Author Topic: What was your first Festool purchase and why? (Read 6202 times)

DSP1578 · « **on:** April 20, 2022, 03:01 PM »

Mine was the TS55 when it was the only track saw on the market. I was saving for something else at the time (not a tool). I went into my local Woodcraft store for something and played around with the TS55 on display. I immediately went home and grabbed my cash I was saving and returned to buy the saw. Soon after that I bought the CT MIDI. The rest is history...

Kpp80202 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2022, 03:17 PM »

ATF55E + CT22E was my first order about 20 years ago. I just "traded" the saw for the new TS55F only to get a few more features that I wanted. The saw was still going strong and was a great purchase.

Coen · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2022, 03:19 PM »

Well, at first I started getting what family didn't have. So I started with an OF-1010 (set with 800 rail).

Coen · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2022, 03:22 PM »

Quote from: Kpp80202 on April 20, 2022, 03:17 PM

ATF55E + CT26 was my first order about 20 years ago. I just "traded" the saw for the new TS55F only to get a few more features that I wanted. The saw was still going strong and was a great purchase.

There was no CT26 20 years ago. The 26 got introduced in 2009 (?)

But if you are sure about the ATF, it was probably a CT 22. Since by the time the CT 26 came out, the ATF was (I think) already discontinued having kinda be replaced by the TS 55 (introduction 2003).

FestitaMakool · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2022, 04:19 PM »

A combined buy of a CT Mini I and a CT SYS (got a price advantage) Very soon followed by MFT/3.

The CT’s seemed like nothing else on the market, and I’m still very happy with them (and the revelation of working dust-free!) The features, the square shape, and the feeling and experience of a product that was designed by someone who cared and listened to their users.

I think I also bought most Festool accessories in the following period. The tools actually came last..
(The DC is somewhat a tool, but a secondary one? Maybe not secondary anymore after the great experience?

)

Jim_in_PA · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2022, 04:52 PM »

Strangely enough, my first Festool purchase was actually the Trion jigsaw. I had a need and was already testing out some products with "Uncle Bob" (Bob Marino, retired Festool purveyor) in my shop. Of course, that experience led to a whole bunch of additional purchases, both by me and by folks who, um...got introduced to them...in my shop. I only ever sold off one tool and that was the triangular sander that I just never used, but it was a long time ago. At this point, two CSX, a T15, a T12, the Trion, a TS55, MFT, OF-1010, OF-1400, Domino 700XL, Rotex 150 and 150/3 plus the CT-22 all grace my shop plus a few tracks. All from that one simple purchase.

woodbutcherbower · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2022, 05:02 PM »

1st-gen TS55 in 2004. Where did those 18 years go to?

Lincoln · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2022, 05:25 PM »

C12 drill/driver, with the sys1 with removable storage boxes.
Was bought for me when I was a 4th year apprentice, in the mid 90's.

Euclid · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2022, 05:31 PM »

I actually first found out about Festool via Systainers (and ordered some) - before I discovered it was a tool brand too!
First tools though were a CSX and KAl II light.

Kpp80202 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2022, 05:32 PM »

Quote from: Coen on April 20, 2022, 03:22 PM

Quote from: Kpp80202 on April 20, 2022, 03:17 PM
ATF55E + CT26 was my first order about 20 years ago. I just "traded" the saw for the new TS55F only to get a few more features that I wanted. The saw was still going strong and was a great purchase.

There was no CT26 20 years ago. The 26 got introduced in 2009 (?)

But if you are sure about the ATF, it was probably a CT 22. Since by the time the CT 26 came out, the ATF was (I think) already discontinued having kinda be replaced by the TS 55 (introduction 2003).

It is a CT22E. My mistake. It definitely came as a package with the ATF55E.

bwehman · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2022, 05:48 PM »

Domino was the first for a shop cabinet project. Looked so innovative and at the time I didn't have a table saw that could make rabbets, so it was sort of the only way of doing wood joinery with the small shop (apartment second bedroom) and limited tools at the time. That was in 2015.

All these years later, I now have just about everything Festool sells in the US. Wild ride.

Crazyraceguy · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2022, 07:05 PM »

The company I work for bought a TS75, a pair of 1400 tracks, and a CT22, several years ago. I don't remember exactly when, but it was well before I got into it myself. It was for a long miter that had to be done on-site for some job I don't even remember anymore. I did use it in the shop once in a while, but the TS75 is a bit cumbersome and overkill for what I needed. It is great, in its place, but sheet goods are not that.
My first purchase was a DF500 and the tenon/cutter set. It was a game changer for me and the way I work.

