Newbie wanting advice please

[Dash]

Hi All,

I'm looking at getting a cordless plunge saw, but I'm confused, various online suppliers show packages including 1 x guide-rail 1.4m. The rail has FS 1080/2 printed on it yet other suppliers list Festool 491498 if I wanted to buy and extra one (plus possibly some sort of connector piece?)

Are these rails one and the same thing?

Thanks for any help

James

 

[Grakat]

Hi there,

The 1080 rail and the 1400 rail are two different animals. Down under the saw comes with the 1400 rail as part of the set. This is just sufficient to cross cut 2.4x1.2m sheet.

Generally people end up getting a longer rail in the future as the connectors can be a pain. I have a 3000 rail for the really big stuff, which is useful as it can do pretty much anything I can throw at it.

Good luck.

 

[Dash]

Thanks Graham.

So now looking at the Festool website, I see different lengths. I'm guessing an FS 2700 is what I need, and the 2400 would be slightly too short for a typical 8ft (2440mm) long sheet? I would buy one of each to save the bother with connecting?

My finger is hovering over the dreaded Buy Now button. 

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

If you are going to buy the longer length rail, get the FS3000 3 mtr rail. The cost difference in the UK between the 2700 & 3000 rail is not much, about £23 approximately, but that extra 300mm does make cutting up a 1200 x 2400 sheet a lot easier. Plus, it gives you more than enough length if you wanted to make a diagonal cut for any reason.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi [member=60325]Dash[/member]

That is good advice from [member=14860]Distinctive Interiors[/member] . I have the 2700 mm rail and do manage the long side of an 8x4 sheet. But, not long after getting it (4 years ago), I needed that extra foot.

Forgive me but I know nothing of your background. I always ask anyone wanting a cordless saw if they actually need the ability to work plug free. Because of the cost of replacement batteries the corded machines are much cheaper over the lifetime of the actual saw itself. If you are a first or second fix person or into proper roofs then I understand.

Peter

 

[Dash]

Hi Peter,

I more into DIY to be honest, retired etc, and mostly everything gets castors put on it  I've swiftly found that very good £tools£ make life a lot easier.

I find I'm less afraid of cordless tools, if anyone would trip over a lead or get strangled, that would be me. I also find popping a few tools into a trolley is much simpler when I need to get mobile.

.......... Opportunity to mention that I've recognised your name. That really polite guy who does very thorough tutorials on YouTube.  A big Thank You to you for the encouragement your videos give me.

 

[RKA]

Dash, if you plan on using a dust collector, you'll already have a large cord (the hose) to contend with.  Most just Velcro the cord right to the hose.  If you're going to eliminate the hose and just use the bag, then by all means go cordless and you'll be free.

 

[Stone Message]

[member=60325]Dash[/member] Many thanks for the kind words.

Raj makes a good point. Also, the dust collection when using the little bags is not as good as a CT. If you have not yet bought a CT then you will need one soon - if you go for a Domino (one of the 3 most brilliant tools made by Festool) then you must use it with an extractor.

Peter

 

[ear3]

Welcome to the FOG.

I ended up trading in my corded TS55 for the TSC55, and am happy I did.  I actually think the TSC55 performs better than the corded version under load.

One important consideration on the cordless would be whether you see yourself using the saw in high volume situations.  The runtime quoted on the Festool website is 100m before the batteries are depleted, but this number only holds for plywood (and I have personally found this number to be a bit optimistic).  If you are doing hardwood, and especially if it's thicker than 3/4, you will get a lot less mileage out of the saw.  At the very least you would want to get an extra set of batteries.  But it may be that you are planning projects that require extensive cutting sessions, such that the corded version might make more sense. 

 

[semenza]

Hi All,

I'm looking at getting a cordless plunge saw, but I'm confused, various online suppliers show packages including 1 x guide-rail 1.4m. The rail has FS 1080/2 printed on it yet other suppliers list Festool 491498 if I wanted to buy and extra one (plus possibly some sort of connector piece?)

Are these rails one and the same thing?

Thanks for any help

James

Hi James,

    Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

    You are getting lots of good advice above.  It looks like it is all sorted out with the rail lengths at this point but just to be clear and for anyone else new reading....... the model number is the length in millimeters.

Seth