Festool Meets A "Mechanic"

[hawkeyestoob]

I am looking forward to your thoughts Ryan. I am probably about 90% woodworking and 10% mechanical shop work here. I am however just getting into more of the Festool products myself but I am always interested to see how other people use it and how they might approach things differently.

If you are looking at using a lot of sheet goods for the cabinets you are building do yourself a favor and get a Domiplate from Seneca Wood Working. It is an add on to the Domino and allows for perfect repeatable referencing when using 3/4 or 1/2 inch ply.

https://www.senecawoodworking.com/products/domiplate-for-1-2-and-3-4-ply

That is a link to both the Domiplate and to a good video on its use.

 

[MaineGuide]

I'm looking forward to seeing how this all works out for you Ryan. Plan was to buy the MFT/3 and TS 55 at some point this summer and go from there.

I'm building a couple cabinets for a customer right now but I think some of the Festool products could be beneficial. I have the full size/stationary equipment in my shop but I think the portability and accuracy of Festool is going to earn at least a few tools a spot in my shop/truck.

I'm thinking a track saw for the initial breakdown of sheet goods, and I can do final dimension on my table saw. The MFT for smaller cuts and also for using a router on a track. I have plenty of good sanders but they have poor dust collection (or none in the case of the PC 505), so the MFT will also likely see duty as an outdoor sanding table.

 

[ilovevocs]

Festool Meets A "Mechanic"

Who cares about the cost, the buzz getting that monster stack of green delivered would have been worth every cent!!!

For sure, but the frustration would come when I was eating baloney sandwiches every meal for two months trying to put that money back in the bank.

 

[Ryan]

Wait until the first time you use that CT to vacuum/clean one of your cars, or your shop floor, or your house. The CTs will soon start multiplying.

Thus far, the CT36 is my second favorite thing I got... More on that later...

Thats funny, I have a CT 36 with the $400 work center sitting on top. When I needed a second vac - I bought a Bosch! (The add-on cleaning set for Festool is $300)

And you know what, Bosch doesn't raise their prices every year for no apparent reason other than they can

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HUCUK6K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Man, I'm starting to think you're the one who sold their integrity!

You don't at all seem to be happy about your Festool purchases... Or maybe there's some dark lord out there paying you to be negative!

Kidding of course.

 

[Ryan]

Q1: Did you also get a CT dust extractor? They work amazingly well with Festool tools. I guess you have another dust extractor vac?

Q2: Why the Rotex instead of a different sander? I have the ETS 150/3, and chose it because I felt it's better suited for finish work, while the Rotex seems more suited for rougher or refinishing work.

http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/sanders/ets-1503-eq-random-orbital-finish-sander-571903 ,

Yeah, I got a CT36.

I'll go into my ROTEX decision in a future video. I actually got in contact with Festool USA for advice on this one. I haven't really used it enough yet to make an educated opinion post, but plan on going crazy with it this weekend.

 

[Stuey]

Oh - I forgot to mention. If Festool is so 'well engineered', works as a system, etc - why do they sell tracks for their track saws with and without holes for the LR32 System? Why not just make all the tracks with holes in them?

Because it costs more money. Why force customers to spend more money on holey track saws they might not need?

Yeah, I got a CT36.

I'll go into my ROTEX decision in a future video. I actually got in contact with Festool USA for advice on this one. I haven't really used it enough yet to make an educated opinion post, but plan on going crazy with it this weekend.

Have fun!

I'm sure it'll work out well for you, I was just curious.

There used to be a site that sold Festool abrasives variety packs, but they seem have gone out of business.

If I recall correctly, Rubin 2 is best for bare wood, but I use Brilliant and Granat just as much.

Looks like you have the stabilizer bars on the MFT - that's something I've been meaning to buy, but it stings. The MFT cost me so much, but I have to spend more to make it sturdier? argh.

Now that I'm looking, I should probably pick up some clamps and accessories from my shopping list before the 4/3 price increases.

 

[Ryan]

Looks like you have the stabilizer bars on the MFT - that's something I've been meaning to buy, but it stings. The MFT cost me so much, but I have to spend more to make it sturdier? argh.

