The Hater's Guide to Festool | How Festool Changed the Game

Great video. I too was amazed at the price of Festool, but I wanted a domino and I wanted their superior dust collection. I now have a domino, dust extractor, sanders, and routers. All because of their focus on performance and superior dust collection. I am not a professional woodworker, just your everyday hobby guy that likes woodworking and being kind to my lungs . If purchasing Festool was not expensive enough, I also purchased a Saw Stop. Another great tool with safety as a priority. Are they expensive...yep. Are they worth it to me...yep. I forget the cost after a while and what I am left with are superior tools focused on performance and safety. To me that is worth the extra investment.

“Changed the game” doesn’t really set the scene or explain something my imagination can’t. I like to fan boy sometimes but this video seemed like an informative video.

What's the difference between their different models of dust extractors? Is it just the capacity?

I have had at least 22 Festool tools. I love their dual-mode sanders, C drill, and track saws. I also love the domino.

But their dust extractor lacks the suction of a $100 shop vac. I hate this fact. I hate that everyone with a Ridgid can easily clean up in half the time.

I hate their cheap, POS systainers. Not only are they brittle and small, they turn a grotesque yellow with any time in the sun.

Bottom line, I still have 12 Festool tools. And while I love them, I have no interest in purchasing any new Festool tools.

Generally speaking, Festool tools are underpowered compared to competitors. For example, I was cutting a fire rated door, long side, with track saw and someone with a porter-cable had to finish the cut since my TC could not complete it. It was embarrassing to say the least.

PLEASE stop talking about price .... you get what you pay for. By the way, I had to downsize and sell some of my tools... I sold some of my 10 year old festool for about what I paid for it.... My Dewalt tools didn't last 10 years.

I love Festool --- not sure why anyone would waste time raging against someone's tool preference..... live and let make sawdust.... and get over yourself.

It's not Chinese shite.

Being able to disconnect the power cord is very usefull when changing saw blades or router bits, too.

I think a combination of sander + dust extractor is the “gateway drug. Painters are big buyers and users of Festool sanders and DEs here in New England, and painters here are very tight with their cash. Clearly, something about the sanders and DEs is special. But there are a few other tools that are notable.

The track saws, of course, which I think beat any other track saw other than possibly the Mafell. The otherwise not-terribly-special Vecturo 18V has the only true right angle plunge jig I know of and if you make that kind of cut the Vecturo is worth every dime. The Domino, which certainly is controversial and divisive, as you said, but does the job it does better than just about any other solution.

Cost...for god's sake it's made in Germany not in Cambodia 5 dollars a day workforce

Sedge, Bent, and this guy too apparently, all of them are so obviously paid by Festool, even though they try to be subtle. The brand makes great products- no doubt, I have some. But if you’re watching this when you’re in the market for new tools… Consider yourself INFLUENCED

I'm actually a big fan of Festool but don’t own any tool. I'm hobbyists and a beginner at that so I can't justify the purchase of any of the Festools. My tool of choice is Makita which is still a very expensive tool at my experience level but is a product that I can work my way up towards my desired levels of expertise as a hobbyists. When and if I get to that level of expertise in woodworking then maybe I can justify the expense in my mind. Great video and thank you for the educational product you and others like you produce for all new to the woodworking hobby!!

I own a lot of Festool. Bought new and second hand (which I love to clean and refurbish). Yes it is expensive. But it keeps its worth a very long time and always sells on the second hand market. So, in a way, you're locking money in the tool, and when selling, you can always get some of it back. Second hand DTS sander for example is still worth around 180 euro's. That's more expensive than most new tools. lso, next time you are at a dump site where they collect old electrical tools for recycling, see if you can find a festool (answer: very very very rarely - I found one, repaired it and then sold it for 100 🤓).

Going to go tell my wife…

I have used Festool tools and Woodpeckers tools at demonstrations. I like both companies tools but I cannot afford them. I am just a DIY man, I love woodworking. It is how I fight PTSD. I am a disabled Viet Nam veteran and I am happy with what I have. And I thank God that I survived that war.

This is a very surface-level analysis of Festool tools without the years of experience with them. I personally used a Kapex until it died. And you know what? It died WAY WAY too soon. The motor in it is far too weak to be used by a professional carpenter daily. We didn't even use it for anything but stairs, and it only lasted a few years before becoming an unreliable piece of junk. Festool sanders are also notorious for a slew of problems in my experience. They eventually die for a variety of reasons without notice. A tool as expensive as a Rotex should last longer. Makita tools are far more resilient in my experience. The only thing Festool has going for it is innovation. They try to get their first, and then they pull the ladder up with them and charge people a fortune for their cheap products.

It’s for professionals not diyers. Diyers should stay at harbor freight 😂

I own some Festool tools at home and lots of SnapOn at work. People love to hate both. I just like nice tools.

i used to be a profesional woodworker and always loved working with festool machines

Think I will stick to Makita thanks. Not only is Makita top quality they also dont look like they come out of a kids toy shop like Festool does.

I'm not a professional woodworker. I do however do a lot of wood working. Festool is great, but I'm not buying them. My amalgamation of tool brands has been great. I own porter cable, ryobi, dewalt, milwaukee, black and decker, and craftsman. Money saved is mney earned.
The review was nice, but i disagree. Price matters.

They are great tools to work with, and if you have jobs that pays well, then it is an excellent brand, but you keep buying from them and the plastic parts and electronics in particular regularly break. But it is also susceptible to theft. All this together, Festool can cost you a lot of money in a very short time. I need tools that do what they're supposed to do, and I want my attention to be focused on my work. With Festool your attention is focused on your tools more often than you would expect. It is a high-end tool that also requires high-end attention.

