A Makita was my first track saw, used Festool tracks, bought it on Amazon Warehouse to see what was so special about the track saw systems without having to drop what seemed like a obscene amount of money. I was hooked on the system and the Makita was fine but did not like cutting 3/8" acrylic. I got lucky and bought an TS-75 in the old style systainer on Ebay for $425.00. Like many of the posters I think the previous owner did not like the weight as it seemed like new. I think that the weight actually helps with stability. I did buy a recon 55 for use with my MFTs. I've been in construction in one form or another for 40+ years and still own almost every tool I ever bought. Besides the Festools and Makita I own an 8 1/4" Skil, a 10" Milwaukee, and a 6 1/4" PC for vertical use. I used the SKill a couple weeks ago to enlarge a 30" masonry opening for a 3'0" door and frame and have decided that at 63 I should probably avoid jobs like this. I'd take the 75 but would be sure to have my Stihl for roughing.
If you were stranded on a desert island would you bring a TS75 vs. TS55 REQ
- Thread starter schtumpig
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schtumpig
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First off thank you for all the great advice! [smile] [smile] [smile] [smile] [smile]
That is what I love about this forum.
I wanted to post a follow-up for anyone else wondering which saw to get the TS-55 REQ or TS-75. In my case I went with the TS-55 REQ and exchanged the 55" rail for the big 3000mm rail since I already had a rail on my MFT/3. Here is what made me chose the TS-55 REQ over the TS-75.
1. Design: It became clear that Festool designed the TS-55 then added on the TS-75 to meet market demand. This is kinda like Porsche designing the 911 and then building the Cayenne SUV to meet market demand. Some of the design features that give it away are things like the splinter guard fitting perfectly on the TS-55 but on the TS-75 it is too small, or the allen key storage on the handle of the TS-55 fits the key perfectly, but on the TS-75 the blade housing is in the way, or when you bevel the saw the TS-55 is balanced but the TS-75 will fall over if not supported. I am not taking anything away from the TS-75 I am sure it is an excellent saw. It just appears to me that the TS-55 is the flagship tool from Festool's design team and the TS-75 is an addition to meet a specific market niche.
2. Use: I measured everything. 8/4 wood at the lumber yard, doors, tables, old 2x4's new 2x4's, trim, siding, copper gutters, flashing, floors, you name it. And nothing came up over 50mm thick. I am not cutting down trees, and I am sure some folks need the depth of the TS-75 for raw unfinished lumber. Not me I am firmly in the suburban handyman/homeowner category. So then it came down to power. The TS-55 should have enough power to cut 50mm but in the worst case you can always just make the cut in 2 passes with incremental depths if you feel it is getting bogged down.
In the end I went with the TS-55 REQ for the same reasons I went with Festool vs DeWalt. Bigger is not better. Better is better. A beautifully engineered tool that does 95% of your needs flawlessly is always the best option. Unless your 95% includes cutting 2.5" lumber then buy the TS-75. [wink]
That is what I love about this forum.
I wanted to post a follow-up for anyone else wondering which saw to get the TS-55 REQ or TS-75. In my case I went with the TS-55 REQ and exchanged the 55" rail for the big 3000mm rail since I already had a rail on my MFT/3. Here is what made me chose the TS-55 REQ over the TS-75.
1. Design: It became clear that Festool designed the TS-55 then added on the TS-75 to meet market demand. This is kinda like Porsche designing the 911 and then building the Cayenne SUV to meet market demand. Some of the design features that give it away are things like the splinter guard fitting perfectly on the TS-55 but on the TS-75 it is too small, or the allen key storage on the handle of the TS-55 fits the key perfectly, but on the TS-75 the blade housing is in the way, or when you bevel the saw the TS-55 is balanced but the TS-75 will fall over if not supported. I am not taking anything away from the TS-75 I am sure it is an excellent saw. It just appears to me that the TS-55 is the flagship tool from Festool's design team and the TS-75 is an addition to meet a specific market niche.