I actually just shot a video about this... More later, but don't buy the $80 bars... My table was fine without them. I mean, it's not like I'm planing on this thing.

I'm actually thinking I'm gonna build a base for mine that holds all the systainers. If I do so, I'll give you my crossmembers.

 

[Git]

Because it costs more money. Why force customers to spend more money on holey track saws they might not need?

It doesn't cost more money - it is the same price. What happens is people start out with the track saw and then later get into the LR32 system and find they have to buy another track. If Festool just sold the track with holes in it shouldn't that theoretically lower the price because now they don't have to deal with two different items

Ryan - what really turned me off about Festool (besides all the Kool Aid drinkers) is their forum is full of people touting how glorious Festool is. Then you come to find out later that a large majority of them were given tools for free and they fail to mention it. You still have people defending their Kapex Miter saw even though it is pretty safe to say that it has major problems with the motor burning out.

Sorry, didn't want to rain on your parade

 

[Trey T]

Wow, you spent $8K on the tools but the bid was up to $7K for the job (big job for sure!)- you sir got complete control of the check book, because that wouldn't fly w/ my wife.

I'm curious ... how did you even convince your wife to not only okay the funding but the time/schedule to get it done (I assumed you got a day-job)?

gg, man

 

[metal1313]

I would love to get into festool items, pretty bad actually, but the budget, or lack of, prevents it. i really want a track saw, but i'll probablly make my own and modify a spare circular saw for use. I also want to get a router, and the domino system. one day i will, one day.

if i make a track saw it will be used to rip sheet goods, before final dimensioning on my table saw, and to trim up rough cut lumber before jointing and planing.

i'm also, like ryan, going to be making several custom semi-built in cabinets in the near-ish future. i have a pretty good plan on what i'll be doing, but need to take care of some other projects first. I also need to re-organize my little shop to find new tools, but also to have room to work.

one day i'll start my own thread on my projects, right now my biggest concern is how to finish the cabinets. they will be painted, just not sure what to use to get a sturdy, smooth, and stable finish.

 

[cashishift]

Oh - I forgot to mention. If Festool is so 'well engineered', works as a system, etc - why do they sell tracks for their track saws with and without holes for the LR32 System? Why not just make all the tracks with holes in them?

This is something I wondered myself.

The other thing I don't get is, yearly price increases. Before they know it the track saw is going to be 1000 bucks..

 

[Ryan]

Wow, you spent $8K on the tools but the bid was up to $7K for the job (big job for sure!)- you sir got complete control of the check book, because that wouldn't fly w/ my wife.

I'm curious ... how did you even convince your wife to not only okay the funding but the time/schedule to get it done (I assumed you got a day-job)?

gg, man

Thanks man... But no, I don't have complete control. We got the team thing going on. Remember though, because of the site this is all also tax deductible for me... and it's also a good source of content for me as well... This is a business purchase for me as much as it is a personal. Really, that's the only way I could justify it all.

One of the interesting things about Festool to me is how polarizing the brand is. Like I mentioned in the video, there are people that are absolutely fanatical about the brand. They seem to collect the stuff as much as use it. And then, on the flip side you have folks like Git who seem to absolutely hate the brand and hold the people that do love it in contempt of sorts.

It really reminds me of the PC vs. Mac deal. Sort of irrational on both sides, but it's all spurned by people just as much as the tools... Does that make sense?

I'm in neither camp. I really don't know **** about this stuff. As such, I'm hoping my perspective is fairly fresh. Thus far though, I'm having a ton of fun playing with it all...

 

[cashishift]

Thanks man... But no, I don't have complete control. We got the team thing going on. Remember though, because of the site this is all also tax deductible for me... and it's also a good source of content for me as well... This is a business purchase for me as much as it is a personal. Really, that's the only way I could justify it all.

One of the interesting things about Festool to me is how polarizing the brand is. Like I mentioned in the video, there are people that are absolutely fanatical about the brand. They seem to collect the stuff as much as use it. And then, on the flip side you have folks like Git who seem to absolutely hate the brand and hold the people that do love it in contempt of sorts.

