Well, if you can buy tools tax-free from pre-tax income it doesn't hurt that much. Tax rules might allow him to transfer the tools to his private ownership for like 10% of purchase price after 3 years. Then he can sell them 'used' on the private used market for 70% of new price and the tool will have cost him nothing those 3 years. The opposite even...

2k in Systainers; how much do you count per Systainer? 50 bucks? That would make 40 Systainers. I think a lot of hobbyist on this forum would reach that number of Systainers.

Having 10 grand in extra tools somehow always gets more weird looks than driving a 20 grand more expensive car.

10 grand in tools really isn't that much if you total everything. Some small stuff might be really expensive too.

MFK 700.  I caved after a very long foot-stomping boycott, which included selling some of my lightly-used Festool stuff, due to Festool's repeated QC issues back when.  I did what I could to reduce their sales for as long as I could, and wow has the competition caught up since then.  At the end of the day, I couldn't deal with the dust my current trim router was causing, so I caved and went with the MFK700.  I probably would have held off, too, but I saw them going out of stock everywhere. 

I have a prediction:  December through February will be a bad time for Festool.  My local Woodcraft already has a lot of bare display stands where Festool is supposed to go. 

Don't even want to know cost. I lost count of Systainers but probably close to 40 by now...they seem to multiply. No regrets.

Hey, @Cheese , did your RAP 150-14 come with the auxiliary handle, or is that one of the add-ons you picked up besides the 80mm backer?  I snagged the RAP 150-21 from Recon earlier this week and aside from showing up in a clownishly oversized outer box, the inside box only had the Shinex, attached 150mm backer pad, and an insert card with the QR code to get to Festool's website for a user's manual.  It had no Aux handle, and I can't remember if it was listed in the bill of goods for the listing on recon or not.

I'm still up in the air on a Tanos Midi III or a Festool L 237 to store it in, but the cardboard box will suffice for now.  Is the 237 just the right height, or a little taller than it needs to be (the Midi III is slightly shorter).

The auxiliary handle is definitely part of the deliverables. Call Festool and they'll send one out.    I'm still impressed with how small & compact the Shinex is. My previous experiences have always been with a Milwaukee 5540 which weighs 9#.

The SYS³ L 237 is deep enough to hold the 6" pads vertically. For both the pads & the aux handle, I removed all of the foam so that they rest on the bottom of the Systainer. The pads are vertical without being touched/compressed by the cover foam and the aux handle recedes deep enough that I can place several micro fiber cloths on top of it and the 70 mm backing pad.



With the added depth of the SYS³ L 237 I've now also included a small box of clay, 4 micro fiber cloths, 4 white RO 90 sponges & 2 black RO 90 sponges. And I think I've still got a little room left. 

After long consideration… I received my first TS 55 today. Strange, since it’s seems to be the first tool any new to Festool machinery buys .. well I’ve been busy with buying other Festool’s but now I’m seeing the benefit of one. Hard priorities, and need of course.

Funny enough, I ordered the TS55 FEBQ version, corded. Well, at first glance I thought the dealer had sent me the wrong version. They had put their own new tag (with the corresponding correct part no’) on top of Festool’s original tag on the systainer. I had to check again, checking serial no’ outside and on the saw, it was a match. Outside says “F” only version on the left tag, but “Master edt.” on the right tag.
And rightfully it’s a FEBQ version. After a quick search this is a limited version that comes with an additional blade, the 28 tooth. Which of course was “missing” on mine. Nonetheless, I bought it on a campaign the dealer had (which was at a good price) on the FEBQ version. So if I’d buy the “missing” blade, it’s still a good deal

And to go with both the router, a FS 800/2 rail + the new fancy stick-on-a-wall rail, FS 1400/2-KP

Also, a new OF 1010R, replacing my old bought pre-owned, now sold.
There was also a free gift from Festool, a “KEYTOOL” to attach to whatever key chain/ring.
Cool little Gadget to go with your keys, or workwear. It’s about 2”x3/4” in size, flat as a pancake.

I know, I’m late (so says many.. )
Actually, I have (came with a “lot” with a CMS GE table) a TS 75.. used once. It’s big, heavy and is doomed to a module, and for those bevel cuts in thicker 48mm framing or other thicker stock.
I have used the HKC in place of a TS 55/TS 75.. I love that HKC!

After long consideration… I received my first TS 55 today. Strange, since it’s seems to be the first tool any new to Festool machinery buys .. well I’ve been busy with buying other Festool’s but now I’m seeing the benefit of one. Hard priorities, and need of course.

And to go with both the router, a FS 800/2 rail + the new fancy stick-on-a-wall rail, FS 1400/2-KP

I was a late adopter too. My initial Festool purchase was DF500 and not long after, a RO90.
The company I worked for had a TS75, which I did use once in a while, but never got fully into it.
I'm curious to see how you get along with the OF1010R and especially the new rail.

