Newbie looking to take up woodworking, want to invest in the Festool system...

[guitar_ed]

Regarding Imperial or Metric measuring.  Hoo Boy....

Being in the states, most of the lumber & plywood you buy will be spec'd in Imperial.  But the Festool stuff is in Metric.  But wait, there's more......

I forget who sells it, and I bought one, but somebody makes a replacement "depth gauge" for the Domino that is in Imperial.  Makes life easier.

The challenge with going metric is that some of your measurements are Imperial and some are Metric, and then you have to keep track of which is which.  And that confusion can lead to major problems.  Remember the Mars lander that crashed & burned because of this issue?

The only thing that I do in Metric is Domino sizing.  It reduces my confusion.  I think.....  [blink]

In the end, it depends on which methodology you prefer to work in. 
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Somebody mentioned Woodpecker Tools earlier, for measuring tools.  Another company is Incra.  They both make really good tools in both Imperial and Metric. I have tools from both companies.

Take care,

edg

 

[jeh]

Thanks once again for your feedback.  Here's what I'm thinking for Festool purchases:

• CT36
• TS 55 REQ
• MFT/3 + Cross Members
• Selection of Festool Clamps (clamping elements 2-pack and 4-6 screws and/or quick clamps)
• D150 Granat abrasive assortment (from Tool Home)

I'd like to be able to get the 10% off bundle discounts on both the CT and MFT, but I need another tool purchase to do that.  I'd have to spend more then I'd save in this case, but why leave free money on the table?  So I'm still thinking about a DTS400/RTS400, but I'm also pondering an OF1010 or OF1400 instead (since I have the RO 150 which should handle all my sanding needs for now).  I know I can get immediate use out of a router with some of the things I want to built, doing different joinery methods and edge banding.  Any opinions here?

Outside of the Festool brand, purchases would include: bench/rail dogs, clamps (already have decent Bessey collection but could use some longer ones, as well as some toggle/bench clamps), squares/rules, kreg pocket hole jig, and a miter saw.  As far ase th miter saw goes, I was intending to buy one anyway for another project I had pushed off, installing 600+ sq ft of ceiling on my porch (1x6 Pine T&G). I'll proabably go with the Dewalt DW715, but need to do more research.

Since I'll be buying some new measuring devices, for those of you reading along in the USA, did you stick with imperial or go all metric?

Metric if you can. I think it is a better system that only gets better over time.

The Festool clamping elements are a must for the MFT. You won't be disappointed with them as they enable some clamping options that are not easily done with other clamps. That said you will find that clamps are a very important non-power tool with so many uses.