So I decided to stop by my local woodcraft store for the first time today.What a great store, they have an excellent selection of products. What caught my eye the most was the selection of Festool products they had. Who can afford these tools?? I wanted to hear from people if these tools are being used mostly by professionals or everyday DIYers.
Largely by professionals and well-off hobbyists that enjoy using high-end tools.
They tend to be easier and faster to use and are built to last a lot longer. In our shop, we used to go through a Porter Cable random orbit sander in 2 years time. The Festool Rotex held out for 7 years before it needed a $70 repair and we've been doing a lot more furniture these days than we ever did in the past.
Plenty of people can (and do) afford them. In fact here in the USA, the Festool prices are comparatively cheaper than other parts of the world. I know of both hobbyists and pros that use Festool. Ever watch TOH? Check out what Tom Silva uses in some shots! (And no, Festool is NOT a sponsor of that show!)
Expensive, yes and out of reach for many. But they make great quality tools. Don't want to pay for them? That's OK too! There are many other brands out there to choose from.
Festool is a system based around their dust extractors. Working almost dust free is a plus on the Festool column.
My first time to woodcraft I went with my wife and within 10ft of the door she said that I was only allowed to go there with adult supervision. I buy lumber from there on occasion and only in the biggest pieces they have because it is so much cheaper then buying their smaller pieces. I have found its better to buy the best you can afford so you only have to buy it once. Also I will look there and then see if my ma and pa hardware store can order the item in question. If they can I always buy from them even if it's going to be more money.
I just wonder for the high price tag if the tool is that much higher quality then others on the market. I too cant afford festools. I would consider investing if all my money went into woodworking, however I am in the process of rebuilding my house so that takes priority.
I just became a big Festool owner, I sold off all my Milwaukee stuff in an effort to keep the dust down and I can tell you that is exactly what they do very little to almost no dust using the extractor and I've never used such well-balanced perfectly thought out tools.
I realize some don't think its worth it or can't afford it but I will never buy any other sanders again, I even sanded down the drywall in my house with it, zero dust and very little vibration, usually after sanding I'd be choking on the crap in the air or be covered in it and it would take 10 minutes for the feeling to come back into my hand now I have neither of those problems.
As for the 1400 router never had a better all around router in my life easy to use easy to setup and again awesome dust collection.
The track saw I have the TS 55 I've never been able to break down sheet goods more accurately and easily then I have with this beautiful saw and again almost completely dust free.
The people at Festool definitely listened to their consumers and took in feedback from real users because when I tell you they are wonderful, well thought out tools and that I couldn't be any more pleased to own them I sincerely mean that.
I know the price tags are hard to look at but once you take the plunge you'll be hooked.
I'm not a fan of all their tools, but they really set the bar with some of them, like their track saws and the domino, which I want very badly. Things are looking up though, with the current 10% of salt at most retailers. I think I may have a domino very soon.
Copcarcollector
I would give you odds that none of the DIY shows pays a dime for any of the Festool tools used on their shows,this is very cheep adverting assuming that's all these shows get. I think it is unrealistic to think that's all these shows get is free tools, given the exposure to millions of people who watch these shows .
Copcarcollector is correct, Festool has no connection or sponsorship with the show or Tom. TOH is actually or was up until this season, sponsored by Dewalt. This was confirmed by a couple of sources, the first being Festool USA and the second was Kevin O'Connor.
Oh I forgot my Domino XL 700 that amazing beast of a machine makes M&T easier then ever unless your going for visual joints but advice for spend the extra and get the XL700 if you go for a Domino it can do all the sizes that the 500 can do now with a $70 adapter from senecawoodworking.com oh and get the domplates too if you work with a lot of plywood makes life easier for you.
I agree that companies pay a lot to have there products in movies, James Bond with the different cars is just one scenario. Iron Man with Audi, Transformers with Chevrolet are additional examples. But in the case of TOH, Festool doesn't give them anything.
I bought into the a Festool system early on with the extractor and TS55 which as someone already mentioned is an amazing tool for breaking down sheet goods. I couldn't make a steady cut with a circular saw, even with a guide, as my cut would always wander. I then slowly started to buy their other tools, the router, the sanders (yes, plural), domino, etc. eventually as my other tools break down they will get replaced by Festool tools. The only issue I'm having right now is buying their drills. I can't stomach the price as well as the centrotec system because it gets extremely expensive going that route.
If I had to do it all over again I'd buy everything Festool from the get go. Even if you're a hobbyist you can't put a price on virtually dust free woodworking.
Back in 2010, I was diagnosed with COPD, and that is when I really started to appreciate Festool. I had purchased their sander/vacuum a couple of years before and was extremely pleased with the quality of finish and lack of dust. At first, I justified the purchases as "necessary" to continue with my woodworking, but the quality was so outstanding and the systems so well thought out that I finally had to admit I just plain liked Festool products. Yes, the dust collection systems are the best I've seen with the possible exception of the new Carvex. However, the Carvex makes up for the dust collection with the only truly perpendicular cut I've ever experienced with a jig saw.
