Tool Selection Advice

[Holmz]

I assume you are in the US, and if so then the Makita or Festool is easier. But the Bosch/Mafell rail system is better IMO.
I usually get good tools, but there is something to be said for scouring the used market.

Festool sanders are generally good, but that $99 deal was not an ETS/EC, which is a nice sander.
For vacuums, Starmix, Bosch, Metabo and Festool all do the job. Generally the hoses are the same dimensions.

I started out with a CT26, and added a MT55 and a Mirka DEROS sander. Three different brands, and they all work. The "system" sounds good, and for saws and rails they are a system, but most of the rest can mix well.

In addition to Bosch there is also Metabo, but I am not sure if they have much market penetration in the North America.  I recently got a contractors saw to use in addition to the track saw... If you only have one saw, a table saw is likely the one to consider.
And these also can be acquired used for a more modest outlay.

All the little stuff adds up quick... Drills, bits, papers, clamps, squares, rulers and tapes, etc, etc... Maybe just get what you need for each project, and don't bonkers?

 

[bnew10]

Well, I know it has been a few months, but I have finally taken the plunge into the Festool pool or abyss - not sure which. However, I am now a bit concerned...

I had decided to wait until the holidays and see if I could score any additional deals or incentives to make it more enticing to get the TS 55 as discussed previously. Well, I happened to stumble upon the new site:https://www.festoolrecon.com right around this time. I have had really good luck purchasing refurbished electronics from respected manufacturers, so I figured if any tool manufacturer is going to have properly refurbished tools, it would be Festool. A few days and lo and behold the TS55 pops up on sale for $495 with the guide rail included! I knew the warranty was two years shorter, but for $165 off - and since I could use that towards other needed items - I felt it was worth the risk. Quickly purchased and felt pretty good. However, this is where my concern began...

After closely inspecting the item code, some online research led to this model TS55 being the recalled version from awhile ago. I guess the blade could get stuck in the exposed position and not retract into the housing. Immediately, I thought that there was no way Festool would sell a recalled tool if the issue had not been completely corrected, but I emailed them anyways a few days ago just to confirm. I still haven't received a response, but given the past holiday retail weekend, I do not think this it too alarming. But then, I stumbled upon this thread on FOG:http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-sales-dealer-area/festoolrecon-com-coming-soon-(us)/, and am now concerned again, haha. Has anyone here received a TS 55 from the Recon sale? How did it look/perform? I know there is no returns allowed, but I also didn't realize that there was a recalled version of this saw and that it would be for sale on this site. Working in online retail and being quite familiar with the ODAT business model, I knew time was of the essence, but I am weary of the item I am going to receive.

Just wanted to vent here and see if you all had any experience with items received from the new Recon sale.

Appreciate your help as always!

 

[semenza]

Well, I know it has been a few months, but I have finally taken the plunge into the Festool pool or abyss - not sure which. However, I am now a bit concerned...

I had decided to wait until the holidays and see if I could score any additional deals or incentives to make it more enticing to get the TS 55 as discussed previously. Well, I happened to stumble upon the new site:https://www.festoolrecon.com right around this time. I have had really good luck purchasing refurbished electronics from respected manufacturers, so I figured if any tool manufacturer is going to have properly refurbished tools, it would be Festool. A few days and lo and behold the TS55 pops up on sale for $495 with the guide rail included! I knew the warranty was two years shorter, but for $165 off - and since I could use that towards other needed items - I felt it was worth the risk. Quickly purchased and felt pretty good. However, this is where my concern began...

After closely inspecting the item code, some online research led to this model TS55 being the recalled version from awhile ago. I guess the blade could get stuck in the exposed position and not retract into the housing. Immediately, I thought that there was no way Festool would sell a recalled tool if the issue had not been completely corrected, but I emailed them anyways a few days ago just to confirm. I still haven't received a response, but given the past holiday retail weekend, I do not think this it too alarming. But then, I stumbled upon this thread on FOG:http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-sales-dealer-area/festoolrecon-com-coming-soon-(us)/, and am now concerned again, haha. Has anyone here received a TS 55 from the Recon sale? How did it look/perform? I know there is no returns allowed, but I also didn't realize that there was a recalled version of this saw and that it would be for sale on this site. Working in online retail and being quite familiar with the ODAT business model, I knew time was of the essence, but I am weary of the item I am going to receive.

