Starter System Questions...

[greyerlynx]

Hey everyone. New guy here... I've been looking at the Festool stuff now for quite some time and am convinced it fits my needs. Well... really it's overkill. I'm a DIY / hobbyist, but I hate the big shop tools and dust. I'm also extremely picky when it comes to tool quality. I'm sick of shitty tools holding me back and if I'm going to spend the money I want it to be a good system. Festool is compact, accurate and the system seems like pure genius.

That being said, I'm not rich. I'm looking to get into it with the best possible setup without breaking the bank. I'm definitely looking at the saw system (TS55) as the first purchase. So I've got a couple questions.

1. How important would it be to have the CT22 over the CT midi? Dust collection is a big deal for me, but I don't necessarily need the capacity. The midi is about $100+ cheaper. For usage, I'm looking at a saw, jigsaw, sanders, and a router as my main tools.

2. What are the suggestions about MFTs? I really like the system for angle cuts and it seems to make sense as a portable work surface. Could I get away with the MFT800 or is that pointless and I really would need the MFT1080?

3. Finally are there any other 'essential' accessories that people would recommend when starting out with the Festool system?

Great forum! I really appreciate any help.

greyerlynx

 

[TomCrawford]

I started with the Midi and became somewhat frustrated with dragging the hose when sanding. After visiting Jerry Work's studio and seeing the Boom Arm I was sold and bought a CT22 with Boom Arm when i got my Domino.  The Boom arm is great - so If you can afford it go for the 22.

If you have the shop space get the MFT 1080, I'm willing to bet you will soon than later consider a second MFT.  A second one with connectors is on my list but the Domino and CT22/Boom Arm came first.

 

[woodshopdemos]

GL,
  Welcome to the forum and the world of Festool. You have some very valid questions. Here are my answers:

1  How important would it be to have the CT22 over the CT midi? Dust collection is a big deal for me, but I don't necessarily need the capacity. The midi is about $100+ cheaper. For usage, I'm looking at a saw, jigsaw, sanders, and a router as my main tools.  I think it is too soon for me to tell abut the midi. It should work fine. I am not certain the boom arm would mount to it. I would call Festool and ask them. To me, the boom is very important.

2. What are the suggestions about MFTs? I really like the system for angle cuts and it seems to make sense as a portable work surface. Could I get away with the MFT800 or is that pointless and I really would need the MFT1080?   MFT1080

3. Finally are there any other 'essential' accessories that people would recommend when starting out with the Festool system? a guide rail, panther rip and cabinetmakers blades.

 

[greyerlynx]

I had not even considered the boom arm. I had vaguely considered a hook over my MFT in the shop to hang the hose from. Very interesting.

woodshopdemos, when you say you recommend a Guiderail, do you mean in addition to the one that comes with the TS55? I thought I'd start with that one and add on later.

I also have no idea what a 'panther rip' is? Is it another blade for the TS55 along with the cabinetmakers blade?

Thanks guys.

 

[Bob Childress]

The guiderail that comes with the saw is 1400 mm which will let you crosscut a sheet, but not rip its entire length. For that you will need an additional rail and 2 connectors (or the long one piece rail). 

 

[woodshopdemos]

and the Panther rip is a super blade that rips stock effortlessly and leaves a good edge. For the 55, the PN is 439 685. You will find that with the new saw, changing blades is so easy that you will want to use the right blade.
  If you go to the Festool sub-menu on my site, you will see a story that Bob Marino and I did on ripping long planks.  http://www.woodshopdemos.com/men-fes.htm

 

[greyerlynx]

woodshopdemos, I hadn't made the connection between your name and your site. Your articles have been instrumental in my decision to move to Festool. What finally did it for me was being able to attend a local demonstration. It was for the Domino but turned into a full system demo where I was actually able to try out a bunch of the tools. When that was over I was convinced.

I really appreciate all the advice and I think I've got a pretty solid list to really outfit my shop...

TS55
CT22
MFT1080
PS300
additional 1400 Guide rail
Guide Rail accessory kit.
Good Rip Blade

Which puts it around $1500...

It seems, though, that I won't have a use for a few things in my shop that I've never enjoyed using:

Older Delta Table Saw - good saw, but man I just hate it...
Delta Dust Collector - Big 2hp thing that just doesn't fit my shop...
Scroll saw

I'm hoping I can get a few bugs for these in order to offset the total cost a bit. I'll be planning a few more accessories for future purchases, like the boom arm and some more systainers.

Time to start putting in some overtime.

GL

 

[Dan Clark]

GL,

IMO, what you are ordering looks like a very good start.   If you're going to buy them all at once, that's best.  If buying piece by piece, the order you have looks quite good except that you might want to reorder the last four items depending on your needs.   

I have all of those except for the angle guide in the accessory kit.   (I'd have bought the kit if I'd known about it.    )  The kit is the best alternative, IMO.

Regarding the PS300, I hope you have handled both the PS300 and PSB300.   I was going to buy the PS300, but ordered the PSB300 because it fit my hand better.   Fit is specific to each person, so make sure you try both before buying one. 

Also, for the PS300, you might want to consider the Guide Stop #490031 — $11.50 and the Parallel Stop #490119 — $24.00.   The first allows the PS300 to be used with a guide rail, the second allows it to follow the edge of a board.   Again this depends on your needs.

Good luck and welcome aboard,

Dan.

 

[greyerlynx]

My desire is to get the most of the package deals:

TS55 + MFT 1080
PS300 + CT22

Since it's the only way to save a little money. I also felt that in order to make that work I'd need to do it all at once since I don't really want to use the TS55 without the dust extractor.

I have not tried the PSB300, though I did try the PS300 and I really liked it. My hands are rather large and fit around the body well.

It certainly makes sense to be able to use the PS300 with the guide rail but I'll probably add it to the list of things to get later... Father's day is coming up...

GL

 

[Ted Miller]

GL, I just made a post for you over at Woodworkers Forum on this same thread topic:
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=49360&page=2

 

[greyerlynx]

Thanks... you know I didn't thing the post over there worked.. it kept telling me there was some sort of problem... I'll read all that too!