Which Festool?

[peter halle]

A friend or family member comes to you and tells you that they have been hearing about Festool and they have admiring your collection.  They could use any of the Festools in their life.  They gave you a check that would cover the purchase of one tool but they committed to buying a dust collector / extractor out of their other funds as part of the purchase or slightly afterwards.

Just for kicks and giggles:  Which Festool product would you buy for them?  Why?

Peter

 

[justaguy]

Not knowing what types of projects the tools will be used for makes this a bit tough.

For me the gateway drug err I mean tool was a sander. The sanders are my most used tools. So I'll propose purchasing an ETS EC 150/3. The sanders are such an improvement over the standard big box offerings.

 

[Gary Sosa]

Cordless Track Saw TSC 55 REB-Set/XL-FS, great for sheet work, portable, cordless, versatile, and inspirational. A great starting point for future MFT/3, perhaps. It was for me, Peter.

 

[ear3]

I suppose it might depend on where they were at in their woodworking life, but it would either be a tracksaw or a domino.  I would probably lean toward the Domino, but that would depend on whether they had the ability already to prep the Domino joints properly.  The Domino opens up so many possibilities in woodworking that might seem daunting otherwise.  If they were just starting out, then probably the tracksaw, as this would give them the basics to prep sheet goods and lumber fairly extensively.  And the beauty of a tracksaw is that it gives you greater tolerances for error.  If you mismeasure or come out a little proud, you can then just trim to fit.

 

[SS Teach]

Since I was refinishing the cabinets in my house sanders and a CT were my first Festools. If you're going to be building I would start with a TS. When you do make your purchase get the holey rail. You never know if you'll end up with a OF and LR 32. But actually before that make sure you have a high credit limit on your card, and your significant other understands. Also I didn't get everything at once, it took a few years. Good luck, have fun reading the posts and enjoy your purchases.

 

[grobkuschelig]

Even if they would not opt for the vac, they'd for sure get a CXS from me.
It was the perfect gateway drug for me and made me really appreciate the care and quality that goes into the tools.
If it needs to be a vac-connected tool, it would hinge on use-cases. Maybe an OF1010/DF500 or an ETS EC 150/5.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Tough choice. I think I would suggest a track saw or Rotex to start. The track saw was my first purchase and has been indespensable to me. The Rotex was my first sander and it too has been a game changer. I really like the OF2200 router and of course, the Domino.  So I think the saw or Rotex would be a great first choice.

My answer would change based in what tools this person already has access too. So a Domino might be the best choice if other tools for sizing stock and sanding/material removal are in the arsenal. Or a router if a versatile tool needed for processing, shaping and profiling.

I think if I could only have four power tools, I would opt for a drill (PDC or T18), a router (OF2200 or OF1400), a Rotex sander (150 or 125) and a jigsaw (if Festool then either Trion or Carvex would be fine). I can make just about anything with these tools...granted some things would take longer than other methods, but this is the core set for fine woodworking. A track saw makes things faster and easier, but that would be my fifth addition. Of course this assumed an extractor and MFT could be added.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi,

I'd buy a PDC 18/4 Li 5,2-Set/XL for them. Why? I love mine so much and it is such a versatile tool - even when they would not follow through with the hobby/trade - anyone from renter to home owner, young to old, can use a quality drill/driver.

Did I mention I love mine?

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[estley]

Track saw, or a domino, from where I see it, those two epitomize what festool is.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Birdhunter]

I'd buy a TSX drill set with the attachments. That's something even the most inept person can use with little chance of hurting themselves.

My first Festool purchases were a CSX, TS55, and a Domino 500 all at a Festool sales event. The TS55 and the Domino are not what I would consider beginner tools.

 

[bobfog]

TS55 of all the tools Festool make I believe for your average DIY'er, a tracksaw is the biggest game changer.

 

[Turnamere]

TS55 of all the tools Festool make I believe for your average DIY'er, a tracksaw is the biggest game changer.

^^^^  This was my entry point, the ability to make long, straight accurate cuts subsequently allowed me to build a Ron Paulk style bench, which in turn provided me with a large and perfectly flat assembly area, which then allowed me to build all the units for SWMBO's Dressing Room, which supported the utility of Festool products which nearly led to bankruptcy  [big grin]

That said, I have just purchased a CXS, I was a sceptical about just how much better a Festool drill would be compared to Makita/DeWalt/Bosch etc but I should have known better; for your average DiYer a Festool drill may be a great start.

 

[ben_r_]

I would definitely go with the TS 55 as anyone who works with any kind of sheet good (and I think we all do at some point) could greatly benefit from owning one of those. Especially with a good dust collector.

 

[Stephen B]

TS55

 

[BJM9818]

RO 150 and MIDI was my first purchase back in 2006.

Depends on what they do but a sander or track saw.

CXS would be a great choice if they still carried the installers kit. Without the installers kit as an option I think the Centrotec system is a hard sell for a first time user.

 

[tjbnwi]

Let's all be honest-----we'd buy whichever tool we needed and tell the friend we're still thinking on "their" purchase. Get back to them in about 5 years... [laughing]

Tom