It really reminds me of the PC vs. Mac deal. Sort of irrational on both sides, but it's all spurned by people just as much as the tools... Does that make sense?

I'm in neither camp. I really don't know **** about this stuff. As such, I'm hoping my perspective is fairly fresh. Thus far though, I'm having a ton of fun playing with it all...

A friend of mine is fairly heavily invested, and while I would love to own many of the items.. hard to justify at this stage in my life.

So he bought me a hat as a joke.. hah It's a fantastic hat, made in the usa too

 

[mgilde13]

I don't know how many folks are aware, but Festool is getting into the body shop industry with some pretty nice dust collection and DA sander set ups.

http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/total-automotive-sanding-system-us/?WT.mc_id=CollisionRediect

 

[tjpavlov]

Can you share why you went with the CT36? I've been thinking about moving towards Festool but wonder whether I could get away with a smaller one.

 

[derosa]

I've never understood why home shops have power jointers. I have a Stanley #7 cast iron bodied jointer plane, and with a workpiece firmly secured to the workbench, I can plane it to a glue joint ready line just as quickly as a power machine, often with better results.

As for planing, I used to have that all done for me at the lumberyard, but since they've gone out of business, I need to rethink those plans. However, for the most part, I'm fine with working my plans around the standard sizes available in S4S lumber. Now if I owned a CNC (where it's best to be able to control the stock thickness going in), or if I did a lot of work with home milled lumber, then I'd probably have a planer already.

3 years ago I started rebuilding a house on a budget, in the next two months I hope to install over a 1000 feet of trim though out the house to finish it off. I could buy the trim at great expense or I can make my own. This does involve jointing 8' boards, ripping close to width, jointing the back quickly, rejointing the edge to square, rip to final width and then a very light pass over the jointer to eliminate the saw marks then a quick trip through the planer. The whole process can take about 15 min to do once set up per board, at 1.80 a board ft I'm saving a lot of cash with my power jointer which is set up to glue line joint two boards together without clamps. I've posted pictures of the fact in the woodworking thread. I love my record #7 and it is fully tuned and ready for when I want to take my time and enjoy watching the wood work, this isn't it.
If I ever have to build more then a few cabinets again I'm not pushing them across my table saw like the last time nor am I breaking out the handsaw but I will want to look at a festool. Might be doing so soon anyways, looking at a new house closer to NYC and the first thing the wife said was the cabinets have to go.

 

[Stuey]

I actually just shot a video about this... More later, but don't buy the $80 bars... My table was fine without them. I mean, it's not like I'm planing on this thing.

I'm actually thinking I'm gonna build a base for mine that holds all the systainers. If I do so, I'll give you my crossmembers.

That's why I've been holding off. The table's stable when using a saw or router on a track. But I figure I might use it a lot more once I pick up some work-holding clamps. Will see. If you don't use yours, I'd take 'em. Would probably trade you something for them though.

It doesn't cost more money - it is the same price. What happens is people start out with the track saw and then later get into the LR32 system and find they have to buy another track. If Festool just sold the track with holes in it shouldn't that theoretically lower the price because now they don't have to deal with two different items

Ryan - what really turned me off about Festool (besides all the Kool Aid drinkers) is their forum is full of people touting how glorious Festool is. Then you come to find out later that a large majority of them were given tools for free and they fail to mention it. You still have people defending their Kapex Miter saw even though it is pretty safe to say that it has major problems with the motor burning out.

Sorry, didn't want to rain on your parade

Hmm, that's a head-scratcher then.

A lot of Festool users, like those who buy other types of premium goods, might be justifying the expense without knowing it.

The Festool tools I've used are really, really good, except I don't like their jigsaw at all. It's too complicated. I don't want to have to read a manual and carefully choose a base when what I want to do is simple with a regular jigsaw.

Wow, you spent $8K on the tools but the bid was up to $7K for the job (big job for sure!)- you sir got complete control of the check book, because that wouldn't fly w/ my wife.

