Getting into woodworking, starting the Festool collection. Opinions welcome.

[SS Teach]

Welcome to FOG. The first thing I would do is to make sure you have a high credit limit on the whatever card you are planning to use, then make sure your significant other understands the serious out go you are planning. Actually you might want to reverse one and two. As others have suggested get the tools you need for the current project. The TS 55 R is great and very useful. Many have made their own MFTs. You can buy an MFT top and build your own to fit your needs. Be very careful when it comes to sanders, before you know it you have five of them. I don't think I'm the only one that happened to. Good luck with your new hobby and enjoy.

 

[CWCarpentry]

Hi all I own a lot of festool all in 110v but since buying my first festool purchase, ts55, have been very underwhelmed with the lack of power 110v has to offer. I am now about to purchase the kapex and thinking about getting it in 240 volt. I have used a friends kapex in 110v and it seems massively underpowered again. Now my predicament is, do I buy the kapex in 240v and replace all my 110v with 240v?? Does any one have any experience with the two voltages and which offers more power. I run a development company and so all my work is domestic so can use either voltage. Thanks in advance for any help and info

 

[sancho57]

What size tranny do you us to power the tools ? I use a 3.3 KV and have no issues with them being under powered

 

[CWCarpentry]

I also use a 3.3 kva transformer. I have always noticed the festool 110v lacks power. I have used a friends makita plunge saw 110v and it has so much more power! With festool it always seems all about "how long are your leads " " what transformer are you using" " what blade are you using" just to try and get the saw to cut through any thing thicker than 22mm ply however in my makita skill saw 110v I could use which ever tranny I want with huge leads and a blade iv been using to cut anti skip decking at it would still have more than enough power to cut full depth in one pass!!

 

[Rustys]

I have a slightly different viewpoint on Festool and starting out. I finally made my first purchase and wish I had done it many years ago. I thought it was just a high priced tool and I could find the same at a cheaper price, which I have done. So I have spent a large sum of money on many different tools looking for a solid straight cutting tool. The cheaper tools require fiddling or accepting close as good enough. I like to build stuff and not fiddle or build jigs to do the same as something I could buy. My time is is worth money. I have also found that I never regret spending money on quality. I love the way Festool works as a system and I don't have to spend more time and money to make tools work together. No guess work. I purchased an MFT3 and had it up and running the first day. You can make one but again, it's time and money. Some call it a tax, I call it an investment. I can now focus on my projects and build faster with better accuracy. I would agree with your plan to purchase over two years and/or as project arise. Just some thoughts from someone who has been there and done that.

Russ

 

[petersd]

Well I kinda jumped in with both feet.
I now own:
-CT 36 with boom arm and a cleaning kit for the 35 mm hose.
-TS 55 and TS 75
-1400 router
-Carvex 420 barrel grip, with accessory kit
-RO 90 and RO 150, with a bunch of sandpaper.
-MFT/3 and a set of parf dogs
-Domino 500, with sustainer kit
-Few festool clamps for MFT and track saw rails

All I can say is that I'm pumped and can't wait to build some stuff  [big grin]

Next things will be the Kapex with UG cart set, Domino 700 and the list will go on.

 

[Mkholdings]

welcome!  and it was nice to met you at the festool road show 

 

[frigator]

Wow sounds like you're on the road to some good work working. I think you're crazy to buy a kapex.. Take that money and buy a dewalt chop saw off craigslist. Get a lunchbox planer, tablesaw and a 6 inch joiner. Your first project should be your workbench. You need to also stake claim to the entire garage. You will want and need more room as time goes by.

 

[jeh]

I'd avoid calling purchasing tools as "collecting" which is more closely associated with items like baseball cards, stamps, postcards, etc. You are going to use these tool to make stuff (I hope) and not admire. You will be happy with Festool, but don't get caught up in having all Festool. There are other tool manufactures are both higher and lower price points that are better choices than Festool. You will need a decent planer, joiner, and tablesaw at some point.

Back to your list:

• Kapex: overpriced when compared to the equivalent Bosch's and DeWalt's which are as good at significantly lower price points.
• UG Cart & Wings: Marginal quality at an insane price.
• Routers: Worth their cost. Avoid the trim router and save a bundle. The 1400 will take you a long ways. The 1010 and 2200 are awesome as well.
• Sanders: Worth their cost, but might want to consider one of the inline sanders versus to RO's.
• Parallel Guide set is unique, but a table saw will out perform it.
• 420 JigSaw: There are better options like the Mafell.
• GE Table: Massively over-priced with a crappy fence when compared to other setups. The sliding table is very nice though.
• MFT's and accessories are nice and functional and almost reasonably priced, but worth it.
• TS55 or TS75: Tough call. The TS55 is easier to move around and unless you need the larger cutting depth go with the TS55.
• Track saw rails: Get the 118" and not the 106" if you want to do cut plywood. Don't waste your time joining two rails together as the joining method is ripe for failure especially considering that are jigs for sale to help get it perfectly square. A longer rail completely avoids the joining hassle.

I have a Kapex, GE Table, and UG Cart so I am making an assessment based on my experience with them. I had a 420 before switching to a Mafell. I've used the parallel guide, but never owned one. The have and use the tools that I praised in my list.

 

[Holmz]

I put a Bosch rail on the MFT and use an MT55. It is pretty optimal and the rail dramas are gone. Of course then one considers the p1cc as it also fits the rail.

FT has some options for sanders as well as the domino and routers... But then if the 32-mm is a goal then you need a FT holey rail.

The idea of the jointer and planer are good, but in the short term one can probably find a way to outsource that initially (if it is too much of a plunge $ or space wise )