Вся "ненависть" к Festool - у-это завуалированное осознание собственной бедности😂😂😂

Festool is number 1, No doubt about it…
Their Miter saw, Track saw, Jointers are top notch
But, Some of their products are way too expensive for their purpose, Like the drills, Table saws etc etc
So people often go with Dewalt / Makita
Witch do the same job but less expensive & efficient

I'm a retired DIY hi end woodworker. I started buying Festool more than 10 years ago when they were only expensive. Now I look back and can't even remember what I paid of even one of the seven tools I own. I do have to swallow hard and be careful when buying a new one but also know that so far I have had to replace one part of one tool, which I admit, I abused.

It's seriously addicting, believe me 😂😅

Stop moaning about what you can’t afford or you are too tight. Lots of festool products have given me a gain in my day to day work.
I don’t care what anyone says……………….

I honestly don't have a problem with the price, and I think the domino is pretty neat. I highly value dust collection, and quality.

I can't stand how everything is proprietary. Saw blades are unique sizes, and even their power cords are unique.

I also throw away most of the cases that come with my tools and the systainer concept has no value to me.

The first Festools I bought were the CT36 and the drywall sander for a residential remodel (my home) I'm working on. I'm knocking down the orange peel and skim-coating all the walls and ceiling.... I honestly couldn't believe how awesome that combination was. IMO, easily worth what I paid even if I only use them for this one job (though I use the CT 36 in my workshop every day).

"Complain about" has a slightly negative connotation. It suggests whining, criticizing, nagging, or venting negative emotions. Festool are experts in taking your money. Like the $535 Carvex "Plus" systainer 3 kit that comes with everything you need, well.... except the $139 carvex angle base plate for bevel cuts.

More brand guides like this would be amazing. Thanks for the awesome content as always 👍A breakdown on Makita, Bosch, Fein would be fantastic

Lay off the jugs please! Lol great video

I do not do a lot of wood working these days but man I love my festool tools. I like the idea of buying the best thing you can possibly buy and just never needing to get another. Not just with tools but with just about anything I do not plan on replacing. I do this as a hobby and I do not like to struggle with my hobby, nice tools make things run smoothly. Like you say in the video, the system and dust collection is what makes it worth it. If I was the type of guy who loved hand tools and had fun with that I think I may see it differently but that is just not me.

They hate cause they know that companies like them rely on people being stupid in that they don't know that the tools are made pretty much the same make up as cheap tools. I know cause I used to fix commercial stihl and ryobi and they both have same components made of the same metal and plastic and do the same thing but 1 is 3 times the price to buy and fix. Also these companies rely on the stupid belief that the more you pay the better. And 80% of businesses fail cause they spend money instead of making it. Seen the landscaper with a $100 mower get rich while the landscaper with a dump truck goes bankrupt from debt and no one wants to pay their ridiculous price to compensate for their overspending

Hmmm... they really washed over that 1939 expansion of their business....

I wonder if we will see a Festool table saw with Sawstop

I think it is a combination of the price and that the design is very minimalist and plasticy looking. On video it just doesn't look like other higher quality tools.

Only reason I stick with DeWalt is because they're the better battery powered tool company in my opinion and they're wood working tools are pretty decent, I don't wanna have 4 different chargers and batteries, wish they came out with some type of mortising tool but oh well

Festool track saw is on my list of tool to get. Festool is the Snap On of wood working tools in my mind.

I have been a professional cabinet maker for 39 years.
I watched Norm for years. He used a porter cable small worm drive saw and 2 clamps and a straight edge to cut sheet goods.
When I saw the track saw I about fell over, along with the price. So I saved up and bought it. GEEZZZ it saved me hours cutting sheet goods. Along with being as accurate as my Delta Unisaw. Enough said. Then I bought a festool vac and sander from one of their clearance sales online.
I saved 30% by buying what they considered a number 3, which was supposed to be an item that was returned and showed wear. Lol, it came perfect. Not sure of what marks or signs of use but was mint. After using that vac with that sander it changed how I sanded. I could skip grits and still would get a better job than using my air Dynabrade sanders. I was sold. All the haters either don't have Festool or never tried Festool.
What's sad is most of these haters will hate on anything and everything. Keep up the good work. Remember, the silent majority loves Festool.

Seems like it's the Apple of tools. I'm still a mostly-Makita guy, and nothing more than a better-than-average DIY woodworker (definitely not a professional), but the storage genius and dust collection have me thinking it might be time to make a slow transition. Nothing at all wrong with my Makita stuff--it's all pretty great, and they use the systainer system as well. The design genius behind the entire Festool ecosystem is alluring, and I don't begrudge them one iota for the price premium. Helpful video--thanks!

Serious Question: You can only use ONE Festool brand tool in your workshop. (Not including the Domino due to being a unique tool) Which one would you choose and why?

Thanks for the history and great information on festool, great video TY

I'd get the CXS first, all the good about festool for quite a cheap price. TS55 is nice but for me, the rotex was a game changer. I've used it with CTL Midi and it was good enough. I'm not that big fan of Kapex and their bigger drills, i think other companies can give you 80% of the tool for far less money.

It is the same as with any leading company… take Apple, Tesla, SawStop… people hate them because they realize how much their favourite brands (that they invested time and money into) suck 😉

In Australia Festool is beyond expensive. I am a sucessful handy man with my own business. To replace my tool stable which is exclusively AEG (Rigid in the US) it would cost me a minimum of $20000.

WELL BY GOLLY I WOULD SAY BE AMERICAN BUY AMERICAN.
SOME OF THEIR TOOL ARE NICE. BUT THEY ARE EXTREMELY OVERPRICED.
I JUST BOUGHT A CONNECTOR FOR THE SAW TRACK. $50 DOLLARS, SERIOUSLY!