panel saw anyone?

D

dustmaker41

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Nov 11, 2012
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I am a full time, everyday carpenter that focuses on built ins, mudroom locker systems, mantles, and stairways in existing homes.  I own many "green" tools including the track saw and about 2 or 3 of every other tool known to every woodworking man.  I have seen my business trending towards more cabinetry over the last few months and am leaning towards purchasing a panel saw.  The table saw takes up most of my small shop and is exhausting ripping all the goods and then either double cross cutting with my Kapex or flopping 3/4 ply on saw horses and cutting with the track saw. With this being said I am considering purchasing a panel saw.  I am considering the Safety Speed C4 with a few accessories.  Input would be appreciated before I drop $2K.  Thanks in advance.
 
Jeff,

I have a Safety Speed Cut H5 that I won in a contest in 2001.  Since I got my first Festool I haven't used it.  I don't make cabinets for a living but when I used it to make a few kitchens I found that I didn't like the cuts that I got ripping the sheets.  I much prefer the Festool system.  Especially since the Parallel Guides.

Please don't take this that I have anything against the Safety Speed Cut products.  They are top notch.  Built like tanks.  Super accurate.  

I will be getting rid of my panel saw in the near future.  It needs work due to the elements, but rest assured whoever gets it and puts in the effort to refurbish it will get a product that has the possibility to serve them well.

Peter
 
I have the PANEL PRO VERTICAL PANEL SAW PRO2K and only used it once.  Takes up a lot of space in my crowded 2 car garage with the support wings.  Have all the added attachments to include dust collection.  I agree with Peter, Festool is a much easier and better cuts.  Like I said only used it once to test after assembly.
 
It was my search for a panel saw in 2002 that lead me to Festool in the first place.  I tested a couple of panel saws extensively and they were OK.  I would have purchased one, but then I read about the Festool track saw on the internet.  Once I tried the ATF 55, there was no way I was going to get myself "lumbered" with a panel saw.
 
A little more info would help.

To process sheets I made a torsion box table. On this I place a piece of 2" foam, this becomes the sacrificial surface. The table is 3' tall and can be broken down for transport. (it is not the Polk bench, just a torsion box.)

I drive a 2000 Excursion, the sheets slide out on to the table. I never have to lift a full sheet.

In the Jigs and Enhancement section, I have a couple of posts on how I rip everything without a table saw or parraleal guides. Very quick very repeatable.

You also need to factor in clean up time. I much prefer not having to clean up.

By the way, I do build a lot of casework.

Tom
 
Why do you think a panel saw would be easier than a track saw?  Do you have a long guide?  Do you have an MFT?  Getting the sheet onto the panel saw looks like more work than just sliding a sheet off the stack onto the horizontal cutting platform.

I'm debating this deal too.  But I'm leaning toward sourcing as much case work as possible.  There are just so many CNC's out there these days. 

For instance there's the Cabinotch thing for face frame cabinetry that you may have seen.  You wang a box together with the faceframe in place in just a very few minutes with no fasteners, no clamps, no nothing, just Titebond. 

You don't have to pick a box from a catalog any more.  You design the box with dimensions down to the 32nd and the software creates an extract file you send to the vendor.  And if it's really wacky you don't have to make a box.  You can trick the cabinetry software into producing a job that's just a bunch of very custom rectangular panels that aren't really assemblies at all.  The software will still do the takeoffs and the nesting diagrams.  The vendor can still price it and produce it even though he has no idea what you're building.  You do the design in AutoCAD or Inventor or Sketchup or whatever and then simply model the standalone individual panels in the cabinetry software.

This whole sourcing thing is getting more flexible and competitive every day.

 
I worked in a shop that had two Striebig panels saws.  Amazing pieces of equipment, but they would also require a technician every so often to be tuned up.  It was t cheap.

The ts55 gives you a comparable cut, and also gives you the flexibility of being able to use it in the field.

Fshanno, I found a source for European cabinet boxes that are easily customizable and the tolerances are incredibly tight.  Probably going to use them in my kitchen

Jon
 
The Cabinotch folks are right down the road from me. Great guys but I didn't know much about their product. WOW! Thanks for pointing me to my own back yard.
 
I have been doing tons of built ins lately, one project after the next, and I am tired of fighting the table saw.  I work along and am considering a panel saw.  Perhaps the Milwaukee of the C4.  Any input would be much appreciated before I drop $2k!

Thanks,
 
I don't own one but have access to one any time I want and I would make anything in a workshop without one. They are extremely fast to use and accurate for repeat cutting and also cross cutting
 
This thread appears to be a duplicate of a thread started last week.  The comments from today will be combined with that thread.

Peter
 
i posted a shop built panel saw some time ago using a 75 saw this works great accurate fast the saw easily removed chip free cuts on melamine plam i cut mainly solid surface with it and rarely go back to the rails unless its an off size cut I'm sure someone can find the post regarding the fabrication of it
 
Well I was in that mood the other day while in Woodwerks.  You know the one where youre leaving with something expensive.  I purchased the SafetySpeed C4.  Got a really good price on the entire unit including the nice folding stand, extensions and the stop set.  Took it home and got it squared up and calibrated in about an hour.  Here's my take on it after only cutting up about 8 sheets of 3/4 birch plywood building 2 72 x 60 built in dresser units.  Each cabinet had 6 drawers that I built (all the same size) and 4 cabinet doors I source.  Yes, it's a bit of a wrestle putting the plywood onto the saw but nothing compared to laying up on a table saw.  I have a Tenyru blade on the saw and the cuts are excellent.  I made 10 rips @24" without the need of a tape measure.  I then cut six of them to the same length and the other 4 the same length.  Again, no measuring or marking needed with the stop.  Then came the fun part.  The drawers.  A bunch of rips and cross cuts the same dimension.  I guess what I am saying is the time saving by not having to measure or mark, and the ability to change the saw from rip to cross cut as well as  changing the size of the cut is pretty sweet to put it lightly.  The stop kit was sort of a rip off now that I really look at it.  I could have made something just as good or probably better for a fraction of the cost.  In all I'm very happy with the purchase.  The saw makes very clean, repeatable cuts.  I have the dust collection kit ordered which is an absolute must IMO.  Ripping plywood wasn't so bad.  Most of the dust just falls to the floor.  MDF on the other hand....grab a mask! 
 
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