There have been several variations of the 'For Richer or for Poorer / For Better or for worse' discussion in recent weeks. Some of us may have reached the 'Till death do us part' but I have not heard of anyone really getting a divorce from their Festools (other than for sensible reasons like too many members of the harem, etc.) Most of us have been through the "Why did I $pend ... how much"?!
Sitting on top of a step ladder the other evening and after a $500 chat with Bob Marino I was surveying my current workshop (that had better be back to being a 24ft by 15' living room PDQ).
The project was to replace a water damaged living room ceiling with a new one, but in a tray format. This would raise it several inches.
When the demolition dust had been cleared I brought the tools I thought I would need out of the basement and arrayed them around the room. Looking down I saw that many of them had not made any dust, just gathered dust.
I mentally went through what I was actually using.
In the general hand tools line I used a hammer, pry bar, back saw, screwdriver, various rulers and tapes, a couple of spirit levels and a hose pipe (also for leveling).
In the non-Festool power tool line
A Delta drill press, an old B&D jig saw and a 1/2" Makita drill
I should also mention the ropes and threaded rods I use for holding things in place, more jigs than tools.
The Festool lineup for this job is the MFT 1080, TS55, CT22 boomer, HL850 for a cleanup job and CT12. These are all complete with accessories, angle guides, etc. (These are very important). I also have an 8' by 4' cutting top I use for breaking down sheet goods and long boards, and some roller stands.
Now for a while I was only in half of the room (15ft x about 12 ft) and working by myself.
For one operation I needed to cut 10 12' lengths of 2x4 with a 30 degree bevel along the length. In the old days I would have dragged out the table saw, found a big flat space to work, set the saw up, found a friend or two, a case of beer and had a happy few hours yelling in a sawdust fog, carefully cutting these boards.
Instead I set the boards on my sacrificial plywood, joined three cutting guides together, angled the TS55 and in less time than setting up and testing the table saw I had cut the bevels. Not only that, the slightly bowed edges of the boards were now straight and there was hardly a bit of sawdust in the air. Changed the bag in the CT22 though. Try cutting a 12' length on a table saw in a room only 12' x 15'.
Some of the old ceiling lumber was salvageable (it is a new house) so out came the 850 planer and the metal detecting wand. As I was planing the surfaces clean a neighbour came around to see what I was doing. Note to self: make sure the CT22 dust bag is empty BEFORE showing how great the dust collection is! However, the end result was to show the difference between after and before. (Since then a clear-vue cyclone has almost paid for itself in bags saved)
I cut the boards to length using TS55 on the MFT or, for some pieces, the Festool angle guide on the cutting frame. Sheet goods are a breeze with the cutting guides (But a single length 8 foot guide would be NICE to own). Even with two regular 4' cutting guides and my LR32 guide I could deal with 12'. (Have to be careful about moving the guides into place and double check they are still straight though).
I brought up my old 3/8" Skil Drill and a 1/2" heavy duty drill to use. I have yet to use either. The 1/2" is waiting until I need to go through some concrete walls for an electrical connection but the 3/8" drill has not yet been needed. Firstly the cordless CT 12 is easier to use and secondly the quick change chucks make doing multiple jobs with the same drill really effective. At one point I had forgotten to put in some screws and needed to get them into a tight blind corner. I was able to put the angle chuck on and insert the screws blind, literally pulling the drill towards me. Impressive.
I used the Delta drill press for boring about 100 1" holes. It was a better solution despite having to lug it up and down to the bench and swinging the 12' lengths around to drill the other ends.
I have not finished the ceiling yet, but getting there. The chuck for the drywall screws made things real easy once I got it adjusted and got the, er, hang of it.
So why the ramble and what's the relevance to your question?
This is the first real opportunity I have had to put a number of these tools to serious work. Neckache, noise, dust in the house, and I am working solo (which makes a big difference) and facing real challenges that need to be overcome.
My resolutions:
1) Check the dust bag often (with the cyclone it is now check the container often)
2) Measure twice and cut once.
3) Get an 8' cutting guide (when I can find a safe way to ship it here).
As regards to cost of the Festools...
They enable me to work alone, doing jobs that other tools/solutions require at least two people to do. (Yes, I do need another pair of hands occasionally, but that is not the fault of the tools). Their value is the system. I use many of the same pieces and guides with different tools for different jobs. The guides, stops, clamps, etc. and also jigs I can make them into.
They save time, lots of time.
They save cleanup.
The accessories are not just for show. They solve real problems and the interchangeability saves time and aggravation. I only need one tool where before I had to buy several.
Give me the safety of the 55 saw over the table saw at any time. No tool is perfectly safe or idiot proof - I can attest to that - but the Festool system is a darn site safer than most. I still wear a face guard when sawing or routing and sometimes the ear protection.
From Topchippies's post ... Narrow stuff can be cut. I have cut 1/4" slices off a board for edging, with excellent repeatability. However the 'system' does not replace everything. We don't own just one set of chisels, there are times when a special chisel is needed. It also depends on what you want to do - and what help you have.
I have heard lots of comments about the cost of Festools. Expensive, Pricey, out of this world, you have GOT to be joking, and so on.
Guys (and girls) I pay about 30% duty on the US$ cost of the tools, plus shipping, whether it be a Skil or Festool, but I pay it. I just proved to myself that the Festool tools are, in fact, actually economical. (And yes I know the cost is higher in other countries - and people still buy them)
Now that the centrotec assortment is finally available (no square drive bits though) ... Uncle Bob ...
(PS I originally thought the centrotec system might be a bit of a waste of money. I just bought another bit holder and I am thinking about the full set as noted above. This is my money I am spending/investing. 'nuff said)
;D
