Which saw ? Which track ? Which miter ? which clamps ? which system ?

GhostFist said:
plug it chords are awesome. I do miss them on non Festool machines. as I understand, pigtails are available in Europe to convert non Festool to plug it. as far as "the system" goes, Festool dust collectors work with what ever has a dust collection port, I believe most non Festool saws work with Festool rails. so the system isn't really disturbed by buying a competitor.

Your right that you can integrate 'others' into the system if you want but it's not always that easy, I have other tools that don't match the dust collector hose at all and need to be modified.If you add to it no plug it and no systainer.........

Michael1960 said:
I currently have a Makita track saw.  I have not really tested it with thick hardwoods.  To date the main use has been to break down plywood and MDF sheets.
Some times I regret buying this saw as its not compatible with the rest of the Festool system i.e. 'plug it' power cords.
Eco Options - do you know if the Makita unit has more power than the Festool track saw.  If this is the case then I'd best keep the Makita saw.

The Makita has no riving knife so I went for Festool. I blame that saw for me ending up on 'the slope' [crying]. I think it's 1300 watt so bit more power.

Incidentally can any one explain the info in the following link? That the TS55R is only 1050 watts. I can't believe they've put a smaller motor in it!

http://www.festool.fr/produits/pages/productcompetence.aspx?foc=ol_tauchsaegen_1835

 
Michael1960 said:
I currently have a Makita track saw.  I have not really tested it with thick hardwoods.  To date the main use has been to break down plywood and MDF sheets.
Some times I regret buying this saw as its not compatible with the rest of the Festool system i.e. 'plug it' power cords.
Eco Options - do you know if the Makita unit has more power than the Festool track saw.  If this is the case then I'd best keep the Makita saw.

Yes I have heard it is more powerful. Closer but not equal to ct75. No riving knife tho.
 
The motor in the TS55R is exactly the same one that went into the TS55 and so either someone has made an error in the listing that Nigel read or there is some mischief going on. My TS55R is every bit the gutsy machine that my old TS55 is and the two of them are superb circular saws.

There may be some Mafell devotees lurking around, there may be some merits of some of the Mafell stuff but take a look at the big picture - the way that the Festool kit is so well integrated and brilliant at dust collection. I have waited over 40 years to discover Festool, I have tried all sorts of other equipment and helped design machines many years ago. The Festool engineering is super and, taken as a whole, so much better than anything that I have owned or used before.

Rant over!

Peter
 
I agree entirely with Peter and his big picture.

Thanks for clearing up the motor question Peter ,thought it was bit odd - you can see it for yourself in the link just scroll down a bit and read 'puissance absorbee' .It also states a faster rpm of 6500 for the ts55r and 5200 for the ts55? Probably incorrect as well!
 
I started with a Festool 1000 router but when I added the edge trimmer and 32 mm hole jig I bought the 1010 so I could leave them set up. I still needed a way to dado cabinet sides on my mft. So I made my own adapter for a Bosch D handle router. I use a scrap piece of HDPE and routed it to fit on the track and routed a recess for the router to sit in and to allow for the 5 mm offset. I used my domino to make grooves to adjust the fit to the track. I tapped the plastic for the adjusting screws and the auxiliary handle that I removed from the router and repositioned to use to help balance the router on the track. It worked better then the Festool routers except for dust collection so I bought a dust collection fitting from Rockler and routed a recess for that. With this hooked up the dust collection was much better then the festool routers be cause the router plate seals the area around the bit. Since then I have purchased the 2020 with the accessory kit but I still use the Bosch for dadoes it works better and is more ergonomic for this one task. I will attach some pictures. I don't have any of the router with the dust collection installed but I can take some if you are interested.[attachimg=#]
The extra groove in the bottom serves no purpose. It was already in the plastic scrap. Don
 
for the record, I'm a devotee to no brand. I simply buy what I feel will best suit my needs. Festool is a high quality company I own and love several of their tools and am budgeting to purchase more. the domino, kapex, Festool routers and drills can't be beat in my humble opinion. that's not to say there aren't other options or a competitor's product might better suit you.

competition is good for innovation.
be a slave to no one
 
Amen!...to that, GhostFist.  Brand loyalty is a dangerous slope.....and poison to objectivism.

Dongar,
Thanks for your post.....that would make a great thread.  I would like to see the dust collection a little closer....I'm planning to build a similar one using HDPE for routers on the Mafell guide rail.  Sometimes it seems like too many woodworkers are forgetting to make jigs and are dependent on whats offered in the retail market.  
 
Ok guys. I don't think anyone is suggesting sticking with Festool just out of 'loyalty'.I mean how sad would that be? Just be aware that Festool are the only tool manufacturers that have a system and it may be of benefit in certain cases that's all. ::) If I was to change my Trion jigsaw I would definitely check out the Mafell before the Carvex!
 
