I refinish wood floors. Besides sanders, what festool tool is a must

P

PA floor guy

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Like I said, I sand and refinish hardwood floors and staircases, and install new wood floors. I already own EVERY festool sander.  Actually multiple of every.  So I really love the festool sander and vac system. I also have two ct22 and a mini for vacs,  I have festool drills, and jigsaws.  I really want the ts55. But I would like to know what other people are using them for, who install and refinish floors. I really like the mft table and basically everything festool makes, I am ready to make another purchase soon.  So if your a floor guy like myself.  What do you own, and what's next.  I also do molding work for customers, after I do there floors.  Look forward to some help.    Sam
 
KAPEX!!

You need a Kapex for your installs.  You  can make your cuts in the house when hooked up to a Ct vac and a 36mm hose with no worries about dust.

When I installed my flooring I uses the Kapex,Ct midi,  Ct26, PS300, TS55, MFT 1080, MFT 800 and the Festool folding rule.  That's all I needed  [big grin]

Then use the Kapex to install your base moldings.

Eric
 
I am not a floor guy, so ignore my post if you wish. [big grin]  The TS-55 along with rails of various lengths will help you install borders and inlays easily.  You can run your stock long and trim it with precision.  The rails are available in lengths up to about 16 feet.  From what I have heard there are many gym floor installers who use them.

I just got an email from Festool - and I have to say - WOW WOW WOW!!!  Once again the bar has been raised!  Shane, Dude - You Rock! -  and one of the links was this video about installing a herringbone floor.  He shows cutting the excess with a worm drive saw, but the TS-55 and a track would have been better.

Here's the video:  http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20634465,00.html

Hyped.

Peter
 
Peter Halle said:
I am not a floor guy, so ignore my post if you wish. [big grin]  The TS-55 along with rails of various lengths will help you install borders and inlays easily.  You can run your stock long and trim it with precision.  The rails are available in lengths up to about 16 feet.  From what I have heard there are many gym floor installers who use them.

I just got an email from Festool - and I have to say - WOW WOW WOW!!!  Once again the bar has been raised!  Shane, Dude - You Rock! -  and one of the links was this video about installing a herringbone floor.  He shows cutting the excess with a worm drive saw, but the TS-55 and a track would have been better.

Here's the video:  http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20634465,00.html

Hyped.

Peter
Click to expand...

Charlie P LOVES Festool. I have his flooring video and most everything he uses is Festool. I would also recommend the kit with all the va attachments in the systainer. But yes I agree with Erock as well, a Kapex is a must for flooring. I have this project ahead of me in my own home and I can't wait to use the Kapex for it.
 
Kapex is on my list for sure.  I went ahead and got the ts55.  I really want the mft table to go with it. However, I do not have a shop, is the mft something you would bring along to sites. Remember I'm a flooring guy. Also, what uses are people using the ts55 for regarding floors and molding.  I want replies from everyone, not just flooring guys.  Sorry if I sounded like an idiot.  Thanks.    Sam
 
your not an idiot, or at least you didnt come agross as one anyway.
i really like the mft . i often do floors (prefinished and laminate etc, no on site finishing) . the mft is great for clamping pieces while you cut them to length ot width etc.
i usually bring my walko workbench on site but if i didnt have that my mft would always come on site.
i never use my ts55 for flooring. i never really found that level of accuracy worth the hassel of setting it up on a floor. i use my trion jigsaw mostly because its all hiden anyway
 
Sam,  I recently purchased the Oneida Dust Deputy Ultimate for my CT 22 that you might want to consider to save bag change outs. 
 
Sam,

  I only used my TS55 for ripping the last row to size.  Other then that, the TS55 wasn't a big player in the laying the floor.  Not as much as the Kapex.

You could us the TS55 and MFT/3 for all your cuts.  But if you are cutting anything thinner then 3/4'' you will have to raise the work piece up.  Because of the

thickness of the fence on the MFT.   You will also need a laminate blade for cutting laminate flooring, for the TS55 and the Kapex.  Trust me, I learned that

the hard way  [embarassed].   The Triton PS300 jigsaw was also used a lot when I did my floors.  And when it came to cutting the base trim and window and

door casings, well the Kapex was the only answer for me.   I used my MFT to clamp my base  to the table so I could cope the pieces.  And I used the MFT

to clamp any pieces that I need to cut with the PS300.  

