I agree with the points you raise. Both washers are required for the caster install. The order is: 8mm allen head bolt, smooth washer, friction washer, and caster frame. The purpose is to bind the assembly so that the ball bearing swivel does not transfer rotational motion to the 8mm allen head bolt...thereby preventing it from coming loose. I agree that the sacrificial hardwood maple supports should have come pre-drilled. I used a square to transfer the hole locations to the wood, center punch, and 5/64" drill bit, to pre-drill for the T10x25mm wood screws. The screws are undersized, but this may be by design. I was using my T10 torx allen wrench, what a pain...then I remembered I had the centrotec driver and T10 bits in a Festool kit. I agree with your suggestion of four locking casters. Sedge's demo is a bit clumsy, but entertaining. The STM 1800 is priced appropriately within Festool's offerings when compared to the MFT/3 and MW1000. Those who are invested in the Festool system know and appreciate the quality and the company. Those who are not invested in Festool, should work their way up to this...or wait until a branded Chinese knock off comes to market, or just settle for two plastic saw horses. For those who have the means to afford this, it provides functional convenience and utility. It would also make a nice gift for the woodworker who already has everything. Nice honest real world review.
Just got one to work with sheet goods. I agree with all your issues, but can add one. While it was in the not-too-helpful manual that you have to put the locking casters on the side with the rotating sheet holders, I missed it and of course had to remove and re-attach all the wheels, which means you also have to take the wheels apart to get to the bolts. Sheesh. I also managed to over-tighten one of the little T10 screws and sheared the head off. Since the holes weren't predrilled, I didn't think a clutch setting would work. Nice that it works with the other Festool tables as well.
Sedge from Festool gave a tip to unlatch one side of the table and flare it out into a V-shape to make it a lot more stable when rolling it around. “I hope this helps”!
Thanks for taking the time to make this informative demo of the strengths, weaknesses, and features of this table. I also appreciate that you did the demo in a cramped workspace.
I just bought the mobile workstation 3 weeks ago. The parts may have changed since your review but I wanted to point out that the Screws with the Torx head are self-tapping screws. I did not need to predrill a hole in the hard wood pieces as you noted in your video. The self tapping screws worked great, I started them with a hand screw driver then used a power drill to screw them in, be sure to set the clutch to a low setting so not to break of the heads given it is hardwood. You also wondered why Festool uses Torx head screws for this application and did not use Philips as with the rest of the hardware. Festool uses Torx heads for these self tapping screws as a Philips head would spin out, not sure a square head would even work, there is a lot of torque when driving a self tapping screw into hardwood. Good review, this was the last one I watched prior to buying the STM 1800. I was not looking forward to predrilling the holes and was pleased to note that they were self tapping. Made the assembly very quick, under an hour.
Thanks for posting your thorough review. As an older woodworker and home improvement enthusiast, I am enjoying my sawing station very much and really appreciate the compact storage feature, extra large/stable portable work surface, ease of moving materials around the work area, and the benefit of not having to cut plywood on the shop floor any longer. These knee and back savers for young and old alike are great value propositions when considering the cost of the table. I do not have a T10 bit (never needed one before) so rather than spend more money, I slightly enlarged the screw holes on the extension arms with a small round file to quickly accommodate a 1" Kreg, fine thread, pocket hole screw because I use them frequently and the screw heads stick on the bit firmly. Your video and the helpful comments below saved me a lot of assembly time. Many thanks to all.
Use this all the time for cutting sheet material. Love the easy of use to get material loaded. I found the assembly very easy. And great that it folds to a smaller profile to store. Also use as an assembly table for offsite work. And by opening the one side it’s totally stable to push around. Nothing beat German logic in design.
A handyman bitching about assembly & washers seems kind of silly. So does complaining about the fact that things fall off, because you're too lazy to tighten things up.
I just noticed in the Festool email that they are bringing it back on a limited run for another season. Dealers are taking pre-orders for August delivery. If it is like last year, if you don't timely pre-order, finding one will be extremely difficult. I tried to get one starting about 6 months ago but without having pre-ordered, and only last week did finally I find a dealer with one in stock. Dealers are not really trying to push these and really don't want to have many in stock. In my case, the sales guys didn't even know what it was -- much less that the dealer actually had one in stock, and it was not listed on the dealer's webpage. BOTTOM LINE: If you want one, you'll have to take the initiative and get your pre-order in. Sooner is better than later. I get the impression that buying one is a bit like buying a Woodpecker's "One-time Tool." If you don't pre-order early, there won't be any extras at the dealer to buy.
if this hex screw goes from top of assemble than goes lock washer directly under screw , than from underside is wheel mount with wheel itself than goes regular whasher and last thing should be a nut with silicone loctite oring inside to prevent uncrewing either of sides when You will move table around Your workshop. for more hint's You can always visit "blickle" website - german wheels manufacturer that festool takes parts for RB-SYS at least. or "wanzl" it's German shoping cart manufacturer also with a lot of instructables avalible. Thank's for this video, there is not that many demo videos on new tools theese days. Tours on homedepot sales, drill time attack race are trending , but none of those with some usefull informations.
