Question on festool track saw

[robgott1]

I have decided to make a plunge into tracksaw.

To reference I have started my wood working journey have some nice tools but see the value in a tracksaw.

I’m in between the 55 60 and 75

I really like the 60 and the only thing I’m not sure of is if I wanted to work with really thick slabs for waterfall tables. But I’m guessing I would be able to plane the edge to make the rest work?

It just seems like the 55 is not as good as the 60 and the 75 might just be a little too much for everyday projects

I’m not super familiar with why a plug that detached is important but maybe in practice it is?

Thanks in advance.

I currently have a nice chop saw a dewalt router a dewalt sander. Dewalt drills and a dewalt circular saw. I just got good deals on them but I definitely want to invest in festool

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[WastedP]

I own a 55 and a 75.  If I could only have one, it would be the 75.

 

[Alanbach]

The 55 has been around a long time and the 60 is newer. The 60 has more power, a bit more cutting capacity, no riving knife and it has electronic kick back protection. The 55 has a riving knife. The reason regular Festool system users like the detachable cord is so they can have one cord attached to their vac hose and vac and they just move the tool end of the power cord from tool to tool.

The 75 has also been around a while. It can handle much thicker pieces but it is pretty big and heavy. Most users that really need the 75 for slab work probably also have a 55 or a 60.

 

[live4ever]

I have a TSC55, TS75, and a Milwaukee tracksaw.  Also had the corded TS55 many years ago.

The 75 rarely comes out as it’s big and heavy, but it’s the only tool for some jobs.  Many cuts that benefit from the 75 can still be done with a 55/60 in two passes.  Just depends on what you’re working on - lot of straight line ripping 6/4+ hardwood?  Then 75.

I’d start with a 55/60 and see if you really end up needing the extra capacity or power of the 75.  I wouldn’t like it as my only saw as when you’re working with the usual sheet goods it’s nice to be light and maneuverable.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Of the three, if I were buying now, it would be the 60 for general use. (I have the old-old 55) The 75 is great for thick material, but as has been noted, it's' a heavy, heavy tool and that might make one regret pulling it out with any frequency. Between the increased power and thinner blade profile, the 60 is a solid choice for a tracksaw. For folks who do a lot of sheet stock, the 60 with the scoring is worthy of consideration as an alternative to the "regular" 60.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

My first Festool tracksaw purchase was the TS75......It did everything I expected of it but I soon got tired of its weight when doing a lot of repetitive cuts and shortly afterwards,  bought a TS55.

The 75 still gets used occasionally, but 90% of my tracksaw cutting is now done with the 55.

 

[robgott1]

I’m really stuck between the 60 and 75.
Power wise it seems like they are very comparable and the tech in the 60 is more modern?

I do really enjoy slab projects. For instance I just grabbed some white oak 2” thick. But I also would like to build built ins for my new home here soon.

I’ll be making a decision soon.

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[robgott1]

After this I think my next purchase will be a sander and dust extraction. I’d that would play with influence. I have a small garage space to work out of

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[Jim_in_PA]

I’m really stuck between the 60 and 75.
Power wise it seems like they are very comparable and the tech in the 60 is more modern?

I do really enjoy slab projects. For instance I just grabbed some white oak 2” thick. But I also would like to build built ins for my new home here soon.

I’ll be making a decision soon.

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Yes, the 60 is more modern; the 75 has essentially not changed at all over the years. But if your use case is cutting down thick slabs, then the blade size matters and the 75 might be the better choice. "What you do" is what determines what tool is best for you. Of course, you do have the option of cutting all the way to full depth with the 60 and then finishing the last little bit with a hand saw or a jigsaw on the waste side and then routing with a flush trim tool to finish. That's the way to go if your general needs (most of the time) don't require the larger blade.

 

[robgott1]

Thanks. I like the tech of the 60 and the depth of cut seems like it’ll handle the slabs. I guess in terms of longevity is there a better choice? Or with festool that tends to not be a deep consideration?

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[robgott1]

And power wise, does the 75 still have more to offer than the 60 or is it a wash due to its moderncbrushless design?

I haven’t gotten hands on to really see

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[smorgasbord]

I have decided to make a plunge into tracksaw.

I just wanted to acknowledge that I see what you did there.  [big grin]

 

[Peter Kelly]

And power wise, does the 75 still have more to offer than the 60 or is it a wash due to its moderncbrushless design?

I've got both and it feels about the same, the TS 75 just has a bit more cutting depth.

 

[robgott1]

Roger that Peter. Is there one you prefer over the other on a regular basis?

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[petar73]

I have never used ts 75, but with slabs I would choose it over ts60 because of the blade difference and the riving knife. Ts 60 uses thin blades and I don’t like them for solid wood.

 

[Peter Kelly]

Roger that Peter. Is there one you prefer over the other on a regular basis?

Undoubtedly the TS60, just used mine to rip a 12" x 96" x 1.75" thick LVL into strips for door cores, didn't hesitate or stutter at all. The TS75 has its place for anything thicker but the TS60 is a just a lot more comfortable for daily use.

 

[ear3]

Has anyone tested the power of the TSC55 against the TS60? 

 

[Kevin D.]

I have a TS75 since 2009.  I opted for it for the thicker cut whenever needed, and mostly used in in my shop whenever my Unisaw wasn't the right choice.

I also recall the TS75 had better circuitry in it than the TS55 at the time per a Festool rep I spoke with way back then.  Not a deal breaker bit of info, but it was noted as part of my decision making process at the time.

I can't say the weight of the TS75 was ever really an issue for me, but for others I could see that as a factor.  Everybody and their usage parameters will suggest different feedback on that element of the weight of the saw and whether it is bothersome or not.

I did buy a Makita cordless track saw about 5 years ago as I was doing a lot of construction work in my backyard.  Most times, I wouldn't need any dust extraction in what I was doing outside with it, and not being tethered to a cord is real nice.

 

[jeh]

I’m not super familiar with why a plug that detached is important but maybe in practice it is?

The removable cord is overplayed. Valuable if you have a habit of cutting cords, but otherwise only moderately convenient. I have a few Festool and several Mafell cords that are fixed and it has never slowed me down.