Lesser tools

[Wood_Junkie]

So, I've been dazzled with the TS55 and all of its virtues and capabilities.  I've been annoying coworkers and my wife and friends extolling it's amazing cut results and how accurate and easy it makes precision activities.  Yay, I love the TS55 (and the rails and the CT).

But last night, I needed to cut up an old door we removed from a bedroom (now officially the kids' play-room).  It won't fit in our city garbage bins, and it's too junky and ruined to justify putting it at the curb for others to salvage and reuse (it would not even serve as a benchtop.. had panels).  So, I wanted to cut it down so it'd fit in the bins. 

Now, I tried ONE time to do a free-hand cross-cut with the TS55 and it kinda scared the bejeesus out of me.  It kicked back since it's hard to maintain the plunge one-handed.
So, I did NOT reach for my TS55.  I grabbed my PC 324 and tore into that thing, sitting on top of snowy-topped garbage bins, secured by nothing but gravity and my off-hand.  I cut that thing with crooked, wandering cuts that went up and over the rails and across the panels.  Needless to say, the door got cut up in shamefully awesome fashion.

I definitely saw some sparks while cutting, so I went through some finish nails and possibly even a screw... Not something for our beloved Festool blades.  I had previously listed my circular saw on CL, thinking I'd use those funds to help fund more green goodness... but now I'm reconsidering.  For cuts where I really am not overly concerned about quality, and/or need some sponaneous cross-cutting (2x4s come to mind), perhaps the TS55 is not the best choice, as it does require setup.

So, I'm curious... if you have a Festool equivalent of a given tool (e.g. circular saw, sawzall/jigsaw, sander), do you keep a lesser tool?  Is there a specific purpose for which you keep it/them, or just nostalgia or too lazy/busy to sell them?  Loaners for "friends"?  Ha!

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

The ts saws can not replace a side winder or worm drive.

I have multiples of most tools, at least the ones that aren't festool.

 

[JohnDistai]

I have a TS55 that I haven'y used yet, and I have a Bosch circular saw.  I won't get rid of the Bosch since I consider it for rough or outdoor carpentry where dust collection may not be needed.  

 

[Jesus Aleman]

I would use a jigsaw when you are cutting down scrap (if you don't have a circular saw).  The jigsaw blade is only a few buck if you hit a nail and ruin it.

 

[L2theP]

i have pretty much two or three of everything, 3 table saws, 3 chop saws, 4 sets of drills, multiples of sanders, etc...  the festools get used by me only and my guys get the other fancy dewalts and ridgids.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Now, I tried ONE time to do a free-hand cross-cut with the TS55 and it kinda scared the bejeesus out of me.  It kicked back since it's hard to maintain the plunge one-handed.
So, I did NOT reach for my TS55.  

What prevented you to use the guide rail then?

I grabbed my PC 324 and tore into that thing, sitting on top of snowy-topped garbage bins, secured by nothing but gravity and my off-hand.  I cut that thing with crooked, wandering cuts that went up and over the rails and across the panels.  Needless to say, the door got cut up in shamefully awesome fashion.

That's ok. Garbage bins have a rep for not being too picky.

So, I'm curious... if you have a Festool equivalent of a given tool (e.g. circular saw, sawzall/jigsaw, sander), do you keep a lesser tool?  Is there a specific purpose for which you keep it/them, or just nostalgia or too lazy/busy to sell them?  Loaners for "friends"?  Ha!

I'm not a pro with a whole heap of tools and duplicates. I only get a second one if the first is kaput. But I recently replaced my old 12v DeWalt drill for the T15 because it's batteries were on their last breath. I really love to work with the T15.  But when I have a really dirty job to do, I find myself bringing the DW along instead of the T15.

I find that a bit silly of me. I always looked at tools as tools, means to an end. I treat my tools with dignity but I don't spare them either. But somehow with the T15 I find myself looking at it as a collector's item sometimes. I don't have this with my other 4 Festools though, the sanders and the CT.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Now, I tried ONE time to do a free-hand cross-cut with the TS55 and it kinda scared the bejeesus out of me.  It kicked back since it's hard to maintain the plunge one-handed.
So, I did NOT reach for my TS55.  

What prevented you to use the guide rail then?

Lazy... Had to make 6 cuts to make 'em small enough to stuff in the bins..  Didn't want to set the rail up multiple times...  It was snowing, so the door was slightly wet, didn't want that on the foam strips of the rails...  Mostly lazy.  [wink]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Alex, I understand your position on not having duplicate tools. These of us that are full time professionals can't afford to be without certain tools so a fair amount of redundancy is important. I've got to be able to keep a job moving if a tool goes down or I'm working on two or more jobs at the same time, this is where having duplicate tools pays off. I generally set out to buy duplicate tools necessarily. I keep the old tool when it gets replaced with a new model or I find a deal I can't pass up.  

I once loaned almost all of my spare tools to another contractor who's tools were stolen. He was totally wiped out, everything, gone. He had insurance but that takes some time before the check gets to your door.

WJ, I think the circular saw is one item that is a good tool to keep around, especially since they generally have great resale value.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

My rule is that any tool in the shop that hasn't been used for a year (including Festool) goes on Craigslist.  Sometimes that creates some surprises: the piece of cr** tool actually gets used for junky tasks.  The Leigh FMT sat totally idle after the Domino arrived.

By the way, I learned a nice trick thru experience.  I keep an old beat up screwdriver, hammer, pliers, etc. on a pegboard right by the door to the shop.  That way when the wife comes looking for a tool to pry something open with, she finds the appropriate one, not my Japanese chisels.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Alex, I understand your position on not having duplicate tools. These of us that are full time professionals can't afford to be without certain tools so a fair amount of redundancy is important. I've got to be able to keep a job moving if a tool goes down or I'm working on two or more jobs at the same time, this is where having duplicate tools pays off. I generally set out to buy duplicate tools necessarily. I keep the old tool when it gets replaced with a new model or I find a deal I can't pass up.  

But of course. For a pro that comes naturally. Anyway, from what I read here, I think you've got enough tools yourself to supply all rebuilders on Haiti.  [poke]

 

[Dave Ronyak]

My rule is that any tool in the shop that hasn't been used for a year (including Festool) goes on Craigslist.  Sometimes that creates some surprises: the piece of cr** tool actually gets used for junky tasks.  The Leigh FMT sat totally idle after the Domino arrived.

By the way, I learned a nice trick thru experience.  I keep an old beat up screwdriver, hammer, pliers, etc. on a pegboard right by the door to the shop.  That way when the wife comes looking for a tool to pry something open with, she finds the appropriate one, not my Japanese chisels.

Good idea.  I filled a front section of a kitchen drawer with a bunch of commonly used hand tools so my wife or anyone can grab one when needed.  That collection includes a few flat bladed and #1 and #2 Phillips screwdrivers including tools with fully insulated handles and shanks, a Stanley retractable blade utility knife, medium size diagonal cutter pliers, water pump pliers, a 12 ft steel measuring tape, and a roll of plastic electricians tape.  This saves a lot of trips to the garage to look for tools, and saves me the frustration of not being able to find my tools in the garage because someone else needed a commonly used tool.

And the Makita battery powered light is in the pantry closet immediately to the left of that tool drawer.  Will Festool ever offer a worklamp powered by their batteries?

Dave R.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

There is a powersaw called "Rage" that apparently cuts most stuff and it could possibly be a side kick to the TS55. There is a miter saw version as well, which cuts pretty much everything except tiles. I think the latter would make a great "rough" saw and seems capable of doing the job as a standard miter saw as well.
If I would be doing more house building / big renovations I would probably invest in one.

I have a large systainer with the old "write-offs" that are still suitable for less delicate renovations, as well as a systainer for hand tools that are duplicates or simply redundant. I am a backup kind of guy and usually keep an extra pair of everything I use regularly.

Crap tools no longer make their way past my door step.

