Poll: Curious about Festool ownership

[Victor Robinson]

Just scratching an itch...

Even though Festool and Sawstop now have the same parent company, for the purposes of this poll, please do not count a Sawstop as a Festool.

[Mike Henderson]

Domino, track saw and Kapex. Tried the cordless drill and jig saw but prefer my DeWalt. Sold the drill and jig saw.

Mike

[Jim Morgan]

Oh oh, Domino.

[John Lanciani]

Domino and track saw. I have an MFT as well, but it's just being used as a stand for a 9" DeWalt radial arm saw (Some irony there...)

[Nick Decker]

I have two of their sanders. Was afraid I might succumb to the "slippery slope" but it hasn't happened for me. Excellent sanders, but not enough so to justify the price. Can't comment on their other tools.

[Justin Ludwig]

2 - 150/5 ROS
1 - ES55 Track saw with 2 tracks

Would buy the sanders again in a heartbeat - they are workhorses for me.

Will buy a Makita track saw if my FS ever bites the dust - merely because of cost. With that said, I have no regrets buying the one I have as it's paid for itself 100 times over.

[Pat Barry]

They seem to be great tools but I am not in the market for anything new for the forseeable future.

[Bernie May]

I have the domino, both track saws, and the router. I do love them, mostly for the dust handling. All excellent, but probably not worth the extra money. I had some extra money so I bought them.

[Dominik Dudkiewicz]

Domino 500, OF1400, TS55, HK85, Jigsaw, DTS400. Like them all, but think the high end Bosch jigsaw at nearly half the price would probably have been no worse. The others I chose mainly for dust collection and the DTS as there were no real alternatives.

[Cary Falk]

I bought a used Domino. At half price I am not in love with it enough to go further down the slope.

[Jim Becker]

12v drill driver
Trion jig saw
Track saw
OF1400 router
OF1010 router
ETS 150/3 sander
ETS 150 Rotex sander
MFT
CT26 extractor
8' track
4' tracks (2)

Some of these tools are approaching a decade old and still look and perform like new. One of the Dominos is still on my "to acquire" list. And I will never buy a Sawstop... :D

[Dick Mahany]

After a major downsizing, the Track Saw and Domino have been game changers and allowed me to find new ways to work. I also bought an MFT, LR32 Euro hole drilling kit and a CT Vacuum and am very pleased with those as well. My routers, jig saw and SCMS are Bosch and I won't part with them. Festool make some excellent tools, but IMHO there are equally high quality tools produced by other manufacturers at a far better price point. I still use a DeWalt drill and an impact driver that are over 10 years old and still work perfectly (other than having to replace battery packs more than I would have expected)

[Bill Adamsen]

12v drill driver
Domino 700
ETS 150/3 sander
ETS 150 Rotex sander
CT26 extractor

So that's five for the poll

[Jacob Mac]

I bought a used domino, router and rotex. I'm ok with tye domino and the router. Not game changers, but they're ok. I really like the rotex.

I'm only going to buy one more Festool tool, and that's the track saw assuming I can find a nice used one.

[Stan Calow]

I think there would be a difference between pros and hobbyists. I've looked at a lot of their tools and admire the design and construction, but totally not worth it for my hobby. I'd buy them if I was in a viable business.

[Mike Cutler]

I have the TS75 Tracksaw, Carvex jigsaw, OF2200 router, and the OF1400 router.
Nice tools, all of them.
Their routers are very nice!. For a router as big as the OF 2200, it is incredibly well balanced and smooth.

[Mike Goetzke]

I have dust extractor, ETS EC 150/3 EQ, ETS EC 150/5, RO90, & Donino XL. I looked around and bought most of these slightly used at huge discounts.

[Eric Anderson]

Domino 500
CT26 extractor
ETS 125 rotex sander
ETS EC 125 Sander
Sawstop PCS

May acquire the track saw, still debating. Love all of the tools, work great, dust collection is amazing.

[Darcy Warner]

Too much to count.

