Looking to buy my first Festool

[jimmy986]

Hello,
I have been looking into Festool for quite some time but have been waiting due to the prices. I should be making my first purchase soon and wanted some advice on what would be good products for my use.

I currently build small scale furniture. Mostly cocktail tables and end tables. Sometimes bookcases. Nothing too elaborate. I've only been doing woodworking for a little over a year os my projects are getting more complex as my skills build. I think the first product I will probably buy is the Domino 750 as it does something I don't already have a tool for. I have sanders, drills, etc.

Right now I have a small shop so dust extraction is a big bonus. Is the largest extractor worth the extra money over the smaller models?

As I move forward, for furniture building, what products would help me. I like a lot of the sanders. I am intrigued by the air sanders but can't find a lot of info on them. I like that they claim to be more quite than motor driven sanders. I also find that my wrists tire after using a random orbital sander for long periods so the claim that the lack of a motor takes away a lot of the vibrations and is easier on the wrists help.

The domino, extractor and sanders are probably what I am looking into for the near future but what other products stand out for small furniture work?

 

[#Tee]

welcome to fog! small shop imo and if youre not planning to go mobile with the dust extractor you can use the mini or midi BUT a dust separator (cyclone) i would high recommend since you already have small capacity (mini/midi) altho i would run it with any size dust extractor.

moving forward i would look into the mft3 and ts55 esp for small furniture builds.  im in love with the wcr-1000. youll save so much time reaching for your most used tools right in front of you. try to buy a tool/dust extractor(DE) at once to get the discount.

 

[semenza]

Hi Jimmy,

  Welcome to the forum !  [smile]

  The dust extractors all have the same suction power. It really comes down to capacity, physical size, mobility, and whether you might want to add the Boom Arm or WCR. The Mini/Midi are very portable but have the smallest capacity and the Boom Arm or WCR won't readily attach. The CT48 is pretty big but if only for shop use may be the way to go. The CT26 and CT36 are probably the sweet spot if this is mostly for your own home hobbyist shop. They have very good capacity , the attachments fit, and are still pretty portable.

  The Domino is probably a good choice for building furniture assuming you have a router, table saw and or band saw.

  Seth 

 

[Just F Me]

I bought my first Festools recently and I have to say, if I could do it again, I'd buy my tool combo with the biggest dust extractor.  It was only $90 more for a dust extractor almost twice as big.  If you're not using it onsite and it's only going to be used at home, I'd buy the big one. 

Domino sounds like a good choice as your first tool.  .  Watch all the videos you find on YouTube and  [welcome] to the addiction.  [big grin]

 

[jacko9]

Hello Jimmy,

For small furniture the Domino 500 will work just fine.  Also get the domino tenon assortment with a cutter selection that will enable you to cut a full range of slip tenons.

I like the CT26 extractor (I have the smaller older model CT22) and the ETS 150/3 sander is a great tool to help with your projects.

Jack

 

[Carman]

+1 on the CT26 and also recommend a cyclone separator! 
Domino is a great first Festool, you'll enjoy it and it will just draw you into the green. . . . .

Be careful, it's an expensive habit. . . but it sounds like it's already too late!

Welcome to the FOG!!

 

[roblg3]

I can second the domino 500.  I own the 700 and while i really like the ability to use aftermarket attachments...the tool is designed for larger work and becomes harder to use on anything smaller than 3/4 inch material. I understand that you have sanders, have you ever had the great pleasure of using a festool sander?  go to your retailer and take a test drive you'll be impressed.  plus the 30 day no hassle return policy takes the worry out of whether or not you like the tool.  welcome!

 

[Just F Me]

I can second the domino 500.  I own the 700 and while i really like the ability to use aftermarket attachments...the tool is designed for larger work and becomes harder to use on anything smaller than 3/4 inch material. I understand that you have sanders, have you ever had the great pleasure of using a festool sander?  go to your retailer and take a test drive you'll be impressed.  plus the 30 day no hassle return policy takes the worry out of whether or not you like the tool.  welcome!

