Older Festool's worth Upgrading?

[Hotwheels]

Sometime after 2005 and 2010 I bought a number of Festool's for some ongoing projects and others in anticipation of projects that never happened.  Then other life events took over and I used my Festools only occasionally. I have moved to a different resident now and have more time and a small dedicated shop space to work in.  Aside from building some cabinets, drawers, and such I have a few furniture and outdoor carpentry projects planned.  I am evaluating my current tool kit and wondering if what if any of these Festool products should be upgraded or augmented.

Here is the list of what I have:

(2) MFT 1080 with connectors to join them and one set of rail clamps.  No fence.

Saw and Rails: TS 55 track saw, (1) damaged 1080 rail, (2) 1400 rails, (1) 1900 rail (1) LR32 1400 rail

Routers and Domino: OF 1400 EQ Plus; OF 1010 EQ Plus; DF 500 Q Plus

Sanders: RO 125 FEQ, ETS 150-3; RS 2 E; DX 93

Dust Extractors: (2) CT22 E, one with boom arm

Mitre Saw: Kapen 120EB

LR 32 System

 

[DeformedTree]

Most of what you have is the same as it is today.

The MFT's have been updated with a new model, but, they are tables, just keep using them.  Your CTs iare an older model, but pretty sure bags are still available. Only thing you miss there is blue tooth button you can get with the new CTs.

They are power tools, they don't go bad, and the stuff you have, hasn't changed.  Unless the stuff fails/dies I would just carry on where you are at.

I'd just run with what you have till you find you need more toys tools.  Your tools are pre the change over to inch labels, so that adds value to them verses the newer versions.

 

[Coen]

The newer vacs make less noise. Eg CTL 26 is really a lot less loud than the CTL 22.

 

[festup]

I have a similar flock of Festools that I bought 2010 - 2013. All still going strong. I have a CT22 and 26. You can still get bags for the CT22. I did just get a HKC 55, so you could always augment with cordless.

 

[ChuckM]

As others said, your tool arsenal looks perfectly fine for the kind of project you mentioned. You may even have the preferred model of pin-style DF500.

If upgrading means preferring to play with new(er) toys or added convenience, of course, it can be worth it.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I don't see anything in your list that necessarily needs upgrading. All fine tools and still very good today. Some of my own finest power tools are 20 to 25 years old.

Only thing you might consider, more out of convenience than necessity, is getting rid of those dirty old rattle buckets of 22's, the new generation vacs is a lot nicer. I am sure glad I upgraded my 22 to a 26.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Don't replace what ain't broke...Most of my Festool tools are from the 2995-2010 period, also. All of them are still going strong and I can see zero reason to replace them. I've added the Domino 700XL and a second CSX recently. The only Festool I'm considering selling right now is my original T12 drill/driver. it works just fine and has the updated batteries. But I mostly use my two CSXs in the shop and have a mint condition T15 that I bought barely used about a year ago and an olde DeWalt 14.4 for skut-work. The T12 is just being lonely so I may decide to have someone else put it to work.

One of the things I truly appreciate about all of my Festool gear is that even the oldest products I have still work like new after all these years.

BTW, I even kept the old MFT1080 relevant by making inserts for the legs to raise it up to the now current 900mm height that the MFT-3 achieves natively.

 

[Coen]

I don't see anything in your list that necessarily needs upgrading. All fine tools and still very good today. Some of my own finest power tools are 20 to 25 years old.

Only thing you might consider, more out of convenience than necessity, is getting rid of those dirty old rattle buckets of 22's, the new generation vacs is a lot nicer. I am sure glad I upgraded my 22 to a 26.

I didn't get rid of mine. It's just placed below a CS 50. Need hearing protection for that anyway, so /care on the vac noise. I use a 26 for other stuff.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=5277]Alex[/member] what is significantly better on the CT26 over the CT22? My 22 is still perking along but occasionally I wonder.

Technically that's not true, I dropped my original 22 from not too high I thought but it was open and had a full bag in it. Hit with enough force to put it into pieces and actually broke the circuit board.  [eek] But the used CT22 I replaced it with is still perking along  [wink]

Ron

 

[waho6o9]

Keep what you have and make some saw dust. 

