New to Festool and site

[Thompmd]

55 years young,retired 2 years ago and bought my first/second and third Festool about a week ago(ro150/ct36/TS75 and 2 1400 tracks. I primarily bought them for woodworking I’m starting to do along with Live Edge slabs I’m making some things as well as selling some slabs.

My next purchases will hopefully be a ps420 and Kapex miter saw. Any and all advices greatly appreciated.

 

[peter halle]

Welcome to the Forum!  We have lots of Members here who are willing to give advice.  Never hesitate to ask!

Peter

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

55 years young,retired 2 years ago and bought my first/second and third Festool about a week ago(ro150/ct36/TS75 and 2 1400 tracks. I primarily bought them for woodworking I’m starting to do along with Live Edge slabs I’m making some things as well as selling some slabs.

My next purchases will hopefully be a ps420 and Kapex miter saw. Any and all advices greatly appreciated.

You should buy a DeWalt 780 mitersaw with a good blade and a Mafell p1cc jigsaw.  The Kapex has had a lot of issues in the past that supposedly are “fixed now”, it’s also extremely overpriced and overrated .  Also the Festool ps420 has its ups and downs,  the Trion jigsaw is pretty good tho. You would actually save money by buying the DeWalt 780 and the Mafell p1cc and have some money left over for a Festool 1400 or Ets ec 150 which are both very good tools if you need those tools.   

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Welcome to the forum! Enjoy the process. There are lots of ways to accomplish things in woodworking. Lots of good advice from members here too. Ask away.

 

[peter halle]

One piece of advice I would offer is to make sure you buy the different types of blades for your TS-75 and actually switch them out as your cutting needs changes.  It is quick.  Many times here we read that there are problems with cuts and then it turns out that a crosscut blade was being used for a rip.  The blades aren't cheap, but IMHO they are needed to get the proper results and satisfaction.

Peter

 

[Thompmd]

Thanks everyone for the responses, most of the live edge I’m going to rip (length ways) will be 2-2.5” kiln dried Walnut. What blades would you suggest?’

Also for the Rotex 150 what sandpaper’s would you suggest for rough through finish sanding.

Btw, I worked at a machinist for 30yrs and I’m pretty new to woodworking so please don’t hesitate to dumb-it-down for me. I’m certainly not offended.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I use Tenryu and Key Blades on my TS75.  They are half the price of Festool blades.  They work just as good as the Festool blades but about half the price.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I find the stock blade good on the TS75 for cuts in hardwood. I use the 52 tooth blade for sheet goods. The blade is thicker on the rip blade so it can cut more of the splinter strip.

For sanding, I really like Saphir paper for the rougher work - it is really strong paper that lasts a long time. For other things, I prefer Granat. I do not skip grits typically (except for 150) so I sand the sequence all the way up to my finish grit - which depends on what you will use for finish. I also would suggest a hard pad for your sander to keep from rounding over the edges of your stock.