New to the Festool World

[Slyder]

Hello Everyone.
My name is Steve and this the the first day of the rest of my life in the world of Festool.  I went to a tool store to buy a Dewalt track saw.  The sales rep there was one of the best I have encountered in years!!!  He spent 1 1/2 hours with me and in the end I drank the Festool cool aid. The product just made it an easy decision.  I purchased the TS 55, extra tract, the guide rail accessory kit and the MFT/3 workbench. $2000.00 later, and once the "Oh my God, what I have I done" feeling subsides, I will stop staring at the great storage boxes and actually open them and start using the saw!!!

I am recently retired and building a kitchen in my cottage.  I mill my own wood from my forest and these tools will ensure I get the right cuts!

The cruelest thing that sales rep did was give me the 2009/2010 Festool Catalogue!!!

I am really looking forward to years of building stuff with these tools and learning from all of you.  No more looking at the yellow brand!

 

[DavidCBaker]

Welcome, Slyder. Was your name here prompted by the "sliding saw" you just bought?  ;D

Welcome to the club. The people here are very friendly and knowledgeable.

 

[Kevin D.]

Welcome to the FOG Slyder.  I too drank the Green Koolaid, and have no regrets.  How long have you been aware of Festool til you took your first swig?  [wink]

If you're making kitchen cabinets, you should take a serious look at the LR32 system Festool has.  I was reluctant for years to embark and adopt Euro style frameless cabinetry, but once I got my head wrapped around it, it is the way to go imo.

Here's a pictured manual on the LR32 System:

http://www.festool.com.cn/uploadpic/products/AWB_Nr104_GB_IE_IMP.pdf

A video about them here: (there's also an initial calibration video from there you can click to)

LR32_Part2_InsidetheCabinet

These things and more are available in the Consolidated list on this website which is a great resource for all things Festool.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/consolidated-list-of-festool-links-part-1/

Danny Proulx from Ottawa (now deceased) has a couple of excellent books on Frameless Cabinetry and Cabinet Building you may want to check out available at Lee Valley.  He doesn't use the Festool system, but its a good start for going this route.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=48525&cat=1,46096,46108

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=54909&cat=1,46096,46105

Are you also on Canadian Woodworking Forum?  Another good forum for us Canucks.  One fellow went frameless there for his Kitchen Re-Do here:

http://forum.canadianwoodworking.com/showthread.php?t=31821

Again, welcome aboard!  [smile]

 

[nickao]

The issue I have with the Euro frameless is simply I don't like the way they look. So they are not the way to go for me or my personal clientele actually. I like frames. I guess if you are going to a full overlay then frameless is fine. I like to see the frames either partially or full inset. It's my personal aesthetic. I do love the Euro type hinges though and use them whenever and wherever I can. They have loads that work with all types of framed cabinetry now.

 

[tigger]

[welcome]

Hey Slyder - congrats on your purchase. I have the telephone numbers of a few good therapists. You gonna need them.  [eek]

That feeling of "what have I done?' dies a quick death when you start using your new babies.

Have lotsa fun, we're always here to see what you create, and to share our creations with you, as well as all the other topics we get into.

Welcome to the family.  [thumbs up]

Leon

 

[justinmcf]

hi slyder and welcome to the fog!

i was a big fan of the yellow tools for years.

it must be pretty cool milling your own timber from your forest.

what species of trees to you have to choose from?

justin.

 

[GPowers]

Welcome

You should check with Peter to see if you can still buy the special limited edition FOGtainer.  Go Buy a FOGtainer

Again welcome and have fun.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Welcome Slyder!
I think you will remember this day fondly for a long time.  I still remember the thrill of using that TS55 on the guide rail the first time.  

Yes, Festool is expensive, but well worth it.  I couldn't tell you what I paid for my TS55, but I remember the exact cost of those yellow tools that never really wanted to do what I wanted to do....

You made a wise move getting the MFT early on.  The light bulb didn't go off for me for about a year and boy did I try to kick myself in the arse when I saw what I was missing. [big grin]

Hope you will post often on your progress.  The group is very supportive of all skill levels and a comfortable place to be.

 

[nickao]

Get a  sander or you are missing the main advantage of Festool. A 150/5 or a 150/3 and a Rotex combo would be my first sanders.

 

[GPowers]

Get a  sander or you are missing the main advantage of Festool. A 150/5 or a 150/3 and a Rotex combo would be my first sanders.

If you get the Rotex 150 then make your second sander the 150/3 NOT the 150/5.

 

[Corwin]

Welcome Slyder!  You should consider a new CT with your next Festool tool purchase so you can get the package deal.  [big grin]

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Welcome Slyder!  You should consider a new CT with your next Festool tool purchase so you can get the package deal.   [big grin]

Too true.

Consider well your next *tool* purchase.  And whatever it is, get a CT combo with that tool.  I personally have been great with the Midi, but now the CT26 is looking awwfuuuuuly good.  I think I forsee a RO90 and CT26 combo next year...  [big grin]

The vacuum and dust collection evolution is truly where your mind will light up like a Christmas tree and you'll think "I can just do my work right where it is going to go??  I don't have to make a dozen trips outside/to workshop?!  Without making a huge mess, going deaf, or taking over the whole room!??  Festo-WHAT!

At that point, just start selling your previous tools and watching craigslist like a rabid wolf.    [big grin]

 

[Slyder]

Thank you every one for your suggestions and encouragement.  [smile] I have learned a lot in the last few days, between your posts and reading up on the products available from Festool.  I am going back to the store today....God help me!! [eek]

This is a great forum!!!

thanks

Steve

 

[Slyder]

hi slyder and welcome to the fog!

i was a big fan of the yellow tools for years.

it must be pretty cool milling your own timber from your forest.

what species of trees to you have to choose from?

justin.

Justin:

I have a mixed forest, about 50 acres.  There are white cedar, black cherry, different types of maple, white and yellow birch, white pine and some oak.  They are all in different states of size, most 12 to 18 inches wide.  I will be selective on what I use.

It is very satisfying to take a tree down and process it from a log to a piece of furniture.  A lot of work, but great satisifaction. [big grin]

 

[Slyder]

Welcome Slyder!  You should consider a new CT with your next Festool tool purchase so you can get the package deal.   [big grin]

Just bought the CT22........Already to start my new toys!!! [wink]

Steve

 

[GPowers]

Just bought the CT22........Already to start my new toys!!! [wink]

Steve

Did you consider the newer CT26?

 

[nclemmons]

Slyder -

Welcome to FOG.  I think with that name and your recent purchase history, you're definitely 'slyding' down the slope nicely.

Look forward to seeing some of your work.

neil