FSK 420 Guide Rail equivalent for the TS Models

[robertgreen94]

Hi all,
I like the new guide rail for the HK models, especially the ability to have a short rail for crosscutting.  My understanding is that while the HK will work on the regular guide rail, the TS saws will not work on the new FSK rail.  Is there someway of providing that cross cut rail capabilities on the normal rail guides.  Does it already exist and I am not seeing it.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Grakat]

Hi there,

I think the best you can hope for is an FS800 rail but it would still be a pain to crosscut narrow stock. The FSK means that you don't need to look like a 1 armed paper hanger trying to crosscut with an FS rail and a TS saw.

 

[rst]

My HKC from Toolnut will arrive tommorow and I plan to use it this weekend to build a deck extension and steps for my daughter.  Should be a perfect test run.

 

[robertgreen94]

I don't want to have to buy two track saws.  I already have a Dewalt but the dust collection is non existent.  The TS75 looks perfect, but I really like the 45 and 90 cross cut capabilities of the FSK rails.  Why would Festool make a sea that is comparable only one way, well i know why. They want you to have to buy both.

Hopefully some company will build a one off tool (Woodpeckers, looking at you) that brings the functionality of the FSK to the guide rails.
Also Festool, where is the FS400!!!!!

 

[Cheese]

Try contacting Hans at TSO on this forum, he has a willingness to solve problems and he executes well.

 

[Svar]

Why would Festool make a sea that is comparable only one way, well i know why. They want you to have to buy both.

No. Why do you immediately assume malicious intent?
Its because they designed FS rail and saws to ride on it several decades ago, long before they (or Mafell?) came up with FSK concept. Hence the new saws are back compatible, but old saws are not forward compatible.
Perhaps in the future old rails could be phased out leaving one universal system.

 

[Svar]

Hopefully some company will build a one off tool (Woodpeckers, looking at you) that brings the functionality of the FSK to the guide rails.
Also Festool, where is the FS400!!!!!

Not going to happen. You need a t-slot or two down the middle of the rail for the saw to grab it. FS does not have that. The one along the edge wont work.
And you can always cut FS800 in half to make FS400

 

[robertgreen94]

Sadly, cutting a FS800 did cross my mind.  I wish the dust collection on the HK was better, but I understand it's for outdoor use mainly.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Sadly, cutting a FS800 did cross my mind.  I wish the dust collection on the HK was better, but I understand it's for outdoor use mainly.

The HK saws don't have dust collection as good as the TS saws, still, it's pretty good. 

 

[mrboult]

I don't believe this concept would work. The spring-loaded nature of the plunge on the TS saws would make them tricky and probably dangerous to use on the new FSK rails.

While the HKC saws have the ability to plunge, it is very different. The pivot point is in front of the blade, there is no spring and the saw locks when you reach the set depth.

For those that know how the TS saw can kick back a tiny amount when plunging into the side of your material . . . Imagine this happening if your attached to an FSK rail trying to plunge the saw down with out giving too much forward force so that the saw doesn't starting moving down the rail before you've finished plunging. While trying to apply enough forward force to keep the rail stops square against the wood.

i think it would be a nightmare . .

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Mafell already does this with their MF-26cc saw. Watch the video, starting ~2:09:

Frankly  I think it looks a bit sketchy.

Rather, I'd love to see a FS1900 track with the stop system of the HK track for chopping up roof decking...

 

[Michael Kellough]

The relevant stretch in that video is from 2:10 to 2:18.

Looks perfectly fine to me and safer than what I saw in the video of the guy replacing a porch railing.
The HK saw blade stays down even as the saw backs up along the already cut edge rubbing against it.

You can also see the result of that in Rick's photo of a test cut (bottom piece in photo was under the rail).
I'd rather the blade withdrew from the work at the end of the cut. If the saw backed up then it wouldn't have any negative consequence.

 

[Svar]

I agree with mrB on plunge saw with FSK rail. Look at what happens at 2:17. The saw dips down tipping the rail. That's because the operator keeps constant downward pressure while pushing the saw forward. Keeping rail put on narrow pieces becomes tricky. Think what would happen if this was miter cut.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I agree with mrB on plunge saw with FSK rail. Look at what happens at 2:17. The saw dips down tipping the rail. That's because the operator keeps constant downward pressure while pushing the saw forward. Keeping rail put on narrow pieces becomes tricky. Think what would happen if this was miter cut.

Good point about the miter cut but you simply need to add a clamp or be more mindful of how you support the rail. Relatively narrow stock like that piece always requires more attention.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Mafell already does this with their MF-26cc saw. Watch the video, starting ~2:09:

Frankly  I think it looks a bit sketchy.

Rather, I'd love to see a FS1900 track with the stop system of the HK track for chopping up roof decking...

Might look sketchy but it works really well.