What Festool Item Is the best Value

[Throwback7r]

I think it is really funny that A lot of people say the Domino. I have yet to pull it out of the systainer, The CXS was a really close second. This is a great list, and I value the comments.

 

[VW mick]

It has to be the cooltainer 

 

[SittingElf]

The original poster's topic was "what Festool item is the best VALUE", not what is the best item.

Most of the responses have alluded to what their FAVORITE Festool item is... or the best, but not Value.

For me, out of all the Festool products I now own, I think the CXS is the best VALUE. It is relatively inexpensive as compared to other Festool items, and is a tremendous workhorse with exceptionally useful accessories. Two batteries included, and powerful for its size.

Additionally, for many people (including myself), it is the entry level tool that many buy first, and then get hooked on the Green Koolaid.  I can't think of a better VALUE tool in the line than this drill. ETS125 perhaps a second VALUE choice as well.

My  [2cents]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

I'd like to nominate the DF500 domino with the tennon systainer. Timewise I use the Domino more than my TS saw.

+1 more. [smile]
The domino 500 has saved me so much time in the shop. And for me, time is more valuable than anything, so the more time a tool saves me, the more value it carries. I'm sure once I get the RO 90 that will be up there too.

 

[Birdhunter]

If I look at value as cost divided by the number of times used, my dual MFTs would win. If I look at cost divided by time saved, my two Dominos would win. If I looked at cost divided by grins, the CSX would win.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=12pt]

If we see value as cost divided by amount of use. In the past month it would be RO150, TS55REQ and rails and CXS.

 

[VW mick]

Seriously ..I don't think the cooltainer is good value

Probably the best value for me is the clamps (screw type) just seem to use them all the time for lots of things not just with the festools 

 

[RC]

I'll quantify a bit why I think the domino is best value for me:

I fully appreciate that it's definitely not the cheapest machine to purchase and in that sense a CXS is very much a great value proposition if you only consider purchase price.

Before I bought the DF500 my joint of choice was a butt joint with screws through one board into the end of the other one. Can you spell U-G-L-Y?

For me a Domino is an enabler for me to build fancier things with spot-on alignment that I could only dream of with butt-joints and pocket holes and it does make a quick and effortless job of floating tenon joinery for me. Without a Domino I would not be doing tenon joinery at all and most of the things I build would have that 'daddy built this with a hammer and nails'-look instead of the beautifully invisible joints and perfectly aligned boards I get without effort from the Domino.

I can't say the same for any saw, drill or sander - yes, they give be better quality cuts, dust free sanding and very quick tool changes with Centrotec on the drills, but none have opened up a whole new universe of opportunity like the Domino has.

Maybe one day I'll be über skilled in hand-tool joinery and will just laugh at this post while whipping a perfect dovetail after another with my eyes closed but for the time being I'll happily fake my way with a Domino and Titebond III  [embarassed]

 

[nclemmons]

If value = maximum use / total cost, then it would seem like something like a Festool hat could have the highest value.

Worn for hours a day with zero cost assuming you got it from your dealer free!

 

[SMJoinery]

This week best value item has been my Festool beach towel...(family holiday in Fuerteventura)
However my all time best value for me has to be the MIDI !
I purchased my first one with the track saw to make the system saw materials anywhere without dust.
This game me confidence in the "system" to update my planing (ehl65) and sanding tools (RO 150 & 90)because before the upgrade to Festool were impossible to use inside.
Quickly followed by domino 500, carvex and Kapex all of which are at the top of their game when connected to the midi and allow me to stay the top of mine.
Not forgetting the fact that the MIDI allows me to clear up any other mess, acts as a base support, carries my tools and keeps my lungs clean!!
No wonder I bought another for the workshop.
I'm missing it and my other green stuff this week.
Does Surfix have a UV or SPF factor?

 

[jacko9]

I see lots of good answers and as one can see, it depends on the person and what kind of work they are doing and what tools they replaced or supplemented to do their work.  I don't see any wrong answers but - for me I value my two Domino joiners (with my dust extractor) most since I make furniture.

Jack

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Would have to be the MFT for me...I use them for every project, even if not using any tools -- finish, gluing, assembly. A close second would be one of the CT units. Those two tools are used on 100% of my projects. After that it is a toss-up and depends on what I am doing. Sometimes it is the track saw, sometimes a drill, sometimes the router or a sander.

Scot

 

[leakyroof]

The CT dust collectors.  Many tools only work their best with one attached.
Your work space and work pieces stay cleaner , customers are happier with a cleaner job site in their homes, and you can integrate both Systainers and  Sortainers as well as the WCR1000 work center or a Planex Sander Rest Base on top of them.
To me, they are the value and core of the Festool Line-up as defined by Faster, Easier, Smarter.

 

[fshanno]

Regarding the domino - I continually see people using dominos where they really are not needed...

Agreed 100%.
The domino is fantastic for end grain to long grain or end grain to end joints, miter joints etc., but using it for long grain panel glue ups seems like a waste of time to me. Properly jointed boards don't need the strength of the domino. Yes it does help with alignment but for me that is not enough of a reason to use it just for that. By the time you have setup the domino and cut the mortise you can have the panel glued up.

Tim

I assume you have a wide belt and or drum sander or multiples of both.

 

[Locky]

RO150, it's 3 tools in one can't get better value than that

 

[Kev]

I'm going with KAPEX.

Amusing how some choose to criticise the Domino's value in this thread ... used correctly it's an obvious time saver.

 

[gippy]

Here in Thailand the Festool abrasive discs are half the price of the Bosch ones I currently use, a bargain! I'm thinking of picking up an ETS 150 to take advantage of the good value there.

 

[jacko9]

I'm going with KAPEX.

Amusing how some choose to criticise the Domino's value in this thread ... used correctly it's an obvious time saver.

I too am amazed that any of the Festool products are criticized it's like a competition to see if your tool favorite will win [eek]

Every one of us has a slightly or completely different job and the use of this Festool System gets slanted to your particular application and even though I have a table saw with a slider I will not talk down any of the other products.

Jack

 

[mouppe]

Got to be the FOG. loads of great ideas and they're all free.

 

[semenza]

RO150, it's 3 tools in one can't get better value than that

I think the RO90 beats the RO150 based on this criteria because of the delta pad. And it costs less.  [wink]

Seth