Neal W
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2015
- Messages
- 133
I'm a hobbyist, and this year, I took a big leap into the green waters of the Festool world and boy am I ever glad I did. Now that I've had some time with my new "toys," I thought I would share some of my observations with other hobbyists/novices who may be thinking about the big monetary plunge into the Festool world.
Festool OF1400 Router—I purchased this to have a separate handheld unit (My big Triton is going to stay permanently mounted in my router table). As a router, it has plenty of power for most of the tasks I'm using. In some ways, this tool really isn't a whole lot different than many other plunge routers I've considered, but in a few ways, it is light years ahead.
Domino DF-500 Kit (with Senneca woodworking's domiplate)—This is a game changer in my woodworking. This is an amazing tool. I can't imagine going back to joining boards together without it. Right now, if you told me I could only keep one of my Festools, this would be at the top of the list. The initial monetary plunge stung a little, but wow has it been worth it. It has been used extensively on every single project this summer.
CT-Midi Plus Dust Deputy—I had to replace my old blue shop vac this year. It was going bad, it was making noises that weren't supposed to be made by a shop vac. I picked up a second hand Midi and decided that it would be a worthwhile use of $100 to purchase a dust deputy to reduce the consumables used. (The dust deputy is the one which uses two 5-gallon buckets). Compared to my old shopvac, all I can say is an emphatic WOW.
LR-32 System—This is a genius setup. I mean genius. So far, my primary use was to make an MFT style top, which turned out dead nuts. Once you figure it out (32 up and out or 16 up and out), get it calibrated, it is a pleasure to use. Next weekend I'll be drilling holes for shelf pins and hinges. But for what I've used, it has been FABULOUS. I won't put a list below, because there isn't that much to say, but get some dry erase markers to mark the rail. You'll be glad you did.
ETS 150/3 and DTS400 sanders and Granat sandpaper—Sanding is now a breeze with these two in the arsenal. Easy to handle, comfortable, virtually dustless.....
So this was basically intended for any other noob's, who are thinking about taking the plunge into the bright green waters. Even for weekend warriors, you may find Festool takes your enjoyment to a completely different level. I know I do not regret one single penny I've spent for any of the tools. In fact I'm trying to find the extra $$ to purchase something else (likely a TS55 to replace my "other" brand track saw, which I like, but don't love.)
Festool OF1400 Router—I purchased this to have a separate handheld unit (My big Triton is going to stay permanently mounted in my router table). As a router, it has plenty of power for most of the tasks I'm using. In some ways, this tool really isn't a whole lot different than many other plunge routers I've considered, but in a few ways, it is light years ahead.
- Bit Changes—As basic as this seems, this is one of the positive things I notice when compared to my Triton and the craftsman routers I've owned in the past. The ratcheting collet mechanism is fantastic when it comes to bit changes.
- Dust Collection—Anyone who has ever used a router knows that a mess is coming. They throw chips everywhere possible. And while the dust collection isn't 100%, it is light years better than anything I've ever used. I like the fact the dust port I removable. But it does a fabulous job. (I use a CT Midi with a dust deputy for dust collection)
- Integration with the guide rails and the LR-32 system—I'm making cabinets currently, and this is my first attempt at the European style cabinets, which require a dado across the rear of the boxes to receive the back panel. The attachment which allows the router to ride along the guide rails along with the parallel guides which come with the LR-32 system allowed for fast, easy consistent setup of this dado. This process would have taken me four times longer to measure, clamp a straight edge, etc. etc. Plus the "clamp a straight edge method" still allowed for plenty of opportunities for "user error" if the router drifted away, or something else. Repeatable accurate results. Even though I'm not in a "time is money" situation, it is still nice to be able to work considerably more efficiently.
- Noise—The routers I've used in the past are LOUD. The Triton in my table, LOUD. The old Craftsmans, Screaming loud. The festool in relative terms—not loud. (If you are expecting a silent router, you'll be disappointed, but it is considerably less noisy than anything I've ever used.)
Domino DF-500 Kit (with Senneca woodworking's domiplate)—This is a game changer in my woodworking. This is an amazing tool. I can't imagine going back to joining boards together without it. Right now, if you told me I could only keep one of my Festools, this would be at the top of the list. The initial monetary plunge stung a little, but wow has it been worth it. It has been used extensively on every single project this summer.