Work Lamp KAL II SYSLITE found a new home from the Recon sale. 

Hopefully I won't leave it on the job site like I did the last one.  Ha ha.

They must have had a few of them available, because I grabbed one as well.  I'm hoping that it's much more handy than the DUO for small jobs and especially with the battery but I definitely would have preferred the -Set with the magnetic mount.  C'est la vie.

Hi, nice light we use it to check behind the painter

Cheese.. is the KAL II worth the upgrade from KAL I? - (Internal)Battery life sucks on KAL I - and the light is decent. The light spread and soft fall-off is very good.

I don’t like the idea of constantly have to use the mains adaptor, or even occupy a 18V pack.

Quote from: FestitaMakool on November 11, 2021, 05:01 PM

Cheese.. is the KAL II worth the upgrade from KAL I? - (Internal)Battery life sucks on KAL I - and the light is decent. The light spread and soft fall-off is very good.

I don’t like the idea of constantly have to use the mains adaptor, or even occupy a 18V pack.

Huh I don't get it? No mains, no internal battery... but you don't want it to 'occupy' an 18V battery either? I love external batteries for things that run on battery. It means you can have multiple batteries for it and charge them whenever and wherever it suits you. Just like I have with my 'free' Bosch light that came when I bought my 18V caulk gun that Festool doesn't have; it uses the same battery. Drill, light, caulkgun, vac; all use the same type of battery. I like it.

I don't understand it in the sense that the KAL and KAL II have an internal battery already.

My only gripe with the Sys-Rock (in the US; I know that there are plenty of gripes about it in the UK) is that you can either use the hook back to hang the radio with it plugged in to mains power, or you can attach a battery to it (I use some old 12V batteries from a C-12), but then the back is useless.  I thought it had an internal battery like the KAL, but other than that I enjoy it quite a bit.

Quote from: Coen on November 12, 2021, 12:46 PM

Quote from: FestitaMakool on November 11, 2021, 05:01 PM

Cheese.. is the KAL II worth the upgrade from KAL I? - (Internal)Battery life sucks on KAL I - and the light is decent. The light spread and soft fall-off is very good.

I don’t like the idea of constantly have to use the mains adaptor, or even occupy a 18V pack.

Huh I don't get it? No mains, no internal battery... but you don't want it to 'occupy' an 18V battery either? I love external batteries for things that run on battery. It means you can have multiple batteries for it and charge them whenever and wherever it suits you. Just like I have with my 'free' Bosch light that came when I bought my 18V caulk gun that Festool doesn't have; it uses the same battery. Drill, light, caulkgun, vac; all use the same type of battery. I like it.

I don't understand it in the sense that the KAL and KAL II have an internal battery already.

My only gripe with the Sys-Rock (in the US; I know that there are plenty of gripes about it in the UK) is that you can either use the hook back to hang the radio with it plugged in to mains power, or you can attach a battery to it (I use some old 12V batteries from a C-12), but then the back is useless.  I thought it had an internal battery like the KAL, but other than that I enjoy it quite a bit.

As Squall_line mentions, both KAL have internal battery. KAL II improved it.
My gripes is that a small portable light when first having an internal battery don’t explicit demands the purchase of a $100+ separate battery to be useful.. there are other lights that offers much much longer battery life from its internals. If so poor battery life, they could have made the light much cheaper to totally depend on the proprietary Festool 18V system. Then it would make sense to dedicate a separate battery.

The SYSRock is nice, I’ve the DAB version and sound is decent. This I mainly run of mains, but if needed one can make it wireless with a 18V battery.

Even though most places said "ships 11/15", this big beauty arrived today (along with a polishing backing pad for my RO 90)



Another shot



And with its older cousin



They should come in handy for transporting Thanksgiving leftovers in a couple of weeks.  . I'm really curious (but not curious enough to legitimately test) to see which one stays colder longer.  I feel like the new Sys³ Cooltainer will seal better with the double-lap joint between the top and bottom.

Also, 2 out of 5 boxes from my CMS GE Router table arrived today delivered by a UPS contractor in their personal vehicle.  I have a feeling the main table box needs to come on a big brown truck, not in the back of a beat up 2003 Toyota Highlander.

But, I believe that the CMS OF GE set should come complete on a pallet, strapped securely in a pallet sized box. That would be the original packaging from Festool.

You are correct,    all the parts are packed in individual cardboard boxes and those are then packed into a single heavy wall cardboard box maybe 4'x4'x3' which is strapped to a pallet. I was surprised how large the entire package was.    These things take up a lot of warehouse space.

@Cheese You mean you didn't go pick yours up in person from @Bob Marino 's garage? 

No Matt...unlike some other person that I know... ...and I also had to pay full list...