New Guy - LR 32 Hole Drilling Set In Systainer or LR 32 Hole Drilling Set

[wow]

I am new to the green kool-aid, but I think I am already addicted. I am getting a TS75 for Christmas ( I love my wife! ) and am wondering about some other items.

I have been pouring over the Festool website and reading everything I can. I've also watched about two dozen YouTube videos on the product. Still, I am confused (or perhaps just overwhelmed) by all the information.

In addition to the TS75 I plan to the get the Guide Rail Accessory Kit and the 55" 'Holy Rail'. Or Holey Rail. Either way I love that name!

The dilemma I have right now is whether to get the LR 32 Hole Drilling Set In Systainer @ $480 or the LR 32 Hole Drilling Set @ $232? The set in the Systainer comes with a 32MM bit which I may or may not use plus 2 clamps which I will also get in the Guide Rail Accessory Kit. Then again, it also comes with that sexy systainer. Is the more expensive set a better deal, or just more money?

Second question:

I already own a Fein vacuum with auto-on. Other than esthetics, is there any reason to get a Festool vacuum?

Third question:

If I REALLY take a big gulp of the kool-aid, Is the OF1010 adequate as a general purpose router and particularly to build an oversized MFT? Or should I ONLY consider the OF1400 if I can only buy one? I have several Porter Cable Routers that I like just fine right now - would a Festool one spoil me forever?

Fourth question:

I own numerous RO sanders by Dynabrade, Porter Cable, and Dewalt. Would a Festool ETS 125 EQ Random Orbital Sander (571817) in T-Loc Systainer impress me enough that it would be the only sander I would want to use from now on? Because I would need to sell one or more of my old sanders to afford another Festool item. Or sell a body part.

Thanks in advance for any help! I just want to point out that I think this site is going to be VERY bad for my wallet.

 

[oil trader]

Quick Q before I answer...Why do you want the guide rail accessory kit?

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

I would say lr32 with systainer. There's a bunch of pieces to the lr32 , it's nice to have a home for them. Also the 1010 is a must have. I can honestly say that I've never regreted any festool purchases , except when it's time to explain the purchase to the wife.

 

[RC]

I got the systainer kit for LR32 due to it having all needed router bits and a nice organized storage box for the loose bits.

I'm a happy OF1400 owner, but could see myself one day getting another Festool router to complement it.

I don't see a reason to buy the guiderail assessory kit though. I bougth two quick clamps  and a bunch of benchdogs instead. There are multiple threads on this forum about the merrits of the protractor unit and most of them aren't flattering.

 

[NERemodeling]

Wow, first of all,  [welcome] to FOG!

here are my thoughts

1.1 - Guide rail accessory kit,  I would say hold off on the kit, you are gonna want the clamps.. the deflector is nice to have also and the guide rail connectors are something you can determine if you will need (if purchased separately you need to buy two, they are sold individually)  all this rings up to $90    the TS75 comes with a limit stop, you shouldn't need to replace your splinter guards all that often and as others have said the angle gauge is of questionable usefulness. 

1.2 - If planing on getting the LR32 then a holy rail is obviously a must, i think the 55" is a good size and you will get a lot of use out of it both with the LR32 and with your TS75

1.3 - LR32 set, I know a lot of people say to go for it in the systainer but i don't think you need it all (depending on your use of course)  below i will attach a picture of my setup,  i opted to piece it out and got away for $310 including a systainer 1,  if you don't go for the 35mm bit then you can end up at $235
I got the LR32 guide plate 494340, lr32 guide rail connector 496938 (these are a must for for alignment), brad point 5mm bit 491066, 35mm cup hinge bit 491077.      at $75, the 35mm bit is something you can totally do without if you aren't doing a lot of doors, super simple to just drill your hinges by hand with a 35mm or 1 3/8 forstner bit
If you are not building cabinets all the time then i think you can do without the edge stops, i actually use Seneca woodworking parallel guides with a short length of t track as a makeshift edge stop. that also allowed me to put the $130 i would have spent on the edge stops towards the Seneca parallel guides ($145-$190 w/o tracks) which i think are way more versatile (including over the Festool parallel guides)

2. your Fein vac will work just fine  [big grin] couldn't resist

3. the 1010 is a awesome little router, i own that and a bosch 1617, poor bosch gets no attention anymore. the 1010 wil do alot but it does have its limits, expect to gun several passes on things that may have only taken you one with more powerful routers.    i do expect that i will get the 1400 one day but still imagine that the 1010 will be my go to.  absolute pleasure to use.    yes it will bore 20mm holes in mdf

4. the ets125 is a very fine finish sander and is likely to feel under powered compaired to your other 5" sanders    it is a great sander but has its limits.. i came from a makita 5" ro and the makita would definetly remove material faster however the festool takes it in terms of vibration and quality of finish in my opinion.  for a more apples to apples replacement you may want to consider the ets 150/3 or 150/5    i dont own either but understand they are regarded as some of Festool's best sanders. 