- Repeatable, Consistent, Results—The paddles on the face of domino tool produce easily repeatable consistent placement of the dominoes. When combined with the outrigger attachment, you get more repeatability. You really don't have to go through every piece and put layout lines on each one to matchup. If the pieces are the same dimension, they lineup every time. This is a huge time saver.
- Virtually Dust Free—I mean there is practically zero dust when you attach it to a vacuum. I could cut dominoes in my living room all day long and not have a mess.
- The Domiplate—Consider this a ringing endorsement of this aftermarket accessory sold by Seneca Woodworking. If you are working with 3/4" ply or 3/4" stock (or 1/2"), you'll be glad you spent the extra $70 or so ($64 plus shipping). Easy to use, easy to setup, and dead nuts on all day long. Plus it gives added stability when using the domino in a vertical position.
- There is a learning curve—This isn't a tool you will pull out of the box and use it with great results the first few times. There are some frustrations early on. But once I got it figured out, it has been a real joy to use.
CT-Midi Plus Dust Deputy—I had to replace my old blue shop vac this year. It was going bad, it was making noises that weren't supposed to be made by a shop vac. I picked up a second hand Midi and decided that it would be a worthwhile use of $100 to purchase a dust deputy to reduce the consumables used. (The dust deputy is the one which uses two 5-gallon buckets). Compared to my old shopvac, all I can say is an emphatic WOW.
- Noise—I've read this many times over on the forum here. But until you use it and compare it side by side to a shopvac....good grief. It is far quieter, far more pleasant to use.
- This thing sucks—which is exactly what it is supposed to do. It seems to have far better suction than my shop vac ever did (even when the blue screamer had a new bag and filter.)
- The Dust Deputy has been money well spent—I've emptied the 5 gallon bucket 5 times this summer, and each time it was over 2/3 full. The Dust Deputy has already paid for itself (if each time I dump the bucket it saves a bag....That's $33, math is hard, so three bags equals the cost of the dust deputy....I'm ahead.). The only thing going to the bag is some very very fine powdery dust. The rest is trapped in the little cyclone. I had a little trouble justifying the one which fits on top of the vac at the time. If I had to do over, I probably wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
- Fitting the tools—I love the fact that the vacuum hose fits directly to the tools. Sanders, domino, router, makes my life easier when I have to put everything away. less time cleaning, more time making scrap.
LR-32 System—This is a genius setup. I mean genius. So far, my primary use was to make an MFT style top, which turned out dead nuts. Once you figure it out (32 up and out or 16 up and out), get it calibrated, it is a pleasure to use. Next weekend I'll be drilling holes for shelf pins and hinges. But for what I've used, it has been FABULOUS. I won't put a list below, because there isn't that much to say, but get some dry erase markers to mark the rail. You'll be glad you did.
ETS 150/3 and DTS400 sanders and Granat sandpaper—Sanding is now a breeze with these two in the arsenal. Easy to handle, comfortable, virtually dustless.....
- Great Dust Collection—I suppose you could use these without the vacuum attached, But I'm not sure why you would. Turn the vacuum's suction down and get after it. At coarser grits, it cleans almost all of the dust away. At finer grits, it leaves a little more, but it is still better than anything I've ever used (a black and decker quarter sheet sander, and a "master mechanic" random orbit sander.)
- Quiet—The old black and decker quarter sheet sander was really noisy. These two are not.
- Not a lot of vibration—You know how your hands feel numb after using that little palm sander for a long period of time? They won't when you use the Festool sanders (at least mine don't.)
- Granat Paper—Sand paper is consumable. I used to purchase whatever el cheapo the local hardware store had, because I was going to throw it away. The price tag of the Granat is not necessarily pleasant, but it lasts far longer than the el cheapo. I probably don't save money on paper, but it isn't as bad as you think either. It is long lasting durable stuff which doesn't clog, and leaves a good finish. It is well worth the extra spent, even for a weekend warrior like me.
So this was basically intended for any other noob's, who are thinking about taking the plunge into the bright green waters. Even for weekend warriors, you may find Festool takes your enjoyment to a completely different level. I know I do not regret one single penny I've spent for any of the tools. In fact I'm trying to find the extra $$ to purchase something else (likely a TS55 to replace my "other" brand track saw, which I like, but don't love.)
