rail guide cut question

[stuhrling]

My TS55 saw arrived today and I can hardly wait to try it out hopefully tomorrow weather permitting!

I have a question about lining the cut up with the guide rail for those experienced with the Festool guide rail system. Do you drop the guide rail directly on your cut (line or mark)? Or do you drop it to the side of your mark allowing for blade kerf (2.2mm) as with other saws? I will have to convert the 2.2mm to fractions as well.

Just want to double check things with those who are in the know! [wink]

 

[VictorL]

I drop rail on the mark in 99% cuts. There were few cases when I need to cut from other side and considered kerf width. Make your life easier and drop on the mark

VictorL

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Did you first go through the pre-use trimming of the guide rail strip as explained in the manual?

2.2 mm = 3 /32"

 

[stuhrling]

No, I have not yet gone through the pre-use trimming yet. I am hoping to do this tomorrow. I was just asking about this as sometimes for (example) you may need to have a board that has to be 7" wide exactly and I was just curious as to allowing for kerf using the rail.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

If your "keep" piece is underneath the rail, then you don't have to account for blade kerf.  If your "keep" piece is your cutoff piece, then you will have to account for the 3/32" kerf.

If you haven't already, I'd suggest reading over Rick Christopherson's supplemental manual for the TS 55.
TS 55 supplemental manual

 

[stuhrling]

Thanks for the very helpful info Ken. I appreciate the link to the supplemental manual. Lots of good info here!

 

[Ken Nagrod]

You're welcome.  Remember to check that the blade is toed-in approximately 0.005" or a business card thickness at the front of the blade compared to the back.  It's in that manual as well and makes a world of difference in cut quality.  Just be careful that you don't overdo the front adjustment (if it needs any) or you could have the blade cutting into the aluminum guide rail.  I have mine cutting so it leaves 1/16" of guide rail strip.  You may want more.  That's just user preference.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Here's a good video for any new Festool plunge cuts saw owner.  The video is done by the same guy that wrote the supplemental manual.

Intro_TS55-TS75.mov

 

[stuhrling]

Brice - Thanks so much for the link to the video! [smile] Very informative an helpful for sure! I already saved it off so that I can have it on demand.

 

[Kodi Crescent]

That was an excellent video that I hadn't seen before.  Thanks for including it Brice.

 

[sancho57]

Great video, Once more I learned a few things I didnt know before.