Taking the Festool "Plunge"

Festool, like Starrett, like some other high quality manufacturer do not run sales. your best bet is to find a good seller with good reputation and service should you ever need to use the seller for that.

I would recommend getting the vac with it as this is one of Festools strong features and one of the more efficient in the market.

this is what I would have done if I was to purchase it myself – and I have considered it in the past, but just cannot justify the purchase for my hobby use.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I’ve never found any real price difference from the various retailers on Festool stuff, so like PurpLev said, pick the dealer with the best service (and if you are buying local, which I recommend) make sure they carry a full line of accessories too. Generally I always opt for the bigger tool if I have a choice, since the big saw will cut small stuff and the small saw will not cut the big stuff, but also consider weight if you are going to be using it all day, every day. Getting the vac is a good idea, it really works well and you can use it for the other tools you may get in the future.

Another vote for the dust extractor. Their tools are engineered to perform best with the vacuum, and it’s almost a necessity with the sanders. But I do highly recommend the plunge saw with or without it.

Do you have a table saw? If you do then the TS 75 may be overkill.

As for where to buy, I agree with the others: find friendly sellers with good service. And no, there are absolutely NO SALES with Festool, and if a Festool dealer EVER gives a customer a discount they will lose their distributorship. No second chances.

Hutch

-- I hope the volume of shavings one creates is directly related to the probablility of one's success, cuz if so I've got it made!!

I have the TS55 myself…having passed up the 75 as it is alot heavier and more expensive. I am only using the saw for sheet goods (you would not need the 75 for anything but thick stock). I bought it specifically to use on the tracks. It is an excellent saw and Festool is a great brand…but I do not buy their line because to me they are exhorbitantly priced (the track saw being a special item I bit the bullet)

Everyone is correct on the price…Festool does not discount – the only differences I found were if you have to buy online…then look for someone that won’t charge sales tax and has free shipping. McFeely’s is one. Those don’t matter if you can buy local though.

The dust vacuum on the TS was not necessary for me….but as everyone has said, the festool vacs are pretty good…but PRICEY….being a bit of a conservative spender, I would rather use a shop vac at 1/1000 of the price of the festool

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

It’s also good to buy now, Festool has a tendency to raise their prices.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

I am ever closer. Getting ready to go…. Thanks so much for all the feedback! Really appreciate it.

-- Nathan, Indiana, www.backroompd.com (new site coming soon)

Hyperhutch said it well. If you can buy local, please do so. Dealers spend a fortune for demos, display areas, and do training to understand how to use the tools in order to sell the product. No other tool manufacturer requires this. Have you ever seen Festool at Lowes or Home Depot? There’s a reason for this. If consumers continue to beat down the price on everything, there will be no service oriented businesses left.
Festool is pricey because they won’t sacrifice quality to unload a bunch of product before it is fully developed.

Also, what tool company doesn’t raise prices? Over the last 2 years, every tool manufacturer has raised their prices, Festool included. Festool’s increases, on average have been less than the others.
That said, Most manufacturers just cheapen the tools in order to not raise their prices.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

Try to buy the saw locally. If for any reason you have a problem with it, you don’t have to go through the hassle of packaging and shipping. Woodcraft is the only one I know of that carries Festool.