Rory Parker from ParkerRose Kitchens & Interiors

Festool with you everyday:

Rory’s Story

Rory Parker is a Festool with you everyday winner. He won an incredible £10,000 worth of products, including £8,000 of Festool tools and accessories to choose from and £2,000 worth of bott Smartvan racking system for his van.

“You enter these things without any real anticipation of ever winning so it was certainly a surprise, and I couldn’t really believe it at first.” Rory was invited to visit the company’s UK HQ in Bury St Edmunds to look at what he’d won and receive some product training. The prize included Multifunction table, CSC SYS 50 cordless table saw, the Festool 1400 EBQ Router, an angle grinder, the PSC 420 Cordless Jigsaw, the Cordless Delta Sander DTSC 400, and the GHS 25 Bluetooth Ear Defenders and a new light.

Rory’s a co-owner of ParkerRose Kitchens & Interiors, trading since 2016 and specialising in kitchens and cabinetry. The quality work accomplished on site is complemented by an impressive showroom and workshop facility in St Ives, as Rory explains “it’s an invaluable resource for us because we can meet clients there, go through every aspect of the job, and show them samples.” The team can plan projects themselves or collaborate with interior designers with bespoke elements generated by ParkerRose staff using SketchUp and AutoCAD software. Rory will travel from his Cambridgeshire base around the surrounding counties, and into north London, with much of his work won through recommendation.

"The first tool I actually bought was a Festool TS 55 Plunge-cut Saw, along with a couple of drills. I now use the cordless TSC 55 K all the time and its performance easily stands up to a mains machine.“

Rory Parker

“I started working for my dad installing timber windows and we were using a lot of Festool sanders even then, so I’ve always been aware of the quality,” he recalls. “The first tool I actually bought was a Festool TS 55 Plunge-cut Saw, along with a couple of drills. I now use the cordless TSC 55 K all the time and its performance easily stands up to a mains machine. That comparable power output is the case with the entire cordless offering today and it’s such a convenient development.”

“With the kind of work we undertake I’d certainly need my original CXS and TXS compact cordless drill drivers. We use them in the workshop on cabinets and they are small enough to get into confined spaces but still have plenty of power and versatility. I’ve had them seven or eight years now and they’re so reliable. Added to those are the new 18- volt CXS 18 and TXS 18 compact screwdrivers which I use for site work.” One solution that has impressed Rory amongst the hugely generous Festool freebies is the CSC SYS 50 Cordless Table Saw, as the Cambridgeshire carpenter explains “it’s been brilliant, especially when we’re trimming units, making infills panels and scribes. You can’t really believe at first that it fits into a Systainer, which makes it super portable.”

“One thing that I really like about Festool is how they look after you as an end user. Their service department is very good and the theft cover is unique. All you need to do is register the tool online on your MyFestool customer portal and, as part of the three-year warranty, it’s protected against theft. Simply pay a £100 excess and it will be replaced. I had my van broken into in 2018, and know what it’s like to be robbed, so that’s very reassuring.” “You can tell that every feature on Festool products has been really well thought out and tested,” concludes Rory. “If you add the level of service to the quality of the kit then they really are the best in the market.”

Here's a list of Rory's favourite Festool products:

1. Cordless plunge-cut saw TSC 55 - “When I’m installing kitchens, we’re mostly cutting 18mm panels with it and it goes through them like butter. It’s light weight and with the 5-amp batteries it lasts all day. I also like the KickbackStop safety system, and it’s really smooth in operation.”

2. Cordless table saw CSC SYS 50 – “The cordless table saw is so compact and fits in the van easily. What really makes it unique for me, is the digital controls, which means you can adjust the height and angle and you know you’ll be accurate to a tenth of a millimetre. I’ve used other saws where the dial will slip in use but that’s not possible with the Festool.”

3. Underframe UG-CSC-SYS – “Really comfortable and easy to move tools in and out, it also doubles up as a bench on site. It has more functionality than you’d expect!”

4. Router OF 1400 – “Powerful and lightweight tool, easily exchangeable router bits. It’s a machine you would buy first to bridge the gap between the other two models.”

5. Guide rail adapter FS-OF 1400 – “The track adapter makes the OF 1400 perfectly precise and it’s the perfect accessory to the system.”

6. Cordless drill CXS 18 – “I love both TXS and CXS 18, but if I had to choose it’s the CXS 18 that comes on top. I still have the original CXS and TXS drills, but with new 18-volt you do not lack in power. The ergonomic design and 3-amp batteries make it lightweight and great to use on site.”

7. Cordless sliding compound mitre saw KAPEX KSC 60 – “I like how compact this saw it, I used it on site all the time for cutting plinths and doing long length cuts. I would say it’s an all-rounder for site work, with the correct blade, it’s the perfect tool.”

8. Cordless oscillator VECTURO OSC 18 – “Best multi tool on the market, not too noisy and the StarlockMax system is so quick for changing blades.”

9. Cordless orbital sander RTSC 400 – “This sander has such a good battery life! I use it for quick sanding work in the workshop, and on site it’s probably the most used sander.”

10. Phone charger PHC 18 – “This is out daily with me, with 4-amp battery it does 3 to 4 full charges. I use it to plug in lights and camera too, it’s so versatile.”

One thing that’s improved drastically since winning the giveaway is Rory’s organisation. “All my tools are always organised in the van, even the batteries have their own place. It makes me feel happier going to work knowing I can fit everything I need in the van and it’s all tidy.” “Other tradespeople are still congratulating me on winning the giveaway, they see my video and are amazed that it’s happened, and someone actually won this life changing prize” says Rory.

“My two most used products from the £10K prize, must be the cordless table saw and UG frame. I bought another UG frame as it’s super convenient and it’s become part of my everyday set up on site.” Since winning the giveaway Rory also has invested in RSC 18 reciprocating saw to help remove old kitchen units and KA 65 Edge bander CONTURO set for quick and easy edging.

“Buying Festool is all about making an investment in yourself because it will help you achieve a better finish and work more efficiently,” concludes Rory.