Festool with you everyday: Revisiting Richard Wagner
Two years ago, we visited Richard's workshop for the first time and discussed how this new teaching venture has provided him with a better work-life balance. Since then, he’s also added more items to his favourite Festool products list:
1. Crew neck t-shirt – “I wear a Festool t-shirt as an undershirt on a daily basis. I get a rush of pride whenever I put it on. If I had the opportunity to work at Festool, I would ask to be paid in t-shirts.”
2. Cordless drill CXS 12 – “It’s powerful, lightweight, and compatible with 18V chargers. Once in a blue moon, I need an 18V drill, but 9 out of 10 times, this one is powerful enough.”
3. Cordless mobile dust extractor CLEANTEC CTMC MIDI– “This is my second most used tool with two 8amp batteries and another two 8amp as backup. This will completely negate the need for mains-powered extraction.”
4. Cordless table saw CSC SYS 50 – “It’s like having a table saw in your back pocket. Now I incorporate a table saw into projects when I previously would have done without. It brings the standard of work higher and decreases the amount of time needed to get the job done. My favourite feature is that everything is tucked away inside the Systainer lid.”
5. Ear protection GHS 25 I– “These make ear protection easier, make conversations in the workshop environment easier, and they don’t interfere with other PPE such as hard hats, glasses, and face masks.”
Over the years, Richard has adopted a more hands-off teaching style. He finds that showing someone how to do something and then allowing them to make their own mistakes is often the best way to learn. With the use of Festool power tools, which come with numerous safety features, Richard feels confident in letting his students explore and learn independently. "I only step in if absolutely necessary," he explains.
Richard's new course aims to teach woodworking by providing high-quality tools and a safe learning environment. His students not only experience premium equipment but also benefit from integrated dust extraction systems and air purifiers that ensure a clean and safe workspace.
Balancing work and family life is important to Richard. He enjoys bringing his daughters to the workshop, where they can invent, create, and spend quality time together. This family-friendly environment encourages creativity and reminds Richard of the importance of playfulness in the creative process.
Looking ahead, Richard aims to continue developing a range of courses and reaching more people. Feedback from students helps refine these courses, ensuring they meet the needs and interests of people who want to learn new skills. He is excited to offer new experiences and opportunities for his students with high-quality machines in a dust-free environment.
Richard's journey highlights the transformative power of social media and online learning in modern education. By leveraging these tools, he has created a dynamic and engaging learning environment that inspires creativity and lifelong learning.
We asked Richard what’s on his wish list from Festool, and he says, “Festool should make a cordless router table which fits inside a Systainer system, like the cordless table saw.”
