Before I spend many hundred dollars...two questions...

[jeffinsgf]

Peter,

I absolutely agree with you, that for commercial productivity having the correct length guide for every cut is the most sensible thing to do.  But for me, as a hobbyist, having to go through the hassle of joining rails to make the rare long cut on a sheet isn't a big deal.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

At first I thought that joining rails was awkward and took several tries to get it right, then a buddy pointed out to me that you are supposed to use two of them at the joint.  Doh!  No problems since then....

And I too have a stack of Forrest blades and was greatly impressed by the Festool TS55 48 tooth blade - the only one I have bought. 

 

[bonesbr549]

Thanks to all who responded.  I truly appreciate the input.

Another couple of questions:

1.  Do the guide rail connectors perform an adequate job of joining two rails (1080 and 1900, for example) in a straight line?

2.  As one who owns a stack of Forrest blades for my table saw, will I be happy with the TS55 or TS75's stock blade for cutting plywood?

Thanks again,

Just me personally, I'd just get one section long enough for ply.  I have a rail wide enough to cut 48" across and I've not had a panel requiring a longer cut with ply.  I would not expect two pieces to be truely strait joined together.  Get one long enough in one piece (IMO).  I use forrest blades.  Prior to the TS55 I used my portercable CS with a 7 1/4" forrest wwII and a strait edge as a guide.  I have been very satisfied with the stock blade.  However, once it dulls, I probably will get a forrest blade. I just like them.

Bruce

 

[Tom Turrill]

Bruce,

I am also a newb to the site.  I just purchased the TS75 and 2-MFT/3 tables along with a CT22 last week.  I also have a table saw in the shop (a powermatic model 66).  I do a bunch of work in schools and other commercial buildings where I am constantly replacing or building new cabinets or countertops and walls in classrooms.  I have been cutting cabinet grade plywood for years in the shop and transporting it out to the job site.  Now, I am able to setup the MFT/3 tables and cut everything right on location and the finish with the blade on the TS75 is outstanding.  Just as good if not better than my Forrest blade on the 66 and I have blade stablizers on the table saw also.  I have not purchased the parallel guide set yet, but I plan to in the near future.

I needed to cut 1/8 maple faced plywood for a project and it was a delight to use the saw with the guide rail.  Unable to respond about connecting the two rails together, as I will be doing that tomorrow when I start another cabinet job and will need to do so.  I did have to question spending the $$$ on the setup, but I am happy to say that it was money well spent and I have saved considerable time on building the project on site.  The CT22 worked good on containing the dust from the saw.  I went with the 75 for several reasons, I will be sawing hardwood and mainly 3/4 plywood constantly.  Good luck and enjoy your new tool!!!

 

[Gaijin Daiku]

Everyone, thanks again!

 

[monte]

Thanks to all who responded.  I truly appreciate the input.

Another couple of questions:

1.  Do the guide rail connectors perform an adequate job of joining two rails (1080 and 1900, for example) in a straight line?

2.  As one who owns a stack of Forrest blades for my table saw, will I be happy with the TS55 or TS75's stock blade for cutting plywood?

Thanks again,

Bruce

Connecting the rails is a not an issue,
One thing that I do though is that after I have the connectors in, I take a credit card (or starbucks card!) and place it in-between as a spacer,
then I lock everything down (with a straight edge lining up the two for check).

That itty bitty space allows either the TS55 or TS75 to float across as your cutting without a tiny bleep.

If your moving this assembly around before the next cut, it's a good idea to check your sight line with another straight edge before the next cut,,,,,,,just to be sure.

.

 

[Gaijin Daiku]

Good morning, all--

Reread all the replies; again, I am impressed with the thought everyone put into their responses.

Driving to my area Woodcraft store today...still not sure which saw I am going to buy, but I recognize I need to stop my whining and get it over with.

Thanks for the "cyber hand-holding."

--Bruce