Is the word getting out....?

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Is the word getting out about new products that Festool is producing and introducing into the US market?  I am not so sure.

I was at the local Woodcraft this afternoon and was looking through the Festool section to see if they had any of the 4mm Dominos and the mating cutter.
This was introduced in the US around August 1st IIRC so we are about a month into it.  I was in there a couple weeks ago looking for these and the new support plate and got nothing but dumb looks and "we don't have it..."  They have a decent stock of Festool, but the knowledge seems to be lacking on it and especially on some of the newer items.  Anyway, today one of the guys at least looked it up on the Festool website and made a note to give to the store owner or manager about these items.  He said they order about every week for Festool, yet the 4 guys in the store had not heard of these new items and new nothing about when they would have them.  Hopefully, they will order a few and I'll get them in the near future...  They did show me a flyer from Festool that had some things that are coming in October and November...but somewhere the communication of new products into sale-able stock seems to be lacking....

Best,
Todd

 

[sw1211]

Hard to say who dropped the ball on this.  I assume Festool would email and snail mail all their distributors regarding any changes to their line of tools, especially if there is something new to sell.  Could be the store manager just never passed the word along to his employees.

 

[tbellemare]

They've (4 mm Domino items) been selling already Todd and I've got the cutters & bracket backordered. Festool appears to be out right now.

Tom

 

[daviszr1]

Is the word getting out about new products that Festool is producing and introducing into the US market?  I am not so sure.

I was at the local Woodcraft this afternoon and was looking through the Festool section to see if they had any of the 4mm Dominos and the mating cutter.
This was introduced in the US around August 1st IIRC so we are about a month into it.  I was in there a couple weeks ago looking for these and the new support plate and got nothing but dumb looks and "we don't have it..."  They have a decent stock of Festool, but the knowledge seems to be lacking on it and especially on some of the newer items.  Anyway, today one of the guys at least looked it up on the Festool website and made a note to give to the store owner or manager about these items.  He said they order about every week for Festool, yet the 4 guys in the store had not heard of these new items and new nothing about when they would have them.  Hopefully, they will order a few and I'll get them in the near future...  They did show me a flyer from Festool that had some things that are coming in October and November...but somewhere the communication of new products into sale-able stock seems to be lacking....

Best,
Todd

Todd,

I don't want to turn this into a bashing Festool or Woodcraft thread, however you aren't the first to notice this.  Hey, they make fantastic tools.  Communication??? not so great.  Just look at their USA website and how difficult it is to get any information about the accessories.

I'll take the MFS for example.  For the MFS 400, you're looking at $260.  The description says it'll route circles, make "inside and ouside cuts", etc. etc.  Just looking at the picture (and without seeing any write ups or guides), you get 4 extruded Al rails with some funny looking connectors.  It's not at all obvious how this thing works.  No documentation, no videos, no pictures, nothing.  Given how this is likely able to expand the functionality of their routers as much as (or more than!) an edge guide, you would think they would post SOMETHING.  Does it shock you that there is not a clear message from higher about new products being available?

 

[score0matic]

I don't think it is anyone "dropping the ball" so much as we expect our stocking dealers to have our  passion for festool.    Their employees passions are limited to their budgets............most likely not Festool.  Their company focuses training on what brings in the most $$$  while The Festool presence  is a draw to their store  (like the 40+ Vipers at our local dodge dealership)  the store is unlikely to alert its staff to the newest accessory for an $800.00 hand power tool when their bread and butter is $600 table saws and $30 router bits.  This is not to say that each store doesn't have an "expert"  who can be called in to answer specific questions for folks who are ready to take the Green plunge.     

You might look at this as an opportunity for you to put your passion to good use,  demonstrate to the Owner/manager that you are a "power user" and can/will answer questions. 
I am sure that I am not the only one who has been asked by their local dealer to do field demos for prospective buyers.
Work out a deal for store credit.

