I think I died and went to Festool Heaven today!

[SittingElf]

Just got back to Germany (my temporary home) from my work in Nigeria. Went to my "local" Festool dealer for the first time today.  I thought I had died and gone to Man Cave Heaven. What an incredible store! (In Kaiserslautern area). Festool, Protool, Bosch, Kress, Milwaukee, Stanley, German companies galore, Etc, etc... etc.. They carry massive amount of lines, though I went there for their Festool stuff.

Arranging to buy the Vacuum Clamping system and take back to the U.S. They also had the ORIGINAL Centrotec Installer/Assembly package which I am purchasing. (Not the crippled 2013 version).

These are the first Festool purchases for me, and will be buying a LOT more once back in the U.S. (Don't even have a drill yet, but have the Centrotec kit!! [scared])

While in the store, I took advantage of some either hard to get in the U.S., or simply unavailable Logo items. The pictures below share my purchases today...ONE OF WHICH IS BRAND NEW, and SOOOOO new, the manager of the store had to call Festool for the price. Guess I have a REAL gloat item! (See the last two pics).

Finally, I asked the English speaking manager to email me a total price for the Vacu-Clamp system with accessories I want, as well as the Centrotec Kit. He responded within a few hours and offered me a 10% discount on the whole deal!!!!!  Do you think I'll be using that dealer for more??? [tongue]

Here's the pics of the store (Crappy iPhone 1 shots), and my purchases today...

Festool Heaven from one side of store.
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Festool Heaven from the other side.
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The Clock, Carpenter Pencils, Toolie, Mini-Sustainer, and folding metric measuring tape.
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A FIRST look! The new Festool Circular Saw Blade Storage Bag! (And I own it!)
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The Festool Blade Storage Bag Opened....
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Will post pics of the Vacu-Clamp system in a couple of weeks when I get it!  What a day!

 

[Roseland]

It looks very much like the Axminster store in Nuneaton - my favourite store!

Andrew

 

[EdL]

[eek]

I can't imagine being in a place like that.......

Ed

 

[sancho57]

I wont be able to sleep tonight thinking of that place..

THANK Pal  [big grin]

 

[semenza]

If I ever went into that store I would never leave  [blink]  [big grin]

You could always turn the Centrotec bits with the hand driver until you buy a drill  [huh]

One of those clocks has been running smoothly in my shop for at least a couple years  [wink]

Seth

 

[chelseaboy]

It looks very much like the Axminster store in Nuneaton - my favourite store!

Andrew

Great place axminister, not been there but i ordered quite a few things from them, top class customer service..

 

[neeleman]

I must disappoint you but the Circular Saw Bag (KRS-BAG 496941) is already on the market in Europe for a few years now.
I have one myself. But it's not on the Festool web-sites or in catalogues as well.
The same goes for the Rail Bags (FS-BAG & FS-BAG-PA).

 

[semenza]

I must disappoint you but the Circular Saw Bag (KRS-BAG 496941) is already on the market in Europe for a few years now.
I have one myself. But it's not on the Festool web-sites or in catalogues as well.
The same goes for the Rail Bags (FS-BAG & FS-BAG-PA).

Hah! Gloat denied !!  [laughing]

Seth

 

[SittingElf]

I must disappoint you but the Circular Saw Bag (KRS-BAG 496941) is already on the market in Europe for a few years now.
I have one myself. But it's not on the Festool web-sites or in catalogues as well.
The same goes for the Rail Bags (FS-BAG & FS-BAG-PA).

Hah! Gloat denied !!   [laughing]

Seth

Damn!

Oh well... still happy with the purchases I made, and now know that I clearly have a new hangout! They even provide free coffee or Espresso!
Just need to buy a 220V step-up transformer for the Vacu-Clamp once I get back to the U.S.  The Vacu-Clamp system works on both 50Hz and 60Hz, so no problems. I will be buying the base unit, accessory set with different suction plates, another full round plate and base, and two MFT/3 rotating, under carriage storage plates for the system. Total price will be around $3000, but well worth the expense.

 

[rljatl]

Yeah, i would like to have the clock and saw bag.  Any chance we will get those here in the states?

 

[Timtool]

nice one, never saw the bag.

FYI, i think it's common in Europe to negotiate deals, dealers can't cut prices on tools but they can on accessories. Getting 10% off the tools value in accessories is pretty standard.

 

[ridgenj]

Next week I will be in Munich, Germany and I am planning to treat my compulsive Festool buying disorder before I arrive at the fully fledge store in Garching.
If you don't see any posts from me anymore , is because,  either got a heart attack or got killed by my wife.

 

[Toto]

You need to come to the UK , it seems dealers here are able to discount now, I bought a ctl Midi for £229 last month (Folkstone fixings) and this week a ctl26 for £369  just come at the right time as my ct44 has been playing up,
Great photos I could live in that store.

 

[SittingElf]

Yeah, i would like to have the clock and saw bag.  Any chance we will get those here in the states?

For what it's worth, in Germany the clock costs about U.S.$15.00, and the bag was about $20.00. The T-Loc Mini systainer was essentially the same price as the U.S....around $20.  All pretty reasonable considering the name!

I actually like the bags enough to buy another two. One for Kapex blades, one for 10" Table Saw blades, and one for TS55 blades. Just keeps them protected and separated!

 

[SittingElf]

Here's a MUCH better picture of the store than the two I took with an old iPhone.  Also, I visited another dealer here in K-town, Germany today, and it was night and day compared to Wagner. No help, little display, and most of the Festool products hidden away in the back rooms.

Anyway, if you happen to have the opportunity to visit near Kaiserslautern, Germany, this store is WELL worth a visit!

[attachimg=#1]

 

[neeleman]

Hi guys,

Here is my favourite German dealer called Holzfachmarkt Gerschwitz based in D-84056 Rottenburg an der Laaber. That's just east of Ingolstadt (home of Audi).
Here is a link Gerschwitz
They claim that they have largest Festool display area of Germany (200 m²). It looks quite the same as the Wagner shop.

I do buy all my Festool/Protool accessories right there and the prices of these are 30-40% lower then in Holland.
The prices of machines are only 5-10% lower. And the shipping costs to Holland are only €15.
Even when I buy 1 box of sandpaper including shipping it's cheaper for me then buying them in Holland.

 

[Stephen B]

There is a theory that for some men (of a certain age!), that the thought of or the act of buying tools is equal or better than XXX .........!!

Imagine how I am feeling right now looking at these pictures!!   [embarassed]

And last night [AEST] we had Kev's workshop photographs!

 

[Wooden Skye]

Frank

Are you licensed to fly a cargo plane?  I am sure many of us here in the states could fill it with items NAINA!!!  Enjoy the shopping.

 

[sancho57]

I think I going to have fun  going to Europe.

Might end up divorced

might end up broke and homeless

but it will be fun…

 

[Runhard]

Frank

Are you licensed to fly a cargo plane?  I am sure many of us here in the states could fill it with items NAINA!!!  Enjoy the shopping.

[thumbs up]