New user first thoughts

[jools]

As a painter decorator with built ins, kitchen fitting and renovation as a business for 15 years I finally took the plunge and have invested in some festool to see me through to retirement. These are a few observations after a little use
MFT/3
Finally cutting square and true is a breeze and the use of parf dogs makes the uses limited only by imagination. Had decided to use sacrificial top when cutting to maintain top but that has gone out of window and it now bears several scars. FOG videos very helpful on set up and use. Also a good work height. Home made shelf stiffens it up to make it a true work table. Would love a longer out feed with stops for skirting etc and then I could get rid of the chop saw
TS55 REBQ and rails
After years of running sheet goods through a site table saw this is a total revelation. How did I struggle for so long. Simple accurate and safe. Only niggle is the angled power cord. I feel it would snag less if it exited in line with the direction of travel
RO 90 DX
Fantastic machine now I've developed a technique for using it. Was horrified with it the first few hours as totally unmanageable but several fog posts sorted it. A very good all rounder for the decorator.
MIDI CTL
Brilliant extractor and does everything asked. Also copes with Mirka Deros on dry wall and plaster.

Just ordered a OF1400 to replace a very old AEG and am sure it will be supurb.

All in I am delighted with the festool experience although the wallet has taken a hammering. I would like to thank FOG members for the free advice I have gained lurking in the forum especially Peters Halle and Parfitt and am astounded at the amount of time some members spend on it.
Kind Regards
Jools

 

[jonny round boy]

Welcome, Jules!

MFT/3
Would love a longer out feed with stops for skirting etc and then I could get rid of the chop saw

You can have what you want - the Kapex extension wings fit on the MFT (the beauty of the 'system'!) to support long pieces. And they have stops on them...

edit: just had a quick look for a picture, but the only one I can find is this one, but you get the idea!

edit 2: better (more relevant) pictures here and here.

Jonathan

 

[jools]

Thanks for that. Never looked at the kapex or accessories as I work out of a van and small shed and could not house it. Looks like a plank with a leg and a tape measure  and I bet there's a thread on a home made one!

 

[peter halle]

Welcome to the FOG! and thank you for your kind words.

Regarding a possible home made extension, I think you might find a few ideas buried in these links as well as others here:  

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/did-you-get-a-mft3-or-a-dust-deputy-for-christmas/



Peter

 

[leer]

jools,

I just took the plunge, too, so to speak, last month.  I bought a TS 55 REQ.  I am a hobbyist, and have been woodworking since the 60s.  Wish I would have been exposed to Festool years ago, but no looking back.   [smile]  I am in the middle of a project using the track saw, and built a plywood box that is the foundation for a dog bowl stand for my daughter.  Absolutely the most accurate cuts, and clean cuts, I've ever experienced.  

I am holding off until after Christmas to get my next tool, the Domino.  I have some lathe projects for gifts, and worried that if I get the Domino now, I won't get them done!

I was prepared to buy a SawStop table saw, and ave decided to live with my current contractor-style saw.  I really have a whole new outlook on how I do woodworking as a result of the exposure to Festool's uniqueness, and quality.  I am going to fill a box with old tools as I replace them with Festool, to give my son-in-law should he get interested in woodworking.  Otherwise they will get sold.

 

[semenza]

Welcome to the forum jools  [smile]

Bet you'll never heft a sheet of plywood through a table saw again, eh?

Seth

 

[jools]

Dear Seth
Moving the wood through the tool now makes no sense at all! Can't believe it's taken so long to figure out. Lay down a sheet of 25mm insulation board and away you go. Next project will be some kind of cutting table that I can flat pack in the van and assemble when required. Lots of ideas on the forum and it will be my interpretation of those. As you get older you have to work smarter
Regards
Jools

 

[cje]

I am going to fill a box with old tools as I repalce them with Festool, to give my son-in-law should he get interested in woodworking.  Otherwise they will get sold.

When you like your son-in-law you should sell them right away 

Best, Karel

 

[leer]

I am going to fill a box with old tools as I repalce them with Festool, to give my son-in-law should he get interested in woodworking.  Otherwise they will get sold.

When you like your son-in-law you should sell them right away 

Best, Karel

I certainly see your point!  But he is not a woodworker, so he can use my surplus tools to see if woodworking is for him.  And if so, maybe he will upgrade to Festool in the future.  [big grin]