Need Input please

[tenfingers]

I've been more of a lurker than a contributor for several months, mainly because the only Festool's I've ever touched are at my local woodworking shop. However, like Nestea, I'm ready to take the plunge.



I do have some experience with woodworking, but am by no means am a professional. Sadly, I have a whole shop of equipment, however, I have no shop. Given the economy, and the need to fund more important things, like my children's college funds, retirement, etc.... realistically, it'll be 2 more years before construction can begin (hopefully, commodity prices will still be low).  In the meantime, I miss cutting wood, and need a home office and areas of storage, so I figure I can do it myself. It won't be high-high end stuff, but mainly plywood cabinet based furniture / entertainment centers / bookcases etc...

I wish to build my 5 year old daughter a similar desk for Christmas as well
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/7459

I have a picture of my booklist but am waiting for me gallery. Here's links to 2 of them
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=30853446
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=208668794

Hopefully, you get the idea of my intentions.

Here's my shopping list:

452921  Handle for CT 22/33 Dust Extractors                                  1      $70.00 
456736 Compact Cleaning Set                                                      1 $68.00
482107 Guide Rail Connector                                                         2 $28.00
491621 Festool 1080mm (42.5") Guide Rail for Drilling Holes         1 $76.50
492753 Boom Arm For Dust Extractor Handle                                 1 $240.00
571540 Festool ETS 150/3 EQ Random Orbit Sander                         1 $275.00
571594 Festool Rotex 150 FEQ Dual Mode Sander                         1 $475.00
574283 Festool Domino DF 500-Plus Set with Trim and Cross Stop 1 $800.00
583291 Festool LR 32-SYS Hole Boring System For OF 1010 & 1400 1 $406.00
493296 Beech Dominos for Indoor Applications                            1 $69.00
M0079 Festool Promotion MFT Clamp Set                                         1 $180.00
P2574267 Package, OF 1400 EQ and CT 22 E HEPA Dust Extractor 1 $891.00
PT3561174 Package, TS 55 and MFT 3 Table                                 1 $992.50

Does anyone see any glaring vacancies or redundancies?

The store where I will purchase this is only open till noon on Saturdays and closes at 5 each weekday so it's nearly impossible for me to get there so I would rather do it all in one swoop.

I also need to setup , e.g. make, a router table and was thinking of using the woodpecker's router lift, and making the table/cart myself. Good idea / bad idea?

Anyway, thanks everyone in advance for any comments / suggestions

tenfingers

 

[Walt300]

I am no expert in the system but my understanding is the TS55 comes with a 55 inch guild rail, and the MFT comes with a 42 inch guide rail.Fir ripping a full sheet of plywood the 42  and 55 inch rails are not long enough. Since you are also getting the 42 inch rail with holes, I understand that on the saw/table package you can substitute any other guild rail and just pay the difference in price of the rail. You might want to consider a 55 inch rail rather than the 43. In addition I would recommend getting either a few quick clamps or screw clamps along with a 488030 clamping elements. You will use the clamps all the time.

Walt

 

[Frank Pellow]

That looks like a great set of Festool tools.  You are going to start with about the same Festool investment that I have now and I've been buying Festool for almost five years.  There is very little that you could not build with what you are ordering.  

The one Festool tool that you do not have and that I use a LOT is a jig saw.  I recommend the barrel grip variation.

If you have the Rotex 150 sander, I think that you do not absolutely need the Festool ETS 150/3 EQ .  Rather, I would be inclined to purchase the LS 130 EQ as my second Festool sander.

I agree with Walt about the clamps.

 

[Neill]

Ten -

I would suggest you purchase the domino assortment with systainer and cutters.  I think you will find that you will need them in the future, maybe sooner rather than later.

I also like my LS 130 sander.  It does not get the hoopla of the 150/3 or 150/5, but as far as versatility, it can't be beat.

Neill

 

[bill-e]

I agree with Neill, the Domino tenon/cutter will save you time/money in the long run....assuming you will be making the Domino you main joinery method.

Also, if static is an issue I think you'll want one of the two larger (and of course more expensive) anti static cleaning sets.  The Tradesman or Workshop sets come with the larger D36 AS hose and metal fittings.  My CT with AS components is the only vac I can use in my shop during the winter months.

 

[Dan Clermont]

I'd get either the ETS 150 or the Rotex 150. If it were I'd get the Rotex over the ETS

Dan Clermont

 

[nickao]

Your list is fantastic, but with my Rotex on certain woods I could not get the finish results required without the 150/3. SO if you can swing it get both. They are different animals.

You are starting out with a great set of tools and I am sure once you use them you will be adding the other suggested tools to go along with them.

Personally I have the Festool Jig saw and used it six months solid, but have concluded that the Bosch  is better. I do suggest you get some kind of jig saw. I will not get into the reasons the Bosch is better, that is a thread in itself.

The LS 130 is sweet and I use it occasionally but no where near as much as the the other sanders in the line up. There are certain instances though that the LS 130 is the only sander that will work and it is invaluable for those.

There are times I wish I went with the larger cleaning kit.

Nick

 

[Frank Pellow]

...
Personally I have the Festool Jig saw and used it six months solid, but have concluded that the Bosch is better. I do suggest you get some kind of jig saw. I will not get into the reasons the Bosch is better, that is a thread in itself.
---
Just to balance this, I also have both a Bosch and Festool jigsaw and have concluded that the Festool is better.
...
Nick

 

[nickao]

Frank I think the Festool is better for really thick woods(3" to 4"). But the newest Bosch unit is so much easier to see the blade and with the festool I finally had to pull the plastic piece off the Festool Jig Saw to see the blade, making the dust collection no factor. I really used to think the Festool was better and some of my posts attest to that, but after using it day in and day out I changed my mind.

