Saw or router

[TulsaWood]

Howdy. So here I am, another brand newbie, looking for some sage advice about adding picking up some more tools.

As I mentioned in my first post, my wife and I have moved into a new fixer-upper.  The place isn't in terrible shape, but it hasn't been updated since the late 70's.  Over the coming weeks, months, years we'll be doing a lot of projects, and I'm hoping to learn to do a lot of the work myself, whenever possible.  So with that, what would you recommend I pick up as my next tool?

Here's a little more relevant info:

Tools I own today:

• Brand New MFT/3  [big grin]
• Drill
• Small Dewalt Orbital Sander
• Delta 10" Chop Saw
• Dewalt Portable 10" table saw
• A few small clamps
• Old Circular Saw

Planned Projects as skills develop

• Replace baseboard moldings
• Replace crown mouldings
• Shelving for master closet
• Dresser for kids bedroom
• Hanging cabinets for garage
• Full Cabinets with sink for Laundry room
• Bathroom vanities for 3 bathrooms
• Buit-Ins for Family room
• Kitchen Cabinets

After getting my MFT/3, it seems like I would be served very well by the TS55 saw for squaring up edges for joining, cutting down larger sheet goods, and for maximizing the utility of the MFT.

But I already own several saws, which makes me think a router would give me a more robust set of tools at this point. 

Since I'm just getting started, I'll also point out that I don't know much about the raw materials.  I've only purchased from the big box stores up to this point.  I don't even know where to go for raw cut wood, and even if I did, would I be able to use those materials with the few tools I have? 

Sorry for the long-winded post.  Looking forward to hearing from the voice of experience and reason.  Right now the dominant voice I'm hearing keeps yelling to just order more tools. 

EJ

 

[Just F Me]

If you already have a table saw, you should think about if you're going to be dealing with large sheets of wood.  If you are, you need a track saw.  Festool TS55 is awesome from the videos I've seen, or you can save some money like myself, and buy the Makita SP6000 track saw, which fits festool tracks and works with the MFT/3.  That's my current setup.  If you need repeatability, you might need Festool Parallel Guides (or something similar).

If you're not dealing with sheet goods, maybe a router is the way to go.  Don't forget, you need dust extraction.  So tack on another $500.

 

[adugas]

According to your wish building list you got allot going on but a majority seems making allot of cabinet and (boxes so to speak). If it were me I'd buy in this order:
- tracksaw and long rail And paralell guides set ( also get the Holy Rail now, potential to get LR-32 system down the road) (plus you already have MFT...goes hand in hand) 
- parallel guides set ( you are prepared to knock down all your sheet goods)
- Domino 500 set and CT26 vacuum set ( for cabinets the only way to go, the domino align and square everythig so you dont have to, you just have put the hole in the right spot, good with that  [smile])
that would be all you need and you make dado's with your table saw

or

OF 1400 Router and LR-32 set (make life easy and the wallet queezy  [smile]..............how ever it does work well with your MFT table........ [tongue])

Cheers

 

[Rob]

It really depends on your budget and what you'll use the most.  For the projects you listed, a router is "nice to have" rather than a necessity, but I might still lean toward recommending the router since you could also complete all those projects without a track saw.

Keep in mind that you already have other tools that can stand in for the track saw.  You can retrofit your existing circular saw with a good blade and zero-clearance straightedge guide for straight cuts.  You can even add your own dust collection shroud and a zero-clearance baseplate if you want.  On the other hand, your selection of profiles for your moldings and some of your construction options will be limited without a router.

That said, if you still want a track saw, you can still snag a reconditioned TS55 for 30% off, which is less than the price of a DeWalt track saw and only slightly more than the price of the Makita.
http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/reconditioned/

 

[Just F Me]

make life easy and the wallet queezy  [smile]

Oh man...that is so good!

 

[carlb40]

If it was me having to do all that and get the tools. If the budget allows i would get the OF1010 for edge moulding/ rabbets/ dado's etc and possibly the LR32 kit. TS55 and rails. Plus if the budget wouldn't stretch to a domino, i would get something like a PC 557 biscuit jointer. Oh and as a minimum a midi.  ;D

 

[RKA]

If it were me, I would get the track saw now. Dealing with sheet goods is easier to me with the track saw vs a portable table saw. Less dust too (get a CT26 with it).  Table saws make a mess, think about your lungs early on. You'll be grateful later. Get a half mask as well. $25 is a drop in the bucket.

Next I would consider a kapex. That will be an unpopular opinion, however the other option is you'll put the saw outside and run back and forth making cuts, test fitting, recutting, etc as you learn. And since you listed crown and base first, well, perhaps bite the bullet now?

