Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Festool). This thread is read-only.
Any good ? Perfect? Need the larger size ? Or just right for a small shop ?
I’ve got the Midi and a CT26. Both are phenomenal machines, I’ve had the midi for about 4 years. I have it hooked up to a dust deputy and has been my primary. No it is attached to the Kapex and that is all I use it for. Fantastic machine.
Thanks @ChrisK….you are the Festool expert. I ordered the midi 574787 ct hepa…I’ve seen dust deputy on them but they say it can fry the circuit board ? Or is that just Festool bs….? Also I really liked the jigsaw carvex ps 561593 and accessorie kit 201186,,,looks unbelievable? Do you have the cordless jigsaw ? Or should I just stay corded ?
I thought I’d go high end on the vac and jig if they are truly superior…the vac seems to be the best around with the Fein second best….
could you recommend a sander ???? ….thank you Chris
Framer joe wrote:
12 minutes ago, Framer joe said:Thanks @ChrisK….you are the Festool expert. I ordered the midi 574787 ct hepa…I’ve seen dust deputy on them but they say it can fry the circuit board ? Or is that just Festool bs….? Also I really liked the jigsaw carvex ps 561593 and accessorie kit 201186,,,looks unbelievable? Do you have the cordless jigsaw ? Or should I just stay corded ?
I thought I’d go high end on the vac and jig if they are truly superior…the vac seems to be the best around with the Fein second best….
could you recommend a sander ???? ….thank you Chris
It won’t, but it from Toolnut, they have a grounded unit that will not fry the motor.
https://www.toolnut.com/oneida-axd000009-ultimate-festool-dust-deputy.html
Ive been using this for over two years and have not changed a bag on my Midi since. I would love to get one for my 26 but I use that one less than the Midi being it’s for the tracksaw and routers and I tend to use the mitersaw more.
@Framer joe I’d go cordless even in a shop but that is my preference. If I got a Festool jigsaw I would go cordless. In terms of sanders I got the Rotex 150 sander. Do I wish it was cordless? sure but I can’t complain with such a great unit. With a coarse mode and a fine mode it is quite versatile. Next on my Festool list is one of the cordless hybrid sanders. With the 30 min runtime and 30 minute charge you will have continuous cordless runtime. I’m also considering a Festool vac with the ToolNut 10% off vacs and mft deal it seems very enticing.
Thanks @Jronman….ya just got the midi Festool vacuum and a sustainer 2 ???? Needed more room for vacuum accessories. Next is a sander ,hybrid I think..and a jiggy…love to be all cordless,except the vac….
I recently bought a Wen 12” variable speed drill press, a Wen oscillator sander and spindle sander combo, and a Wen scroll saw……just getting my feet wet with mid level shop tools….see what I my needs are for POWA and upgrade if I need in a while…….I do love the Festool vac so far. …also got a Sjoberg work bench…beautiful
Framer joe wrote:
1 hour ago, Framer joe said:Thanks @Jronman….ya just got the midi Festool vacuum and a sustainer 2 ???? Needed more room for vacuum accessories. Next is a sander ,hybrid I think..and a jiggy…love to be all cordless,except the vac….
I recently bought a Wen 12” variable speed drill press, a Wen oscillator sander and spindle sander combo, and a Wen scroll saw……just getting my feet wet with mid level shop tools….see what I my needs are for POWA and upgrade if I need in a while…….I do love the Festool vac so far. …also got a Sjoberg work bench…beautiful
I’ll be selling my Carvex and the accessory kit soon. I’m saving for a very expensive jig. Keep an eye out on the classifieds, it’ll be the Carvex and the accessory base kit too 👍 Infortunately not a cordless version 😕
ChrisK wrote:
28 minutes ago, ChrisK said:I’ll be selling my Carvex and the accessory kit soon. I’m saving for a very expensive jig. Keep an eye out on the classifieds, it’ll be the Carvex and the accessory base kit too 👍 Infortunately not a cordless version 😕
Mafell?
ChrisK wrote:
16 hours ago, ChrisK said:I’ll be selling my Carvex and the accessory kit soon. I’m saving for a very expensive jig. Keep an eye out on the classifieds, it’ll be the Carvex and the accessory base kit too 👍 Infortunately not a cordless version 😕
Ooh carvex accessory kit… don’t suppose you’d want to split them up?
khariV wrote:
1 hour ago, khariV said:
Ooh carvex accessory kit… don’t suppose you’d want to split them up?
Yeesh, I would rather not do that if at all possible. I want them both gone so I can get my new jigsaw. Sorry dude!!!!!
@ChrisK what jig saw replacement are you getting?
