Sometimes this is the only safe place to talk quality

[Hawkeye1434]

More and more this seems like the only place on the Internet where I can feel free to talk about my festool equipment.  Anywhere else as soon as I mention Festool as a great alternative or option the haters come out in troves.  I don't push it down people's throats and the original poster asked what people what they thought was best.  I wouldn't spend my hard earned money on festool if it wasn't giving me the best results.  I am going to keep on ignoring the haters and the non believers I have a kapex and a ts75 to save up for.

 

[DB10]

Yeah. Some people don't get it, some people do get it and some people get too much.
I think Most of what I own by Festool is definitely a grade or two above the standard but then I'm paying extra for that grade so they should be. I also think most people who buy into Festool probably buy into quality full stop with most other things to.
I've worked with plenty of people who make their living with tools that buy cheap tools and treat them like consumables, just throw them away when they get damaged, with that mind set they are never going to buy into Festool.
Each to their own as they say.

 

[SS Teach]

The net is full of trolls whose purpose it seems is to trash everything. I learned from my auto mechanic Dad. He only had Snap On in his shop. I personally like to breath when I sanding sawing or  soon routing. When I first saw Festool prices I must admit I said you got to be kidding, who in the world would pay that much. Then I saw the tools in action. That's when I found out who would pay that much, me. And when I refinished my kitchen and bathroom cabinets I found out just how good Festools were. It isn't worth dealing with the trolls, and those who see big box store tools as disposables well they end up paying more in the long run. To each his own.

 

[jacko9]

I know what you mean, I mentioned how fast working with the Domino Joiner on the Woodworking forum and you would think some folks might ask about the experience but no, I get guys that want to talk about price and how much easier it is to build your own contraption using routers.  You get the picture, I looked at one persons recommended mortise and tenon solution and the space taken, total price and slow working speed are great if you just don't have the money for a Domino but, don't go blaming the USA balance of trade, etc on Festool!

 

[andy5405]

I love my Festool gear but it is not the solution for all of my requirements for a whole host of reasons that are personal to me and my given circumstance at the time of any anticipated purchase.

Eulogising Festool on other broader minded forums is always going to elicit some negative responses. We're all different and that should be celebrated. 

 

[Greg M]

I really don't want to know how much I've spent on Festool and I don't disagree with anything any of you guys have said.  However, I still agree with the so called "haters" that Festool is overpriced.  Be honest, many of Festool's prices are nothing more than gouging their customers.  Consumables and accessories are anywhere from high to grossly overpriced.

I can see myself one day transitioning away from at least some of my Festool tools, especially the drills.  I've already moved away from the MFT/3s that I had and I doubt I'll replace my Kapex (nice tool but not worth near what it costs).  Well I might have the Kapex rebuilt when it dies.

There are some Festool tools that for me just don't have any competition like the domino, track saw and the sanders.

I wonder how much profit Festool is leaving on the table by not lowering their prices and increasing volume.

 

[ewils91]

The net is full of trolls whose purpose it seems is to trash everything. I learned from my auto mechanic Dad. He only had Snap On in his shop. I personally like to breath when I sanding sawing or  soon routing. When I first saw Festool prices I must admit I said you got to be kidding, who in the world would pay that much. Then I saw the tools in action. That's when I found out who would pay that much, me. And when I refinished my kitchen and bathroom cabinets I found out just how good Festools were. It isn't worth dealing with the trolls, and those who see big box store tools as disposables well they end up paying more in the long run. To each his own.

[big grin] I have both Snap-On and Festool. Learned from my dad who was a GM mechanic.

 

[jools]

I'm buildind a huge built in on site as I don't have a shop. Using ts55, Paralell guides, MFT, CMS and a domino500. Just cut 37 backs 456mm square. Stand them on edge and they are exactly the same size. All of them. So far I have cut 400 of 900 dominos and dry fit perfect. I could not have done the job with my previous non Festool toolbox so would have lost that earning potential. Yes they are expensive but I personally don't regret a penny of it. What others think or do I will leave to them. All I care about is the result I acheive for my client in the shortest amount of time in a dust free environment.

 

[SittingElf]

Being an "Appleholic" before I was a "Festoolian", I've grown accustomed to the naysayers based on price long before I purchased my first Festool. They said the same thing about Apple computers being overly expensive. But as I type this, I am using a 2009 17" MacBook Pro that is my workshop computer, and it recently upgraded easily to Yosemite (The latest OS) and running as strong as the day I bought it. In the meantime, the naysayers are on their third or fourth laptop since 2007. In the end my Apples (and I have MANY!) end up cheaper!

