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Message
Learn me about Festool
Posted on 4/5/17 at 11:19 pm
Posted on 4/5/17 at 11:19 pm
I've seen a few posts on here about folks mentioning Festool. For those that have them or use them, what's all the hype about?
Particularly interested in their track saw system. I need a new circular saw and table saw. Was wondering if the track saw would be a viable option to cover both of those tasks? Limited on space so that was another point of interest compared to a larger table saw.
Their website and product listings are somewhat confusing because they have so many variations of tools. Hard to know exactly what your looking at.
Particularly interested in their track saw system. I need a new circular saw and table saw. Was wondering if the track saw would be a viable option to cover both of those tasks? Limited on space so that was another point of interest compared to a larger table saw.
Their website and product listings are somewhat confusing because they have so many variations of tools. Hard to know exactly what your looking at.
7
Posted on 4/5/17 at 11:24 pm to GoldenSombrero
Been wondering the same. Hopefully someone with good insight will respond.
Posted on 4/6/17 at 12:13 am to GoldenSombrero
The track system is legit. We have two at work. As for using it like a table saw....that won't work. You aren't gonna be able to rip less wide material. The track clamps on basically at the edge of the aluminum guide, but the material is gonna be moving all over when you go to rip it down. I can't see it replacing a table saw
Posted on 4/6/17 at 12:25 am to Hammertime
quote:
As for using it like a table saw....that won't work. You aren't gonna be able to rip less wide material. The track clamps on basically at the edge of the aluminum guide, but the material is gonna be moving all over when you go to rip it down. I can't see it replacing a table saw
Good to know, thanks.
Posted on 4/6/17 at 6:20 am to GoldenSombrero
Everyone who uses them, loves them. They are reliable, precise, and have a lot of little features that are helpful. People also love them for their excellent dust extraction which is a big deal when working inside customers' homes. With that being said, they are VERY expensive. The only festool I own is the domino. And the only reason i didn't go with a cheaper brand like makita is because no other brand makes a domino. I own the makita track saw and I am very happy with it. I've never used the festool version so I can't compare the two. You can definitely do alot with the track saw and its definitely a good investment depending on what kind of work you do, but it's not a substitute for a table saw. What kind of work are you doing?
Posted on 4/6/17 at 6:57 am to GoldenSombrero
Unless I'm building things for a living I'm staying away from Festool, in my eyes just just to expensive for a hobbyist. Where Festool shines is dust collection, I'm not really concerned with that. I always wear my dust mask when cutting and sanding. The only tool that I would really want from them is the domino. However, theres a guy on youtube named DIY Tyler that made his own out of a trim router. Maybe I'll build one of those.
As far as track saw, that's going to be my next purchase, been looking really hard at the Makita, I'll probably end up going with a Grizzly and doing the few mods that people have done to make them better. Right now I use a door board to break down plywood then I use my table saw to cut them to a final dimension. With a track saw I would be able to cut everything to a final dimension with it.
I don't think there is any tool that can replace a table saw. You can cut coves, dados, use it as a joiner. A tablesaw will always have a place in my shop.
If you want to see some projects built almost exclusively with Festool look up Matt Lane on YouTube, he does a lot of projects with the Festool System.
As far as track saw, that's going to be my next purchase, been looking really hard at the Makita, I'll probably end up going with a Grizzly and doing the few mods that people have done to make them better. Right now I use a door board to break down plywood then I use my table saw to cut them to a final dimension. With a track saw I would be able to cut everything to a final dimension with it.
I don't think there is any tool that can replace a table saw. You can cut coves, dados, use it as a joiner. A tablesaw will always have a place in my shop.
If you want to see some projects built almost exclusively with Festool look up Matt Lane on YouTube, he does a lot of projects with the Festool System.
Posted on 4/6/17 at 7:17 am to CHEDBALLZ
quote:
CHEDBALLZ
I agree with everything you said. Also, one thing that is often over looked is the track saws ability to be used as an edge jointer for long boards like a table top. Passing and 8 foot board across a jointer can be cumbersome, but a track saw can make quick work of it.
Posted on 4/6/17 at 7:56 am to Chuckd
I forgot how much I enjoy using them (partly because it makes it look like I'm a circular saw cutting genius). Gonna try and use one today if I get a chance
Posted on 4/6/17 at 8:22 am to Hammertime
From all the tool reviews I've read, it seems Festool is grossly overpriced for the product you get... At least in most of the common tools.
Now I have heard good things about the Domino like others have mentioned, but high priced.
If you go and check all the guys on youtube that do their own hobby work or semi-professional woodworking, they all use your basic lowes/HD brands like makita, PC, etc.