Mafell
ChrisK wrote:
3 hours ago, ChrisK said:Mafell
Gotta go for their track saw too, i hear it is an absolute work of art
JimboS1ice wrote:
1 hour ago, JimboS1ice said:Gotta go for their track saw too, i hear it is an absolute work of art
The dual doweler is also supposed to be awesome and puts the domino to shame for precision.
I read the domino is the best……. No dust extraction on mafell jig ? It has more power ,but unless your cutting thick ass wood why would you need that ? They are mostly a timber frame tool company…. @ChrisK …you want more POWA?.? Hey now that’s my gig….lol….your a finesse guy…
Some interesting features, no roller for the blade, quick change, sliding base..and lots more POWA…….better colors that’s for sure….interesting the storage boxes work on Festool sustainers…something is up with that…
I’ll stick with the carvex hybrid jiggy….gotta be cordless!!!!! Although the mafell would be great for cutting the hundreds of radius curves we do in 2×12 pt stock…
Yeah the Domino and the Duo are two different machines. As is the Lamello. As far as the Powa thing? Yeah, the double thick blades and the full length locking mechanism are certainly something I am looking at. I want to use it on some really thick stock. The Carvex is phenomenal, I like it a lot but I am definitely looking for something that can make the really thick and dense wood cuts. Carvex goes like butter through Maple and Hickory but I’m talking about 8/4 and better stock.
@ChrisK….have you considered the Bosch GST160 ? I see it’s very comparable to the mafell….now there’s no swag with the Bosch verse mafell……but all the literature and vids I see point to the king …Mafell
Never heard of that company, always nice to learn about tools on TIA forum…thanks Chris
Framer joe wrote:
9 hours ago, Framer joe said:@ChrisK….have you considered the Bosch GST160 ? I see it’s very comparable to the mafell….now there’s no swag with the Bosch verse mafell……but all the literature and vids I see point to the king …Mafell
Never heard of that company, always nice to learn about tools on TIA forum…thanks Chris
Nah, I looked at it prior to buying the Carvex but I believe the Carvex is a solid performer. I want to cut into some really thick material so that is the only reason I’m looking right now.
ChrisK wrote:
2 hours ago, ChrisK said:Nah, I looked at it prior to buying the Carvex but I believe the Carvex is a solid performer. I want to cut into some really thick material so that is the only reason I’m looking right now.
I don’t know what you are cutting but sounds like a job for a bandsaw?
Well yes and no. I do have and use my 14” Rikon but every once in a while, a jig saw is the tool needed. Particularly for some of the projects I have planned. I will continue to use my Carvex, as it’s a wonderful machine and will not buy the Mafell until I sell both parts mostly because the Mafell is a solid 8 bills with shipping. Selling the Carvex for $375-400 puts me on track to buy the machine using my “special” tool account 😉
Jronman wrote:
11 hours ago, Jronman said:I don’t know what you are cutting but sounds like a job for a bandsaw?
The mafell jigsaw can pretty much replaces a band saw I believe except for resawing and small parts.
After seeing several videos on the Mafell…….WOW …..very impressive jigsaw and company……….is there any company superior to mafell? Always love to learn on here….
Framer joe wrote:
13 minutes ago, Framer joe said:After seeing several videos on the Mafell…….WOW …..very impressive jigsaw and company……….is there any company superior to mafell? Always love to learn on here….
I don’t believe so. Mafell’s P1is just a hair under $800 and that is the cheapest saw they make. But that jigsaw is a remarkable machine. I’m already just a wee bit under the mark there, I sold my Carvex and T18 this past week. This machine will be mine. Interesting it appears Toolnut already either lost or dropped their Mafell tools and they must be purchased through Timberwolf tools in Maine.
Wonder why mafell wouldn’t want to expand to the USA……I know myself and all the companies I know, Love high end tools….they’d sell out….it’s never about price for me or most guys I know, only quality…durability….tools that last and get the job done professionally……..it’s all about reputation for most guys , quality counts and gets you the next job…
BTW @ChrisK I’m a little jealous…..please let me know how it is ,how it feels…when you do get it…😃
Framer joe wrote:
22 hours ago, Framer joe said:Wonder why mafell wouldn’t want to expand to the USA……I know myself and all the companies I know, Love high end tools….they’d sell out….it’s never about price for me or most guys I know, only quality…durability….tools that last and get the job done professionally……..it’s all about reputation for most guys , quality counts and gets you the next job…
Up until recently really, Festool was primarily and in many case still is a European brand. People bash Festool as being shop tools however they are not shop tools they are specifically designed for construction and carpentry use. At a cost.
Mafell is designed for timber work, heavy construction etc. At a cost.
