MFT and TS55 instead of a table saw?

[scooter_500]

Longtime woodworker here but I have been out of the hobby for many years because of space limitations.  I have convinced my significant other to let me use the garage as long as I clean up every night and put the cars back in the garage.  That means that my shop needs to be “portable” and won’t be able to fit a table saw.  Can you survive with an MFT and TS55 instead?

 

[RVHernandez]

I think you could - it may not be the quickest or most efficient, but yes, there are ways to do many things a table say does. Lots of ideas here and on YouTube for jigs and setups.

 

[ScotF]

Yes. Been doing it for years. The right  accessories, patience and practice will yield you good, accurate results. Welcome to the FOG.

 

[ChuckM]

By portable, you mean foldable right? A table saw can be the size of an MFT. If you plan to fold up your MFT after every use for the cars, extra work but doable.

Do understand that the MFT and TS55 struggle with certain tasks as compared to a table saw such as dado cuts, repetitive narrow rips, slot cuts, resawing, etc. If those tasks are not your standard requirements, you should be fine.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I couldn't live without my portable table saw, the CS70. I guess you can do most things with the MFT if you're willing to take 10 minutes to set up the cut instead of 10 seconds.

 

[scooter_500]

By portable, you mean foldable right? A table saw can be the size of an MFT. If you plan to fold up your MFT after every use for the cars, extra work but doable.

Do understand that the MFT and TS55 struggle with certain tasks as compared to a table saw such as dado cuts, repetitive narrow rips, slot cuts, resawing, etc. If those tasks are not your standard requirements, you should be fine.

Correct, there isn’t really enough space for a contractor table saw once the cars are pulled in the garage.  The MFT will need to get folded up every night. 

I think you hit the nail on the head with dado cuts and narrow rips being my big worry.

I fear getting back into it and finding that I wasted a ton of money because the setup time and lack of efficiency remove the fun.  I used to have a fully outfitted shop with a unisaw, jointer, planer, bandsaw, and a large 4x8 assembly table.

 

[Pant]

Narrow cuts are easy and acceptably fast to setup with jigs if you work with a few standard thicknesses as you will need some scraps of same thickness everywhere under the rail to support the rail. If you have random thicknesses then it's a no go as you will first have to make scraps of same thickness as the stock before you can even start to cut it.

 

[Birdhunter]

Based on your description of the large tools you had in your old shop, I think you are going to be highly frustrated with just the MFT and track saw. Without the jointer and planer, you will probably limited to working with sheet goods or very expensive milled hardwooods.

All my large power tools are on mobile bases. I can move them to accommodate big projects or just get them out of the way. Is using 1/2 of the garage for a car and one side for tool storage a possibility?

 

[scooter_500]

Based on your description of the large tools you had in your old shop, I think you are going to be highly frustrated with just the MFT and track saw. Without the jointer and planer, you will probably limited to working with sheet goods or very expensive milled hardwooods.

All my large power tools are on mobile bases. I can move them to accommodate big projects or just get them out of the way. Is using 1/2 of the garage for a car and one side for tool storage a possibility?

Unfortunately I can’t use up 1/2 the garage.  The cars have to go back in at night.  I have no problem paying for milled hardwoods.  I can also get a lunchbox planar to do small stuff.  I just can’t fit a table saw, jointer, and necessary dust collection.  Living in the city has its limitations.

 

[woodferret]

No table saw here in my transient workspace.  It's doable using expensive milled lumber and some hand planing.  A small hand router can do your dados and rabbets.  I did grab a small 9" bandsaw though for lathe blanks and splitting narrow edge trim wood - trying to use a jigsaw only for that saps the enjoyment quickly for me.

 

[escapegoat]

I've been using an MFT and TS55 to work around this same constraint (everything needs to be packed up and put away in a small storage area). I'm very happy with the setup.

 

[ChuckM]

If you're willing to share the size (× by x) and car type (a truck?) we'll have a better idea of your constraints. My garage is for two cars (at night for some 20 yrs until this year) but I have a PCS, bandsaw, full size work bench, etc. in it.

One way to get rid of dadoes is to use dominoes. I don't use dadoes anymore. Dadoes can be a pain to use as if you get the cuts off a little, the shelves or partitions could come too long or, worse, too short. Routing rabbets is fine, but doing dadoes ACCURATELY in alignment on all pieces with a hand-held router and jig (usually too big for a router table) is no small achievement, when compared to dadoeing on the table saw.

 

[sancho57]

I went for a very long time w/o a table saw. I gave mine aha to a friend along with almost all my stationary tools except my 6" jointer (which I dont use all that much).

