Help with a TrackSaw Purchase

[Slider613]

Hi All, been a lurker over here for a while, and I hope to b able to contribute more in the future.

Just a little background about my woodworking experience, basically very little. I've taken a 3 day class with an introduction to the basic Woodshop Tools, like table Saw, Jointer etc.. , made a few Bandsaw boxes and Spindles there, and milled wood four square.

At home I've made a few simple projects, mainly using pocket holes for the joinery, a few tables and chairs, and some other odds and ends.

In terms of my current Woodworking equipment, I have a variety of tools

Hand Tools- pretty much a full set, at least for a simple shop

Harbor Freight Cheepo Workbench, plus some sawhorses

Power Tools and Accessories
Dewalt Circular Saw
Dewalt Jigsaw
Dewalt 18v Drill
Dewalt Random Orbital Sander
Makita Miter Saw (10 inch non-sliding)
Festool CSX
Festool OF 1400 Router
Festool CT dust collection
Rigid Shop Vac
Drill Press
Rockwell belt/disc Sander
Leigh SuperJig (dovetail jig)
And most of the required accessories to make all these work.

I am looking to eventually get a Bandsaw and a Jointer / Planer, but I don't have the space for much stationary equipment  where I live now, I'm not so hot on getting a table saw, plus I don't really have the space now for it, is the Tracksaw a good next tool to pick up? I wanted to make some bookshelves, and larger pieces, but also use it for larger cross its than my 10 inch miter can handle. Also, in the long term, can the Tracksaw be used to true up lumber like a table saw can?

I won't be traveling around with this at all, so as a complete table saw replacement should I get the TS75 or the TS55?

I would definitely pair the Tracksaw with the full package MFT-3 table

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

If you plan on predominantly building farm tables, heavy furniture, heavy doors, etc., then go with the TS75. If you plan on making cabinets, shelves, small pieces, dressers, etc. then go with the TS55.  Hope this helps.

 

[ccarrolladams]

[welcome] to The FOG, Slider,

While it is always subject to debate that any track saw can totally replace all table saws, it certainly is true that when it comes to breaking down sheet material to make precise case parts, a track saw works very well. Accuracy is a function of the skill, care and experience of the woodworker. But that is equally true about table saws. It is not all that easy to guide a full sheet of 19mm plywood through even a decent-size cabinet saw.

Straight-lining solid lumber is easy so long as you have a large sliding table saw, which costs a lot of money and requires a lot of space. The idea is you determine where you want the straight line cut to be made, then clamp the rest of the lumber to the sliding table.

That is also sort of how you use a track saw to make the straight line cut. You clamp the guide rail where you want the cut. With a piece of lumber 8 or more inches wide that is not a problem. If the lumber is less than 8" wide you will need some scrap lumber to support the off-cut side of the rail.

Using a rail a TS55 has a 50mm maximum cut, just shy of 2" Ripping lumber I suggest the Panther blace, not the fine tooth blade supplied with the TS55 saws.

On a rail the TS75 has more capacity, 70mm and is more powerful. You still should use a rip blade, such as the Panther.

What you will find is that where space is limited, a track saw is the most practical solution to breaking down sheet material. Making thin strips which are not very long is more efficiently done using a small table saw.

 

[Slider613]

If you plan on predominantly building farm tables, heavy furniture, heavy doors, etc., then go with the TS75. If you plan on making cabinets, shelves, small pieces, dressers, etc. then go with the TS55.  Hope this helps.

I definitely will not be primarily cutting such thick lumber, but since I don't have a table saw, it may be worth it.

 

[barnowl]

...I'm not so hot on getting a table saw, plus I don't really have the space now for it, is the Tracksaw a good next tool to pick up? I wanted to make some bookshelves, and larger pieces, but also use it for larger cross its than my 10 inch miter can handle. Also, in the long term, can the Tracksaw be used to true up lumber like a table saw can?

I won't be traveling around with this at all, so as a complete table saw replacement should I get the TS75 or the TS55?

I would definitely pair the Tracksaw with the full package MFT-3 table

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My advice.

Physically hold both saws before you purchase.

The 75 is noticeably larger and heavier than the 55.

And yes, the track saw is great for trueing up lumber.

I always put my 1st edge on my rough lumber with my 55.

