Video Preview of Festool WCR-1000 (498507)

[PaulMarcel]

I found a big box by my front door when I got home.  Used to be a time when I'd like the box cuz I'd make a fort or something out of it, but this time the inside was more interesting!

Here's a video preview of the WCR-1000 workcenter.  Goes from unboxing it to showing off how its built to installation considerations (cuz there are some) and options.  Finally, I give a tour of my installation as it isn't like the promo video we've memorized.  There might be some ideas there you like.  Especially Brice  ;D

It's a playlist again.  Video one is the unboxing through to installation.  Video two is a tour of the completed installation.

 

[Sparktrician]

Another great review, P-M. 

[smile]

 

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks for the very timely preview Paul.  I felt like I was right there with you in your garage/shop trying this thing out and figuring out how we could make it work for us.

Before I saw your preview, I didn't really think that I wanted a Festool Work Centre but, seeing the modifications that you made, in particular the one that raises the height by sitting it on top of a systainer, I am now thinking that I might be able to make good use of one.  Who knows, I might even spring for a boom arm at the same time.

I think that, if I do get a work centre to go on my CT22, I will use a sortainer as the base, rather than a systainer.

 

[jonny round boy]

Paul, yet another great video!

I really like the look of the WCR, but haven't seen one 'in the flesh' yet. I've wanted one ever since I first saw the pictures. In fact, the existence of the WCR was one of the reasons I finally decided to get my CT26, rather than stick with my CT Mini!

Great to see it being used 'not quite as Festool intended' - it gives a lot of ideas for slightly different uses.

The only comment I would make is that your set-up looks like it would be extremely top-heavy, particularly with the boom arm as well. If you ever pull the hose too much in the wrong direction, you're going to have a whole lot of stuff come crashing down!!! [eek]

 

[Sparktrician]

I saw the WCR "in the flesh" last September at Festool.  While I like the concept, the thing that struck me was that when one has to change bags, it all has to come off to make it happen due to the weight and possible spillage of the goodies kept on the WCR.  I'd be concerned about it being top-heavy, too, as Jonny Round Boy mentioned.  I've removed and stored the outriggers that came with the boom arm, but could see needing to reinstall them if I were to use the WCR.  Also, since I use the boom arm and like to have the CT22 under my MFTs, the WCR changes that dynamic, too. 

[unsure]

 

[Frank Pellow]

Paul, I suggest that, when you do the review that you promised after using this for a while, you show us how long it takes you to take everything apart and put it all back together in order to dump the vacuum bag.

 

[Alan m]

great review as usual. i was disapointed (from the review point of view ) when you said festool sent it to you to review as comisioned(ok free) are usually biosed and only look to the good points. you didnt do this , you pointed out some short comings and showed work arounds.
i will see what brice comes up with before buying one.
i too would put a sortainer instead of a systainer.
it is a pity that it wont fit on top of the systainer properly
i would like to see some one pull and know it about to see how stable it is.

 

[Alan m]

i would imagine all you have to do to remove it is lift off the workcenter and unclip the systainer. most people would probable have a sys on there anyway.

 

[Frank Pellow]

i would imagine all you have to do to remove it is lift off the workcenter and unclip the systainer. most people would probable have a sys on there anyway.

I hope that it's that easy, but I would like to see the operation.

 

[BobKovacs]

Slipping the Systainer between the WRC and the vac brings up an interesting question- the WRC isn't shown as being compatible with the Mini and Midi, but if you put a Systainer on the Midi and then put the WRC on top of the Systainer, wouldn't it all work just fine?

 

[jonny round boy]

Slipping the Systainer between the WRC and the vac brings up an interesting question- the WRC isn't shown as being compatible with the Mini and Midi, but if you put a Systainer on the Midi and then put the WRC on top of the Systainer, wouldn't it all work just fine?

It would [smile]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Slipping the Systainer between the WRC and the vac brings up an interesting question- the WRC isn't shown as being compatible with the Mini and Midi, but if you put a Systainer on the Midi and then put the WRC on top of the Systainer, wouldn't it all work just fine?

Well sort of, as Paul said the Workcenter won't latch on a Systainer, you'd have to do Paul's wooden top modification.  Then I'd worry that the smaller footprint of the Mini/Midi would be less stable.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Paul, as usual your videos are awesome! [thumbs up]  As Shane might say, you're a Festool rockstar! [cool]  I'm looking forward to what else you come up with. 

I've got a few ideas, one is I thinking about adding a small section of regular pegboard so I can really open up the hanging options since Festool's offering are limited.  I'm thinking about making it removable with a couple of wing nuts below the Festool metal pegboard.  I also like the idea of raising the WCR up but I'm sure how best to accomplish this yet.  I'm playing with the idea of a small drawer base for hand tools.  Yes, I do have and on rare occasion, use hand tools. [tongue] 

I'm envision using the WCR just a little differently than Festool has shown its use.  I'll try to shoot some video later today. 

