Newbee

[Wood Hog]

Hello all, I've been wood working for a while now, and have more tools than should be allowed in one lifetime, while considering a panel saw I came across the Festool brand, but like so many other wood woking enthusiasts my shop doest allow the room for it,  (I operate in a two car garage.) Yesterday I bought a TS55 and the CT26 along with some clamps and a very long rail to cut 8ft sheets along with a couple of connectors  to join the 55" and the long rail together. I hope I made the right decision, it sure seems like good stuff.
I thought for my first project with Festool I'd use it to make coffee table box with draws for our keeping area. Any advice or tips from long time Festoolians on projects, tool tips would be much appreciates.
Merry Christmas

 

[wow]

First, [welcome] to the FOG! You'll find lots of friendly people and lots of good advice here.

The Track Saws have often been called the 'gateway drug' for Festool. Many of us - me included - started with a Track Saw and now have a shop full of Festool. I actually owned a Holzher vertical panel saw for several years, but have now happily moved to my TS75 for everything that I used to use it for. And I got over 36 square feet of floor space back!

Be sure to post pictures of your shop and projects when you can. Before, during, or after - doesn't matter. We LOVE pictures!

 

[SoonerFan]

Welcome to FOG!  I bought a TS55 and couple of 55 inch rails with connectors with my first Festool purchase about a year ago.  I have been very happy with the decision and think you will be as well.  The more I have the rack saw the more uses I find for it.  I never use the table saw that now just sits off to the side.

 

[ear3]

If budget allows, consider returning one of the shorter rails and getting the long 3000mm instead.  There's lots of good advice on the forum on how to connect the rails (just use search function), and you will be able to get a good cut if you align them perfectly, but I found that the long rail is optimal for long rip cutting.  No fooling around with connectors or worries about going out of alignment when you have to flip the rail around to do the other edge.

I initially worked with the two rail set-up, but ended up investing in the long rail while on a project that involved wall panels, where there had to be little to no gap between the edges of each panel.  I would still get some gaps in spots when using the rail connectors, but once I got the long rail they were perfect.  I subsequently learned that there are some better connectors on the market, as well as some additional accessories to help you ensure straightness (but after all that, you're getting close to the price of the 3000mm rail anyway), but I have never regretted getting the 3000mm rail.  It also allows you to do boards up to 9 ft.

 

[Iceclimber]

Im no expert myself as i also only started buying Festools about 4-6 months ago. I have used them daily since so i have formed a couple opinions.

The track saw was also my first purchase and remains to be my most used festool. I have been doing lots of cabinet work so that is probably why.

I would second getting the 118" rail. I have a 75" & 55" and it works fine but just adds another layer of assembly and disassembly to the equation slowing me down. I love the track saw over the table saw but it is a much slower process than just throwing a piece on the table saw. Anything you can do to speed up that process will alleviate much stress and frustration when under the gun. 

I don't have the 118" but wish i would just suck it up and buy one already!

 

[wow]

+1 on the 118" rail, which (for our Newbees) Festool calls the FS3000 because it's 3000mm long. I find the length particularly valuable when making angle cuts on a piece of sheet goods.

 

[WoodWhisperer]

Welcome to the FOG! 
You bought the first tool (ts55) that has become a slippery slope for us here!  After buying a est125 sander I realized the sanders are just as good as the saw. Then I had to have a router! Don't forget the all mighty KAPEX! Festool is a system. Every tool they make is top notch. So enjoy the ride and hopefully u are still married at the end! [eek]

 

[Wood Hog]

That's great advice, I didn't think about cutting 8' by 4'' sheets on an angle I'll switch out the 106" for the 118" it's only $25.00 more.
Yes I can see how these tools can be addictive. I haven't even used the tools yet and find my self searching the reviews for the sander and peg joiner.
Thanks for the replies, this is an excellent resource. I'll post pics as and when.
Merry Christmas

 

[Kev]

[welcome]

What's a "keeping area" ? I'm not familiar with it.

 

[wow]

[welcome]

What's a "keeping area" ? I'm not familiar with it.

Kev:

A keeping room is an area just off the kitchen of a home. Keeping rooms date back to Colonial times when families would sleep in that area when the rest of the house was cold. Since the area could be heated by the kitchen stove, it often provided the only heated place in the house. Today, a keeping room is called by many different names, depending on one's geographical location, such as a family room, a great room and a hearth room.

 

[Wood Hog]

That's exactly right we live in a Southern house and it's the room just off the kitchen but we don't all sleep in it. We have a wood burning where I use my wood scraps to start log fires.

 

[Tinker]

Im no expert myself as i also only started buying Festools about 4-6 months ago. I have used them daily since so i have formed a couple opinions.

The track saw was also my first purchase and remains to be my most used festool. I have been doing lots of cabinet work so that is probably why.

I would second getting the 118" rail. I have a 75" & 55" and it works fine but just adds another layer of assembly and disassembly to the equation slowing me down. I love the track saw over the table saw but it is a much slower  than just throwing a piece on the table saw. Anything you can do to speed up that  will alleviate much stress and frustration when under the gun. 

I don't have the 118" but wish i would just suck it up and buy one already!

I suppose the table saw is quicker assuming one has room to slide the wood across the table for both indeed AND out feed.  When one has no space for either infeed or outfeed, or neither one, There is no comparison.  In my own shop, I very often barely have space to rip long lumber without hanging one end or both out into space.  In such instances, I clamp the rail at both ends of the board.  The rail will stick to the contour/curve of the board and i end up with a clean cut inspite of inadequate support a the ends.

Before coming home with ATF 55 and MFT 1080, it took me longer to clear a spec for indeed/outfeed than it took to make the cut. If cutting outside in the pest of the shop with no ceiling or side walls, I still needed to set up some means to support the board, even if i moved the table saw outside (I used to have a bench type saw). With the track saw, all I really need is a few scraps of wood to set the wood on with clearance so blade doesn't attack soil or blacktop.
Tinker