New Festool Owner questions

[pelachile]

I was looking to get a track saw and was going to purchase the CT 26 and the TS 55 package. However, I was able to get a like new TS 55 REQ on ebay for half the price. So I thought what the heck, since I saved some money on the saw, I bought the CT 26 with the OF 1400 instead. Now I am wondering if I should by the Parallel Track Guides or the LR32 system next?

 

[roblg3]

What work do you want to perform?

 

[pelachile]

Cabinets mostly, but I have some trim work in the future. Also, I'm thinking about building a guitar for fun.

 

[ear3]

A lot of people on here prefer the aftermarket parallel guide systems to the Festool ones, due to the increased capacity (you're limited only by the length of Incra track), ease of adjustment, and ability to use on thinner material since the tracks lay on top of the board.  A list of options is available at the top post here:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/aftermarket-festool-compatible-accessories/

If you're doing a lot of cabinets, you might also want to consider the Domino.

 

[Kev]

Unless you wish to leverage the parallel guides with the extra extensions, there are cheaper viable alternatives ... particularly in the U.S. I've got the Festool parallel guides and to me they are well made and do the intended job.

The LR32 is very useful, yep - there's cheaper alternatives there too. The LR32 set is very precise, even if a little fiddly to setup IMO.

Are you talking acoustic or hard body electric? A RAS115 or RO90 would certainly feature well in a hard body build as you get the shape sorted out.

What you really NEED is a Domino [wink]

 

[Acrobat]

Get an MFT/3.
If your dong cabinets, you'll want a nice flat surface to trim cabinet sides and shelves on. Handy for the other stuff too [big grin]