Which Festool tool could you not live without?

[Russell Tribby]

I purchased the Domino a few months back to use for a plantation shutter project. I pulled it out and broke it in last week and immediately fell in love. I cut 60+ mortises in about 30 minutes with not an spec of sawdust to show for it. The Domino and vac are my lone Festool purchases so I'm wondering, for those of you that have a larger collection, what Festool pieces are the most prized in your shop?

[David DeCristoforo]

So far I've managed to live without any....

[Russell Tribby]

So far I've managed to live without any....

That was me up until a month ago. I know that the price tag of the Domino is pretty ridiculous but the amount of time it saved me is invaluable. Between teaching, coaching and our three little ones I have a limited amount of time to get things done in the shop. Any piece of equipment or process that helps me to use my time more effeciently is certainly appreciated.

[Reed Wells]

Oh-Oh, All of them.

[Bill Wyko]

I'm up to 9 now and wouldn't part with any of them. Some people will say buying Festool is showboating but I'd disagree. They truly are the best tools I've ever laid hands on. Especially the Domino and any sander they make. The sanders are soo smooth in your hands compaired to anything else. No more numb hands. Their sand paper and dust extraction is great too.

[Jesse Cloud]

I've got pretty much everything but the drill. Wouldn't want to part with any of them. But the real heart of my shop is the system comprised of the multifunction table (MFT), the plunge saw (TS55), and the vac (CT-22). I pretty much use my table saw as an assembly table these days. The three above get used every day.

[glenn bradley]

So far I've managed to live without any....

Same for me but, I have dust collection in its various forms so I get by. For those who benefit from the specific Festool designs, they are very impressive. Items like their router never take top spot in the bake-offs for overall but in DC they have got it down to a science. Go to a dealer and test drive a snader along with their vac. Pretty cool.

Thier sanders are one tool that is just plain tops. Five times the cost of a very nice sander but really loved by those who have spent. the domino would be great for someone working in a semi-production environment or any situation where time is money. I could see one paying for itself quite fast if you are selling a lost of items.

[Dave Avery]

Rotex and CT-22 vac. The rest (MFT, plunge saw, jigsaw, domino, OF-1400 router) are good stuff, but not.....

[Tom Cowie]

I purchased the Domino a few months back to use for a plantation shutter project. I pulled it out and broke it in last week and immediately fell in love. I cut 60+ mortises in about 30 minutes with not an spec of sawdust to show for it. The Domino and vac are my lone Festool purchases so I'm wondering, for those of you that have a larger collection, what Festool pieces are the most prized in your shop?

Hi Russell

The Domino is great and I wouldn't be without mine but I admit that the Festool's that I can't do without are the Rotex and vac combo.

Tom

[Ron Dunn]

None of them.

I admit I've been contemplating a rail-and-saw combination to trim panels to final size after glue-up, but that contemplation has taken over two years because what I have now (a home-made guide) does the job.

I'm sure they are good tools, especially if carpentry or joinery is your thing, but to me they are neither indispensible nor life-saving.

That opinion may get changed soon *grin* ... I'm taking a couple of my preferred joint making tools to spend the afternoon with another woodworker, looking at his Domino in comparison. I'm really looking forward to it.

[Dennis Peacock]

I have 3 and I want a Domino and I couldn't live without any that I already have. Period!!!!

[Joe Mioux]

the mini, the midi(?) and the ct 22.

joe

i have the ct33 vac

[Craig D Peltier]

I dont own any. I do want the rotex sander. I have used it and it takes material off like nothing else.
I have also used the circular saw with guide rail. I was impressed but definately live without. I have a saw with 50 inch rails which helps I guess.

[Steve Clardy]

I have 1 sander, the 150/3, which is great, but could actually do without it.

I have a bosch that is comparable. A tad more vibration than the festool.

[Dave Falkenstein]

I use two MFT1080's connected together as a work table, glue-up table, crosscut table, panel cutting table. The MFT's are really versatile with the guide rail for cutting and routing.