Which is fine for anything up to about 7/4. (1-3/4")

With the Panther blade.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Barnowl, that's great advice. I agree, pick them both up, and then decide.  The TS 75 is too big for me to use for a lot of cutting hours. It kills my carpal tunnel.  Also, I now always put a clean edge on my plywood sheets, and also usually have to put a new edge on S4S 8 inch boards...yes, many are not really straight. The 55 is good for this.

 

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

I do a lot of built in cabinets.  My current project consists of 14 feet of cabinetry, comprised of 9 sheets of plywood.  I have the 3000 mm guide rail, the parallel guides and the TS55.  Highest possible recommendation for this combo.  I think the parallel guides are my favorite accessory. 

My cutting table is about one foot off the ground, meaning I don't do more than slide the plywood onto the table and rip away.

Brian

Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada

 

[Slider613]

Just bit the bullet, placed my Pre-Order for the TS 55 REQ and an MFT3

Really pumped, my fist project will be making some bookshelves.

 

[Slappy]

Just bit the bullet, placed my Pre-Order for the TS 55 REQ and an MFT3

Really pumped, my fist project will be making some bookshelves.

did you ask to swap out the 55" guide for the 55" holey guide most dealers will swap them for a extra $10.oo
Ya Just have to ask
just adds a capability that you "might" find useful down the road

 

[Slider613]

Just bit the bullet, placed my Pre-Order for the TS 55 REQ and an MFT3

Really pumped, my fist project will be making some bookshelves.

did you ask to swap out the 55" guide for the 55" holey guide most dealers will swap them for a extra $10.oo
Ya Just have to ask
just adds a capability that you "might" find useful down the road

I never thought about that, I wonder if I can upgrade the 55" rail to a longer one, since the MFT3 already comes with a 42" rail.

I will give my dealer a call

 

[Slappy]

Just bit the bullet, placed my Pre-Order for the TS 55 REQ and an MFT3

Really pumped, my fist project will be making some bookshelves.

did you ask to swap out the 55" guide for the 55" holey guide most dealers will swap them for a extra $10.oo
Ya Just have to ask
just adds a capability that you "might" find useful down the road

I never thought about that, I wonder if I can upgrade the 55" rail to a longer one, since the MFT3 already comes with a 42" rail.

I will give my dealer a call

yeah "some" dealers will do that , I know Bob Marino does as he just did days ago with my TS55 REQ , I upgraded to the 55" Holey guild
later I'm buying the long 118"  when my #CC balance gets back under control  L O L
for $10.oo for the holey it's a even bet I "Might" need that later down the road  [embarassed]

 

[Slider613]

Just bit the bullet, placed my Pre-Order for the TS 55 REQ and an MFT3

Really pumped, my fist project will be making some bookshelves.

did you ask to swap out the 55" guide for the 55" holey guide most dealers will swap them for a extra $10.oo
Ya Just have to ask
just adds a capability that you "might" find useful down the road

I never thought about that, I wonder if I can upgrade the 55" rail to a longer one, since the MFT3 already comes with a 42" rail.

I will give my dealer a call

yeah "some" dealers will do that , I know Bob Marino does as he just did days ago with my TS55 REQ , I upgraded to the 55" Holey guild
later I'm buying the long 118"  when my #CC balance gets back under control  L O L
for $10.oo for the holey it's a even bet I "Might" need that later down the road  [embarassed]

Well then its a good thing then, becasue I ordered it through Bob

 

[Runhard]

Just bit the bullet, placed my Pre-Order for the TS 55 REQ and an MFT3

Really pumped, my fist project will be making some bookshelves.

did you ask to swap out the 55" guide for the 55" holey guide most dealers will swap them for a extra $10.oo
Ya Just have to ask
just adds a capability that you "might" find useful down the road

I never thought about that, I wonder if I can upgrade the 55" rail to a longer one, since the MFT3 already comes with a 42" rail.

I will give my dealer a call

yeah "some" dealers will do that , I know Bob Marino does as he just did days ago with my TS55 REQ , I upgraded to the 55" Holey guild
later I'm buying the long 118"  when my #CC balance gets back under control  L O L
for $10.oo for the holey it's a even bet I "Might" need that later down the road  [embarassed]

Well then its a good thing then, becasue I ordered it through Bob

You should ask as soon as possible because when I order through Bob, it usually ships the same day!

Daniel