Need suggestions on TS55 vs TS75 please help!

[atxpop]

Hi all.  I am new to FOG and I am hoping y'all can help!

I am about to purchase a track saw and I am having a hard time deciding on the TS55 vs TS75. I will need to buy an additional track either way because I will need to cut 4x8 sheets of plywood but I am considering just getting the TS75 package with the MFT3 and using that 30" track that comes with the MFT.  The only draw back on doing the TS75 combo is that I would have to save up a bit longer.  Any thoughts on the TS75 over the TS55?  Does anyone have regrets of getting the TS55 instead of the TS75 or the the other way around?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Mavrik]

I've visited that thought so many times. I've got the TS55.  In a very very small number of cases I run out of depth or power. And when it's power it's usually solved by using a different blade or realising my blade is blunt. But for 99% of what I do I greatly appreciate the light weight of the TS55.  It's a hand saw. It needs to be lifted up and down. Similar reason why I like my 1010 router so much. Under powered at times, but so nice to be so small and light

 

[atxpop]

Thanks for the advice, Mavrik.  Did you buy an additional track to get you to at least 96" for cutting plywood down? I am also thinking long term about getting the 55" rail with the holes (for the LR32 set) and killing two birds with one stone.

 

[Mavrik]

What I should have added is that the tool must fit the job and need. I'm a weekend hobbyist who probably picks projects and wood to suit the tools I have. The stuff I make doesn't need the TS75.

 

[ckofahl]

I have both, and I haven't used the ts75 since I got the 55. It really does everything I need it to do. I'm do a little more than what might be considered a weekend hobbiest, but the 75 just sits

 

[semenza]

Hi atxpop & ckofahl,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

      The TS55 will do the job for sheet goods , cross cuts on solid lumber, and rip cuts up to 5/4 on hard wood no problem (with proper blade for the rip cuts). It is supplied with a sheet goods and cross cut blade.  It will rip thicker hard woods with a bit of a slow down in one pass, but with ease in two.  This is general info it really depends a lot on the actual hardness and density of the wood.

    The TS75 will do the above rip cuts with ease. It is supplied with the Universal blade which is a combination cross cut / rip blade. A bit of a compromise (compared to optimal at least) for both. With the Universal blade it will rip most wood easily. For really hard dense wood the Panther  is a better choice. For sheet goods the Fine blade is a better choice. It is bigger and heavier and needs a bit more rail length.

    I have both the TS55 and TS75. For many years I used only the TS55. It wasn't that often that I wanted the TS75.

    If you are not planing to be transporting the rail much , then seriously consider getting the 3000  rail for rip cuts. The 1400 rail is just long enough to cross cut 48" with the TS55 but the 1900 rail is better and is needed for the TS75.

Seth

 

[dltflt]

I have the TS75 and love it.  That being said I would love to have the TS55 for weight reasons when I'm only cutting sheet goods or thinner hardwoods.

 

[Birdhunter]

If you haven't already done so, handle both before you buy one. There is a big difference in the size and perceived weight between the two saws.

For me, the TS55 has handled every task I've thrown at it with ease. I like the smaller machine much more than the TS75. If I needed more power, I'd buy the TS75 in a heartbeat, but I simply have never needed it.

Some of the videos I've seen show the TS75 ejecting a lot of dust when cutting stock. My TS55 is very clean except at the very end of a cut.

 

[anthonyz]

I concur with the TS55 being enough in most the work people do. I have both, as I picked up the TS75 during the recondition sale but I never use it. It's alway the 55 in my hand for the cuts I tend to do. I am sure I will get use out of the 75 but it will be rare occasions. I do like the 75 track though. I connect tracks to get what I need,but use a betterly connector to get them straight. I would recommend the 55 and picking up a long track or at least another 55" track to cut a 8' panel. The mft comes with a 42" track.

 

[BMH]

I have the TS 55 for approximately 6 years and can only remember a couple of times where a TS 75 would have been better. 20 mn of thinking and I had a workaround for the problem.

The extra cost of the TS 75 was not the issue it was the extra weight. When you are lifting that saw for a couple of hours you greatly appreciate the power/weight ratio of the TS55.

The most important element for good and easy cuts is to have the right blade for the job. I have 4 different ones and switch them all the time.

Second one is to have the correct rail length for the cut. I made do with 2 55" rails joined together and last year invested in the FS 3000. Makes all the difference in breaking down large sheets of plywood. I will be investing this year in the 75" for cross cutting plywood.

Third clamps, makes a big difference in speed when breaking down multiple sheet of plywood. The rapid clamp and gecko are my two favorite ones.

Fourth measurement tape, the Tallmeter with its ability to score the wood precisely makes the job a lot faster and precise.

