MFT + TS55 = Table saw

[matiasa]

Hello everyone! I just signed up as a member though I have been following the forum for quite some time. As the subject says, I have put together the TS55 and the MFT table to make a table saw. I know the idea is not new, but I haven't found any solution as easy, quick to install and cheap as this, so I'm thinking that I have to be doing something wrong. Either it's wrong out of security reasons, which is the most important, accuracy or any other reasons that I hope you can help me come up with.

This is my first version and I already know that there are some things that can be improved, but I don't mind hearing them again to confirm my thoughts. Here follows some questions that I'm wondering about right now.

1. Could there be a problem with a fence this long?
2. Should I position the TS55 elsewhere for best usability?

Some more info:
The dogs are just there to position the saw at the same place every time. I remove them when the set up is done. Its also to align the blade to the holes on the table top. The saw could of course be placed anywhere and not aligned to the holes, the fence can easily be put parallel to the blade.

I'm thankful for any input including warnings!

 

[BusterWoodWorks]

The only problem I can foresee with such a long fence, mainly having so much behind the blade, is that ripping solid wood to width, any internal stresses or bow is likely to cause the wood to bind on the riving knife. In a dedicated rip saw the fence stops just after the leading edge of the blade, minimises the risk of kick bac, no way for the wood to become trapped between the fence and the back of the blade.

 

[Eden1415]

Good idea.  But it has its limits, besides the obvious kickback one.

• Can't go too far to the right, 
  Setup time may be laborious to prevent kickback.
  You are loosing about 3/4" depth of cut.

You might want to consider turning the saw 90 degrees and use an Incra guide as your fence.

To be honest,  I don't know why Festool does not have an option to put a blank plate into their tops. That way we could add saws,  routers, jigsaws, and other tools to the top.

 

[sancho57]

Why not just spend the money and get a CMS.

 

[matiasa]

The only problem I can foresee with such a long fence, mainly having so much behind the blade, is that ripping solid wood to width, any internal stresses or bow is likely to cause the wood to bind on the riving knife. In a dedicated rip saw the fence stops just after the leading edge of the blade, minimises the risk of kick bac, no way for the wood to become trapped between the fence and the back of the blade.

Thanks for the reply! It's the first reply I've received so now I feel like a part of the group!

I ripped a 3 meter and 22mm thick beech plank and like you said it did get a bit trapped. I already learned a lot. I guess that moving the fence towards me can give me the same problem when feeding the wood. The solution I see is to order the short CMS fence from the spare part catalog. I noticed that my fence that comes with the MFT has a bow. I must admit that I never found the fence and angel stop on the MFT to be that accurate.

The fastening of the saw has worked well, it hasn't moved a bit. So far it feels safe.

 

[Svar]

Why not just spend the money and get a CMS.

Why stop at CMS? Why not just spend the money and get a format style saw?
I know why. Because resources are limited.

 

[matiasa]

Good idea.  But it has its limits, besides the obvious kickback one.

• Can't go too far to the right, 
  Setup time may be laborious to prevent kickback.
  You are loosing about 3/4" depth of cut.

You might want to consider turning the saw 90 degrees and use an Incra guide as your fence.

To be honest,  I don't know why Festool does not have an option to put a blank plate into their tops. That way we could add saws,  routers, jigsaws, and other tools to the top.

Thanks for the feedback! I could position it a bit more to the middle, but I'm pretty sure that I already have more space to the right then the CMS has. There's also the option of putting the fence from the left side of the table.

The set up quite quick with the dogs and by loosening the angel stop and pressing the fence against the blade seams to give a good result. Maybe it can be improved? The long fence is a problem though. I need to order the short fence that comes with the TS55 Module.

I do loose 3/4" depth of cut, which will be a problem when cutting thicker wood. I could route the top from underneath, but that would limit me when using the table alone. I like the idea of keeping the table top as intact as possible. I've seen some solutions here with the module inserted in the top, but then a lot of work space for clamping etc is lost.

Maybe later i decide to turn the saw 90 degrees, but right now it feels good to have some extra space behind the blade and not needing to have an extra outfeed table or extension. In any case this solution is a winner, it has a lot more surface area then the CMS. The Inca fence is good read, but the angle stop that comes with the MFT is the sames as on the CMS, so it shouldn't be necessary to buy a new one?

The MDF top it self is easy to remove, so maybe a blank plate that replaces the whole top is good solution!

All the accessories that you can use with the CMS can be used on the MFT as well, right?

 

[matiasa]

Why not just spend the money and get a CMS.

Why stop at CMS? Why not just spend the money and get a format style saw?
I know why. Because resources are limited.

[big grin] In this case I also feel it's about more then just the costs. The MFT has most of the parts of the CMS. By just adding some pieces it's more useful then the CMS alone. To me Festool is a lot about mobility, so why bring both these heavy tables when the more versatile MFT can work as both.

 

[Holmz]

Why not just spend the money and get a CMS.

Why stop at CMS? Why not just spend the money and get a format style saw?
I know why. Because resources are limited.

