New to Festools, what to buy ?

[permont]

Hi List,
I am new to this Forum, and live in Sweden. By chance I came upon the FOG, which seems great. As an absolute beginner my knowledge about which tools to buy is limited. I have been checking around various dealers here and on the Internet, but haven't decided yet. The dealers here are not too forthcoming with info...

My needs are for renovating a summer (vacation)  house and building/enhancing an additional summer house as well. There are also various projects around the lot, eg building a new fence (200-300 yards), a "play" house for my son (3 yrs), etc.

My ideas for first tools is the plunge saw, TS55 and the router 1010 as well as the CMS modules and table for these two tools, and perhaps also a vacuum cleaner / dust extractor, but don't know which, any idea ?

What do you think, I am on the right track based on the above needs or not ?
BTW, I have gotten the go ahead from the missus. 

TIA and Best regards / Per

 

[Brice Burrell]

Welcome Per,
You do seem to be one the right track. If you don't already have a jig saw and cordless drill, they wold be the next things to add to your list of tools to get. And maybe  a sander or two. Good luck and let us know whta you buy and how your new tools work out.

 

[Eli]

You're on the right track. I'd consider bumping the dust extraction up a position or two on the list and maybe think about the MFT 1080.

 

[Toller]

I don't know about Sweden, but in the US Festool is really expensive.  I see them more for woodworking than for carpentry.  For what you want you can get good quality tools for half the price, at least in the US; unless money is not an issue and you just like the best.

 

[oilburnerfixer]

I have the CMS and the MFT1080. I would not bother getting the CMS as it is nowhere as useful as the MFT. It would be better to spend your money on that. If you need some table saw, get one of the cheap ones. You could consider one of the Rotex sanders, but you will need the abrasives too.

Though expensive, the saw and the MFT are a good useful combination.

 

[Greg in Memphis]

Welcome Permont
Either the TS 55 or the TS 75 is a great start. I like the TS 75 better because of the increased cutting depth and better dust collection.
About 99% of the dust I generate is picked up by the CT 22 when I'm using my TS 75.
Both saws are capable of perfectly straight, splinter free cuts every time.
We don't have the CMS here in the States so I will not comment on it.
Both the MFT 800 and the 1080 are great work tables. I own both models and am very happy with them. I can cut just about anything I need to in my small shop.
I have built a custom platform with room for rolling carts underneath to hold the two side by side. If I need one or more MFTs off-site, I just pick them up and go. When they are on the platform, I have a large work surface that I can clamp anything down to. This has been a very handy and versatile workbench replacement for me.
I would also recommend the CT 22 for dust collection. It has the same suction power as the CT 33, only it is smaller. You can also use HEPA filters.

good luck on your purchase decisions

Greg

 

[Trevor H]

Sounds like you are on the right track so far. I would suggest maybe going to the TS 75 plunge cut saw if you want a little bit of extra cutting depth. Maybe throw in an MFT and the accessory package for cutting angles.

I've been dying to get my hands on the Kapex, but can't do so here in the US yet. If it were me and you have the capability to get your hands on a kapex i would buy that for sure.

The 1010 Router is a great buy for lighter projects but remember it only uses 8mm and 1/4" collets where as the 1400 accepts, 8 mm, 1/2", and 1/4" collets. The 1010 is a very nice router and very lightweight, weighing in at 5.94 lbs where as the 1400 weighs in at 9.9 lbs.

Also think about the packages when you go to buy. Right now if you buy a TS 55 or 75 Festool is throwing in a free panther blade. If you buy your saw with an MFT or Mobile dust extraction unit you also save about 10 percent and i promise you will use both very much.

Good luck to you my friend and happy building!

 

[Trevor H]

I don't know about Sweden, but in the US Festool is really expensive.  I see them more for woodworking than for carpentry.  For what you want you can get good quality tools for half the price, at least in the US; unless money is not an issue and you just like the best.

I agree that the tools may give some folks in the US sticker shock, but i can promise you this. Using Festool gives you more precision, and saves you time when doing your work. The German way of thinking is different than the wasteful US way of thinking. If you go with Festool, overall you'll be happier because the tools are easy to work with and you have the security of the Festool warranty. Plus your new Festools will be used again down the road for many a project, where as you may burn out a few of the cheaper tools half way through your job and end up spending more than you would have by purchasing a festool. If it's your house and quality is what you want in the job and in the tools, festool is the way to go.