If you ever get into production mode where you regurlary breakdown multiple sheets of plywood with same size cuts the parallel guides are worth looking at.

 

[roblg3]

I don't think anyone has mentioned that the 55 can do -1* & up to 47* bevels.  The 75 does not.  Also, when beveling the chip guard attached to the saw is not usable on the 75.  I have both and wish the 75 had the same features as the 55 because I love the power of it.  I use tools to make money so time is critical for me.  I use 55 90% of the time because of the features, 75 for power.

 

[rst]

I have and use both.  I use the 55 on my MFT and the 75 on a 64" x 100" MFT I built.  The 55 I bought to replace a Makita which was my first track saw bought from Amazon wharehouse.  I used it for quite some time with the Festool rails but it did not like cutting 1/2" or even 3/8" acrylics.  So I purchased a 75 on Ebay that was like new for $400.00.  At the last recon sale I bought a 55.  Both are great saws, the 75 is definitely heavy but not compared to the 8 1/2" Skil wormsaw I own.  Choices should be based on usage more than anything.  PS unless you are built like Arnold... don't use the 75 vertically or over head!

 

[wow]

atxpop & ckofahl, [welcome] to the FOG!

I think everyone goes through this debate, and for 80-90% of people the TS55 is the right answer. I have a slightly different take on the situation.

I wanted the saw that would ALWAYS do the cut I wanted. I don't use it vertically, and I never cut past 45 degrees. So for me I chose the TS75. When cutting panels or boards the weight is mostly on the track, not on your arms. The amount of effort required to push the TS75 down the track may be a bit more, but I don't think it's a big deal.

NOW - all that aside - there's another element to my decision. I plan to buy a TSC55 (the Cordless Version) when it becomes available. At that point I expect that IT will become my go-to saw, and the TS75 will sit most of the time.

But I will have the BEST of both worlds - the convenience of the cordless TSC55 for most things, and the power and cutting depth of the TS75 when I need it!

 

[Gary in Texas]

You could change the post by anthonyz and put my name there, word for word basically.

The TS-55 is the go to saw for cutting sheet goods, it really excels at that task, and the dust collection is better than on the TS-75.  I bought the TS-75 for those occasions where I need more muscle / cutting depth, but the TS-55 will remain my go-to saw.

 

[Jaybolishes]

Owning both saws, I only use the ts75 now.  It has more power, cuts faster and I think it has better dust collection but it could be an illusion.  I use it on a rail, so extra weight is a non factor.  I no longer switch between saws because the two saws have different kerfs and the 75 cuts more off the splinter guard.  So I decided to pick one saw and stick with it, and that saw is the 75. 

 

[tdragomir]

I use a lot of solid hardwood and the 75 is the go to for that, putting a straight edge on so quick is amazing. I have a makita on the mft and for sheet goods, when it dies I"ll go to a 55 I bet.

 

[Max Fracas]

I bought the TS75 and have been very happy with it.  If I were to do it over, I'd buy a TS55 because I use the track saw almost exclusively for cutting down plywood and panel goods and use my table saw for ripping hardwoods.  If I didn't have the table saw, the TS75 would be my choice because of its greater depth of cut and power. 

 

[Wood Hog]

To add my two cents, after 3 weeks of owning a TS55 I just exchanged my TS 55 for the TS 75 and here's why.
1. They both cut 3/4 inch ply
2. The extra weight for me is no problem.
3. Trying to straight line cut 13' to 16' ruff cut hard wood lumber 8/4 and above as I    do would be impossible with TS 55
4. I don't want to own more than one saw.
Hope this helps.

 

[sumantamandal]

Went though the same dilemma few months ago. Settled for TS75 and love it. Yet to work on a project that needs bevelled cuts. Worked on a Booth Bench project a few months ago and needed to cut 2 inch thick Oak lumber. TS55 can cut  upto 1 15/16" (50 mm) straight down with rails. I'm a hobbyist and have limited time for my hobby. Speed and accuracy of cut is very critical for me. Love the power of the saw as it moved to hardwood.

Thanks
Sumanta

 

[SoonerFan]

What I should have added is that the tool must fit the job and need. I'm a weekend hobbyist who probably picks projects and wood to suit the tools I have. The stuff I make doesn't need the TS75.

I am also a hobbyist.  I was tempted to get the TS75 but ended up with the TS55 about a year ago.  A couple months later I started to think I might want a TS75 and was a little bummed thinking I would end up with two saws.  However, the TS55 has turned out great for me and what I do.  As others have said, with the right blade it will handle most jobs.  You cannot go wrong with either. 

Definitely get the holey rail when you get a TS.  I did not and wish I had.  I connect two 1400 rails to cut sheet goods.  Works great for me and make storage easier that a longer rail.