New tools for 2019 including CTM Midi and Kapex updates among others

[neeleman]

Also missing a battery powered OSC Vecturo Multitool?

 

[Summerson]

What is new with the CS50?

 

[TinyShop]

What is new with the CS50?

Looks like at the new version comes standard with a set of casters and fold down anti-tip outriggers. Curious if EKAT (when updated) will have just the casters (from the complete set of replacement legs - 575671) as spare parts since they would make for easy retrofit to MFT/3 and CMS.

There also appears to be maybe be something new with the miter gauge (at the very least it's sporting some new green stickers and perhaps also a re-designed hourglass extrusion) and there's also the addition of a mounting assembly for attaching the miter gauge to the improved cord reel when the latter is not in use. Wondering if the new cord reel is a) available as a spare part and b) retrofittable to the CMS? If it will allow the legacy CMS miter gauge to be snapped onto it that would be worth trying to import.

The bladeguard (and, by extension, riving knife) look to be redesigned. The legacy version is held in place with a single knob/bolt while the new one uses two. Perhaps there's an improvement with airflow to create better overhead dust collection?

Also, there is some change to the stubby legs (that the foldable legs attach to) - at the very least much more robust rubber feet and perhaps a new interface with the foldable/removable legs? Just guessing in regards to the latter. 

 

[Gregor]

new Festool Ctl Midi Video is out:

=50

Do I see it correctly that the plastic part that holds the actual filter is a throwaway part?

 

[JEKL]

Yes  [wink] https://www.naradionline.cz/hlavni-filtr-hf-ct-mini/midi-2-1ks.html

 

[semenza]

Does it look notably bigger to anyone else, compared to the current midi?

    Measurements from the websites .............  L x W x H

      Current Mini = 430mm x 330mm x 422mm

      New Mini    =  470mm x 320mm x 455mm

      Current Midi = 430mm x 330mm x 470mm

      New Midi      = 470mm x 320mm x 495mm

Seth

 

[mal_lynam]

Any word on a cordless planer coming out?

 

[Cheese]

Any word on a cordless planer coming out?

I think that’d be a stretch with the current cordless technology. Maybe in a few years? We’ve come a long ways within the last 2-3 years so it will inevitably happen.

Who would have predicted 2 years ago that cordless table saws, mitre saws and chain saws would become viable woodworking options?

 

[Shane Holland]

Any word on a cordless planer coming out?

I think that’d be a stretch with the current cordless technology. Maybe in a few years? We’ve come a long ways within the last 2-3 years so it will inevitably happen.

Makita, Hitachi, Milwaukee and Bosch all have cordless planers now.

 

[Cheese]

Makita, Hitachi, Milwaukee and Bosch all have cordless planers now.

Hey Shane, my statement had to do with Festool's battery platform. I own 2 Festool drills, an ETSC, a HKC & a TSC. I also own 2 Milwaukee Fuel RA grinders, a Fuel Sawzall, 2 Fuel drills, and the 1400 ft lb Fuel impact. 

The Milwaukee batteries just seem to last longer than the Festool variety. Tough to say for sure because the above tools are all different in nature.  [smile] 

I'm just always impressed with the Milwaukee battery life when after using the tool for an hour straight, I press the button to reveal the amount of charge left and there's still 75% there.

 

[jamanjeval]

Screen, Touch screens, etc don't belong on tools, cars etc.  Just make things more of a disposable item and harder to repair.  Maybe in a few years they will have a "higher end" (costlier) model where you pay more for the privilege to not have a screen.  My guess is they are going down the same route as car makers and others where the reality is doing things with a screen and some ICs out back is cheaper than physical knobs/encoder/wiring/etc,  so it's a cost savings but pitched as luxury, only after knobs and such are gone do people realize what they lost, want them back and now you have to pay more and getting the mechanical controls back is the luxury option.

(touch)screens/electronics on devices are appropriate so long as they prove to be the best way for the operator to accomplish a task while maintaining as good or better reliability and safety.

I don’t know what Festool is going to do with the screen on the dust collector, so I can’t offer an opinion on it. But ultimately, the screen and electronics turn on a motor. That’s it. that shouldn’t be too hard to bypass if it were a choice between that and throwing it away. Knowing Festool, I think they’ll do something interesting and useful with the new bits and bobs that will be a significant improvement over a simple mechanical switch.

The technology you disapprove of, provide real tangeable benefits on modern tools. The soft start and variable speeds are good examples of the benefits. Milwaukee has taken things to the next level with some of their drills where they detect the drill bit getting locked up and shut down the tool before the handle starts to twist around and break your wrist or slam your hand against a joist.

I’ve had opportunitis to use some older (antique?) drills that only had a one speed motor controlled by a snap action switch. More or less they’re what you’re advocating for. They’re fun to look at with the shiny all metal bodies, sparks and aroma of the motor, but they’re not great  to use (not to mention the often poor ergonomics)

 

[GarryMartin]

From what I understand, the "touch screen" on the CTM Midi allows you to select the size of hose attached so that the airflow detection required for M Class works correctly. I also understand that there are RFID tags in the hoses so that this can be automatically selected for you based on the hose in use. If there was a manual switch for hose size, this would not work. So moving to an electronic function has an added benefit.

Also, it's not really a "touch screen" per se as you would associate with a tablet or phone etc. It's a panel operated by touch. I think the original German to English translations ended up being a little misleading.

[attachimg=1]

 

[DeformedTree]

that just sounds like they over complexed the problem.  Adding RFDI tags into every hose? 

 

[jonathan-m]

The only improvement I would have liked to see is better motor/suction and a return to the non-locking hose ends and connectors.
At the very least that would have been progress in the ease of use and performance of the tools, rather than more cosmetic lipstick and gimmicks.
(the new filter change without opening the vac and manual cleaning are nice additions too I suppose…) but those hose connectors…
god, I hate them, i hate them with an unhealthy passion!

 

[bertv]

that just sounds like they over complexed the problem.  Adding RFDI tags into every hose?

Modern production and inventory systems use RFID tags, so FS may just use a choice they already made to build upon for new features.

 

[Gregor]

From what I understand, the "touch screen" on the CTM Midi allows you to select the size of hose attached so that the airflow detection required for M Class works correctly.

Looking at the picture I don't see a button to select the suction, only a selector for hose diameter.

Is that an improvement?

 

[neeleman]

The large +/- buttons are for selecting suction, that's for sure.
Hose size is selected, maybe only with the RFID chip in the new hoses?
Thus changing to an old hose with other diameter doesn't work?

 

[Gregor]

The large +/- buttons are for selecting suction, that's for sure.

Is that speculation from your part or hands-on experience?

 

[neeleman]

At this moment it's speculation, but within 3-4 weeks I can confirm this because I ordered the new CTL Midi model.
Look at the picture below: all horizontal green bars are lid, so maximum suction and done with the +/- buttons.
What else are these buttons for?

 

[Phil Beckley]

.....hose diamter can be set or be done automatically. The hos seize os printed on the screen
Rg
Phil