New to the Forum and to Festool

[BobNY]

Hi Everyone,

  I have been lurking here the past week while trying to decide weather to upgrade my Dewalt job site saw to a cabinet saw or get a track saw to supplement my table saw. I work in a one car garage, so space is very limited. I read all of the pro's and con's about both in the threads here and still hadn't made a decision. Today I stopped into my local woodworking shop to look at table saws and the MFT setup. After seeing both in person and getting my hands on the Festool setup it was clear to me that the MFT would be a perfect fit for my shop and a cabinet saw would be way to big and hard to maneuver around when working on projects. I hadn't planed on purchasing anything today, but after seeing the Festool setup in person the choice was clear. I left with TS55 REQ w/55" rail and a MFT/3  . I hope to pick up some Bench Dogs and clamps next week. Next, I plan to pick up a dust collector and another yet to be decided upon tool so I can take advantage of the 10% off on the dust collector  .

I have enjoyed reading here the past week and look forward to joining in the conversation soon.

Bob

 

[dltflt]

I would get a sander.  Maybe the domino if you have any use for it.

 

[BobNY]

I would get a sander.  Maybe the domino if you have any use for it.

A sander is definitely high on the list. I am also thinking about a getting the 1400 EQ router, I have a Bosch 1617 that lives in my router table. It would be nice to not have to remove it for hand work. I do plan on getting a domino someday, but given the cost I am going to wait until I absolutely need it.

 

[DynaGlide]

[member=69804]BobNY[/member] If you do regular routing by hand the 1400 is a pleasure to use. And the dust collection in a garage environment is nice. It's quirky at first to figure out. I felt like an idiot messing with the accessories. But it sure is nice. If you get a sander consider the ETS EC 125/3. It unofficially allows the 6" pad to be bolted on giving you both 5" and 6" in one tool should you need it.

 

[semenza]

Hi Everyone,

  I have been lurking here the past week while trying to decide weather to upgrade my Dewalt job site saw to a cabinet saw or get a track saw to supplement my table saw. I work in a one car garage, so space is very limited. I read all of the pro's and con's about both in the threads here and still hadn't made a decision. Today I stopped into my local woodworking shop to look at table saws and the MFT setup. After seeing both in person and getting my hands on the Festool setup it was clear to me that the MFT would be a perfect fit for my shop and a cabinet saw would be way to big and hard to maneuver around when working on projects. I hadn't planed on purchasing anything today, but after seeing the Festool setup in person the choice was clear. I left with TS55 REQ w/55" rail and a MFT/3  . I hope to pick up some Bench Dogs and clamps next week. Next, I plan to pick up a dust collector and another yet to be decided upon tool so I can take advantage of the 10% off on the dust collector  .

I have enjoyed reading here the past week and look forward to joining in the conversation soon.

Bob

Hi,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

  The 1400 is a great choice for an all purpose (OK, 90%, or maybe general is a better word) router. D36 hose does much better for DC from the router (1400 & 2200). So if you get the router you should add the hose to your list since the vac will come with a D27 tool end hose.

Seth

 

[BobNY]

Thanks welcome and for the advice.
I have a couple of weeks of saving before I need to decide on which tool is next. I am really looking forward to getting the dust collector. It will either be the CT 26 or 36. I am leaning toward the 26 to try to keep things as compact as possible. 

 

[sancho57]

First Bob  [welcome] to the FOG. Second, I apologise inadvance for you drinking the green kool aid. Strange things happen when you get your first taste of it. Your bank account starts disappearing and your credit card balance magically increases  [big grin]

Sounds like your off to a good start. Since you got the 1400 rail, I suggest you get another 1400 rail make it a holy rail just incase you choose in the future to build cabinets and get the LR 32 system.

You will need to get some rail connectors to connect the 2 rails so you can break down plywood. I suggest having a look at TSO products new connectors. Though I havent used them, or know anyone who has, they are advertised to line up the rails without using any other after market jigs etc.

Anyway please show us photos of your work and projects. We really like project photos here. please feel free to ask questions as this is what the FOG is all about.

Oh yea to save you future frustration, make sure you have a known square square like the woodpeckers 1281 or Anderson plywoods MFT square to set up your MFT.
That is the most common question asked by new festool MFT owners is how to set up their MFT bc they are not getting square cuts. 99.9% of the time its bc they do not have a known square square.

Welcome and enjoy

 

[BobNY]

Jobsworth, Thanks for the welcome and advice.

I have picked up the Anderson Square and some rail joiners. I haven't yet bought a 2nd 55" rail, but plan to. The LR32 system looks very useful. Am I correct in thinking the LR32 rails can't be joined with the FS rails?

As for drinking the kool aid. Yep. I have made a list of Festool I want and will slowly start chipping away at it. After spending some more time looking at the tools and the system I am hooked. I discovered the Vac SYS the other day. That has moved very high on my list for sure

 

[sancho57]

you can join 2 festool FS rails together, the rails for the HKC are different. So I would get the holy rail when you buy your 2nd 1400 rail. It cost a little more, but if you build cabinents youll prolly get a LR32

 

[heidtwd]

Actually, the LR32 guide rail is exactly the same price as the 1400 mm rail without the holes,  So, IMO it's always the way to go for the added functionality.

 

[BobNY]

Thanks for all of the advice!

I picked up a CT 48E today, along with a RO 125 today. I had made the decision to get the CT 36, but they were out of stock. I figured it was a much better idea to get the bigger extractor than to wait a week for the 36  . I have some furniture that I will be refinishing shortly, so I figured I would get the Rotex to help strip the old finish off. I have a bunch of crown molding to do this week so I also picked up a PS 420 EBQ and a Collins Coping foot. From here on I am going to concentrate on accessories for the tools I have and only buy tools as I need them for projects.