 

[Tinker]

It appears that maybe portability is one of the factors you are going to be faced with.  I agree with the above info, but I would think about whether you will be setting up to do all of your work within a permanent shop area, or you will be moving around to various areas on your property (fence in one area/playhouse in another area/etc) 

If a permanant location, think MFT 1080.  If moving around, think MFT 800 with atleast one table extension.  I got one extension, presumably for my 800 which gets moved around a lot.  i like it so much, I mounted it on my 1080 and will soon pick up another for the 800.  Maybe even two, one for each end/side of the 800 would give great support for longer onsite lumber.

That TS 75 is a beast compared to the TS 55.  I will possibly, at some future date, get the 75, but that would be only if I have room for two MFT 1080's.  At the end of the day, that saw gains 20#'s, whereas, the 55 is still a comfotable weight to move on and off the table. I have no problems cutting 2x4, 2x6 or any other 2x lumber.  If i go to 4x posts, i just make a couple of cuts from opposited sides of the post/beam or whatever.  If I had the 75, I would still have to rotate to cut clear thru.  for me, the added weight of the 75 is of NO advantage.  There is very seldom that, for the work I do, that i need a saw larger than the 55.  The times I do find the 55 to be a problem is when cutting thru most difficult 2" lumber if it is hard maple or white oak.  I just take my time and make sure i am using a SHARP blade and the right blade for the job.

I have both the OF 1000 and the OF 1400.  I use the OF 1000 almost exclusively for much the same reasons stated for the saws.  For too many years, i have been toting heavy loads.  A mason contractor (in the trade for 40 yrs) and a landscaping contractor.  When I get into my shop, if I could find all good tools weighing ounces instead of pounds, i might be very interrested.  I've had it with the heavy lifting outside. give me ease in my shop.
 
Tinker

 

[permont]

To all that responded, many thanks for the ideas and the welcome.

I will consider the larger router, 1400 and maybe the TS75, but I think I'll make best use of the TS55.
The CMS, which is sold in Europe seems to me be an ideal solution if you don't a very large workarea. I will have about 120 sq feet / 12 sq meters and can also be outdoors (in the summer !). I hope to prepare most of my carpentry in the shop and install at various places around the house.
About MFT against CMS the verdict is still out, I already have a woodworking bench and a workmate. The CMS can make your hand tools, eg TS55, router etc kind of semi stationary, and you can easily switch tool and module.

The tools will be used for carpentry and hopefully also for woodworking, unless I'm a total "klutz".

I agree with the pricing, about the most expensive tools you can buy in Sweden, but they also seem the best. "Buy quality and cry once" as I heard in another area. I intend to use them for years.

Got recommendations from a friend who uses Festools, I like that they offer 3 years guarantee and that I also will buy into a "system" as there are a number of tools and options, no need to go searching for stuff such as adapters, fasteners etc. If you buy cheap stuff, eg from China, the next time you go to find some replacements etc, you can't find the manufacturer's stuff again.

I will decide next week, will let you know what I have bought  :-\

/Per Montgomery

 

[semenza]

Hi,

        Looks like you have receined some great advice and are doing some good research.  For renovating I think that a ROTEX sander should be high on the list. As it can strip, sand , polish very well.
        As far as the MFT CMS decision- it sounds like your shop space may be fairly small so perhaps it will be better to use the MFT  so that you do not need a lot of infeed / outfeed room to push stock through the CMS.
        And if you are working inside at all then the CT 22 or 33 should be on the for sure. The dust collection on the tools is excellent. Plus I would think that renovating will require some general clean up also.
      Routers - the 1010 is lighter but I feel that the 1400 is more all purpose.

Seth

 

[oilburnerfixer]

You will find using the MFT takes less space than using the CMS. With the CMS you need up to 2-1/2 times the space of the piece of wood you are cutting, for manouvering room. With the MFT everything is steady, and you just move the saw. The setup is safer than the CMS too, blade enclosed all the time.