[jtmorrow]

I really hate how people bash Festool because of the price. If you can't afford them, you get the best you can afford.

For me, in my small shop, they are they best tools I've used so far. The dust collection is far superior to other hand tools and that's important to me and my lungs.

I have the Festool Kapex miter saw, a sander, the TS55REQ track saw, the MFT/3 table and clamps, and the Domino joiner. All of these tools have superb dust collection with their HEPA vacs and leave me with cleaner air and shop.

I can't handle moving a 4x8 sheet on the table saw, but now I can cut it down easily and precisely, repeatedly. The 3000mm track makes beautiful full length rips of 8 foot plywood, with finished edges.

Since I got the Kapex, my Dewalt miter saw sits in the corner for rough work outside, where dust control isn't an issue. I'd sell it if I can find a buyer. My old biscuit joiner hasn't come out of the case since I got the Domino.

I will be buying more of their sanders, as that's a job I used to hate because of the dust cloud, but their sanders are awesome for containing most of it.

I will be buying more of their tools, as funds permit.

People can talk about the Sawstop being high priced for a table saw, but I will eventually get one of those too, since it has great dust collection and safety.

Oh, and I really don't care who knows I have them, or if anyone even sees them. They're in my shop for me, and only me. Top notch German engineering, just like the VW Jetta I used to have... and would have no problem buying another someday.

My 2 cents.

 

[jtmorrow]

Hi Julie - That's the system I am looking at. Can you be a bit more specific about the coupling issues? May help decide between that and the Makita although I haven't looked to closely at the deWalt yet...

BTW, you should check the Kreg forum sometime for a dose of addicts. :smile:

I ignored the 'coupling' issue and bought the FS3000 rail... never have to couple rails and I can rip a full 4x8 sheet, straight as can be.

Most of the people with couplers have no issues, taking the necessary minute or two to align with a straight edge, and have been using two shorter rails with no problems.

:edit

 

[jtmorrow]

Chiming in about the cost of tools because of their 'socialistic' origin???... that's just stupid.

Americans are producing plenty of crap... well, bringing in cheap parts from China and assembling them in USA so you can stamp "Made in" on them. Great idea.

I would choose to live in many European countries before I chose to live in USA and a big part of that decision is because of health care, education, etc. Look around your country and if you can't see people that are bankrupt because they needed surgery or something, then you are blind.

Oh, and let's not mention your banking system which milked hundreds of billions of dollars from taxpayers to put in the pockets of the very people that caused the problem. Ya, that's a good idea! Put tens of millions in the pockets of executives as bonus! It's not like it could have build new schools or something.

 

[jtmorrow]

Come on... look in the mirror.

 

[jtmorrow]

I'm going to add one final thought to this thread, then not bother with it... and maybe not bother with WoodworkingTalk forum at all.

If you want to try good tools and can afford them, try out Festool. It is a system approach where items like the rails can be used for the circular saw, routers, jigsaws, etc.

I bought the TS55R as my first Festool product and was amazed with the dust containment and precision, especially using the rails on sheet goods. I used to have to break 4x8 sheets down to sizes a little larger than required, then re-cut the more manageable pieces. The TS saws leave me with finished edges, usually better than the factory (banged up from the store) edges.

I then picked up the Domino and a sander. If someone wants my Festools, they're going to have to pry them from my dead hands. I only wish I'd known about their line of sanders long ago.

Try one out. If you don't like how it works within 30 days, return it to the dealer, no questions asked. If you don't like it, don't bad mouth the product because of the price or where it's made. No one can please 100% of the people 100% of the time. What may not be great for you might be awesome for someone else. A Lincoln Navigator may be a great vehicle, but they're not for me and I'll never buy one. Should I bad mouth them because I think they are overpriced?

Wow. What responses. I think Al was pointing out the economic fact that high taxes (especially taxes like the VAT) raise the final price of the finished product. I didn't see any judgment going along with that. Responses generated were basically why european Style socialism is a good thing - which misses the point as applied to the high cost of festool. I'm not going to engage or respond to the America bashing. The merits of socialism was never in issue here.

It doesn't factor. Cadillacs are built in the USA? They are more expensive than other vehicles, but it has been said that taxes are lower there. I can buy beer that greatly ranges in price, but all have the same ingredients. Manufacturers charge what the market can bear.

Oh, I called my dealer yesterday and ordered my second Festool sander and am impatiently waiting for the courier. Enough said.

 

[jtmorrow]

A question for Al B Thayer...

How many Festool tools or products do you own? Or how many have you tried and returned, and for how long did you try them?

No but they are great tools.

Al

Friends don't let friends use stamped metal tools sold at clothing stores.

 

[jtmorrow]

The question was answered as it pertains to value. I own a full size panel saw and a Unisaw with a 50" fence. Are they a good value?

Al

Friends don't let friends use stamped metal tools sold at clothing stores.

To all of the members on this board with a small chunk of basement or garage work space, no, a full size panel saw and Unisaw aren't good value.

 

[jtmorrow]

If the question is, "Are they great value?" then only someone who has owned some or at least tried them for a period of time can offer a valid opinion.

If I was spewing about the Sawstop table saw not being good value (without owning one), then I should keep my mouth shut. Some, or many, people might say $3,000-5,000 is too much for a regular table saw... but if you ask all those people who have had an accident, I'm sure they'll tell you that saw would have been worth 10x the amount, to them.

edit.
I respect your opinion, Julie Mor, obviously you have tried a variety of them and decided which ones you like and which you don't.

Now, if I can decide whether or not to buy a Laguna bandsaw, I'll be all set.