This is exactly how I feel about my Festools. Pay up front, but cheaper in the end, and just work better!

The trolls can kiss my grits!! [big grin]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[philphilop]

It must be very sad to live in a country where you have to tell everyone what you own, it is as if you are a nobody unless you have something that most people don't have or as I believe nobody else needs

 

[jacko9]

It must be very sad to live in a country where you have to tell everyone what you own, it is as if you are a nobody unless you have something that most people don't have or as I believe nobody else needs

How about next on the list a rasp from Auriou?

http://www.forge-de-saint-juery.com/rasps-for-wood/

Jack

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Honestly, who cares?

 

[SittingElf]

It must be very sad to live in a country where you have to tell everyone what you own, it is as if you are a nobody unless you have something that most people don't have or as I believe nobody else needs

How about next on the list a rasp from Auriou?

http://www.forge-de-saint-juery.com/rasps-for-wood/

Jack

Boom!  LOL! [big grin]
[popcorn] [popcorn]

 

[philphilop]

Have no use for a rasp but can assure you that if it had a green handle and came in a plastic systainer you would buy one

 

[semenza]

Lets not go personal here.

Seth

 

[Bigchasbroon]

My old boss used to say "buy sh**e you buy twice"
And when someone tells me a bad workman blames his tools I tell them that's because a bad workman doesn't buy good tools.

If you value your work and want to produce quality you need to invest it good quality tools suitable for the task. If you do mediocre work and are not too worried about the finish or making a mess on site by all means get down to Home Depot or B&Q there's people who will be happy with the cheapest possible job and will happily pay for crap. Then there's people who want a job done right to a high standard and are willing to pay. They're the people I want to work for so I set my sights a bit higher.

Also festools are actually pretty cheap the way I buy them. Ask me about the UKs tax system  [big grin]

 

[peter halle]

I read a review somewhere on the web in which the author described Festool users as "rabid".  I had to laugh. I try to not talk about the tools but rather about the results obtainable.

Peter

 

[philphilop]

My old boss used to say "buy sh**e you buy twice"
And when someone tells me a bad workman blames his tools I tell them that's because a bad workman doesn't buy good tools.

If you value your work and want to produce quality you need to invest it good quality tools suitable for the task. If you do mediocre work and are not too worried about the finish or making a mess on site by all means get down to Home Depot or B&Q there's people who will be happy with the cheapest possible job and will happily pay for crap. Then there's people who want a job done right to a high standard and are willing to pay. They're the people I want to work for so I set my sights a bit higher.

Also festools are actually pretty cheap the way I buy them. Ask me about the UKs tax system  [big grin]

I must disagree with your comment, it is me and my skills that do a top quality job not my tools, I can do perfect work with any tool providing it is sharp and not faulty.

I am not insulting festool users but find it strange that some decide to list their tools as if to say, I am perfect because I have the tools, I have well in excess of €50,000 euros in festool alone but don't feel the need to advertise my tools. My list of tools and wants was done in humour, don't actually own a tape or knife as these are not tools just merchandise.

ok I ask about the UK tax system

 

[Carl Prentiss]

These threads always leave me sad

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

I must disagree with your comment, it is me and my skills that do a top quality job not my tools, I can do perfect work with any tool providing it is sharp and not faulty.

I am not insulting Festool users but find it strange that some decide to list their tools as if to say, I am perfect because I have the tools, I have well in excess of €50,000 euros in festool alone but don't feel the need to advertise my tools. My list of tools and wants was done in humour, don't actually own a tape or knife as these are not tools just merchandise.

ok I ask about the UK tax system
[/quote]

The problem with a lot of tools you can buy nowadays is that they wind up fitting the description of "not sharp and faulty".

A lot of chisels not only come dull, but also not flat on the back, and made with poor quality steel that hasn't been hardened and tempered properly. Most readily available rasps are complete and utter crap when compared to a quality one made by Vallorbe, or Auriou, or Logier, or the old USA made Nicholson. The difference in material removal rates and finish are miles apart.

Power tools sometimes come with arbors that aren't machined properly. Circular saws come with bases that aren't parallel to the blade. Bench grinders come with arbor flanges that are so poorly machined the grinder will vibrate of its base. Some drill bits that untwist when you use them.

Even with all these problems a skilled craftsman may be able to get a job done, but it will take far longer, and the fit and finish may not wind up as good.

It's even more annoying when you're working for someone who estimates your costs based on what a "similar" tool and supplies would have cost from Harbor Freight, or who considers a $60 Chinese made Bosch grinder from Home Depot an expensive deluxe model.