Thinking of taken the plunge.

[ed]

New to the forum, just learned about the tools about two weeks ago.
They have really caught my attention, I hope they are as good as they sound.

I am planning on buying the TS 55, with one of the package deal. I can get it with the CT22 or the MFT 1080, both of these packages are about the same.
I can not afford all three so which two should I get?
My thoughts where to get the TS 55 and the MFT 1080, but I am not really sure what capabilities the table will add.
Which would you get?
Is anyone using a different vacuum with these tools, Ridge or Fein?

Ed

 

[HowardH]

From what I have read on the forum, the Fein vac should work just fine if you have one.  The system is designed primarily around the dust collection system so one would think that getting the ct22 package would be a great first step if you don't have a DC.  It's what I did, FWIW.  I also got the 1080 about two months later and it has greatly simplified the operations I did before using other methods, ie. glue-ups, clamping for sanding, etc. Believe me, it's tool heroin.  Buy one, it won't be your last! 

 

[skipclemmons]

Get the new MFT and you can find the vaccuum used and it will be cheaper to ship.  That is what I did anyway.   Do it the other way if you like.  You really need all three, and I seem to see more vacuums around used.  

 

[Corwin]

The TS55/MFT1080 is a great way to start your new Festool collection.  Currently, the MFT is only offered in a package deal with either the TS55 or TS75.  The vacs, however, are offered in combo with most all of the products.  So, for the most 'bang-for-the-buck', you might want to start with the TS55/MFT1080 combo and later get a second tool and vac combo.  

"...not really sure about what capabilities the table will add."  Well, I hardly know where to begin.  But, I think you will find that this table will become the center piece in your shop.

Once you receive your first Festool, you will most likely fall prey, as so many here have fallen, to the Festool 'system' thing you may have been reading about.  If this 'system' thing seems mysterious, well, it is just that it is somewhat multifaceted;  To some, it is the dust extraction that links the products.  Others may consider the guide rails and/or multifunction tables as intregal parts of this 'system'.  Or, maybe the Systainers.  It could be the consistency of quality and ingenuity that goes into each product.  This 'system' seems to be all this and more.  The expression, "greater than the sum of its parts" certainly applies to any portion of the Festool lineup you choose, for as much as these tools are prized individually, they somehow become more valuable with each additional Festool purchase.

Sorry if my ramblings appear that of a Festool junkie.  It just cannot be helped.  I am sure you will understand 'first hand' very soon.

Enjoy,
Corwin

 

[Dan Clark]

Ed,

First, welcome aboard!   We're obviously biased here, but Festool is a great choice.   Now about the "first products" choices...

This is a tough one.  IMO, you need all three.  They are tied closely together.   Unless your primary purpose of using the TS55 is for breaking down sheet goods, the MFT1080 and TS55 go hand in hand.   I'm constantly using my combo for cross cuts. 

At the same time, the CT22 and TS55 go hand in hand.   I ALWAYS have my TS55 hooked to my CT22.   Well, not always.   A couple times when focusing closely on the cut line, I didn't notice the CT hose slip out and wondered, "why is so much sawdust flying around?"   ;D   

About using another vac...  I don't know about the Ridge, but Fein makes an excellent vac.   If you have one, you'll be set.   OTOH, if your choice is between buying a Fein and a CT22, then I'd strongly recommend getting the Festool CT!   While the Fein in a good vac, it's NOT part of the Festool system.   You would be integrating two systems and options like adding a Boom Arm or Hose Garage, and using the CT for systainer storage are not available to you.   

Corwin made an excellent point about Festool systemness and I'd like to add to that.   Essentially he said, "the system is greater than the sum of the parts" and the system is multifacetd.   What is REALLY key here is that, when you buy the pieces that meet your needs, it doesn't become A SYSTEM, it becomes YOUR SYSTEM.   

Your needs are different from Corwin's, Skip's, Howard's, and mine.   Therefore, YOUR SYSTEM will be different from MY SYSTEM.   And YOUR SYSTEM will change as your needs change.   Some days (or hours or minutes), "my system" is a "build your new shower walls system" - measuring and cutting studs for my new shower.   Some days, "my system" is a "sheet rock cutting and routing system".  One day it was a "build a small workstool cutting, clamping, and glue-up system".  One day, it was a "production line cut, pre-drill, and screw together 32 support jigs system".   Today, in about 30 minutes, it will become a "assemble and install electrical fixture system". 

My Festool "systems" change dynamically to meet my needs at that moment WHERE the needs are located.     I take my systems on-site, but "on-site" for me means moving my system to the garage for sistering the joists, or into my master bath for a remodel, or into the back yard for refinishing the back deck or rebuilding the fence, or into the house crawl space (it's a big one) to build a new storage deck/shelf, or to any room in the house when I install new moldings.

That's why I love MY Festool system.   I hope and expect that you will love YOUR Festool system.   

Regards,

Dan.

p.s. if at all possible, get the TS55, MFT, and CT22 combo together.  That's what I did and haven't regretted it.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I can not afford all three so which two should I get?
My thoughts where to get the TS 55 and the MFT 1080,
Ed

  You could get the saw and table package and the CT mini in you don't want to spend the money the CT22.

 

[clarkdp44]

While the Fein in a good vac, it's NOT part of the Festool system.   You would be integrating two systems and options like adding a Boom Arm or Hose Garage, and using the CT for systainer storage are not available to you. 

