Festool

[Plotloss]

Worked with some shopfitters last year who swore that Festool kit was the way in every way.

Having blown up my relatively pricey Makita comprehensively (drill AND battery) I need a replacement.

Is Festool kit worth the (mighty) premium?

[Red Firecracker]

It's very very nice. I have a mate who is an oak carver/sculptor and he swears by it.

[Plotloss]

The wood boys seem to.

Not many people seem to use them on site however, which I guess is a cost thing.

A 15.6v drill/driver that costs more than a Boschhammer 36v SDS is a bitter pill I have to admit...

[Red Firecracker]

Very much so, they do seem to be favoured by the timber trades. Whether that is a price point thing or not, I don't know, but I've found them very comfortable to use and the powered sanders absolutely fantastic.

[Bill]

B&Q (not a promising start I know) were doing an 18v Makita drill + spare battery for about 1/3 of normal price the other day.

[Plotloss]

It's NiCad

Too heavy...

If it were the lithium version I'd have had their arm off!

[mackg]

its really good stuff, I've got a few of there tools, the main problem is that you dont get any accessories as standard i.e dust bags, attatchments etc etc and the spares are very exspensive. you do get what you pay for in the quality though

[Henry-F]

No question, excellent tools. If budget allows then go out and buy. If you're just using for diy then you may not get the benefit of Festool's extra purchase price. You could buy something for 1/3 of the price which as a diy tool will more than suffice.

But on pure quality Festool is first choice within the Timber world.

Henry

[erolb]

The younish lad (25) who fitted our kitchen worktops had all Festool gear. He opened up the back of his brand new Merc Sprinter to reveal all these pale grey carry cases neatly stacked up. Full of Festool. I know nothing about power tools but I have to say, even I was impressed.

[poo at Paul's]

erolb said:

The younish lad (25) who fitted our kitchen worktops had all Festool gear. He opened up the back of his brand new Merc Sprinter to reveal all these pale grey carry cases neatly stacked up. Full of Festool. I know nothing about power tools but I have to say, even I was impressed.

Good........cos you're paying for it!! :-)

[Simpo Two]

erolb said:

He opened up the back of his brand new Merc Sprinter to reveal all these pale grey carry cases neatly stacked up.

That rings a bell - same thing for the workmen who fitted a neighbour's Corian worktop.

[Plotloss]

Shopfitters and higher end kitchen fitters seem to swear by them.

I'm going to a demo day thing on the 22nd so will have a closer look then.

For now I've sated my power tool needs with a little 10.8v Bosch drill driver as I already had the impact driver. Still fancy a Festool though.

[Simpo Two]

Plotloss said:

Still fancy a Festool though.

May I sell you a 'Snorks DeLuxe'? Twice as expensive, twice as desirable Sir

[Plotloss]

I just want something that works.

Blew a cheapy up, nearly cost me my sight. Spent bigger money on what I thought was quality. Blew that up too.

They don't make 'em like they used to.

[alex s]

Most of my kit is Festool, plunge saw, planer, sanders, router etc, and I think it is worth the extra money as it works very well, saves time and they are a pleasure to use....But not the drills.

IMO having a good 18v hammer drill and also 18v impact gun, will do a lot better than the 15.2v festool ( even the festool guy admitted its never going to cope driving screws as well as an impact) Also worth having a good set of 10.8v drill and impact for the lighter stuff. ( bosch or makita) is the way forward, which I see you have got , btw be careful with the tabs on the bosch batteries, well known for snapping off. Also buying extra festool batteries are scary expensive...

A great twin pack 18v drill and impact gun is the milwaukee set, 2 3.0ah (li-ion) batteries. Well made,metal chuck and a 3 year warrenty ( same as festool) and still cheaper than the festool.

http://www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/milwaukee-hd18pp...

[Plotloss]

Milwaukee stuff does have a very good reputation it has to be said.

Hearing a lot of good things about Panasonic kit as well oddly.

[erolb]

Simpo Two said:

erolb said:

He opened up the back of his brand new Merc Sprinter to reveal all these pale grey carry cases neatly stacked up.

That rings a bell - same thing for the workmen who fitted a neighbour's Corian worktop.

It'll be the very same man then. Mark from Solid Surfaces.

[Simpo Two]

erolb said:

It'll be the very same man then. Mark from Solid Surfaces.

He gets around; I'm in Essex

[mxi933]

Experience tells me that its not about how expensive the tool is, but more about how good he is at using it!!!

[erolb]

Simpo Two said:

erolb said:

It'll be the very same man then. Mark from Solid Surfaces.

He gets around; I'm in Essex

He can afford to at those prices