Its very doable to go w/o a table saw. Only really good for thin cuts but can be done with TS55 . Yes it will take a bit more time setting up. There have been advances in technology that make useing a TS 55 more versatile . The TSO GRS PE with the TSO parallel guides(once set up properly) make cutting thin strips very easy and accurate .

So I say why not. With that being said.

In full disclosure, I have a CMS with a TS75 insert.
I dont use it all that much but I do use it.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip. I guess you can do most things with the MFT if you're willing to take 10 minutes to set up the cut instead of 10 seconds.

+1 about trying to keep set up time to a minimum.

That's why I own multiple numbers of some tools just to cut down the set up times for some tasks. Doing simple routine tasks with complicated or time-consuming procedures or using pricey aftermarket accessories may work for some woodworkers but not me. I look for fun in woodworking not unnecessary frustrations, at least not on a regular basis.

 

[Vtshopdog]

Yes. Been doing it for years. The right  accessories, patience and practice will yield you good, accurate results. Welcome to the FOG.

Second above as I work in similar constraints.  If you can add a Domino, lunchbox planer and a stow-able router table all the better.

If your goal is to build large pieces at production shop speed then frustration will ensue.  If you simply want to get back in the hobby and make some stuff then choose to construct smaller, lighter objects that are in keeping with the equipment you have.

For me I’m happy designing projects that play to strength of my equipment and simply accept the tedium of setup/tear down as another task in the chain. I’ve learned to carefully plan my workflow to do most of my routing or planing in one shot.  I got rid of my portable table saw this summer as I’m spoiled by dust collection on my TS 55 and am happy moving slower while getting less dusty.

In other words you can still have lots of fun building if you pick reasonable projects so go for it.

 

[jeh]

Longtime woodworker here but I have been out of the hobby for many years because of space limitations.  I have convinced my significant other to let me use the garage as long as I clean up every night and put the cars back in the garage.  That means that my shop needs to be “portable” and won’t be able to fit a table saw.  Can you survive with an MFT and TS55 instead?

Nope. There is no substitute for table saw. Pick up one the smaller portable table saws like the Dewalt with geared fence.

 

[tsmi243]

Most people will tell you that a jobsite table saw can't make good enough cuts for furniture.

Those people are wrong. 

I got rid of a beautifully well-tuned cast iron contractor saw due to space constraints, and now use the DW7941RS.  It hasn't caused me any trouble at all, and it folds up into a dolly you can wheel around.  Dado stacks fit fine.  The fence is excellent, but obviously won't stand up to a power feeder.  Dust collection is an A- right out of the box.  If you can justify TWO shop vacs for it, then you can turn that into an A+.  The quick-release riving knife absolutely rocks.  And the miter slots are standard, not T-slots, so you can use any aftermarket miter gauges/bars. 

Cut quality?  With a Freud blade, it's within rounding errors of perfect.  Seriously.  I don't even have a blade stiffener on it. 

The only serious downsides are modest power (eats 3/4" sheets for breakfast, but takes its time on 1" oak), and that I can't use magnetic stops, since the top is aluminum.  So you'll have to use stops that clamp into the miter slots, which isn't difficult.

It's a really good fit for the Festool ecosystem.  Cuts are on par with a TS55, and the portability/usability features are extremely good.  If you gave me one painted beige with green knobs, I'd believe it was a Festool.

 

[DeformedTree]

MFTs are not small.

The sub-contractor size table saws are an option.  Both Dewalt and Bosch have them, they are tubular framed design cubes you can put on side and tuck away.

Or you go with a CS70/Mafell Erika type saw.  A saw designed to fold up and be put away (if needed).

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Have you gone in the garage and looked up? I have a 2-1/2 car garage with tons of tools. My car sits outside but need to bring in my wife's car - so 1/2 the floorspace is mine. But, I still need more.

Years ago I purchased two 250# capacity Racor HeavyLift's (they were around $100 ea. back then). They are ceiling cable lift platforms. I use one to store ply/wood and the other right now holds my 3 MFT slabs and sawhorses that make up my 4'x8' work table.

Also, look at your garage door. I store my 4 tracks and TSO equipment there.

As far as TSless shop - I tried twice but gave up. I tried a Bosch table top saw and a folding worksite saw but ended up with a 1950 Uni. It's a nice size in that it has a smaller cast top than modern day saws.

 

[Stone Message]

I gave up my large table saw just before buying into Festool. One does need a capability to do rip cuts in narrow stock which can be done with a bandsaw (followed by planing machine) or with a very cheap and cheerful small (even folding) table saw.

Build a tracksaw cutting station and you will not look back !

Peter