How to set track to allow for blade kerf thickness?

[farmmachine]

My first foray with the track saw was to cut plywood sheet for pieces to construct a cutting table.

To do so I measured a 4 inch width and placed the plastic edge of the track on the marked several points.  I later saw that the width of the boards was about two mm narrower. Festool sells accuracy and that is what I want to achieve.

Here is the question: How do we set the track relative to the desired marked dimensions to get a cut of the intended dimension, and not less by the kerf thickness?

It seems that applying a best guess or Kentucky windage to set the track placement is inconsistent with the Festool selling point of using the track to set cutting placements. All suggestions will be appreciated by this Festool novice.

Farmmachine

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Turn the saw around and cut in the opposite direction. That way the final dimension is the edge of the guide rail. No additional calculation is required. Your offcut should always be on the right side of the cut.

Sorry, I just re-read your post.

I'm guessing it was your first cut and you hadn't cut the splinterguard yet. After doing so, your cut line is the edge of the splinterguard (plastic strip). When the splinterguard is on a brand new rail, it is wider than necessary. The first cut should be done on a scrap piece of wood or overhanging the edge of a bench. That makes the splinterguard the exact cut line.

Check out this video @ 1:22.

 

[farmmachine]

I did do the splinterguard cut first on the three tracks I have, including the two tracks I joined for the long cuts on the plywood. In any event, the cuts were made on the several pieces I required and all were narrower by the kerf thickness.

I am missing a step somewhere or a technique.

Regards,

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Ok, back to my original answer.

Is your keeper piece under the rail? The offcut should be to the right of the saw.

 

[NERemodeling]

Exactly what Shane said.    The piece which you would like to be accurate must be under the rail.    If standing d behind the saw with it placed on the track, ready to cut, the material to the right of the blade/rubber splintergaurd is your "waste"   

In your case to get 4" from a sheet of plywood it was much easier to place the rail on large area of the sheet and cut off only 4".  You can do this but you would have to remember to add the thickness of the blade (2.2mm or just shy of 3/32") to your cut.

John

 

[farmmachine]

If the "keeper piece" is the two black strips under the track, they are in place.

I have looked at the video and believe my procedures are OK. I will try again and see if the problem is the man holding the saw.

With the cutting table completed I won't be clambering on the floor on my knees and trying to push the saw on the track. For a 72 year old I did fine but can see that an easy hand is all that is needed, and not brute force.

Regards,

 

[farmmachine]

John, thank you!

What you described is exactly what I did-cut the 4" piece to the right of the splinter guard because it seemed sensible to take small pieces from a large sheet, and not vice-versa. The comment Shane made about turning the saw in the opposite direction struck me as facetious, but in a fun manner, but it now makes sense when accompanied with your clarification.

Interestingly, what I did was exactly the illustration of making a cut used in the Festool video (which I have viewed several times before tonight). Nonetheless, the precision and engineering in the Festool lineup is compelling to keep understanding and using.

Many thanks to you both.

Regards, Farmmachine