[Patrick Kane]

I have a kapex, mft, ro150, ets/5 150, of1400, domino 500, and the TS75. The track saw and domino are truly amazing tools. I use the domino more for panel alignment than joinery, it seems. For that it is incredible. a few dominos over a 10' length will keep your panel aligned within 1/32-1/64 very easily. For squaring panels, the track saw is a great tool for me. I often have islands or table tops that are 4x8 and 1.5-2" thick that the track saw easily squares for me. These pieces are large and heavy and thus difficult to take to a tool. The sanders are comfortable with good dust collection, but the pads dont last as long as they should. My 5" bosch has never had the pad replaced, but my festool has twice. I routinely abuse that bosch for more DIY projects too. The router and kapex are ok. I cant say they are that impressive compared to what bosch puts out.

[Greg R Bradley]

Too much to count.
Yep, 3 full stacks plus a few at home, in my truck, in my office to possibly make another stack.

[andy bessette]

Have the TS 55 track saw (what a tool!) and one of their disc sanders. Extremely pleased.

[Mike Walsh]

Track saw with 4 tracks
Router (middle size one)
Vacuum
Random orbit sander

really like all of the tools and the dust collection is pretty amazing

[Andrew Joiner]

I bought a used Domino. At half price I am not in love with it enough to go further down the slope.

I tested 2 different Festool sanders with a stopwatch on pencil marks. I wanted them to out perform my $60 Milwaukee. They were the same or inferior in speed and swirl marking. Then I priced the "special" abrasive disks. I also tested the Swiss made Bosch 1/2-Sheet sander. It was inferior to the Milwaukee as well.

I learned a lot from the tests, but it was like a cold shower on my tool lust.

I would buy a Festool. However for 2 to 3 times the price of the competition I expect noticeably better performance.

[Nick Decker]

I think the poll would look a lot different if you broke it down between hobbyists and pros. Before I retired, I made my living as a photographer. The gear (and prices) that I chose would cause a hobbyist to faint. Same principle here.

[Bruce Page]

Just one, and I love it - the ETS 150/3 sander.

[Rick Potter]

One. The $99 special sander. Haven't used it yet.

[Andrew Joiner]

I think the poll would look a lot different if you broke it down between hobbyists and pros. Before I retired, I made my living as a photographer. The gear (and prices) that I chose would cause a hobbyist to faint. Same principle here.
I was a pro for years, a hobbyist now. As a pro, value or getting the most for my money was a top priority. I didn't have much money then.
Now I could easily afford the most expensive tools. As a pro I learned the fastest and easiest way to get the work done was necessary, so tool testing was a top priority. I haven't changed as a hobbyist.

[Victor Robinson]

I think the poll would look a lot different if you broke it down between hobbyists and pros. Before I retired, I made my living as a photographer. The gear (and prices) that I chose would cause a hobbyist to faint. Same principle here.

That's probably true, but there's a lot of gray area there and it wasn't quite the question I was interested in. I was more curious to test the hypothesis that Festool is no longer a niche brand in the US. In other words, if you take a smattering of woodworkers, hobbyist, semi-pro, pro, whatever, it's just as common of a brand in our shops as say, Delta or Powermatic or Dewalt, etc.

If you did the same exact poll for other brands, I wonder how the results would differ. Currently it looks like about 2/3 of respondents have some Festool in their shop. That's some pretty impressive market penetration, at least amongst the online woodworking community, which admittedly does represent some of the most GAS (gear acquisition syndrome)-afflicted folks.

[Ben Rivel]

As far as actual power tools go I have the following:

Domino 500
Trion Jigsaw
TS 55 Track saw
OF 1400 router
OF 1010 router
ETS EC 150/3 sander
RTS 400 EQ sander
CT 36 Vacuum

And of course there are a ton of accessories.

[Todd Mason-Darnell]

Wow--I am a hobbyist, but only 1 of 2 (at the time I am doing this post) that does not own, but plans to buy.

I have tested/tried them and have been impressed. A Domino is on the future acquisition list.

[peter Joseph]

Oops. I forgot that I have a dust extractor. Nothing else though and wont buy any more. The Festool table confuses the heck out of me. Anyone I know who has it says that its unstable without the 80$ cross braces and that chopping and planing on it are out of the question. I know those functions are not its intended purpose, but still.

