Comments on: What I Learned At Festool Cabinet Training Class

By: Willy

Willy — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:25:46 +0000

Look at it this way – in a production cabinet shop, consistency, accuracy and repeatability are the highest priority. Add to that the fact that the sawyers are handling multiple sheets of heavy MDF or other multi-ply materials all day long. A sliding table saw all but eliminates the inconsistencies inherent in cabinet saws and track saws. A sliding table saw also carries the full weight of the materials while they’re being cut, unlike a cabinet saw which requires a body to manhandle and support the materials while simultaneously feeding them through the blade. A really good sliding table saw like the Altendorf F45 (http://www.altendorf.com.au/products/panelsaws/f45.html) provides computerized sizing to the thousanth of an inch. Try that on a cabinet saw or with a track saw.

If you have to custom-cut on-site, the track saw is the way to go, but for production cabinetmaking, the sliding table saw will provide the tightest tolerances possible. Obviously you won’t slip one of these into the back of your pickup or van.

By: Ronald Sauve

Ronald Sauve — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:08:47 +0000

My Festool dealer said it all: “We only need to sell you one Festool”. After that you’re already sold on them. At one time, I thought, these are very nice tools, but they are way overpriced. But after I bought my first Festool, (the TS55 and 2 55″ guide rails), I never went back. I bought the clamps, but never used them. The guides never moved even with sawdust under them.
But the thing I really like about Festool is the quality of work one can do is better. That alone makes them worth the price paid.
As an example, I needed a new 5″ R.O. finish sander, and dust collection was a necessity. I really wanted the Festool, but it was $170, and the P.C. was $80, so I got the P.C. Mistake; there was minimal dust collection. Back to the dealer, picked up the Festool, and Viola! What a difference! No dust. The discs last forever. The finish is FLAT. I can even sand board edges and not get roundover.
LOVE FESTOOL!

By: Frank Shannon

Frank Shannon — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:28:43 +0000

Excellent points.

Without consideration of portability or cost or space, why is a sliding table saw better for breaking down sheet goods for cabinet parts than the combination of a track saw and cabinet saw?

By: Ken Nagrod

Ken Nagrod — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:53:46 +0000

Hello all! I’ve been staying in the background too long since the inception of T.I.C., so first I’ll introduce myself, then give my 4 cents.

My name is Ken Nagrod. I have a construction business and I’m a union carpenter and cabinetmaker. My working ranges from foundation to roof, rough framing to finish work and building cabinetry. I am constantly trying to improve my skills in this field, seeking out experts or even a novice with a good idea. As Gary Katz can attest to, I’ve sought him out for help by phone, email and in person. I’ve even asked his advice on particular tools and brands and I appreciate his honest opinions. I don’t have any issue with Kreg’s article. He didn’t try to force me to buy Festool products, but he did accomplish two things. He offered his way of accomplishing a task for others to consider and he made people aware of training available to them by Festool. I always look for ways to improve myself or learn something new, even teach what I know to others. I want to be highly skilled in my trade and pass along what I’ve learned to others so people can enjoy doing our craft and gain respect for their quality work. If someone doesn’t like Festool, that’s fine, but see the article for what it really is. It’s NOT a marketing ploy!

By: Benjamin Miner

Benjamin Miner — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:19:50 +0000

I feel the same way about Festool as I do about Apple – love the products, hate the company, and try hard not to sound like a fanboy. However, in both instances I am a total convert and will purchase by brand loyalty whenever possible.

On the flip side, I just built a shop last year and outfitted it with large scale tools which have absolutely taken my work and my productivity to the next level. In the past I have built cabinets on site or out of my basement, using lots of Festool gear, a decent contractor saw, and a 3 HP router table. You can get very good results this way or by taking over part of the on-site garage. In many cases it’s completely appropriate and fine for budgets and schedules. But in terms of overall ease of work and productivity, when it comes to building cabinets, a shop is without peer. Cabinet saws are well and good, but an 8′sliding table is a game changer. As for moldings, a shaper with a power feeder (or Williams and Hussey) makes a night and day difference even over a good router table. If you need to make doors, you really need a jointer and planer, which is pretty inconvenient to take to the site. That’s not to mention the increase in quality and speed that comes with a wide-belt sander (pre-sanded stock is very nice!), and let’s not leave out a central dust collection system.

