Returned My Festool Gear

[Julian Tracy]

That being the case, seems like it'd be hard to justify the $600 or so you may have paid for it new only to use it as a perforated (wobbly!) work bench...

I found the MFT to be invaluable for accurate 90 degree crosscutting of wide cabinet parts; a task that's near impossible otherwise.  I'd always used the fence and rail.  But with the advent of all of the various dog products making the MFT's fence not needed, figured I'd make my own and sell the MFT.

It's a great work surface for clamping, sanding and all matters of work production, but unless I did a lot of crosscutting, I don't see how anyone can justify $575+ for it.  Especially in the shop.

JT

 

[fshanno]

That's what the money back thing is for.  Festool wants happy customers.  They don't want anybody to feel gypped.  You kept the flagship product, the saw.  You kept arguably the coolest product, the Domino.  Even with the returns it's still a win - win.

 

[grbmds]

That being the case, seems like it'd be hard to justify the $600 or so you may have paid for it new only to use it as a perforated (wobbly!) work bench...

I found the MFT to be invaluable for accurate 90 degree crosscutting of wide cabinet parts; a task that's near impossible otherwise.  I'd always used the fence and rail.  But with the advent of all of the various dog products making the MFT's fence not needed, figured I'd make my own and sell the MFT.

It's a great work surface for clamping, sanding and all matters of work production, but unless I did a lot of crosscutting, I don't see how anyone can justify $575+ for it.  Especially in the shop.

JT

I guess everyone is different. The table and the saw together have been invaluable in doing several things I'd have had a hard time doing as accurately any other way (head included). I do use dogs and they are also a valuable addition, but it depends on what I'm doing. I also found that, over time, I have changed the way I work on the table and with the saw, but there is no way I'd have foreseen this at the point I bought it. Wobbly? Not totally solid, but with the stretchers wobbly wouldn't be an accurate description. Do these tools do everything? No, but what tool does? It still comes down to buying what you believe you will use and, for some, the table isn't useful. Also, the CNC drilled tops are certainly much more available now for less money from other sources than they were even a year or so ago. That makes it much easier to duplicate the Festool tops with accuracy and economically and many more possibilities for other multi-function tables that are homemade. I still never regret buying the MFT/3 top. Even if I replaced it with something else now, I still would have gotten great value from it in my shop even though I've owned it for much less time than I have owned other tools I've dropped just about as much on.

 

[Paul G]

I have them hooked up to a shop-vac, it works great!

The shop vac will work ok with the tools you kept. It won't work so well with any of the sanders.

Charles

I use a shop vac/dust deputy on my Rigid RO sanders with great extraction results, the attaching is pretty ghetto though, but no one to impress but myself

I wasn't referring to extraction as much as I was referring to resulting finish. Being able to dial down the suction during finish sanding reduces swirl marks with the Festool sanders.

Charles

Yea, the variable vac of the CT helps with my RO90, but have never missed it on my Rigid sanders

 

[Deadskins]

I can honestly say my MFT is my most used tool.  Plus, my cat really likes it as a perch to observe the evil birds outside the door.  When I leave for the day, I always make sure not to leave anything for him to chew on or confiscate

 

[TelcoRandy]

With regard to not keeping the CT26... Are you sure you're not going to damage your TS55 and Domino without it?

The CT Vacs have anti-static hoses to prevent static charge buildups that could otherwise potentially ruin the electronics in your tools.

See: http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/warranty-issues-using-dd-non-festool-vac/

 

[Mitchy5104]

When I purchased my domino and ts55 it came with a spare festool hose which I use with the shop vac.  Even without it, i don't think its going to do much damage.  Regular hoses work with every other power tool.  Just think of all the shops set up with duct work for dust collection, they aren't equipped with 200 feet of festool anitstatic hose.  Also, I purchased a shop vac for $100 that is just as quiet as the CT26, only draw back i see is that it doesn't automatically start up with the power tool.  However there are add ons for around $50 that will accomplish this.  As for the CT26 being better for fine sanding, I seriously doubt it, how many people acutally dial down their sander for this operation?  Very few I suspect.  However, I'm not knocking the CT26, I just think there is a lot of false information out there saying that you must have this to operate any other festool tool.  A vacuum is a vacuum.