I'd add a drill and an impact for fastening purposes and an installer's kit if they're available.

 

[Coen]

[member=5277]Alex[/member] what is significantly better on the CT26 over the CT22?

Less noise.

Maybe Alex has some fond memories of the CT 22's paper bag, hehe. But fleece bags for the 22 also exist.

 

[AlexThePalex]

The noise of the 22's motor is indeed worse, but not only that, my 22 also had a rattle that came from the upper shell every time I turned it on, so it made double the noise.

I never had a problem with the paper bags. But I also severely disliked the blower port on it which wasn't 100% closed off when not in use so it added more exhaust pollution.

And I just like the form factor of the new vacs a lot more, compacter with more capacity in a smaller package.

 

[Coen]

The noise of the 22's motor is indeed worse, but not only that, my 22 also had a rattle that came from the upper shell every time I turned it on, so it made double the noise.

I never had a problem with the paper bags. But I also severely disliked the blower port on it which wasn't 100% closed off when not in use so it added more exhaust pollution.

And I just like the form factor of the new vacs a lot more, compacter with more capacity in a smaller package.

Exhaust pollution??? Opening the blower port would just close other air outlets.

 

[jeffinsgf]

My experience with the CT-22 is quite different. I have a CT-22 at home and two new ones at work. I wouldn't trade my CT-22 for one of the new ones. Mine is easier to empty and though I have no hard evidence, I think it has better suction.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

My CT-22 works well and is still significantly lower noise level than the "shop vac" I use for cleanup purposes. The CT only gets used with hand-held electrics and my OSS. I wouldn't think of replacing it unless it broke and wasn't practical to fix.

 

[Hotwheels]

Thanks for the replies, some useful information and perspectives.  About the Ct22's.  One has always been dedicated for the Kapex and the one with the boom arm is used with the MFTs for sanding, sawing, or domino work.  I might sell one or both and get a CT26 with a Festool or Oneida cyclone.  One vac will work fine for my new work space where portability is less important. But, that needs some more thought.

The Kapex sits on a MFT Kapex and I am reevaluating keeping it since it can have a dedicated work station in my new space. 

I also have the MFS 400, 700, and 1000 routing templates.  I bought these for one particular project and never used them.  I'm not sure about keeping these, so I am curious about if others find these useful.

 

[Wood_Slice]

The only thing I can think of is the newer brushless sanders more comfortable to use. Smaller package amd easier to use. I never got the previous brushed sanders but had a dewalt ROS and from that going to the new ETS EC 125/3 is a joy.

 

[pettyconstruction]

Thanks for the replies, some useful information and perspectives.  About the Ct22's.  One has always been dedicated for the Kapex and the one with the boom arm is used with the MFTs for sanding, sawing, or domino work.  I might sell one or both and get a CT26 with a Festool or Oneida cyclone.  One vac will work fine for my new work space where portability is less important. But, that needs some more thought.

The Kapex sits on a MFT Kapex and I am reevaluating keeping it since it can have a dedicated work station in my new space. 

I also have the MFS 400, 700, and 1000 routing templates.  I bought these for one particular project and never used them.  I'm not sure about keeping these, so I am curious about if others find these useful.

A lot of people have been clamoring for the now discontinued ,router guild/ templet.
You could sell those and recoup some money. If you want.
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Coen]

Thanks for the replies, some useful information and perspectives.  About the Ct22's.  One has always been dedicated for the Kapex and the one with the boom arm is used with the MFTs for sanding, sawing, or domino work.  I might sell one or both and get a CT26 with a Festool or Oneida cyclone.  One vac will work fine for my new work space where portability is less important. But, that needs some more thought.

The Kapex sits on a MFT Kapex and I am reevaluating keeping it since it can have a dedicated work station in my new space. 

I also have the MFS 400, 700, and 1000 routing templates.  I bought these for one particular project and never used them.  I'm not sure about keeping these, so I am curious about if others find these useful.

A lot of people have been clamoring for the now discontinued ,router guild/ templet.
You could sell those and recoup some money. If you want.
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

In Europe is Festool MFS, after being impossible to get for a while, again fully available.