I'm curious ... how did you even convince your wife to not only okay the funding but the time/schedule to get it done (I assumed you got a day-job)?

gg, man

But now he has the tools to do a lot more, and to customize things to his exact liking.

Thanks man... But no, I don't have complete control. We got the team thing going on. Remember though, because of the site this is all also tax deductible for me... and it's also a good source of content for me as well... This is a business purchase for me as much as it is a personal. Really, that's the only way I could justify it all.

One of the interesting things about Festool to me is how polarizing the brand is. Like I mentioned in the video, there are people that are absolutely fanatical about the brand. They seem to collect the stuff as much as use it. And then, on the flip side you have folks like Git who seem to absolutely hate the brand and hold the people that do love it in contempt of sorts.

It really reminds me of the PC vs. Mac deal. Sort of irrational on both sides, but it's all spurned by people just as much as the tools... Does that make sense?

I'm in neither camp. I really don't know **** about this stuff. As such, I'm hoping my perspective is fairly fresh. Thus far though, I'm having a ton of fun playing with it all...

The same philosophy helps me justify buying and trying tools I otherwise would never be able to justify for personal use.

It's good to be well-rounded.

I'm planning some more storage for our garage. I'm thinking 80/20 for lower cabinets, plywood for uppers. I've been using a table saw a lot for drawer building, but my Festool track saw will see lots of use in making cabinets. (Point being, I'm interested in seeing what you do with the tools beyond the built-ins, to see if their use extends into your auto workshop too.)

I'll need to buy some 3/4" baltic birch, which will be better all around, but will also be easier to use my Domino test sample on.

The Domino worked okay on 1/2" (12mm) stock, but there are compromises. I really need to buy that Seneca Domino Plate accessory.

 

[slodat]

I am an upholsterer. I have a well equipped shop, a woodworking room with all of the usual suspects - Unisaw, jointer, planer, a few bandsaws (that's a discussion all on its own), and so on. I've had Festools for seven or so years. I use the sanders almost every day. I wouldn't let my track saw go for much of anything. It is indispensable and nothing else will adequately replace it in my shop. It also didn't eliminate my Unisaw.

I really like the Kapex. It has yet to disappoint me. The Domino is amazing when it's the right tool for the job. And so on. I have two of the CT's with boom arms. And two MFT's. The vac's and MFT's rock and I use them daily. The boom arm... I would rather have that big chunk of money back. I won't go into why I have two.

So on and so forth. I'm not a fanboy and for the life of me the collector make no sense to my head. I like the Festools I have and would like a couple others (Domino XL). They are a tool system that works well in their system.

My .02..

I made this with my Unisaw and MFT/track saw:


It is a router table housing two router lifts. All rips on the Unisaw.. The MFT makes a perfect outfeed table.

 

[jar944]

I like my three festools ets150/5ec, pro5 sanders and the domino xl. If I get another it's likely going to be a ts75 as I already have the Makita track saw and 3 tracks. I personally done see the value in the premium price of their other tools.

 

[TNBurban]

Wait until the first time you use that CT to vacuum/clean one of your cars, or your shop floor, or your house. The CTs will soon start multiplying.

Yep. Got a CT 26 to start with about 3-4 years ago. Now have the CT SYS that is much more mobile and used for cleaning out the cars and some other tasks in the house. The Green Kool Aid is really a disease.

As others have said - Festool for woodworking/carpentry = Snap On for mechanics.

 

[Git]

And then, on the flip side you have folks like Git who seem to absolutely hate the brand and hold the people that do love it in contempt of sorts.

Ryan - I wouldn't use the word 'hate'. I would say it is more like 'the honeymoon is over' And, I wouldn't use the word contempt, I just don't like 'fanatics' no matter what the product is - Snap On, Apple, Politics, etc.