 

[bkharman]

When I purchased my domino and ts55 it came with a spare festool hose which I use with the shop vac.  Even without it, i don't think its going to do much damage.  Regular hoses work with every other power tool.  Just think of all the shops set up with duct work for dust collection, they aren't equipped with 200 feet of festool anitstatic hose.   Also, I purchased a shop vac for $100 that is just as quiet as the CT26, only draw back i see is that it doesn't automatically start up with the power tool.  However there are add ons for around $50 that will accomplish this.  As for the CT26 being better for fine sanding, I seriously doubt it, how many people acutally dial down their sander for this operation?  Very few I suspect.  However, I'm not knocking the CT26, I just think there is a lot of false information out there saying that you must have this to operate any other festool tool.  A vacuum is a vacuum.

Wholeheartedly don't agree with "a vacuum is a vacuum" when it comes to sanding.

If I leave the vac at full speed and use my sanders, I fight it the whole time. This is on bare wood through most grits, drywall and paint (SW wood & wall and proclassic) turning the vac speed down through grit changes is part of my workflow. Could I do it with a shop vac, probably. Would I WANT to, most definitely not.

Like all Festools (and tools/toys/electronics), some are fans, others are not.

Good luck!

 

[wow]

Only YOU know what works for you and what doesn't. so no snide comments from me. I will, however, be watching your future posts to see whether you re-buy any of the stuff you returned. Whether you do or don't doesn't matter - I am just curious if you come back to the green stuff.

From what I understand based on my brief exposure...

[attachimg=#]

 

[Alan m]

My ro150 is a dog to use with the vac at full power but dial back the vac and every thing becomes a lot easier to work

 

[peter halle]

When I purchased my domino and ts55 it came with a spare festool hose which I use with the shop vac.  Even without it, i don't think its going to do much damage.  Regular hoses work with every other power tool.  Just think of all the shops set up with duct work for dust collection, they aren't equipped with 200 feet of festool anitstatic hose.   Also, I purchased a shop vac for $100 that is just as quiet as the CT26, only draw back i see is that it doesn't automatically start up with the power tool.  However there are add ons for around $50 that will accomplish this.  As for the CT26 being better for fine sanding, I seriously doubt it, how many people acutally dial down their sander for this operation?  Very few I suspect.  However, I'm not knocking the CT26, I just think there is a lot of false information out there saying that you must have this to operate any other festool tool.  A vacuum is a vacuum.

Cutting down the vacuum suction is imperative to getting the desired results.  High suction is counter productive to the sanding process. Most Festool users do turn down their variable speed CT-s.  Sorry you didn't know this when you had your Rotex.

Static can damage tools that have advanced electronics in them.

Not being argumentative, just trying to pass on information.

Peter

 

[Mitchy5104]

I have no doubt that there will be some more festool tools for me in the future.  

 

[batcave]

Do tax dollars get returned also?

Kevin

 

[jacko9]

I think you'll appreciate the Track Saw and Domino very much and when you have "extra funds" available consider other tools.  You might want to buy the Domino assortment set with extra cutter sizes  since they the cutters so expensive individually and you get a nice assortment of domino's in each size along with the various cutters.

Jack  

 

[Mitchy5104]

Yes, full refund, it really is a great opportunity from festool to try out their equipment

 

[batcave]

Hey, sorry it did not work out. Hope something fits the bill for you soon!

Kevin

 

[FOGNewbie]

Only YOU know what works for you and what doesn't. so no snide comments from me. I will, however, be watching your future posts to see whether you re-buy any of the stuff you returned. Whether you do or don't doesn't matter - I am just curious if you come back to the green stuff.

From what I understand based on my brief exposure...

[attachimg=#]

Although I've yet to return a tool, I have found resistance to be futile as well. [laughing]

I agree that finding out what works for you is what the 30 day policy is all about. I have also found from my personal experience that sometimes you need to reach out to others to find out what each tool is truly about/ what it can do. The RO-150 was the first tool I bought. Granted it was being stacked up against a Orange box store random orbital sander, but that is what got me started. The MFT took a while to warm up to, but with the cross members and learning how to calibrate the fence, I've really grown to love it. Especially since I am a highly disorganized woodworker. With all of the clamping options I find myself using it more and more all of the time.

The Jigsaw (Trion for me) was an about face experience. I went from taking it to a neighorhood project without even trying the tool and hating it to man this thing really cuts well. I didn't realize the difference in the cuts till I figured out the settings. I didn't have the saw blade guides set. They were no where near the blade. I also had the Pendulum stroke setting at 3. The Festool rep. and Festool training taught me that. So I went from maybe I should have bought the Bosch to man this thing is great.  

Customer service is another selling point. Top notch. From the rep(s) to customer/ tech service. Top notch. I only needed them once and I was/ am more than impressed.