[Neil Gaskin]

Domino. OF1400 router. TS 55 track saw. Baby rotex. 5" rotex. 5 or 6 various models 5" ROS.

[mike waters]

Ts75
55" track
betterclay track attachment
1400 router and router stop

I was going to purchase the dust extraction. But just got a rigid instead.. purchased a rubber plumber coupling with a clamp on the end so I can attach my vac to my festool's.. added friction tape to the inside as well. Goes to cyclone first, then the vac (I use bags)

used an auto cas file and got localCNC shop to make own custom mft (top) for $35.
i use it on saw horses and it is incredibly stable.

next purchase will probably be one of the sanders.

[Joshua Bass]

Here was my recent delivery from Festool:

• TS 55 REQ Imp Saw
• FS 2700/2, 106 inch Guide Rail
• CT 36 E Dust Extractor
• SELFCLEAN Filter Bags SC FIS-CT 36, 5 pcs
• Universal Cleaning Set (for CT 36)
• Quick clamps (x4)
• Parallel guide set
• Domino XL Joiner DF 700 Set
• Domino Systainer Assortment TL
• OF 1400 EQ Imp Plunge Router
• Guide stop, OF 1400
• Edge Guide, OF 1400
• 6" Random Orbit Sander ETS EC150/3
• LR32 Router Hole Drilling Set

I've used everything but the LR32, which I may sell.

[Shawn Pixley]

Domino, 1400 Router, Tracksaw, Midi Dust Extractor, and Cordless Drill (all but the Router were gifts)

[Martin Wasner]

Too much to count.

Really? I wouldn't have guessed that.

I've got the smaller domino. When my current install saw dies,, I'll likely get a Kapex, even though it's massively overpriced. Their vacuums are nice, I'll likely get one of those sometime soon. I like the brushless jigsaw too, but I've got enough jigsaws for a while.

[John K Jordan]

Too much to count.

An Italian friend of mine in Northern Italy had too many Festools for me to count when I visited. I took this picture of one of the Festool storage racks in his base of operations. (not really a shop, he just starts and ends his day there)

368305

He showed me some specialty tools I had never imagined existing.

He said "Festool, only Festool." Mostly buys them when on sale.

JKJ

[Jim Finn]

I have the small Festool sander and I like it. It is slower running, even at high speed, than my other sanders. This makes is smoother running. A plus for me. I bought it because it is the lightest one I could find.

[Andrew J. Coholic]

-4 vacs, 26x2, 48 and the newer portable one
-one domino, standard size
-one router 1400
-older 55 track saw
-15 drill and driver
-90 and 125 rotex, two 125eq, one 125 ec

vacs are a staple in the shop. Have the 26's with extra long hoses set up stationary with Oneida cyclones. The other one we use with the other brands of sanders, Lamello machines etc.

I have bought and converted several other tools to use the festool pigtails so they are just as quick to attach and use with the vacs.

[Brian W Evans]

Domino XL, trim router (MFK-700). I own these because I don't think there are other tools that do the same thing (possibly excepting the trim router, although I think the alternatives are even more expensive). I might buy more in the future but I'm happy with cheaper substitutes for everything else so far.

These are exceptionally well-made tools and I have no regrets about buying them.

[Chris Parks]

Just to be different, two quad drive PROTOOL drills and a Festool 12V drill of some ancient vintage. I only bought the Protool drills because they were on run out sale from Festool in Oz and a quarter of the price of what they were at retail.

[Wayne Lomman]

Too specialised and gadgety. I have used their routers, trimmers, plasterboard sanders and random orbital sanders in workshops but I would not waste my own money on them. The fact that they are specialised means you have to buy more of them. Cheers

[Mike Cutler]

Too specialised and gadgety. I have used their routers, trimmers, plasterboard sanders and random orbital sanders in workshops but I would not waste my own money on them. The fact that they are specialised means you have to buy more of them. Cheers

Wayne

Curious as to what this actually means?
I know that they are designed to work inside a system concept, but within that system, they cross platforms.
Admittedly their "accessories" can be on the expensive side, but then, there are many third party manufacturers making Festool adaptable accessories now.( Blades, rails,MFT tables, router guides, etc.)
The "heart" of the system, so to speak, are their vacuums and rails, and those are no longer exclusive.
They are a bit "gadgety' though. I can agree with that.

