Festool Nomenclature

[MrToolJunkie]

The key is to use the right saw for the application. There are different sizes because so many different needs. That is why Mafell has so many sizes - small trim saws that are light weight and huge timber frame saws that can cut large beams.

The 55/65/75/85 is the sweet spot in my mind for most general purpose cutting. If I were cutting 4x all day, then I would consider a Mafell MK130 saw that could handle that depth of cut. The bigger the saw the heavier and more unwieldly it gets - swinging 30 - 35 pounds all day with a large saw to cut 19mm sheet good does not make sense. Even my Mafell KSS80 is heavy for extended cutting sessions - it is absolutely the right saw to cut down 12/4 slabs, but I do not want to run it to cut sheet goods.

My TS75 is ideal for hardwood and 8/4 stock. It also works on sheet goods and it was my only track saw for the first 5-7 years of using Festool. It can even get a little heavy swinging it around all day and due to the blade and depth of cut, it is not ideally suited to working on the MFT with thinner stock where you need the right side anti-splinter insert (without making a modification). My TS55/TSC55/Mafell MT55, however, are all perfect for sheet goods and 6/4 and thinner stock. With the right blade, they all have adequate power for the task at hand. The MT55 is slightly more powerful than the TS75 FWIF.

HK saws are great at smaller trim work and working off the rail. The smaller Mafell saw (which I do not have) seems like a great trim saw and hardwood flooring type saw.

If I was limited to only one saw, then I would probably opt for the TS75 due to overall depth of cut and versatility. If I could only have one smaller saw, that would be a tough choice - I might actually just go with my TSC55 - great torque and convenience of being able to cut anywhere and not worry about outlets.

I have not been disappointed with any of my saw purchases - they all work as advertised and I get great results from each of them.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would buy a TS75 if they were available, but it would really just be an indulgence at this point for the occasional thicker piece.
I really do use my 55 for sheet goods the greatest percentage of the time. The rest is solid surface material, which is even thinner, at only 12mm. Once in a while, I have to cut down a completed laminate countertop, but even those are only 40mm.
I like that the TS55 is so light and simple to use for my needs. We had a TS75 in the old building, before the fire, but it was rarely used. It was purchased years ago, basically for one specific job. A very long bevel cut was needed on an already installed piece. It would have been nearly impossible to do any other way. It was the company's first Festool purchase and I didn't have any of my own at that time. It was always there in the tool room, but just kind of forgotten most of the time. I did use it occasionally, but it was usually for an "emergency" type situation where a fully assembled cabinet needed to be cut down for some reason.
It was not replaced by the company after the fire because of the infrequent use after that initial time of need.
During the move to a temporary facility, I saw the need for me to have a cutting station of my own. Things were in some kind of limbo for a short period without having all of the equipment that we had before, while we waited for it to come in or get installed/wired. Some of it just wasn't going to happen strictly because it was a temporary facility, it would have to wait for the permanent building.
The TS55 served me very well in that situation and still does.

 

[DeformedTree]

And sales volume of each model would go down.

Irrelevant, if the number of sold saws remains the same. Maybe it would even go up, as people would have more choices. Some of us maniacs might even get two.

I think the 55 size is good, most folks are cutting plywood/sheet material with it, so you only are cutting sub 20mm material, and you still have the ability to cut 2x material (1.5" thick). It's a good all around size. 

No, it is not a good all-round size. It is really only for the small stuff. 65 is a good all-round size. And the lack of power of the 55 means you can forget about cutting lots of hardwoods when you go over 3 cm.

You always seem to be very opinionated about every tool, but do actually have any experience working with them? Have you worked with the 55? It is the least powerful circular saw I have ever had in my hands. It isn't even the 55 mm cut that that annoys me, it's the lack of power. I am sure if I get the chance I'll upgrade to the Mafell MT55.

You keep linking power and blade size and even point out the MT55.  I haven't run into a power issue with my TS55, but that doesn't mean others don't. But nothing about its power has to do with blade size, they could make it more powerful.  The comment was on the size of the blade, not the power of the saw. 

Yes, I do think most folks are using the 55 size saws for sheet goods, that's clearly what such size saws are optimized for.  If folks are regularly cutting thicker stuff, then they will probably own a different saw.  If someone is cutting sheet goods 90% of the time, they probably do not want a over sized saw for that job.  I have much bigger saws for when needed, I certainly don't use them for breaking down plywood.

Like I pointed out earlier, Mafell makes a lot of size of saws, you pay for it. Yet they have just one size plunge cut track saw at 55.  Get to the big saws, paying an extra grand every step up to get another 20mm of depth.

 

[Thompmd]

I opted for the TS75,works great for up to 10/4 hardwood slabs and recently got a TSC55, actually was a little hesitant due to it only being 55mm, time will tell

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I opted for the TS75,works great for up to 10/4 hardwood slabs and recently got a TSC55, actually was a little hesitant due to it only being 55mm, time will tell

I think that is a GREAT combination and covers all of your bases.

 

[AlexThePalex]

If someone is cutting sheet goods 90% of the time, they probably do not want a over sized saw for that job.

Yes indeed, but who is actually cutting only sheet goods 90% of the time? In reality as a carpenter you need a lot more different wood types and sizes.

 

[DeformedTree]

So, ignoring that "Carpenter" may be loosing something in translation far as scope for a moment.