Thanks to LJ bluekingfisher, I recently checked out and acquired the Festool TS55. This track saw system is better than having a table saw to breakdown sheet goods. And, the dust collection system is outstanding.
The best explanation I've seen for buying Festool was posted by LJ richgreer, who wrote the following:
"In defense of Festool
"I don't do woodworking to make money. I do it because I enjoy it. I enjoy the process as much, if not more, than the completed project. This is a very enjoyable hobby for me.
"I cannot cost justify a Festool - but I don't have to. Can a hunter or fisherman cost justify that expensive gun or boat? Can a golfer justify his/her very expensive clubs? With respect to these hobbies, no one would think about cost justifying their purchases. I feel the same way about my tools."
Hillbilly- sorry to hear about your copd. I am an respiratory therapist and know that disease can be debilitating. Glad your having such great luck with the festool line.
"Ever watch TOH? Check out what Tom Silva uses in some shots! (And no, Festool is NOT a sponsor of that show!)"
Maybe not an official sponsor, but they do give the tools away FREE for the advertising value. How do I know? I interviewed with Festool after I left Bosch and was told by the area rep that he gave TOH and the Silva Brothers a lot of free tools for the advertising value. Sure got your attention, didn't it?
Thanks, but I'm doing great. You live long enough, things happen and you just push your way through. We don't have a Woodcraft store here, but we do have Ballew Saw and Tool-which is a 100 times more tempting-great section of professional tools, accessories and great people to deal with.
I have a good bit of Festool. The TS55 and various tracks, the of1400 router, The T15+3, CT33e with boom arm, mft3 and ROS, and had the Domino tll a couple years ago and sold it when I upgraded to a full blown floor model M&T machine. I also have their chop saw. While not a Pro, I think of them as a system. The Vac's top notch and they work great together, and for me the DC is important and the design if the tools is fantastic. I have other brands too, but they are top notch in everything they do. My tools are older, and have never had a single issue. They just work time after time. I've had that drill longer than the previous two combined. So if you amortize your tools over their lifetime, they are really not expensive. Now I will say it takes me much longer to save to get one of their tools, but I believe what my daddy use to tell me. You can get a good tool once or buy a cheap one over and over. I've not had buyers remorse on any festool, but the last Porter Cable I bought was my last one. Hated that because they use to be so good. Have a good one.
"...what my daddy use to tell me. You can get a good tool once or buy a cheap one over and over."
But those aren't the only options. The choices aren't limited to a) Festool, or b) cheap tools. There are some incredibly high-quality tools (lifetime tools for the hobbyist) on the market for half the price of Festool.
"But those aren't the only options. The choices aren't limited to a) Festool, or b) cheap tools. There are some incredibly high-quality tools (lifetime tools for the hobbyist) on the market for half the price of Festool."
Never said there were not other options, I just extolled the virtues of Festool. Festool, as a system taken in whole is outstanding. For me dust collection is critical, and they start with DC as a foundation, also ergonomics of the tool is important. I good example is the porter cable router 890 series, it has a dust collection port, but the hose when attached to the plunge base will bind against the motor when completely plunged and it's top heavy. Just poor design to the point I could not even use it. I still got it but would rather use the old 690 that's old rather than that one.
The sander's dc is so good you could sand with out a mask when combined with their Hepa-filtered vac, add the convenience of the boom arm with interchangeable power hook-ups makes them a great option.
Back in the day, when I did construction I loved Milwaukee tools and I still have a cast aluminum worm drive skill saw from the 50's that was my dads and it still runs. I even have some harbor freight clamps and appliance carts.
It all comes down to what is your criteria for a tool, and I've bought some throw away tools from HF and they get the job done. However, once you have a good tool in your hand like an Estwing hammer .vs. another brand you just know why.
I've only regretted a cheap tool purchases though. Learned and won't do it again even if i have to wait longer to get the better one. Just me.
Another little trick is to price a tool in with your project! Thats how I got three of them.
bones, I didn't claim that you stated the options were limited to buying either Festool or cheap tools. But you only mentioned (by quoting your dad) those two options. I was simply adding to what you had said by offering the additional option of high-quality tools that are much cheaper than Festool.
I have a couple of of the Festool. The TS55 track saw is unbelievable good and makes cutting down sheets of hardwood plywood easy and splinter free. Compared to say the DeWalt track saw, the price is not much different. I am too old to try to push a full sheet of plywood across my table saw.
I think that the same goes for the dust extractors. It is HEPA rated, quiet, variable speed and works extremely well. If you want to keep the dust out of your lungs, a HEPA rate vacuum is a must.
I'm one of those who can't afford Festool, but if I could, they would be my first choice. someone who has never used a a Festool has no right to condemn.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!