Placing Festool order, advice needed please

[Vangor]

I am planning on purchasing the following in the next few days and wanted to get some advice from people who already own these products. The only Festool product I currently own is the corded Carvex jigsaw.

Planning to purchase:
-TS 55 REQ corded model with rail
-MFT/3 table with tracksaw rail and protractor and some clamps... not sure how many clamps
-Rotex sander, leaning toward RO 90
-Dust extractor, leaning toward CT26E
-CXS Drill kit

I wanted to ask everyone in the forum so you can recommend much needed accessories or possibly steer me in the right direction.

We are currently remodeling our home and I am doing 80% of it myself.

Thank you

 

[rst]

That is a good start, my only difference if I had to start from scratch, would be to not get the 55" rail with the saw.  Find a dealer that will let you sub for the 1900 (75") as this rail is much better to cut 48" material.  I have every rail available excepting the 106" and 16 footer and multiples of many.  I use the 1900 and 3000 the most.  The table will come with a 42". 

 

[Vangor]

RST,

Thank you for the advice. That is really good information.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have several of the 5” Festool sanders and the RO90. The RO90 is my least used sander. When I need a small sander or a delta shaped pad, the RO90 is great, but it’s not my general purpose sander.

I’d add a Domino as I have found it to be a profound game changer. All my Festool products do their jobs very well, but the Domino is totally unique.

 

[Cheese]

I’ll add that if you’re remodeling your house, I’d replace the RO 90 with a RO 125 or RO 150. The 90 is really a specialty sander for small spaces or furniture. With a house you’ll be faced with large surfaces to sand.

As far as clamps, I’ve always got 3-4 at my fingertips.

 

[semenza]

I'll second getting the Rotex 150 for remodel work over the 90.

Seth

[member=297]Michael Kellough[/member]  8K  [wink]

 

[JLMS2010]

I’ll agree with everybody above.  Highly recommend the RO150.  That is my most used sander. I have the ETS EC 150/3, Pro 5 Ltd and DTS 400REQ.  I use the DTS 400 for all the small places.

I agree the domino is a game changer and very unique. I have one and love it. However, make sure you have a use for it before spending $1200 (including the domino kit).  I would say you may get more use out of a router.

I would definitely get another track for the TS55. 

As far as the CSX Drill...I don’t have one, so I can’t say I’ve used one.  I love Festool, but I would just pick up a Milwaukee impact or something.  Especially with Black Friday coming up.

CT26e is great. I have that one. If you don’t care about the size, for $95 get the 48.

I'd get at least 4 clamps.

 

[pettyconstruction]

I would get 2-3 more clamps than you think you'll need , cuz you can't have to many clamps.
I think the ts-75 may be better if you cut more than sheetgoods. I bit big for plywood but works for other things better.
Charlie

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Wooden Skye]

There are a few things I agree with, the 75" rail is better, but if you think you will add down the road, swapping to the 55" holy rail is the way I would go.  I would also add the cross supports for the MFT.  I would also get some Parf dogs or similar. I have the cxs and like it, but I don't know if I would buy again, the new Bosch with the attachments is interesting, but my makitas have never failed me.

 

[live4ever]

Yeah I agree strongly with John (bnaboatbuilder).  There's a "whole-hog" appeal to Festool that certain people can get caught up in, especially those outside of the trades. 

It's not necessarily the wisest use of your funds to buy some of the things mentioned.  For example, I have never felt a Festool drill/driver is a great value over say, a Milwaukee or Makita.  You're spending more but the Festool isn't giving you new abilities for the additional money spent.  Same goes for how I felt about the MFT - can make your own solution and save hundreds.  And you don't need a Festool dust extractor either - I've gotten by with shopvacs and then Feins and never felt lacking.  This is all to say that many Festools will really help you do better work, and many are kind of luxury purchases.

All that money adds up, and instead allows you to buy a tool that really WOULD change your experience in a unique way - just as an example, a Planex if you were planning to do a lot of drywalling yourself. 

You might get better advice by telling us a bit more about the scope of the work you're tackling - how much framing vs. drywall vs. cabinet-building and interior trim you're going to be doing.  And also what other tools you have at your disposal.  Festool tools are just one part of the equation, and you're probably doing yourself (and your budget) a disservice if you're thinking mostly or all Festool.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that it is a good list of tools for remodeling work. I might consider a C18 or T18 over the CXS unless you are doing lots of cabinet work - it is a lightweight drill, but for remodel work I would consider something with more power. As others have said, other brands might work. I think that FT and the different heads are a key thing and useful for lots of projects - Bosch did add the Flexi recently, but the power is right inline with the CXS/TXS - I have it and so I would still opt for something with more power.