SoonerFan · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2022, 09:00 PM »

When I first drank the green kool aid, I drank a bunch all at once….

CT36
TS55
MFT/3
OF1400
RO125

And I either bought the Carvex then or a month or so later. After these came a DF500 and the a Kapex.

Why? I had several projects that needed done at our house. I wanted a portable setup and good dust collection. And also because my local Woodcraft sales person was a big fan and I trust him.

Yardbird · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2022, 10:29 PM »

My first purchase was a RAS 115 sander on sale for $219, including a free Festool T-Shirt. If I knew what I know now, I would have purchased a few more and stick them away to resell. Then the Recon sales started and lets just say that the sander has a few friends now.

Chainring · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2022, 11:18 PM »

CT 48 AC. I went all the way in.

MrToolJunkie · « **Reply #15 on:** April 21, 2022, 12:12 AM »

TS75 for me. Then a few weeks later a Rotex 150 and CT22. A few weeks later a DTS400. And now I have many, many more and duplicates of some tools.

I needed the TS75 to trim the ends of my massive work bench I was making at the time. It was a game changer for sure.

mino · « **Reply #16 on:** April 21, 2022, 04:32 AM »

A set of:
AGC 18 (with DCG AG 125, DCC AG 125 and DCC AG 125 FH + shims for compatibility with AGC 18)
CTM 36 AC (with CT-VA)
TSC 55

The vac was an overkill, but I figured rather have one machine which can do it all than mess around with 3 vacs. AC was a must as over here houses are either concrete or masonry and needed something to go along the DCG AG when using a diamond grinder.

Only "mistake" was going 36. CTM 26 would have been more than adequate on capacity - having included the CT-VA.

sawdustinmyshoes · « **Reply #17 on:** April 21, 2022, 12:21 PM »

Domino/CT22 package. I had a project requiring a lot of mortises and one of my most loathesome shop tasks is cleaning out the bottom of a mortise with a chisel.

SRSemenza · « **Reply #18 on:** April 21, 2022, 02:53 PM »

We have a new sticky topic here for First Festool purchase. The old one (s) have been retired. They are still accessible for viewing. Though I have nothing against reviving old topics. Lets call this one a reboot.

There is also What Festool Did You Buy Today for members continued posting about purchases. Because you know you can't just buy one.

Seth

Coen · « **Reply #19 on:** April 21, 2022, 03:33 PM »

Quote from: Kpp80202 on April 20, 2022, 05:32 PM

Quote from: Coen on April 20, 2022, 03:22 PM
Quote from: Kpp80202 on April 20, 2022, 03:17 PM
ATF55E + CT26 was my first order about 20 years ago. I just "traded" the saw for the new TS55F only to get a few more features that I wanted. The saw was still going strong and was a great purchase.

There was no CT26 20 years ago. The 26 got introduced in 2009 (?)

But if you are sure about the ATF, it was probably a CT 22. Since by the time the CT 26 came out, the ATF was (I think) already discontinued having kinda be replaced by the TS 55 (introduction 2003).

It is a CT22E. My mistake. It definitely came as a package with the ATF55E.

Aah, the package deals. I got my TS 55 with a CTL 26. Bought it at the local Festool demo day for maximum goodies

VirTERM · « **Reply #20 on:** April 21, 2022, 03:46 PM »

My first one was Domino with a set of dowels/cutters. Shortly after ct26 with dts400 combo and right after that RO150….
Now, 3 years later, I have a lot of systeiners …

Distinctive Interiors · « **Reply #21 on:** April 21, 2022, 04:52 PM »

My first purchase was also a TS75 along with a 1400mm rail and a 3000mm rail.....It was for a specific job and it performed faultlessly....since then, it's been a very slippery slope...!!!

Steve1 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 22, 2022, 05:47 PM »

My first purchase was a CT-36 dust collector.

I had a Shop-Vac brand vacuum forever. I won it in a golf tournament (I am a terrible golfer, but pretty much everybody got something). I hated the thing. So loud that I couldn't turn it on without first putting on hearing protection. Had a crappy filter that clogged up all the time. But still it mostly sucked, so I kept it for a couple of decades. Don't remember exactly what was the straw that broke the camel's back and I decided to get rid of it.

