Your Festool Purchases (FIRST Purchase Only)

[DrDrey]

My first post on FOG. First purchase: MW 1000 Mobile Workstation (with the extra table).

Interestingly, I had some unexpected (small) trouble with assembly. The base (dark blue) is a plastic mold. The two aluminum extrusion legs go into deep molded pockets. In both pockets there defects from the mold -- pieces of plastic of irregular shape. In one of the pockets, the defects were smaller. In the other pockets, they were larger. The defects precluded the two aluminum legs from seating all the way in. I used a long and sharp chisel to carefully remove the defects and move on with assembly. (The chisel: NAREX 1/2" Paring Chisel, blade length: 245mm = 9-1/2"; it was important that the chisel was long, regular chisels were not long enough to reach where needed). I admit: these molding defects caused disappointment with quality control. Otherwise, a very useful product.

 

[aloysius]

Following a financial windfall I purchased a swag of Festo branded tools around about Summer 1989/90.  A whopping Au $3K (3 months wages at the time) of investment in what was to me an utterly unknown manufacturer.  A huge gamble that has in general repaid me well:

An SR5E extractor, made for Festo by Wap & the only autostart vac available at the time.  It was a revelation in performance, cleanliness & efficiency.  A good extractor should be at the heart of any woodworking system, & Festo/ol have always been an ideal start.

Rotex RO150E sander.  Again, an unusually powerful, efficient & versatile tool that was literally streets ahead of anything else available.  It's still a remarkably efficient & versatile tool.  I consider this 2nd generation Rotex to be a superior tool to newer generation versions.

Deltex Dx93E delta sander.  The most aggressive (fastest working) delta sander that's ever been made.

AP85 Pendulum Saw.  A bit disappointing.  A 240 mm saw with only 1700w, it was a bit too gutless to handle Aussie hardwoods.  This has been a recurrent problem with other Festo/Festool saws I've used over the years.  I eventually replaced it with an Elu MH85, which was better, & was able to re-use my 240mm blades.

RS1C half-sheet orbital sander.  Heavy, basic & powerfully efficient, with an aggressive 5 mm orbit.

HL850E, a brand new upgrade of the brilliant HL750, with a smidge more power (excellent) & smart electronics, like so many other German manufacturers were doing in the 80s.  In this case to cut current in between cuts.  It has been later upgraded to have an electronic brake, but the same design has remained unchanged for over 40 years.  One of the best planer designs ever made, & in my opinion the best tool that Festo has ever designed.  It's only downside is that it's a big, long two-handed machine.  Unlimited rebating, spiral slicing blade & an accessory undulating rusticating head are utterly unique features that make this tool a marvel.

 

[notenoughcash]

about 2 months ago, i took the plunge and got a PSC 420 EB, and, honestly, i dont know what all the carvex haters are on about.

 

[MRPayne]

I opened the valve with a CT26, CT-VA-20 CT CYCLONE, BT remote, and Cleaning set D 36 WB-RS-Plus Sys3.

 

[Shmeffrey]

I just purchased a TSC55.  It hasn't arrived yet but I've been lurking this forum for a while and I hope to build a portable Paulk style workbench as my first project, then my basement bar after that.  I'm currently planning out building a guide for adding parf 20 mm holes in the bench without breaking the bank, and also a Dash-Board guide rail bracket since its not available in Canada.

Cheers,

 

[danny l]

The first i bought was the ATF 55 EB plus, predecessor of the TS55. This was 22years ago. still looking new.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I looked at the first post of this thread and apparently it was a poll of some kind originally? Like multiple tools at the same time? Total value
My first Festool purchase was a DF500 and the assortment set. I think it was about $1300? 2014?

 

[Hyperluminous]

Hello, first post here.

I recently bought the CT26, TS75, FS1080, FS1900, and the ETS EC125/3.
On the same week, I ordered a TSO GRS 16 and GRS 16 PE pair with the TPG-30-50 set and the TSO guide rail connector.

 

[AuthenticAudio]

CT15E  For dust collection on my sanders and miter saw.

 

[squall_line]

My first purchase was a CT-Mini back in May or June of 2016 when I was working on stripping and painting the exterior of my 1920's bungalow.  I just assumed that thing had multiple layers of lead paint on it and Festool was one of the few HEPA vacs available at the time, and through my research was also one of the quietest.  My local Acme Tools had multiple models in stock and the Mini was just the cutest little thing and perfect for my needs.  I'm guessing my neighbors appreciated how quiet it was compared to a Shop Vac, too.

Thank goodness for the brake on that thing, since I carried it up a portable scaffold with me and set it next to me as I literally vacuumed loose paint off of the house (it was pretty bad).

 

[FestitaMakool]

A CT Mini (II) for me too, accompanied with a CT SYS. A lump of money, but compared to Makita and Nilfisk vacs, it’s almost the same.
I had gotten really tired of Kärcher vacs caving in and hoses deteriorate.
A vac is not just only a thing that suck...
What a revelation the Festool vacs were. Soon went nearly all of my existing tools for sale and over to Festool’s equivalent.

 

[Cypren]

My gateway drug was the OSC 18, because I had a project that needed an extremely precise plunge cut I wasn't willing to try making by hand. Two years later, I've got enough Systainers to make a stack taller than my house. It's an addiction.