Is the FS-SYS/2 worth the money?

R

RC

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Since I bought the TS55 + guide rail last week, I've been looking into which accessories I should get to use with it. I only have the OF1400 router guide rail connector bit of the rail accessories so I don't own a single bit of kit from the FS-SYS/2 set. I do intend to get another guide rail at some point of most likely the FS1400/2 LR32 variety though for the time being I'm content with my single FS1400/2 that came with the saw. I don't own an MFT or similar holed work table at the moment though will get one or build the UWB in the future.

What Aegwyn mentioned in his video overview of the kit the idea of having a systainer with suitable inserts for the set sound sort of ok, but since the TS55's systainer also has an insert at the bottom for some of the bits I'm wondering is the kit really worth it? I'm not that hot on getting piles of systainers for the fun of it and if I can get the tool specific stuff to stay in the systainer the tool came in or the same bag for the guide rails (that I don't have either) all the better.

I looked at the picture in the TS55 systainer and it looks like the insert would hold two of the ratchet variety lever clamps and a kick-back stop as well as a couple of spare blades & the parallel fence. And I suppose one could throw in couple of joiner bars...

What are your thoughts on which bits would be a good starter set for guide rail use without any historical burden  ???

Other related questions that come to mind are:

Are the FS-HZ 160 clamps really worth almost triple price (£82 for two) [eek] over the FSZ-120 (£28 for two)? Would the FSZ-120's fit into the FS55's systainer insert even though they are different shape but smaller in lenght?

Which is more valuable in use the parallel fence or the combination bevel? Or is neither worth getting?

Would the combo bevel fit in the FS-BAG guide rail bag's side pocket? The knob looks rather protruding to do that...

I guess what I'm getting to is the question of which bits of the FS-SYS/2 are really worthless if any and if it's wise to skip it and rather get useful discreet parts to fit into the saws systainer? i.e. does anyone use the combo bevel, kick-back stop and the cable deflector in real life and can the cheaper clamps fit into the TS55 systainer insert?
 
Reiska said:
Are the FS-HZ 160 clamps really worth almost triple price (£82 for two) [eek] over the FSZ-120 (£28 for two)?
Click to expand...

I think they are. They make you work a lot faster.  Pricey, yes, but you'll understand why when you compare them side by side to the FSZ-120. They're built very sturdy and heavy.
 
I've stopped questioning the practical benefits of the various Festool bits - I'm just going with it. There have been numerous items I've looked at, considered long and hard and then ultimately realised the benefits.

When I was offered the accessory kit, at the time of buying the TS55, with a healthy combo discount ... I didn't blink or think.

What I've probably done here is tell you that any advice I give you will be at odds with your rational approach  [smile]

The quick clamps are great - the traditional clamps are still useful ... I now have several of each now as I got the quick clamps later.

For my 4th track I got a 3000. I have two 1400's in a bag (and the other one on the MFT/3). I didn't think about LR32 at the time ...  [sad]
 
Reiska,

I won't get into whether or not the Guide Rail Accessory Kit is worth the price, I'll just relay what I use most:

The Limit Stop looks like it might come in handy sometime. Personally, never needed it.

From what I've read on this forum, the Angle Unit is somewhat more or less worthless depending on the poster. Some swear by it, others swear at it. I've never handled one, just relating what I've read. You pays your money and takes your choice, you can always return it if you don't like it(unless it's part of the kit, then you'd have to return the whole mess).

The Rail Connectors are really nice to have if you don't have the space to store the longer rails(or don't want to spend the money). I use mine all the time to join two rails together. I have the 1080 and  several 1400 rails, I can rip 8' sheets  or gang up a 1080 and 1400 and cut 5'x5' Baltic Birch. Definitely a must-have accessory AFAIC.

The screw clamps are nice, I have a pair of both the short and  long versions. But if you don't have an MFT or are working with large sheets, the Rapid Clamp is a really nice alternative. I love mine and keep a permanent setup with a 1400 rail hanging on the wall.

The Quick Clamps are really sweet, if I just had one pair of Festool clamps it would be these.

The Guide Rail Deflectoris a useful bit of kit but nothing you can't live without if you can get in the habit of putting your left forearm underneath the cord and vac hose.

Personally, I'm not fond of the Systainers, they take up a lot of space and I'd rather have the space in my shop and the money in my pocket, if I had the option (HINT HINT, Shane are you listening?) I wouldn't have any. But I'm working in a shop, not out of the back of a pickup truck. In the old days I'd be a big fan but I'm(hopefully) beyond that now and have more efficient storage available. YMMV, take that into consideration.

Here's where I am: I don't need another Systainer, don't need the Angle Guide(I have an MFT, good squares, rulers and a calculator), could live without any clamps other than the Rapid and Quick Clamps. I chose to buy the bits and pieces that fit my workflow but the kit is a good starter and has all the basics you'll need at a very reasonable price.

So you pays your money or makes your choice from a very wide range of available products, all of which work well together....

Sorry, I guess this hasn't been all that helpful...  ???