I am very happy with my tracksaw - I purchased it just after it was released and back then it was the only game in town. It still serves me well, but I think you will find when you go to use the "guide rail connectors" that it is a very poor/frustrating system to get two rails aligned properly. You should take a look at the "Betterly alignment tool" ($99) or better yet, just do what I did and pop for the 106" guide rail ($331) and be done with it

I hope you're not planning on using that card table/MFT to break down sheet goods? I would suggest just making a dedicated cutting table using 2 x 4's and a pair of DeWalt saw horses instead. (they have notches for the 2 x 4's) It will support a full 4 x 8 sheet of ply and you don't have to worry about the offcut falling to the ground or cutting into the face of the MFT. (I have attached a pic of mine for reference)

Also, that parallel guide set you bought is really designed to be used with two of those MFT/card tables. You space the tables apart and then the saddle hangs down between them. But that is an extra $665...

In any case - I have a proposal for you

I have looked at the list of the Festools that you purchased and came up with a similar list of tools. The Festools cost over $2,200 more than the tools on my list - almost 50% more

Purchase these tools (perhaps get more suggestions from forum members), use them in comparison with your Festools while you are building your kitchen cabinets and tell us what you think. Are the Festools really worth spending almost twice as much?

And the icing on the cake - Give away the tools!. Have a contest - start a thread where all you have to do is make a post to enter and then give away the 'inferior' tool.

(You said these tools were a tax write off, you get to play with more tools and you probably get some more people signing up for the forum just for the contest!)

It's a win-win

 

[Ryan]

Ryan - I wouldn't use the word 'hate'. I would say it is more like 'the honeymoon is over' And, I wouldn't use the word contempt, I just don't like 'fanatics' no matter what the product is - Snap On, Apple, Politics, etc.

I am very happy with my tracksaw - I purchased it just after it was released and back then it was the only game in town. It still serves me well, but I think you will find when you go to use the "guide rail connectors" that it is a very poor/frustrating system to get two rails aligned properly. You should take a look at the "Betterly alignment tool" ($99) or better yet, just do what I did and pop for the 106" guide rail ($331) and be done with it

I hope you're not planning on using that card table/MFT to break down sheet goods? I would suggest just making a dedicated cutting table using 2 x 4's and a pair of DeWalt saw horses instead. (they have notches for the 2 x 4's) It will support a full 4 x 8 sheet of ply and you don't have to worry about the offcut falling to the ground or cutting into the face of the MFT. (I have attached a pic of mine for reference)

Also, that parallel guide set you bought is really designed to be used with two of those MFT/card tables. You space the tables apart and then the saddle hangs down between them. But that is an extra $665...

In any case - I have a proposal for you

I have looked at the list of the Festools that you purchased and came up with a similar list of tools. The Festools cost over $2,200 more than the tools on my list - almost 50% more

Purchase these tools (perhaps get more suggestions from forum members), use them in comparison with your Festools while you are building your kitchen cabinets and tell us what you think. Are the Festools really worth spending almost twice as much?

And the icing on the cake - Give away the tools!. Have a contest - start a thread where all you have to do is make a post to enter and then give away the 'inferior' tool.

(You said these tools were a tax write off, you get to play with more tools and you probably get some more people signing up for the forum just for the contest!)

It's a win-win

Oh come on man... Re-read your posts... you come across as a total hater. I've already gotten you labeled and a t-shirt is on the way! You are in the group - don't back down now!

Kidding, again.

I love your idea. Gonna take a while to get the budget back though. As you can imagine, I'm swimming in it at the moment after this latest splurge.

As for the cutting table and the parallel guides. I actually do something very similar to what you are doing with saw horses. I have an in-floor lift that I raise to waist level, place four 2x4s over, 1/2" foam insulation board over those, and then my sheet stock over that. Works fantastic and when done it's all easy to put away.

As for the parallel guides, pretty sure I just don't like the design of them. I think the seneca units would be way easier to use. I think I have a plan to make them a little better, but not sure if I'm gonna do it yet.

 

[slodat]

I use 2" foam sheet as my cutting surface with the track saw. It works great! I agree with buying the long rail for ripping sheet goods. The rail connectors don't get it done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Git]

As for the parallel guides, pretty sure I just don't like the design of them. I think the seneca units would be way easier to use. I think I have a plan to make them a little better, but not sure if I'm gonna do it yet.

You have to wonder - whoever recommended those Festool Parallel guides to you - do they have any wood working experience with them or were they just making a $355 sale?

