Thread: Price rise

Originally Posted by Mike B

Dangerous eh? Do tell. Which TAFE? I'd like to follow this up.

Your questions have already been answered succinctly elsewhere on this forum.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Your questions have already been answered succinctly elsewhere on this forum.

Cheers for that tiger. Did a search, you are definitely on a crusade it seems.

Oil leaks are hardly dangerous and you stated they were repaired not decommissioned. The blade issue with the guard staying retracted was rectified some years ago. So, still dangerous?

For me it's a confidence thing. I generally look elsewhere when I wish to purchase high quality power tools.

To release an unserviceable item to market is all too commonplace these days.

To charge a price premium for such is disingenuous & insulting.

To not recall products with a known safety hazard is either arrogant, callous or ignorant.

Festool simply can't or won't (in certain instances) do sufficient R&D to provide safe & serviceable products.

It's hardly a crusade to criticise poor quality. Nevertheless, it angers me to pay a premium for substandard goods or services.

Some of TTI's products are world class. Some however are definitely lower tier products at best, and at worst substandard in execution and use.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Your questions have already been answered succinctly elsewhere on this forum.

Does that mean the TAFE was named, After all that was the question.

It seems that Ratbag has some pretty closely held beliefs.

If it weren't for the fairly elaborate and thorough response I'd be inclined to believe he is tad unhinged.

But, I'd like to respond in kind, perhaps not to his specific claims (as there are mentions of brands I'm completely unfamiliar with) but to two stories that outline how I feel about Festool gear.

Now I don't share Ratbags wrath, but the prices do irritate me badly. Firstly as what I do is mainly a paying hobby and secondly as my income is severely limited.... Like VERY limited. BUT, I still do buy Festool as I know I will never need to buy another replacement again.

The first story is I was working on a commission with a specific deadline. I was down to final sanding on a huge table top. I had already previously killed one orbital sander and was under the pump. Both were inexpensive, but they wore out too fast...both brushes and Velcro pads. On my second replacement purchase I thought to bugger it and buy the ROS125... It made my eyes bleed, but it absolutely thundered through the job. It has been an absolute champion ever since.

(I also own a swag of other Festool gear, as some on the forum will attest....perhaps a bit too much).

Thats my own story....I would buy high end quality every single time now it's proven. Never again will I buy a "just-do" tool.

The other is my brother. He is a life long professional carpenter. He buys whatever is cheapest at the local hardware and pounds the tools until they burn out. He absolutely hammers them and then tosses them. I have absolutely no idea of how many circular saws he has trashed but I've never, ever, seen him with the same one twice regardless of how quickly we meet. To him they are as disposable as a schick razor.

Had him over recently and he was eyeballing the festool stuff. There was absolutely no ROI I could offer that would convince him to buy. He used them all for a test and he really liked them, but it was and always would be a no.

I think when he sees my shed full of cabinetry woodwork tools he might think it all a bit poofy. Not Real Man on the Roof carpentry.....perhaps true, but to me the ROI is proven every time I pick up the tools, use them thoroughly and know they will work perfectly the next time (just like my Japanese tools)

I have that faith. My brother has his. Perhaps Ratbag can't be swayed... But I do think ROI can be proven.... Otherwise Festool simply could not substantiate the price....

(they ARE bloody expensive though!)

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Does that mean the TAFE was named, After all that was the question.

Tasmanian Skills Institute.