2. Use: I measured everything. 8/4 wood at the lumber yard, doors, tables, old 2x4's new 2x4's, trim, siding, copper gutters, flashing, floors, you name it. And nothing came up over 50mm thick. I am not cutting down trees, and I am sure some folks need the depth of the TS-75 for raw unfinished lumber. Not me I am firmly in the suburban handyman/homeowner category. So then it came down to power. The TS-55 should have enough power to cut 50mm but in the worst case you can always just make the cut in 2 passes with incremental depths if you feel it is getting bogged down.
In the end I went with the TS-55 REQ for the same reasons I went with Festool vs DeWalt. Bigger is not better. Better is better. A beautifully engineered tool that does 95% of your needs flawlessly is always the best option. Unless your 95% includes cutting 2.5" lumber then buy the TS-75. [wink]
mastercabman
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Get the 55 and a small portable table saw
schtumpig
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bnaboatbuilder said:
That is true sir. [embarassed]
I did find on the demo if I snugged up the rail guides a little (snugger than normal but still able to move along the rail freely) the saw was 'mostly' stable. Again I have not personally used a TS-55 for hundreds of hours to speak from experience so that is why all these great comments on here are very helpful. But when comparing the TS-55 REQ to the TS-75 at the store it is clear the TS-55 is much more balanced when beveling. Perhaps in a future design they will be able to improve the CG and make it truly stable.
leftistelf
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I started with the TS55.
Worked great, as pointed out, for 95% of things.
Then I came upon the 5%. 1 in 20 chance, and occurred in the first year.
And now I own both. And blades and accessories. So, financially it is a bad decision.
If you buy the 75, you'll never need a 55. I own both and use the 55 more often because it's lighter, but that's because I own both. The weight difference is really insignificant. The 75 is faster and the added weight is nice when you don't want to clamp the track down.
I should have bought the 75.
If Festool USA offers that new battery powered track saw that locks onto the rail, I'll sell my 55 and buy that. Though, the idea of that dado cutter on the bigger, non battery powered saw is intriguing...
However the best advice here is to buy a table saw. I have a Felder slider, and I keep it in the 2nd bay of my 2 car garage. It's totally manageable. The 55 + 75 + accessories and blades cost can buy you a pretty nice rig on the used market.
PS I saw the OP already bought the saw, but I wanted to add my thoughts for future readers' consideration.
Worked great, as pointed out, for 95% of things.
Then I came upon the 5%. 1 in 20 chance, and occurred in the first year.
And now I own both. And blades and accessories. So, financially it is a bad decision.
If you buy the 75, you'll never need a 55. I own both and use the 55 more often because it's lighter, but that's because I own both. The weight difference is really insignificant. The 75 is faster and the added weight is nice when you don't want to clamp the track down.
I should have bought the 75.
If Festool USA offers that new battery powered track saw that locks onto the rail, I'll sell my 55 and buy that. Though, the idea of that dado cutter on the bigger, non battery powered saw is intriguing...
However the best advice here is to buy a table saw. I have a Felder slider, and I keep it in the 2nd bay of my 2 car garage. It's totally manageable. The 55 + 75 + accessories and blades cost can buy you a pretty nice rig on the used market.
PS I saw the OP already bought the saw, but I wanted to add my thoughts for future readers' consideration.
I purchased the TS75 because I wasn't financially able to purchase the TS55 and then hope I didn't need the larger cut capacity later. I wanted to make the purchase once and forget it. For my needs the extra $100.00 for the 75 over the 55 was worth it.
- The weight is a non-issue for me. I'm 31 years old and in good shape - I still swim a sub 5:00 500 freestyle at my age and barely notice the heavier body.
- The tipping on beveled cuts will happen, but that's easily rectified by holding down the guide rail plate on the bottom as you slide it. As stated here, the TS55 also tips so this is really a moot point in a comparison.
- I get fantastic cuts from it. I have adopted the habit of running the saw forward for the cut, but then I also slide it backwards along the cut and get absolutely flawless cuts worthy of a jointer.
- If you actually want an answer and are only buying one saw, then the TS75 is the go-to. You'll never have a use for the 55.
