Festools ts55 and MFT any good for small work

[therogdoc]

Am considering this system for doing smaller projects (instead of a table saw). Was wondering if anyone has experience with using it for ripping 2inch strips of a 5 inch board (about 36 inchs long) - and other such small projects. Seems like there would be some issues with supporting the guide rail and controlling the piece that is actually being cut - any advice (just stick with the table saw ??). Thanks. Roger

 

[johnsonri]

therogdoc,

I work with small pieces all the time. The TS55 and MFT are certainly up to the task....and arguably, it may be safer on the MFT than a tablesaw.

Working small parts on a tablesaw scares me...unless it is a SawStop.

 

[Bob Marino]

Ditto on what Rey said. That's where the MFT  shines and no problem at all in supporting pieces under the rail.

Bob

 

[Dave Ronyak]

But you do need some extra stock of equal thickness to position under the Guide Rail to fully support the Guide Rail and act as a stop which regulates the width of the narrow strips being cut. 

Dave R.

 

[therogdoc]

Thanks for the info. So if you have to use additional pieces under the giude to support how do you accurately and safely secure the piece that is actually being cut byt the saw?? Thanks again. roger

 

[tbellemare]

There are rubber strips under the guide rail that grip the work piece when you set the saw on the rail. Just brush off the bottom of the rail and top of the work piece when you move the rail.

Tom

 

[Dave Ronyak]

The cutoff is secured under the Guide Rail by its rubber strip(s) and against being thrown by the saw at the end of the cut by the fence.  There are other threads on FOG describing various MFT-based setups for ripping narrow strips.  If you use the FOG search function and plug in "ripping narrow strip" or similar search terms, you will find several descriptions of how FOG members have ripped narrow strips.

Dave R.

 

[sw1211]

You might check out the new parallel guides that are coming out in a month, they might help meet your needs too.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

It appears to me use of the new parallel guides together with their front extension fittings to cut narrow strips requires compensation for the kerf.  In contrast, placing a stop under the Guide Rail at a distance corresponding to the thickness of the desired strips eliminates does not.  I'll stick with my shop-made stops and spend my $ on other products.

Dave R.

 

[nickao]

Yes but can't that be simply fixed by incorporating a zero out like the incra fences? It seems something like this should have that.

I can't believe you have to add the kerf in your head, that kind of defeats the faster , easier, smarter part of the system.

 

[Jesus Aleman]

therogdoc, I just documented using the INCRA fence system to cut small pieces.  I will post by the end of the week.  However, this is not the only method.  As Dave said, this is an often discussed topic.  I would recommend also looking at woodshopdemos.com (John Lucas) where he demonstrates many methods of Festoolizing operations that are typically 'only' done with heavy iron machines.  You may want to explain what you consider a small part.  Is it both narrow and very short?  If this is the case restraining/securing the piece will be key.  You will need a fence/spacer under the rail to secure your piece and fully support the TS, you will need a stop at the end of the piece (back of the MFT) to stop the cut from flying out or moving.  You may also need to secure the piece on the right side if stock is already too narrow.  For this last operation I don't clamp, I simply use a piece of scrap (similar to a push stick) to keep the saw from splitting the wood and to keep my fingers away from the saw.  I can post a picture of this.

JGA.

 

[woodshopdemos]

JGA mentioned me so here is the most recent setup that does what you want. The page is here: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/sidebd-two-8.htm

 

[JayStPeter]

I've messed around with the Festool system and MFT enough to be convinced that there is a way to do pretty much anything you can do on a tablesaw with it.  I'm also convinced that some operations are "better" for me on the tablesaw and some are better for me on the MFT (or my cutting table).  In the end, it depends on your level of proficiency and fear of the tablesaw.  In every case I can think of, the Festool system feels safer.  But, sometimes there is a time consuming setup involved.  It can also be much more difficult to "tweak" the parts in the 'test fit, adjust, try again' type operations.  Much easier with a couple taps on the tablesaw fence.  You may also be well served by a bandsaw.  But, overall, I wouldn't want to give up the Festools.

Jay

 

[nickao]

Yeah I pretty much agree the Festool seems safer, but is it truly? Once I did have a kickback with my TS75 that scared me so much I was shaking.

Both tools, table saw and TS75 must be respected. They are both dangerous, both can have kickback and both need be used correctly. And even so sometimes you will get kickback or a piece flying off using either system even when doing everything right, so you must be aware at all times that it could happen. And never fear a tool if you do then do not use it. I respect my table saw, not fear it. I am the user and it is me that makes the accidents happen 99% of the time. Still, watch out for that 1% when you do  everything  right and still something goes wrong.

 

[greg mann]

Kickbacks can be scary, Nick. I agree completely on that, but odds are that by the time your TS75 would get to you the blade would disappear into its housing. It just goes to show that even an experienced woodworker like you can really benefit from the safety features in the tool. BTW, that is something you give up on the EZ rail you use on the construction site.

Not trying to start anything folks. 

 

[nickao]

Oh yeah the Festool saw did retract and I did not get cut, I got pinched though. The Festool saw is a safe tool and the Eurekazone will not compare in that respect unless they develop a saw like the TS series from Festool. That seems highly unlikely and just another reason I jumped to the Festool.

The TS saw are really an engineering delight. That built in riving knife and how the blade retracts are just the greatest features. The depth adjustment is not bad either, better than any other circular saw I have used! I do not think I will trade  my TS75 saw anytime soon.