Festool With You Everyday
Richard's Story
Richard's Story - REVISITED
Richard Wagner has been working in the construction and woodworking industry for around 16 years. Over the years he’s worked in a wide variety of different roles. He worked for a company building outdoor play areas to studying fine joinery furniture making, then on to owning his own construction business alongside running his own woodworking workshop. At the River Shop, he teaches others and shares his passion for carpentry with the general public.
Teaching people the basics gives them the opportunity to be creative, this is what Richard enjoys the most. Teaching, being your own boss and the Festool organisation provide Richard with a perfect work-life balance.
Teaching people the basics gives them the opportunity to be creative, this is what Richard enjoys the most. Teaching, being your own boss and the Festool organisation provide Richard with a perfect work-life balance.
Which was the first Festool tool you bought?
“I have a lot of students come in that have small workshops giving compliments about all the tools on the shelves, but I haven’t met anyone as enthusiastic as me about Festool. I hope to pass the enthusiasm to my students.”
“I started using Festool for its durability. On the construction site I saw tools breaking almost every day, Festool was different. My first few purchases were the track saw and a dust extractor. This was to keep clients happy and have a safe working environment”.
Richard believes that the wealth of information available online empowers people to tackle projects they might have previously avoided. “We love the idea that you can come and learn the basics with us and continue that journey online or remotely,” he says. This approach allows students to build a strong foundation in woodworking and then expand their skills at their own pace.
“I started using Festool for its durability. On the construction site I saw tools breaking almost every day, Festool was different. My first few purchases were the track saw and a dust extractor. This was to keep clients happy and have a safe working environment”.
Richard believes that the wealth of information available online empowers people to tackle projects they might have previously avoided. “We love the idea that you can come and learn the basics with us and continue that journey online or remotely,” he says. This approach allows students to build a strong foundation in woodworking and then expand their skills at their own pace.
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.
Building a good business and reputation takes time, but for Colour and Paper, word of mouth is still one of the most powerful types of communication. Another form of communication that Mel uses is social media, not only for promoting her work but also to gain knowledge and research. “I enjoy researching new products, finding out things I didn’t know. A lot of it comes from social media. Seeing other tradespeople using new products, and then trying them out or seeing if you can go to a nearest retailer to have a look at them, makes a huge difference,” she says. Melanie has built a business that helps to empower and encourage women to join the trade. With all-female colleagues, one being an apprentice, she is helping to bring more female professionals through the door. “The tradesmen say they like having females on-site; it switches up the energy, and it’s always a good atmosphere and work ethic.”
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..”
Visit one of Protrade's Festool Megastores
In the East Midlands? Why not visit one of our five Protrade depots that offer Festool sales and experts on site. Each depot has excellent stocks, impressive displays, and demonstration areas.
Our staff members are highly trained with intimate knowledge and problem-solving ability. To contact any Protrade Depot by telephone, call Central Sales & Support at 03452 60 20 80 or email sales@protrade.co.uk.
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 7.30 am until 5.30 pm
Saturdays from 8.00 am to 12.30 pm
Our staff members are highly trained with intimate knowledge and problem-solving ability. To contact any Protrade Depot by telephone, call Central Sales & Support at 03452 60 20 80 or email sales@protrade.co.uk.
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 7.30 am until 5.30 pm
Saturdays from 8.00 am to 12.30 pm
Festool Megastores
For anyone serious about woodworking, construction, or simply seeking precision and efficiency in their craft, a visit to Protrade's Festool Megastore is an absolute must. Unlike simply browsing online or in a general tool shop, the Megastore offers an immersive, hands-on experience that truly showcases the Festool difference.
Beyond the impressive array of tools, the Protrade Festool Megastore provides invaluable access to expert knowledge.
We also frequently host Festool events, including demo days and "Festool Fridays," where you can witness the tools in action, learn advanced techniques, and take advantage of exclusive deals. This commitment to customer education and ongoing support makes the Protrade Festool Megastore an indispensable resource for any professional or enthusiast looking to get the most out of their Festool investment.
The Festool Megastore is your one-stop shop for all things blue and green. Here you'll find the latest releases, upcoming promotions, and events, be the first to know what's happening with Festool, right here at Protrade!
Festool Partner
Festool constantly looks forward to new ideas and innovation… connecting not only through their products but also with their distributors and end-users. To this day, Festool remains a family-owned business, that focuses on maintaining a corporate culture that is focused on regional roots, high standards, sustainable success, appreciation of our employees, and a “sense of unity” in the company’ The company motto ‘Inspired by craftspeople’ will continue, with the launch of new and exciting solutions, as the brand goes from strength to strength.
As an authorised Festool System partner, we can also offer official Festool spare parts and our Service Centre has the expertise to repair tools, should they require attention. Festool has grown to become a key brand for Protrade, with a shared company culture of quality, innovation and excellent functionality.
Festool Warranty
Enjoy comprehensive services with our all-inclusive warranty. By registering your new Festool tool online within 100 days of purchase, it will be fully covered for the first three years. And you can concentrate on what’s important: Your work.
Fast, thorough, and free for the first three years. Festool even replaces typical wear parts; also, your battery packs and battery chargers are covered.
More Festool With You Every Day Stories
Festool With You Everyday highlights the versatility of Festool tools and their ability to be used for a variety of everyday tasks. The campaign features a series of stories by real tradespeople that showcase Festool tools being used for everything from sanding furniture to joinery and timber construction.
