Where to start

[atomicmike]

If you are not going to be working rough stock (e.g. not much need for the rotary sanding), then consider the ETS and DTS.  You can get them both for less than the price of the Rotex 150.

I can definitely second this suggestion. I only have the ETS 150/3 myself, and I've found it more than capable for the couple of projects I have worked on so far. Since I don't have a jointer or planer, I'm working with pre-milled stock, and haven't found myself wanting for a Rotex. Yet.

- Mike

 

[nickao]

Got to have the basics forget the Domino for now or get it last. I have built many projects and tons of furniture still don't have a Domino.

Rotex - Only people that never tried it for a week think  they don't need it. I couldn't live without it.

ETS 150/3 - Best finish sander on the market, but get the Rotex if you can't get both.

CT 22 - Got to have dust collection.

OF 1400 - the router it the most versatile small tool in any shop, got to have it.

TS 75 or Dewalt track saw - nice for plywood and some other cuts. TS 55 is under powered and I stopped it in its track many   times so I had to upgrade.

Band saw - whatever you can afford. Better then a table saw for most things and can do a whole lot more. A band saw should be the go to tool and purchased before a table saw, really my next shop set up will revolve around the band saw NOT the table saw. I have 3 now and its barley enough. Plus it's foot print is SMALL!

Milwaukee Miter Slider - as low as 499.00 and I prefer it OVER the Kapex

You can make almost any project there is with these tools.

Add a planer and a jointer when you can, but you can buy store purchase sanded and planed lumber at first so no rush.

Add a  domino when you can get "everything" you need and can drop the 1000.00 -1100.00

Hand tools, sharp chisel's etc....

 

[Corwin]

I would start with the TS55 and a dust extractor. The CTs are compatible with all tools. I would also get the OF1400 and a rotex sander at some point.

These three tools and the extractor are the heart of the workshop. The domino, kapex, MFT are amazing (well I don't have a kapex but so they say) but they are not necessarily primary purchases.

My woodworking odyssey began with a workbench. I made my own, using pre-finished lumber to the dimensions I requested. A router was next, but it wasn't a festool. Mistake but not fatal.

Festools began with the rotex, followed by a domino, TS55 and an OF1400. As I said earlier, the domino is amazing but I would get the ts55 and OF1400 first.

Last week I cracked and got an MFT. It's hard to explain but it changes everything. But on a budget it can wait. I spread out my purchases over several months a) to stop the wife noticing the steady accumulation of tools and b) to always have something to look forward too!

Richard.

Richard reminded me about the MFT/3 -- You mentioned that you want to build a bench with holes but I wouldn't rule out the MFT because it folds to take very little space and it really does change the way that you work.  I would say that the TS55, CT vac and MFT are the basic triad to start any workshop from scratch.

I would certainly take advantage of Festool's package deals.  They offer a discount on the MFT if you buy it along with either the TS55 or TS75 plunge-cut saws.  They also off a discount if you purchase an extractor (vacuum) with any of their tools.  So, if you plan to get one of their TS saws, I would bundle it with a MFT/3 table and then purchase your extractor with another tool -- like the OF1400 or an ETS150.  I know you said that you weren't planning on getting a MFT, but I highly recommend that you reconsider.  In any event, do take advantage of the package deal(s).

 

[nickao]

He said he does not want an Mft's and was going to make his own of the footprint he wanted. I did that and am extremely happy. Why force the Mft's when he said he does not want the ready made table, sounds right to me. Festool Hole Insert in a custom footprint is the way to go and what he specifically wants.

 

[grobin]

There are some good suggestions here and a lot of different views.  I would make a couple more comments:
1st the Kapex is great (as are the other compound sliding miter saws [IMHO the millwalkee is better]) if you are doing a lot of trim work and some types of work like stairs.  But its pretty specialized and not really that useful for furniture.
2nd the TS55/75 are great saws and with the guide rails and extensions are great for breaking down sheet goods.  If you work with MDF, plywood or melamine a lot they are a good start.  But if you work with hardwood and other narrow products they are usable but not easy.  If you are going to work with thick hardwood, plastics or metal you need the 75 not the 55. 
3rd a friend has a 1400 and uses it on the guide rails he has for his TS75.  I have used it and it is great for some things.  Dadoes or trimming work really well but you are not going to make mortise and tendon or dovetails without either specialized (expensive) jigs or a lot of work.
4th a good router with a good table and fence can do everything the 1400 can but just not with as large a sheet goods.  The Incra fence can accommodate pieces up to 25" and if you can turn them 50" and you can do fancy stuff like dovetails etc. easily without expensive jigs.  It also works as a joiner  as well.
5th the Domino looks expensive but you are up and running with loose tendons right away  (try out designs with cheap pine first takes some practice).
6th most importantly take advantage of the package deals and get a CT with whatever you buy first!  I have a mini and its adequate but the midi or 22 are probably what you want.

BTW the Trion works just fine with the guide rails and is a lot cheaper than the TS55.
I don't have the Festool sanders but am going to upgrade when I get the money.
A band saw is an essential unless you want to limit your projects to the thicknesses of hardwood available and don't mind fussy setup using either the Trion or the TS saws.

 

[JeromeM]

He said he does not want an Mft's and was going to make his own of the footprint he wanted. I did that and am extremely happy. Why force the Mft's when he said he does not want the ready made table, sounds right to me. Festool Hole Insert in a custom footprint is the way to go and what he specifically wants.

I am with you on the don't want an MFT.

For me the cost was not the main factor.

It was that I often need to break down full size 2440 x 1440 sheets and an MFT does not work for that, too small.
I have to have a really mobile bench assembly table that can be moved and ready at any time often between cuts etc. For me the bench needs to be super stable and super mobile.

So with with all that I made and am continuing to add modifications to my main bench which has the same grid of 20mm holes as an MFT. I also use the same grid on other items.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nui-jerome/sets/72157622407585122/

 

[Jmaichel]

I am with you on the don't want an MFT.

For me the cost was not the main factor.

It was that I often need to break down full size 2440 x 1440 sheets and an MFT does not work for that, too small.
I have to have a really mobile bench assembly table that can be moved and ready at any time often between cuts etc. For me the bench needs to be super stable and super mobile.

So with with all that I made and am continuing to add modifications to my main bench which has the same grid of 20mm holes as an MFT. I also use the same grid on other items.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nui-jerome/sets/72157622407585122/

Jerome,
I really like the table you built and would rather go that route than get an MFT. I have not bought anything yet because I am still thinking about going traditional route with table saw, jointer, planer, band saw. I really do like the Festool products but I am not going to be using a lot of sheet material so it's hard to imagine it replacing a table saw and meeting all my needs.

[/quote]

 

[RONWEN]

He said he does not want an Mft's and was going to make his own of the footprint he wanted. I did that and am extremely happy. Why force the Mft's when he said he does not want the ready made table, sounds right to me. Festool Hole Insert in a custom footprint is the way to go and what he specifically wants.

I am with you on the don't want an MFT.

For me the cost was not the main factor.

It was that I often need to break down full size 2440 x 1440 sheets and an MFT does not work for that, too small.
I have to have a really mobile bench assembly table that can be moved and ready at any time often between cuts etc. For me the bench needs to be super stable and super mobile.

So with with all that I made and am continuing to add modifications to my main bench which has the same grid of 20mm holes as an MFT. I also use the same grid on other items.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nui-jerome/sets/72157622407585122/

Very nice.  You have placed a lot of thought and work into your system.  Very clever.