatever...,coupled with the beautiful 7+ foot sawhelpers on each side.
And I have been the happy owner of the Domino/ planer/ and 22 vac since last year.
  OK, so I'm thinking kapex  Kapex  KAPEX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then it's internet research time..I see that Sawhelper sells a simple adaptor for the Kapex so I can continue to use the sawhelpers. 
  And then I admit I got Kapex- spooked from people's Kapex stuff, plus I figured I already HAVE a good, basic heart of my system CMBS, and, so I went in the direction of the 55/ 75 plus the 32'/ 55'/ 75' rails, and the wonderful jointer set -up fot the Festool planer.
  And now I am working with ironwood and just happen to not need any saw/rail-type applications right now. No cabinets to build , no sheet goods to cut... And I'm thinking of all the times in the last years that this darn system would have made my life so much easier...!!!
So there lies my frustration---no immediate need for my new purchases!  Aaaarghhh!!!!

 

[gkeas]

I have all of the above.  I'd say that if you have a good SCMS, you're not going to miss the Kapex unless you do a lot of trim inside where dust collection would be a big selling point.

The TSxx is what led me down the slope in a rapid fashion.  No other tool has so greatly improved my results.

my $.02

Either way, you really can't go wrong.

 

[nickao]

If you do not have an RO 150 I would jump on that too, especially if you have some Ironwood that needs sanding. That sander turned me into a Festool freak along with the MFT'S.

Are you talking "Lignum Vitae" called Ironwood in many areas?

Nickao

 

[stevelf]

Well, we kinda negotiated a $1,500. purchase, and I'm done on this Festool buying cycle.
For my uses, I have a large Ridgid random orbital. Connected to my CT-22 vac, things seem to work out pretty well.
  At this point, my next Festool purchase won't happen until an existing tool dies ( oh, pppllease !!!) Or am I just in denial ??

 

[nickao]

I had the Ridgid and the original, NOT made in China and was made by Metabo, you are talking about two different animals completely.

It may sound like I work for Festool, but if you have not used an RO 150 or an ETS 150/3 you never used a sander.

I do not know how I survived 20 years without the Festool sanders. So when you get the urge go for it.

Nick

 

[gkeas]

  At this point, my next Festool purchase won't happen until an existing tool dies ( oh, pppllease !!!) Or am I just in denial ??

Sounds like naivete more than denial ;D

*spelling error*

 

[mwhafner]

Nick is right.  I have owned them all, and the Festool sanding system is the best, period. 

Other manufacturers make great sanders, but the Festool system takes the prize. 

 

[stevelf]

NICE!  thanks for the replies ( although I'm still working on the "naivite"... 
  my new friends , I am a Festool-fan-to-the-max, so any prompting in a new FD (Festool Direction) is all good with/for me...
  for my particular purposes as an all-around finish carpenter, I'll generally orbit my joints and all to a (maximum) 220 grit, more normally 150. I really don't do much in the actual "finishing" of the surface w/ stains and such, as that has been the job of the custom painters that follow me..
  I look greatly forward to trying a Festool sander, and being educated!

 

[stevelf]

Nick, I just saw your question.... ironwood--
  This is a beautiful, if unforgiving, wood to work with and my first intro to it. I am working with 5/4  X  5  7/16  wood, also called Ipe (ironwood). Definitely (duh...!) likes to be pre-drilled !!  Beautiful color, somewhat similar to the darker teaks...
  I was actually thinking of the router set-up next in line, but, sheesh, I've got 6 routers already !! Remember, I am nomadic!

 

[nickao]

Ipe I use a lot too, don't call it ironwood around my area though. Hard as a rock. I do see a company calling their ipe "Iron wood" though, trade names always get everything mixed up.

They call Ipe Brazilian Walnut out here.

Lignum Vitae is much harder than Ipe, about 30% harder if you can believe it:

Lignum Vitae

Nick

 

[honeydoman]

I would have your mom get you the ts75, (extra power and depth) as it will trim a bottom off a door.  get the rail that comes with it, and the 108" rail for sheet goods, and if there is still money the 50" (close)  I can never remember the exact lengths.  and that will cover you for some time.  that way when you need it you will have it. as a professional things will come up all the time and you will be glad you have it.

as far as the kapex, use your makita for now, it works and works great, I have one also, I have taken back 4 kapex and  have none at this moment but it willl change tomorrow, as I am getting #5 that I have been again, promised is correct.  time will tell.

but that is what I think you should do.  or what about a fein multi master?  do you have one of those?

 

[keefer]

Steve,

Especially since you already have the vac, I have to agree with those suggesting sanders.  I have the 6" Ridgid sander you mentioned (German made version) and have not touched it since getting an RO150.  its a good sander (the Ridgid) but in my humble opinion doesn't even come close to the RO150.  I've also added a 125 and 150/3 and am looking at others.  They are truly fantastic sanders.  If you have the opportunity to try one out at a store I highly suggest it, or pick one up and if you don't think its an improvement, take advantage of the unconditional 30 day return policy.

If you do consider the saw, it sounds like the ts75 would be a better choice for you than the ts55.

Good luck!

 

[KMac]

Steve,

I'm a new convert to Festool like you and I have to agree with getting a sander as well. I have an RO125 and used it on a job for the first time last week. It is amazing. Not only is it a great sander but the dust collection works so well. I was sanding in a customers home and there was no clean up needed afterward. Even after reading about it's virtues I still can't believe how well it actually worked.

I'm getting a router next...then a jig saw..then an MFT...then a.... then a....  ;D

 

[jaegerhund]

The RO 125 is an impressive sander.  The only Festools I own are sanders and the Mini CT.  I own the RO 125, Deltex 93 and RAS 115.  They are all good sanders but there is something substantial about the RO 125 that sets it above the others --- a good buy that I never question

Justin

 

[thraskots]

Are you talking "Lignum Vitae" called Ironwood in many areas?

Nickao

Ironwood is the wood that in Europe we usually call hornbeam. There is a relative "wiki" in the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbeam

 

[nickao]

That's why I prefer the scientific name, everyone , everywhere calls the wood something else.

Looking up the Janka rating on hornbeam it is less than 50%(1780) as hard as Ipe(3680) or Lignum Vitae(4500)

Hornbeam is:Carpinus caroliniana (one type in America also called ironwood)

Unless you are talking a different hornbeam I have found three kinds. Darn trade names!

 

[thraskots]

That's why I prefer the scientific name, everyone , everywhere calls the wood something else.

Looking up the Janka rating on hornbeam it is less than 50%(1780) as hard as Ipe(3680) or Lignum Vitae(4500)

Hornbeam is:Carpinus caroliniana (one type in America also called ironwood)

Unless you are talking a different hornbeam I have found three kinds. Darn trade names!

In fact after i posted the message i made a small search about "lignum vitae" too -which in my country is called "holly wood"  and do you know what i found?
...It is also called "ironwood" ...in some places . I totally agree with you. A good book with reference to wood species
with their scientific names is the only solution to that mess.

 

[nickao]

I put this post in its own thread to read it, the thread topic kind of got away from me and maybe we can start a collecting club or thread. Please go here:

Wood Collecting

Nickao