weimdad said:
Hi All,
I'm new to the FOG website.
I own both RO 90 and RO 150 with a CT 26 dust extractor. I am waiting for my TS 55 and MFT 3 table to arrive this week. I just sold my General Hybrid saw hoping the TS 55 will take its place. Am I being too optimistic? [unsure] We will be moving from Lawrenceburg, IN (25 miles from Cincinnati) to Florida in the next 6 months [smile] and I am hoping the Festool products will replace my larger, more permanent equipment. I am also selling my 14" Shop Fox band saw, Shop Fox 13" planner and Jet 6" planner. I plan to get a Festool PS 300 EQ jigsaw to replace the band saw and will start buying wood that is already square and ready to work with.
Am I doing the right thing?
Thanks,
Weimdad
[welcome] to The FOG, Weimdad,
Only you can answer the questions as to how you want to work. Based upon your pending move, it makes good sense to sell your large fixed machines while you have the chance. Maybe if you were sure your new shop would have the space, moving them with you might make sense.
Currently I own virtually every sander Festool currently makes, and I find each has a purpose in my custom cabinet business. The CT26 is a marvelous dust extractor. It will serve you well for a long time. My own first Festool combination was a TS55 and CT22, the predecessor of the CT26.
Back then I had sold a cabinet making firm I had started in 1959 in 1996. Then in 2006 I had ideas for several new cabinet-related designs. I went to a trusted dealer intending to purchase a really good cabinet saw, knowing I did not have space for it in my condo. As I drove to the dealer, I thought if I bought an expensive saw that would justify at least leasing a building big enough for it. But at my dealer, a friend for 30 years, walking to the display of large machines I passed his Festool demo room, with a guide rail, TS55, CT22 and a MFT all ready for action. My dealer suggested before I went nuts buying a table saw for which I had no room, I use some of his plywood to try for myself the TS55 in action. Before I did I unplugged it so I could examine the blade. Its tooth design was different and it clearly had been used. The TS55 glided on the rail. The glue-ready cut simply blew me away. Over the years I had own many expensive table saws, some with power feeds. None could have made a significantly better cut. I was sold.
We all know that when you are making cabinets from plywood you start with 4x8 sheets, meaning you need more than 8' in and out-feed space, as well as 8' to the left and 5' to the right of the blade for cross-cuts. With the TS55 all I needed was just enough room to walk around a 4x8 sheet. I would be moving the saw through the plywood, and not pushing the plywood through the saw. I liked the odds that when I ran the saw along a rail clamped at either end, the cut would be straight and exactly where I wanted the cut. I could see, feel and smell in the demo room that CT22 extracted virtually all the dust.
You mention buying your TS55 in combination with an MFT/3, which will include a combo discount. My suggestion is to by the complete MFT/3 set, plus two additional MFT/3 tables only. Those 2 tables will support a full sheet for breakdown, and then will serve as in and out-feed for the set up during cross cutting. MFT fold well. For the break-down I suggest buying a 3000mm rail and the parallel guide set with the extensions. If you do need to make 48" cross cuts, the 1900mm rail (standard with the TS55) is more effective than the 1400mm rail standard with the TS55. Many dealers will allow rail substitution. My suggestion is to try making a package deal on the TS55 with a 3000mm, 1900mm rails as well as a 1400mm "Holy" rail with hole to index holes on 32mm centers. That "Holy" rail works fine guiding saws. Your MFT/3 set includes a 1080mm rail, ideal for cross cutting up to a bit over 24"
Only you know how active you will be woodworking in Indiana before making your move to Florida. Shipping the Festools I suggest is easier than all you big machines, but still even Festools need to be moved with respect. Obviously you bought your sanders and CT26 somewhere. Buying the additional tools from that dealer is one option. Another would be to by the minimum now and become pals with a dealer near your Florida home.
To me the TS55 is great for cutting plywood and other sheet material very cleanly and accurately. However, personally I find all circular saws frustrating ripping solid lumber. My prediction is in the future you will buy a contractor's style portable table saw when you become frustrated trying to only work with sizes available from your lumber dealer.
From 1996 until 2010 I had no space for a bandsaw. I rented time of bandsaws belonging to friends. At some point I purchased a Trion PS300. I have earned a lot of money with that saw. Of course when I built my new business I included 20" and 36" high quality bandsaws, as well as a Baker lumber-mill-style horizontal conveyor-fed bandsaw. Yet there are some tasks I am so used to doing using my Trion, that is how I still do those tasks.