Needed an extra 36mm hose, and pretty much had to laugh at the price of a vacuum hose. Replacement filter bags are how much ?!!
But it was quiet and it worked. I don't ask for much. And the HEPA filter on it came in handy shortly after I bought it.

jcameron42 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 18, 2023, 03:28 PM »

My first Festool purchase was the CT Mini Dust Extractor. Needed a dust extractor with an anti-static hose and HEPA Filtration to clean a server room and computers.

hdv · « **Reply #24 on:** January 18, 2023, 04:09 PM »

For me that was the Kapex 120. I had a Bosch (green) that I was getting so sick of, that I gave it away to one of my then employees. Never had any regrets of both getting the Kapex and getting rid of that Bosch!

luvmytoolz · « **Reply #25 on:** January 18, 2023, 05:38 PM »

The first ones I bought were the original RO1E Rotex and the SR5E 38L dust extractor as I was doing an awful lot of sanding of wooden craft items and all the sanders I had were absolutely horrible to use for long periods. After using the Rotex a bit I quickly bought the RS2E 1/2 sheet sander. These are so old they are branded Festo, and came in big grey metal cases.

Just sold the Rotex a few weeks ago, but still have the others, which have been extensively added to over the years!

wpz · « **Reply #26 on:** January 18, 2023, 08:29 PM »

I remember drooling over Festo catalogs in the late 90's and it becoming Festool later, but I didn't have the money to buy such expensive tools and had to make do with a Skil circular saw that I found in the trash and repaired.

Until 2002, when I was able to buy an ATF 55 EB/1 with 2 rails, a connector and 2 rail-clamps very cheaply at a sale because my local hardware store stopped it's business.

In 2005 I bought a Rotex RO 125 FEQ sander to sand and polish because I had to completely strip and repaint an old grand piano for a theatre production.

Since 2009 I finally stopped struggling financially and started making some decent money and gave away all of my crappy powertools and gradually replaced them with mostly Festool, Bosch, Makita and Metabo tools.

I still own (and use) the 125 rotex, but I mostly use it's bigger brother the RO 150 now.
I sold the ATF 55 and 1 rail to a colleague and she still uses it to this day to make sets for movies and theatre.
The ATF got replaced by a TS55 REBQ and since a couple of months by a TS60 KEBQ.

Yardbird · « **Reply #27 on:** January 18, 2023, 09:31 PM »

I never heard of Festool until I was helping at a Habitat house. Another volunteer had a Festool tracksaw and I remember that he put the track down on a piece of plywood, and as I was waiting for the clamps to come out, he just cut it with no clamps. I am left handed and a circular saw is very hard to cut with left handed. To cut with my left hand, the weight of the saw is on the piece I am are cutting off (making small cuts VERY difficult) and I have to stand on the side of the saw where the sawdust exits. So it hits my body and bounces up, getting behind my eyeglasses and bounces around until it ends up in my eyeballs. Can't wear goggles because they just fog up, and I have to see the line I am cutting since I am suspending the saw in midair when making small cuts. I did buy a left handed Porter Cable, (fun to leave at a worksite and watch a right hander pick it up) but I had to admit that track saw was the cat's meow. So I was hooked. The price bothered me so I did not bite right away. Then Festool discontinued their RAS115 sander and I snatched one for under $220. Then I discovered Recon when they started posting items again. I am many thousands of dollars down the rabbit hole now. Don't tell my wife.

Cheese · « **Reply #28 on:** January 18, 2023, 10:19 PM »

Quote from: wpz on January 18, 2023, 08:29 PM

I remember drooling over Festo catalogs in the late 90's and it becoming Festool later, but I didn't have the money to buy such expensive tools and had to make do with a Skil circular saw that I found in the trash and repaired.

Until 2002, when I was able to buy an ATF 55 EB/1 with 2 rails, a connector and 2 rail-clamps very cheaply at a sale because my local hardware store stopped it's business.

In 2005 I bought a Rotex RO 125 FEQ sander to sand and polish because I had to completely strip and repaint an old grand piano for a theatre production.

Since 2009 I finally stopped struggling financially and started making some decent money and gave away all of my crappy powertools and gradually replaced them with mostly Festool, Bosch, Makita and Metabo tools.

I still own (and use) the 125 rotex, but I mostly use it's bigger brother the RO 150 now.
I sold the ATF 55 and 1 rail to a colleague and she still uses it to this day to make sets for movies and theatre.
The ATF got replaced by a TS55 REBQ and since a couple of months by a TS60 KEBQ.

Great story, and don't feel like the lone ranger on this...I think the majority of the casual users on this forum went through the same ownership conundrum as you did when it becomes Festool purchase time. These green/black tools are 4x/5x/10x more expensive than the other common fodder that's offered.

For me it was a decision to replace my ubiquitous $50 Milwaukee sander with a $195 Festool ETS 125. That's a 4x price differential and that's not inconsequential...good move on my part...great story on your part.