Americans are constantly bashing the crud out of these tools rightly wrongly or indifferently and maybe cost is why Mafell is still lagging here with only the one retailer that I know of now. Beats me but the Europeans buys these tools from both manufactures for a load of cash and they seem popular and highly regarded. I can tell you right now, I go and drop $800 on a jigsaw there will be some inflated talk by people wondering why I would do that. But the results speak for themselves. I will tell you that the Festool OF2000, not being sold any longer, is either borrowed from Mafell or the other way around. Just as I said Mafell uses Metabo for cordless drill research and share many design similarities. Ultimately a good half of Festool lineup cannot be purchased here in the USA. And try buying a Mafell cordless drill or some of their other tools here in the USA, assuming you have the cash…..good luck 🤔
I see the one big problem here in America we are a disposable society as where in Europe the view it as a lifetime purchase. How many guy do you know that will buy a tool then a year later when the “new and improved” model comes out they got to have it.
regopit wrote:
5 hours ago, regopit said:I see the one big problem here in America we are a disposable society as where in Europe the view it as a lifetime purchase. How many guy do you know that will buy a tool then a year later when the “new and improved” model comes out they got to have it.
Dude, that is the perfect analogy here!
ChrisK wrote:
15 hours ago, ChrisK said:I can tell you right now, I go and drop $800 on a jigsaw there will be some inflated talk by people wondering why I would do that.
This is why people outside of other tool users/enthusiasts don’t know how much my TSC55 cost. If my friends or family knew I spent $900 on a saw they would think I’m crazy. With Festool’s 10-Year Parts Availability guarantee for spare parts after an item is discontinued I’m going to have my TSC55 for at least a decade. If they were to discontinue it today it would be like paying $90 a year for the life of the tool before they potentially stop having replacement parts. These same people that would question why I would spend that much money pay $2-3 a day for a cup of coffee which is over $900 a year. So $900 for a tool that will last me at least a decade or $9000 for coffee every day for a decade? It’s not hard to see which the smarter purchase is.
I agree except that Festool is for “ construction “ maybe 5-10% of very careful construction sites, not 90% of guys that will use their tools. They break , not break down, but break when you drop them. “The systainers break if dropped…”Then Don’t drop them joe “ ya not possible in our world. We bought the Festool track saw, someone dropped the saw ,bang , cracked and done….
On the other hand Flexvolt saws get dropped all the time and take it. Nothing wrong with being a shop tool. Nothing wrong with buying high priced,high end tools. I love great tools , Mafell hell ya…glad to learn that.
Construction is a much different world then finish guys, cabinet guys or shop guys. Not tv construction, real construction…there’s no floor,walls ,roof to protect your stuff. You show up to a hole in the ground, a foundation,no backfill,boulders,stumps, rocks everywhere, rough terrain,,,your tools are in the dirt, mud, knocked off 12’ ft foundations ..
Looks like Mafell tools take a beating, but they’re designed for abuse. Festool System is the best out there, I’m just getting into it thanks to @ChrisK…Someday I hope to own a cnc machine and a 3D maker….
When I worked in a set shop tools were abused. Most guys were working 70+ hour weeks so they were dead tired and did not care, so tools were dropped tossed left out in the rain on occasion and maintenance was dismal. All of the Festool power tools held up fine, Porter Cable routers are the bomb. Senco and Grex nail guns and staplers held up. After leaving the set shop I bought my own track saw and bring it to work on occasion and let other people use it. The one rule is when you are not cutting leave it on the floor. This way it can never fall very far….
Some of the festool plastic is junk. If I could buy tools without Systainers I would in a heart beat. I once had the track saw sitting on top of the vacuum. when I grabbed the saw it got caught on the hose garage and pull off a chunk of plastic. Really? That should not happen.
SetBuilder wrote:
13 hours ago, SetBuilder said:If I could buy tools without Systainers I would in a heart beat.
There is a very simple solution for this – sell your systainers. People regularly get close to full price for new, unused systainers on EBay. If EBay isn’t to your liking, I’m sure there is more than one crew member that would happily take them off of your hands. Either way, you can get your Festool fix and not have to pay for the systainers.
Yup, I’ll probably put them on Craig’s list to help fund my next big purchase. In Europe you can order festool in a systainer or cardboard box, unfortunately in the US that is not an option.
I would be very disappointed if I didn’t get a systainer with my Festool tools. Do I wish they were tougher, sure but it is hard to complain when many other brand come with bags or blow mold cases.
If I relied on my tools to make a living and if I had invested in Festools, I can say with a fair amount of certainty that my tools would be MY tools and certainly not for others to use and abuse. If I break something, I get annoyed, but there’s no way I’d let people that just beat the snot out of tools use them. I’m sure I’d be quite unpopular on the jobsite, but maybe that’s just me.