Help on shopping list

[Bernard]

Hi guys,

this is my first post. I'm from singapore and am planning to make my first festool purchase. Most of us here live in highrise pigeon holes and the festool range is a godsend really (DC, putaway and storage). We're not known to be DIYers but i am.

As with most festoolians $$$ is the factor and i was wondering if i could buy it from the US and have it shipped here; perhaps with Bob coz it will probably save me few thousand dollars but if that doesn't work out then i'll have to go to the ONLY dealer in the country. He hasn't given me the price list(that'll be fun!!) but having looked the the Australian price list(which is close to what i'd expect); it's not going to be pretty

Well anyhow the list below is for the MFT , TS55 , OF1400 and the CT22. My dealer will have to have it shipped as well and my concern is if i do not have the right accessories, then i'll have to wait another 2 months for the next freight ; more pertinent is not having the satisfaction of using these tools just because i missed out on some key essentials !! I think i've got the TS55 and MFT covered( thanks to this forum) but not sure if i have the stuff for linking the CT22 and also wether i have the essentials for using the router right off the bat; never used a router before but i can see why i really need it.

Usage : cabinetry , wardrobes and anything else i will think off

You guys in the US dont' know how lucky you have it really when it comes to DIY options

Anyway here goes

Plunge-cut saw TS 55 EBQ-Plus-FS
-Universal saw blade 160x2,5x20 W28
-Splinterguard SP-TS 55/5
-Parallel side fence PA-TS 55
-Cover ABSA-TS 55
-Kickback stop FS-RSP
-Accessories SYSTAINER FS-SYS/2
Router OF 1400 EBQ-Plus
-Guide rail adapter FS-OF 1400
-Dust-extraction attachment AH-OF 1400
Multifunction table MFT 1080
-Fixed clamps MFT-SP
-Quick-action clamp FS-RAPID/1
-Adjustable stop MFT-AR
-Elongation Basis VL 700
Mobile dust extractor CTM 22 E SG
Connector FSV
Limit stop FS-FB
Guide rail FS 800/2

thanks a bunch for any help i can get especially if i could order it straight from the US

current power tool inventory
- couple of cordless drills
- ROS sander
- 5" Circ saw

festizen to be
i have dreams of holding the TS55 in my hand ( yep! ...i have it bad )
Bernard

 

[Eli]

The Aus prices are only a bit more when you do currency conversion and shipping. Do the same for Singapore and you'll have a good idea what fair prices would be. You could always become a dealer if there's only one ;D Your list looks good. You might want one longer guide rail. You can get the short rail with an MFT package. a 1400 or 1900 rail for the other one would be good. It really depends on your specific needs though. You might not be ripping down too many big sheets of ply in a high rise. Maybe consider the jigsaw.

 

[Bernard]

Thanks Eli,

noted, You're right on me needing a longer guide rail and the jigsaw will be a Christmas target  ;D. My current list will likely set me back 6-8K .

The MFT 1080 is ~$2.5K on the AUS site but $500 on the US site on last check ( comparing festool sites only ) so it is scary to think what i'll get from my dealer.

many thanks for your your input mate.

I did get my Bosch 36V and 10.8V from AUS though
B

 

[jonny round boy]

What voltage are you on in Singapore? I thought it was 220-240V 50Hz, in which case shipping from the states may be a problem as the tools would be 120V 60Hz.

That price differential on the MFT sounds highly excessive - are you sure it's correct?

 

[Frans]

Don't forget the bags for the vac. Also, a thicker hose might be nice to have, especially for the router.

 

[Eli]

Full boat MFT 1080 is AU$935 from my dealer. Excludes shipping to Singapore, but he will.http://www.idealtools.com.au/prod2145.htm

what voltage are you?

If you're ordering from the states look for a good router bit package. I got the Freud 13 piece 1/2" shank set from Amazon for 200+, they wanted 600 and change for it here in Aus.

 

[Bernard]

Hi guys ,

We use 220-240V but AUS tools are not a problem here , i have a few and have no issue and yes i forgot the bags!!!.
I still think the accessories are cheaper but i'll do a bit of scouring first

so as of now
- a longer rail
- bags
- maybe a bigger hose
- router bit set ..