Hope that helps
John

here's that pic;  i have since installed 2 14" pieces of incra track in the empty section for use with the seneca parallel guides as my edge guides.

[attachimg=#]

 

[JeromeM]

The dilemma I have right now is whether to get the LR 32 Hole Drilling Set In Systainer @ $480 or the LR 32 Hole Drilling Set @ $232? The set in the Systainer comes with a 32MM bit which I may or may not use plus 2 clamps which I will also get in the Guide Rail Accessory Kit. Then again, it also comes with that sexy systainer. Is the more expensive set a better deal, or just more money?

Second question:

I already own a Fein vacuum with auto-on. Other than esthetics, is there any reason to get a Festool vacuum?

Third question:

If I REALLY take a big gulp of the kool-aid, Is the OF1010 adequate as a general purpose router and particularly to build an oversized MFT? Or should I ONLY consider the OF1400 if I can only buy one? I have several Porter Cable Routers that I like just fine right now - would a Festool one spoil me forever?

Fourth question:

I own numerous RO sanders by Dynabrade, Porter Cable, and Dewalt. Would a Festool ETS 125 EQ Random Orbital Sander (571817) in T-Loc Systainer impress me enough that it would be the only sander I would want to use from now on? Because I would need to sell one or more of my old sanders to afford another Festool item.

1)The kit doesn't have a 32mm bit it's a 35mm and the standard size for most euro hinges. I have found myself buying more clamps so the extra 2 will be used. Also if you are going to get a holly rail then you should think about swapping the rail that comes with the TS75 with the Festool Guide rail FS 2424/2-LR32 - 491622 almost all dealers will do it for the difference in price.

2)Not really

3)The OF1400 is more capable than the OF1010 as it can use from ¼ to ½ inch bits. I use it for the LR32 system and am happy that I got it. I would probably have regretted getting an OF1010.  

4)The ETS is a finish sander so it won't replace all you have though it will make you unhappy when you have to use one of your old ones

 

[MahalaHomecraft]

I also went with getting the non-kit lr32 and have been happy with it.  If you want a festool sander get the ets 150/5.  I've never experienced such pleasure using a sander before.  The 125 is nice, but aside from its complete lack of vibration, it's pretty unremarkable.  I also love my OF 1010, it's my favorite router though I don't own any other festool routers.  I'm not familiar with the Bosch router you have but if it can handle the bigger stuff I'd do go with the 1010 as an everyday use router.

 

[BUTTER]

I'm a full-time carpenter and have been using the  1010 router very very happily for many years.  Routing dadoes is the only place I wish I had a 1400 - I have to make more passes.  If I had to do it over, I might do the 1400.

+1 on ETS150 over the 125.  The 150/3 has significantly lower vibration than the 150/5.

Also, I highly recommend the quick-clamps over the screw clamps.  They are twice the price, but worth every penny.

 

[fdengel]

Does the Fein vac have variable suction control?

If not, then you will want to consider the Festool vac when (note: not if) you wind up getting Festool sanders.  Until then, as long as you have the correct hose size, the Fein should work at least OK for the other tools.

 

[sancho57]

Get the LR 32 kit in a systainer,

Lose the accessory kit

dont know about the vac

 

[mikeneron]

I will 2nd what NERemodeling said.  Get the LR32 set and just buy the parts you will need.  I didn't buy the kit because I already have the quick clamps and didn't really want the old style clamps and didn't need the 5mm through bit.

Here's what I bought:
-LR Hole Drilling Set (583290)
-35mm euro-hinge boring bit (491077)
-5mm dowel drill bit (491066)
-SYS1 empty T-LOC (497563)

I will also include a picture of how I have mine in the Sys1 using some Kaizen foam.

 

[wow]

WOW - pun intended - thanks for all the responses. Please allow me some time to absorb them all so I can respond somewhat intelligently? In the meantime, thanks and keep those cards and letters coming!

 

[wow]

OK, let’s see if I can make some intelligent comments here…

oil trader: because it was suggested to me. However, after reading everything here I think it is off the list.

Guilliaume woodworks: I am strongly leaning toward the LR32 with Systainer, especially since I’ve pretty much ruled out the Guide Rail Accessory Kit. Gotta have SOMETHING with a Systainer, right?!

Reiska: Another vote for the LR32 with Systainer, and another thumbs down for the Guide Rail Accessory Kit. Thanks for your advice.

