What is your favorite Festool?
- Thread starter skids
- Start date
MY most favorite - TS55. Game changer. Eliminated the need to do math and figure offsets. Ensured a straight cut no matter how I screwed up.
The BEST Festool for me - The MFT/3 - Made me sit back and look at how I had done things for decades and wonder if there was a different way that was better for me. Changed my approach and opened my eyes.
Peter
The BEST Festool for me - The MFT/3 - Made me sit back and look at how I had done things for decades and wonder if there was a different way that was better for me. Changed my approach and opened my eyes.
Peter
Peter Halle said:
This is interesting to me..I feel like I can't do all the things I want to do, and after leaving The Connect I think it is due to the fact I don't have the table. Good to hear it's such a game changer.
I built wings for my Kapex and they're about 11 inches deep. I did this because I wanted a (albeit small) work area, they've been an absolute blessing. I can't imagine having a dedicated table with all those clamping options. I wouldn't know myself!
The Domino - I'd have to pick the 500 if I only had one, but the XL excels at doors and larger timber. The domino replaces almost all of my fixed mortise and tenon joints with great time savings, and no decrease in integrity. The TS55 is pretty close in terms of safety, dust collection and efficiency. As I think of the dust collection, I am again conflicted as my allergies are now almost non-existent with Festool dust collection (and local honey). I'm not sure there is an "only one".
skids said:
I completely agree, I have been using my MFT for only a few weeks and know I'm only brushing the surface of all of it's capabilities. I had never really used clamps before and it has really opened my eyes to a much easier way to work.
MrToolJunkie
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Greath thread.
For me, the OF2200 Router is my all time favorite -- nothing has ever come close in terms of engineering, ergonomics, balance, power, smoothness, features, function, accessories -- it is an engineering marvel and an example of getting it right.
For the most practical game changer I agree with what others have said about the MFT/3 -- how could a work surface with a bunch of holes make that much difference in how I work, but it does -- it makes using every Festool tool better and using non-Festool tools better too. To be able to transform a surface from machinging, to sanding to assembly and finish is amazing and then to be able to fold it up into a thin footprint is awesome. And it does all of this by helping me work safely with abundant clamping options. I like mine so much that I keep debating about adding another.
Scot
For me, the OF2200 Router is my all time favorite -- nothing has ever come close in terms of engineering, ergonomics, balance, power, smoothness, features, function, accessories -- it is an engineering marvel and an example of getting it right.
For the most practical game changer I agree with what others have said about the MFT/3 -- how could a work surface with a bunch of holes make that much difference in how I work, but it does -- it makes using every Festool tool better and using non-Festool tools better too. To be able to transform a surface from machinging, to sanding to assembly and finish is amazing and then to be able to fold it up into a thin footprint is awesome. And it does all of this by helping me work safely with abundant clamping options. I like mine so much that I keep debating about adding another.
Scot
ccarrolladams
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Like others have said, for me the combination of my first TS55 with my first CT22 was a game changer. Since then I have consumed liters of Festool Green beverages and purchased many tools.
However, the question is which is my favorite Festool? In some ways this is like asking which of my three offspring is my favorite. So, I have waited to answer until I am miles from my shop and thus out of the Festools' ability to hear.
My favorite Festool is the OF1010 set up for LR32 drilling! Decades before I ever saw an OF1000 or OF1010, I had owned several line boring machines, many with 25 drills. If every panel used all of those 25 drills, life would have been marvelous.
The problem with line boring machines is that hardly ever does the panel being drilled need all of those holes. That is when real life became interesting. You need to un-screw the drills for the holes you do not want. And, you need to remember which are right and which left hand threads. They are color coded, which is a clue.
Then you must remember to re-install the drills so the machine is ready for a different part.
With an OF1010, and the LR32 kit, plus appropriate Holy rails, all I need to do is mark a soft pencil X on the holes I do not want. With practice I can correctly build as many panels as can be assembled on that shift in far less time that using a line boring machine for custom jobs.
So, with respect to my original TS55, within days of its purchase my first OF1010 became my favorite. These days I have more than one state-of-the-art CNC nested routers, which certainly can be programed to drill holes for shelves as well as associated hardware. Frequently that is how I make panels, so long as there are other complicated tasks requiring a CNC approach.