Hi Nigel

From what I have been hearing here on the FOG, I would not rush to buy the Mafell jigsaw as it appears that the new Festool 420 is on the way. After all the agony of the Carvex the new machine will have to be perfect. With that background I think that the 420 is bound to be outstanding - otherwise heads would roll at Festool HQ!!!!!

Peter
 
Hi Peter,

Yes, you're right best wait and see.I'm just glad I didn't fall for the the original Carvex!
 
Dongar said:
I started with a Festool 1000 router but when I added the edge trimmer and 32 mm hole jig I bought the 1010 so I could leave them set up. I still needed a way to dado cabinet sides on my mft. So I made my own adapter for a Bosch D handle router. I use a scrap piece of HDPE and routed it to fit on the track and routed a recess for the router to sit in and to allow for the 5 mm offset. I used my domino to make grooves to adjust the fit to the track. I tapped the plastic for the adjusting screws and the auxiliary handle that I removed from the router and repositioned to use to help balance the router on the track. It worked better then the Festool routers except for dust collection so I bought a dust collection fitting from Rockler and routed a recess for that. With this hooked up the dust collection was much better then the festool routers be cause the router plate seals the area around the bit. Since then I have purchased the 2020 with the accessory kit but I still use the Bosch for dadoes it works better and is more ergonomic for this one task. I will attach some pictures. I don't have any of the router with the dust collection installed but I can take some if you are interested.[attachimg=#]
The extra groove in the bottom serves no purpose. It was already in the plastic scrap. Don
roughly the same as I did on the line of DEWALT
 
Nigel said:
Ok guys. I don't think anyone is suggesting sticking with Festool just out of 'loyalty'.I mean how sad would that be? Just be aware that Festool are the only tool manufacturers that have a system and it may be of benefit in certain cases that's all. ::) If I was to change my Trion jigsaw I would definitely check out the Mafell before the Carvex!

I think you'll find Mafell also have a system, one very similar to festool's. Mafell also use systainers so a hybrid, custom built system is a viable option, and for myself a better one.
Just saying.

There are pro's and cons to everything. Mafell, Festool, Bosch what have you. Tool investments cost $$$$$$ especially when you start looking into premium manufacturers like Festool, Mafell, Woodpeckers, Bridge City and the like. Spending the pile better be absolutely worth it to you.

Agian, I'm not slagging Festool, the Ts55 is a mean machine and is very capable, it's also backed by a solid warranty. The ts55R looks to bring some nice improvements to it's predecessor, but for myself the Mafell MT55 has just that much more to catch my eye.
 
Incidentally can any one explain the info in the following link? That the TS55R is only 1050 watts. I can't believe they've put a smaller motor in it!

http://www.festool.fr/produits/pages/productcompetence.aspx?foc=ol_tauchsaegen_1835

The link is to the TS 55 RQ and not the TS 55 REBQ.

RQ = no brake, no speed change and a 1050W motor
REBQ= brake, speed change and 1200W

For the old TS55 it was also possible to chose a "basic" version, but they already discontinued that one.

You can scroll down and choose a different version.
 
Mettes said:
Incidentally can any one explain the info in the following link? That the TS55R is only 1050 watts. I can't believe they've put a smaller motor in it!

http://www.festool.fr/produits/pages/productcompetence.aspx?foc=ol_tauchsaegen_1835

The link is to the TS 55 RQ and not the TS 55 REBQ.

RQ = no brake, no speed change and a 1050W motor
REBQ= brake, speed change and 1200W

For the old TS55 it was also possible to chose a "basic" version, but they already discontinued that one.

You can scroll down and choose a different version.

That's what I thought initially but choosing a different version doesn't change the motor size. Has to be the reason though...edit yes it does if you choose plus d'informations for the REBQ it goes up to 1200w. So that clears that up thanks Mettes. I would avoid that 1050 version!
 
Jalvis here are the photos of the dust collector
[attachimg=#]
The bottom view.
[attachimg=#]
The top.
[attachimg=#]
The top with top section removed.
[attachimg=#]
Assembled on router
[attachimg=#]
Dust hose connected.

 
Dongar,

Thank you for the great photos! 

You did a great job building that unit.  Is the dust collector on your Bosch a standard accessory?  Looks like you would get very little dust in use.

 
Jalvis the dust collector was an attachment ,called the Down Under Router Table Dust Port, for Rocklers router table plate.I did a search and the only thing that shows up are a couple of reviews. Apparently it has been discontinued. If I was making it now I would use the dust pickup for the OF 1400 if the router had room to fit it. Then it would be directly compatible with the Festool  vacuum hose
Don
 
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