DJ, thanks for the info. After reviewing the website for Blickle (which I found is pronounced like blick-luh rather than blick-ul), I think Festool made the perfect caster choice for the STM 1800, though I agree with Toolamanjaro that 2 more locking casters might have afforded a bit more anti-skid stability, especially on very smooth floor surfaces.
At this price point they should have a foot/castor flip mechanism that would allow it to rest stable on the feet to work but raised on the castors for moving around.
Wish it had a method to carry plywood through doorways. When it's open it's too wide to fit. When it's closed it's too tippy and there's no provisions to hold the plywood on it's side
Doesn't beat a couple of saw horses and a couple of 2x4 's . I would have had 5 sheets cut on the saw horses by the time that was set up . Its a shame we dont get paid for setup time 😄 .
Wayne, until last week, that was exactly what I used -- and I thought it was fine. About a week ago, I finally found a dealer who didn't say "OUT OF STOCK" when I asked about the Festool mobile cutting station. I immediately snagged one. Some Festool products I loathe. Some I love. I absolutely love this thing. It folds up into a compact size so I can easily take it to the jobsite and have it up in a jiffy. It's rock solid. I can single handedly load a sheet good without risking scratching or hurting my back, and I'm ready to cut almost immediately. I will never go back to my old saw horses and 2x4s as a cutting platform -- at least not so long as I can get my hands on an STM 1800. Was it worth the $1000? My back says so -- and it's a joy to use.
this is without a doubt, the most festool fanboy product you can buy. It is a total waste of money for all its awkwardness and doesn't do anything more than three sawhorses for 1/10th the price. and I owned several festool tools but this one I will never buy.
I agree with the points you raise. Both washers are required for the caster install. The order is: 8mm allen head bolt, smooth washer, friction washer, and caster frame. The purpose is to bind the assembly so that the ball bearing swivel does not transfer rotational motion to the 8mm allen head bolt...thereby preventing it from coming loose. I agree that the sacrificial hardwood maple supports should have come pre-drilled. I used a square to transfer the hole locations to the wood, center punch, and 5/64" drill bit, to pre-drill for the T10x25mm wood screws. The screws are undersized, but this may be by design. I was using my T10 torx allen wrench, what a pain...then I remembered I had the centrotec driver and T10 bits in a Festool kit. I agree with your suggestion of four locking casters. Sedge's demo is a bit clumsy, but entertaining. The STM 1800 is priced appropriately within Festool's offerings when compared to the MFT/3 and MW1000. Those who are invested in the Festool system know and appreciate the quality and the company. Those who are not invested in Festool, should work their way up to this...or wait until a branded Chinese knock off comes to market, or just settle for two plastic saw horses. For those who have the means to afford this, it provides functional convenience and utility. It would also make a nice gift for the woodworker who already has everything. Nice honest real world review.
When the pieces get cut up you don't make new ones you simply turn them over and get twice as much use from them.
Just got one to work with sheet goods. I agree with all your issues, but can add one. While it was in the not-too-helpful manual that you have to put the locking casters on the side with the rotating sheet holders, I missed it and of course had to remove and re-attach all the wheels, which means you also have to take the wheels apart to get to the bolts. Sheesh. I also managed to over-tighten one of the little T10 screws and sheared the head off. Since the holes weren't predrilled, I didn't think a clutch setting would work. Nice that it works with the other Festool tables as well.
Sedge from Festool gave a tip to unlatch one side of the table and flare it out into a V-shape to make it a lot more stable when rolling it around. “I hope this helps”!
Thanks for taking the time to make this informative demo of the strengths, weaknesses, and features of this table. I also appreciate that you did the demo in a cramped workspace.
I just bought the mobile workstation 3 weeks ago. The parts may have changed since your review but I wanted to point out that the Screws with the Torx head are self-tapping screws. I did not need to predrill a hole in the hard wood pieces as you noted in your video. The self tapping screws worked great, I started them with a hand screw driver then used a power drill to screw them in, be sure to set the clutch to a low setting so not to break of the heads given it is hardwood.
You also wondered why Festool uses Torx head screws for this application and did not use Philips as with the rest of the hardware. Festool uses Torx heads for these self tapping screws as a Philips head would spin out, not sure a square head would even work, there is a lot of torque when driving a self tapping screw into hardwood.
Good review, this was the last one I watched prior to buying the STM 1800. I was not looking forward to predrilling the holes and was pleased to note that they were self tapping. Made the assembly very quick, under an hour.
