How to get younger tradespeople to buy Festool or other high quality tools...

[luke1984]

We'll I only used 2 for the the 4 poles because they only adjust from 2.1 to 2.5. I pulled them a part and cut them on my kapex using an old blade ther only alloy

 

[luke1984]

Okay dean il set a new one up in the next few days haven't got time or pics at the mo

 

[ajones]

I think a new thread is in order [tongue]

definitly +1

 

[jonny round boy]

Great minds Dean, I did a shop fit a few months back and when I saw them I thought  Tanos on a budget [smile]

John,

Good to see you on here again, you've been very quiet here of late. You're keeping busy then I take it?

Jonathan

 

[sessler2013]

Hi Everyone,

This is almost certainly the wrong place for this but...

I know that younger tradespeople do not always have the cash to buy the right (best) tools but they could do so much better if they got it right first time.

How can we persuade people to go for quality tools? Obviously I am really talking about Festool kit. My work has been transformed by the TS with guide rails, the Domino, Kapex and Rotex. How can we as a forum or Festool world wide get the message across that going cheap just does not pay?

A bad workman might blame his or her tools but Festool owners have nobody to blame but themselves.

Your constructive views to get younger tradespeople buying Festool would be much appreciated.

Peter

In response to Peters first question, I'm 20 years old and have been woodworking my whole life, I think that its a waste of money to buy anything other than high quality tools just because in the long run its cheaper to have spent the extra 50$, 100$, 300$ etc...  I have always regretted buying cheap tools never once regretted a Festool, Fein, Lee Nielsen or anything along those lines.

Also I decided ill be doing this my whole life one way or another, and I may as well start protecting my lungs now with Dust collection. Some people mistake that better tools make you a better woodworker, not true though it can make certain tasks easier they are just giving us feedback as to what we are capable of doing.

As far as getting younger guys/girls to buy Festool its gotta be hard to persuade any 20 year old who is working and going to college to buy a 900$ Domino when a 99$ Biscuit joiner Seams like it will do the same...But I went for it hah [tongue] the thing makes any biscuit joiner look like a caveman's club  [dead horse]

 

[jeep jake]

Peter I think the thing is most people under 30 work for someone that supplies power tools. Is that different over there? I'am 30 I didn't really start buying festools till I was running jobs, and getting bonuses based on job completions on time or ahead of time, and better quality then the guy I replaced. Once I started doing side jobs I really started purchasing festools, along with other brands.

 

[Stone Message]

Peter I think the thing is most people under 30 work for someone that supplies power tools. Is that different over there? I'am 30 I didn't really start buying festools till I was running jobs, and getting bonuses based on job completions on time or ahead of time, and better quality then the guy I replaced. Once I started doing side jobs I really started purchasing festools, along with other brands.

I think it varies over here. Most employers encourage their people to have a few 'personal' tools, mainly hand tools. I know one firm that expects their people to bring all of the hand tools and they supply the rest - common amongst the electricians.

When I did some work in my late teens doing ground work I had to bring my own shovel and most of my bricky friends have their own tools.

There are a lot of self employed people working for firms and they are expected to have their own kit.

Peter

 

[tiralie]

Some people mistake that better tools make you a better woodworker, not true though it can make certain tasks easier they are just giving us feedback as to what we are capable of doing.

Well said!
Or as Joel Moskowitz at tools for working wood puts it in a recent post...For all the advances in tools building a Newport highboy, or a Ruhlman bureau is still really hard to do and takes skill and practice more than just fancy tools.

Tim

 

[Nathan Lee]

I think that they should start off with cheaper tools, the festools work so well together, that being said if I don't have my track saw on site its not a issue, because I can cut stright with a skill saw,

Just my thoughts, you always learn how to do things the hard way first,

 

[kris]

I'm not sure if this idea would work, but young (and old) mechanics, who want Festool quality tools (Snap-on, Marco, Cornwell etc), get them from a vendor who comes to their shop and does payroll deduction for the tools. This seems to work for just about every mechanic I know in the trade...just my $.02  [big grin]

 

[Stone Message]

I think that it is essential that woodworkers start by using hand tools so that they are confident to use them when needed after they migrate to power.

I bought my first Japanese saw about 8 years ago and continue to amaze myself how easy they are to use and how superior a finish can be achieved. I always have one with me if I am away from base.

