Hi Everyone :)

[JenB]

Hello everyone! I'm Jen and woodworking is ruining my life, in a good way  [tongue].  I got into this hobby about 2 years ago and just started making things for family and friends,  started off making mostly wooden toys as gifts and then made my first piece of furniture; a bed for my 2-year old.  The Kreg pocket hole jig has been my best friend - made a set of kitchen cabinets, several tool stands, blanket chests, a few workbenches.  I always wondered what made Festool so good.  One day I was showing my husband the Domino and some of the vacs online, and we were talking about how ridiculously expensive it is.  Next thing you know the Domino and CT26 are on my doorstep for my birthday.  So AMAZING!  My husband said I needed the vac, because I'm literally covered in dust after almost every project, haha.  So I'm officially hooked and naturally need more green tools. 

I've had several more requests for garage/kitchen cabinets and built-ins.  So, I've decided to sell my motorcycle and buy more power tools as my bike has been collecting dust in the garage for the past year anyway.  Looking to get the MFT3 table, ETS EC 150/3 or /5 and TS55REQ  (Had some pretty bad kickback trying to break down large sheet goods on my portable table saw, luckily I didn't lose any digits) Also, I currently have a Dewalt 618 router that's been working great for me, but that OF1400 router looks pretty awesome, do you think it's a must have or should I hold off since I have the Dewalt already?  Any other recommended must have tools you think I should get?

Anyway, just wanted to say Hi and thanks for this website, there's so much useful info and I look forward to learning from everyone. 

 

[tjskinny]

Hi Jen,

Welcome to the forum!  You are absolutely right in this place is a wealth of knowledge.  I can't thank the members enough for sharing their time and skills.  But be warned the green slope is a very slippery one, and systainers seem to multiply by them selves...

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Jen

Welcome to the FOG.

What a super husband you have - great couple of tools that he got for you.

If you are watching the pennies I would delay the MFT3 and perhaps build a bench of you own - there are plenty of designs out there. Dog holes and dogs are important too and there are many to chose from.

I would get the TS55R as soon as you can and some rails. I realise it is a bit of a step up but see what you can do on the Kapex side too. You can manage with that Dewalt router for a bit longer but once you try a Festool router you will do what I did - sell the rest. Actually that is not true as I do have a small Dewalt router in my cheap and cheerful CNC.

My go to sander started as being the RO90 but now it is the ETS EC150 with the RTS 400 (still on loan) a close second.

Peter

 

[Mort]

Hi, welcome!

Your story is much like mine, I took up woodworking about 3 years ago to teach myself patience. It's been a long hard road, but I love it and I'll continue to do it. Festools are expensive but the nice thing about woodworking is I've made it somewhat self-funding, so I'll sell a few projects and buy myself a Domino, for example. I've got a small pile of systainers now.

The sanders they have are amazing. I have an RO90, and I got my 8-year-old daughter an old ES125. Dust collection and finish quality is superb, and that RO90 chews through the crappy reclaimed wood like magic.

The routers are apparently pretty good, but since you have a good one already (I have it's baby brother the DW611, and it's magnificent), I'd hold off on upgrading that until your collection builds.

As for other tools they offer, I just got a CXS drill and I think it's as close to ergonomically perfect as any drill I've ever used.

 

[Holmz]

If you are doing cabinets out of sheet goods, then a lamello Zeta-P2 and the lamello Tenso or Clampex are better than a domino for sheets. I do have both machines, and am pretty confident on that. So I believe it is worth exploring.

You already have a router, so you may want to hold off on a router until it is the most important remaining thing. Like well after a track saw, and I suspect that table saw still has use.

The /5 sander (ETS/EC) does just about everything well.

A vacuum is useful with a sander and saw, as works well with most manufacturers routers and sander that have a port to attach it.

 

[sigmatango]

Any spouse who is in your corner on the subject of tools is a prize! My wife is amazingly supportive in this area, though most spouses seem to begrudge good tool purchases...

 

[JenB]

Thanks for the welcome/suggestions  Think I'll definitely hold on the router for now.  Peter, I've seen your videos online and think you're awesome! How did I not know about your parf guide system until today!?  I may take your advice and hold off on the MFT3 for now. I didn't think I'd be able to accurately replicate all the holes on the top, which is why I decided I should go ahead and get the MFT3, but it seems doable now with your system.  Maybe with the money saved I can throw in a CXS drill or carvex.  [tongue]

I was debating between the RO 90 and the ETS EC 150 but figured the 150 would be a better overall sander for now, definitely like the attachments that the RO90 has though..definitely on my future wish list

Holmz I've never heard of the lamellow Zeta/Tenso/Clampex, but I'll definitely give it a look, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Mort]

The Lamello whatever-he-said thing is more of a professional's tool. It's a very nice biscuit joiner, the best on the market, but I doubt the average hobbyist would see a real benefit over a $100 Ryobi version.

 

[Holmz]

The Lamello whatever-he-said thing is more of a professional's tool. It's a very nice biscuit joiner, the best on the market, but I doubt the average hobbyist would see a real benefit over a $100 Ryobi version.

I am never accused of being professional...
But if one is doing sheet goods then it makes sense.
I do not think the Ryobi does the T slot shape.

