A rose by any other name - 'Portable Panel Saw' vs 'Track Saw'?

[wow]

I clearly remember the first time I saw the Festool Track Saw. It was more than a decade ago, at the 7-Corners fall woodworking show.

I basically dismissed the Track Saw as a glorified circular saw. And a very expensive one at that! In fact, I was MUCH more interested in the Systainers than I was in the saw. While I may have misunderstood and generally 'missed' many of the capabilities of the Track Saw, at least I recognized the value of the Systainer System.

Fast Forward to today: The Track Saw was my first Festool purchase just 7 months ago, and I now have several tools and dozens of Systainers. (A few dozen LESS than just 30 days ago, but those weren't mine. Still, it *was* cool to walk past them or look at the pile on occassion

I finally bought my TS75 when I realized that I was struggling with putting full sheet goods through my table saw. Also, I finally admitted to myself that I couldn't get the cut precision and accuracy on my table saw that I *thought* I was getting - I couldn't move a big, heavy sheet of material past a stationary blade without some wobble or movement. I thought I was good, but I wasn't as good as some of my projects needed me to be. So I drank the kool-aid...and it was good!

Being a marketing guy, I can't help but think about my experience and wonder if my impression would have been any different had the TS been introduced as a 'Portable Panel Saw' versus a 'Track Saw'? And yes, I realize that terminology brings up a whole 'nother batch of connotations that are not necessarily accurate or positive. I honestly don't know if it would have helped me to better understand the Track Saw back then, or if I just needed to get further along ... either in my age or in my hobby?

So, I'd like to pose a question about YOUR decision to purchase a track saw:

"What made you see the light / drink the kool-aid / take the plunge?"

And with that in mind, what message would you want to deliver to a new tradesperson or cabinet maker or hobbiest that would push them off the (saw) fence and into Festool?

Enquiring minds want to know...

 

[mrboult]

The track saw was my first Festool purchase as well.  On my 2nd saw now.

I had known about Festool's track saws for a while but wasn't sure the cash was worth it, compared to my circular saw on it's home made timber and ply guide rails.

What made me pony up and buy mine was using someone else's. . . . .  I was amazed at how gentle and smooth it felt, I was amazed at the simplicity and accuracy of the depth setting, I was amazed that the track needed no clamping to stop it moving on the sheet ply I was cutting, I was astonished by the dust collection, and I goggled at the quality of the cut.

I had only made a few cuts, but I was sold. . .

I purchased one that week.

 

[carlb40]

I have wanted a TS55 for a few years now, but until this year funds wouldn't allow it.  However the job i am currently on required about 10 pallets of osb to be cut very acurately. So i took the plunge and purchased the TS55 with 2 rails a 3rd rail and the accessory kit. I have found the saw a pleasure to use. A week or so after i got the midi.

Money well spent on both, if anyone is considering one i would say just go for it.

I did a lot of research on the various plunge saws inc maffel etc. But for me festool seemed to have everything right.

 

[Birdhunter]

I stumbled into a Festool demo day at Highland Woodworking in Atlanta. I got to use a TS55 and a Domino 500. I went home with both plus two MFT/3 tables. I've been back many times for yet another gray box.

I still have a table saw, a Sawstop Industrial model, but the TS55 does all the plywood breakdown. I used to do the finish cut on the Sawstop. Stopped doing that as the TS55 cuts are accurate and smooth enough for the finish cut.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]

Unfortunately, the title assumes that a tracksaw is only used for cutting panels.

I have used mine for lots of other work including squaring countertops, making a first cut for router rebating, cutting angles along edges, resizing doors, cutting inlay and track channels etc.,.

So whilst I first purchased my T55REQ for panel cutting, I am finding many other uses. Not my most favourite Festool, but certainly one I enjoy using.  And most used in past year, after RO150 (and CSX). [smile]

 

[rst]

As a certifiable tool nut, I owned many saws prior to my Festool.  I own a Skill 8 1/4" worm, a 6 1/4" PC, and a 10" Milwaukee in the way of portable saws.  I also own a Powermatic 66 to which I attached a Jet (no longer available) sliding table, and added 8020 extensions.  When I first learned about Festool, I thought that the praise was all hype  [unsure].  I then bought a Makita from Amazon Warehouse and rails from my local dealer.  Wow, the ease of breaking down sheets was amazing :.  I work primarily in plastics making pieces for grocery fixtures that are no longer available.  I wood butcher also, but mostly it's plastic.  The flexibility of the systems is wonderfully efficient.  When it became clear that my Makita did not like cutting 3/8" plastic, I bought the TS75 and just recently the 55 through the recon sale I can take my equipment on site and make any modifications right at the jobsite  [big grin].

 

[coug]

I am new to woodworking in the past few years.  I lusted after a track saw after using my old skil saw and my 4100 for precise cuts and to break down sheet goods and other larger items.  Made the plunge in the spring, and soon had the RO90 and ETS150/3, then the 1010, plus lots of accessories!  I am a sucker for quality equipment.

 

[waterloomarc]

Funny I thought I was the only who bought sustainers before any actual Festools! The RAS convinced me to drink the Kool-aid about a year ago. I just got my TS55 thru the recon sale last week and haven't even had a chance to use it yet. But for me I don't think a name would have made the difference. Frankly, the price point kept me away. I've wanted one for years but just couldn't bring myself to spend that on a "circular saw".

I've been flirting with the idea getting rid of my tablesaw is why I finally pulled the trigger. Well that and 20% off. I do almost all of my ripping on the bandsaw these days so I'm thinking I can simplify. 