+1 I used a porter cable sander before...actually, it was a DA polisher that I put a sanding disc on and it pretty much just kick dust everywhere.  No joke, I can probably wear a black shirt and black pants and there wouldn't be much dust on me afterwards when you use a Festool sander + CT dust extractor.  Like many have said, it turns a task that's not so fun to do into something that's a breeze and easy to do.  Doesn't leave your body shaking afterwards.

 

[polarsea1]

My first Festool purchase was a Domino 500, I bought it because it had unique capabilities. I have a number of other Festool products and I am pleased with them, but if I had to keep just one, it would be the Domino.

 

[dustinthegarage]

My first festool was also a DF500, great way to start. But like others have said, buy the extractor combo and save a bit of coin...you will need it later!

I thought I'd be good with just the domino, and then I got a CT36, ETS150, TS55 REQ, built my own MFT using Ekat rails and MFT top, a Kapex, T18 set, carvex, mfk700 and just got an OF 1400. Wow, so this is my first post...I re-read my list of tools to see if I missed anything...realizing now that I have a festool problem. As others say, it is VERY addicting, the tools are just joy to use! Good luck!!

 

[dustinthegarage]

Oh, missed one...RO90 [wink]

 

[ear3]

The gateway drug for me was the Carvex jigsaw, which allowed me to see clearly the difference between Festool and other brands.  And it was priced reasonably enough so that I didn't feel like I was taking a tremendous risk if it's performance didn't live up to the hype.  90% of the stuff I previously did on the bandsaw I can now do with the Carvex, liked curved furniture components, whether roughed out for pattern routing or even finish cuts.

And I second the CT26.  I started out with a mini, but realized once I got the Track Saw and Domino that I would benefit from more capacity.

 

[John Langevin]

Jimmy986,

    This did not fly the first time. Ask yourself what step(s) in your process do not produce the desired results, take too much time or make a mess and then look at the Festool System for solutions. I think you will realize the most value from Festool if you can put together a small synergistic Festool System that addresses your needs. From you project description I would suggest looking at these:

    RTS or DTS Finish Sander with suitable Festool Abrasives combined with a CT Dust Collector - The first (and every time) you use the Festool Finishing System you will realize that most of the other manufacturers are "whizzin' in the wind" when it comes to finishing. The ergonomically designed, lightweight sander combined with superior performing/long-lasting abrasive produces impressive results. Combine the variable speeds of both the sander and the CT and the results are impeccable any way you look at it.

  The MFT with assorted Festool and commercial clamps - will make all of your existing tools more useful, very versatile sanding, assembly and finishing table.

  My recommendation: CT (size-to-suit)/Sander Combo + MFT (when you need it).

Good luck and don't forget your helmet when sliding down the "slippery slope".

   

 

[jimmy986]

The Domino DF 500 may sound like a better option for me right now. Since I am just working on smaller projects, it will serve my purposes right now. Plus I think having both down the road would be good. The DF 700 for larger case pieces but the DF 500 would be good for table tops under 1" that might be more difficult or small rails, etc.

Does anyone who uses the DF 500 use it for larger projects? Are the tenons strong enough for larger tables, bookcases, etc.

I think it really just comes down to the extractor that I want. It seems like the 48 might be the best option. When buying with the DF 500 the difference between the 26 and the 48 is less than $100.

 

[jacko9]

The Domino DF 500 may sound like a better option for me right now. Since I am just working on smaller projects, it will serve my purposes right now. Plus I think having both down the road would be good. The DF 700 for larger case pieces but the DF 500 would be good for table tops under 1" that might be more difficult or small rails, etc.

Does anyone who uses the DF 500 use it for larger projects? Are the tenons strong enough for larger tables, bookcases, etc.

I think it really just comes down to the extractor that I want. It seems like the 48 might be the best option. When buying with the DF 500 the difference between the 26 and the 48 is less than $100.

I have both the DF 500 and the 700 and while I love the 700 the DF500 is perfect for tables, cabinets, bookcases,etc.  I got the 700 for larger work doors, gates, heavy furniture but, I will keep both machines and use them both.

I think the DF500 with the CT 26 or 48 would be a great purchase.

If you don't have a supplier, Tom Bellemare (Tool Home online at the FOG) is a great guy to deal with.

Jack