One of our customers that does woodworking has a dewalt track saw and loves it, probably can't go wrong with that one or grizzly/makita and save yourself some money.
Now I have heard good things about the Domino like others have mentioned, but high priced.
If you go and check all the guys on youtube that do their own hobby work or semi-professional woodworking, they all use your basic lowes/HD brands like makita, PC, etc.
One of our customers that does woodworking has a dewalt track saw and loves it, probably can't go wrong with that one or grizzly/makita and save yourself some money.
Posted on 4/6/17 at 8:55 am to MadtownTiger
Ok I didn't know makita or dewalt made a track saw so I'll have to check that out.
The work I'd be doing is hobby stuff. Building some furniture, small shop, maybe eventually a house. I by no means need anything fancy, but I do like having quality stuff that will last.
The work I'd be doing is hobby stuff. Building some furniture, small shop, maybe eventually a house. I by no means need anything fancy, but I do like having quality stuff that will last.
Posted on 4/6/17 at 9:01 am to MadtownTiger
I agree. I can't imagine how they could possibly improve a drill, impact driver, or router, etc that could justify the price of theirs. But they do have a few things that only they make like the domino, the MFT table, and for a while the track saw. Also, the way that the cords come unplugged from the tool is convenient. Alot of people use their vacuum with the boom arm, and then also strap the power cord to the vac hose so that when you change tools, all you have to do is unplug the tool and plug in the new one into the same cord and vac hose. I hate how all of my different tools have different size dust ports.
Posted on 4/6/17 at 9:07 am to GoldenSombrero
Timely post. I have recently gone all-in on Festool products and can vouch for how great they are. The precision that they deliver can enable a totally average word worker (me) to do things they would have never done without the tools. Here's a run down of what I have experience using/personally own:
PURCHASE 1
CT 26 vac + Rotex 150 Sander
This was my first Festool purchase. I had to sand down a 24x12 deck to bare wood so I used that opportunity to justify buying the vac and a Rotex 150 sander. I sanded down the entire deck to wood in 3-4 hours. The Rotex really is like 2 tools in one. Using the rotary setting takes off huge amounts of material VERY quickly and using the other setting is like a powerful orbital sander. Sweet. When I was done the deck looked like a piece of furniture.
Anyway, that experience kind of got me hooked on Festool so I proceeded to go full retard.
PURCHASE 2
TS 75 Track Saw + MFT 3 table + Clamp Kit Systainer + HK 55 Carpentry Saw
The TS 75 was definitely overkill for what I need (cut down sheet goods accurately with no tear out) and in retrospect I should have gotten the 55 instead. The MFT Table is unbelievable and I use it every day in conjunction with the Clamp Kit stuff. A great purchase that allows me to do almost anything in a safe manner. The HK 55 Carpentry Saw is REALLY useful if your doing framing or rough carpentry.
After having all of these new options to rip sheet goods, sand, finish, etc it occurred to me that I really needed a great way to do joinery so I went back and got...
PURCHASE 3
Domino XL 700 . Festool probably doesn't offer a tool that is more life changing than the Domino joiners. Seriously, it will make even a chump like me capable of building real furniture, doors, and cabinets that look perfect and are extremely strong. I got the 700 because I wanted to make doors, gates, etc and the 500 can't join large lumber. I was originally worried that I would have to get the 500 too for use on small projects (like joining 3/4 ply for building cabinet boxes) but Seneca Woodworks makes a adapter kit that essentially gives me the ability to do small stuff too so I would recommend getting the 700 plus the Seneca kit and then you can do it all. If you buy one Festool product the Domino is the one I would recommend.
PURCHASE 4
1400 EQ Router . I haven't even pulled this out of the box yet...
PURCHASE 5 (soon)
Kapex saw and Kapex MFT Table
Anyway, in the last two months I have gone crazy for Festool and as long as I keep actually doing things with the tools (a 98" media cabinet for the den is next) my wife will not divorce me lol. They are great tools and they are insanely expensive but they also hold their value very well.
If you want a good overview of any Festool products, check out Peter Parfitt's /New Brit Workshop youtube channel:
LINK
Final reason Festool is great is the sustainer system. Everyone who has tools knows what a cluster%ck it is with all of the bits and pieces, boxes of different sizes, etc..., the Systainer system is awesome for keeping a shop organized.
Cheers.
PURCHASE 1
CT 26 vac + Rotex 150 Sander
This was my first Festool purchase. I had to sand down a 24x12 deck to bare wood so I used that opportunity to justify buying the vac and a Rotex 150 sander. I sanded down the entire deck to wood in 3-4 hours. The Rotex really is like 2 tools in one. Using the rotary setting takes off huge amounts of material VERY quickly and using the other setting is like a powerful orbital sander. Sweet. When I was done the deck looked like a piece of furniture.