Just wanted to vent here and see if you all had any experience with items received from the new Recon sale.

Appreciate your help as always!

Hi,

    Here is a link to the recall topic on FOG. 

           http://festoolownersgroup.com/ts-55-req-recall/important-product-safety-recall-notice-ts-55-req/

    Seth

 

[tjbnwi]

Well, I know it has been a few months, but I have finally taken the plunge into the Festool pool or abyss - not sure which. However, I am now a bit concerned...

I had decided to wait until the holidays and see if I could score any additional deals or incentives to make it more enticing to get the TS 55 as discussed previously. Well, I happened to stumble upon the new site:https://www.festoolrecon.com right around this time. I have had really good luck purchasing refurbished electronics from respected manufacturers, so I figured if any tool manufacturer is going to have properly refurbished tools, it would be Festool. A few days and lo and behold the TS55 pops up on sale for $495 with the guide rail included! I knew the warranty was two years shorter, but for $165 off - and since I could use that towards other needed items - I felt it was worth the risk. Quickly purchased and felt pretty good. However, this is where my concern began...

After closely inspecting the item code, some online research led to this model TS55 being the recalled version from awhile ago. I guess the blade could get stuck in the exposed position and not retract into the housing. Immediately, I thought that there was no way Festool would sell a recalled tool if the issue had not been completely corrected, but I emailed them anyways a few days ago just to confirm. I still haven't received a response, but given the past holiday retail weekend, I do not think this it too alarming. But then, I stumbled upon this thread on FOG:http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-sales-dealer-area/festoolrecon-com-coming-soon-(us)/, and am now concerned again, haha. Has anyone here received a TS 55 from the Recon sale? How did it look/perform? I know there is no returns allowed, but I also didn't realize that there was a recalled version of this saw and that it would be for sale on this site. Working in online retail and being quite familiar with the ODAT business model, I knew time was of the essence, but I am weary of the item I am going to receive.

Just wanted to vent here and see if you all had any experience with items received from the new Recon sale.

Appreciate your help as always!

Festool handled the recall following FTC guidelines. I'm going to go out on a limb here and state Festool will not sell a TS 55 the has not been checked, serviced and corrected. There will be a green sticker on the saw indicating the saw has meet FTC requirements if it was subject to the recall.

My advice--get a TS.

Tom

 

[bnew10]

Well, I know it has been a few months, but I have finally taken the plunge into the Festool pool or abyss - not sure which. However, I am now a bit concerned...

I had decided to wait until the holidays and see if I could score any additional deals or incentives to make it more enticing to get the TS 55 as discussed previously. Well, I happened to stumble upon the new site:https://www.festoolrecon.com right around this time. I have had really good luck purchasing refurbished electronics from respected manufacturers, so I figured if any tool manufacturer is going to have properly refurbished tools, it would be Festool. A few days and lo and behold the TS55 pops up on sale for $495 with the guide rail included! I knew the warranty was two years shorter, but for $165 off - and since I could use that towards other needed items - I felt it was worth the risk. Quickly purchased and felt pretty good. However, this is where my concern began...

After closely inspecting the item code, some online research led to this model TS55 being the recalled version from awhile ago. I guess the blade could get stuck in the exposed position and not retract into the housing. Immediately, I thought that there was no way Festool would sell a recalled tool if the issue had not been completely corrected, but I emailed them anyways a few days ago just to confirm. I still haven't received a response, but given the past holiday retail weekend, I do not think this it too alarming. But then, I stumbled upon this thread on FOG:http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-sales-dealer-area/festoolrecon-com-coming-soon-(us)/, and am now concerned again, haha. Has anyone here received a TS 55 from the Recon sale? How did it look/perform? I know there is no returns allowed, but I also didn't realize that there was a recalled version of this saw and that it would be for sale on this site. Working in online retail and being quite familiar with the ODAT business model, I knew time was of the essence, but I am weary of the item I am going to receive.

Just wanted to vent here and see if you all had any experience with items received from the new Recon sale.

Appreciate your help as always!

Hi,

    Here is a link to the recall topic on FOG. 

           http://festoolownersgroup.com/ts-55-req-recall/important-product-safety-recall-notice-ts-55-req/

    Seth

Thank you for the link, Seth.