If you do a lot of inlay work or repair work, then the TS55 will be your go to saw.   I think that if you did one flooring job with the TS55 you would be happy.

But the dual lasers and other features of the Kapex will make your work easier and faster.  Once you do your first flooring job with the Kapex you may

find yourself saying  "why didn't I buy this years ago".   [big grin]

I'm a hobbyist,  but I have some time under my belt as a paid carpenter.  I know time is money.  Is the Kapex a big expense? Sure is!  But I think in the long

run it will pay for itself by speeding up you work production.  

I'm not sure how you work.  If you set up shop in the customers driveway or garage when you have to lay flooring.  But if you are setting up outside of the

room you are working on then you are spending a lot of time walking back and forth to the saw.  Even if you have a cut man helping you while you set the

flooring.  That guy has to walk back and forth to the saw.  With the Kapex and a CT vac you can set up in the room you are working in, saving a lot of time!

Since you don't have a shop, the MFT can easily be folded up and stored in your garage and it won't take up a lot of space.  If you find yourself setting up

a work bench on your job sites then a MFT with all its capabilities would be a very nice addition to your work flow.  

For me personally,   I would not use my TS55 for cutting base.  Think about cutting a 12' piece of base using the MFT.  And you need to 45 the end of it

to continue the run so it wraps around a corner.  You will have to support that 12' piece with a adjustable roller on both sides of the MFT.  As you would with

the Kapex.  But that's where the UG stand comes into play [tongue].

You will have to play around with the miter gauge on the MFT OR adjust the TS55 angle.  It's a lot of work just trying to cut some simple base

with the TS55 and MFT.

That's just my two cents.  Am I trying to get you to buy a Kapex? Sure!  Only because I think it will work better for you.  

And what is Festools motto......FASTER. BETTER. EASIER.   It's all in the Kapex my friend.

Eric
 
i have to agree with e rock, words of wisdom there.

a dust deputy (or some other type of seperater) will really help you save bags or time empting the reusable bag
 
Hey Sam, do you see Alan M? His avatar is what I use instead of a Kapex.
I run a 10" dewalt chop saw to mini DC. Also have a makita ls0714. That thing collects all the dust and is GREAT for 3/4" wood!
I would spring for the ts75 if I was you.

I dont currently own a festool router, but used to own the 1030. If you want to route in doors, festool routers are a must!
 
I have considered a router. However, I have a really nice plunge router already. My next purchase will be an MFT table.  I have a place all ready in my sprinter for it.  That and I seen a lot of extras that are needed for the ts55.   

Eco-  I'm actually starting my homes floors this week.  5200 sq ft worth.  I used your flicker pics for my wife to pick the Rubio color she wanted.  Should be a blast. Lol... 
 
Actually I live in a rather depressed area, where real estate is cheap.  That is all good. Until you have to drive at least 30 miles to most jobs.  I see your in mass. I'm so disgusted with everything going on with this latest school episode. It makes me sick to my stomach. God be with the families of those people involved.  Are you busy still.  I usually see biz taper off for a little now. Then pick up strong mid January. 
 
Not Festool but......Might consider the following for flooring:

Bullet Shear-

http://www.bullettools.com

Erika Pull-Push Saw-



If you specialize in flooring the Erika would be a better saw than the Kapex.
 
Jalvis,
  They were a couple cool tools. I have checked out the mafell tools quite a few times. I just have issue with the voltage difference. But the bullet site was great to look at, and gave me a good idea.  Thanks.    Sam
 
I have the lighter duty Bullit shear, it works great for laminate flooring and I have also used it for cement siding. It cuts way down on the dust.
 
Ok.  I do see that it's made in 120 volts as well.  That's a bit more than I would like to spend for it.  It would be great to have, but using mitre saw and table saw is always the way I would install anyway.  I only do hardwoods, I don't touch laminate.  Great tool sites jalvis.  I seen a few things I like.  Thanks.  Sam
 
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