Difference between the TS 55 and TS 75

[Kevcoleman]

I am looking to by a festool circular saw and wanted to know if the difference between the ts 55 and ts 75 is just the size or are there other benefits/features of the 75.

Also, I plan to use the saw mostly for cutting plywood and 4/4 stock. Will I be disapointed in the future if I get the 55?

Thanks
KC

 

[Lou Miller]

I am looking to by a festool circular saw and wanted to know if the difference between the ts 55 and ts 75 is just the size or are there other benefits/features of the 75.

Also, I plan to use the saw mostly for cutting plywood and 4/4 stock. Will I be disapointed in the future if I get the 55?

Thanks
KC

To my knowledge, the difference is cutting capacity (2-3/4" on the rail vs. 1-15/16" on the rail) and more amps (13 vs. 10). There's also a difference of almost 4 lbs too. Other than that...

I own the TS55 and cut mostly 4/4 stock and sheet goods. There's absolutely no reason for me to want the bigger saw. Occasionally, I'll rip some 6/4 and 8/4 stock. As long as I throw a Panther (rip balde) on the saw, there's no problem whatsoever. Trying to make long rips through thick stock with the stock blade isn't impossible, but I wouldn't advise it. I do cut exterior door bottoms with the stock blade on though (let's see that other brand do that with a 6-1/4" blade ).  The TS55 is with me everyday and I've yet to feel a need for more power or cutting capacity. 

Just my opinion of course...

 

[Bob Marino]

  I think Lou pretty much nailed it correctly. If you were doing lots of thicker rip cuts, long runs of solid surface, etc., the 75 would be a better choice, but with a Panther blade, basic rips would be covered.
Really is a question of your applications.
Bob

 

[LaserGecko]

Thanks for the info, guys. I've kinda been on the 55 or 75 fence myself. Of course, the Corian guys installed my countertop several months before the TS75 was released, so if it's good enough for them, it's more than I will ever need.

Of course, one other view is "You can always use less capability than you have."

 

[Jon3]

Have to make this decision myself.  Think I'm going to go get a ts55/ct22 combo today from WC.  My first festool!

 

[MarkV]

I've never swapped the blade on the ts55.  Is it relatively quick and painless ? I've been ripping with the standard blade and am slightly annoyed when it seems to bog down.  It sounds like the panther blade would solve my problem.

Panther for ripping and the Universal 48 toother for everything else that involves wood and plywood ?

 

[Dan Clark]

Mark,

I think the standard 12 tooth blade (#487377) is the better all-around, rough cut blade instead of the Panther.  I have a Panther and prefer the 12 tooth blade.  The Fine tooth, 48 tooth blade (#491952) gives me great results on sheet goods and thinner materials.

Dan.

 

[Lou Miller]

I've never swapped the blade on the ts55.  Is it relatively quick and painless ? I've been ripping with the standard blade and am slightly annoyed when it seems to bog down.  It sounds like the panther blade would solve my problem.

Panther for ripping and the Universal 48 toother for everything else that involves wood and plywood ?

Changing the blade on the TS55 is a breeze. You just lift the fastfix lever until it locks into place, unscrew the blade with the allen wrench and the blade is off. Reverse that for installing the new one. Its one of the better designs I've used for changing blades. No holding in the button that locks the arbor in place while busting your knuckles on the blade guard with an adjustable wrench that slips off the nut. Not that that has ever happen to me before or anything....

I don't have the blade that Dan mentioned, but I do use the panther blade on a fairly regular basis. I'm more than satisfied with the results I get from it. Ripping with a 48 tooth blade is not a good idea. While it can be done, its not the right way to do things. 48 teeth are way too many for ripping operations and I don't think the saw was built for that. With the panther blade (or the one Dan suggested), you can rip all day without the saw bogging down at all.

 

[clintholeman]

I have the ATF 65 and am looking forward to getting the new 55 in the near future.  I think it will speed my operation and it wieghs substantially less - not an insignificant factor when you are working with a machine all day.

I think the FesTools have plenty of power and I have no doubt that the 55 will cut 2 nested sheets quite handily, and 4/4 shouldn't be a problem at all.

But I also know I will likely end up with a 75 as well - just for those days.