Eli,

I might take you up on that offer and perhaps more..after i get the pricelist off my dealer . The MFT price is what i got off the festool.au site (image attached)

good stuff guys
thanks
B

 

[Eli]

so by my logic, I bet the singapore dealer will be asking between $1200-1400 Singapore dollars for an MFT 1080 with guide rail.

 

[Bernard]

Eli,

that sounds about right. I'll be sure to post the prices once i get them, may be of help to other closet festoolians in east asia..

I travel quite a bit to WA(perth) & Queensland. Any recommendations  ;D

B

 

[Bernard]

I also plan to cut 8ft sheets of acrylic/perspex between 5mm to 8mm . Do i need a a specific TS55 saw blade

 

[Eli]

For the TS55 cutting acrylic/plastic, you want blade 439 686 I think.
Haven't been to WA or Queensland yet. They're on the list (and it is a long list) of things to see here.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

If you aren't in love with your current sander, the Festool sanders are great, practically no dust!  And how about a Domino?

 

[semenza]

Hi, Bernard

        Looks like a great starting set up.

                      TS55  -
                          Comes with one kick back stop. You may still want a second to have both front and rear stops for things like plunge cuts and stopped dados if you get the router. The FS FB stop can do the same function as the Kick Back Stop as far as limiting travel distance on the guide Rail.

                          There is some deabte as to the usefulness of the Angle Unit that comes with the Accessory Kit. If you do not want the Angle Unit it may be better to just buy the items you want seperately.

                        If you are planning to make  8' cuts you will need one rail long enough or two that will be at least 106" or all three that are on your list put together. For each connection you will need two connectors. Two come with the Acc Kit.  The  MFT come with a Guide Rail Deflector, and so does the Acc Kit. You may not need two. You may not need the 800 Guide Rail because the 1080 is the correct length for cutting in the short direction on the MFT, and the 1400 is the correct length for cutting the long way on the MFT. The 800 is handy for short cuts but I would think that nearly all of your short cuts will be done on the MFT.

                  I can't find Dust Extraction Hood AH OF in my catalog. The OF 1400 comes with the top mount hood, and the edge guide 492 636 comes with one for that.

                Adjustable Stop MFT AR comes with the MFT , but maybe it is good to have two? Not sure.

              The FS Rapid clamp is nice but probably not neccessary. The Ratcheting Quick Clamp Fs HZ is reeeaally nice compared to using the screw type. But it is good to have both.

        Seth

               

                         

 

[CharlesWilson]

I have cut acrylic sheets with the standard TS75 blade (Universal Blade with 36 teeth, not the one specifically designed for acrylic), with surprisingly good results and no noticeable chipout. However, the dust (acrylic sliver) collection wasn't quite as good as when cutting wood. Maybe the blade designed for plastic/aluminum improves dust collection.

If I have to cut more of them, I will end up trying the blade designed for that purpose.

Charles

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Bernard,

I strongly agree with those who recommend getting a larger vacuum hose - 36 mm.  For connection to some of the tools, e.g. the Deltex 93 sander, you have to have the 27 mm hose which is standard issue (in USA).  That elastomeric fitting at the tool end of the hose tightly grips the OUTSIDE of the DC nozzles on several Festools, including 1010 router, the sanders, and the Domino mortising machine.  This same end fitting grips the INSIDE the DC nozzles of the TS 55 saw and 1400 router.  Because of the quantity and size of the chips that the router can and often does produce (when molding an outside edge), the 36 mm hose is less likely to clog.  I purchased the CT 22 vacuum and thereafter purchased the Cleaning Set for Workshop Item # 454767 which includes a 3.5 m A/S hose of 36 mm diameter and a very well made floor nozzle.  A few wraps of black vinyl (electrician's) tape around the collar of the hose end fitting of the 36 mm hose enables quickly coupling the tool end of the 36 mm hose to the vacuum end fitting of the 27 mm hose, thus giving you a 23 ft long hose when you need it.  The longer hose enables me to reach anywhere within my garage workshop without having to move the vacuum unit.  Another vacuum accessory I recommend is Item # 452898 - the Y-adapter with blanking plug.  This enables you to hook up two hoses to your vacuum machine at the same time if you want, and to quickly remove one of the hoses and cap the outlet to provide full vacuum to the other outlet.  I sometimes use this setup with a router table - one hose drawing from the bottom (router cabinet) and one drawing from the top (fence).  Note also you can purchase a hose separately, and that the non-A/S hoses are more flexible than the A/S hoses.  I often use the 16 ft hose that came with my Fein Turbo II vacuum.  Its tool end fits into the Festool TS 55 and 1400 router DC nozzles, although you may need to apply some masking tape to seal it tightly.  The vacuum end fitting of the Fein hose fits the Festool CT 22 perfectly.  Old Sears Craftsman 2 1/2" hoses also fit the fein and Festool vacuum machines without need of any adapters.

