New to the Festool Experience...

[MathieuTN]

Hello All,
I am in Tennessee, and have taken up hobby woodworking the last year.  Most of my projects so far have been more around the house, or on my rental property.  I originally bought more traditional tools i.e. General Table Saw with router table, bandsaw, 6" jointer, etc...  After about a year I decided I wanted a more mobile platform for a new covered wagon (cargo trailer 16') I bought.  So last week I stumbled into Woodcraft and bought the TS75, CT 36, ROS 150, Festool battery powered drill, HL850, 500 Domino, kapex, midi, 1400 Router, Carvex jigsaw, some systainers for storage, and I probably forgot some things.  Looking forward to learning a lot from the forum.  I have been reading up on Festool for about a month before making the plunge.

Mat

 

[Acrobat]

Firstly, Welcome to the FOG Mathieu, (and to the great green bug....once you get bitten you'll soon bow down to her awesomeness like the rest of us and keep opening that wallet for more appeasement).
That's a big outlay at once and a lot of great tools you've purchased there. I think you've selected well, all will do whatever task you have in mind, just a different way of doing things with the saw and rail setup. Maybe get a longer or shorter rail for convenience in future but for now the standard rail length is fine. The router you'll love once you get the hang of understanding its setup it's awesome. The Kapex is great, try test it out for your 30 day trial to ensure its correctly setup out of the box. Some people, myself included had to have theirs tweaked by festool to get it accurate but it's a great mitresaw. Try the larger 36mm hose for it if you can. The EHL850 is a beast but it cuts sooo smoothly. One thing you will find with Festool is you'll get tempted to get the accessories for each tool, such a wealth of add-ons and plenty of ideas on here and you-tube which can inspire you! MFT and clamps on the horizon?
Good luck and we hope to see some of your future projects.

 

[peter halle]

Mathieu,

I will echo the welcome to the FOG!  You went all in early and I can sense your excitement!  All those new things all at once could possibly - for anyone - lead to questions and a need for advice.  We are all here to help out when and if.

Peter

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi
A great choice to start  [smile]......enjoy what you do with the kit and welcome to the forum from the U.K  [thumbs up]
RG
Phil

 

[MathieuTN]

Thanks fellas!  I started the Ron Paulk ultimate work bench x2 with a friend.  I love the ability to breakdown the plywood easily with the track saw.  I went ahead and sprang for the 3000/2 rail while I was there.

I have a sawmill down the road from me, and they sell me their off cut walnut for .75 a board foot 5/4. I've got a trailer load stacked and stickered in the spare garage.

If someone could help me make sure my Kapex is square that would be great. I have not used it enough to really know yet. Maybe 3 or 4 cuts is all. I can't get over how wonderful the dust collection is with Festool.

I am really excited about the down the road knowledge I can get from you all.

-Mat

 

[peter halle]

Regarding the Kapex, most are pretty accurate as shipped.  Many here have used the instructions in the supplemental manual:  http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/Kapex-KS120-Supplemental-Manual.pdf  to dial it in further if the need exists.

A piece of advice from a guy who has seen and read and tried to help many over the last 6 years - breathe and take it one tool at a time.  It will make it easier.

Peter