How to use a ts55 to take a 4x4 8' post to make 3x3 8' post

[Alsatian]

Hi,
I am as new to woodworking as to festool. I just made my first festool purchase to start with a ts55, vacuum to match, of2000 and a sander. Now, the reason I bought the these tools is because I was inspired to get into the hobby by a canopy bed plan I saw on Ana-white.com.  The challenge I am having is finding her cut list.  For the wooden posts she asks for 3x3 8' posts which seems impossible to find here in pittsburgh,Pa. I was wondering if I can use the ts55 to rip some 4x4 8' posts lenghtwise? Do I need to buy a new track? I have the one that came with the saw?

Also, does one need to have a planer and jointer

 

[RC]

Why not just adapt the plan to accomodate the 4x4 posts?

You can rip with the TS55 on the rail, but you are limited to 50mm (~2") of cut depth so you would have to cut first on one side, flip the post around and rip from the opposite side and still probably need to finish the cut with a handsaw. You can then handplane or sand the faces clean.

Another option could be to glue a 3x2 and a 3x1 or three 3x1's to form a 3x3 post, but then you should joint the faces that you glue.

A planer/jointer can make life easier, but you can do their job with handplanes if you need to.

 

[elfick]

I suspect that the reason they specified 3x3 instead of 4x4 was so you extra material to joint/plane. Remember, a 4x4 is only nominally 3.5x3.5 but the plan is for true dimension. That gives you half an inch in each dimension to get flat and co-planar.

 

[tjbnwi]

Use the TS-55 to cut 1x material to make a built up 3"x3" hollow post. The saw can accurately and easily rip an 8' 45º bevel. Use masking tape to fold the bevels together.

Tom