For normal shelf holes I can make then as well with an OF1010 and the LR32 set.
However, the question is which is my favorite Festool? In some ways this is like asking which of my three offspring is my favorite. So, I have waited to answer until I am miles from my shop and thus out of the Festools' ability to hear.
My favorite Festool is the OF1010 set up for LR32 drilling! Decades before I ever saw an OF1000 or OF1010, I had owned several line boring machines, many with 25 drills. If every panel used all of those 25 drills, life would have been marvelous.
The problem with line boring machines is that hardly ever does the panel being drilled need all of those holes. That is when real life became interesting. You need to un-screw the drills for the holes you do not want. And, you need to remember which are right and which left hand threads. They are color coded, which is a clue.
Then you must remember to re-install the drills so the machine is ready for a different part.
With an OF1010, and the LR32 kit, plus appropriate Holy rails, all I need to do is mark a soft pencil X on the holes I do not want. With practice I can correctly build as many panels as can be assembled on that shift in far less time that using a line boring machine for custom jobs.
So, with respect to my original TS55, within days of its purchase my first OF1010 became my favorite. These days I have more than one state-of-the-art CNC nested routers, which certainly can be programed to drill holes for shelves as well as associated hardware. Frequently that is how I make panels, so long as there are other complicated tasks requiring a CNC approach.
For normal shelf holes I can make then as well with an OF1010 and the LR32 set.
Wooden Skye
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TS 55 is my favorite. This weekend I used my table saw, and really didn't like using it much.
erock
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This is a hard question for me to answer. Since Festool has helped me elevate my level of craftsmanship. I never wanted to buy a Festool sander, only because of the price of them. But as I continued to use Festool tools I came to appreciated them more and more. So long story short, I now own 3 Festool sanders. DTS400, ETS125 and RO125. And wanting a couple more.
The dust collection is the main reason I bought into the Festool system. It's hard to believe that 2 years ago, this is how I would have to go about
sanding a project.
[attachthumb=#]
[attachthumb=#]
Notice the dust particles floating around in the photos.
Since dust collection was the main reason for my Festool purchases, I would have to say my fav Festools are the CT26 and CT Midi.
But I like them all just the same! [embarassed]
Eric
The dust collection is the main reason I bought into the Festool system. It's hard to believe that 2 years ago, this is how I would have to go about
sanding a project.
[attachthumb=#]
[attachthumb=#]
Notice the dust particles floating around in the photos.
Since dust collection was the main reason for my Festool purchases, I would have to say my fav Festools are the CT26 and CT Midi.
But I like them all just the same! [embarassed]
Eric
festooltim
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The Kapex is the one I would not be without. I do remodels and I couldn't find a miter saw to fit my needs. Bought it the first day it came out. Didn't even blink an eye at the price I knew it was exactly what I needed. The size, weight, dust collection and the capacity are great. Nothing else on the market comes close. I think I would change jobs if I had to do it without my Festools.
Brice Burrell
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Hard to answer. I really think the TS55 is super cool and fun to use even after owning it for nearly seven years. My most used tool are problem my two T15 drills, love them. Unsung heroes, boom arm, workcenter and CT vacs.
I haven't really used my tools in a couple months so I'm gonna answer this a little different.
I miss using my drills the most. Every time I pick up the T15 and CSX, I am glad I bought them. I was hesitant because of the centrotec system and how expensive they were compared to other drills, but they are awesome.
In the 4 1/2 years I have owned the TS55, it has paid for itself many times over, but for some reason I love my drills more.
I miss using my drills the most. Every time I pick up the T15 and CSX, I am glad I bought them. I was hesitant because of the centrotec system and how expensive they were compared to other drills, but they are awesome.
In the 4 1/2 years I have owned the TS55, it has paid for itself many times over, but for some reason I love my drills more.
Kev
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To answer this I need to provide a backdrop of reasonable circumstance ... Mine will be shipwrecked on a tropical island [big grin]
Here I have a cordless psc420 (and a solar panel to charge it). It helps me build tree houses, ladders, lobster traps, "jungle style" bamboo furniture and sundry other island lifestyle items.
Here I have a cordless psc420 (and a solar panel to charge it). It helps me build tree houses, ladders, lobster traps, "jungle style" bamboo furniture and sundry other island lifestyle items.
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