I think you are going to enjoy your Festool purchases.

Dave R.

 

[Dave Rudy]

Bernard,

I strongly agree with those who recommend getting a larger vacuum hose - 36 mm.  For connection to some of the tools, e.g. the Deltex 93 sander, you have to have the 27 mm hose which is standard issue (in USA). 

Dave R.

Agreed, except that there is an adpater that fits the 36mm hose end with the 27mm tool end.  It works beautifully.  Bill at Japan Woodworker showed it to me.  I got two (inexpensive) and I use them all the time.  Ask Bill for more details.

Second, I think there is a way to back the 36mm and 27mm hoses together by a Festool fitting without needing tape.  I'm not sure which adapter, maybe someone else can chime in on this.

With the adapters, I now use the 36mm hose all the time no matter which tool I am using.

Dave   

 

[Corwin]

If you get the MFT, you really should get at least one set of the Clamping Elements. 

To see one of the connectors that will enable you to connect a D27 hose to a D36 check out my photo album in the Gallery.

Corwin

 

[Bernard]

Guys ,

thanks sooo much for the help especially on the hoses. I was scratching my head a little on that and it's all put to bed now. I will also buy a 3-4 types of saw blades including the one for Alu as i use a similar blade for my makita circ.caw and it does the business..(the blade that is..)

I'm still compiling my list of ( will review my choice of clamps & elements...will only get what i need and your inputs have helped)
- need to have ( subjective isn't it   ;D )
- nice to have

I'll have a learning curve with the router since that i've never used one before (shouldn't be a problem with you guys around) and at some point after i've done a few more projects at home to convince the missus ( i.e. HER shoe rack, HER dresser etc...) then i'll be ready for the sander and ........maybe the Dom or Kapex or both
It gonna be a huge chunk of change but
- a fool may part with his money but ..
- a man and his tools ...well...we all know the end to that !!

I'll still post the price list i have yet to get from my dealer  just for discussion but i think i'm the 1st person to ask for these tools here(singapore) so we'll see if he'll stiff me.

the advice you're giving really helps since we all know the the kind of investment we make with this stuff ..i'm learning more every time ...i consider this induction for festizenship!!

thanks again Dave, Charles, Corwin, Dave R., Seth, Jesse, Eli
from the tropics
Bern

 

[Eli]

One last note (anybody jump in if you feel differently):
here on the forum we have a different relationship with our Festool dealers I think because
-there are fewer dealers overall
-the service is generally better than with other brand lines.

so even though your dealer's prices may seem a bit high, the service and support he can give you should be better and less of a hassle than doing it yourself, or arranging for stuff from two different places

Your mileage may vary, caveat emptor, I don't know how sh*t goes down in Singapore.

 

[Bernard]

Point taken,

With Festool, the disparity of prices across the globe is far more acute then the other brands lines and there are good reasons for that which is also why i think it can be manipulated. From this forum, it's apparent that Festool would act if it was(manipulated); good enough for me really "coz alzz i want iz some tools ;D ;D ;D"

Every time i do a project at home, i have to take leave and do it on a weekday coz noise in a highrise on a weekend is a no no. It means i need to achieve far more work in a shorter time. I do my dusty work in the narrow common corridor. I don't know why i bother since it's so windy on the 45th floor and it seems i'm constantly cleaning.
You can see where i'm getting with this. Festool WILL allow me to attempt (not necessarily succeed ) projects that are beyond me now. I dont think i'm alone when i say tha'ts a big thing..

"coz alzz i want iz some tools ;D ;D ;D"
Bern