I say all this as someone who became interested in cabinetry after doing a lot of trim work and built ins on site, using the Festool system. In the future, I’ll probably end up doing some more work that way. It’s a very good way of working (and they keep improving it), and for those without the option of building or renting shop space and making a huge investment in stationary tooling, you can go a long way using those methods. It also allows the carpenter or GC to keep the cabinetry budget rather than subbing it out. But when all is said and done, I have to ultimately agree with Dreamcatcher – the best quality and most efficient methods come from the shop.

By: Steve Parent

Steve Parent — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:09:53 +0000

I too am a finish carpenter and cabinetmaker and I have a shop with all the tools. The Festool saw with rail is one of the best tools I have purchased in years. It is light, accurate and very well engineered. The big plus is bringing the saw to the sheet goods instead of wrestling heavy sheets to the tablesaw. I can stack sheets on the bench and make repeat cuts all day.I mostly do my crosscuts with the Festool and rips on the tablesaw. This is my first visit to this website and it is quite good!

By: Kreg mcmahon

Kreg mcmahon — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:34:30 +0000

Yep so true! Nicely said that’s why Festool’s slogan is faster easier and smarter!

When I was at the class we had eight guys cutting , routing , sanding etc all day. Clean up maybe 10 min probably 5-7 min.

By: William Cazeault

William Cazeault — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:03:27 +0000

Its a sorry day in carpentry when old masters refuse to acknowledge new ideas. I am 65 with a shop etc. but I am just getting into Festool.Where would we be if we stopped at the Wright Bros.When I started no one would show you how to do things,job security.These articles are fantastic;
making life easier.Less cleanup.Most other tool manufactures are good but old hat,old style;nowhere as efficient.Just to conclude,”How long does it take without Festool to clean your shop before and after cutting 20 plywood treads”

By: Ed Latson

Ed Latson — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:15:24 +0000

It’s 2010…..our ‘age of glory’…Yes, I’m a Recovering Neanderthal-26″ hand miter saws in the cast iron assembly…used to be called your miter saw-very simple,etc,etc… I drove the Festool guys nuts at JLC shows,local trade shows…even drove Gary Katz and company nuts at one of their shows—-questions,questions,questions to all of them……..FINALLY! I broke down and purchased some Festool components 3 1/2 years ago…Here is my litmus test for any tool-power or hand-…put them out-whether in the shop or on the jobsite- and let your crew-The Pros- choose what they want to use…guess what folks? Festool,Mafele (Yes, some of the components are interchangeable…) get used over and over again.
Any regrets??? You betcha!!! It would have been most prudent for me to have purchased Festool/Mafele tools 10 years ago when they were first introduced to me…Funny thing is..try this-take an old miter saw system that still works and is sharp…give it to The Pros to use-they’ll bust a gut laughing!!!
None of our choices are either/or today. We have the richness of unparalleled choice-and quality- sitting in front of us. There is no one system that works 100% at 100% of the time….but, Festool,et al come darn close.
Keep it simple…Oh, also! That darn Festool vac and dust collection system works so well INSIDE YOUR CLIENT’S FINISHED HOME….it is, simply,a “DUH!” moment.
It actually makes money for you.
Thanks to Gary & Co for this splendid forum-THIS is what we need more of.
The Recovering Neaderthal- Ed Latson

By: Eric Buggeln

Eric Buggeln — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:53:47 +0000

Kreg, your article finally pushed me over the edge and drove me to have to have the parallel guides. I initially really wanted them, but shyed away because my table saw could do all that??? Well I used to cut all cabinet parts a 1/4 of an inch long with the guide rails and then run them through my table saw to get repetitive cuts. I pretty much always had my assistant help me with this, which took him away from what he was doing. Now with the parallel guides Im doing all the cutting or better yet my assistant is doing it because its pretty full proof and Im getting ready to attack the next step of the process.
My initial thoughts on the parallel guides are very positive. They are well built, well thought out, and work as advertised. With a little help from the Festool Owners Group, I was able to calibrate and use mine very quickly. I do believe that a portable tool of this sort should come with a bag or case and I would especially like to see attachments for larger cuts. All in all a great buy. kreg, you never fail me, dude, Eric