Festool my journey and where I am today

[reible]

In my case it is quite different in that I don't have room to work in my so called shop so I use my driveway. So even a smaller job is a big effort. Setting up ramps to pull the shopsmith out, moving cabinets from under the shopsmith, bring out the dust collection, setting up supports for larger pieces and well the list goes on an on.

No storage space for full sheets of plywood either. I bring it home in my van and back up to my centipede and using the festool saw and rails I cut a straight edge then do the long cuts. Once in to manageable sizes that fit the MFT I move to that. The MFT provides the function of cutting to finished sizes and squaring the long pieces.

I'm really happy with how this part of it works. This will be my first year with the dust collector made for the system and I think that will be an improvement. I've also added the router this year so this will be some welcome additions.

So we have quite different issues, I can see for you this might not seem sane but it is a major time saver for me.

Ed

Since I'm thinking of selling my TS55 I did a comparison a couple of wks ago and found that when you count the time it takes to pull the saw out of the sustainer, hook up the vacuum then hook up the cords then get the rail down then make sure you have the rail lined up correctly then make sure you have a supporting board the same thickness under the rail for support then set the plunge and then make the cut. I've had my setup for 8 yrs and it always amounts to that scenario each and every time. Then you buy the Qwas dog or Parff Dogs then you buy the right angle setup from Qwas to try and make it faster and then I timed the same function using on my SawStop and then the Kapex. Literally a fraction of the time and effort. I used plywood sheets also short cross cuts and rips. I guess if a vast majority of my cuts was plywood I could see the benefit but in my case it is not that useful. I'm 73 and luckily can still handle plywood sheets with the help of the Gorilla Gripper.

[putttn]

For sure if I was more challenged for room than I already am I would find the Festool setup optimal. I've squeezed about every inch with tools and all on castes.

[reible]

Just in case you were planning on ordering the UJK Parf Guide Drilling System from Lee Valley they are out of stock until an estimated May 5th. If you place a back order they still give you the free shipping. I placed my order today so with a month or more to wait I can't really give you much more information.

I'm also exploring having a drill guide made that can use the MFT pattern and the UJK drilling guide to give some easy and fast options to drilling the 20mm holes. If and when I get a couple made it will be clear how this would work and be a good addition to this system. Got the drawing done just waiting to hear from the person I hope will make them.

Ed

[Sazerac81]

Ed,

Thanks for mentioning the centipede sawhorse setup. It looks slick! Do you put a piece of foam underneath the setup when processing boards?

I might have to pick one of those up to make my life easier when processing 8x4 plywood sheets.

Cheers,
John

[reible]

Ed,

Thanks for mentioning the centipede sawhorse setup. It looks slick! Do you put a piece of foam underneath the setup when processing boards?

I might have to pick one of those up to make my life easier when processing 8x4 plywood sheets.

Cheers,
John

If you get one also get the A06 Centipede™ Non-Slips pads. I then use a 1/4" sheet of plywood and then the foam.

When I was in the Lowe's the other day I noticed they had the small version on sale for $40. They did not have any of the larger ones nor a sign for them so I don't know if they carry them or if they too would be on sale if they did. I also don't know if you live in an area serviced by Lowe's.

Ed

[reible]

I had set aside some funds for a new bandsaw(for resawing) but that will not be happening this year. Perhaps next year or maybe never but anyway this releases funds that have been put aside and right now that means more Festool things.

Next on my want list conflicts with what money I have so I'm in the process of reassign things. What is next is also a moving target as I don't have a perfect plan yet. What I have decided for the first of these funds is the Carvex PS 420 EBQ-Plus USA. You can look it up if you are interested but it is a jigsaw. I have it now but I have not used it yet.

I expect to like it but decided to wait until I use it to see for sure. Then if all things are positive I want to get the Carvex Accessory Kit.

I'd love to try one of their sanders but I'm not sure which one I want first. The cheaper one, the ETS EC 125 might be a good first one. Anyone own one and if so what do you think?

At this point the road is stretched out farther then I can see.

Ed

[Sazerac81]

$40 would be a deal on the smaller one!

As for the festool carvex, I am in the same boat but I think I have decided on the Mafell P1 Cc eventually as my premium jigsaw. It really is in another league, especially with their cunex blade.

I was watching a video of the Mafell easily power through 6" thick timber. A refined beast!

[Sazerac81]

I'd love to try one of their sanders but I'm not sure which one I want first. The cheaper one, the ETS EC 125 might be a good first one. Anyone own one and if so what do you think?

Ed

Hey Ed,

If you haven't joined FOG (festool owners group) forum then you should, you'll find a lot of good information there.

I have the pro 5 ltd sander which is essentially a limited edition run of a souped up version of the ETS 125 REQ finish sander. The pro 5 ltd has 250 W of power compared to the 200 of the regular ETS 125 REQ sander. It's really nice and was definitely the gateway to other Festool products for me. I was already leaning that way and it certainly pushed me over the edge after using it for awhile.

The general consensus is that the newer, low profile brushless ETS 125 EC sander is even better due to much more power allowing you to do not only finish sanding at higher grits, but also some amount of moderate material removal at lower grits due to the more aggressive orbit of 3 mm compared to the 2 mm of the ETS 125 REQ model. Also, it is 400 W with a brushless motor which gives you significantly more sanding/material removal power. It still pales in comparison to their rotex models, which are just amazing sanders that can take you from beginning to end with just one sander.

I have the Rotex 150 and it is truly a beast, removes material better than a belt sander at low grits and in Rotex mode. However, it can also sand down to a very fine finish in random orbital mode. On top of that, you can use the thing to buff and polish up both your furniture and your automobiles to a fine sheen! One of the most versatile sanding/polishing tools I have ever used, but be warned it is heavy and probably best used on large flat horizontal surfaces unless you are He-man and can hold it up for extended periods on vertical surfaces.

Cheers,
John

[reible]

Yes I am a FOG member. Started reading there before I stated on the adventure.

I find that the diversity is difficult to deal with for new people like myself. Having consensus these days is difficult anyway, there a bit more difficult for me to decipher then I'd like. It's good and it's bad. Part of this is due to me being a home hobbyist while there is a mostly a processional crowd.

I already own a lot of sanding equipment, a lot of that due for my dislike of sanding. As I've gotten older I find the 6" sanders harder to deal with so I'm more disposed towards the 5". It is also true that I don't do a lot of larger projects anymore and as such even the 5" might be overkill but I'd like to give it a go. A 90 would not be unreasonable at some point.

I also find more things I'd like to own while reading. Not a good thing for the budget.

Now if I can just get around to cleaning up the shop and parting with some of the older not really needed anymore tools and perhaps a shopsmith or two it would be nice.

Ed

[dgreen810]

I have an an opportunity to pick up a like new Festool CT-46-E dust collector for $300.00 bucks. Can someone give a clue if this unit would suffice for limited use with SS equipment?? Right now I am using a Craftsman shop vac.

Don G