I'd like to see your projects

C

Charles Wilson

Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2007
Messages
145
I have limited shop space and am considering purchasing some Festool equipment.  I am a hobby woodworker and am interested in construction and furniture making.  I don't think that I want to fool around with a TS and was looking for alternatives.  Can some of you post some of your work?

This spring, summer, and fall projects for me:

Picket Fence -http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_to_central/home_clinic/1276551.html?page=1

Storm windows for my 1920's colonial: see attached

Regards,
Chuck
 
charles, I am somewhat limited for space in my own shop.  Of course, if I did not have so many toys in there, i would have all sorts of space.  I don't think i could operate without my TS, but if i had to choose between TS & ATF 55/MFT 1080, the TS would go.

I have a contractors model TS and have lately been toying with the idea of selling it and getting a portable bench modle like a Bosche or DeWalt that would take up much less space when all extensions are closed down.  Only thing is, my TS is a secondary assembly bench. (My MFT is the primary assembly bench)

If I had to eliminate toys, I would try to end up with:
Festool MFT 1080 plus any of the tools in the system have/I would not part with any
Set of hand planes (Including the HL 800 which I use more than I ever expected)
Thickness planer
Drill press
Wood Rat (Not everybody has one. i would not be without mine)
Small TS as mentioned above (or keep the one I have if possible)
If not a TS, I would keep my BS (I have a small & a large/I would keep the small)
MFT 800
I would purchase a drum sander (next on my wish list after the Domino and maybe after the Kapex/ and maybe after the MFS 400/and maybe after a much longer and very dangerous list of the Black & Green)

Maybe on second thought, you had best stay away from Festools and just get the TS 

:-[

Tinker
 
Other than a secondary assembly table, what does the TS let you do that you couldn't do with a Festool.  Right now I am working in a 2 1/2 stall garage and have a small shop but plenty of room in it.  As for an assembly table, I built the one that Norm built.  It is on casters so I can move it where I wish.  My main concern with a TS is my fingers, my teeth, and well you know (due to kick backs).

Chuck
 
the one thing that is easier on a TS than on MFT is ripping and cross cutting very small pieces (rippingnarrow and crosscutting very short pieces).  It is doable but tricky with plenty of planning on how.  Also, it can be tricky doing repeatable rips (MFS seems to help for that) with Festool seems to present an occasional problem.  All of those cuts are doable with MFT/ATF 55), but quicker on TS. Also can be done very safely on BS but will need touchup for smooth finish.  For very tiny pieces, I go to BS.

Tinker
 
I'm starting from scratch in my basement in a room 64 square feet. I have to open up a wall that will add another 40 sq ft. I moved here last may from down state NY and had a 200 square foot shop.
I thought my woodworking days were over  :'(, then I discovered Festool and its dust collection  ;D, happy woodworking days again.

I am disabled so it is taking me forever to get something done, not to mention lotsa time wasted wading through mountains of boxes looking for that elusive bit. A couple of months and I'll be somewhat organized.

You can't go wrong with the Festool system
 
I'm kinda new to this stuff, but I managed to rip the tapered legs for this little end table/cord organizer with the MFT and the saw, and I'm currently working on a rocking horse.

And right now, because we have a houseguest next week with particular needs, I'm knocking out removable handrails for a very narrow staircase we've got. This involves making 8 mounts that have bed hooks on one side and rail supports on the other, so a bunch of repeated cuts, dadoes and insets. I've found that clamping pieces to the MFT to work as stops and guides lets me work fairly quickly and repeatably. And the MFS rocks, my cheap imitation has its uses, but lacks a lot that having the real thing gives me.

Although I used a radial arm saw a bit when I was younger, I haven't worked on a table saw extensively, and won't for the foreseeable future for two reasons: I've got limited room, and my dad lost some bits of his finger in a table saw accident, so 'til I have both the room, the budget and the need for a SawStop or a Euro slider there won't be a table saw in my repertoire. Thus I can't make a direct comparison.

But my overall impression of the Festool system is that there are very few cuts you can't make, you just have to approach them differently than you would on a table saw. Since most of the literature out there is based on the table saw, this means that sometimes you've got to figure it out for yourself, and keeping some scrap around for sacrificial bits.
 
Dan Lyke said:
...And the MFS rocks, my cheap imitation has its uses, but lacks a lot that having the real thing gives me.
...
Click to expand...

Another option for a quick and dirty poor man's MFS is to just use pocket screws.
It will have a limited life span but the parts are easilly replaced.

And here is some aluminum stock that might be good for a longer lasting poor man's MFS. Wish they included dimensions in the description.
http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=149-021&LARGEVIEW=ON

 
Awesome Per!

When does it open and what is the address? It looks like it's worth a trip,
even for someone who seldom imbibes.
 
Ya know, there's some races I should know better than to run...

As always, beautiful work, Per.
 
Well now . that just makes me wanna bust open a fresh bottle of Jameson Whiskey !  Wow that's nice. That sure beats old linoleum square floors - 1970's 1/8" wall paneling with color matching nail heads and drop ceilings with buzzing florescent lighting.
  Any way that's how I remember Elks clubs and Moose lodges from when I was a kid. Times sure have changed.  Brilliant job !
 
Per Swenson said:
OK Charles,

I'll bite.

Except for my Miter saw all job site tools used were Festool.

Per
Click to expand...

Come on, Per... Show 'em the BEFORE pic!  (I love the reactions then!)  ;D ;D ;D

Dan.
 
I got some pics!!
This is a job I built in a 30,000 square ft house. Located on the island of Providenciales (TCI).

I was in charge of the library and it took 14 months to build @ 6 days a week and min. 10 hour day.
I had one helper with me and two guys doing the finishing.

First pic,
View from the 1st floor at second floor ceiling

Second pic,
1st floor ceiling

Third pic,
How I made all the ceiling panels with the TS 55

Fourth pic,
Detail under the stair all done with TS 55

5th pic,
The Crotch mahogany on the 3rd floor bar

Maybe i'll post more later.

Mirko

 
I think this is a good size.

The TS 55 with guide rail was great for jointing this veneer, it was 12' feet when we got it!!
This pic happens to be my last day on the island, And the Fellow in the picture is Vulvick, from Haiti.

Mirko
 
Per and Mirco,

Now the FOG Forum is graced with TWO of the finest examples of craftsmanship I've ever seen.   VERY NICE!!!!!

Best Regards,

Dan.
 
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