Using of none festool tool...

[Peter-kenny]

Hey guys just putting this out there to see if there much feed back.  But just wondering if many guy here find some of the festool gear kinda awkward to use our feel like they prefer a different brand planer to the EHL 65.. I use a lot of the festool stuff don't get me wrong but when I was buying a new miter saw I looked at both and thought the dewalt dw717 was a bit better no lasers to be setting...  Like what dose every body else think our is  this me being a bit crazy our nuts... But be kind interesting to see what the replies are...
Cheers
Peter...

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have a Metabo jigsaw with which I am perfectly satisfied. At one point I got a Festool Trion when I bought a lot of multiple Festools. I thought, if this thing is better than my Metabo, I'll keep it and sell the Metabo. I kept the Metabo and sold the Trion. It didn't impress me enough to get rid of my Metabo.

As for other tools, I haven't seen many of them that I'd consider better than the Festools. Festool's sanders are without peers. But when I get a tracksaw I'll probably go for the Mafell MT 55 instead of a TS55 (R).

 

[dltflt]

The Kapex is a very nice SCMS.  I use to own a PC and the Kapex beat it in every way hands down.  Accurate, smooth action and quality cut

 

[Holzhacker]

I would say not every Festool is a winner for everyone. I'm very happy with the numerous I have. The Trion is pretty darn good but I wouldn't necessarily rank it way above the industry standard Bosch. As far as the EHL65, I wouldn't buy that piece of ---- for half the price. The Bosch beats it all the way, in my opinion of course. On the other hand, the 850 rocks; I'm very happy with it and the stand.

 

[andvari]

Well, there is a huge weight difference between the Dewalt and the Kapex. 40 vs 66 pounds. That is a really big deal.

 

[CarolinaNomad]

I would be glad to sell you my DW 715 with stand.  Used one year.  Make me an offer.

 

[Peter-kenny]

Hahaa no I'm not looking for another I'm happy enough with my own thanks.. No but like it's mad the way some of there stiff is great.. The muts nuts as we say here in Ireland ha.. The mafell I don't like at all.. I find if
I turn the speed down on the ts 55 r too 4 it works a lot better..

 

[Wooden Skye]

I really enjoy using my festools, but I have been looking to replace my SCMS and have looked at the Kapex and others, I am keaning towards the dewalt 12" slider.  It is hard for me to justify the Kapex, the dewalt has larger capacity at 16", and the XPS light seems like a good feature, better than adjusting lasers.  At $600, it will do everything I need, and what I would save, I may just get the OF 1400 I want.

 

[Kev]

I dug the old Hitachi SCMS out and cleaned it up today - it's on ebay and I had a guy coming round to peek at it.

It has a new blade in it, so I thought I'd try a few cuts. I remember when I first got it, it was easily the most precise of the available crop. Today it seemed messy, sloppy, noisy ... even a little dangerous!

It did make a nice cut, but the new 60 tooth blade was the reason - I remember the blade it came with originally was rubbish.

I must admit I've umm'd and ahh'd a little over selling the Hitachi, it is compact and light - but today made me glad it is going. Festool dust collection and quietness has spoilt me for other SCMS's.

I have quite a few tools that are not Festool/Protool, but when buying new I look to Festool first and I haven't found reason to buy other brands if Festool have the item covered over the last 18 months.

I'm a DIYer/hobbyist, so enjoyment comes first. I can understand tradespeople being more frugal, particularly when you could be supplying tools to employees that aren't particularly careful.

 

[jonathan-m]

Festool makes a couple of awesome tools that are the benchmark, but not each & every one of their tools is. As with all tool manufacturers they're better at certain things than others. If you want the best tools available you'll have a lot of different brands in your collection.
However they do a great job at locking the customer in with the plug-it cords, systainers & many accessories. Which still makes it a compelling argument for buying that particular Festool over "the benchmark tool" in that class.

 

[BUTTER]

I'm really happy with my Bosch planer.  I'll be ecstatic with it once I get around to modding it to accept a Plug-It cord.  As it is, it connects perfectly to Festool hose and I end up with near-zero mess  [big grin]

As for most everything else, Festool wins with durability and usability.