I have had my Fein Turbo II for three years.  An excellent machine, quiet, with great suction.  I plan to purchase the TS55 and MFT 1080, and continue with the Fein.  However, I am concerned about integrating two systems.

 

[Dan Clark]

Except when I break down sheet goods, I ALWAYS have my TS55 hooked to CT22.

Why not then?  Sheet good dust was one of the main reasons I bought into Festool.

Ned

Ned,

Brain f@art and poor editing!  :  Good catch.  I modified it to "I ALWAYS have my TS55 hooked to CT22."  (No caveats.)

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Lou Miller]

While the Fein in a good vac, it's NOT part of the Festool system.   You would be integrating two systems and options like adding a Boom Arm or Hose Garage, and using the CT for systainer storage are not available to you. 

I have had my Fein Turbo II for three years.  An excellent machine, quiet, with great suction.  I plan to purchase the TS55 and MFT 1080, and continue with the Fein.  However, I am concerned about integrating two systems.

No need to be concerned at all. The TII is a great vac and it will work just fine with a TS55 and MFT. I've had a TIII for about 4 years now and its a great machine. I use it with all of my Festool gear and don't have any issues. Keep the Fein and you'll be fine.

 

[Dave Rudy]

David,

Lou is right (as usual).  Fein is a great vacuum.  I just use the Festool hose and eliminate the need for any adapters.  Works fein.

Dave

 

[ed]

Thinks for all of the comments, I knew that everyone was a little bias here and would not of expected otherwise due to what I have seen of the tools. I will be using the TS55 for cutting up sheet goods, at least that is my plan. I have some built-in's to make and I want to make some cabinets for the garage and a few for the house.
The video's I have seen on the table leads me to believe that it can be used for just about anything. It looks like it makes cutting task a lot easier and cuts down on time. I would think that most of you are finishing projects sooner and with a lot less headaches.
Still not sure which way I am going to go, I know I am getting the TS55, the other choices I may not know until the day I make the purchase, which will be soon.
Thinks again for the comments, I am glad I joined the forum.

Ed

 

[Dan Lyke]

On the discussion of dust collection: Yeah, i recently did some sheet breakdown and, because I was doing it outside on sawhorses, didn't bother with the dust collector ("I'll save on setup time and bag filling!"). Big eye opener.

I think the table is one of those things that it's easy to underestimate: "It's a table with a bunch of holes and a hinged rail. How hard is that?" But I also think that if you're doing shelves, entertainment centers, other fairly simple structures out of sheet plywood or MDF, then with careful measuring and a good big square and extensive use of story sticks you can probably get away without it for a while.

 

[Dan Clark]

While the Fein in a good vac, it's NOT part of the Festool system.   You would be integrating two systems and options like adding a Boom Arm or Hose Garage, and using the CT for systainer storage are not available to you. 

I have had my Fein Turbo II for three years.  An excellent machine, quiet, with great suction.  I plan to purchase the TS55 and MFT 1080, and continue with the Fein.  However, I am concerned about integrating two systems.

No need to be concerned at all. The TII is a great vac and it will work just fine with a TS55 and MFT. I've had a TIII for about 4 years now and its a great machine. I use it with all of my Festool gear and don't have any issues. Keep the Fein and you'll be fine.

Lou,

I thought that Ed (the OP) didn't have a vac.  In that case, I think the Festool vac is the better choice over the Fein because the Festool vac can be integrated with other Festool accessories (Boom Arm, Hose Garage, etc.).  I.e., if you don't have a vac, get the Festool.  If Ed already has a Fein, then the added cost of buying a new Fetool vac is not a wise choice.  I.e, if you have a Fein, then use it and spend your money on more Festools.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Hotwheels]

Hello Ed,
I first bought the Ct22 and the Ts 55 saw. I could not see paying the price for a table with a bunch of holes in it. After a bit of reading and using the saw and vac, I  bought the MFT on faith. I have not regretted that decision, although I have not yet used the MFT to potential. Any of the tools and the vac are a pleasure to work with, especially the sanders. I enjoy sanding and I now I especially enjoy the mostly dusty free sanding with the vac.

The interesting thing for me about Festool is the system concept and how things work together. I do not have a lot of time to devote to woodworking, so when I do any inertia in trying to figure out how a tool works or is adjusted is wasted time. Festool seems to have a consistent design concept that saves me time and effort and allows me to focus on what I want to produce rather than how the tool works or if it works as it is supposed to do. That also adds value that is worth it for me.

Good luck with the choices. You will not regret buying a MFT, if you choose to do so. If you think you can live without it, I am sure you can. Life is wonderful when we have such choices!

 

[Ted Miller]

Ed, I am new here myself and this past weekend I was helping a friend of mine doing some cabinet side work and I was making some simple shelving in a finished garage. Low and behold my buddy told me he had a surprise for me at the site, yup Festools and many of them. I think I spent at least an hour just looking and learning how they were made and how to use them. Well thats all it took, 2 days with these tools and now I just placed an order with Bob Marino a few minutes ago. This shelving job would have taken me about 4 days on the site but I did it in 2 days. The dust collection blew me away, this house I worked at was a small 6800 sq. ft. and these owners are very very clean. If they saw any dust they would lower my pay, lol. The owners were as impressed as I was with the quality of the tools and my work thank God..

 

[ed]

Well the plunge has been taken, just orderd the TS 55 & CT 22. I figured I will try this and see how things work out and latter get the table or build one.
With the sheet goods I need to cut this seemed like the best option, I had to leave some money for the wood.
Thanks to everyone for there advice and I will report on how things work out.

Ed