should I take my game to the next level????

[Cincinnati]

Regretfully, I didn’t have time to read everyone’s counsel before adding mine.  I’ve run a couple of non-woodworking businesses, including a photography studio, so my advice comes from trying to make an undercapitalized business profitable. I’ve seen more people transform a profitable part time business  into a miserable failure than I have make it a successful career.  The common link is in what startup items they choose to invest their available capital costs during the transition/growth phase.

If you’re building and selling items now, you obviously have what it takes to complete the job.  I would keep going and adjust your pricing so you can set aside money for replacement tools or for tools that fill the gap and do something you currently can’t do.  For your business to be viable, it will have to cover all your costs, including tool replacement, your salary, and a profit to grow.  Otherwise you fall into the trap of buying business cards, postage, and tools from the family budget.

To answer one of your concerns, Festool has some tools that shine above the competition in my opinion. - sanders, the Domino, and the track saw. I think there are better choices in a cordless drill, and maybe the jigsaw although I have both. If you can justify their routers, they are well made, precision tools, have little vibration, excellent dust collection, and very little runout. I prefer the 1010 or 1410 for hand held routing. But for a router table I’d go with a Milwaukee 5625-20.

If you can continue your business with what you have that is a wise choice. 

 

[blakjak220]

Just get the Domino 500 and the track saw... those are, by far, the most unique and useful Festools that are definitely worth the money. But then you're probably get some more Festool after you get a taste of those. Good luck.

 

[harry_]

Just starting out? Do it with the tools you have.

If you don't have the tool you need? Before purchasing any tool of any brand, consider how often you will use it (personal duty rating). No point in spending top dollar on a tool to use once a year,.....or three. Tools sitting a shelf have a generally poor return on investment. (Of course there is the exception of scoring a deal) Once you decide your usage level, decide which is a better fit. A "disposable" tool that will get the job done, or a high end tool that will be a pleasure to use for years to come.

I am now at the point where I have over $20K in Festool. It certainly did not happen overnight. More like over a period of 12+ years and purchased as the needs arose and occasionally struck by a deal (pro 5, for example).

 

[Alanbach]

[member=61232]Branham762[/member] - Just curious, since this thread was resurrected after three years, what happened?  Did you take the dive, what Festool have you purchased and did they, in fact, help you improve you production efficiency?

 

[Bob D.]

Since the OP hasn't been back since May 2016 I doubt we will ever know.