Does the Trion jigsaw make a good cut using a rail?

[JimB1]

I'm thinking about picking up a Trion mainly because the price is decent and it works with the rails for straight cuts. I'm thinking of using it to break down sheet goods rather then my DeWalt circular saw. I don't have the spare cash for a TS-55 so that's not an option at the moment.  It seems like the Carvex is heavily delayed for US release so while I like the specs on that better, it's not available (unless someone has an updated release date they'd like to share, I'm good with waiting a little bit)

I've never tried to use a jigsaw for long straight cuts before and I was wondering if anyone has been using a Trion in this way. I figure it's lighter and with the track easier to line up then using a regular circular saw and no chance of kick back, only downsides I can see are: 1) slower cuts then a circular saw and 2) I'd need to have free space under the cut for the blade so the foam insulation sheet under the sheet good trick won't work but multiple saw horses would take care of that issue.

How is it for splintering in ply veneer and how rough is the cut with it overall?

Anyone have experience with this jigsaw? I've read mixed reviews... I'm also thinking about an RO90 sander but cash dictates that it's an OR thing so maybe a jigsaw or maybe a sander (or maybe nothing and I just keep saving) so I'm just trying to get some info on the Trion.

Thanks for the assistance.
-Jim

 

[Erik63]

The cut is pretty good when a fresh splinter guard is installed. I think you would be better off using a straight edge or a shooting board with your skill saw rather than using the Trion. I would save another $300 and buy the TS55. Nothing will be as good as that in terms of quality and time savings.

 

[semenza]

I too think that a generic track system made for  circular saws, straight edge, or home built "track" set up will do a better job with your DW than the Trion. Especially if you put a good blade  for sheet goods in the DW. Personally I would go home made until you have the $ saved , then get the TS55.

However with a  fresh splinter guard and the proper blade for the cut, the Trion can certainly perform.  One other thing is that you will still have an offset line up with the Trion on the track.  The track adapter for it runs on the back side of the rail,  not right along the anti-splinter strip.  So I don't think it would be any easier to align than a straight edge for the circular saw.

Also, are you looking to strictly break down sheets for the table saw? Or to make finished cuts ?

Seth

 

[Tim Sproul]

Make a zero clearance track for a regular circular saw.  1/8 inch hardboard with 1/4 inch hardboard glued/tacked onto that.  The 1/4 inch acts as the guide that you run the saw base along.  First cut trims the the 1/8 inch to the distance from saw blade to base edge.

The Trion will not work well for what you want.  It cuts too slowly for that use.  The sawn edges are probably not going to come out straight enough for good joinery.  The slow cutting means you will vary pressure too frequently, resulting in a less than straight line.

 

[Kev]

If you're intent on getting a Festool jigsaw ultimately and don't mind saving and waiting - I would hold out for the CARVEX.

Buy the RO90 now if that's an option for you as it's a magic little sander.

I'd aim for a good blade with whatever circular saw you have and make up a creative guide system ... but put the extra time into setup and alignment if you have to spend time anywhere - not into the cutting process itself ... I think you're going to get a far more consistent cut with a circular saw ... (horses for courses).

Kev.

 

[Mavrik]

I have the Trion and the TS55 ... but they are designed for different purposes, which they both do exceptionally well.

The Trion excels at jigsaw type operations (surprise); but its very design of a blade going up and down means it is always going to make a cut in a similar way to a fretsaw or bandsaw; with the inevitable issues of splintering or saw lines (irrespective of the efficiency of splinter guards).

The TS55, especially with an MFT type table is custom made for cutting straight lines really well.

If I were you I'd wait and save up a little more for a TS55.
There will be NOTHING worse than blowing the cash on the Trion, then realizing it doesn't do the job properly.

 

[PeterK]

I would go to a big box store and get something to use as a straight edge guide - aluminum angle or a low cost expandable edge guide - for your circle saw. And get a decent Freud multi tooth blade. Will work great for very little money. The jigsaw while a wonderful tool is not much good for your needs.

 

[tbellemare]

The biggest reason I know to use a Trion with the Guide Stop is for cut depth. It can cut perpendicular deeper than 4" in hardwood. That means that when even a TS 75 can't handle the task, the Trion takes over. You can get a really nice, straight & perpendicular deep cut using this set up.

Though you can get virtually splinter-free cuts in sheet goods with a good splinter guard on the Trion, I wouldn't want to use it in place of a circular bladed saw to break down sheet goods.

Tom

 

[UncleJoe]

Before I found Festool I used a straight edge from Lowes (Swanson I think) around $25. I had a cheap circular saw and I made a zero clearance base for it after I bought a decent blade. The blade may have cost more than the saw. With the zero clearance base and a good blade and the straight edge I was able to make some really nice cuts. The issue with the straight edge is that while can hold the saw against the straight edge there is nothing to keep the saw from moving away from the edge except you. I learned quickly to make sure my off cut was always to the right of the straight edge.