Actually, one of the problems when working with either 'guide' set is when you get into ripping narrow strips - like 2" strips for face frames. I ended up just using the Festool Guide Stop - 492601 ($50) which separates into two pieces and then I cobbled together a rod and a wooden stop. (You clamp the track in place and pull of the stops to cut) That was one of the reasons I upgraded to the LR32 system to get their edge stops but in reality, my home made system worked fine

 

[Trey T]

Thanks man... But no, I don't have complete control. We got the team thing going on. Remember though, because of the site this is all also tax deductible for me... and it's also a good source of content for me as well... This is a business purchase for me as much as it is a personal. Really, that's the only way I could justify it all.

One of the interesting things about Festool to me is how polarizing the brand is. Like I mentioned in the video, there are people that are absolutely fanatical about the brand. They seem to collect the stuff as much as use it. And then, on the flip side you have folks like Git who seem to absolutely hate the brand and hold the people that do love it in contempt of sorts.

It really reminds me of the PC vs. Mac deal. Sort of irrational on both sides, but it's all spurned by people just as much as the tools... Does that make sense?

I'm in neither camp. I really don't know **** about this stuff. As such, I'm hoping my perspective is fairly fresh. Thus far though, I'm having a ton of fun playing with it all...

okay that makes sense.

My attitude might be similar to Git then. It's sorta like SO brand, I love their tools (at least the ones I own) and I own plenty of their tools, but hate their business model. In comparison, I don't like everything Festool makes ... once you buy one of their tool, you're tied to their ecosystem some way, some how.

Tom Silva from PBS this old house got be thinking about Festool back in 2008 -or-so when he started using the Kapex. When I bought my Dewalt miter saw, similar caliber as Kapex, in 2010 and used it for awhile; I realized that the fixed sliding rail on the Kapex was so-genius!!!

I visited their roadshow a year ago when they came through here and I already figured out what I want to get - the MFT, small Domino, and tracksaw. That'll set me back ~$2500 but it will justify w/ the kitchen cabinet build (not full build, just converting base cabinets into drawer-type).

 

[Ryan]

I love their tools (at least the ones I own) and I own plenty of their tools, but hate their business model. In comparison, I don't like everything Festool makes ... once you buy one of their tool, you're tied to their ecosystem some way, some how.

This. This. This.

It reminds me of Apple. Great packaging, quality product with a real emphasis on design, usability, and most of all - the ecosystem. And this ecosystem is great... until it's not and then you are stuck.

So given that, if you buy into this ecosystem you are trusting the future of Festool as much as you are their current tools. Right? Because once you are in this ecosystem (which thus far seem pretty great to me), you are really, really invested.

I'm kind of going through this with Apple right now. My entire business is ran through apple products and has been for the past 20 years. They've treated me right and I've been a happy customer. Lately, however, they've begun to loose their way... But here I am. Stuck.

 

[Ryan]

You have to wonder - whoever recommended those Festool Parallel guides to you - do they have any wood working experience with them or were they just making a $355 sale?

Actually, one of the problems when working with either 'guide' set is when you get into ripping narrow strips - like 2" strips for face frames. I ended up just using the Festool Guide Stop - 492601 ($50) which separates into two pieces and then I cobbled together a rod and a wooden stop. (You clamp the track in place and pull of the stops to cut) That was one of the reasons I upgraded to the LR32 system to get their edge stops but in reality, my home made system worked fine

There's no conspiracy Grit. No one recommended them to me. I bought them without doing much research. In fact, no one at Festool or toolnut.com has tried to give me the hard sell at all. They've both been great to work with. I know you hate the FOG forum and all, but honestly and as a guy that runs forums, I find it pretty great that a company is willing to put themselves out there with their own forum. You have no idea how risky that it is... and I think they do a great job on it.

But maybe it's all smoke and mirrors? Maybe all of this green stuff I have is flawed ****... and I'll be singing your tunes here in a couple of months. Time will tell... But I do know we disagree on one thing thus far - I used the LR32 again today (this time to create my own MFT top) and I love that thing.