Craig

 

[Wonderwino]

I used to voluntarily write lots of tool reviews for Amazon 10 years ago.  (I was actually in the Top 20 reviewers for a while.)  One thing I always described in detail was the directions that came with the tool.  I remember Incra as having outstanding manuals with clear illustrations and proceedures.  Surprisingly, one of the least impressive manuals came with my Delta tennoning jig.  It was illustrated with muddy B&W photos and failed to properly explan the different setup for  a left-tilt saw.  Some of the products that I ripped a new one for are not available anymore. 

If all manufacturers would pattern their printed material after the Incra model, we would be getting more benefit from our tools and perhaps increased safety.  ;D

 

[ForumMFG]

T.O.D.,

If you come to Columbus, Ohio you will get that same stupid look at our WoodCraft.  I don't like Woodcraft for Festool purchases or to obtain information about them.

What it comes down to is that Festool sells their product to make money, it would be in their best interest to inform all their dealers of new products and what-not.  I don't think it's Festool.

 

[clev1066]

Norm Abrams once said to, "read, understand, and follow all of the safety rules that come with your powertools".

It gets a little tougher when the end user only has poor illustrations and broken English (USA) to rely on.

 

[Wonderwino]

The directions that come with Chinese-built motor scooters are written in "Chinglish."  I quote,
"You no follow rules, make accident." 

 

[Frank Pellow]

The directions that come with Chinese-built motor scooters are written in "Chinglish."  I quote,
"You no follow rules, make accident."    

That quote is too good to be a real quote.  Thanks for the laugh.

 

[Bob Marino]

"I don't think it is anyone "dropping the ball" so much as we expect our stocking dealers to have our  passion for festool. "

                        Correct, Craig.

Festool does send out information to all dealers regarding new tools/acessories/consumables. It's up to the dealers to read, understand and ultimately stock and sell those items.

Bob

 

[nclemmons]

I ordered and received the new bit, small dominos, and fence from Bob and the arrived in about three days.  The knowlegable dealers know the product and stock it.  Others tend to take orders.  It was also listed on Bob's site along with the new sanding pads - the first place I saw them. 

Festool does have these items listed as accessories to the Domino on the USA site.  Shane sent out details in the Festool Sysnotes newsletter which is where I learned about them.  It would be good to see the new items 'called out' on the site as in a 'what's new' section.  It would also be worthwhile to have the past issues of Sysnotes available on the website as an archive, even as a digest of 'what's new' if content cannot easily be updated.

neil

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

They've (4 mm Domino items) been selling already Todd and I've got the cutters & bracket backordered. Festool appears to be out right now.

Tom

This another minor pet=peeve of mine when the manufacturers don't get enough into the pipeline and you get something new and right away it is unobtainable....

My expectations of the staff at the Woodcraft here are not high and I can run circles about most of them since I have been doing this and studying it for 25 years.  I was explaining the different types of planes to one of the sales people today and that was fine....we all have to learn and should be given a chance to do so. Yet he told me that he was relatively new to woodworking and still had a lot to learn.  Interesting though that several years ago when I applied to work there part time I never even got a call.  Perhaps the owner just figures he doesn't want too knowledgeable of employees who might try to steer the buyer and end up losing a sale....  It certainly remains a step or two above HD and Lowes though...

Best,
Todd

 

[tbellemare]

Can we please back up on this a little...

Is the word getting out about new products that Festool is producing and introducing into the US market?  I am not so sure.

They've (4 mm Domino items) been selling already Todd and I've got the cutters & bracket backordered. Festool appears to be out right now.

There are so many posts on this popular Forum that it is easy to miss the posts that matter most...

At the risk of being repetitive, and I'm sure someone will chastise me for it, this post details what is offered in the coming weeks.

Tom

 

[robtonya]

Can we please back up on this a little...

Is the word getting out about new products that Festool is producing and introducing into the US market?  I am not so sure.

They've (4 mm Domino items) been selling already Todd and I've got the cutters & bracket backordered. Festool appears to be out right now.

There are so many posts on this popular Forum that it is easy to miss the posts that matter most...

At the risk of being repetitive, and I'm sure someone will chastise me for it, this post details what is offered in the coming weeks.

Tom

I got broken links when I checked on what was being offered.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Just look at their USA website and how difficult it is to get any information about the accessories.

