Hi, my name is Neville and I technically joined this forum a few years ago ... and then forgot about it.
In the last few weeks while searching for Festool answers, I rediscovered it ... realized I was actually a member ... and have found some brilliant answers to problems that have been worrying me!
As one of my midlife crises I decided to try my hand at woodwork.
The last time I had done it was at school a very long time ago ... and I wasn't particularly good at it then.
After doing all of the proper homework and research I was advised to buy a table saw etc etc ... but:
(a) was terrified of that blade spinning in harm's way, and
(b) just found myself more and more impressed by the Festool MFT 1080 and TS55 in the local hardware
I made a deal with my wife that I would forego my planned and anticipated car upgrade if I could have half the money to set up a workshop.
I also managed to secure half of our garage as a permanent workshop.
I bought the MFT 1080 and TS55, and the CT22E vacuum.
I was originally hesitant about the expense of the vacuum, but history has shown it to be a vital investment.
The Festool bug then bit and with each bit of spare cash found myself buying more and more.
I subsequently bought:
(1) Rotex RO 125
I have used this extensively.
I generally hate sanding, but find this a brilliant tool.
(2) OF 1010 router
I really love this tool.
It is light, I can use it one handed and have used it a LOT
(3) EHL 65 planer and inverting stand
I bought this because it seemed relatively cheap by Festool standards.
I also liked the idea of having a mini-jointer.
I have found the stand a little short to use as a jointer - am also not crazy about pushing a piece of wood down onto spinning blades ...
So - this is under-utilized.
I thought of selling it once, but find that when I need it, I REALLY need it ... so will keep it for the times I do.
I love the clean cut from the angled blade.
(4) Domino DF500
I eventually found the courage to splash out on this tool.
As a hobbyist without a specific need for jointing this was quite an indulgence.
BUT I am delighted I bought it.
This tool gives a hacker like me the ability to create perfect joints.
I can suddenly make boxes and small tables - something that is usually the domain of the most experienced woodworkers !!
And it does it quickly, easily and with enormous pleasure.
(5) Trion PS300 jigsaw
This was greatly under-utilised until I found a way of inverting it under a table and found a 130mm blade !!
It's pretty scary using it this way, but is enormously useful for someone who doesn't have a bandsaw.
(6) Makita RP2301 router
I bought this to mount under a table.
I have inverted this under a board which I span between my workbench and the MFT table.
Found it's a little dangerous without a fence - so made one of those recently.
Personality wise I tend to be a bit hyper-active and impatient and consequently struggle to go slowly and do things properly.
I make a lot of mistakes, of the same kind, and don't seem to learn.
I should put up a sign in my workshop with the following messages:
(A) Measure twice or more !!
(B) If in doubt, clamp it !!
The output from my workshop has been very small relative to the toys I have.
If truth be told, I spend more time making jigs and upgrading the shop than actually making things - but that's where I get my pleasure, so why not?
I love musical instruments and have recently succeeded in making a Stratocaster body, which I bolted the other bits to ... and is now my favourite guitar.
(yes - learning guitar is another of my midlife crises).
Sorry to have taken so long to introduce myself properly.
Oh yes - I live in Cape Town in South Africa.
A beautiful place to live !!
[smile]
In the last few weeks while searching for Festool answers, I rediscovered it ... realized I was actually a member ... and have found some brilliant answers to problems that have been worrying me!
As one of my midlife crises I decided to try my hand at woodwork.
The last time I had done it was at school a very long time ago ... and I wasn't particularly good at it then.
After doing all of the proper homework and research I was advised to buy a table saw etc etc ... but:
(a) was terrified of that blade spinning in harm's way, and
(b) just found myself more and more impressed by the Festool MFT 1080 and TS55 in the local hardware
I made a deal with my wife that I would forego my planned and anticipated car upgrade if I could have half the money to set up a workshop.
I also managed to secure half of our garage as a permanent workshop.
I bought the MFT 1080 and TS55, and the CT22E vacuum.
I was originally hesitant about the expense of the vacuum, but history has shown it to be a vital investment.
The Festool bug then bit and with each bit of spare cash found myself buying more and more.
I subsequently bought:
(1) Rotex RO 125
I have used this extensively.
I generally hate sanding, but find this a brilliant tool.
(2) OF 1010 router
I really love this tool.
It is light, I can use it one handed and have used it a LOT
(3) EHL 65 planer and inverting stand
I bought this because it seemed relatively cheap by Festool standards.
I also liked the idea of having a mini-jointer.
I have found the stand a little short to use as a jointer - am also not crazy about pushing a piece of wood down onto spinning blades ...
So - this is under-utilized.
I thought of selling it once, but find that when I need it, I REALLY need it ... so will keep it for the times I do.
I love the clean cut from the angled blade.
(4) Domino DF500
I eventually found the courage to splash out on this tool.
As a hobbyist without a specific need for jointing this was quite an indulgence.
BUT I am delighted I bought it.
This tool gives a hacker like me the ability to create perfect joints.
I can suddenly make boxes and small tables - something that is usually the domain of the most experienced woodworkers !!
And it does it quickly, easily and with enormous pleasure.
(5) Trion PS300 jigsaw
This was greatly under-utilised until I found a way of inverting it under a table and found a 130mm blade !!
It's pretty scary using it this way, but is enormously useful for someone who doesn't have a bandsaw.
(6) Makita RP2301 router
I bought this to mount under a table.
I have inverted this under a board which I span between my workbench and the MFT table.
Found it's a little dangerous without a fence - so made one of those recently.
Personality wise I tend to be a bit hyper-active and impatient and consequently struggle to go slowly and do things properly.
I make a lot of mistakes, of the same kind, and don't seem to learn.
I should put up a sign in my workshop with the following messages:
(A) Measure twice or more !!
(B) If in doubt, clamp it !!
The output from my workshop has been very small relative to the toys I have.
If truth be told, I spend more time making jigs and upgrading the shop than actually making things - but that's where I get my pleasure, so why not?
I love musical instruments and have recently succeeded in making a Stratocaster body, which I bolted the other bits to ... and is now my favourite guitar.
(yes - learning guitar is another of my midlife crises).
Sorry to have taken so long to introduce myself properly.
Oh yes - I live in Cape Town in South Africa.
A beautiful place to live !!
[smile]
