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OT: Any Festool fans here?

STPGopherfan

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Aug 10, 2001
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Just curious. Any Festool fans here? For those who don't know, they are German made power tools. Haven't had time to "play" with them in a while, but I do love those tools.

I noticed that they have a fastener (Not in North America yet) that you can use to make knock down furniture if you have their big Domino. Kind of cool addition to that tool.
 
Just curious. Any Festool fans here? For those who don't know, they are German made power tools. Haven't had time to "play" with them in a while, but I do love those tools.

I noticed that they have a fastener (Not in North America yet) that you can use to make knock down furniture if you have their big Domino. Kind of cool addition to that tool.
Tommy Silva use to use them!! He was about the only guy that could afford them as far as I could tell. I mean the 'hand drill' was like $350-$400!! for what I do, I could find something under $100 that could drive in a screw.
 
Yes, they aren't for everyone. I will be the first to admit that. They weren't for me either, at first.

What I do like about their tools is most everything works within a system. The dust collection is excellent, and the storage system is excellent. I have a small shop(think basement) so some traditional power tools were/ are out. No room for a table saw, etc. That and dust collection is what got me hooked.

I originally balked at the drill, till I looked at the drill kit. I've never used a right angled drill that worked so well. The danger of some tools that are so well thought out, is once you use them, you really want them.

Anyway, don't want to sound like a commercial. I was kind of hoping someone else on this board was a fan as well. Wanted to know their thoughts.
 
The circular saw and aluminum guide track is a nifty setup.
That is my "table saw". I can go straight to glue-up off of the saw.

Regarding Dewalt and Makita tracksaws, I've never used them. I had my tracksaw since 2010. They didn't have one back then. My guess is with a good and sharp blade, the cut is comparable. The electronics probably make the Festool better. By how much?

Don't know if Kobalt/ Cobalt (Lowes) has a track saw. I know that Grizzly does.

Getting back to the guide rail, what I love about the festool system is I can make dado cuts with my router using the same guide rail. With the "holey" rail, I can make True 32 cabinets.

I can also use it with my jigsaw. So it is kind of a portable bandsaw that is limited to a cutting height approximately 4 1/2 inches.

One of the problems with the system is that settings on the tracksaw, router etc. are metric. That took a little while to get used to. Well that and using tape measures that had both. Not a huge issue.

BTW if you really want to go off of the deep end try looking at Mafell's track saw. Note the attire(lol). Gotta love Germany...

 
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I made my own track/rail jig for my Porter Cable circ saw and router. One Christmas Eve, I built a complete kids kitchen set out of high grade Baltic ply with it. I do not miss those all-nighters.

You Sir are a true woodworker. Making your own jigs is half of the fun/ battle. It also can save you a boat load of cash.

Baltic birch, though pricey, is awesome. One nice thing is you don't have to edge band it. If you are okay with that look. Strong and stable stuff.

I'll give you a internet dollar if you can tell me the other name for Baltic Birch, and why we call it that.
 
Sorry, I'm not that good :) I grew up in a basement shop and it's what I know.

The only thing I know about BB ply is it's a great product, expensive and comes in funky Euro sizes that make no sense.
What you said about Baltic Birch. Regarding Baltic Burch, the other name for it is Russian Plywood. Both have thinner layers(13 in nominal 3/4" or metric 18/19mm thick sheets)are stronger, and little to no voids on the edges. Idea for furniture making.

Russian ply became Baltic Birch due to cold war related issues. There is also Finnish ply which has even more layers.
 
Just curious. Any Festool fans here? For those who don't know, they are German made power tools. Haven't had time to "play" with them in a while, but I do love those tools.

I noticed that they have a fastener (Not in North America yet) that you can use to make knock down furniture if you have their big Domino. Kind of cool addition to that tool.


I've looked at them and considered them. They are expensive. I ended up going mostly with Bosch. Have a table saw, sliding compound miter, router, and sabre saw. I'm into cabinet making.
 
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I've looked at them and considered them. They are expensive. I ended up going mostly with Bosch. Have a table saw, sliding compound miter, router, and sabre saw. I'm into cabinet making.


Bosch and Festool are 1 and 1a in my opinion when it comes to jigsaws. There blades IIRC are interchangeable. Space saving and the system are what tilted me toward Festool. Bosch has always made great jigsaws.

BTW Any thoughts on True 32 cabinetry? I am hoping to learn more about it. With and without face frames.
 
Bosch and Festool are 1 and 1a in my opinion when it comes to jigsaws. There blades IIRC are interchangeable. Space saving and the system are what tilted me toward Festool. Bosch has always made great jigsaws.

BTW Any thoughts on True 32 cabinetry? I am hoping to learn more about it. With and without face frames.

Have heard of it although not much more than reading about it. I pretty much follow the Mark Sommerfield system with the exception that I use a shaper rather than a router table.
 
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Have heard of it although not much more than reading about it. I pretty much follow the Mark Sommerfield system with the exception that I use a shaper rather than a router table.
Interesting. I think Mark and Craig are related? See Iowa has done some good things.;)

https://www.kregtool.com/about-us/news/company-news/a-true-blue-entrepreneurial-story.aspx

Anyway, I'd like to learn the Sommerfield method some day. Since I have the basic LR32 System, I'd like to learn the 32mm system first and branch out from there. I've built a couple of face frame boxes with and without Kreg jigs. I am hoping to branch out from there as well. The good thing is face frames can be part of a Euro/32mm box.

For those reading and not into cabinet making 32mm system basically includes any size cabinet that can be divided by 32mm(or 16mm) Example 768mm (an upper cabinet box?) Is a length/ width that can be divided by 32, so it would work in that system.

The main benefit of that system is there is so much hardware (slides, hinges, etc.) that work with that system.

Here is some 32mm info if for anyone who is interested:

http://davelers.com/32mm/Basics/157.html
 
I've looked at them and considered them. They are expensive. I ended up going mostly with Bosch. Have a table saw, sliding compound miter, router, and sabre saw. I'm into cabinet making.


Hi again olelion:

Have you heard of this?:

https://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/community/category/build-it-with-bosch/381462-t

Kind of a neat Idea.

Festool has training, but you have to go to one of their training centers. Well worth it, but a big commitment.

http://www.festooltraining.com/schedule/
 
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