I'll take the MFS for example.  For the MFS 400, you're looking at $260.  The description says it'll route circles, make "inside and ouside cuts", etc. etc.  Just looking at the picture (and without seeing any write ups or guides), you get 4 extruded Al rails with some funny looking connectors.  It's not at all obvious how this thing works.  No documentation, no videos, no pictures, nothing.  Given how this is likely able to expand the functionality of their routers as much as (or more than!) an edge guide, you would think they would post SOMETHING. 

Are there two Festool USA websites - the one you're looking at and the one I am seeing?  ???    My one gives a page devoted to the MFS and at the bottom right it has links to :

MFS Review by Jerry Work
MFS Review by Scott Slater
MFS Product Manual
Online Spare Parts Catalog
Repair Order Form

The first of these, by Jerry Work and actually called "Advanced Cutting and Routing Techniques Using the Festool MFS Fence System", is a highly detailed and explanation of how the MFS works and suggestions of what you can do with it. It contains 57 pages, and has dozens of excellent colour photos!

The second link is a 5 page document showing the MFS being used for another type of job.

The third link takes you to the official multi-lingual user manual, which is similar to the majority of manuals supplied by power tool manufacturers.

Although the addition of video clips would be nice, only last month Festool asked members of FOG what instructional videos they would like to see, so clearly Festool is making an effort in that direction too.

Whilst the Festool USA website doesn't appear to have it, there is a Festool MFS video that you can watch on youtube:



For the MFS, it's certainly NOT a case of "No documentation, no videos, no pictures, nothing".

Forrest

The first of these

 

[Brice Burrell]

IIRC, this above video is on the Festool USA site for the OF2200.

 

[daviszr1]

Just look at their USA website and how difficult it is to get any information about the accessories.

I'll take the MFS for example.  For the MFS 400, you're looking at $260.  The description says it'll route circles, make "inside and ouside cuts", etc. etc.  Just looking at the picture (and without seeing any write ups or guides), you get 4 extruded Al rails with some funny looking connectors.  It's not at all obvious how this thing works.  No documentation, no videos, no pictures, nothing.  Given how this is likely able to expand the functionality of their routers as much as (or more than!) an edge guide, you would think they would post SOMETHING. 

Are there two Festool USA websites - the one you're looking at and the one I am seeing?  ???     My one gives a page devoted to the MFS and at the bottom right it has links to :

MFS Review by Jerry Work
MFS Review by Scott Slater
MFS Product Manual
Online Spare Parts Catalog
Repair Order Form

The first of these, by Jerry Work and actually called "Advanced Cutting and Routing Techniques Using the Festool MFS Fence System", is a highly detailed and explanation of how the MFS works and suggestions of what you can do with it. It contains 57 pages, and has dozens of excellent colour photos!

The second link is a 5 page document showing the MFS being used for another type of job.

The third link takes you to the official multi-lingual user manual, which is similar to the majority of manuals supplied by power tool manufacturers.

Although the addition of video clips would be nice, only last month Festool asked members of FOG what instructional videos they would like to see, so clearly Festool is making an effort in that direction too.

Whilst the Festool USA website doesn't appear to have it, there is a Festool MFS video that you can watch on youtube:



For the MFS, it's certainly NOT a case of "No documentation, no videos, no pictures, nothing".

Forrest

The first of these

Forrest I disagree with you.  I guess my post wasn't clear.  I copied nearly verbatum from the Festool page that you linked to.  So maybe there are two difference pages.  Of the links that are posted, I did not read Jerry's.  I did go through most of the others a while ago and was completely underwhelmed, hence my original post.  Why I didn't see Jerry's at the time, I do not know.  It was likely a complete oversight on my behalf.  The "review" that shows me how to route a mortise understates the product.  The product manual in German does me no good.  The spare parts catalog doesn't give one any additional information on the product nor does the repair page.  Maybe all of those go a long way for you?  Why is the best documentation on their site by a third party?  Weird just about any company's standards.

By you, I stand corrected.  One photo, documentation in German, no link to a video that showcases the product.  Outstanding marketing!!  I mean just a great attempt to connect with the customer.