Cutting 3/4" ply with TS75 and 1400mm track

[marmleo1969]

So I just bought the TS55 with a 55" track. I was cutting 48" material set to a depth of about 1 1/8" so I don't cut into my spoil board too much. The problem is, it sees that I have to position the track perfectly and it's still not completely cutting through at the one end. I know if I set the depth lower it would probably cut the entire way through but I don't want to cut through my spoil board. Am I missing something? It seems like the 55" track should be at least 56 or 57".  Suggestions?

 

[Farming_Sawyer]

Which scale are you setting to? The "without track" or with? There's a 5mm difference for the track....

 

[marmleo1969]

I don't have the saw with me, but I'm pretty certain there is only one scale on it, and it's set for without the track. Which I was a little disappointed since it is a track saw.

 

[rmhinden]

There is only one scale, but two indicators.

As shown on page 12 in the supplemental manual at:
https://www.festoolusa.com/-/media/...nuals/festool-ts55req-supplemental-manual.pdf

there is a setting for Depth without the guide rail and Depth with Guide rail.

 

[RKA]

[member=69797]marmleo1969[/member]
Have you placed the track (and anti kickback doo-hickey installed at the leading edge of the rail) so the center of the blade comes down right at the edge or the plywood?  This would require a plunge cut to start your cut.  Does that leave you enough track on the trailing edge to completely cut through the plywood?

 

[tjskinny]

The 55 inch rail is the bare minimum to cut the 4’ plywood.  And you do have to position it perfectly to cut all the way across.

It’s been discussed here as well : http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/sheet-goods-and-the-55'-rail/msg431165/#msg431165

 

[marmleo1969]

lol. Actually I have the TS 75. (I just bought it and was going back and forth.) Anyhow, the TS 75 (imperial version) has a scale with only depths for without the rail. The problem is I can only run the saw from where the guide jaws on the saw are still on the track in order to keep the saw cutting perfectly straight.  When I start the rear guide jaw at the very beginning of the rail, the blade is cutting 3/4" deep 4.25" from the back end of the rail.  When I run the saw until the front guide jaw is at the very end of the rail, the blade stop cutting 3/4" deep 3.25" from the end of the rail.  7.5 Inches from 55" only leave 47.5 inches.  So I guess I either cut deeper into my spoil.board or get a longer rail.

 

[PeterJJames13]

That makes sense now. For the TS75, you're going to want to get a 75" guide rail. The reason for this is because the shoe is longer on the TS75 saw itself, so that needs to be compensated for. Getting the 75" guide rail will definitely make that problem go away.

 

[semenza]

lol. Actually I have the TS 75. (I just bought it and was going back and forth.) Anyhow, the TS 75 (imperial version) has a scale with only depths for without the rail. The problem is I can only run the saw from where the guide jaws on the saw are still on the track in order to keep the saw cutting perfectly straight.  When I start the rear guide jaw at the very beginning of the rail, the blade is cutting 3/4" deep 4.25" from the back end of the rail.  When I run the saw until the front guide jaw is at the very end of the rail, the blade stop cutting 3/4" deep 3.25" from the end of the rail.  7.5 Inches from 55" only leave 47.5 inches.  So I guess I either cut deeper into my spoil.board or get a longer rail.

Hi,

  Welcome to the forum  [smile]

      If this was a new tool purchase from a Festool dealer it should have come with a 75" track not a 55" track.

Seth

 

[Klemm]

[member=69797]marmleo1969[/member] @Farming Sawyer [member=66813]rmhinden[/member] [member=21249]RKA[/member] [member=8008]tjskinny[/member] @peterJJames13 @SRSemenza
For those of you with 1400/55” rails cutting 4x8 material – you may be interested in a small accessory we have designed to ‘bridge” this gap, so to speak, in a practical and very affordable way. 

We Plan to prototype and BETA test this accessory moving into Spring or early summer.
Keep an eye on TSO
Hans and Eric

 

[RKA]

[thumbs up]

 

[marmleo1969]

I bought the bare tool and the 55" rail separately as I thought the 55" would be easier to handle and didn't see the benefit at the time. I wish I had known this before I made the purchase.

 

[PeterJJames13]

It sounds like you considered the TS55, but went with the TS75 instead. I use my 55 for sheet goods almost all the time. The 75 I keep around for hardwoods and thicker boards. I also like the splinterguard better on the 55, along with the weight. Did you purchase it from a Festool dealer? If so, and if in the USA, you can return the TS75 and exchange it for the TS55. Just some food for thought.

 

[marmleo1969]

I decided on the TS 75 for thicker slabs as well. I can't afford both so I decided on the one that is more versatile. 

 

[PeterJJames13]

The TS 75 is more than capable. BUT you'll need a 75" guide rail to start. The 55" guide rail you have will come in handy when you want to join the two for ripping down 8' sheets. But it all starts with the 75" guide rail.....

 

[marmleo1969]

It's a week old. Do you think my Festool dealer will do an exchange for me, with, of course with the cost of the price difference. 

 

[PeterJJames13]

Are you referring to the rail or the saw? If the rail, I say keep it and just but a 75" guide rail and a set of connectors.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[rmhinden]

It's a week old. Do you think my Festool dealer will do an exchange for me, with, of course with the cost of the price difference. 

Yes.

 

[marmleo1969]

Are you referring to the rail or the saw? If the rail, I say keep it and just but a 75" guide rail and a set of connectors.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

The rail. That's a thought. How straight are they connected together?

 

[PeterJJames13]

Definitely not as straight and solid as one long track (they can be, with a Betterley connector or the upcoming TSO connectors), but there are plenty of work arounds until you purchase a 118" guide rail.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk