Need Help with First Festool Purchase

[Patrick Cox]

Hello,
I am getting ready to order several Festool items and would like some input on any important accessories or options I should consider with the purchase.  Here is what I am looking at...

TS 55 Circular Saw (Which rail/track should I choose since I am also buying the MFT Table which I believe comes with a rail/track?)
MFT3 Table with guiderails
CT26 E Dust Extractor

I am also considering for future purchase...
RTS 400 EQ Orbital Sander
1400 EQ Plunge Router

I think this would have me pretty well setup for general woodworking.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Bohdan]

Consider swapping the saw rail with a 1400 LR32 holey rail instead of the plain one for future use with the OF1400.

The two rails (saw 1400mm and MFT 1080mm) when joined won't be long enough to comfortably rip an 8x4 sheet so you might consider a 2700mm or 3000mm rail if you have somewhere to store it.

You will also need some rail clamps and (which ever brand takes your fancy) dogs. The MFT-SP, Product Number 488030 and FS-RAPID, Product Number 489790 clamps are very useful.

 

[canadamike]

I started with your set up some years ago. That's a great starting point, especially the recommendation to swap out to the LR 32 rail. I suggest you take a look at the new ETS sanders, and check out some of the threads on this site. In the end, you'll end up with a few sanders. Just depends on what type of work you are doing.

 

[sancho57]

here comes the slippery slope :>D

 

[Stone Message]

I would leave the MFT3 for now and get the Domino 500 - it has really made my woodwork so much easier and so enjoyable.

You can build a small bench or have a custom top on a pair of trestles to start with. The trestles can be made with your Domino.

Peter

 

[Patrick Cox]

I would leave the MFT3 for now and get the Domino 500 - it has really made my woodwork so much easier and so enjoyable.

You can build a small bench or have a custom top on a pair of trestles to start with. The trestles can be made with your Domino.

Peter

Thanks for your comments.  I am new to woodworking and the only other tools I have in addition to what I am purchasing here are a 10" miter saw and a drill.  So I do not have a Table saw or Radial Arm saw.  And because of this, I thought the MFT3 table would be very useful with the TS55 as a table saw substitute.  So in my circumstances, do you still recommend holding off on the MFT3 table and if so, how would you get the same square cuts with stop blocks and dogs...etc.?  (Again, considering I am new to Woodworking, the MFT3 seems to simplify the process with less chance for error.)

Thanks again.

 

[Bohdan]

You can get square cuts by marking with a large square and cutting on the line but that is such a PITA compared to using the MFT that I wouldn't bother.

The MFT is also a very handy assembly and general work table that you will find invaluable. Of course you can save some money and actually make your own MFT and use dogs to achieve square cuts. If you need more info check out Peter Parfitt's videos on the subject.

I agree with Peter that the domino is such a game changer that you seriously need to look at it.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Patrick

I am not trying to push my own dog/square cutting solutions and you will see that there are many options on the market.

But I really think (and agree with [member=36526]Bohdan[/member] 's final line comment) that the Domino is such a game changer for the majority that you would do well to get it as early as you can.

If you go that way then build these trestles, with your Domino, as a good first project:


Just PM your email address to me and I will send the plans free of charge.

Then get a piece of good quality MDF and place across the trestles to form your tracksaw cutting station. Go for whatever dogs you fancy and whatever solution you want for creating the square pattern of 20 mm holes in the MDF top. Failing that just get a big square, check that it is true, and use that to set up your guide rail each time.

Peter

 

[Patrick Cox]

Hi Patrick

I am not trying to push my own dog/square cutting solutions and you will see that there are many options on the market.

But I really think (and agree with [member=36526]Bohdan[/member] 's final line comment) that the Domino is such a game changer for the majority that you would do well to get it as early as you can.

If you go that way then build these trestles, with your Domino, as a good first project:


Just PM your email address to me and I will send the plans free of charge.

Then get a piece of good quality MDF and place across the trestles to form your tracksaw cutting station. Go for whatever dogs you fancy and whatever solution you want for creating the square pattern of 20 mm holes in the MDF top. Failing that just get a big square, check that it is true, and use that to set up your guide rail each time.

Peter

Thanks for posting this Peter.  I guess an option would be to buy the replacement MFT3 top instead of the complete MFT3?  I am not really confident yet in my ability to take a plain piece of MDF and actually make a set of holes in it that are perfectly square to one another.

And then I guess I place that top on the trestles?  How would I secure the top to the trestles?

After watching some videos on the Domino I do see the value of it and will consider this further.  Great suggestion!

Thanks again.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Patrick

I just rest the top on the trestles which is perfectly good for a tracksaw cutting station. But if you want to use it as a bench as well then you could fix it with screws if you sink the screw heads well and put some highly visible red Xs over them so you are less likely to damage your saw or yourself.

Alternatively, if it is a bench that you want then take a look at the many offering from the clever FOGgers. There are benches that you can take apart easily for transit or special Festool multi function benches from Timtool and so on.

Peter

 

[Patrick Cox]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!  I think I am going to stick with the MFT3 table but the Domino is probably next on my list.  I have my cart ready with the TS55, MFT3 table, CT26 Dust extractor and EC125 sander.  That should get me started!

I do have another question.  I have been watching lots of woodworking videos and have been reading a lot and one thing I have noticed is that most hardwood projects seem to require a jointer and a planer.  So how important are these tools and if they are important, what would be good choices for a small shop?  They would need to be portable bench top tools that could be stored when not in use.

Thanks!