 

[Git]

But I do know we disagree on one thing thus far - I used the LR32 again today (this time to create my own MFT top) and I love that thing.

Regarding the FOG forum, again I don't 'hate' it - I find it rather amusing, but I also don't hang out at the Apple Genius Bar either

If you used the Festool 20mm router bit, I think your holes are going to be slightly too big for the dogs to fit snugly. But I guess it depends on what dogs you bought and what you consider to be a good fit. (In the end - all that really matters is if your happy)

The best way I found to make an MFT top:

Use an existing MFT top as a template

Securely clamp the 'template' to the top of your new work service and then drill out the holes with a 5/8" drill bit (a drill bushing helps - McMaster Carr 8492A327) and then use your router with a 1/2" flush cut pattern bit (bearing closest to router) to make a perfect copy. It helps to have a couple of extra long dogs to use to index the top when you move it over.

Here is an example - this is how I made the top for my Paulk style workbench:

 

[neilc]

First, nice shop and wonderful vintage tools. Also, great stack! i have all those Festools and a few more. They are amazing tools and they will 'up' your game in time. Agree with you on the plug-it cords for simplifying life. You might want to check out Rick Christopherson's remote for the vacuum. It makes life so much simpler. Clip the cordless remote on your belt or the hose and you have instant control to turn the vac off and on without reaching for the dial when not using a tool. Cut a panel or drill a hole with the tool. Unplug the hose and pick up any extra dust by pushing a button. Reconnect to the tool with the hose and pull the trigger and you are back cutting. One of my favorite third-party additions for Festool.

http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/

The Rotex is a great choice for a sander, but you will also likely look to get some of their polishing pads. I use by Rotex 150 and 90 on my cars and they do an amazing job on polishing and waxing. Festool offers up to 11000 grit polishing compound, which is awesome for retouching furniture or auto finishes. Brings a tabletop back to life. Or a granite countertop. Or a limestone bathroom floor. Or polish aluminum to a mirror finish. Amazing tool with great flexibility.

I'll second the Seneca guides. I have both the Festool ones and the Seneca ones and prefer the Seneca ones.

One other suggestion if you are cutting a lot of panels...

Measure with your tape measure and grab two single edge razor blades. Press them into the wood at the measure mark and then slide your guide rail edge up to the razor blade at each end and remove them. Make your cut. You can get amazing accuracy for under $2 for a pack of single edge razors and they will speed up your cutting and accuracy without the need for guides hanging off the rails.

Good luck and ask plenty of questions. I have been on FOG since it was on Yahoo. Great group of users. Many pros and hobbyists as you have already experienced that are helpful if you have questions.

BTW, thanks for building such a great community at GJ. It's not easy to keep them focused and useful rather than occasionally contentious, but so many great people here on the forum.

Looking forward to seeing the project progress -

neil

 

[Denwood]

Ryan, your choice of Festool is smart from the web traffic point of view In the last few weeks I've brought on a track saw (awesome!!) as well as planer and jointer. I also built a very compact cyclonic dust management system.

One thing I really think you should look at is a decent table saw..even if it means giving up some more space. If you're doing cabinets, a table saw is much better at repeatability...something the track saw is not great at. For time, having both a track saw and table saw is a potent combo.

You my friend are at the orifice of the Rabbit Hole. I might revisit this post one year from now to see how well you have resisted gravity

 

[tatra]

Ever notice how informative and well behaved all are when the boss is in on the thread?

Question for the Festool gurus who have the dust collection systems. Have you ever coupled it to an auxiliary component like the cyclone lid available from Lee Valley or Dust depeuty ?

 

[danski0224]

A friend of mine has built cabinets and doors from scratch.

I'd look into an INCRA fence and router table if you want precision and repeatability for door setups.

Building the cabinet carcasses and face frames and then farming out the doors and drawers for fabrication is another option. I know someone that has taken really cheap and used cabinet boxes and then refaced them and added custom doors for a custom look. Walz-Craft is probably the best vendor and supplier to work with for pro-grade results. They make custom sizes, will make custom tooling for profiles if needed and build custom drawer boxes.

