Sometime last fall (when, it so happens, several work crews were here) my MFT/3 guide rail system disappeared - certainly not Festool's fault. I spoke with the local Woodcraft store, where I bought it, and it seems that I would have to buy an entire MFT/3 in order to replace the MFT's hardware system.
This is my reality. I do almost all of my circular saw cuts on a much cheaper saw because of set up time. The fact is that when I can see the blade, I can saw in a straight line. If I need a more precise cut, I take the piece to my workshop (I'm working at home where on an addition and cabinets, etc.) where I have a much easier-adjusted and precise table saw.
I wanted my TS 55, CT 22 and MFT/3 to be an on-site mitre and sliding chop saw. Adding blades, vacuum hoses and CT22 options, as well as other supplies, this combination cost close to $2K. This vacuum, table and saw combination make, for me, a good, efficient, and almost cost-justified application for this equipment. Given EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SUPPORT, it would have been cost-justified. I don't resent paying Festool's prices IF they support their equipment, but I expect much better customer orientation when paying their prices. Given Festool's policy, I would have saved a lot of money and aggravation by purchasing a top-notch sliding mitre saw and a top-notch portable mitre saw table connected to my existing Fein portable shop vacuum.
What I am left with is an expensive saw that I have probably used 2 times in the last 6 months of building an addition and I discovered the set up time was not worth the difference in cuts made by my DeWalt circular saw. The fact that you can't see the blade means that you always have to use a guide when making long cuts which requires measuring, placing and attaching the guide if dimensions are meaningful. My plan, at this point, is to set it up the TS 55 for cutting sheets of plywood when dimensions and the quality of the cut are meaningful - for me, an extremely limited and cost inefficient application.
If you have ever eaten in a European restaurant, you have probably experienced that the American edge over Europe is not the product, it's the service. I would love to hear that I was all wrong about this - that Festool will gladly sell me the hardware AT A VERY REASONABLE PRICE for the very expensive (over $3.5K) portable equipment - especially at their prices, it would be wonderful to find that you are rewarded for being a customer rather than punished.
This is my reality. I do almost all of my circular saw cuts on a much cheaper saw because of set up time. The fact is that when I can see the blade, I can saw in a straight line. If I need a more precise cut, I take the piece to my workshop (I'm working at home where on an addition and cabinets, etc.) where I have a much easier-adjusted and precise table saw.
I wanted my TS 55, CT 22 and MFT/3 to be an on-site mitre and sliding chop saw. Adding blades, vacuum hoses and CT22 options, as well as other supplies, this combination cost close to $2K. This vacuum, table and saw combination make, for me, a good, efficient, and almost cost-justified application for this equipment. Given EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SUPPORT, it would have been cost-justified. I don't resent paying Festool's prices IF they support their equipment, but I expect much better customer orientation when paying their prices. Given Festool's policy, I would have saved a lot of money and aggravation by purchasing a top-notch sliding mitre saw and a top-notch portable mitre saw table connected to my existing Fein portable shop vacuum.
What I am left with is an expensive saw that I have probably used 2 times in the last 6 months of building an addition and I discovered the set up time was not worth the difference in cuts made by my DeWalt circular saw. The fact that you can't see the blade means that you always have to use a guide when making long cuts which requires measuring, placing and attaching the guide if dimensions are meaningful. My plan, at this point, is to set it up the TS 55 for cutting sheets of plywood when dimensions and the quality of the cut are meaningful - for me, an extremely limited and cost inefficient application.
If you have ever eaten in a European restaurant, you have probably experienced that the American edge over Europe is not the product, it's the service. I would love to hear that I was all wrong about this - that Festool will gladly sell me the hardware AT A VERY REASONABLE PRICE for the very expensive (over $3.5K) portable equipment - especially at their prices, it would be wonderful to find that you are rewarded for being a customer rather than punished.
