If you had a band saw, MFT TS55 & vacuum and Kapex is there really any need for a table saw? Other than the fact that I'd love to have one, is it that much easier to use than all the set up with the Festool system. I've found just enough room in my garage to add a table saw and I'm contemplating getting a Sawstop.
Do I need a Table Saw
- Thread starter suds
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Based on my experience as a hobbyist, one of the very few limitations of the TS (or any guide rail saw for that matter) is trying to cut from a narrow piece of stock....too narrow for the rail to safely rest of the stock. While there are ways around that, this is where a table saw can come in handy.
While I have limited experience with bandsaws, from what I have seen other people do, I believe that with a proper fence on your band saw, you may be able to cut those narrow stocks.
Probably the best thing to do is start with the TS55 and see what limitations it imposes on the work you do. After a while. if you realize that a table saw is truly needed, then you can buy one. But you may be pleasantly surprised with the versatility of the TS55.
Danny
While I have limited experience with bandsaws, from what I have seen other people do, I believe that with a proper fence on your band saw, you may be able to cut those narrow stocks.
Probably the best thing to do is start with the TS55 and see what limitations it imposes on the work you do. After a while. if you realize that a table saw is truly needed, then you can buy one. But you may be pleasantly surprised with the versatility of the TS55.
Danny
If I had the Parallel guides I'd think it would take care of most of the thin strip applications but there is a lot of "fiddling" to get it set up. That seems to be the attraction with the table saw, the ease and speed of being able to simply move the fence and make your cut, especially using the Grr-ripper to do thin stock.
AlexThePalex
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Everybody defines his needs according to his own situation. I wouldn't want to be without a table saw, despite having quite some Festool gear. Other people don't have the space for a table saw, or are not prepared to invest the money, so they are happy to do without one.
Where a table saw shines is working with smaller stock and doing lots of repetitive cuts. In a commercial situation this might be the most cost-effective solution. If you're a hobbyist you might be willing to spend more time on work arounds with a TS saw.
Where a table saw shines is working with smaller stock and doing lots of repetitive cuts. In a commercial situation this might be the most cost-effective solution. If you're a hobbyist you might be willing to spend more time on work arounds with a TS saw.
Keep in mind you might need to make a significant investment in dust collection for the table saw. IMO, it's really unfortunate that the CMS module for the track saw it not available in the USA, as this could eliminate the need for a table saw for many of us.
leer
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I would echo Alex's comments. I was considering replacing my 1.75HP contractor-style table saw with a larger 3HP cabinet saw with table extension, so that I would have the power (and better support) to more easily cut down sheet goods. Then I discovered the Festool track saw, and decided against replacing my table saw. But I did put a Forrest blade on my table saw to give it better cutting ability. There are just some things I want a table saw for, and ripping narrow strips is probably the biggest usage for me.
I am also a huge fan of radial arm saws, but that is probably better covered in another thread.
I am also a huge fan of radial arm saws, but that is probably better covered in another thread.
I do have a Shopsmith Vacuum which is very robust and a really good dust collector and also the Festool vac system and so far that has worked very well for me. I was pretty set against a table saw but the new found room has got me thinking I "need" a Sawstop!! [wink]
Also, check out the Hammer table saws:
http://www.hammerusa.com/us-us/products/table-saws.html
http://www.hammerusa.com/us-us/products/table-saws.html
MrGinCT
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I have the Festool track saw and 3 tracks along with a lot of other Festools [laughing] and while it is very handy for certain tasks, there is no way you can do some of the things with a track saw easily, quickly and as safely as you can do them with a table saw.
If I was purchasing a new cabinet saw to replace my 10" Delta Unisaw, I would go with a Saw Stop.
If I was purchasing a new cabinet saw to replace my 10" Delta Unisaw, I would go with a Saw Stop.
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I like the Hammer stuff but I would go for the Saw Stop without a seconds hesitation. Because a second is all the time it takes for a serious accident to happen. IMHO there is no excuse for buying a saw without those safety features when one is available. If I ever replace my robland, it will be with the SawStop or a product with similar safety features.
The safety feature is certainly the biggest selling point for me. While i am intrigued with the Hammer and the big discount, I'm more comcerned about safety and local service. Just listened to a local doc describe a 3 finger amputation and the number of repeated ops and rehab being years. At 70 yrs i sure don't need that.
Safety is of course a valid concern. However, keep in mind that the sliding table saws are designed to keep your hand far away from the blade. Also, you can still get kick-back my using any table saw improperly. If you do get a table saw, research the best practices very thoroughly and/or take a table saw class. Proper use is probably the biggest factor in avoiding accidents.
wrightwoodwork
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I have to agree good safety starts with good work practice. Safety features are all well and good but should not be relied up on 100%. Being alert at all times and keeping fingers out if the path of the blade should be everyone's first safety featureamt said:
Blackberry
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I'm 42, I come from a long line of woodworkers in my family... in fact I'm the kid at family "get togethers" I used to pride myself on having never really cut my finger. Not anymore, I've cut myself twice and both times is because I became complacent. I have a TS55 for sheet goods and a Kapex for crosscuts. I wouldn't trade my table saw for either of them! It's the center of my shop (also known as my garage). I don't have unlimited space but I still wouldn't do without the table saw. I have a Delta Unisaw. The Sawstop wasn't available when I purchased it. When my two young boys grow up I'll buy them a sawstop and they can borrow my TS55. The number of repetitive cuts a person does in a day is crazy.
NuggyBuggy
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Noone really *needs* a table saw - people got by for millennia without them.
Having said that, when I got into woodworking, I bought into Festool because 1) I was afraid of the table saw, and 2) I had seen many posts here where people suggested a track saw could completely replace a table saw.
Given what I wrote in my first paragraph, the latter must certainly be true (assuming a complement of hand tools).
I am now happily using several table saws and I think I can say this: there are many operations which are far more easily done, far more quickly, on a table saw than on a track saw. Some of these things could be done with a router, but even then, not necessarily more easily.
The converse is also true - there are certain operations which are more easily done with a track saw than a typical table saw. But if I had to choose, I'd pick a table saw long before the track saw. It can just do so many more things.
Having said that, when I got into woodworking, I bought into Festool because 1) I was afraid of the table saw, and 2) I had seen many posts here where people suggested a track saw could completely replace a table saw.
Given what I wrote in my first paragraph, the latter must certainly be true (assuming a complement of hand tools).
I am now happily using several table saws and I think I can say this: there are many operations which are far more easily done, far more quickly, on a table saw than on a track saw. Some of these things could be done with a router, but even then, not necessarily more easily.
The converse is also true - there are certain operations which are more easily done with a track saw than a typical table saw. But if I had to choose, I'd pick a table saw long before the track saw. It can just do so many more things.
Back to the original question: Even though I did end up getting a table saw after the track saw, if I had t do it over again, I would approach it this way: Try using the track saw or router first for a while, until you are really stuck. Then see if you can use someone else's table saw, and if that does not work, then consider purchasing the table saw. If you are turning out a ton of projects all the time, it might be worth it. If you are a casual tinkerer, then the time you spend researching, buying, delivering, and setting up a table saw, then getting dust collection right, might actually be more time than the time savings you get by having it. It really depends on how often you will need that table saw.
