FUN TIME What is the most useless expensive festool tool/accessory you have ever bought

Pixel

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I will start with the CMS Jigsaw Module. I bought the CMS VL to overcome a problem along with the CMS TS55 module, on completion sold the TS55 module and was left with a table with a big hole in it. My local supplier suggested that the cheapest method to infill the hole was the Jigsaw module, 200€ for a piece of aluminium with a 3" hole cut in it is daylight robbery. My curiosity overcame me one day and I fitted a jigsaw to the plate and tried it out, 200€ for a aluminium plate is robbery but with the jig saw fitted it is a joke.
 
I have some Festool products that I seldom use (planer, 2200 router, linear sander), but when I need them, they are wonderful. I bought them knowing they were specialized tools and that they would see little use. I've avoided buying an expensive and useless Festool product.

However, I have more than a few very expensive shotguns in the gun safe that were BIG mistakes.

The only Festool product I've bought that was a disappointment was the tape measure. I never use it.

On the there hand I've been stunned how often I use both Dominos (500 & 700), the little CSX drill, and the big T18 drill.
 
pugilato said:
The CXS... doesn't have power or battery life to be useful.

Everyone's use case is different. For me, the CSX is my goto drill for 80% of my needs. I recently picked up a C15 and love it but for most applications, my CSX more than fills the need. Adequate power and very lightweight make it the most used tool in my Festool arsenal. And when the circumstances require, the C15 is ready to go.
 
I love my CXS.. Tool for every job imop. I have the Milwaukee fuel hammer and impact kit for the jobs they require. But when I'm installing cabinet hardware or just drilling holes in soft or plywood you cant beet the ergonomics and light weight of the CXS.

I don't have many Festools but so far i use my jigsaw accessory kit the least..
 
I don't really have any that are completely useless. I never buy on impulse, I never have the money to burn away on mistakes so when I need something I do quite some research to make sure I get the most bang out of my buck.

Some things I paid for but don't really get used much are all the extensions on my CS70, like the side table, outfeed table and especially the rolling slider. Those are just big lumps of aluminium that are mostly in my way, collecting dust. But they are worth more than I paid for, so they're sort of an investment as I see it, and that's never useless.

Same for the used EHL 65 planer I bought 3 years ago. Maybe used it 10 times in all, but when I needed, it was sort of the best and only way to do the job. Bought it for 70, put €20 replacement parts in it, and can sell it for 150 if needed. So perhaps little used, but definitely not useless at all.
 
 
Got to be the guide rail attachment for the jigsaw. I bought it in case I wanted to rip timbers too thick for my ts55 and intended to use my jigsaw.

I haven't used it yet. Two years and counting but not a very expensive mistake.
 
The only useless Festoy i have bought, I don't remember what it cost.  I have made adjustments and have read discussions about, but in my shop, it is completely useless.  The FS-KS angle guide.  I did figure a way to tighten it so the angle does not slip, but then discovered the marking is off by 1.5º.  Even when tightened using extra washers, it will slip.  Every now and again, I take it to and try to figure another idea to tighten and then I decide it is not worth the effort as it is off in its markings any how.

The biggest surprise has been that little CXS drill.  That is used almost as much as my TS 55.  The HL 850 does not get used very often, but when I need it, it is worth every penny.
Tinker
 
As far as useless goes ... I do have the stand for using the HL850 upside down, but haven't got round to buying the HL850 yet. So that fits the classification of useless - till I make it of use [wink]

Can't see why the OP is so down on the CMS module for the jigsaw - it works as intended. Why you wouldn't just sell the VL at the same time as the CMS TS module befuddles me [huh]

It would also have been practical to fabricate an MDF insert yourself for the VL.

I want to make my Fein multitool useless with a new Vecturo ...c'mon Festool Oz - get your act together!!!

 
I have to agree with others about the cxs, it's my goto drill also.  I bought two non-festool cxs batteries for $67, so I have 4 batteries now.  Once it dies throw another charged one in and the dead one immediately goes in the charger.  If swapping batteries is a chore I must be a gluten for punishment. But it's the most comfortable and ergonomic drill ever, and serves 90 percent of my drill needs.  If I want a heavy bulky drill which lasts forever I'll grab the bigger drill.

