Howdy Everyone...
A few weeks ago, I posted about what I spent my money on the festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/jumped-in-the-festool-pool!-what-i-spent-my-money-on-the-first-time/first time I jumped into the Festpool
Well, after receiving the beautifully-large brown box from Bob Marino, I...
sent most of it back [embarassed].
To those of you engaged in the harrowing decisions of what to buy and why, here's what I decided on the first time, and why I changed my mind.
I hope that others can learn from my mistakes.
I bought: the TS 75 with 75" fence.
I exchanged it for: the TS 55 with 55" fence.
Why: I went through all the machinations of the what-to's and where-for's of this decision and settled on the idea that bigger is better and that the one time out of 50 that I would need/want the extra depth/power, I would be happy to have the 75. What I realized after having both working side by side was that the 55 could handle so much of the workload so much easier (due to its smaller size) and that it would be taken out of its box more often because of its ease of use. If I'm going to spend that much on a saw, I'd better use it as much as possible, right?!
Also something to consider: I can lock the 55" rails up in my job box. I do most of my work on-site and the 75" rail sitting out for others to use/abuse/walk away with is not something I want to drive home thinking about.
I bought: the OF 1010 router.
I exchanged it for: the OF 1400 router.
Why: I bought the 1010 to originally go with the LR 32 hole drilling system. While I plan to get this system in the future, I realized that in the meantime, I did most of my work with 1/2" colleted bits (which the 1010 does not accept). The LR 32 will work with the 1400 (though was designed to work with the 1010) and I figured that I get a much better router (as compared to my Porter Cable) now with the option of going to the LR 32 system in the future still intact.
I bought: many accoutrements to go along with the above items.
I exchanged them for: a Domino.
Why: Not to knock the principle that Festools build upon themselves (they do). But under limited funds, I decided to go with the tool that would make money the first time I operated it. To echo words of others here: the Domino is transformational.
What I kept:
the MFT table: this just seems like too good of a work station to give back. and, yes, I did spend the money on the accoutrements (ie, clamps, fence, and more clamps) to make this item sing.
the CT26: dust collection is the heart and soul of the Festool line and also my 'in' to those installs on high-end homes that don't want everything disturbed by dusty, poor-looking folk who do this kind of work (that's me).
the sanders: I got the RS 2 and the ETS 125 and see absolutely no reason to send them back. Beautifully made machines. I can't wait to drive them into the ground...if that's possible.
the extra 55" fence (with LR 32 holes): this way, I can still cut an 8' sheet of ply and also (in the future) use the LR 32 system.
So there they are: my purchases, my mistakes, and my recovery. I feel very confident moving forward.
Also, a word of recognition: Bob Marino is a great dealer who stands behind his tools and his sales. I had to send back many of these purchases and the shipping was ridiculous to do so. Even though the decision to change my mind was mine alone and even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with the tools that I was returning, Bob offered to help me with shipping the items back to him. This is a star move. He didn't have to do it, but did anyway. Buy from Bob Marino with confidence.
I hope this helps those out there with their initial purchases. These tools are too expensive to have to send them back to buy different.
If you can, go to a store that carries them, even if it is far away. There is nothing like holding and using these tools in your hands for helping you make the right decision for you.
Hope this helps,
RPS
A few weeks ago, I posted about what I spent my money on the festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/jumped-in-the-festool-pool!-what-i-spent-my-money-on-the-first-time/first time I jumped into the Festpool
Well, after receiving the beautifully-large brown box from Bob Marino, I...
sent most of it back [embarassed].
To those of you engaged in the harrowing decisions of what to buy and why, here's what I decided on the first time, and why I changed my mind.
I hope that others can learn from my mistakes.
I bought: the TS 75 with 75" fence.
I exchanged it for: the TS 55 with 55" fence.
Why: I went through all the machinations of the what-to's and where-for's of this decision and settled on the idea that bigger is better and that the one time out of 50 that I would need/want the extra depth/power, I would be happy to have the 75. What I realized after having both working side by side was that the 55 could handle so much of the workload so much easier (due to its smaller size) and that it would be taken out of its box more often because of its ease of use. If I'm going to spend that much on a saw, I'd better use it as much as possible, right?!
Also something to consider: I can lock the 55" rails up in my job box. I do most of my work on-site and the 75" rail sitting out for others to use/abuse/walk away with is not something I want to drive home thinking about.
I bought: the OF 1010 router.
I exchanged it for: the OF 1400 router.
Why: I bought the 1010 to originally go with the LR 32 hole drilling system. While I plan to get this system in the future, I realized that in the meantime, I did most of my work with 1/2" colleted bits (which the 1010 does not accept). The LR 32 will work with the 1400 (though was designed to work with the 1010) and I figured that I get a much better router (as compared to my Porter Cable) now with the option of going to the LR 32 system in the future still intact.
I bought: many accoutrements to go along with the above items.
I exchanged them for: a Domino.
Why: Not to knock the principle that Festools build upon themselves (they do). But under limited funds, I decided to go with the tool that would make money the first time I operated it. To echo words of others here: the Domino is transformational.
What I kept:
the MFT table: this just seems like too good of a work station to give back. and, yes, I did spend the money on the accoutrements (ie, clamps, fence, and more clamps) to make this item sing.
the CT26: dust collection is the heart and soul of the Festool line and also my 'in' to those installs on high-end homes that don't want everything disturbed by dusty, poor-looking folk who do this kind of work (that's me).
the sanders: I got the RS 2 and the ETS 125 and see absolutely no reason to send them back. Beautifully made machines. I can't wait to drive them into the ground...if that's possible.
the extra 55" fence (with LR 32 holes): this way, I can still cut an 8' sheet of ply and also (in the future) use the LR 32 system.
So there they are: my purchases, my mistakes, and my recovery. I feel very confident moving forward.
Also, a word of recognition: Bob Marino is a great dealer who stands behind his tools and his sales. I had to send back many of these purchases and the shipping was ridiculous to do so. Even though the decision to change my mind was mine alone and even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with the tools that I was returning, Bob offered to help me with shipping the items back to him. This is a star move. He didn't have to do it, but did anyway. Buy from Bob Marino with confidence.
I hope this helps those out there with their initial purchases. These tools are too expensive to have to send them back to buy different.
If you can, go to a store that carries them, even if it is far away. There is nothing like holding and using these tools in your hands for helping you make the right decision for you.
Hope this helps,
RPS