The ETS/EC is very nice. One could always supplement it with a fein or Bosch or Ryobi corner sander as corner sanding may not be done as much. I got a used DX93 which does corners, and maybe I'll sell it and get 230v version.
Or one could supplement it on the end with a RAS or some other grinder type, which then is better overall than the do it all RO. Depends on whether one is doing even amounts of flats, rough and corner work... Many mostly do normal flat sanding, but some have a clear use for an RO ... Depends on the work.

 

[semenza]

  If using the special Lamello connectors then a Lamello is the only way to go. But if using regular biscuits and working alone then the Domino wins over regular biscuits. Because the dominos will hold the box pieces in vertical position without tipping over while adding screws or placing clamps.

Seth

 

[tdragomir]

A track saw is a real game changer for safety and ease of use.

 

[Holmz]

  If using the special Lamello connectors then a Lamello is the only way to go. But if using regular biscuits and working alone then the Domino wins over regular biscuits. Because the dominos will hold the box pieces in vertical position without tipping over while adding screws or placing clamps.

Seth

A domino also is better for narrower pieces and in real wood.

And the OP specifically mentioned cabinets and sheet goods.

There are of course 4+ ways to do theses things, which makes for a lot of overlap. It is easy to have multiple solutions that seem ideal. Hence each person has to do the same chin-scratching exercise. But knowing that there are 4+ solutions rather than 2, should yield a more informed basis for zeroing in on the right choice.

I probably need to get back to doing some real wood projects.

 

[Cheese]

Well FWIW...the same day I purchased the DF 500, I sold my biscuit cutter, and I've never looked back. Four years later and I still don't see a biscuit cutter in the rear view mirror. It's gone...outta here...finis.

If I was into knockdown assemblies, maybe a $1600 Zeta would be a viable piece of equipment, but for the average Joe, it's really about construct and forget. Knockdown just really isn't part of the equation for the majority of situations. Maybe this isn't the case in Europe and elsewhere. If so, I'd be interested in hearing about it.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lamello-...gclid=CPnzlZGp0tECFYlMDQodpdcLIA&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[ear3]

I've kept my PC biscuit joiner on the off chance that it will be useful for some face frames down the road, but two years later I've yet to need it.

Well FWIW...the same day I purchased the DF 500, I sold my biscuit cutter, and I've never looked back. Four years later and I still don't see a biscuit cutter in the rear view mirror. It's gone...outta here...finis.

If I was into knockdown assemblies, maybe a $1600 Zeta would be a viable piece of equipment, but for the average Joe, it's really about construct and forget. Knockdown just really isn't part of the equation for the majority of situations. Maybe this isn't the case in Europe and elsewhere. If so, I'd be interested in hearing about it.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lamello-...gclid=CPnzlZGp0tECFYlMDQodpdcLIA&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[DB10]

Well FWIW...the same day I purchased the DF 500, I sold my biscuit cutter, and I've never looked back. Four years later and I still don't see a biscuit cutter in the rear view mirror. It's gone...outta here...finis.

If for some reason you do find the need to use biscuits in the future, probably unlikely if you have a domino but you've got the option of using your router with the right bit in it, plus the router bit takes up a lot less space than a biscuit cutter.

 

[nclemmons]

Welcome to FOG, Jen.  Sounds like you are making some great choices in tools and have lots of projects ahead.  And a supportive husband to boot!

I think you could delay the router at this point.  The DeWalt is a nice router and will work well for cabinets.  You may need to buy a simple 32mm hole drilling jig for adjustable shelves in your cabinets.  The LR32 system is nice if you want to do full-on 32mm cabinets, but you can certainly use what you have and make some nice cabinets with face frames with the tools you have.  The Domino along with a Kreg jig will do well for a lot of cabinet or furniture work.

I would suggest you take a look at the RTS-400 sander.  Not much money and it works well.  It's a nice compliment and carries a rectangular sheet style paper.  I use one a lot on door frames, interiors of cabinets or drawers, etc where the round ETS-EC-150 is a little too large and does not get into corners well.

Peter's Parf Guide is excellent.  You could easily build a bench and use it for holes to work well.  I just built Ron Paulks small 3x6' bench and it's a great option.  You can find his channel on YouTube for videos and plans if you are interested.

Look forward to seeing some of your work -

neil

 

[tristanweeks]

Hi, I am from Australia and glad to join this community.

 

[Davidpepke]

Hi Jen. I would agree that you should hold off on the router - as you already have one. My tactics have been to put the money where I would get new capabilities - before I upgrade existing capabilities. As such, a TS55REQ is a great investment. With a 1400 rail and maybe a 3000 rail to break down sheet goods - perfect.
I agree with Peter Parfitt - hold off on the MFT and build yourself a good table. I build cabinets and furniture for a living, and I rarely use my MFT. I have built a big table with a full sheet (4x8") as a cutting surface - same principle as the MFT. The top can be flipped when it's cut up and replaced when it's due. The table is going on casters so I can roll it around in my small shop - and it has a couple of shelves to store sheet goods underneath. The whole thing cost a fourth of the MFT and works better in my opinion.

Depending on what type of projects you do - I would suggest getting some good clamps. I waited too long to get good clamps - and they are worth it!

I know the Festool slope is slippery, but I find that defining a need before finding the tool is a healthier way to go. Otherwise you might end up investing in tools you thought you needed, but didn't. And as we know, they are not cheap.

I bought: TS55REQ->CT MIDI->OF 1010->T18+3 - and then a lot more But I had no tools to begin with.

D.

 

[Holmz]

Hi, I am from Australia and glad to join this community.

Good day cobber