Festool is expensive. No doubt, but sometimes it takes a little guidance to really figure out the tools capabilities and the true value.

 

[Stephen B]

When I purchased my domino and ts55 it came with a spare festool hose which I use with the shop vac.  Even without it, i don't think its going to do much damage.  Regular hoses work with every other power tool.  Just think of all the shops set up with duct work for dust collection, they aren't equipped with 200 feet of festool anitstatic hose.  Also, I purchased a shop vac for $100 that is just as quiet as the CT26, only draw back i see is that it doesn't automatically start up with the power tool.  However there are add ons for around $50 that will accomplish this.  As for the CT26 being better for fine sanding, I seriously doubt it, how many people acutally dial down their sander for this operation?  Very few I suspect.  However, I'm not knocking the CT26, I just think there is a lot of false information out there saying that you must have this to operate any other festool tool.  A vacuum is a vacuum.

Cutting down the vacuum suction is imperative to getting the desired results.  High suction is counter productive to the sanding process. Most Festool users do turn down their variable speed CT-s.  Sorry you didn't know this when you had your Rotex.

Static can damage tools that have advanced electronics in them.

Not being argumentative, just trying to pass on information.

Peter

[size=11pt]

Don't worry Peter, he probably also wondered why his ROTEX jumped about!

[big grin]

 

[peter halle]

When I purchased my domino and ts55 it came with a spare festool hose which I use with the shop vac.  Even without it, i don't think its going to do much damage.  Regular hoses work with every other power tool.  Just think of all the shops set up with duct work for dust collection, they aren't equipped with 200 feet of festool anitstatic hose.   Also, I purchased a shop vac for $100 that is just as quiet as the CT26, only draw back i see is that it doesn't automatically start up with the power tool.  However there are add ons for around $50 that will accomplish this.  As for the CT26 being better for fine sanding, I seriously doubt it, how many people acutally dial down their sander for this operation?  Very few I suspect.  However, I'm not knocking the CT26, I just think there is a lot of false information out there saying that you must have this to operate any other festool tool.  A vacuum is a vacuum.

Cutting down the vacuum suction is imperative to getting the desired results.  High suction is counter productive to the sanding process. Most Festool users do turn down their variable speed CT-s.  Sorry you didn't know this when you had your Rotex.

Static can damage tools that have advanced electronics in them.

Not being argumentative, just trying to pass on information.

Peter

[size=11pt]

Don't worry Peter, he probably also wonders why his ROTEX jumps about!

[big grin]

I'm not worried.  Many of us joined here because we needed information about using the tools that wasn't available anywhere else.  Keep spreading the knowledge you guys!

Peter

 

[TelcoRandy]

When I purchased my domino and ts55 it came with a spare festool hose which I use with the shop vac.  Even without it, i don't think its going to do much damage.  Regular hoses work with every other power tool.  Just think of all the shops set up with duct work for dust collection, they aren't equipped with 200 feet of festool anitstatic hose.   Also, I purchased a shop vac for $100 that is just as quiet as the CT26, only draw back i see is that it doesn't automatically start up with the power tool.  However there are add ons for around $50 that will accomplish this.  As for the CT26 being better for fine sanding, I seriously doubt it, how many people acutally dial down their sander for this operation?  Very few I suspect.  However, I'm not knocking the CT26, I just think there is a lot of false information out there saying that you must have this to operate any other festool tool.  A vacuum is a vacuum.

Even if you use the Festool hose with another shop vac, if that Vac isn't grounded (eg. double insulated) and/or static dissipative you could still build up static charges. From what I've read on the forum, not all dust will produce static (ie. drywall) so I'm guessing most vacuums aren't designed to protect against static. Festools have some pretty sophisticated electronics and there have been instances where people on the forum have either gotten static shocks repeatedly from built up charges:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/festool-sanders-give-a-electric-shock/
And here's an example of a Festool Vac that was damaged by static due to improper grounding of the dust deputy:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-problems/toasted-ct22-motor-module-%28thanks-to-dust-deputy%29-!/

Odds are you'll be fine, it's just something to consider. I'm sure if this was a widespread problem everyone in this thread would be urging you to get your CT back. I've only sanded drywall with my Festool sanders so I don't have any personal experience in the way of static buildup. I just thought I'd make sure that you are aware that it can be a problem. Unless you do a lot of repetitive cuts on your TS55 I can't imagine you building up as much static as a sander.
Best of luck to you!