Lots of good advice here. I think your space considerations are the first thing to consider. If you are very limited, then hand-powered tools gives you the ability to store them in a small space when not in use.
The advice [member=21249]RKA[/member] gave on doubling cost to account for accessories is spot on - but one advantage to Festool I have found is that the accessories is one area where they clearly differentiate themselves - having things to make the tool more multi-use or to perform a job better is one of the things I appreciate about the brand.
For example, Festool Drills I think are some of the best out there - two designs (C-handle and T handle) along with the finesse of the trigger is better than many other brands, battery life is great and the accessory chucks give you the capability of several tools or a tool that fits the application in one package. Does it cost more than the other brands? In many cases, yes. Does it provide me with enough value to justify the cost? Again, for me, yes. Having a right angle drill, an eccentric offset drill, regular Jacobs chuck, the Centrotec chuck, and depth-stop chuck and socket chuck (should I need either one) with one body in an 18V package is great. YMMV.
Dust collection of most Festool tools is better than anything else on the market - other brands are playing catch-up, but it works well for most tools.
Personally I love the MFT/3 - I think this is my most used tool in the shop - others disagree. Yes, you can make a top - but having one work out of the box and store compactly provides value to me.
I think that there are 7 core tools for a hand-powered world to consider (and you can substitute brands) in the order I would purchase them. I also do not include the extractor or work-bench (i.e. MFT/3) in this core 6, even though if you opt for Ferstool, they are indeed considered "tools":
1. Jigsaw - I would opt for Trion or Cordless Carvex if Festool - but other brands are also good here. I have owned and used them all - and currently I use Bosch and Mafell. I have been thinking about adding a cordless Carvex (I sold my corded version) and of the FT jigsaws, I really like the Trion as it was smooth and powerful. I think a jigsaw is the most versatile saw you can own - you can rip and crosscut with one and you can cut curves and other joinery. It takes some practice to get comfortable using one and to get good results, but this is a tool I think every woodworker needs and a good starting tool. I have made furniture with nothing more than a jigsaw, router, sander and drill. Not the fastest method by any means and you need to account for extra work massaging the cuts in some instances, but they can be surprisingly accurate with some practice and the right blade. The good ones (Bosch, Mafell, Festool) allow integration with the guide rails - so you can get accurate straight rip-cuts, just not as fast as a track saw.
2. Drill - I love the "C" and "T" Festool drills - my go-to is the "C" 18 . Other's swear by the CXS or TXS - I have a TXS and love it for smaller work, but it does not have the oomph to be your only drill/driver in my opinion.
3. Sander #1 - I think that it is tough to be the versatility of the Rotex-style sanders - aggressive and fine sanding in one machine is great. Takes some practice to get the hang of using it and it is heavier than other RO sanders, but to me the versatility provides value. I like both 5 inch and 6 inch versions of the tool.
4. Sander #2 - a delta head sander - the DTS 400 is a gem and one of my favorites for all kinds of work where an orbital excels - edges of stock, along the sides of cabinets, etc... It also gets into corners, which is extremely helpful. OR the Rotex 90 - this is a great sander because of the versatility of changing heads between round and delta - I love this sander and the small round pad is the perfect size for face frames and for sanding into smaller areas - like contours of a seat, for example. It would be a tough call for me to choose between the two of these for this capability - I lean toward the RO90 just because of the added versatility of switching between round and Delta heads.
5. Router - the DC is what really separates Festool from the rest of the brands. I have owned and use most of what is out there and I prefer my FT routers over anything else. The 1400 is a good all-around size that will handle most things you need in a router. My favorite is the big OF2200, but I would not start out with that one. The OF1010 is awesome for more hand-held tasks - but you are limited to 8mm and 1/4 shank bits - not a huge deal, but something to consider if you go the FT route. I think that rail-guided routing is awesome and there are numerous accessories that integrate with the machines adding to the versatility as the need arises.
6. Track saw - 55 (better suited to sheet-goods, 4/4 hardwood, lighter, less powerful; cordless TSC in FT version is AWESOME) or 75 (better suited to thick hardwood, heavier, more powerful). I really like the HK series saw for hardwood - having the cross-cut rail and being able to use standard guide rails is a plus. The rip guide I think is awesome - and you can get accurate and repeatable rips off the rail. Dust collection is not as good as a traditional track saw, but again, the versatility of what it can do is really good in my opinion. I have been using my HK saws more than my track saws. If I did mostly sheet goods, then the track saw is the better tool. I work most solid wood and the HK has really been working out well for me.
7. Domino - I think that the XL is an engineering marvel and great for bigger furniture. However, I use the 500 much more and it works great for most smaller pieces and other things like cabinets and frames. You can buy adapters for the XL to allow it to take smaller bits, but I think the 500 is better suited to the task. While I like the XL better, I would choose the 500 if I could only have one. Keep in mind that you can accomplish much of what the Domino does with a router or a drill using dowels and making your own tenon stock or you can buy metric-sized router bits and use the router and buy Dominos as a workaround. If this is a hobby and time is not as critical, then this would be a workaround. I have made lots and lots of furniture and cabinets long before Dominos were around - so while using one is awesome and saves a ton of time and effort, it is not critical to have one. I have not been disappointed with mine and I would not be without one today, however.
Hope this helps!
