Cross cut accuracy

[lambeater]

I am building a builtin buffet cabinet and wine rack, just cant decide which is better for accuracy.

1. Dial in my MFT table and cross cut all my panels with the TS55.
2. Build a large crosscut sled for my table saw and use that. I already have a pair of incra rails and my table saw melamine blade has no chipout so that part is easy. Just need to decide what is quicker, cleaner and easier for using.

thx
Lambeater

 

[duburban]

mft!

set it up good and run any dados at the same time. i just did this after getting a used 1080 and of1400. a+!!

if you built the cross cut sled, how much support could you get on each side of the blade?

 

[PaulMarcel]

While I can recalibrate my MFT to being pretty much dead square quickly, it doesn't lose that setting if you set the stops.  Invest in the time it takes to get it cutting dead-square to your fence and you'll start to use it a whole lot more knowing it's already setup.  For large panels, I always use the MFT.

 

[Zacharytanner]

I think both are useful and have their own place in the shop. I use my Table saw sled all the time.
I would build the sled and then you have it going forward.

Just my 2 cents...

Frank

 

[jacko9]

Before I purchased my sliding table attachment for my table saw, I had a cross cutting sled with 18" on each side of the blade and it worked fine until I started doing long wide pieces.

Jack

 

[zapdafish]

I'd think for long pieces an mft would be better since the stock doesnt move. I have a crosscut sled but I dont have an mft, what I use is a shooting board which is probably equivalent. It allows you to match the mating boards so even if the square is slightly off, it doesnt matter.

something like this. (it's not my shooting board)

 

[sancho57]

Since I got my TS55 and MFT, I havent used my tablesaw for crosscutting.

No need.

. Once I learned how to dial it in dead nuts.

I have had no need to use the table saw for crosscutting.

For less then 12" wide boards. I use my Kapex. Anything wider I use my MFT.

 

[duburban]

While I can recalibrate my MFT to being pretty much dead square quickly, it doesn't lose that setting if you set the stops.  Invest in the time it takes to get it cutting dead-square to your fence and you'll start to use it a whole lot more knowing it's already setup.  For large panels, I always use the MFT.

love your 1080 videos. totally going to do your fence mod when i get some time and space...

 

[ericbuggeln]

You should do both, but you should do the work on the MFT and save the sled for something more manageable. Its not available, but the Woodpeckers 18" Carpenters triangle was the best thing that ever happened to me Festool rail wise. It is great when "cutting in the field" on larger pieces, but works like a charm when squaring the MFT. I usually get a square of MDF and cut all sides until the square reads square on all four corners and then im satisfied. Sounds easy, right? Well its not, so plan on spending some time and be persistent. Perfection is possible. Once you get it, clamp it down and draw a nice thick line up against the fence. Next time you will have a good starting point. I dont move mine, so i only redo it once a year. It is well worth the time and when all your parts square up perfect, you will be happy you did, Eric

 

[lambeater]

Thanks for the info guys, guess I'll probably do both although my table saw with melamine blade cuts way cleaner. Also do have the woodpecker T-square and 8x12 square with the large 26" beast on order, so should still be able to square things up.
thx
Lambeater

 

[sancho57]

Do you have the melamine blade for you TS55?

My TS55 cuts cleaner or as clean as my table saw?

 

[lambeater]

Do you have the melamine blade for you TS55?

My TS55 cuts cleaner or as clean as my table saw?

No just the regular blade, which is new! Cutting prefinished maple ply at present but still not as clean as my tablesaw blades.
thx
Lambeater

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I like my MFT for cross-cutting.  The sled works great too, but I prefer using the MFT and it sees the bulk of my cross-cuts nowadays.  The right blade and you will get great results.  Of course, you already have a nice tablesaw blade and so use that if you do not want to save money.

Scot