I think that the RO90 is great for detail work and windows, but a RO125 or RO150 is probably better for sanding siding and decks and what not. I have all three and the RO90 and RO150 is a great combination. If I could have only one, then the RO125 might be my choice. All are very versatile and capable machines.

I like the MFT and it is my most used FT. I might consider a battery TSC verses the TS 55 - personally I find the cordless has more power and being able to use the saw without a cord or hose is helpful in many situations - YMMV, but that is my recommendation. A longer rail is good advice and the 1900 is also my most used rail, followed by an 800 for shorter cuts.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[mwildt]

Good list, and great you got the rail recommendation.

I like my mft. Some members have build their own so that might be a consideration, potential savings. Lots of different styles out there and you would have to go with a rail and 'dog' solution in order to get the same capability like the mft. That said the protractor on the mft do not get much use so you could go with a mix, like the mft basic and then use 'dogs' and rail clips. Now that there are different ways to make your own tops, large/small etc then this gets more interesting. I got my mft years back and those solutions wasn't available back then. Sorry if that ads confusion.

In regard to clamps I have all 3 types. Each have their use. The screw clamps are good, have the short ones, and find them less marring than the quick clamp. You could save money if you try to find some 3rd party ones. Forgot which ones work with the holes. How many clamps to get depends on what you're working on. Start with one set and see how it goes.

Dog's are great. I use them all the time. Lots of different vendors. I have Parf dogs.

Other things for the mft would be the hose deflector, FS-AW. Less chance of the hose catching. Some make their own.

I've end up making storage boxes that hangs off the mft. Saw holder etc as well. Just search the forum for ideas, lots.

Ro90 is nice, but if you need to sand big things you want a bigger sanding pad.

 

[Holmz]

I am planning on purchasing the following in the next few days and wanted to get some advice from people who already own these products. The only Festool product I currently own is the corded Carvex jigsaw.

How is that working for you?

Planning to purchase:
-TS 55 REQ corded model with rail
In the US it is a reasonably good choice. However if you are not doing sheet goods and are doing mouldings then a SCMS may be a better choice? I do not have a SCMS, but mouldings seem to get done everywhere... What are you making or intending on using the TS55 for? - The HKS (I think that is the one) may be more useful for decks and outdoor work??

-MFT/3 table with tracksaw rail and protractor and some clamps... not sure how many clamps
Or pick up extras as you need them - Dogs are more important for me than clamps... I have a 10 pack of them -
The protector I used once to cut some metal tubing

-Rotex sander, leaning toward RO 90
An ETS/EC 150/5 seems more useful. If it is old outdoor weatherboard a RAS or a flapwheel is arguably more useful, so it depends on what you are doing.

-Dust extractor, leaning toward CT26E
It is a good size, and useful inside a house.

-CXS Drill kit
I have never used a CXS... but I would suggest looking at the Milwaulkee fuel, Makita, and Bosch. In other areas the Metabo is very hard to beat. A small drill is more handy than a large one in cordless, and corded drills are sometimes good to consider. I have a 10V Metabo clone and it is close to perfect (NAINA)
...

What exactly are you remodeling?
That could have an impact on which tools may be more useful than others...

Cost always blows out. (e.g. You may want a handplane(s), scraper(s) and a heat gun, or a belt sander...)

A Mirka or Festool handbock with the vacuum attachment is pretty useful inside a house, and are under 100$.
I would much rather have a ETS/EC 15-/5 and the hand blocks than an RO-# sander... However if I was making chairs then the RO would be ideal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=686&v=4XwV2B62qCE

 

[sancho57]

OK........

As you can tell opinions are like belly buttons, everyones got one and they are different  [big grin]

So Here is mine

Festool is a system. that can be specialized to meet a individuals needs.

The basics of that system is the MFT3, TS 55 and a CT (dust collector).

I suggest getting those 3 items and building from there as you need them.

You will need clamps, The Clamping Element ( 488030) and the quick clamps (491594).

The CSX is a very good drill, you'll need to buy centrotec drills and bits. They are a bit pricey even if you get a installers set.

So starting out I would get a cheaper option like a ryobi comb kit with a impact and drill. That way you can get any sort of bits at the HD or Lowes etc.