Building the cabinets will be easier to me than applying a quality finish. That's where an outfit like Walz-Craft comes in.

 

[Strouty]

Ever notice how informative and well behaved all are when the boss is in on the thread?

I am not afraid, except the last time someone thought I was picking on Ryan and I got banned.

Ryan, the idea of the cords is awesome, you used to be able to get almost all Milwaukee corded tools that way. I still have some and my favorite feature was that I could use the standard length cord or a 25' foot version. There was a time that people were having issues with the festool plug connectors, but I think that was taken care of.

 

[CTyankee]

I kinda like it here....I'd better leave it at...

 

[Git]

Tatra - Festool Vac's have problems with the static electricity that the Dust Deputy can generate. A number of users had their circuit boards fried and it's not covered under warranty

Festool even published a bulletin on it:

We strongly discourage the use of the Oneida Dust Deputy, or any other non-Festool product (unless otherwise stated) in conjunction with any and all Festool products. As a result, we ask our dealers to seriously consider the entire customer experience when marketing or selling items that could be viewed as add-ons to the Festool System

There is an upgrade kit available, I am not sure what they do about the lid you inquired about, I haven't kept up on it (I don't use one)
https://www.oneida-air.com/static.a...te-dust-deputy-higher-conductivity-parts.html


Or you can buy the special Dust Deputy version for use with a Festool Vac, for $269
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VR65OE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rlitman]

...I'd look into an INCRA fence and router table if you want precision and repeatability for door setups...

That's one option. I went with a Wixie DRO for my Biesemeyer fence. It takes a few seconds more than the Incra to get back to the same spot, but the repeatability is just as good, and it only takes a few seconds to reset the zero to a new blade.

Worth every penny, I find myself using it on every cut now:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PTGBT4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Git]

Unplug the hose and pick up any extra dust by pushing a button. Reconnect to the tool with the hose and pull the trigger and you are back cutting.

That is one of the things I like about my Bosch Vac - it will continue to run for about 7 seconds after you shut off power to the tool you are using. (The Festool Vac cuts power to the tool and the Vac at the same time)

Regarding your razor blade trick - have you ever tried using a story stick instead?

I have the woodpecker version and it really does help eliminate 'measuring problems' (the less I use a tape measure, the better and it sure beats the +1 method > ie 24 1/2 +1 more line, or drawing on the tape measure)
https://www.woodpeck.com/storystick.html

 

[Bill Bowman]

While I'm not a big time woodworker, I admire your shop and equipment choice. No matter, every time I see your shop, either in photo's or video, I just go crazy over your concrete drive. You are the man!

 

[neilc]

Git -

I have the Woodpecker Story Stick. Use it a lot, particularly when doing domino joinery where I want to space them out across a piece. It's a real time saver and also removes the chance of error on repeating items like a stack of drawers face frame that needs a rail between each one.

The razor blade trick is a different application for me. it lets me easily place the guide rail exactly where it needs to be at each end of the rail and then cut.

On the Bosch vac, I would like that feature of a longer suction time. But the remote is for a different purpose - easily turning on or off the vac without having to bend over and turn a dial from manual to automatic (tool triggered) suction. The delayed suction on the Bosch would not help with drilling, or the need to use a brush for cleaning a bench or other items like that, or end of the job cleanup.

On your dust deputy point, there is an updated version they now ship with better grounding end-to-end. Early discussions on the Festool forum did find problems but there are quite a few using the updated BLACK bucket-based DD with excellent results. They also manufacture a Festool Systainer shaped DD. I don't personally use a DD. Here's a pretty good FAQ on anti-static and grounding on their site -

https://www.oneida-air.com/static.asp?htmltemplate=static/static-resistance-faq.html

No idea as to the plastic that Lee Valley is shipping on their cyclone lid.

 

[Squankum]

I have no strong anti- or pro-Festool feelings. I'm a credulous sucker for "over-engineered" German stuff, though.

I have a Festool tape measure and I don't think it really lives up to their standards, but it does its special feature well.

So, just for yuks, I bring you:

Phil Hartman - The **** Retentive Carpenter:
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-li...uy/n9800?snl=1


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