 

[Throwback7r]

For me I was looking for a new table saw " Mine was crap" So I started the research for something different and "new tech" I saw Festool and thought Wow that is expensive, I wanted a quality brand that would last me a long time and with my recent purchase of the CXS drill the TS55 REQ ended up getting ordered 1 week after I got my Drill. The track saw is something I use the most out of everything, It does stuff that is really hard to do any other way.

 

[lawhoo]

A TS55 and MFT1080 were my first taste of the Kool Aid.  I got them in the middle of a bookcase project, after becoming frustrated by my inability to get quick, clean, square cuts.  While I struggled at first to square the guide rail and fence, I eventually started using dogs in the MFT's grid system to simplify that process.  What a joy to make a cut and know that I don't need to make it again (or, usually, even use the jointer)!

Since then, I've been on the slippery slope and enjoying the ride. 

 

[VW mick]

The track saw was my first Festool purchase as well.  On my 2nd saw now.

I had known about Festool's track saws for a while but wasn't sure the cash was worth it, compared to my circular saw on it's home made timber and ply guide rails.

What made me pony up and buy mine was using someone else's. . . . .  I was amazed at how gentle and smooth it felt, I was amazed at the simplicity and accuracy of the depth setting, I was amazed that the track needed no clamping to
stop it moving on the sheet ply I was cutting, I was astonished by the dust collection, and I goggled at the quality of the cut.

I had only made a few cuts, but I was sold. . .

I purchased one that week.

+1 that's exactly what happened to me ..haven't looked back

 

[Dan Clark]

"Euroshop".

Several years ago, I read an article about setting up a Euroshop - a small shop that could be set up when and where you needed it, and then broken down and stored after you were finished.  Since the only space in or around my house for a shop is my garage, I glommed on to the idea.

At that time (about nine years ago), Festool was up ramping up quite fast in the US but the prevailing wisdom here was "ya gots ta have tablesaw to make it a real workshop" (pundit thumps manly chest).  This wisdom was accepted as god-given.    Since I didn't have enough space for a "real workshop", I realized that I could never be a "real man".  Then I saw the article and realized that maybe I could have a shop and rebuild/remodel part of my house at the same time.  Roadblock knocked flat!  Manhood attained!  [smile]

Now virtually all of the major house remodeling is done (except for replacing the interior trim and all the doors).  All of was done using my portable "Euroshop".  When I rebuilt the master bathroom, my euroshop was IN the bathroom.  Remodeling the garage (new walls, electrical, paint, etc)...  Same deal. 

I just finished building a sliding shelf for my digital piano.  Sounds simple except that  that the piano weighs 80lbs, the shelf is cantilevered on 18" sliding brackets and is very visible (has to look nice).  ALL the work was done on my MFT using my TS55, CT26, Domino DF500, a dustless sander, and a Kreg jig.  And that includes applying two coats of OSMO Polyx oil finish: http://www.osmona.com/interior/Original_polyx.shtml .  ALL of this was done in the 5' deep space between the front of my car and the garage shelving.  I.e. my current Euroshop is 5' by 9'.

One key concept for a Euroshop was (and is) the integrated system.  Pieces of the Euroshop worked nicely with other pieces to form a solution for the job at hand.  You don't have to integrate multiple, incompatible tools from multiple vendors.  Why build a sanding table for one project when all your sanders are dustless?  No hoods needed for my TS55 or Kapex; the CT22 or 26 does a very nice job.  My CT26 does a VERY nice job of clearing the wood dust of of Domino mortices.  Need to get clean Kreg jig holes?  Get a Fein hose adapter and connect it to your 27mm hose.  No problem.  Those little plastic sys-toolboxes?  They sit nicely on top of my CT22 or 26.  Or they can be stuffed with tools, tossed in the back of my CRV, and off we go to my step-daughter's house for fixin' stuff.

My first Festools were the TS55, MFT, CT22, and C12 (old version).  I added a bunch more since then including the Kapex (awesome miter saw).  All have seen much use in the last eight years or so.  I appreciate each and every one of my Festools now as much as I did then. 

Here's a post that I wrote in 2009 that is related to this subject: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?99918-Festool-vs-Sliding-Table-Saw/page2 .    My attitude has not changed about table saws.  I think they are great for some things, but are not must-haves.    Every time I've run into what I thought was a roadblock where I needed a table saw, I figured out a solution using my TS55 and other Festools.  I still want a tablesaw, but can't justify buying one.

So, am I a Festool fanbois?!?  Nah...  [cool]

Dan.

 

[wow]

Why build a sanding table when all your sanders are dustless?
Dan.

Dan:

Interesting and excellent point!

I have to admit that in the 'planned' re-layout for my shop I *still* had a place for a downdraft sanding table. Which I don't own! It hadn't yet occurred to me that it would be redundant and totally unnecessary?

It has now been removed from my layout. Thanks for the education!

 

[Dan Clark]

Why build a sanding table when all your sanders are dustless?
Dan.

Dan:

Interesting and excellent point!

I have to admit that in the 'planned' re-layout for my shop I *still* had a place for a downdraft sanding table. Which I don't own! It hadn't yet occurred to me that it would be redundant and totally unnecessary?

It has now been removed from my layout. Thanks for the education!

Wow,

I won't go so far as to say that the downdraft table is completely unnecessary.  If you hand sand a lot of workpieces, it could be useful.  That said, I don't find that final hand sanding creates too much dust and it typically settles to the floor or MFT where the CT picks it up.  And, for extensive hand sanding, I use a Mirka dustless hand sander.  The hose plugs into my CT.  YMMV and all that, but I don't see the need for a downdraft sanding table.

Good luck with your layout!

Regards,

Dan.