In other countries it may be that there is a gradual progression of quality in terms of tools from inexpensive, to expensive. Here in the US, we have a choice of ever decreasing quality from Chinese manufactured products, or "high end" tools like Festool and others. Nothing is really filling that gap in between. Our third option is to find known, quality, tools second hand, but you need to have a very good idea of what you are actually looking for, and the years it was manufactured.

[Wayne Lomman]

Mike, I just hate tools that are hard to use with my jigs, patterns and tooling. I mostly use my tools as a motor driving a cutter in a certain configuration and I do the rest myself. For example, a router without a concentric circular base I find useless much of the time. A decent Makita will do much more that the Festool routers I have seen. The Festool trimmer routers do one or two things ok and are useless the rest of the time. The Festool plasterboard sanders are ok but if you are a good joint flusher you don't need one. I'm not an apologist for any brand by the way. I just like basic and accurate. I almost forgot, all the Festool I have used are catastrophically fragile for site use. Keep spare bearings in the box and for heavens sake don't ever drop one. Cheers

[Rod Sheridan]

I have a dust extractor. a drill and a sander, love them all, however that's probably as far as I'll go as I don't need anything else.....Rod.

[David J Blackburn]

Domino (bought used at like 70%)
Ets 125
Forex 90
TS55 with two rails
Ct26

I keep thinking about a jigsaw, but I can't justify it, because the cordless Bosch I have works well enough. Would love a Kapex, but it's insane costly for something I currently use as a roughing tool. Upgrading the ro90 to a ro125 might happen. The domino and the track saw are just game changers for me. And the sanders are excellent.

[Ray Newman]

I have the T S55 track saw and dust collector. Bought in about 2005 when Fe$tool was the only game in town for a tgrcak saw. Works very well for my apliaction -- breaking down plyw'd and other sheet goods. Thought about the Kapex and the OF1400 router but after doing a "hands on" examination in the local woodcraft, they just did not feel right in my hands.

Considered a Domino 500, but I just can not justify the cost vs. usage.

[Hoang N Nguyen]

TS55 w/ 2 tracks
OF1010 router
OF1400 router
CT36 dust extractor w/ cleaning kit
Kapex
MFT/3
ETS EC 150/3
RO 150
DF500 Domino w/ complete domino assortment package

I went down the slippery slope, fell on my butt and kept on sliding. I love all the Festool tools I have in inventory but I don't think I'll be getting anything else. There are other cheaper options for the rest of the Festool lineup that will perform just as well so I don't see the need.

I do want to add the DF700 domino to my inventory but can't justify it since I have the floor model powermatic motriser for when I need bigger stronger tenons. It's more time consuming but I've only had to use it a handful of times and the fact WW is just my hobby.

[Mike Heidrick]

Domino, two of the $99 sanders and a 150/3 and two ct22 - one with boom and reuseable filter and other with udd. My tracksaw is dewalt and was a freebie otherwise it would be green too to keep same plug. Love the sander and boom combo.

[Peter Kelly]

Wow--I am a hobbyist, but only 1 of 2 (at the time I am doing this post) that does not own, but plans to buy.

I have tested/tried them and have been impressed. A Domino is on the future acquisition list.Technivorm is the Festool of coffee.

[Dominik Dudkiewicz]

I have a dust extractor. a drill and a sander, love them all, however that's probably as far as I'll go as I don't need anything else.....Rod.

Not sure "need" has that much to do with buying tools haha.

I must say, based on this survey the % of people who own Festool tools is pretty impressive from the perspective of market share for Festool. I always assumed they were more of a boutique/niche tool.

[Wayne Lomman]

Let's not get too excited about how representative this poll is. The original question was do you have Festool, not what brand do you have. Cheers

[Rod Sheridan]

Not sure "need" has that much to do with buying tools haha.

I .

Good point Dominik :D

Regards, Rod.