If you have the newest Bosch model great, if not try to test it.

At a  lower price of 100.00 less, the Bosch is the better value, IMHO

Different strokes for different folks. Both are nice.

Nick

 

[tenfingers]

Wow! thanks for all the responses.

I already have a jig-saw, albeit not a high end one, and will look at Bosch vs Festool if need arises.....

From what I gather, RO 150 may be all I need to start with. My first project will be bookshelves for my basement closet -> painted, so definitely not high end.

Again, thanks for the replies, and I'll keep everyone informed. Hopefully, it goes down this Friday................

 

[fidelfs]

 There is very little that you could not build with what you are ordering.  

Something you cannot build is a retirement account, all the money went to Festool  ;D

 

[nickao]

The RO 150 is definitley all you need to start with for sure. My favorite sander I use 90% of the time.

For a long time used a little porter cable  for the smaller stuff . I just think when you go for a second  finishing type sander I would skip the ets 125 and go with the 150-3. Or to save money go to this, but it  is a 5":

PC 390

I am so impressed with this PC 390 sander. If Porter Cable made a 6" version PC would give Festool a run for its money. For me the new 390 is the go to sander when I use a 5". I still have an ETS 125 used once for testing against other 5" sanders that I would sell.

I want to state that I have never been unhappy with any Festool purchase except for my experience with the Kapex. Other than that you can do no wrong buying all Festool!

 

[Eli]

Great list, I agree you could drop the 150/3 for the time being. Welcome.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Like others have mentioned before, I wouldn't go for the compact cleaning set (alltough I have it myself, got it for free with my CT22).
The 27 mm clogs to easily for cleaning anything but dust (woodchips etc.); it's anoying to fit the pieces back into the sys 1; and a 36mm hose is definately an improvement when using the OF1400.
So you will be better of with either the universal cleaning kit (same stuff as the compact, but in a larger systainer, and a 36mm non-AS hose) or the contractor/installer kit (metal pipes, other floornozzle; 36mm AS hose)

If you regularly need to rip full sheets, I would also recommend getting a long guiderail (coupling the rails isn't as fun as it seems) (I have the 3m version and like it a lot)

 

[Overtime]

You have done your homework ! A very good list.

Don't forget to get a supply of sandpaper
and also some extra bags for the vac. A bag may last you a very long time before full and it is possible to carefully empty a full bag and reuse. But good to have extra on hand.

CT 22 Filter Bag 5-Pack
$30.00
Product No. 452970

Agree with the domino assortment w/bits
You can make more later but having the originals to work from / with is great.

make sure your rails and connectors total length is enough to cut the full 8' length of a sheet of ply - or get the 3000/2

This little thing is a must IMHO
Festool Vacuum Hose Deflector
489022

This might come in handy...
Guide Rail Adapter for OF 1400 Router
492601

not sure on this one...
  Edge guide for OF 1400
492636
Does it still come with the router ??  I Don't use it much

Router table is a great thing to have. While there may be some redundancy with the rails /  router capabilities, there are some things that it can do much more efficiently like cope & stick and working with narrow and small stock.
  A good router table and lift can get to 5 to 800.00 real quick.  Build your own table if you can and have the time. Get a good lift and think about leaving a dedicated Heavy Duty router in there.

Final thoughts .. most seem to be happy with the boom arm stuff and I can see the value of it / wish I had the thing.
But I have done OK without it. But then my shop is not mobile so I can hang the hose anywhere I like.
 
I would rather spend those dollars on the OF 1010 instead and have both routers.

Good luck 

PS , Kudos for including a LR 32 SYS on your list, great for case work. 

 

 

[gkeas]

Whew....

I have most of this stuff, and I still got a little dizzy reading your list... :-[

good stuff.  I would agree with getting a longer guide rail as a substitue for the 55.  I'd consider the 75 (1900mm?), which, with your 42 (1400mm) would yeild enough length to cut 8' sheets of ply with some overhang.

That's a way to jump in! ;D

 

[tenfingers]

I thank everyone for their input!

I think I may delay the 150/3 sander and get the longer rail instead of the 55.
I'm on the fence with regard to the domino set with bits (maybe later)
I will have to look at cleaning kit and options.

As for the amount I'm plopping down, trust me, I've been thinking about this for a LONG time, but want to just get what I need to do aforementioned stuff.
I do have a Skil jigsaw - i know , i know, but it's probably 15 years old, is a 'solid' feeling tool and is made in England ( Don't know when they moved to China ). Nonetheless, will
use it until it disappoints me..............

I also have an old Leigh Dovetail jig, so I'll be using the OF 1400 with that.

 

[sw1211]

Sounds like you're buying locally. You may have a good working relationship with a local store and want to support them, but if you order on-line the tax $'s you'd save would just about cover another tool.  I'm sure there are a couple of dealers who frequent this forum who would welcome this sale and also provide you with additional insights as to the completeness of your list.  Just a thought.

 

[KorDes]

If you dont already have a cordless drill, I would recommend the C12 or T15+3 drills. I have had my T15 for about 2 weeks now and its the best cordless I have used so far. Its electronic torque controls work 10 times better than the standard mechanical torque settings. Its light and for 14 volts has as much grunt as my 18v Hitachi's.

 

[Frank Pellow]

...
I do have a Skil jigsaw - i know , i know, but it's probably 15 years old, is a 'solid' feeling tool and is made in England ( Don't know when they moved to China ). Nonetheless, will
use it until it disappoints me..............
...

If you were to try a Festool jig saw, the Skil would immediately dissapoint you.  Older jig saws and Festool jig saws are like two different tools.  I used many older jiog saws over a span of at least 50 years and they were not just in a different league, they were in a different sport.