As far as sanders go, Wow that is a tough one, I have the RO 150, The RO 90 and RTS 400. I use all of them for the various work I do. I am looking at getting the LS 130. Not sure if its really that useful but ya know I like and want to try it.

As far as Guide rails the MFT comes with a 1080 rail and the TS 55 comes with a 1400 rail. I would see if I could upgrade the 1400 to a holy rail in case you want to get the LR 32 in the future. If you plan on ripping full sheets of ply you should get another 1400 guide rail (again a holy one) and rail connectors to join the 2 rails. That will give you ample length to rip ply.

But as I originally said, first buy the basics MFT, TS 55 and CT, clamps and the rest as needed build your personized system from there..

Oh yea festool dont offer discounts per se, but they do offer pkg deals which may save you a few bucks.
http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/package-deals/c/1317/

 

[geoffshep]

Vangor - those items are pretty much where I started.  It might help if you added your location - there's an option for it in your profile - then you might also get advice about the packages available in your area.

 

[Vangor]

Here is more feedback on what we will be doing in the remodel and using the tools for going forward.

The tools I am purchasing are for my wife as well. She LOVES restoring old furniture. She is always sanding down some piece of furniture she has found and distressing it to make it look old and worn. I wan’t quality dust extraction to help her with that and a better sander to make the job easier... not only to help with her hobby but for health reasons as well. She currently uses a corded Milwaukee orbital sander we purchased from Home Depot a few years back.

In the remodel, I will need to restore our kitchen cabinets which is going to be a lot of sanding. I will be doing some framing since we are adding a room on. Drywall work is not a major concern since most of our drywall will be either covered up by decorative wood or a heavy texture applied. I will be using our 18v cordless Milwaukee finish nailer ALOT to attach tons of old barn wood in different areas of the renovation. We will be refinishing a few furniture pieces to go into the new addition as well.

I have been ripping barn wood pieces with my Milwaukee Cordless 18v Fuel circular saw and my cuts are crooked. I don't have the best set up on saw horses for ripping lumber. I was thinking the track saw would help with this especially since most pieces we are ripping down are less than 6ft long. I can either try it on the MFT table or get some sacrificial lumber and plywood and try it on a larger surface.

I have no interest in a table saw. They scare the hell out of me. Plus, I need to be able to take my tools between two different locations that are about 80 miles apart.

I would like to get a router table one day which would help with building furniture or modifying existing furniture my wife has.

We are also planning on making some large dining room tables we need in the near future so the Domino would be a great addition for that.

As far as my access to tools, I currently own many Milwaukee 18v and 12v cordless tools that we use in our service business. Having owned many Milwaukee cordless tools, I would be more than happy to give anyone feedback if needed. We are heavily invested in Milwaukee Fuel 18v cordless tools in our service business.

My thoughts on purchasing the CXS was to use it for cabinet work and quite honestly I thought the attachments looked handy for some tight situations. I have never owned a Festool cordless drill/driver.

I recently purchased the Dewalt 716XPS 12” miter saw and I really like it. For the past 15 years I have been using the Makita 10” sliding compound dual bevel miter saw but I can’t overlook the missing blade safety guard anymore... it almost caught me on the forearm the other day while making some cuts and I stopped using it that day and ordered a new saw. The plastic blade safety guard broke many years back and the Makita service center has never been able to fix it properly... it has always giving me problems. The saw now needs a new power cord and the compound lever no longer works. In all fairness, the saw has been used ALOT and I don’t have a lot of bad things to say about it except I wish the blade safety cover was better designed.

I changed my location as requested by another user. We are located in San Antonio, Tx. I have a local Woodcraft in San Antonio but have never had any good help in their shop. I have visited their store several times begging for someone to convince me to buy x, y, or z (LOL) and the service has always been lacking.

Awesome feedback and advice. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

 

[Holmz]

Here is more feedback on what we will be doing in the remodel and using the tools for going forward.

The tools I am purchasing are for my wife as well. She LOVES restoring old furniture. She is always sanding down some piece of furniture she has found and distressing it to make it look old and worn. I wan’t quality dust extraction to help her with that and a better sander to make the job easier... not only to help with her hobby but for health reasons as well. She currently uses a corded Milwaukee orbital sander we purchased from Home Depot a few years back.

