Out Of The Loop

[jonny round boy]

As Stretch will no doubt agree I'm a complete Festool whore, so bear that in mind...

The TS55 is great, and really is the definition of a game changer; I've had a play with Stretch's Mafell, and I really didn't like it. I had the original TS55, then got the TS55R, and I'll probably get the cordless version at some point too (then I could use that for site & have the mains one in the workshop).

PDC 18 drill; I'll disagree with Alex & say I love mine. My only drill atm (though I am tempted to add the TXS at some point). Does everything really well, and the hammer function, while not in the same league as an SDS drill, will drill most walls & saves me having to get my mains SDS out. Having said that, if it got nicked I wouldn't buy another, I'd get the T18 & BHC combo instead.

ETS150/3 sander; absolutely the dogs bollocks. Really nice to use, excellent dust extraction, beautiful finish. The only thing that's better is the new EC version which I'm currently coveting!

Kapex; good capacity without excessive weight, really nice features, great cut finish, good dust extraction. Love it. And the extensions too.

Carvex jigsaw; never really got on with jigsaws of any brand until I got this. Originally bought the mains version, but quickly sold it & got the 18v one. I know a lot of people don't like it, but I do.

Domino; another game changer. I don't use it very often, but when I do it's awesome.

Routers; definitely the best on the market, imho. They don't really do anything that you couldn't do with another router, but they just do it really nicely!

Sortainers & Systainers; not a 'tool' as such, but they too were a game changer for me. I have sortainers (the ones with drawers for the uninitiated!) for all my hand tools, fixings etc., and I've just upgraded my plumbing kit, too. Makes everything accessible, and you don't end up with boxes everywhere! Very small footprint, neat, easy to store in the van, easy to carry or wheel in/out of the van, etc. I could go on...

Having said all that, if you're not 'into' tools, and just see them as something you use to make your living, then I can appreciate that it's hard to justify the additional expense of Festools. I buy them 'cos I like them & want them, not 'cos I need them to earn a living.

It's like a hobby thing; I'm sure I'd balk at the money Stretch pisses away on drum kits but that's what he's into & he's perfectly entitled to spend his money on what he enjoys. I'm sure others on here have expensive hobbies too. Each to their own...

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Anyway, I'd better go & do some work - got some MDF sheets to cut up with my TS55R, and the new 2.7m guide rail that arrived this morning!

[Pilchard]

Despite sounding like a grumpy old git, dissing all your toys, I'm seriously jealous. I just don't have the business to support that kind of investment these days though, so will have to muddle on with my ancient stone-age kit. The plunge-saw though......... mmmmmmm. If you know anyone intending trading up for the latest sexy model that wants shot of the old one & increase their beer fund....... I might be their man.
Anyway........ I didn't come on here to talk about tools. Please read my post about Recommends.

[snezza]

Is the 2700 rail long enough to cut sheets of 2440 Jonny?

I use a 3000 rail and it has space to place the TS55 & TS75 on the rail, plunge then cut. I would have thought the 2700 may be tight for length.....????

As for the other tools mentioned......

Of1010
Of 2200
Pdc18
TS55 & TS75
The Domino is fantastic...!!!!!!

I could go on, but needless to say, once you've used them you can see what all the fuss is about.

[andy5405]

The plunge-saw is the only one I really would like to own for it's accurate superfine cuts but a straight-edge & router does that job after cutting with a bog standard Makita saw.

People probably said that about going to work in a horse and cart when other people were using cars. There really is no comparison between the two scenarios you have listed. A plunge saw and rail changes everything.

[jonny round boy]

Is the 2700 rail long enough to cut sheets of 2440 Jonny?

I use a 3000 rail and it has space to place the TS55 & TS75 on the rail, plunge then cut. I would have thought the 2700 may be tight for length.....????

I thought someone might ask about that...

The 2700 is long enough, just, with the TS55. I don't have a 75, and don't see any reason to get one.

