Acquisition Tips! (Fancy word for a Junkie huh?)
What's Festool Junkies take on this you ask?
Reply: dude, it's a Festool!
I will say this though. If you are looking to put these routers into a router table, think twice. Dude, you have options in this area.
1. A BIT OF ADVICE BEFORE YOU START:
Choose a tool that fits your needs. Buy that tool with a dust extractor! (with one exception I'll give you the 411 on later). You'll spend less for the "system" than if you were to buy them separately. Bite the bullet dude, get the vac! It's worth it simply due to the fact that all the Festool tools are designed to suck up the dust and chips.
2. SANDERS:
If you are buying a sander, make up your mind in advance on which size you are going to go with. Buy the 5" or the 6" whatever, and think long-term. The reason being is cash; Dude, why stock both 5" and 6" disks? At festooljunkie size does matter. Save the money you would spend duplicating grits of paper for two sanders and buy another tool! The official FJ opinion is the 6" series of sanders is much more sander for the dough. The ETS 150 series is awesome and allows for two different throw patterns. However, they are bigger tools, so, if you do smaller projects in the shop.go 5". Once again, do yourself a favor and get at CT with the deal. If you have no plans on adding the saws, routers, etc., buy the CTmini. It is very handy under an assembly table or bench. If you do have plans to pick up more than sanding dust.get the bigger CT 22.If you are going to be doing a lot of routing, sawing, planning (HL 850), "wet application", go with the CT 33.
3. SAWS:
First ask yourself what will I cut most? Will it be 4/4 stock or over 8/4 stock." To those using lumber yard terminology rather than Hardwood terminology, "Will I be cutting 1x, 2x or 4x material." If you need to be cutting thick wood, get the 75. If you are cutting plywood and mostly 4/4 or 1x material, get the 55. Once again, don't spend the extra dough if you don't need to. Spend that cash on another tool or better yet, an accessory. Here is the one exception I told you I would give you the 411 on: THE ONLY PACKAGE OFFERED WITH AN MFT IS WITH A SAW. Junkie terms: If you are going to get an MFT now or at a later date, spend the dough and get it with a TS 55 or TS 75 saw. Junkie thoughts on this go to the 75. It's bigger, which makes it a bit heavier and bulkier, but it adds an element of versatility. However, if I were a small shop kinda guy, that does furniture and small to mid-size projects utilizing more plywood, the 55 is the way to go.
And now for the Jigsaw controversy. The American way is the d-handle. Euro way is the barrel grip. Both saws absolutely rock! FJ goes with the barrel grip. We feel closer to our wood that way. So, it's a toss-up. Either way, if you have a spindle sander, and don't re-saw lumber, you could just about do away with your band saw, although we do not recommend discarding tools!
4. ROUTERS:
Festool rates their routers by wattage not horsepower. The OF 1010 is placed in the 1 ¼ horse sector, the OF 1400 is placed in the 2 ¼ horse sector, and the OF 2000 is placed in the 3 ¼ horse sector. Of all the Festool routers, the OF 1400 is by far the most versatile router Festool offers. 1400 watts converts to 1.86 hp. You may be asking yourself, "Why should I buy the Festool router over the Yellow, or Grey tool?" To make a long story short, never be deceived by the hp rating other manufacturers place on their tool specifications. Historically, manufacturers will rate their tool at peak horsepower, and if you don't have the amperage to deliver to the tool, your hp will diminish quickly. Festool routers actually run at their wattage; plus for cryin-out-loud they are German engineeried and fabricated. http://www.mrotoday.com/mro/archives/uptime/PowerToolFM2002.htm.
What's Festool Junkies take on this you ask?
Reply: dude, it's a Festool!
I will say this though. If you are looking to put these routers into a router table, think twice. Dude, you have options in this area.
The OF 1010 router is an AWESOME quick little router. Edge work, shallow grooving, dovetail machines, lighter duty, everyday stuff, this is the router to use. Please be advised that the 1010 DOES NOT have the collet to chuck-up a ½ shank router bit!
The OF 1400 router is by far the most versatile router from Festool! Is is big enough to handle anything you want to do; and, it is nimble enough to do delicate work. The 1400 can indeed handle a ½ bit, thus chucking up your favorite spiral bit and plunging into a piece of oak is no problem. The OF1400 is a KILLER ROUTER, and if you are only going to get one router, get this one!
The OF 2000 is the "mamba jamba" of routers. If you are into production, and deep mortising as in Mission Style fabrication, you must have this router. Suprisingly, this router is easy to handle and quite ergonomic. You probably won't use this router much if you aren't doing big, heavy stuff, but if you take it out of the case and use it, you will most certainly hit wood.
There is a woodworking adage that says; "you can never have too many routers". FJ agrees. If you have the resources, get both the OF 1010, and the OF 1400 into your shop. If you only have the cash for one or the other, get the OF 1400.
5. DOMINO:
Dude, just buy one. You will not be sorry, promise! This thing rocks and is indeed "revolutionary." There is a ton of stuff out there that expand the horizons of this machine. Soon on festooljunkie, there will be a ton-o-stuff that will show you all kinds of cool crap to do with it.
6. DUST EXTRACTION:
CT Mini.sanding or quick in and out jobs. CT Midi.same suction as the mini, just a bigger capacity. CT 22 by far the most versatile. CT 33.big and cool. The junkies recommend the 22. Save the dough and by a bigger hose. This section of tools was covered in the A BIT OF ADVICE BEFORE YOU START section.
7. DRILLS:
Dude, buy the 1.3Ah C12 if you are working in the shop mostly. The drill is 1.3 amp hours and has a quick recovery time on the battery, it is lighter than the other two drill configurations and Brushless...who would've thunk. The 2.4Ah C12 is the "combo drill" it has the battery life to be used in the field and in the shop. You should consider the 3.0 Ah if you are in an environment where battery life is crucial. For example, out in the field and don't have access to an electrical outlet.
BARE NECESSITY ACCESSORIES:
When you get hooked up with these toys get the suggested paraphernalia below.
1. Sanders: Consider dropping some cash on various sanding pads to change out for applications. When buying grits of paper, the rule of thumb is you can skip one grit as you increase in grit number, hence, decreasing the abrasiveness. Example: 80 grit, skip 100grit, use 120 grit, skip 150, use 180 grit. By the way, I typically don't go over 180 on raw wood. Festool has a very cool guide on their home site you should check out.
2. TS 55 and 75 EQ Saws: A set of clamps that hook under your guide rails and a pack of splinter guards.
3. PS Jigsaws: Get the pack of 20 splinter guards and a couple 5 packs of blades to see which ones you like.
4. OF 1010: Get the guide stop/guide rail attachment.
5. OF 1400: Get the guide stop/guide rail attachment with fine adjustment and edge guide for the OF 1400
6. Domino DF 500 Q needs to be bought in the SET!!! DF 500 Q Set and the Domino Assortment and Bit Systainer.
7. C12: Buy the Fast Fix Depth Stop. $88 bucks and worth every penny if you can't afford to overdrive a screw!
8. MFT 1080: Buy some clamps. They don't have to be the quick clamps, just buy a set of clamps. Quick clamps are sexy, but twice the price. Furthermore, buying the clamping elements has to be up there on your priority list if you want true multi-function!
All the accessories have great purpose and meaning. However, who has all the dough to buy them all. I have listed what I feel to be the key elements of Festool tools and accessories; everything else is gravy. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail and set up a time to discuss your needs by phone personally. I will always make time for another Festool junkie!
Thanks for checking out festooljunkie.com. I love these tools, and I know you will too.
