8' track for TS55

[Jmontydemp]

You will want the longer track, you can cut a diagonal on an 8' sheet of ply. The connectors are ok, but the long track leads to much higher quality cuts especially if you are cutting a bevel on thicker material.
I used the 118" when I built a plywood drift boat. 

 

[Coen]

Do they shorten the tracks a bit for the US? 106" is 2692.4 mm
In Europe they sell a 3000mm one. I would get that one for sheets x2440. Also think about angled cuts.

 

[vkumar]

No it is just a conversion round off error. The actual tracks are 2700 and 3000 mm.

 

[waho6o9]

118 no doubt about it.

 

[RNEMTP]

On a slight tangent (and forgive me) is there much of difference between the Festool 3 m track and the Makita  3 m track? Other than the cost?

The Makita track has a lip on the inside of the top channel to catch an anti-tip feature on the Makita saws. They also have a black splinter strip instead of the clear. I have the Makita tracks and they work well with My TS55 and my Makita track saw.

 

[TinyShop]

On a slight tangent (and forgive me) is there much of difference between the Festool 3 m track and the Makita  3 m track? Other than the cost?

FWIW I've read that the Makita rails are un-anodized while the Festool rails are, or course, anodized. Can't confirm this since I've never seen a Makita rail in person.

 

[duburban]

On a slight tangent (and forgive me) is there much of difference between the Festool 3 m track and the Makita  3 m track? Other than the cost?

FWIW I've read that the Makita rails are un-anodized while the Festool rails are, or course, anodized. Can't confirm this since I've never seen a Makita rail in person.

I have both and have noticed no differences in the finish visually or functionally

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gunnyr]

I have a 2700 cm track.  Two of them actually.  I keep one at home and one in my shop because they are difficult to transport.  I also have a collection of 1700, 1400 and 1080 tracks.  (My wife thinks I have so many because the light in the garage keeps getting left on.... [big grin])  On site I join the 1400 and 1700 to breakdown sheet goods.  In the shop I use the 2700.  I have never had the need to cut a sheet diagonally.  The 2700 is plenty long enough to rip sheets along the length.

My method for breaking down a sheet of plywood is to use a 2700 rail to rip the and a 1700 with a [member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] GRS-16 to cross cut them.

Note that I have a TS-55, not a TS-75.

 

[Rick Herrick]

You will want the longer track, you can cut a diagonal on an 8' sheet of ply. The connectors are ok, but the long track leads to much higher quality cuts especially if you are cutting a bevel on thicker material.
I used the 118" when I built a plywood drift boat.

Now thats a bonus I had not considered.  Thank you.

 

[Rick Herrick]

The GRS 16 will allow you to make a cut square to a reference edge.  The sequence is as follows:

1., Make a cut to establish a clean straight cut line to remove any ragged edge from the factory using just the guide rail.
2. Use this cut as the reference and then use the GRS 16 to make a cut perpendicular to this new clean edge.
3. I highly recommend the GRS 16 from TSO.  Very easy to use .

Thanks for the info.  I had focused solely on getting a straight cut, without regard for the reference side.  Does make sense and I will add this to my tool box.  Thank you.

 

[vkumar]

The Makita track has a lip on the inside of the top channel to catch an anti-tip feature on the Makita saws. They also have a black splinter strip instead of the clear. I have the Makita tracks and they work well with My TS55 and my Makita track saw.

Thank your [member=64302]RNEMTP[/member]  for your observations.

 

[vkumar]

FWIW I've read that the Makita rails are un-anodized while the Festool rails are, or course, anodized. Can't confirm this since I've never seen a Makita rail in person.

I have both and have noticed no differences in the finish visually or functionally

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks [member=12487]duburban[/member]. No issues with the straightness I take it?

 

[tallgrass]

I have both Festool rail and Makita. All of my rails have been straight. I actually prefer the makita zero clearance rubber strip. I have it on all of my rails.

 

[Julian Tracy]

I'll confirm the Makita racks are absolutely compatible withe Festool rails and are identical in build quality and finish.  The earlier Makita rails were a bit thinner, but all of the newer rails are similar thickness to the Festool tracks.

Considering you can get into the Makita 10' tracks for about $185 shipped, might be an option for folks here. 

FYI - the Makita track bags are very well made as well and cheap at around $40 each; much more padding compared to the Festool case I had. 

In Canada, they carry a 10' track bag, but they are seemingly NAINA.

 

[Rick Herrick]

I finally got a longer session with my new TS55.  I really dig this thing, especially with the 2 tracks.  I want to get a couple of the smaller tracks now as I had a couple of cuts that would have been easier without the bulky 55".  But overall, glad I got the 118" and the TS55. 

PS - not in love with dust collection just yet.  I am using my existing DC and waiting to get my CT26.  Trying to shove the wrong hose into the TS55 port is part of the issue but hoping once I get the CT26 and the correct hose, I should be a happy camper.  Just have to decide if also buying a D36 hose is a good investment.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I'll confirm the Makita racks are absolutely compatible withe Festool rails and are identical in build quality and finish.  The earlier Makita rails were a bit thinner, but all of the newer rails are similar thickness to the Festool tracks.

Considering you can get into the Makita 10' tracks for about $185 shipped, might be an option for folks here. 

FYI - the Makita track bags are very well made as well and cheap at around $40 each; much more padding compared to the Festool case I had. 

In Canada, they carry a 10' track bag, but they are seemingly NAINA.

Last I heard, Canada was still in North America.  [wink]

 

[vkumar]

I'll confirm the Makita racks are absolutely compatible withe Festool rails and are identical in build quality and finish.  The earlier Makita rails were a bit thinner, but all of the newer rails are similar thickness to the Festool tracks.

Considering you can get into the Makita 10' tracks for about $185 shipped, might be an option for folks here. 

FYI - the Makita track bags are very well made as well and cheap at around $40 each; much more padding compared to the Festool case I had. 

In Canada, they carry a 10' track bag, but they are seemingly NAINA.

Where do you find the Makita 10 foot tracks for $ 185 shipped?  And the bags?

 

[jeh]

An alternative to the GRS 16 is a top quality square such as the Woodpecker's 18" and 26" square set.

Woodpecker's 18" and 26" square set

Not inexpensive and you do not have to buy the set, but for me it is easier to use than any other squaring setup and you know it will be spot on.