Best,
Bill
 
Reiska said:
Are the FS-HZ 160 clamps really worth almost triple price (£82 for two) [eek] over the FSZ-120 (£28 for two)? Would the FSZ-120's fit into the FS55's systainer insert even though they are different shape but smaller in lenght?

Which is more valuable in use the parallel fence or the combination bevel? Or is neither worth getting?

Would the combo bevel fit in the FS-BAG guide rail bag's side pocket? The knob looks rather protruding to do that...

I guess what I'm getting to is the question of which bits of the FS-SYS/2 are really worthless if any and if it's wise to skip it and rather get useful discreet parts to fit into the saws systainer? i.e. does anyone use the combo bevel, kick-back stop and the cable deflector in real life and can the cheaper clamps fit into the TS55 systainer insert?
Click to expand...

Quick clamps are worth it.  They fit in the sys along with the screw clamps.  

Parallel fence and bevel guide aren't worth it.  I have both.  They both fit in the saw's systainer though so I take them wherever I bring the saw.  In the 3 years I have owned them, I think I have used them 3-4 times.    

Cable deflector works okay, but I find that the power cord still gets caught up in the t-slot still.  I would pass on the FS-SYS/2...

bevel gauge is in front, parallel guide is upside down in back, and 2 pairs of clamps on side, plenty of room left over for cable deflector
6907280481_77a2c42989_z.jpg

 
Limit Stop - never used it
Rail Connectors - used to use them a lot, have bought a 3m rail so I hope to use them less in the future
Angle unit - used once, never really needed it - though I have a project coming up where I will need it.  One of those things that I think will earn its keep in the small number of jobs it is needed for.
Rapid Clamp - brilliant, my only gripe is that it took me so long to find out about it.
Quick Clamp - again brilliant, even at £35, I have 4 of them
Screw Clamp - OK, not really different to any other screw clamp out there (apart from the fact that it works in the MFT).
Deflector - never used it
Gecko - unless you are working with melamine, it doesn't stick to anything.  Got one, used it once.
FS-BAG - worth the money.  Gives you a place to store some small rails, and everything needed to run the saw.  Without it, you've got parallel guides falling over all the time.

On the "liking systainers in the workshop" - I like them because it gives me a guaranteed certain place to put .... and then find .... everything.  If my rapid clamps are not in the trough at the end of my MFT, I know they are in the FS-BAG.  ...etc....

 
I bought it, and the only things I use are the clamps and the rail connectors.  The angle unit just isn't up to the standards I've come to expect from Festool in terms of accuracy.  It might be OK for framing, but that's not what I bought it for.  If I were to do it again, I'd just buy the quick clamps and the rail connectors and be done with it. 

[smile]
 
Wow, I WANT that storage system: (make Rick's "wall of shame" look sloppy!)

[attachimg=#]

Does anyone know that name of the connectors he's using to hold the cabinets together? Have seen similar on the cheapo flat-paks you buy at Target, but not as complicated and these look like they're actually quality. Anybody got experience in using them? Do they keep the joint square?
 
fritter63 said:
Does anyone know that name of the connectors he's using to hold the cabinets together? Have seen similar on the cheapo flat-paks you buy at Target, but not as complicated and these look like they're actually quality. Anybody got experience in using them? Do they keep the joint square?
Click to expand...

check out this thread and all will be revealed. Let us know if you have any questions but the answer to the two questions are Yes, and yes. I have built shelves for closets using those fittings and they are great. I have 6 closets at home using a version of that system.
Tim
 
My guess is that you won't use the angle unit. So if you don't want the Systainer either, I would pass on the kit , if I were you.  Just get the items you want.

The Quick clamps are great and if you clamp the guide rail for cuts will really speed up the process. I have both the Quick clamps and screw clamps. I like them both in  different situations. But the thing with clamping the rail for cuts is.... after you get used to the saw/rail you willl find that you almost never need to clamp the rail for cuts anyway. They are good to have though (just in case) and they are excellent general purpose clamps , even if you don't have the MFT.

The Rail Deflector- its usefulness depends a lot on wether or not your hose is suspended from above or dragging up from the floor. It could be better, but it is not expensive and basically works. I use it all the time in my set up.

Rail connectors -- you will need those unless you get a long rail.

Extra splinter guard strip-- just get it when you need it.

Pretty sure you have this figured out already  but just in case  What goes where in TS55 Systainer.

The screw clamps will fit in the TS55 Sys clamp space, but not as neatly.

Seth

 
[thanks] all, it's an absolute pleasure to get the sort of support & knowledge that's freely shared on this forum unlike many others.

I guess my initial hunch of the partial uselessness of the FS-SYS/2 set was correct judging by the comments above and therefore I'll opt for a FS-RAPID clamp for permanent attachment to the rail & FS-BAG for storage and get the rail connectors when I can afford getting the FS1400/2 LR32 rail one day. I guess I'll hold off on the quick clamps until I have an MFT since I have enough of normal quick clamps of various sizes in the shed to keep stuff still - they just don't obviously fit into the guide rail T-groove...

P.S. Does anyone know if something like the free Holtzidee-magazine (followed link from Guido's video) Festool Germany publishes is translated/published by one of the English speaking Festool companies?
 
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