Festool tools

[bmk]

I see festool tools being use on the This Old House show all the time. I look on the old inter web and see that they are not cheap. Does anyone out there own or use Festools and are they worth the extra money?

Thanks,

 

[jhnlngn]

I have one of their sanders and think it's great. My woodshop is in my basement and the last thing I want is sawdust everywhere. Their sanders have great dust collection systems. That's the only Festool product that justifies the price for me. I'm sure the rest of their line is excellent quality though.

 

[Monte]

i have the Festool CXS drill and it´s awesome !!! It´s absolutely worth it´s price !

 

[jd_1138]

I saw Tom Silva use a Festool drill on a deck project. I don't think they even make a cordless impact driver anymore, and the one he was using is pretty weak compared to other brands in terms of inch-pounds of torque.

I hear their other tools and regular drills are nice, though.

 

[alfazer]

I don't have any myself but I know over here they are pretty much the best you can buy. Have a look at the storage systems "systainer" and "sortainer" and you can see another reason see why tradesmen love Festool for site work.

 

[bmk]

You know, I get the "you sometimes have to pay for quality" bit. If you buy the best you'll never regret it!

 

[BK13]

I don't own any Festool, but a buddy does. The things I would personally buy from Festool are various sanders and dust collectors... on the fence about the track saws (I think I will end up with a Makita instead) miter saw (probably Bosch). The D-handle style drivers don't fit my hands (apparently Germans DON'T have huge hands) so I'll stick with Makita and Milwaukee. I'll probably go with Bosch or Makita routers. Fein OMT.

 

[stevenhs]

in my opinion, their random orbit sanders and dust management system( vacuums) are worth the price.As for the rest the tools, I bought the CXS drill because of the 3 years warranty and customer service.

 

[RivennHewn]

I use Festool at work.

They're great.

For my projects at home, I wouldn't spend the extra $$$.

 

[shoot summ]

What I see on the different forums, those that have taken a drink of the Festool Koolaid are staunch advocates of their stuff. Those that haven't still wonder if they are really worth that much extra money. I personally am still wondering, but someday that may change...

 

[Monte]

 

[dewalt378g]

I am also in the Festool pool and have a good handful of their tools. As a contractor I see the value and the quality just can't be beat, but for the DIY or homeowner the price is just not worth it. Any of the big box or popular name brand tools will do just fine.

The main thing for me is the portability and how fast you can set up and break down with almost intuitive ease and on top of that very accurate. Practically EVERYTHING Festool makes work together as a system...which I'm sure most of you hear...system this system that. It's not until you get into it that you realize how fantastic it is..hence "drinking the green coolaid." But, again, it's not for all.

I completely agree with with everything by Six-point. I also did not go for the Kapex. Do I want it? Damn right I do, but for what I do I can't see spending $1400 when I can get quality results with my regualr vanilla DeWalt compound miter. If I was making furniture or doing very precise hobby crafting, then I may think differently....or if I just happen to find $1400 laying in the street....


Yep, Festool is like the SnapOn for carpenters.


Six-point, how are you liking your VacSys? I currently have the mini and the 26. Just wondering how useful is having the vac in a systainer as opposed to a rolling unit. The mini is my workhorse as I take it practically everywhere and on every job.

Also as just a drill I can see the comparison to the Bosch, but what about the right angle chuck I'm surprised you did not mention it or does the Bosch offer a right angle chuck? I think a the TXS may be my next purchase.

 

[Deej-79]

I've used the drill and the track saw. Was drill was very meh. The track saw was great but even as a carpenter I cant justify the price. I will be taking a close look at the makita track saw when I get a chance. For now, a straight edge and my other circular saws will do.

 

[Skin]

Depends on the tool and for a home owner projects i'd save your cash unless you have an abundance of it.

Festool has two big advantages, dust collection is excellent on saws and sanders which can be very nice when doing mobile jobs or things inside peoples houses. And second is you don't buy 1 tool, you invest in a multitude since its a multi-component system.

 

[PugetDude]

It's hard to beat Festool if someone else is buying...

 

[solarpowered]

Inside a track saw.

 

[Sal Bandini]

View media item 58332

Kind regards,
Oliver

One of the disadvantages of Systainers is their inefficiency, at least the way most of them are packed. Too many people make custom foam inserts and then most of the space is just empty space around a tool. What you did in your photo is good, as it is how I put things in my Systainers. I'd rather pack it full and rummage through the tools.

 

[Sal Bandini]

Hi!

Right angle chuck, glad you pointed that out. Yes, it's missing in my comparison. Why? I have used it a couple of times and it's great, and I wouldn't want to miss it now that I have it - but I have yet to come across something where it's the only option because of size/space.

I often just grab a larger extension and go with that. If you need that attachment constantly, yes, the Festool wins. Bosch does not offer a right angle chuck for the 10.8/12V line-up as of now, only a heavier/bulkier one for the rather new 18V GSR EC FC2 model. But that is a lot bulkier because it's a "real" drilling chuck. And not everyone is really happy with that solution from what I know... .

Kind regards,
Oliver

It's not a separate chuck, but Bosch does make 12V right-angle drill, at least in US. They have both the quick fitting and chuck versions.

IMO if you have a big need for right-angle drilling then you can get the Bosch 12V drill and right-angle drill for less than one Festool drill.

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

I see festool tools being use on the This Old House show all the time. I look on the old inter web and see that they are not cheap. Does anyone out there own or use Festools and are they worth the extra money?

Thanks,

For track saws, NO! Get a Makita and don't look back! I've heard good things about their sanders though.

 

[chiz1180]

The best thing festool has going for them is their system. Dust collection, the domino, and the sanders are the tools that arguably are quote best in class. when it comes down to it festool stuff works well together, just keep in mind that alternative that are avalible that are also proably just as good.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I see lots of guys with the festool stuff on the job sites. For high end finish and furniture grade on site building it serves a purpose, but for remodelers and home builders I am not sold yet.

 

[bcradio]

For track saws, NO! Get a Makita and don't look back! I've heard good things about their sanders though.

Festool track saws are great and worth it for the dust collection alone

 

[Todd.Brock]

I love seeing all the Festool stuff on TOH. Tommy always has some sort of gadget. The last one I noticed was the electronic sliding stop. You punch in a length on the keypad and the stop slides to that exact length. That was slick.

Festool stuff looks awesome, but not sure I can justify as a home user.

 

[Monte]

It's not a separate chuck, but Bosch does make 12V right-angle drill, at least in US. They have both the quick fitting and chuck versions.

IMO if you have a big need for right-angle drilling then you can get the Bosch 12V drill and right-angle drill for less than one Festool drill.

The Festool CSX is four tools in one:
-drill
-driver
-angle drill
-angle driver

 

[todd_fuller]

The domino is the bee's knees for casework. So fast and easy to bang something together that is strong and fits together nicely.

Like any other tool we talk about on here, sometimes factors other than cost are part of the equation.

 

[ca90ss]

It's not a separate chuck, but Bosch does make 12V right-angle drill, at least in US. They have both the quick fitting and chuck versions.

IMO if you have a big need for right-angle drilling then you can get the Bosch 12V drill and right-angle drill for less than one Festool drill.

The problem with the Bosch and Milwaukee is they're both larger than the Festool. For what I do when I need a right angle driver it's usually in a very tight space and the smaller the better.