[Jim Becker]

I must say, based on this survey the % of people who own Festool tools is pretty impressive from the perspective of market share for Festool. I always assumed they were more of a boutique/niche tool.
Interestingly, I've met a number of local "pros" and in all but one case, they were embracing the Festool system, both in their shops and for on-site installation work. One local pro I recently visited (who is also a 'Creeker) had a shop that one third of it looked like a Festool showroom and it wasn't just for show. The setup was clearly aimed at efficient production.

[Martin Wasner]

Not sure "need" has that much to do with buying tools haha.

I must say, based on this survey the % of people who own Festool tools is pretty impressive from the perspective of market share for Festool. I always assumed they were more of a boutique/niche tool.


For some of us, it's a need.


I don't think the percentage is all that crazy. I own Makita, Bosch, Porter Cable, DeFalt, Panasonic, Milwaukee, Hitachi, Senco, Nilfisk and Festool in the portable powered hand tool department. A lot of people are likely in a similar boat whether hobbyist or professional. You buy what works, what fits your checking account, and sometimes what you need on the way to a job because you forgot something. What I'm saying is I don't think most people just shop one color of tool.

[Wade Lippman]

Kapex, tracksaw, domino, detail sander, jigsaw.
I got them all used or on closeout. I'd never pay full price for them!

[Julie Moriarty]

Sanders - 150/3, 150/5, 125, Rotex 90 & 125. Plus the CT-26 and their countersink bit. Would never give up the 150 sanders, the Rotex 90, thCT-26 or the countersink bit. I only use the Rotex 125 occasionally and rarely use the 125 sander.

I tried the REQ55 track saw with two 4' tracks coupled together for long cuts. Coupling the tracks was a pain. I also got the angle kit, which wasn't impressive. I returned them before the 30 day no-questions-asked return period was up. I ended up with the Dewalt track saw with the 4' and 8' tracks and am happy with them.

[Matt Day]

If the poll was still open I’d change my vote from 0 to 1 as I just got a Domino.

[Mike Henderson]

If the poll was still open I’d change my vote from 0 to 1 as I just got a Domino.

Congratulations! You'll like it.

Mike

[Josh Kocher]

They are good tools, but I'm not a Festool-fanboy... if there is a better/more suitable tool, esp. for less, I will rather buy that. Plus I don't appreciate the way Festool N.A. runs their anti-competitive dealer agreements. Doesn't happen in Europe...

Domino 500
- because there is nothing else like it, great dust collection

OF1010
- because it's a good router with great dust collection, and fits my bosch fsn ofa 32mm kit, plus I got it used for a fair price

ETS 150/5
- good sander, great dust collection

CT26
- I got this for a smoking deal when festool recalled/swapped the midi/mini in Canada... I paid a used price for a new extractor...

I almost bought a Festool tracksaw but ended up with a Mafell MT55 instead. Thanks for cancelling my order amazon.

I do like tanos systainers.

I will never buy a sawstop.

[Thomas Hutson]

i bought a domino 500 with the systainer kit including all the bits and the assortment of dominos with about 80% of them left for like half price. ive used it once... honestly i thought id use it alot more for things like gluing up pannels etc. it helps with vertical alignment etc but you can do the same thing with cauls and everything goes through the board sander anyways. not sure it was worth it even at that price. my bisquit jointer would probably do jsut as good a job for what i need i guess.

[Dominik Dudkiewicz]

I will never buy a sawstop.

This would be an interesting poll. It seems that sawstop is far more polarising than even festool.

Eg.
1. I will never buy a sawstop
2. I may or may not buy a sawstop - will decide based on balance of price/features next time I'm looking for a saw
3. I will definitely be buying a sawstop
4. I own a sawstop

But that belongs in another thread. I'm in the I would never buy a sawstop camp - primarily because I don't think the value is there and secondly because I am stuborn and don't like being told what to do.

[andy bessette]

...It seems that sawstop is far more polarising than even festool...

It isn't Sawstop that is polarizing; it is those who try to force Sawstop on the rest of us who can actually operate our saws safely.

[Eric Commarato]

it is just too expensive to pay that much for a power tool. I'm sure they are good, but I'd rather buy old Makita brand made in Japan, or Bosch, Made in Switzerland in good condition for 1/4 the price...I'm sure I'll get opinions on this post!

[Josh Kocher]

Personal responsibility, and the right to make our own choices.

