What is wrong with me?

[John Viola]

Yesterday I paid $560 for a vacuum and a sander.  (CT Midi and an ETS 150/3) A year ago I considered this insanity. 

Tomorrow I may go pay $440 for a saw. 

Is this how it happens?    I never really got a good look and feel at Festool, but once I did I was suitably impressed. Enough to spring for some!

Anyway this is my first foray into this world, and no fewer than 3 people at Woodcraft yesterday congratulated me/consoled me on my choice, because as one guy said "It won't be your last!!".

Anyway I'll be around a lot over the next few months.

Take care.

 

[Fred West]

John, I too just recently fell in that PIT and if you look at my signature you will see much agony as well as much glee. ;D Fred

 

[John Viola]

Yowza!! Hurts so good, huh??

Hey since you're in a similar boat-how have you found the TS 75 to be suiting you?  I'm in my biannual "maybe I can get rid of my tablesaw" mode (which isn't even accurate, as I have a Bosch jobsite saw in addition to my cast iron saw), and I'm liking the looks of the Festool saws.

Full disclosure-I own the EZ Smart guide, but for whatever reason I don't like it.  It seems to really slow me down, and I am hoping the Festool system doesn't do the same, otherwise it's kind of pointless.  Make sense?

Thanks!

 

[Ron Pegram]

Full disclosure-I own the EZ Smart guide, but for whatever reason I don't like it. 

Uh oh...time to get out the Plylox clips and get ready for a hurricane.

 

[Eli]

John, the eighth rule of Festool club is you don't talk about EZ club.  ;D

 

[John Viola]

Yeesh, I hope I don't start anything.  I never trafficked in any of that "system bashing" that goes on so rampantly.  It's just tools, after all.  ;D

 

[Eli]

For the record, I agree with you.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=1859.0

 

[John Viola]

These things do get out of hand quickly. 

 

[enderw88]

I just bought a TS-55 and after using my Shop Vac duct taped to the vacuum port I and feeling strongly drawn to the vacuum, which means I should get the sander package...

I get the "don't buy cheap tools" lesson a few times a years.  I have never gotten a "dpn't but expensive tools" lesson...

 

[Fred West]

John, I love my TS 75 but would also never get rid of my table saw as I have many uses for it as well. However, please keep in mind that I build furniture for a living and am a complete and total tool junkie.  Fred

 

[johnbro]

Welcome! I'm a recent crack addict, uh, Festool owner, myself. Like potato chips (crisps to you NAINA types), you can't stop at one.

Check out the 55 as well as the TS75. You might like the handier size of the smaller saw--lots of people do. As for replacing your TS, you probably could (except for dados and tenons and a few other things--of course, you could do those with routers etc) but why? The TS will still do a 1" rip faster than any CS/rail system. I think the real value of the system to many people is the portability (although I just use mine in a shop), and, as a matter of fact, Festool has a TS in Europe (portable).

For me, the ability to cut sheet goods perfectly, easily, safely, and with very little dust is a huge advantage of the TS-55; cross-cutting wide stuff that would be awkward on the TS is also nice (the MFT makes this delightful). My TS is a little scary and even with DC blows dust at me when I use a ZCI (most of the time). The Festool saw is just so tidy and safe.

If you really want to lose it, demo the Domino. You won't be able to say no...

 

[John Viola]

Thanks Johnbro.  I can't imagine getting rid of my TS either, but as I mentioned I have two tablesaws-a Jet contractor model (casti iron top) and a Bosch jobside number.  One is portable, the other is not, and the Bosch does pretty much what I need it to and is mobile, unlike the Jet.  and I am getting further and further squeezed out of my shop space (2 car garage-used to have pretty much the whole thing; now with 3 kids under 4 my wife is demanding more and more of that space for the paraphernalia associated with kids).  I guess I am on a quixotic mission to maximize what I have left.

Truth is, no matter how much I would like to "de-clutter", I would feel lost without a "real" tablesaw.  I like the Bosch but sometimes it feels like a toy even compared to a basic contractor's saw.

 

[Eli]

Johnny V-
Could you tell me more about the Bosch TS? Does it have the digital guide on the fence? Have you owned any other contrator saws for comparison?
Cheers,
E

 

[Michael Kellough]

Thanks Johnbro.  I can't imagine getting rid of my TS either, but as I mentioned I have two tablesaws-a Jet contractor model (casti iron top) and a Bosch jobside number.  One is portable, the other is not, and the Bosch does pretty much what I need it to and is mobile, unlike the Jet.  and I am getting further and further squeezed out of my shop space (2 car garage-used to have pretty much the whole thing; now with 3 kids under 4 my wife is demanding more and more of that space for the paraphernalia associated with kids).  I guess I am on a quixotic mission to maximize what I have left.

Truth is, no matter how much I would like to "de-clutter", I would feel lost without a "real" tablesaw.  I like the Bosch but sometimes it feels like a toy even compared to a basic contractor's saw.

If I where you I'd seriously consider selling the Jet. Once you get used to the Festool stuff (should only take a minute since you already know the guide rail drill) you'll find you rarely need the TS. But, you will still want it for narrow stuff and grooving and duplicating window sills etc.

 

[gkeas]

It just happens.   I was actually excited to get a vacuum cleaner and a sander.  What is the world coming to? ???

 

[John Viola]

Johnny V-
Could you tell me more about the Bosch TS? Does it have the digital guide on the fence? Have you owned any other contrator saws for comparison?
Cheers,
E

I got the one without the digital fence-I've heard they were kind of fussy.  It does have the riving knife ane Euro-style blade guard.  It's a really solid, accurate saw as far as I have seen.  I once owned a Ryobi jobsite saw (not the little dinky one), and that was actually farily nice as well.  The Bosch is just so much nicer overall though, from fit and finish to the little features.  The only downside is the noise and the wieght.  An induction motor is much quieter than even the best universal motors.  And for a "portable" saw, it's really big once you factor in the rolling stand.  

Good saw overall.

 

[John Viola]

Thanks Johnbro.  I can't imagine getting rid of my TS either, but as I mentioned I have two tablesaws-a Jet contractor model (casti iron top) and a Bosch jobside number.  One is portable, the other is not, and the Bosch does pretty much what I need it to and is mobile, unlike the Jet.  and I am getting further and further squeezed out of my shop space (2 car garage-used to have pretty much the whole thing; now with 3 kids under 4 my wife is demanding more and more of that space for the paraphernalia associated with kids).  I guess I am on a quixotic mission to maximize what I have left.

Truth is, no matter how much I would like to "de-clutter", I would feel lost without a "real" tablesaw.  I like the Bosch but sometimes it feels like a toy even compared to a basic contractor's saw.

If I where you I'd seriously consider selling the Jet. Once you get used to the Festool stuff (should only take a minute since you already know the guide rail drill) you'll find you rarely need the TS. But, you will still want it for narrow stuff and grooving and duplicating window sills etc.

Yeah, I think I am going to give it a few months and see how I get along with the Bosch and the TS (if I wind up getting one; highly likely).  I once had a lathe that I rarely used, so I put it away for 6 months to see if I missed it.  I sold it shortly after those 6 months were up, and I have no regrets.  We'll see how it goes.