What would say would be the best Festool to buy first.

[ejfud]

Don't really need anything in particular, but want to give a Festool a try.

What would you say is the Festool you use  most? Why? Which toll do you think would be a good jumping off point.

Thanks, can't wait to get my hands on one of these tools for my shop.

Gary

 

[HowardH]

Personally, I like the TS-55 plunge saw as my first choice.  Must get a DC with it though to truly experience how nice the system is.  Second would be my Rotex sander.

 

[Dan Clark]

Gary,

I bought my Festools as I needed them to solve specific problems.    A major benefit of Festool products in general is dust collection.  And a lot of their tools work well with the MFT work tables.  But it depends...

The first questions to answer are what do you do in your shop and what other tools do you have? 

Dan.

 

[Dan Lyke]

My first Festool purchase involved 6 Systainers, a dust collector, a table, and assorted other clamps and such, so I'm not the guy to ask, but I'd second the saw + dust collector suggestion, except that the only package with a table is with the saw, so a router plus a dust collector and a saw plus a table... uh...

And then once you have the table you have two rails, so you need the rail connectors, and clamps for the table... and...

Well... anyway, you see how I ended up with so many tools.

But I bought my tools on the recommendation of an acquaintance who has a serious shop, and his son who's also fairly accomplished. The thing that put me over the edge was that he and his son had borrowed a saw and guide rail for breaking up some plywood for an entertainment center. So they're fairly accomplished woodworkers, they have a table saw right there, and again and again I saw them start towards the tablesaw because that's what they're used to, but realize that they could to the cut faster and more accurately with the TS 55.

Next day I plunked down several grand, and I believe that both of them bought saws and rails within the week.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The Package 001, the Festool Starter Pack as we call it, is the best way to start or add to your arsenal of Festool power tools. This unique offer includes the C12 Cordless drill set, the PS 300 EQ Jigsaw, the ETS 150/5 EQ Sander, 35 jigsaw blades, the wood drill set and a nice assortment of abrasives to help get you started.  Each power tools is included with its own systainer.  Plus, with a savings of $135 it makes this a great value over purchasing these tools separately. The Package 001 sells for $995 and is available for a limited time.

Package Contents Include:
C12 Cordless Drill Set with Chucks
PS 300 EQ Trion Jigsaw
ETS 150/5 EQ Sander
(5) 6" Abrasive P80 Rubin
(5) 6" Abrasive P100 Rubin
(5) 6" Abrasive P120 Brilliant 2
(5) 6" Abrasive P180 Brilliant 2
(5) 6" Abrasive P320 Brilliant 2
Wood Drill Set
Jigsaw Blade Assortment

 

[Lou Miller]

IMO, buying any of these tools just so that you can have them, doesn't make sense to me. Everything I buy is based on my needs. I started with the TS55 and the large MFT. Buy far, the TS55 gets the most use, but that's based on my work. Your work could be drastically diffferent and you might get the most out of an OF1400 or something. There are lots of great tools offered by Festool, but really think about what you're buying first. Unless you have disposable income, these tools are premium tools that come at a premium price. Do you really want to sink a ton of money into something that you might not use much at all?

Evaluate what you do and what you'd benefit from the most and then go from there. Patience... Get the tools only as needed.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Decide what you want to do, then buy as big a Festool package as you can afford that includes the tools you plan to need first.  Although I already had a considerable assortment of various USA name brand "commercial quality" power tools, a shop vac and a 30" x 60" workbench with 2 different kinds of vises, I purchased a TS 55 and and MFT package shortly after realizing what they can do and how good was the RO 125 I purchased a couple of months earlier.  The package deals and introductory offers are the lowest prices you are likely to find on new Festool products, unless they change their current policies.  The more you understand the many uses of an MFT, the more value you will place on it.  See Jerry Work's manual and John Lucas's demos for a very good education. 

 

[eap]

There is some good info in this thread. I vote for buy what ever tool you need for the specific task you need to do. I have many Festool tools, but the only one I don't think I could live with out is the Ts55. The dust collection is a close second.

 

[Bob Marino]

  Gary,

My suggestion is what some have already said, get the tools that you will need for your projects. I think Festool's most unique tools are the TS  saws. But perhaps you need a sander. I know you'd be impressed with one of Festool's offerings. Whatever tool you choose to buy, strongly consider using it with a good vac. DC is a primary advantage to Festool's tools and all tools feature integral, not add on, dc.

Bob

 

[ejfud]

OK I guess the one need I have is a sander, My lousy Dewalt is on it's last leg again. I can't believe I wasted money getting it fixed once already. That was less than a year ago.

What's the biggest difference in the 5" sanders? Would the CT MINI Dust Extractor be enough for my home shop?

Thanks for the help so far guys, look forward to more info.

Gary

 

[skipclemmons]

I bought the drill first because I needed one.  It is so far superior to others, you will want them all.  Thereafter,  I just bought what I needed as I needed it, or as I found it on eBay.  Bought the CT Mini and Rotex because I needed a vac and found this one as a demo, and needed the sander.  Then I got a jigsaw (demo) which I did not even need.  I got all this stuff while waiting for the new model plunge saw to come out a year or so ago.