The reason I went with the 2700 is that that's the maximum length I can manage in the workshop; if I put it between the ceiling joists I can stand that length up against the wall, and I can spin it round when required without hitting anything. I wouldn't be able to do the same with a 3000. Even with 2x 1400's joined it was a pain.

Today has been a real eye opener - it's so much easier with a long rail than trying to manage with a shorter one, or joining two. More so than I expected - I've already forgotten how much it cost me!

[snezza]

Is the 2700 rail long enough to cut sheets of 2440 Jonny?

I use a 3000 rail and it has space to place the TS55 & TS75 on the rail, plunge then cut. I would have thought the 2700 may be tight for length.....????

I thought someone might ask about that...

The 2700 is long enough, just, with the TS55. I don't have a 75, and don't see any reason to get one.

The reason I went with the 2700 is that that's the maximum length I can manage in the workshop; if I put it between the ceiling joists I can stand that length up against the wall, and I can spin it round when required without hitting anything. I wouldn't be able to do the same with a 3000. Even with 2x 1400's joined it was a pain.

Today has been a real eye opener - it's so much easier with a long rail than trying to manage with a shorter one, or joining two. More so than I expected - I've already forgotten how much it cost me!

When I bought my TS (I got the 75 first) I was going to get a 2700 rail coz the guy in the shop I ordered it from said it would be fine for cutting down 2440 sheets. BUT, he didn't have one in stock so he sold me a 3000 for the same price as the 2700. TBH with you, its been a bloody godsend when cutting down those sheets of Corian, but I think the 2700 would be a bit short on a 2440 panel with the additional length of the saw bed on the TS 75.

How you getting on with your new TS55 cordless?

I am also thinking about that ETS150 EC Sander. I have been using my original Rotex RO150E a lot lately, and it is heavy on the arms, especially when doing all the vertical surfaces (Covings, Upstands & Downturns)

[Alex Morley]

Yes, yes, yes; all very interesting.......... but I refer you back to my original question, which was....... "What is it that you couldn't previously do without them, or...... how much time are they saving you?"

I appreciate that a slim profile drill/driver will get you into corners...... a 10.8 volt Makita will do that & it'll fit in your pocket.
I've never used a Festool router but, if it'll cut a butt or scribe on a 40mm w/top in just one full-depth pass, with no chattering, creating an invisible joint........... then I'd seriously consider one. If not I'll stick to my big old Elu-DeWalt. With that & a new cutter, 3 or 4 passes, I make smooth & invisible joints that never ever need colourfill.
I've never found anything that does a better, quicker or simpler job of work-top cut-outs than my Bosch Jigsaw....... the one that clamps blades with a screwdriver.
The plunge-saw is the only one I really would like to own for it's accurate superfine cuts but a straight-edge & router does that job after cutting with a bog standard Makita saw.

So....... going back to that question again........ what has Festool ever done for you?

I think if your concern is dust extraction and efficiency festool is the brand.

At the end of the day if you don't appreciate a good tool and can't get past the price tag, I think half of us on here would do well to stop wasting our breath.


Festool have a philosophy about there gear, you either agree with it or you don't.

[jonny round boy]

How you getting on with your new TS55 cordless?

I don't have one! Wish I did. Been using Jon's quite a bit though - it's really handy, and the batteries last a fair amount of time. Jon said he did a full set of 40mm solid oak tops a few weeks ago, and didn't have to change them once!

Having said that though, it's like everything else with batteries - it doesn't matter how long the batteries last, they'll still die at the worst possible moment...

[snezza]

Anyway, I'd better go & do some work - got some MDF sheets to cut up with my TS55R, and the new 2.7m guide rail that arrived this morning!

When I read this earlier whilst on-site, I could have sworn you had typed TS55C not R.....I must be losing the plot with all the hours I've been putting in lately......!!!! Sorry mate!