Peter

 

[Kev]

I think that they should start off with cheaper tools, the festools work so well together, that being said if I don't have my track saw on site its not a issue, because I can cut stright with a skill saw,

Just my thoughts, you always learn how to do things the hard way first,

I'm not a fan of that thinking, I think it's very old fashioned. Rubbish tools are tomorrow's landfill [mad]

I don't like the disposable mass consumption world we've become. I'd prefer to buy quality that lasts me 10 or 20 years over a new "thing" every 5 minutes.

... obviously this differs for things that are rapidly changing (computers, phones, etc), but woodworking tools tend to be far less volatile.

Further, I'd rather buy quality and sell it (having someone else get life from the item) than throw cheap stuff away.

 

[Stone Message]

I'm not a fan of that thinking, I think it's very old fashioned. Rubbish tools are tomorrow's landfill [mad]

I don't like the disposable mass consumption world we've become. I'd prefer to buy quality that lasts me 10 or 20 years over a new "thing" every 5 minutes.

... obviously this differs for things that are rapidly changing (computers, phones, etc), but woodworking tools tend to be far less volatile.

Further, I'd rather buy quality and sell it (having someone else get life from the item) than throw cheap stuff away.

I think that this should be carved in stone - well done Kev - a good thought for the day.

Peter

 

[Nathan Lee]

I think that they should start off with cheaper tools, the festools work so well together, that being said if I don't have my track saw on site its not a issue, because I can cut stright with a skill saw,

Just my thoughts, you always learn how to do things the hard way first,

I'm not a fan of that thinking, I think it's very old fashioned. Rubbish tools are tomorrow's landfill [mad]

I don't like the disposable mass consumption world we've become. I'd prefer to buy quality that lasts me 10 or 20 years over a new "thing" every 5 minutes.

... obviously this differs for things that are rapidly changing (computers, phones, etc), but woodworking tools tend to be far less volatile.

Further, I'd rather buy quality and sell it (having someone else get life from the item) than throw cheap stuff away.

With regards to hand tools I agree, but I a new chippy can't cut stright with a skill saw, what use is he?

 

[Stone Message]

Yes Nathan you are right. I had assumed Kev was talking about hand tools mainly.

Peter

 

[Hookie]

I don't want to 'swing the lamps', but when I started, the foreman one day said. 'Get your coat Son, and come with me.'
He took me down to a tool shop in Birmingham, (UK) and virtually chose every tool I needed to begin an apprenticeship. On the foreman's advice, they were the best money could buy. (For hand-planes he was a 'Record man' as opposed to Stanley, and to this day I prefer Record to Stanley.) My starter kit cost me half-a-crown a week, (12.5 pence/37 cents app) until paid for.

The most important tools though were provided by the company; namely a broom, closely followed by a length of 2 x 2 on which I carried all the guys' 'billy-cans'!

There's no argument from me, that young tradespeople need the best tools they can afford; then as already said, there's no one to blame but themselves, (Or maybe their mentors) when things go wrong. But convincing them of the fact is another matter.  8)

 

[wrightwoodwork]

Didn't get taken to the shop to buy tools, but if I ever needed or wanted to tools the company would pay then you would pay them back as and when you could afford. I not talking power tools, your hand tool kit

 

[Hookie]

Thinking about it, it was one way of keeping you at the firm. If you left before the tools were paid for, you'd have a hefty bill to pay! 

 

[Thistleman]

Just seen Monty Dons craft series on channel 4 in UK. The green and blue was much in evidence in the furniture making shop (of1400, ts55r and an unidentified drill) but only to those in the know. Buying quality is cheaper in the long run, tools last as long as they are looked after and don't 'walk' and as the results are better the novice is encouraged in their craft

 

[Chip S.]

Actually, the opposite has crossed my mind in the past. I do see many younger tradesmen buying Festools, but now that I think of it that likely has much to do with being in a large urban area. I would imagine the number of younger tradespeople is higher than what you'll find in most places. The amount of work available, in particular the massive number of restaurants & bars constantly opening or remodeling, provides ample opportunity to newcomers. Then again, I have many friends with tall stacks of systainers so perhaps my perception has been skewed! Curious if others in large cities have noticed the same.