Anyway, that experience kind of got me hooked on Festool so I proceeded to go full retard.
PURCHASE 2
TS 75 Track Saw + MFT 3 table + Clamp Kit Systainer + HK 55 Carpentry Saw
The TS 75 was definitely overkill for what I need (cut down sheet goods accurately with no tear out) and in retrospect I should have gotten the 55 instead. The MFT Table is unbelievable and I use it every day in conjunction with the Clamp Kit stuff. A great purchase that allows me to do almost anything in a safe manner. The HK 55 Carpentry Saw is REALLY useful if your doing framing or rough carpentry.
After having all of these new options to rip sheet goods, sand, finish, etc it occurred to me that I really needed a great way to do joinery so I went back and got...
PURCHASE 3
Domino XL 700 . Festool probably doesn't offer a tool that is more life changing than the Domino joiners. Seriously, it will make even a chump like me capable of building real furniture, doors, and cabinets that look perfect and are extremely strong. I got the 700 because I wanted to make doors, gates, etc and the 500 can't join large lumber. I was originally worried that I would have to get the 500 too for use on small projects (like joining 3/4 ply for building cabinet boxes) but Seneca Woodworks makes a adapter kit that essentially gives me the ability to do small stuff too so I would recommend getting the 700 plus the Seneca kit and then you can do it all. If you buy one Festool product the Domino is the one I would recommend.
PURCHASE 4
1400 EQ Router . I haven't even pulled this out of the box yet...
PURCHASE 5 (soon)
Kapex saw and Kapex MFT Table
Anyway, in the last two months I have gone crazy for Festool and as long as I keep actually doing things with the tools (a 98" media cabinet for the den is next) my wife will not divorce me lol. They are great tools and they are insanely expensive but they also hold their value very well.
If you want a good overview of any Festool products, check out Peter Parfitt's /New Brit Workshop youtube channel:
LINK
Final reason Festool is great is the sustainer system. Everyone who has tools knows what a cluster%ck it is with all of the bits and pieces, boxes of different sizes, etc..., the Systainer system is awesome for keeping a shop organized.
Cheers.
This post was edited on 4/6/17 at 9:10 am
Posted on 4/6/17 at 9:12 am to stickly
Damn... What's your credit card bill looking like right now?
The domino is a grand by itself.
The domino is a grand by itself.
Posted on 4/6/17 at 9:18 am to MadtownTiger
It has been hugely expensive but I am getting close to 50 and my wife is supportive of me taking up a hobby that I can pursue into retirement. I also fly fish but it's only something I do a few time of year (spring & fall) so during winter I'm a miserable bastard.
Anyway, she's cool.
Anyway, she's cool.
This post was edited on 4/6/17 at 9:24 am
Posted on 4/6/17 at 9:35 am to GoldenSombrero
Is there a big advantage to a track saw over a clamped straight edge and regular circular saw?
Posted on 4/6/17 at 9:42 am to Sigma
Depends on what you're doing. With a track saw you mark your cut, throw down the track, and cut. No clamping required. My guess is I can cut twice as fast with the track saw. For me (a hobbyist) it's no big deal but for a professional making 50-100 cuts a day it would be a huge advantage. The other upside is I know with 100% certainty that the cut is going to be dead on straight every time.
This post was edited on 4/6/17 at 9:43 am
Posted on 4/6/17 at 9:43 am to Sigma
Ease of use, no tear out, more precise.
And to stickly, I'm jealous. That's a nice set up you have. I would recommend looking at the TSO GRS16 Guide for your track saw. I've used mine a hand full of times and it will make you fall in love all over again with your track saw.
And to stickly, I'm jealous. That's a nice set up you have. I would recommend looking at the TSO GRS16 Guide for your track saw. I've used mine a hand full of times and it will make you fall in love all over again with your track saw.
Posted on 4/6/17 at 9:54 am to Chuckd
quote:
I would recommend looking at the TSO GRS16 Guide for your track saw.
Holy crap. I haven't seen that before. Kind of crazy that Festool didn't come up with it because it really is the ideal way to get a square cut. Thanks for the heads up!
Posted on 4/6/17 at 10:01 am to stickly
Look up the Poplar shops review on it. I was hesitant about the price but I bought it anyway. I don't regret it. It's one of those things that it's just common sense. Why isn't this standard on every track saw!
Posted on 4/6/17 at 10:49 am to Chuckd
Totally agree. Makes so much sense I just ordered one 
. Thanks for the heads up.
. Thanks for the heads up.
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