My cms set is by far the most expensive and less used, but it always is there when I need it which is why I bought it, and I can take it with me to a job.  FESTOOL USA PLEASE GIVE US OUR MODULES!  Anyway,  having remorse over a festool purchase is typically remedied when something comes along and you say thank goodness I bought that.  If you don't make dust very offer though, I understand why someone would be kicking themselves. But every festool bought just makes good eye candy sitting around so you got that goin for you :D
 
Kev said:
As far as useless goes ... I do have the stand for using the HL850 upside down, but haven't got round to buying the HL850 yet. So that fits the classification of useless - till I make it of use [wink]

Can't see why the OP is so down on the CMS module for the jigsaw - it works as intended. Why you wouldn't just sell the VL at the same time as the CMS TS module befuddles me [huh]

It would also have been practical to fabricate an MDF insert yourself for the VL.

I want to make my Fein multitool useless with a new Vecturo ...c'mon Festool Oz - get your act together!!!

Kev, you have to go and see this thing in operation, it is a joke and as far as its intended use, what is its intended use.
I was going to sell the VL but I discovered if I fastened it to my CS70 I could then fasten it to an MFT thus getting over the other problem of using the CS70 as a xcut saw and giving me a larger surface to rest the timber on.
 
After thinking hard on this one the Dx93 was the only buy that I regret, not that it doesn't do it's job well is that I prefer the DTS 400. It truly became a lost cause when RO90 came out a couple of months later.

I prefer to use my old Porter cable sander that has all of these small profile heads that permit me to get into small places then the Dx 93 all of the other jobs is handle by the RO 90 and DTS 400.

I will disagree the CXS is my prefer drill as it's ergonomics and weight/power ratio is absolutely perfect. I have the T15 that rarely comes out and a heavy duty Panasonic that rarely see the light anymore. I take off light fixture covers to building decks with the CXS
biggest problem with it is that I am always sitting on it because I forget it is hanging off my back pocket.

Festool measurement tape is my number 1 tape followed by the 6m Tallmeter. These tape are perfectly calibrated to my UG stand and CMS TS55 module. I learned to use the Festool tape to it's full advantage during a class in Las Vegas with Steve and it makes trimming out windows and cabinet building a breeze.
 
Jaybolishes said:
I have to agree with others about the cxs, it's my goto drill also.  I bought two non-festool cxs batteries for $67, so I have 4 batteries now.  Once it dies throw another charged one in and the dead one immediately goes in the charger.

Where did you get the non-Festool batteries?
 
eBay, I think I got mine over a year ago or more.
 

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my domino:( I know don't hate too bad.. I know people like them but I just don't build stuff like that frequently My biggest surprise has been the Syslite. I was laughing saying who would pay that much for a flash light, Wow I was wrong So so wrong that I now have 2!
 
Surfix. Sold it after a couple of months as it is really only any use on large flat surfaces and even then a 4"  foam roller with osmo is quicker.
 
Well I have the CMS with 3 of the modules They all serve a important purpose and are all used.

Now as far as unless Festool, I purchased.

It depends.

Thats not the answer you want, but in my case I buy for versatility and convenience. I dont really have any useless tools. I do have tools that I dont use that often. But IMO Id rather have a tool and not need it then to need a tool and not have it. That means I may not use it everyday but I got it when i do need it.
 
So far the CMS VL has been completely useless fallowed by the sliding table accessory which I have never used once.

Then my most expensive and pretty useless but also totally crap bit of kit is the Kapex MFT stand set.

I set that thing up once and have never used it since must be 3-4years ago now.
The amount of parts required is ridiculous you need a bag to carry it all.  Then carrying the KAPEX then MFT bench then a bag of bits and then the arm extensions and then leg supports........... Then spend 10+ minutes putting it all together. 

Brilliant when the job you was working on was up two flights of stairs.

 
jmbfestool said:
So far the CMS VL has been completely useless fallowed by the sliding table accessory which I have never used once.

Then my most expensive and pretty useless but also totally crap bit of kit is the Kapex MFT stand set.

I set that thing up once and have never used it since must be 3-4years ago now.
The amount of parts required is ridiculous you need a bag to carry it all.  Then carrying the KAPEX then MFT bench then a bag of bits and then the arm extensions and then leg supports........... Then spend 10+ minutes putting it all together. 

Brilliant when the job you was working on was up two flights of stairs.

Aw JMB, I am sure that with all of the laborsaving equipment you have, you really need the exercise. [poke]
Tinker
 
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