If you see value in that technology, good for you - get it.

They look like nice saws.
But I don't see value for me in the premium for that technology.
I don't want to buy it.
Mostly though, I don't want to support the intrusion on my freedom to make choices as a consumer.

You could make the same argument with many ship risks, for example dust collection. Which although not as immediately graphic, poses a risk in most shops. Wood dust is a known carcinogen, causes asthma, etc...

Should only 5hp+ HEPA cyclones be sold... Or only routers with captive dust collection... etc...

Ultimately we all make our choices on each product and sometimes make a compromise to best manage our needs. If you make uninformed, ignorant or improper compromises, that's on you. Personal responsibility.

I don't think I make the wrong choice for me when it comes to not wanting a Sawstop though.

[Martin Wasner]

This would be an interesting poll. It seems that sawstop is far more polarising than even festool.

Eg.
1. I will never buy a sawstop
2. I may or may not buy a sawstop - will decide based on balance of price/features next time I'm looking for a saw
3. I will definitely be buying a sawstop
4. I own a sawstop

But that belongs in another thread. I'm in the I would never buy a sawstop camp - primarily because I don't think the value is there and secondly because I am stuborn and don't like being told what to do.

create the poll

[andy bessette]

...
5. "I think everyone should be forced to buy a Sawstop."

[Martin Wasner]

6. Using a tool any more dangerous than a spork should be left to professionals.


I'm sensing the need for subcategories for this poll

[Jerome Stanek]

...
5. "I think everyone should be forced to buy a Sawstop."

Sawstop should give them away if they think that everyone needs one

[Dennis Droege]

RO 125 sander and ?36 dust catcher--I went to them from a 40 year old Craftsman orbital sander and no dust system, so I can't compare. They do a good job and I use them a lot.

[Simon MacGowen]

Had the spare money to spend. Domino and sanders.

Simon

[Keith Hankins]

6. Using a tool any more dangerous than a spork should be left to professionals.


I'm sensing the need for subcategories for this poll

Funny how it's those "professionals" that are the ones that end up with nicknames like lefty and 8-fingered Joe.

[Julie Moriarty]

I almost bought a Festool tracksaw but ended up with a Mafell MT55 instead.
How do you like the Mafell? FWW did a track saw review and gave Mafell and Festool 75 top honors. The Mafell sounded like a pretty impressive saw.

[Martin Wasner]

Funny how it's those "professionals" that are the ones that end up with nicknames like lefty and 8-fingered Joe.

Haha, whatever you need to tell yourself.

[Paul Yager]

Limited space and using until dream shop is built. No problems with any of them so far.
CT26, OF1400, T12, RO125, ETS125, RTS400, DOMINO XL

[Eric Van Cronk]

This would be an interesting poll. It seems that sawstop is far more polarising than even festool.

Eg.
1. I will never buy a sawstop
2. I may or may not buy a sawstop - will decide based on balance of price/features next time I'm looking for a saw
3. I will definitely be buying a sawstop
4. I own a sawstop

But that belongs in another thread. I'm in the I would never buy a sawstop camp - primarily because I don't think the value is there and secondly because I am stuborn and don't like being told what to do.

i did per your suggestion and received salty PMs. Oh well.

[Martin Wasner]

i did per your suggestion and received salty PMs. Oh well.

I can't figure out if it's tribalism, or religion.

[Dominik Dudkiewicz]

i did per your suggestion and received salty PMs. Oh well.

Really? Why? That's really quite amusing. Don't let it get to you mate.

[Julie Moriarty]

I can't figure out if it's tribalism, or religion.

Go to the Festool Owners Group forum if you want more data. I found myself wondering if there was a High Priest somewhere.

[Mike Cutler]

Go to the Festool Owners Group forum if you want more data. I found myself wondering if there was a High Priest somewhere.

He's in 'Jersey. ;)

Just kidding everybody. Don't take this seriously.
I met the 'Jersey guy when he first got into Festool. He's worked his tail off building the product name recognition, and the his business. Even if I didn't own any Festool products, I'd still have a lot of respect for Bob.

I think Martin summed it up the best.
We buy what best suits our need and budget, paraphrased