Introduction - I inherited some older Festool, and have questions!

[John Shortess]

Greetings from (very rainy at the moment) Northern Virginia! I've been a casual woodworker for 25+ years, not counting helping my dad out with projects as a kid, and building a bunch of furniture together for my first apartment (I still have a couple of the pieces we built). I've done a handful of bigger projects over the years, but it's largely been trim carpentry and other projects around the house. I've been limited by time, equipment, and some rather severe space constraints -- my workshop is one corner of a one-car garage, competing for room with bicycles, lawn equipment, scrap lumber EVERYWHERE, and (waaaaaaay too many!) random piled-up boxes of family junk. But with our daughter in college and retirement a lot closer than it used to be, I now have more time to dedicate to the hobby than I've ever had before. So last year I started the long process of decluttering the garage, and began planning out a new workshop, including purpose-built benches/cabinets, a new tablesaw, and several other major tool purchases. But plans changed when my dad passed away unexpectedly about six months ago, and I inherited his entire workshop. It's WAY more than I have room for -- a cabinet saw and a 50-year-old Shopsmith Mk V, just for starters, and a lot of it will probably end up at the estate sale. A lot of the hand tools and benchtop tools were no-brainers, and I'll definitely be bringing up the Sjoberg workbench if I can figure out how to transport it. While all the Festool caught my eye right away, it took me awhile to wrap my brain around how to really use them. Eventually, the whole MFT-centric workflow clicked, and I'm seeing that it could work really well for me given my space limitations and the types of projects I enjoy (mostly cabintery of various sorts). I've been gradually ferrying things up from Louisiana as we have room in the car, and all of the Festool is finally here.

I have an MFT/3 with Clamping Elements and a few other accessories, the long FS guide rail, a TS-55 EQ-Plus tracksaw, ETS 125 EQ-Plus sander, and Trion PS-300 EQ-Plus jigsaw. They're all roughly 2005-2010 vintage, and everything seems to be in good condition. Except for the MFT/3 top. Yuck! Apart from all the grooves and gouges, it looks like he was also using it as a glue-up/finishing table. I'll be getting a repacement top soon. Does anyone have a recommended source? I have a Woodcraft store nearby, but I don't know if they have one in stock.

My questions so far:

1. I had to completely disassemble the MFT/3 to get it into my SUV. It reassembled without any problems, and I think I understand the process of re-squaring/re-calibrating the fences, etc. -- everything except for re-squaring the frame itself. It seems pretty close just checking the corners with a square and measuring my diagonals, but is there something more I need to be doing? Are there instructions or a video out there? I haven't found one yet. I understand that's not something most users are going to ever need to do.
2. Are there specific things I should be looking for to make sure these tools are safe to use? Other than the splinter guards obviously, are there any parts that I should replace, or examine closely for wear? They're coming from a high-humidity environment (south Louisiana), but I don't see any obvious rust.
3. I created an account on MyFestool and registered all my product/serial numbers, and I don't see any recalls, but is anyone aware of specific problems with those specific model numbers at those ages?
4. My first project with these tools will probably be an MFT cart, which will help with my space/storage crisis. I was originally going to build the cart Brent Shively did in the build series on Festool's YouTube channel (with some modifications to accommodate classic gen1 Systainers), but I just discovered Sprior's build here. Are there any other builds people can recommend? Do you have unusual or innovative features in your build?
5. I don't think my shop vac will be sufficient dust collection for these tools, so I think a CT-Midi is probably in my very near future. Or would a CT-15 or CT-25 be better? I'm mostly using the tools in my shop and everything is corded.
6. What next? An OF-1400? I've been wanting to upgrade to a plunge router for awhile now, and one that can run on a track is very compelling. Or Domino? Is it really that much better than a regular biscuit joiner? But to be honest, I use pocket screws more than anything else. Yes, I'm totally looking for enablers here!

 

[onocoffee]

I've got a very well-stocked Woodcraft - so much so that people drive from all over to buy things because the owner keeps stock on-hand instead of having to order everything. However, I think it is unlikely that he's got an MFT top in the back - though you should give him a ring at Woodcraft in Timonium/Baltimore.

2 - Presuming your father took good care of his tools, chances are they should be in good order. Turn them on and see how they sound. The sanders should buzz but sound smooth. The TS55 will growl - that is normal (like my brother's BMW, I think it's a German thing). Maybe at some point with the ETS 125 you might have to replace the brushes (Woodcraft Rockville usually has those hanging on the shelf) but if it's running smooth you should be good.

3 - You can run a search here, as the FOG members are quite thorough in their discussions about issues. From what you listed, those are all tried and true models.

4 - I don't know much at all about MFT carts but there is a guy in NoVa on FB Marketplace that built an MFT base and is trying to sell it. I think he's asking around $200. It's been listed for months so I would guess he's be open to offers. Might be a good shortcut to getting up and running with it - and is probably less than the material you would need to buy and make one.

5 - CT-MIDI I is excellent. I too debated on the 15/25 because it was cheaper. Then Harbor Freight announced their extractor the weekend before I was going to buy the MIDI - and almost lured me with the then $249 price. I went with the MIDI and haven't regretted it. The bluetooth seems superfluous and then you start using it all the time and I have to upgrade my Ridgid shop vac with a remote control.

6 - If you don't have a plunge router, the OF1400 is really great with the flexibility of the larger chucks. But, if you can still find the 100th Anniversary Domino Set at a dealer somewhere, get that. The pricing is very good on that kit.

Good Luck!

 

[woodferret]

1. hand tighten, but then use the MFT top for final squaring and full tightening.