Are Festool Router (and tools) really worth the money?

[woodenstx]

I purchased the TS55 setup last year... First big leap into "proper" tools. I was a shade wary at first of the cost etc but its just divine to use. Saying that, I bet the Dewalt and Makita versions are "just as good", but in reality they arent vastly cheaper anyway.

I have a Clarke CR3 (I think, basically the one you cant buy anymore :lol: ) 1/2" router and its a beast, sure its not perfect and needs a little bit of cunning with setups, but with Trend bits (or any of similar/better quality) its a joy to use.

My biggest revelation in general was the simple concept of dust extraction..... I'd never ever considered it in the past but not I wont be without my trusty titan wet+dry next to me

 

[AJB Temple]

I also recommend the Elu. I have an oldish 1/2" machine mounted to my router table and it is excellent. I still have and regularly use a 1/4" ELU machine that I must have had for 25 years that is still going strong and as far as I am concerned works as good as new. Cheap way of upgrading if (say) you can't afford the Festool route, whilst you save up.

 

[matt scarlett]

I purchased the TS55 setup last year... First big leap into "proper" tools. I was a shade wary at first of the cost etc but its just divine to use. Saying that, I bet the Dewalt and Makita versions are "just as good", but in reality they arent vastly cheaper anyway.

I have a Clarke CR3 (I think, basically the one you cant buy anymore :lol: ) 1/2" router and its a beast, sure its not perfect and needs a little bit of cunning with setups, but with Trend bits (or any of similar/better quality) its a joy to use.

My biggest revelation in general was the simple concept of dust extraction..... I'd never ever considered it in the past but not I wont be without my trusty titan wet+dry next to me

I was going to invest in a Dewalt DW75 table saw, as I'm uncertain for how long I'm going to be at my current address, and I didn't want to get a proper table saw, only to have to hump it to another address, or worse, have to put it in storage (long story). I wonder if I should just invest in something like the Festool TS55 instead. Just for ripping I prefer using a table saw with crosscuts being done with some form of sled, but you've got me thinking.

 

[woodenstx]

I have zero space for a table saw of any meaningful size, so a track saw and a few strips of sacrificial wood to space it all up is what I use on the decking.... As said, I reckon any tracksaw would be great (possibly except for the schleeeeepach one), just I purchased the festool once since I'm a spec/brand whore and simply couldnt justify a mafel :lol:

 

[petermillard]

If you're cutting sheet materials then tracksaw, all day long.

 

[Wuffles]

I have zero space for a table saw of any meaningful size, so a track saw and a few strips of sacrificial wood to space it all up is what I use on the decking.... As said, I reckon any tracksaw would be great (possibly except for the schleeeeepach one), just I purchased the festool once since I'm a spec/brand Peach and simply couldnt justify a mafel :lol:

It gets worse, because you end up taking the Mafell apart to add in a festy power connector or it makes using a boom arm with a power lead attached permanently to the hose a total and utter hassle

Convenience.

I'd argue that any track saw will do what it's supposed to do Matt, hard for them not to really. Arguably the Bosch/Mafell rails are better...and if someone wants to buy mine they can, I was too heavily invested in festool rails when I switched brands and couldn't be bothered to re-buy them all. Luckily the Mafell fits both rails.

 

[matt scarlett]

The thing is, although the dewalt table saw looks good, i know for ripping MDF for the sub enclosures, it's a pretty small thing, and adding a sled is going to be interesting. Sure i could use it as a base for my own table saw, and build extensions, but for ripping, it's giving me another perspective. Due to the limit of your average boot, I won't go much above 40" (sub lying down) for enclosure width. and with your average sub being 12" i guess the average height cut is only going to be 12-13"

i'm still thinking..... But the replies are throwing up names that as a newbie, i don't know like Mafell rails. Gives me more options and things to look into.

 

[doctor Bob]

No

 

[Woodmonkey]

Festool do a table that the ts55 can be mounted upside-down in which would then allow allow you to use for narrow ripping. Ain't cheap though.

 

[Beau]

I'm guessing the Elu router bits are equally as trustworthy and reliable?

Don't know if they ever made cutters but it's a a standard 1/2 inch collet so can take cutters from all your good manufactures like CMT, Wealden, Whiteside, Trend, Viper etc

 

[matt scarlett]

I'm guessing the Elu router bits are equally as trustworthy and reliable?

Don't know if they ever made cutters but it's a a standard 1/2 inch collet so can take cutters from all your good manufactures like CMT, Wealden, Whiteside, Trend, Viper etc

Cheers

 

[Distinterior]

Looking at the overall quality of the newer Dewalt router (DW 625EK) versus the old Elu (177E) router, I do think the older version was better built. Hence my old Elu's are still going even after all these years. If you can find an Elu 177 in good condition, it is definitely worth considering.

