Best accessories for TS55

[Tim Brennan]

Just got a TS55 and i'm wondering which accessories are must haves.

The 3000 track is one option.

Another is some clamps, but which ones are the best ?

 

[Dwayne]

I got both quick and screw clamps. Find I grab the quick ones most of the time. For being portable I have two rails and a set of joiners. The MFT was a nice option. A rollng table with a scafacial  top at same height as MFT rounds out my cutting area

 

[polarsea1]

If you plan on making repetitive cuts, parallel guides, whether Festool or another source.

 

[epicxt]

Second the parallel guides, and the cover plate turns great dust collection into superb dc. A ripping blade is also very useful if you'll be working with solid lumber.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I'd get an extra saw stop. The aluminium and hardsurface blades. The shortest guide rail for crosscuts..

 

[eddomak]

Hi,

I'm surprised no-one has asked "What type of work do you do?" and "What else do you have?"  [big grin]

If you don't already have a mitre saw, then I would suggest an MFT with some QWAS/Precision/Parf dogs & rail dogs - makes it easier to work with smaller pieces, and angle cuts, and repetition. It also functions as a darn good clamping and assembly bench.

If you're breaking down sheet goods a lot, then a longer rail, and/or parallel guides of your choice.

If you're ripping timber a lot, then the panther blade will make it faster and less load (but you might not get as clean an edge).

If you don't have a shop vac or dust extractor, then get one - it's amazing how great the dust collection is, and you won't go back to working without dust extraction again.

Hope this helps. Cheers!

 

[sancho57]

Just got a TS55 and i'm wondering which accessories are must haves.

The 3000 track is one option.

Another is some clamps, but which ones are the best ?

The clamps all have various uses. The type/ size of clamp you use depends on what your using it for

 

[roblg3]

A not often talked about "extra" is the pistol grip clamp.  while not an option for the TS55, it allows you to clamp the rail to odd things at odd angles in strange places making the saw even more useable.  I just use painters tape over the cutout in the side to enhance dust extraction.  the most usable companion to the saw is the mft.  i love parallel guides if you plan on making cabinets or things that need exact same size pieces.  i use the ratchet clamps most because i make money with my tools and they are fast.  If you just need a small, portaBLE work table i suggest Keter tables! Not very expensive, 10 second set up, super portable and better than saw horses.  While a 3000 is nice, it takes up quite a bit of space and is too wieldy for anything under 6 feet.  Going with a second 1400 that is lr/32 compatible and a pair of connectors is pretty versatile.
All that being said, think about what you plan to build before buying and discuss options here.  It saves quite a bit of money too!  If you decide to go with the MFT you are purchasing the ability to have a miter saw with 27inch crosscut ability and can delay purchasing a miter saw for quite some time(as long as speed isn't super necessary)  but, by the time you buy 2 mft's you could've purchased a kapex ( no stand or wings of course)
Basically i see festool as a system.  It's built off dust extraction, the systainers if you need portability( if you don't need to transport then they loose alot of value in the system) the track (which can be used with just about all the saws and routers) and the mft( which is versatile and has other tool components that attach to it) these are THE CORE of the system.  When purchasing a tool in the future, i would ask myself if I have my "core" components in place first.  if you are not covered in that area, you won't be able to maximize the tools abilities. IMHO and my $.02  There are lots of plans and designs out there to make an MFT to suit your personal needs

 

[tjbnwi]

Definitely get the Rapid Clamp, it can be used in a lot of situations.

A set of screw and Quick clamps. There are times the lever for the Quick clamp will get in the way.

Gecko with rail adapter if you do a lot of pre-finish plywood cutting.

Tom

 

[SoonerFan]

Hi,

I'm surprised no-one has asked "What type of work do you do?" and "What else do you have?"  [big grin]

If you don't already have a mitre saw, then I would suggest an MFT with some QWAS/Precision/Parf dogs & rail dogs - makes it easier to work with smaller pieces, and angle cuts, and repetition. It also functions as a darn good clamping and assembly bench.

If you're breaking down sheet goods a lot, then a longer rail, and/or parallel guides of your choice.

If you're ripping timber a lot, then the panther blade will make it faster and less load (but you might not get as clean an edge).

If you don't have a shop vac or dust extractor, then get one - it's amazing how great the dust collection is, and you won't go back to working without dust extraction again.

Hope this helps. Cheers!

+1, this sums up the options nicely depending on how you plan to use the TS55 and what other tools you have to go with it.