NERemodeling: Thanks for the tome! I have read and re-read it many times. I especially appreciated your sander advice.

Jerome: Sorry about mislabeling the bit. I had the LR32 system on my mind. And thanks for the advice on the ETS125. Also, I didn't realize there WAS a 96" 'holy rail'. Consider it on the must-have list. Trading up from the 75" is EXACTLY the kind of advice I was looking for from you experts!

MahalaHomecraft: Again, thanks for the sander info. I’m pretty sure I’m leaning toward the ETS150/x now.

Joseph C: I have decided on the Quick-Clamps instead of the screw clamps. And the ETS150/x

fdengel: I am not sure about the Fein vac and variable suction. I have the Turbo III and will have to research that.

jobsworth: Your vote on the LR 32 kit in a Systainer and dropping the Guide Rail Accessory Kit kinda pushed me over the edge.

mikeneron: I like your setup a LOT, but I think I am opting for the Systainer Kit as my first Systainer accessory.

Thanks everybody! I’ll post my 'final’ list here for your critique in about a week. There’s a local Festool show coming up on December 6th and 7th and I plan to absolutely GRILL the Festool rep.

 

[fspencer]

Your Fein vac will work well - to control air velocity add a wye with a gate and adjust the gate for suitable velocity. I use my Fein Turbo II with a R55 REQ track saw and a 150 ROS sander. 

Cheers Fred

 

[peter halle]

Just in case it matters, the 96" holy rail is 2424 mm or 95 13/32" long.  If that is the only rail you end up getting with your TS75 it will not be long enough to rip a full sheet of plywood and allow for the indeed and out feed length of the saw.

Peter

 

[ccarrolladams]

Just in case it matters, the 96" holy rail is 2424 mm or 95 13/32" long.  If that is the only rail you end up getting with your TS75 it will not be long enough to rip a full sheet of plywood and allow for the indeed and out feed length of the saw.

Peter

Also, in actual use, the 2424mm Holy rail is marvelous for making tall pantry-style cabinets, but awkward for normal cabinets. This is why the 1400mm Holy rail is so popular.

The 3000mm guide rail is needed to make 8' rips with a TS75, which needs the 1900mm guide rail for 48" cross cuts.

Unfortunately Festool USA does not offer the 3000mm or 1900mm as Holy rails. Virtually every cabinet set I build includes at least one tall pantry, so I use my 2424mm Holy rail several times a week. But I use my 1400mm Holy rails every day.

 

[ScotF]

Welcome to the FOG and have fun with the tool purchases.  Great choices.  When I bought the LR32 I opted to piece it out.  Not sure why, but you can add all the parts, including the insert and Systainer for a little less than the full kit -- maybe the clamps is the difference.  So if you really need everything, then the full kit might provide slightly better value, but if you opt for quick clamps, then I would buy the pieces and save a little money.

Scot

 

[NERemodeling]

update* I was using this the other day to drill out some melamine.. i only bought the brad point 5mm bit because i didn't really think i would ever be doing through holes for shelf pins and in the rare case that i did, i could just use extra caution with the brad point bit.  well needless to say i had some through holes to bore yesterday and no mater what i did including clamping the work with a sacrificial board underneath i always got some blow out on the back side of the board.    its probably majorly in part that i was using melamine as i probably wouldn't have had such a problem with plywood.

so, if you can foresee yourself boring through holes, especially in melamine, get both spear and brad point 5mm bits  it will save you 2 cabinet panels (now scrap), a few hours of work and the time and money of eventually having to track down and buy the bit!! 

John

 

[sancho57]

John,

One thing I learned about festool, If they offer a kit for a tool, in this case the LR 32, get the kit.

They seem to have everything I need to do a job in the kit. 

 

[oil trader]

update* I was using this the other day to drill out some melamine.. i only bought the brad point 5mm bit because i didn't really think i would ever be doing through holes for shelf pins and in the rare case that i did, i could just use extra caution with the brad point bit.   well needless to say i had some through holes to bore yesterday and no mater what i did including clamping the work with a sacrificial board underneath i always got some blow out on the back side of the board.    its probably majorly in part that i was using melamine as i probably wouldn't have had such a problem with plywood.

so, if you can foresee yourself boring through holes, especially in melamine, get both spear and brad point 5mm bits   it will save you 2 cabinet panels (now scrap), a few hours of work and the time and money of eventually having to track down and buy the bit!! 

John

Don't want to throw salt on the wounds, but the spear (pointy-through bit) will exit the other side perfectly.  I just finished Guido's chaos wall (pics forthcoming) and it drilled the through holes perfectly.