 

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Slipping the Systainer between the WRC and the vac brings up an interesting question- the WRC isn't shown as being compatible with the Mini and Midi, but if you put a Systainer on the Midi and then put the WRC on top of the Systainer, wouldn't it all work just fine?

Well sort of, as Paul said the Workcenter won't latch on a Systainer, you'd have to do Paul's wooden top modification.  Then I'd worry that the smaller footprint of the Mini/Midi would be less stable.

Let me add my  [2cents].

You cannot latch the WCR directly to a Systainer, the latches are too short. Likewise, on the MINI/MIDI the latch on the SysDock are too short. So, I tried something. If you order a set of standard Systainer latches and replace the ones on your MINI/MIDI's SysDock, it will work. However, those latches are a little too long so there's some slop. So, I would recommend shimming it out if you're going to do it. Otherwise, too much banging around and the WCR will work itself loose.

Technically, there's just not compatible. That's not to say that with some modifications that it won't work.

Also, those screw holes in the bottom of the WCR that Paul-Marcel mentions are for mounting the WCR in a stationary position on a workbench or wheeled cart, for instance.

 

[PaulMarcel]

i would imagine all you have to do to remove it is lift off the workcenter and unclip the systainer. most people would probable have a sys on there anyway.

Wow, I only posted it about 3 hours ago and so many replies!  Very cool.  I thought people would be eagerly awaiting some end-user information as they started showing up in the wild yesterday.

As for changing the bag, it will be slower, but I don't think by a lot.  I intended, actually, to open it up on video last night, but editing is always many times longer than the video and it got me to bed at 6am  [crying]  I'll shoot one tonight of just the bag change (although I changed mine last weekend  [cool])

The tray thing I attached my WCR to (what I called a landing pad) just snugs over the Systainer.  All I need to do to remove the WCR is lift up and set it down.  Then it's just removing the Systainer.

Oddly enough, when I got up... you know, 2 hours later, for a conference call meeting  [crying]... I thought that I should have used a Sortainer instead of the Systainer.  I don't have another, but might put my screw assortment sortainer there to see how I like it.  The catch is that the landing pad would need to be modified a bit to not block the top row of drawers.

...and I had to poke fun at Brice and hand planes after some recent threads; all good fun

 

[Craftsman]

Paul, very nice review. Instead of a systainer to raise the height, I would like to see Festool make an extension somewhat shorter than the systainer in your video, that would mount between the vacuum and work center with drawers in it to hold small items. Something maybe 4"-6" high  with drawers opening from both sides. From my measurements drawers could be about 6- 1/2" deep. I was unsure about the work center myself but after viewing the video, it's on my list. Thanks

 

[PeterK]

Kind of like Brice mentioned, I would think constructing a shelving or box bin type box instead of the Systainer would add to the practicality for me. I have a Sortainer - like the Sort 4 but with the extra oversize drawer from Tanos - that I use for my jigsaws and that could be the base for the WCR possibly. Interesting product. Would like to know about the available clip on accessories to use the upper "pegboard" or other possible ways to attach to it.

Right now, my DustDeputy rides on top of my CT33 and will have to rethink what to do with that if I were to purchase the WCR.

Thank you Paul for this great introduction to a new toy!
Pete

 

[Brice Burrell]

.....Would like to know about the available clip on accessories to use the upper "pegboard" or other possible ways to attach to it......

Pete

Peter, there isn't much in the way of pegboard accessories.  There are the basic hooks, shelf and a spray gun hook I seen in the catalog but not on any dealer's site.  Like I said, I'll be looking into attaching regular pegboard and have plenty of options until Festool offers more.

 

[jonny round boy]

I like Paul's idea of putting it on top of a systainer to raise the height. I just measured how high it would be on my CTL26, and at full extension it's a little on the low side.

Since I'm not working at the moment, money is tight but I have time to spare. If I had the money, the WCR is lower on my want list than an MFT/3. So I'm toying with the idea of building one & have just done a rough draft in SketchUp:

[attachthumb=1]

I'm going to use a spare sys2 I have (since I transferred my Domino into a FOGtainer) to hold spare vac bags, and put that on the vac. That way, I won't need access to the contents unless I need to change the bag, in which case it would need to come off anyway.

I'm going to add some hooks, shelves etc. but thought I'd share to rough outline with the FOG. It'll all be made from scraps/offcuts of 12 or 18mm ply/MDF, so it won't cost me anything.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Darn you Paul Marcel and Brice!  I was sure I didn't need a WCR and now I gotta have it.

I'll bet that we see lots of clever user mods to the WCR, just like those for the MFT.