Is there any chance Festool is about to release updated TS 75 (i.e. TS 75 REQ)?

[stun-dexim]

I've never owned any of Festool equipment but I have a few acquaintances that do own quite a few of the tools and certainly swear by them.  I'm past the point of considering other manufacturer's Track saws (i.e. dwalt, makita, grizzly) and am ready to drop the coinage for either the TS 55 REQ or TS 75 EQ (with preference toward the 75).  However, being that the TS 55 REQ just replaced the older version (new version having better dust extraction, replaceable wear strips on the base and a few other advantages) it would make sense that there is a replacement for the 75 in the pipeline.  The question is when.  I would rather not purchase a 75 just to find out a month or two later that for another $50 and some patience I could have had the new version.  Anyone from Festool happen to have any info or hear any murmurings of an new version coming?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Welcome to the forum.

Tools are generally released in Europe in advance of release in the US/Canada by 6+ months. With that in mind, I have not heard or seen any indication of an impending update to the TS 75.

Shane Holland
Festool USA

 

[stun-dexim]

Thanks Shane.  I guess that's a pretty good indication for me then.  I'm not willing to wait 6 months or more.  I guess I just thought of something that may affect/direct my decision toward the TS 55 REQ.  The only thing that directs me toward buying the 75 over the 55 is the simple depth of cut (but that's a just in case type of thinking).  Since you only get about 3/4" (2 cm) more depth w/ the 75... a person may as well consider they can turn the piece over and, if using the parallel guides, be able to do pretty precise alignment on the underside.  Hmmm...  I'll have to think about it some more.

 

[rljatl]

Thanks Shane.  I guess that's a pretty good indication for me then.  I'm not willing to wait 6 months or more.  I guess I just thought of something that may affect/direct my decision toward the TS 55 REQ.  The only thing that directs me toward buying the 75 over the 55 is the simple depth of cut (but that's a just in case type of thinking).  Since you only get about 3/4" (2 cm) more depth w/ the 75... a person may as well consider they can turn the piece over and, if using the parallel guides, be able to do pretty precise alignment on the underside.  Hmmm...  I'll have to think about it some more.

Besides depth of cut, also consider depth of cut at an angle, power of the motor (will you be using it to cut solid wood, hard wood, or just panels?), and the other machines you may already have (bandsaw, table saw, etc).  I have the TS75 and really don't understand complaints about the saw's weight.  I guess if you were using it all day it would matter, but not for most hobbyists.

 

[AlexThePalex]

And you should not put too much value in te word "updated". De differences between the TS55 EQ and TS55 REQ models are only marginal.

Personally I think Festool dropped the ball on the motor used in the TS55. I much prefer the older ATF 55 and AT 65 saws. Those saws just work. The TS55 bogs down too much.

 

[stun-dexim]

Thanks Shane.  I guess that's a pretty good indication for me then.  I'm not willing to wait 6 months or more.  I guess I just thought of something that may affect/direct my decision toward the TS 55 REQ.  The only thing that directs me toward buying the 75 over the 55 is the simple depth of cut (but that's a just in case type of thinking).  Since you only get about 3/4" (2 cm) more depth w/ the 75... a person may as well consider they can turn the piece over and, if using the parallel guides, be able to do pretty precise alignment on the underside.  Hmmm...  I'll have to think about it some more.

Besides depth of cut, also consider depth of cut at an angle, power of the motor (will you be using it to cut solid wood, hard wood, or just panels?), and the other machines you may already have (bandsaw, table saw, etc).  I have the TS75 and really don't understand complaints about the saw's weight.  I guess if you were using it all day it would matter, but not for most hobbyists.

I have seen alot of people complain about the weight difference (3.5 lbs) as well and while I would always prefer a lighter tool... I wouldn't think 3.5 lbs more would be that bad (I appreciate your experience and input).   The extra power and depth may just (mostly) allow me to get away from another tool purchase I've been putting off;  I recently sold my DJ20 (8" jointer) w/ the thought of replacing it w/ a spiral head jointer... but have yet to replace it (I begrudge the footprint in my garage).  Actually... after watching Ron Paulk build his work bench + addons (see video below and watch to the end) and demonstrate it, I could easily see his system replacing my cabinet table saw (except dado) and my Jointer w/ relative ease (utilizing the TS 75).   Truthfully, Paulk's setup w/ bench dogs (or the regular track clamps) should suffice to do all the same jobs as a DJ20 could do and really handle more lengthy materials more easily as well.  It certainly takes care of the cross-cutting and ripping operations more easily (material handling wise) than a table saw.  And I guess you still have a small table saw on the end of the bench for dados if you need it (I prefer dados and tenons).  