The logical way is to get the saw and a vacuum.  Stop here if you like, but you really need an MFT.  It is like a super "workmate".  Stop here, but you should get the router because it works so well with the MFT and vac. They all work together.  Next a rotex, which will cut and finish wood,  and polish your car.    It is a slippery slope.

sc

 

[Dan Clark]

OK I guess the one need I have is a sander, My lousy Dewalt is on it's last leg again. I can't believe I wasted money getting it fixed once already. That was less than a year ago.

What's the biggest difference in the 5" sanders? Would the CT MINI Dust Extractor be enough for my home shop?

Thanks for the help so far guys, look forward to more info.

Gary

Gary,

Festool sanders are pretty much without peer.  The best on the planet, IMO.   

The logical package for you would be a CT22 plus maybe a Rotex or another sander.  I have the Rotex 150 FEQ.  Great sander.   I suggest the CT22 because of the adjustable suction.  The CT Mini is excellent, but I don't think the suction is adjustable.  Adjustable suction helps prevent chattering.   The MFT1080 would be a good addition too.   

Once you have the CT22 + MFT1080, you have the basics.   At that point, adding the TS55/75, one of the routers, a jig saw, or other tools becomes easier.   

Regards,

Dan.

p.s. consider the MFT another tool, not just a bench.  You may not understand this comment now, but you will after you buy one.

 

[Jim Becker]

Although I'd not give up my Festool sanders for ANYTHING...the tool I use the most is my 12v drill/driver from a shear "time in the hand" perspective. I never thought that would be the case, but I love the thing. That said, for a "first tool", I'd still recommend a sander/vac combo. As a previous poster indicated, this solution is without peer for quality, lack of vibration, dust extraction and overall impact in any shop.

And of course, you can always just buy everything now and be done with it...'cause you will get there at some point anyway... LOL!

 

[Bob Marino]

OK I guess the one need I have is a sander, My lousy Dewalt is on it's last leg again. I can't believe I wasted money getting it fixed once already. That was less than a year ago.

What's the biggest difference in the 5" sanders? Would the CT MINI Dust Extractor be enough for my home shop?

Thanks for the help so far guys, look forward to more info.

Gary

Gary,

Not sure what you mean by the MINI being enough for your shop? Do you mean having enough suction to handle the Festool tools or for that as well as shop clean up?
The MINI was designed primarily as an installers' vac - cord and hose store in the top section and light and easy to pick up and carry to and around the job. This doesn't  mean that it can't be used in the shop as the primary vac - it sure can. And i smore than enough vac for the majority of Festool tools. Having said that, I would opt for the CT 22 or even the CT 33 - they have a much larger capacity, greater suction and offer the option of using different hoses.

Due to it's lower maximum suction and non interchangability to a larger diameter hose, the MINI is not offered as part of a "package deal" with the OF 1400 and 200 routers, HL 850 Planer and TS 75 saw.

Bob

 

[Gary K]

:-\ I am as skeptical as they get but I have been studying Festool for awhile and needed a cordless drill. So I said "what the heck" and ordered the 15.6 with the extra chucks.  It is just a pleasure to use and I reach for it daily. Bits actually run true and you can "feel" the quality when you change chucks.
      My next Festool aquisition will probably be related to dust control and sanding.
    Gary K.

 

[Per Swenson]

Rotex 150 and ct 22 dust collector.

Then the 150-3

then the ts 55

Followed by everything else.

Per

 

[Daviddubya]

As many folks have said, buy something you need for a project.  I started with the jig saw, and was so impressed my next order was a five tool package.

 

[Dan Clark]

Rotex 150 and ct 22 dust collector.

Then the 150-3

then the ts 55

Followed by everything else.

Per

Actually, Per (the sly devil) has suggested a good package to start.  What he didn't say is that by the time you get to the TS55, you'll be slidin' down the long slippery slope so fast that you WILL be buyin' everything else!  ;D

Dan

 

[Frank Pellow]

The first tool I purchased was the circular saw and vacuum combination.  That impressed me so much that I bought the six inch Rotex sander.  That impressed me enough that I bought a whole lot more.  Also, when I demonstrate Festool to folks (as I have done quite a number of times), those are the three tools that seem to impress them the most.

 

[John Langevin]

I  agree with most of what has been said. It obviously depends on your satisfaction with your current tools. When I jumped into Festool I went deep! TS55, MFT1080, CT22, RO150. Later added the Trion Jigsaw and 1010  Router with MFS. While all are very impressive, I think the Rotex 150 has had the greatest impact on my bottom line. I finish or refinsih a lot of countertops and furniture and the Rotex simply saves a lot of time. Used in conjunction with CT22 and Festool abrasives I don't know how you could improve on the performance. The Rotex can replace a belt sander, finish sander and buffer/polisher. Its rate of material removal, resitance to paper loading, ability to produce a fine finish with P4000 abrasives, and the amazing lack of dust escape make it a winner.