 

[bruegf]

And the Makita battery powered light is in the pantry closet immediately to the left of that tool drawer.  Will Festool ever offer a worklamp powered by their batteries?

Dave R.

I'll second that - the little led that clips on the drill is ok, but a bit of a pain.  Already drained a battery because the something bumped the on/off switch and it stayed on, closed up in the systainer, until the batter went dead.  Plus its not all that bright compared to the 18V Craftsman light that came with their drill.  I've use that light far more than the drill and really miss it now that batteries won't charge anymore, but can't really get myself to spend $65 for a new battery just for the light. 

Festool really, really needs a good worklight - I'd hate to have to buy a Bosch light to go along w/ the Bosch impact driver

Fred

 

[Alex2]

Well just sold my Dewalt DW735 planer when I got my Hammer combo machine. It was 1 year old, and lost 20$ from the price I paid for it (which was heavily discounted back then).. 20$ for one year of use (light) aint bad in my book plus it gives me much more floor space to buy more goodies..

Now I have many Bosch sanders I like a lot but will replace those with more Festool sanders in the future.. dustless sanding is worth every damn penny Festool is asking for their sanders.
I have also a very nice Bosch miter saw which works flawlessly and a nice Bosch jigsaw. If and only if Festool comes with a decent jigsaw I'll replace it. Until then I keep my Bosch jigsaw.

Cheers,

Alex

 

[spikfot]

in my opinion it pays to have duplicates- my Festools don't go out in the rain and snow and mud, thats what Milwaukee tools are for- undignified jobsite abuse. It's a cruel world out there in the elements. My Festools stay in the shop, in the truck or under a roof etc.
I do miss my worm drive saws, none to be had over here in metricland. I would not really consider Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, etc "lesser" tools, they have their place in the chain and I use them accordingly. Thank god they're cheaper.
The one brand I would consider lesser is bright yellow, not naming any names... 

 

[Eli]

By the way, I learned a nice trick thru experience.  I keep an old beat up screwdriver, hammer, pliers, etc. on a pegboard right by the door to the shop.  That way when the wife comes looking for a tool to pry something open with, she finds the appropriate one, not my Japanese chisels.

I keep a broom near the door to shoo people who are looking to borrow tools. You want to pry something, get back in the house and wreck another spoon.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Everybody's got beater tools, I think.  Some may be the first tools that were replaced or actually purchased to keep the good ones pristine.  I have some knock-about chisels from the borg I use for 'construction' stuff in the house like adjusting casing that might have a nail.  Same reason for a Shark saw instead of the BCTW Japanese saws... flush trimming casing is a nasty job wrought with nails, staples, caulk, more caulk, and whatever else my builder thought would hold it to the wall (curiously, I have not found gum yet).

 

[Wonderwino]

I have ditched all my yellow "Pisstools"  [scared] except the 12v circular saw.  When the last of the batteries die, it goes too.  I may have to try a Bosch or Milwaukee if Festool has not come out with a small, battery-powered saw that can be used with one hand on a ladder.

Alex

 

[jmbfestool]

Now, I tried ONE time to do a free-hand cross-cut with the TS55 and it kinda scared the bejeesus out of me.  It kicked back since it's hard to maintain the plunge one-handed.
So, I did NOT reach for my TS55.  I grabbed my PC 324 and tore into that thing, sitting on top of snowy-topped garbage bins, secured by nothing but gravity and my off-hand.  I cut that thing with crooked, wandering cuts that went up and over the rails and across the panels.  Needless to say, the door got cut up in shamefully awesome fashion.

I think alot of use have tried it I tried it on 4x2 600mm long so had my knee on it and I pooped my self!  Any way!!! The Mafel guide rail saw have the solution as one of their guide rail circular saw model can be locked and used as a normal saw so for some one who just wants one saw im afraid Festool aint the answer! Also they do a cool flexible guide rail which once again is handy for when you cant be bothered to set up a proper bench on site so your sheet material is sagging.

I dont own any mafel but if I had know about them befor I bought most of festool products they make! I mite of mixed and match some of mafel and festool tools so suite my day to day job!