Ron Paulk video demo of his WorkBench +addons for TS Festool saw **Turn up the video Quality if it looks blurry**

 

[Michael Kellough]

Thanks Shane.  I guess that's a pretty good indication for me then.  I'm not willing to wait 6 months or more.  I guess I just thought of something that may affect/direct my decision toward the TS 55 REQ.  The only thing that directs me toward buying the 75 over the 55 is the simple depth of cut (but that's a just in case type of thinking).  Since you only get about 3/4" (2 cm) more depth w/ the 75... a person may as well consider they can turn the piece over and, if using the parallel guides, be able to do pretty precise alignment on the underside.  Hmmm...  I'll have to think about it some more.

Besides depth of cut, also consider depth of cut at an angle, power of the motor (will you be using it to cut solid wood, hard wood, or just panels?), and the other machines you may already have (bandsaw, table saw, etc).  I have the TS75 and really don't understand complaints about the saw's weight.  I guess if you were using it all day it would matter, but not for most hobbyists.

I've used the ATF 65 all day long with the MFT when the only other option was an awful Ridgid chop saw.
The ATF 65 and TS 75 weight the same. Sure they're heavier than the 55 saws but you get used to it.

 

[stun-dexim]

You're right Michael.  I hadn't thought about this but I know I'll get used to it.  My go-to skilsaw for allot of years has been my wormdrive skilsaw.  It's powerful and heavy... about 20 lbs at least... and it has never bothered me to use it... in fact I haven't used a regular skillsaw (light and with the blade on the right side) in over 12 years.  

Thanks all for your input... I'll be ordering a ts 75 tomorrow.  Anyone know if a reason that I shouldn't order all my festool equipment off of Amazon?   That's where I was figuring on placing the order.

 

[Kev]

You're right Michael.  I hadn't thought about this but I know I'll get used to it.  My go-to skilsaw for allot of years has been my wormdrive skilsaw.  It's powerful and heavy... about 20 lbs at least... and it has never bothered me to use it... in fact I haven't used a regular skillsaw (light and with the blade on the right side) in over 12 years.  

Thanks all for your input... I'll be ordering a ts 75 tomorrow.  Anyone know if a reason that I shouldn't order all my festool equipment off of Amazon?   That's where I was figuring on placing the order.

Pure opinion from what I've read - your customer service and delivery experience will be better if you choose a seriously dedicated Festool dealer and work with them directly.

Read about some of the great customer service experiences people have had with dealers that regularly contribute to this site and you'll see what I'm going on about.

 

[epicxt]

Or you could do what many of us have done: have both! truthfully, I purchased the 75 first and never felt it was too heavy. I only got the 55 last year because of a clearance issue for a certain job where the 75 was too big.
All that being said, I reach for the 55 first when cutting material it's suited for.
A minor consideration in favor of the 75 is that you can get the steel blade for it. I've used mine a lot for anything from cutting roofing to closet shelving systems.

Edit: and regarding where to buy, I like to use the dealers on this forum. It's reassuring to know that I can pick up the phone and have a knowledgable person on the other end. Bob Marino has always been exceptional and I've always read positive things of the others. It's the same price across the board no matter the vendor.

 

[Paul G]

Besides depth of cut, also consider depth of cut at an angle, power of the motor (will you be using it to cut solid wood, hard wood, or just panels?), and the other machines you may already have (bandsaw, table saw, etc).  I have the TS75 and really don't understand complaints about the saw's weight.  I guess if you were using it all day it would matter, but not for most hobbyists.

I'll generally default to a lighter tool choice (assuming it meets all other expectations) simply due to an elbow injury that keeps causing me trouble. I'm sure I'm not alone in facing physical challenges where weight is a consideration. That being said I've gotten used to the added weight of the 75 after Festool replaced my 55 and appreciate its greater power and cut depth. But I do miss the dual depth guage.