 

[ear3]

If you get the long rail (the 3000mm - don't waste your The track saw, especially at the onitial stages of woodworking, will cover most of the edge jointing operations you might need a jointer for.  There is no substitute for a planer, though, and if you plan on working with rough lumber it will be essential.

Not to load your cart firther, but a good investment at this stage, especially if you will be doing a lot of sheet cutting, is the long 3000mm rail (don't waste your money on the 2700). Joining rails does work, but it's not foolproof, and having the long rail saves you a lot of time on setup -- it's a pain in the rear to have to disassemble your rails for a cross cut only to have to join them again for another rip cut.

 

[Acrobat]

Get a planer-thicknesser, a 13" or similar, there's heaps of brands. All do the same job of helping you get your stock to be all the same thickness. Otherwise a hand plane and time does the same job.
Jigsaw you'll need at some stage, if you don't have one already. A bandsaw would be better but jigsaw will do.
Once you've spent time making things, you'll get a feel for what you need. The extra long rail is nice but very pricey and do you really need it? Joining rails is a bit of a pain but for the odd times you need that kind of length, joining them is free if you already have two rails.
The MFT is a nice but not must have as you can make your own version. Tons of examples on here or the net. If you do get one, get the clamps for it.
A good stable workbench you can hand plane on, preferably with a vice.

 

[Stone Message]

As [member=4404]Acrobat[/member] says a planer-thicknesser is an excellent idea and there are some cheap and cheerful ones out there and you could always buy second hand at the start. The same goes for the bandsaw which I cannot manage without. These two machines will allow you to have nice square smooth stock ready for cutting to length and putting into your projects.

Peter

 

[mkasdin]

Dewalt 735 is good, but a good planer will set you back $700.
The domino is great but add in the Systainer and cutters and it's over $1,000
I think you should swing for the mft/3. It will make your woodworking more enjoyable. Instead of fussing around trying to build a table, which you'll still have 100-200 into it, plus time.

 

[Holmz]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!  I think I am going to stick with the MFT3 table but the Domino is probably next on my list.  I have my cart ready with the TS55, MFT3 table, CT26 Dust extractor and EC125 sander.  That should get me started!

I do have another question.  I have been watching lots of woodworking videos and have been reading a lot and one thing I have noticed is that most hardwood projects seem to require a jointer and a planer.  So how important are these tools and if they are important, what would be good choices for a small shop?  They would need to be portable bench top tools that could be stored when not in use.

Thanks!

Well... it depends on the project.

If it was veneer on flat surfaces then the plunge saw and a sander (ETS EC 150) and a vacuum bag.
If it is Maloof chairs then it is just a jig saw and an RO90.
If it is solid wood and flat, then the planer and jointer.

The exact work, determines the optimum work flow. A bunch of varied work can result in some sub-optimal (but acceptable) choices for tools and work-flow.

 

[Patrick Cox]

Dewalt 735 is good, but a good planer will set you back $700.
The domino is great but add in the Systainer and cutters and it's over $1,000
I think you should swing for the mft/3. It will make your woodworking more enjoyable. Instead of fussing around trying to build a table, which you'll still have 100-200 into it, plus time.

I did end up ordering the MFT3.  It will be here tomorrow!  Thanks.

 

[Patrick Cox]

Well, my woodworking journey has begun!  I have started out with the following tools...

TS55
MFT3
CT26
ETS EC125 Sander

I am working on my first project which is a simple stand to hold large water containers for storing and mixing saltwater for my aquarium.  My next planned projects are a bench for our front porch and then some bathroom linen cabinetry.  And then I will likely make a jewelry box for my daughter and some small side tables.

I have also been looking at making some jigs, like a parallel guide jig.

I do have another question.  I am debating between adding a router or domino before I start working on the cabinetry.  I am thinking that the router is in general more useful overall then the domino but I am not sure.  So which would others recommend to add first?

Thanks!

 

[GarryMartin]

Router. At a push, you can route slots for loose tenons.

 

[ear3]

Good question.  I use my Festool routers just as much as my Domino, so it would be a difficult choice.  One part of me says the Domino, since there is really nothing else like it on the market.  There are some cost effective dowelers starting to come to the market in the US, like the Triton, but never having used one, I can't say how it compares to the Domino:
http://bistritontools.com/tdj600-tr...E4WZ0b4GibABLmiRPpeyGBA3J6LzKFvJB4aAoC38P8HAQ

For the router, there are just as good if not better brands for building out your routing capabilities.  You will definitely want a router table at some point, in which case you would go for a heavy duty model like a PC 3.5HP motor, or, what is my choice given its above the table adjustment capabilities, the Triton 3.25HP TRA001.  The OF2200 is an amazing router, but it only works as a table router in the CMS (unless you want to get into building your lift mechanism, which I assume you do not), and in the United States, one is not allowed to actually use it in the table (not that you can't, but should something go wrong you've voided the warranty by doing so, plus, the CMS is priced at what they charge for a kidney in Iran these days).

You will want a decent powered hand-held router as well, but you may be able to get by for the moment with a relatively inexpensive trim or compact router.  You will just have to live with crappy dust collection.

Well, my woodworking journey has begun!  I have started out with the following tools...

TS55
MFT3
CT26
ETS EC125 Sander

I am working on my first project which is a simple stand to hold large water containers for storing and mixing saltwater for my aquarium.  My next planned projects are a bench for our front porch and then some bathroom linen cabinetry.  And then I will likely make a jewelry box for my daughter and some small side tables.

I have also been looking at making some jigs, like a parallel guide jig.

I do have another question.  I am debating between adding a router or domino before I start working on the cabinetry.  I am thinking that the router is in general more useful overall then the domino but I am not sure.  So which would others recommend to add first?

Thanks!