Yes, pretty sure sheet goods is what vast majority of folks use their track saws for the vast majority of the time. That's what the saws were invented for. More practical than owning a panel saw, vastly easier than using a table saw, and more accurate than clamping a board/level to the sheet and cutting it with a skill saw.  Clearly they can be used for other things and people do, but how much ripping the edge off a thick board, or trimming the ends off a deck does anyone do compared to how much sheet goods they cut.

Assuming carpenter you mean someone who builds houses. For non-sheet goods, you either use a 12" compound sliding miter saw for all your framing lumber, or a skill saw and speed square, which in fancy Festool world, you buy yourself a HK saw for doing that work.  If I was building houses, I'd own both a TS55, and then either an HK55, or probably just go and sneak a HK85 in the country, or more realistically buy the Mafell KSS80/K85 saw.

If one is a furniture builder, that is where you would expect the large plunging track saw, and thats where Festool has the TS75, which makes for a complement to the TS55. 

It's pretty easy to see most folks having a 55 saw from any of the brands, as they all have pretty much decided that is the size. And then if you need a big saw to go with it, you get either a TS75 or a HK85/K85 type saw and you pick it based one what you cut more (framing lumber vs table tops).

 

[AlexThePalex]

With a carpenter I always understood that was someone who makes things out of wood, be it houses, furniture, whatever. I can't be apprised of what every local dialect turns the meaning into. They told me it is what Jesus did, it is what I do.  [tongue]

And whatever I am making out of wood, and I do that a lot, be it working on a house or a closet or a table, sheet materials is just a small part of the equation. And I know my 1500 watt AT 65 always cut whatever I needed to cut, without question, and so does my DW65, which at also 1500 watt seems even twice as strong as the AT 65. But unless I cut 18 mm sheets goods, the TS 55 fails constantly with the thicker and harder stuff. 

So stop explaining so adamantly to me why we can't have a 65 mm saw, because I don't want to grab another saw for every other plank I need to cut, what, you don't like choice?

 

[Paul_HKI]

I don't know if it's Covid-19 and the social pressure that's brought to bear on some folks but the pettiness of the complaints I'm reading on this forum are pretty irksome.

The TS55 is a fine saw for the folks for whom it suits their purposes. 

If you think the TS55 is underpowered and lacking in the depth of cut, just buy something else.  Festool, Mafell, DeWalt - all offer you alternatives.  I don't get the pointless nature of these complaints.  Don't like what you have?  Sell it and buy something else. 

And as far as the carpenter term goes, you might take the lesson with a little grace.  A carpenter is generally a construction woodworker, whereas a cabinetmaker or joiner is a different trade and deserving of their own descriptor. 

 

[Coen]

Talking about the TS 75, it has been removed from the German, Netherlands & International websites and has been labeled as Temporarily Unavailable on the US & Canadian websites.

Oooh. But the parallel fence is still available  [blink]

You guys are funny... [popcorn] [thumbs up] [popcorn]

However it won't be so funny when Festool announces their new TS 35. [tongue]

That will still cut 19mm panels at 45 degrees using the guiderail, so I bet they will still sell a bunch of those.  [tongue]

 

[Joebuck]

In my corner of the world, a carpenter is one who frames houses, builds decks and fences, trellises etc. people who build cabinets and furniture are known as cabinetmakers or woodworkers. It’s a pretty basic concept that is accepted amongst the various trades. Is it different in your part of the world? Many tradesmen legitimately wear all three hats. Not sure where Jesus would be classified in the modern nomenclature of various trades. Let’s just agree he’d always use holey guide rails.

The TS55 is powered adequately for its intended purpose: processing sheet goods. If you want to frame a house, get a cordless skilsaw and you’ll be all set. But the TS55 will come in handy when its time to sheet the roof, walls and floors (I.e, process sheet goods, it’s intended primary use).

Why would I want a bigger saw to cut plywood?

I’ll just grab a TS75 when it comes time to process heavy board and plank material, but will probably like MOST people, use a table saw and/or mitersaw.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I don't know if it's Covid-19 and the social pressure that's brought to bear on some folks but the pettiness of the complaints I'm reading on this forum are pretty irksome.

The TS55 is a fine saw for the folks for whom it suits their purposes. 

If you think the TS55 is underpowered and lacking in the depth of cut, just buy something else.  Festool, Mafell, DeWalt - all offer you alternatives.  I don't get the pointless nature of these complaints.  Don't like what you have?  Sell it and buy something else. 

And as far as the carpenter term goes, you might take the lesson with a little grace.  A carpenter is generally a construction woodworker, whereas a cabinetmaker or joiner is a different trade and deserving of their own descriptor.

And you should be more polite.

 

[semenza]

Nothing like a debate to get everyone irritated. 

  I am hoping that a 36v TSRBBQ 28 EC FX will be introduced soon.  For dedicated high speed ripping of  6mm (1/4" +/-) sheet goods.  [blink]

Seth

 

[Coen]

Nothing like a debate to get everyone irritated. 

  I am hoping that a 36v TSRBBQ 28 EC FX will be introduced soon.  For dedicated high speed ripping of  6mm (1/4" +/-) sheet goods.  [blink]

Seth

Lol. The last thing Festool needs is yet another battery  [tongue]

I think their 2x18V solution is pretty good.

 

[Cheese]

I am hoping that a 36v TSRBBQ 28 EC FX will be introduced soon.  For dedicated high speed ripping of  6mm (1/4" +/-) sheet goods.  [blink]

I'm all in on the BBQ nomenclature..every purchase is accompanied with your choice of a brisket or a rack of ribs.  [cool]