[big grin] In this case I also feel it's about more then just the costs. The MFT has most of the parts of the CMS. By just adding some pieces it's more useful then the CMS alone. To me Festool is a lot about mobility, so why bring both these heavy tables when the the more versatile MFT can work as both.

How much so far?
Why not just purchase an Erika?

 

[sancho57]

Why not just spend the money and get a CMS.

Why stop at CMS? Why not just spend the money and get a format style saw?
I know why. Because resources are limited.

[big grin] In this case I also feel it's about more then just the costs. The MFT has most of the parts of the CMS. By just adding some pieces it's more useful then the CMS alone. To me Festool is a lot about mobility, so why bring both these heavy tables when the more versatile MFT can work as both.

How much are your body parts worth, say a finger, hand, eye etc....

I'm all for making things work. But the MFT and a TS 55 with a little creativity you can do just about everything safely that a table saw can do. A little slower perhaps but just as good.

I'm not no expert by any means but I can tell y this, After 14 years working as a marine machinery mechanic ( destroyers, aircraft carriers, subs, nukes and black iron) and 22 years ads wood worker
I have 2 eyes working and 10 fingers intact.

 

[Svar]

Why not just spend the money and get a CMS.

Why stop at CMS? Why not just spend the money and get a format style saw?
I know why. Because resources are limited.

[big grin] In this case I also feel it's about more then just the costs. The MFT has most of the parts of the CMS. By just adding some pieces it's more useful then the CMS alone. To me Festool is a lot about mobility, so why bring both these heavy tables when the more versatile MFT can work as both.

How much are your body parts worth, say a finger, hand, eye etc....

I'm all for making things work. But the MFT and a TS 55 with a little creativity you can do just about everything safely that a table saw can do. A little slower perhaps but just as good.

I'm not no expert by any means but I can tell y this, After 14 years working as a marine machinery mechanic ( destroyers, aircraft carriers, subs, nukes and black iron) and 22 years ads wood worker
I have 2 eyes working and 10 fingers intact.

What's your point? You suggested CMS. OP setup is no more unsafe than CMS or any table saw for that matter.

 

[sancho57]

Yes I am saying its unsafe. The TS55 and MFT are not designed to be used that way.

You and the OP big boys, you are free to do whatever you want.

I believe in the old adage use the correct tool for the job. If I needed a table I saw, id buy a CMS with the TS module (which I did) or go buy a bench top table saw.

I choose to work safely and use tools they way they are designed.

For the most part the MFT and TS can do everything a table saw can do. The OP is taking a unnecessary risk. As he can do everything he probably needs to do safely ad using the tools in the way they were designed and intended to be use.

You and the OP can do anything you want. I honest do really care if you or he cut off fingers, lose eyes,  etc. Doesn't affect me one bit.

Im just not going to read this and OOOOH and AHHH and say great idea .

when it isn't and is dangerous.

 

[JimD]

I would mount it more to the left.  I think this could be handy for cutting small thin pieces which is one of the things a table saw does better than a track saw.  With the saw ore to the left, you would have more rip capacity.  But I would check the fence is parallel to the blade before each cut.  That will be time consuming.  If you want a shorter fence, you could bolt one on. 

But another major usage of a table saw for me is making joints and cuts deeper than the track saw can do.  This won't work for that. 

So I think it can help but if you ever need to cut deeper than the track saw, you will still need a table saw.  With a track saw, you don't have to have a big one.

 

[Jozsef Kozma]

Please do not use that saw that way
It is unsafe

But what do I know ( 37 years in the trade and always eager to work safer)

 

[matiasa]

Yes I am saying its unsafe. The TS55 and MFT are not designed to be used that way.

You and the OP big boys, you are free to do whatever you want.

I believe in the old adage use the correct tool for the job. If I needed a table I saw, id buy a CMS with the TS module (which I did) or go buy a bench top table saw.

I choose to work safely and use tools they way they are designed.

For the most part the MFT and TS can do everything a table saw can do. The OP is taking a unnecessary risk. As he can do everything he probably needs to do safely ad using the tools in the way they were designed and intended to be use.

You and the OP can do anything you want. I honest do really care if you or he cut off fingers, lose eyes,  etc. Doesn't affect me one bit.

Im just not going to read this and OOOOH and AHHH and say great idea .

when it isn't and is dangerous.

I'm not after an OOOOH and AHHH. Like I wrote in my first post, I wanted to know if it was safe and if it was, how it could be improved. "Why not just spend the money and get a CMS" Isn't much of answer. Now I understand that you think it's unsafe and I thank you for the warning. Still I would like to know why it's dangerous? You say it wasn't designed for that, but it sure was designed to be fastened on a platform and be used up side down. I'm not trying to win here. I had an idea that I wanted some feedback on and I'm eager to learn more. So, where in lies the danger?

 

[peter halle]

I apologize for not seeing and reading this thread earlier. 

In accordance with the forum guidelines and past practices I am going to lock this thread based on the fact that Festool products have been modified and are being shown in potentially unsafe manners.

Again, sorry that this didn't happen sooner.

Peter Halle - Moderator