In the remodel, I will need to restore our kitchen cabinets which is going to be a lot of sanding. I will be doing some framing since we are adding a room on. Drywall work is not a major concern since most of our drywall will be either covered up by decorative wood or a heavy texture applied. I will be using our 18v cordless Milwaukee finish nailer ALOT to attach tons of old barn wood in different areas of the renovation. We will be refinishing a few furniture pieces to go into the new addition as well.

I have been ripping barn wood pieces with my Milwaukee Cordless 18v Fuel circular saw and my cuts are crooked. I don't have the best set up on saw horses for ripping lumber. I was thinking the track saw would help with this especially since most pieces we are reipping down are less than 6ft long. I can either try it on the MFT table or get some sacrificial lumber and plywood and try it on a larger surface.

I have no interest in a table saw. They scare the heck out of me. Plus, I need to be able to take my tools between two different locations that are about 80 miles apart.

I would like to get a router table one day which would help with building furniture or modifying existing furniture my wife has.

We are also planning on making some large dining room tables we need in the near future so the Domino would be a great addition for that.

As far as my access to tools, I currently own many Milwaukee 18v and 12v cordless tools that we use in our service business. Having owned many Milwaukee cordless tools, I would be more than happy to give anyone feedback if needed. We are heavily invested in Milwaukee Fuel 18v cordless tools in our service business.

My thoughts on purchasing the CXS was to use it for cabinet work and quite honestly I thought the attachments looked handy for some tight situations. I have never owned a Festool cordless drill/driver.

I recently purchased the Dewalt 716XPS 12” miter saw and I really like it. For the past 15 years I have been using the Makita 10” sliding compound dual bevel miter saw but I can’t overlook the missing blade safety guard anymore... it almost caught me on the forearm the other day while making some cuts and I stopped using it that day and ordered a new saw. The plastic blade safety guard broke many years back and the Makita service center has never been able to fix it properly... it has always giving me problems. The saw now needs a new power cord and the compound lever no longer works. In all fairness, the saw has been used ALOT and I don’t have a lot of bad things to say about it except I wish the blade safety cover was better designed.

I changed my location as requested by another user. We are located in San Antonio, Tx. I have a local Woodcraft in San Antonio but have never had any good help in their shop. I have visited their store several times begging for someone to convince me to buy x, y, or z (LOL) and the service has always been lacking.

Awesome feedback and advice. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

In addition to a domino the Mafell DD40 can also do things like tables, and the castlated rall allows for 32-mm spaced holes.
It is arguably better than a domino for tables. For chairs or things with a single hole, then the domino is the better choice.
If you were making an MFT style table then the DD40 is a good option. The 32-mm holey rail and a router can do it, but it is sub optimal.

Milwaulkee has a rebadged Nilfisk vacuum, and the rebadged Starmix is someone else's...?? Both of those should probably be compared with the CT26- but they are all similar in what they do, and they all have similar hose ends to take the tools.

If the wood is thick and hard, then a TS75 may be needed to supply the extra power compared to the TS55. The other choice is the MT55 which has more power and uses different (more easily transported, and better, rails... one the whole better in every way othe than cost and warranty)

The Haus boss may like an LS130 sander. I have not used one, but it seems like she could have more of a use for it than an RO-90/125 sander for that sort of work.

 

[Vangor]

I think I narrowed down our first sander to the ETS EC... probably 5”. After watching several reviews I really like the instant off and the lower profile. This will give us a great finish sander for furniture and then I was thinking a Rotex 90 down the road to help take off old paint and clear coat on older furniture the wife restores.

I hadn’t even seen the ETS EC until someone mentioned it. I was thinking of buying the Mirka Deros for the wife because many say its lightweight and quiet.

I am a little worried about buying the TS 75 thinking it might be a little bulky. But at the same time, you hear a lot of people saying the TS 55 is underpowered. I will have to think about that one.

Where is everyone buying there Festool products from?

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[rst]

Toolnut (festoolproducts.com, toolnut.com) or Bob Marino (bobmarinosbesttools.com)...both are great

 

[antss]

The "underpowered" rap on the ts55 comes up every once in a while.

And while it is less powerful than say the makita version , the ts55's power is adequate for the tasks it's designed for.  And while the ts75 has more watts. Its blade is bigger , making the resultant thrust if you will the same. 

If you're going to be cutting thicker material, then the 75 is warranted.  If it's sheetgoods and flooring ,ect... Then the 55's smaller size is more appealing to most.

Re: the tracks.  I think Shane told us they have now been separated from the saws and you can order whatever length you like to complete your "package".