If you go this way you can buy some time to save up for a TS 55. Once I made my first cut with the TS55 I relegated the old saw to the shelf and it is only brought out to cut old dirty lumber destined for the fire box.

 

[Steve R]

I'm thinking about picking up a Trion mainly because the price is decent and it works with the rails for straight cuts. I'm thinking of using it to break down sheet goods rather then my DeWalt circular saw. I don't have the spare cash for a TS-55 so that's not an option at the moment.  It seems like the Carvex is heavily delayed for US release so while I like the specs on that better, it's not available (unless someone has an updated release date they'd like to share, I'm good with waiting a little bit)

I've never tried to use a jigsaw for long straight cuts before and I was wondering if anyone has been using a Trion in this way. I figure it's lighter and with the track easier to line up then using a regular circular saw and no chance of kick back, only downsides I can see are: 1) slower cuts then a circular saw and 2) I'd need to have free space under the cut for the blade so the foam insulation sheet under the sheet good trick won't work but multiple saw horses would take care of that issue.

How is it for splintering in ply veneer and how rough is the cut with it overall?

Anyone have experience with this jigsaw? I've read mixed reviews... I'm also thinking about an RO90 sander but cash dictates that it's an OR thing so maybe a jigsaw or maybe a sander (or maybe nothing and I just keep saving) so I'm just trying to get some info on the Trion.

Thanks for the assistance.
-Jim

Jim,

You could use the back side if the Festool rail and run your DeWalt along that with out a problem. Or as stated above use any straight edge you have or buy the Festool Rail if you want.

I bought a Trion and found it to cut better than any other jig I have owned... even the $9.99  B &D (that I still have in the basement) from when I was 16 years old.... do figure [eek]. I will say the Trion is the best jig ever until the Carvex came out. I too found a few issues with the Trion (nothing about the cut quality)...just things like seeing the blade. When I found out the Carvex solves all my issues in 4 months.... so I returned it. I had my dealer just give me a gift card for the return and put me down for a Carvex when it came out.... Okay so it didn't come out on time...dang...but I would wait for it. For me a jig is not two tool thing... I have duplicates of almost all my tools but for what I do

I would like to think Festool will soon solve the issue...and that it will be out some time in early 2012...but that is just me wishing. 

I would not recommend ripping sheet goods with a jig but if you have to....  the Festool would be your best choice to do it with. Use a reverse blade (cuts on the upstroke) and and a new splinter guard.

I would have to ask... you don't say how many rips you need to do....but I still go back to..... put down a rail or straight edge and use the saw you have. I don't see any issue with kick back.

Join the Festool TS55 when you can but for now rail and jig for rips.... just make me worry....

Tell us what you end up doing.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Alan m]

i wouldnt use a jigsaw for accurate or for clean cuts on sheet goods unless i had nothing else . even one of the top of the range jigsaws wont beat a low end circular saw for that job. you just wont get it straight enough or clean enough for high quality work where the edges matter. where the edges arnt seen then it would be perfect.

i too would recomend using the dewalt saw you have and getiing a new blade maybe for it. there are several good straight eges out there. if you have the money you should go for the festool rails so that you will have them for when you get the ts55

 

[JimB1]

Pretty much you all confirmed what I originally thought. Currently I am using the peachtree pro-grip clamps and just using my Dewalt circular saw running along that straight edge but they are still somewhat of a pain to get lined up and the saw sometimes pushes the clamp so I end up off the line. And I still get the issue of binding and kickback occasionally.

I guess I was just hoping for a less expensive alternative to the TS-55

I have a DeWalt jigsaw already that actually has really good line of sight and is a nice piece of work overall (but no dust collection) so I really don't need another jigsaw, it was just one of those things where you go, "hmmmm, maybe I could justify the purchase if..."

Thanks for the feedback.
-Jim

 

[Alan m]

there are cheaper track saws out there. fog search for track saw alternitives by jmbfestool.

if the straight edge is slipping you could put sandpaper on it to give it more grip or get some of the festool (or other) guide rail traction(for lack of a better word) strip and stick it to the straight edge. assuming the clamps are good enough then it will hold.
if its diflecting in the middle then clamp a scrap piece in against the straight edge to support it

 

[AlexThePalex]

If you want a cheap solution: Wolfcraft makes a guide rail with an adapter that accepts all kinds of circular saws. Probably NAINA, but why not get yourself a Festool rail and make a custom adapter to fit your own circular saw to the rail?

Wolfcraft - FKS 115