The Festool routers are a step up in quality and of course, more modern technology. All that aside, the dust extraction capabilities alone should make it a contender on your list, especially if you are going to be routing MDF regularly. Don't forget, you get to buy a Festool router, try it for up to 15 days, and if you think it's not for you, you can take it back and get a full refund!. No problem. I have to say, I don't know anyone personally that has bought one, used it and then decided to take it back.

Tim.

 

[matt scarlett]

Looking at the overall quality of the newer Dewalt router (DW 625EK) versus the old Elu (177E) router, I do think the older version was better built. Hence my old Elu's are still going even after all these years. If you can find an Elu 177 in good condition, it is definitely worth considering.

The Festool routers are a step up in quality and of course, more modern technology. All that aside, the dust extraction capabilities alone should make it a contender on your list, especially if you are going to be routing MDF regularly. Don't forget, you get to buy a Festool router, try it for up to 15 days, and if you think it's not for you, you can take it back and get a full refund!. No problem. I have to say, I don't know anyone personally that has bought one, used it and then decided to take it back.

Tim.

]
Cheers. Hands up, i wasn't very good with the whole 'Dust extraction' stuff in the past. I just got to cutting. Don't get me wrong, when i was buying MDF from my local totem timber, a builder stopped me and asked what i was doing (project). i told him i was building a subwoofer enclosure. He gave me a full a warning about MDF, and told me to get a really good mask at the very least (i already had one). But i never got a dust extractor

 

[shed9]

In response to the question of the worth of Festool;

In my opinion, some of it yes, some of it no.

On a whole the kit is well made, well supported and pays for itself in my opinion whether it be commercially or dividends in the enjoyment of a hobby. Their kit generally becomes more cost effective the more you buy, taking advantage of the system approach, i.e. using tracks for saws, routers and the LR32 system for example.

That said, there are parts of Festool which I think need addressing; why is the fence that comes with the 1010 just a pressed steel part, I'd expect that with Triton, not Festool? The drills are also a little over priced and under powered in my opinion.

My main concern with Festool is the gradual switch from German made, IIRC the PDC drill is now Czech made and this may go further afield.

The bottom line however is that a product is worth what the customer will pay, those that don't feel the price is worth paying do not actually reduce that 'worth', well not in a commercial sense at least.

 

[matt scarlett]

In response to the question of the worth of Festool;

In my opinion, some of it yes, some of it no.

On a whole the kit is well made, well supported and pays for itself in my opinion whether it be commercially or dividends in the enjoyment of a hobby. Their kit generally becomes more cost effective the more you buy, taking advantage of the system approach, i.e. using tracks for saws, routers and the LR32 system for example.

That said, there are parts of Festool which I think need addressing; why is the fence that comes with the 1010 just a pressed steel part, I'd expect that with Triton, not Festool? The drills are also a little over priced and under powered in my opinion.

My main concern with Festool is the gradual switch from German made, IIRC the PDC drill is now Czech made and this may go further afield.

The bottom line however is that a product is worth what the customer will pay, those that don't feel the price is worth paying do not actually reduce that 'worth', well not in a commercial sense at least.

Thanks for the insight. Are you saying that you feel the move to czech will effect the build quality?

 

[Wuffles]

In response to the question of the worth of Festool;

In my opinion, some of it yes, some of it no.

On a whole the kit is well made, well supported and pays for itself in my opinion whether it be commercially or dividends in the enjoyment of a hobby. Their kit generally becomes more cost effective the more you buy, taking advantage of the system approach, i.e. using tracks for saws, routers and the LR32 system for example.

That said, there are parts of Festool which I think need addressing; why is the fence that comes with the 1010 just a pressed steel part, I'd expect that with Triton, not Festool? The drills are also a little over priced and under powered in my opinion.

My main concern with Festool is the gradual switch from German made, IIRC the PDC drill is now Czech made and this may go further afield.

The bottom line however is that a product is worth what the customer will pay, those that don't feel the price is worth paying do not actually reduce that 'worth', well not in a commercial sense at least.

Thanks for the insight. Are you saying that you feel the move to czech will effect the build quality?

Cost saving can do that. They were always proud to be made in Germany, not so now I guess is the point, but they're all at it so take your pick.

 

[shed9]

Thanks for the insight. Are you saying that you feel the move to czech will effect the build quality?

I have no doubt that the quality will be the same specification. However, when companies switch to a cheaper workforce, it rarely ends well for the end product, the employee or indeed the customer.

 

[matt scarlett]

. However, when companies switch to a cheaper workforce, it rarely ends well for the end product, the employee or indeed the customer.

That seems to be my experience regardless of the product. 'Get the good stuff while you can' i guess

 

[Wuffles]

In terms of quality Festool items, the routers are still the nuts. I wouldn't worry.


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[woodenstx]

Dremel went from German made to south american.... I have a german one and its been abused like you wouldnt believe and its still fine, suffice to say I know folks with south american ones which havent lasted beyong the first few months of similar abuse