Thanks for posting your thorough review. As an older woodworker and home improvement enthusiast, I am enjoying my sawing station very much and really appreciate the compact storage feature, extra large/stable portable work surface, ease of moving materials around the work area, and the benefit of not having to cut plywood on the shop floor any longer. These knee and back savers for young and old alike are great value propositions when considering the cost of the table. I do not have a T10 bit (never needed one before) so rather than spend more money, I slightly enlarged the screw holes on the extension arms with a small round file to quickly accommodate a 1" Kreg, fine thread, pocket hole screw because I use them frequently and the screw heads stick on the bit firmly. Your video and the helpful comments below saved me a lot of assembly time. Many thanks to all.
Use this all the time for cutting sheet material. Love the easy of use to get material loaded. I found the assembly very easy. And great that it folds to a smaller profile to store. Also use as an assembly table for offsite work. And by opening the one side it’s totally stable to push around. Nothing beat German logic in design.
A handyman bitching about assembly & washers seems kind of silly. So does complaining about the fact that things fall off, because you're too lazy to tighten things up.
Well done balanced review. I think I would be disappointed at $1000.
In Denmark its like 1500 dollars for 1000 ill buy it right now 😊
Do up the bolts?????
I can’t find this listed for sale anywhere in the U.S. I wonder why?
It was a ‘limited production’ for the US. There is some speculation about another run later.
I just noticed in the Festool email that they are bringing it back on a limited run for another season. Dealers are taking pre-orders for August delivery. If it is like last year, if you don't timely pre-order, finding one will be extremely difficult. I tried to get one starting about 6 months ago but without having pre-ordered, and only last week did finally I find a dealer with one in stock. Dealers are not really trying to push these and really don't want to have many in stock. In my case, the sales guys didn't even know what it was -- much less that the dealer actually had one in stock, and it was not listed on the dealer's webpage. BOTTOM LINE: If you want one, you'll have to take the initiative and get your pre-order in. Sooner is better than later. I get the impression that buying one is a bit like buying a Woodpecker's "One-time Tool." If you don't pre-order early, there won't be any extras at the dealer to buy.
If you are still looking for one there is a dealer in Reading Ohio called Edward B. Mueller Co., that has some in stock as of a couple of days ago.
Great honest review. Almost bought it... now ill wait for the updated version
if this hex screw goes from top of assemble than goes lock washer directly under screw , than from underside is wheel mount with wheel itself than goes regular whasher and last thing should be a nut with silicone loctite oring inside to prevent uncrewing either of sides when You will move table around Your workshop. for more hint's You can always visit "blickle" website - german wheels manufacturer that festool takes parts for RB-SYS at least. or "wanzl" it's German shoping cart manufacturer also with a lot of instructables avalible. Thank's for this video, there is not that many demo videos on new tools theese days. Tours on homedepot sales, drill time attack race are trending , but none of those with some usefull informations.
DJ, thanks for the info. After reviewing the website for Blickle (which I found is pronounced like blick-luh rather than blick-ul), I think Festool made the perfect caster choice for the STM 1800, though I agree with Toolamanjaro that 2 more locking casters might have afforded a bit more anti-skid stability, especially on very smooth floor surfaces.
At this price point they should have a foot/castor flip mechanism that would allow it to rest stable on the feet to work but raised on the castors for moving around.
Wish it had a method to carry plywood through doorways. When it's open it's too wide to fit. When it's closed it's too tippy and there's no provisions to hold the plywood on it's side
Doesn't beat a couple of saw horses and a couple of 2x4 's . I would have had 5 sheets cut on the saw horses by the time that was set up . Its a shame we dont get paid for setup time 😄 .
Wayne, until last week, that was exactly what I used -- and I thought it was fine. About a week ago, I finally found a dealer who didn't say "OUT OF STOCK" when I asked about the Festool mobile cutting station. I immediately snagged one. Some Festool products I loathe. Some I love. I absolutely love this thing. It folds up into a compact size so I can easily take it to the jobsite and have it up in a jiffy. It's rock solid. I can single handedly load a sheet good without risking scratching or hurting my back, and I'm ready to cut almost immediately. I will never go back to my old saw horses and 2x4s as a cutting platform -- at least not so long as I can get my hands on an STM 1800. Was it worth the $1000? My back says so -- and it's a joy to use.
Really good review, thanks.
Very good review thank you.
Gosh… quite a few drawbacks :-) but glad to see one in action
Thank you
Why would anyone be pushing it through a clients house width ways? 🤔
For that kind of money I would expect at the very least that it will be self leveling. Is it even possible to get it dead flat?
No real need for this table to be level.
this is without a doubt, the most festool fanboy product you can buy. It is a total waste of money for all its awkwardness and doesn't do anything more than three sawhorses for 1/10th the price.
and I owned several festool tools but this one I will never buy.
Good review thanks, I think I’ll pass on this now that I’ve seen it in action. Not for 1k.
Yep, its a hard sell at the price.
Most annoying review ever
Looks like a $1000 POS (piece of ...). Festool should be ashamed of this.