Domino is next, when you get to the garage cabinets. Work out your technique and workflow here before you start building cabinets everywhere else (you got a lot on your list).

Finally the router. You'll have to save the projects with profiles for this purchase. For rabbets and dados, use the table saw for now.

Of course if you listed the projects in no order at all, then the order of purchases gets mixed up based on need. Bear in mind I'm no expert here, I'm learning too. But I haven't regretted expenses on quality tools that make the job productive and enjoyable.  As a rule, if I don't enjoy it on some level, it gets farmed out.

 

[rst]

You will get more mileage from the track saw.  My first track saw was a Makita but I bought Festool rails.  I have built cabinets and been involved in commercial and industrial construction my entire adult life.  I bought the Makita from Amazon warehouse to see what the positive fuss regarding the track saws was all about.  The Makita was fine but occasionally under powered for what I was cutting...so I) bought a TS75 on EBay.  I now own the TS55 also along with practically all the Festool sanders (I am now at 62 sensititive to wood dust).  Festool has the absolutely best, most accurate tools readily available in the US!!

 

[roblg3]

Alot of good miter saws exist.  All are messy. Festool the least I've found.  If dust collection isn't your major factor then.....you can get pretty good results with pocket screws for joining.  If you plan to edge joint boards the you're going to Need either a track saw,jointer or a router table with an offset able fence.  The least expensive way to edge joint boards is with the track saw.  You could biscuit after that, but biscuits are inferior to doweling IMHO, and doweling is cheaper anyway.  Usually you can buy profiles or sand round overs on stuff.  Routers become necessary, but are not usually immediately needed.  The 1400 can do ALOT.  With practice its the only one you'd need.

 

[andy5405]

I think I advised you not to get too carried away with the Festool thing in another thread. It is exciting owning your first Festool equipment and always exciting adding to it making it all too easy to get carried away.

However looking at your list of projects I would highly recommend a TS55 as your next purchase. I know you have other saws but there is nothing in the list I see that can do what the TS55 does. So many people (myself included) have thought that they can get by with their exiting circular saw and don't need the TS55. Everyone realises what a mistake that was as soon as they get one and wish they had bought one sooner.

I'm not sure if you have a dust extractor yet but it is something you should be getting excited about. If you want to continue woodworking without one you are in the Dark Ages awaiting enlightenment. I would recommend the Midi as others have.

I'm not contradicting my previous advice as those two items are core essential items in almost anyone's setup and IMO Festool is the best option for both those purchases.

Did I mention dust extraction?

 

[altiplano]

I'd get a router first.

Yeah a track saw is great, but you've got saws that can do most of it until you want to go deeper.

If you want to get out of big box lumber you should also be looking jointer/planer early on.

 

[fdengel]

but biscuits are inferior to doweling IMHO, and doweling is cheaper anyway.

Granted, but the domino trumps both of them big-time once you can get your hands on one.

You will need the dust extractor either way, and you will eventually want both the track saw and the router (and one or more of the Festool sanders, and... and...), but at this stage of the game I'd also suggest the track saw; it is one of the most core components of the system.

 

[peter halle]

Personally I would advise you to take a look at the TS-55.  Your first purchase was the MFT/3 and when the track saw is used on the MFT you can get repeatable accurate crosscuts of cabinet size widths.  Any of the Festool routers can also use the MFT's track to produce accurate dadoes, but that usage isn't as widely illustrated here on the forum.

A track saw and a rail used away from the mft will produce a better cut than a circular saw up against a straight edge and will eliminate the need to calculate blade offsets which can assist in eliminating math errors.

Just my 2 cents.

Peter

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Good advice above.

Sheet goods and big box lumber will take you through the moldings and the shelves, maybe the vanities depending on the design.  Probably the TS55 and the dust extractor (get one - you owe it to your kids) would serve you well.  Parallel guides would make it easier.

By the time you get to the dressers and cabinets, you could make good use of joinery tools, e.g. a Domino and/or a router.  If you are looking to start using better hardwoods, you will need a joiner and a planer.  Festool doesn't make those, but you can usually find a good deal on craigslist.

Also, by the time you get to the casework (vanities, cabinets, dressers), you will need some good measuring and set-up tools, lots of clamps, and other basic hand tools.

Sounds exciting.  My best advice is to ask lots of questions!

 

[TulsaWood]

Thanks for all the feedback. 

You all have confirmed what I've been thinking the past week, after having a little time to play with the MFT.  It's great as a worktable, but the track saw would really help get the most out of that investment. 

I also cut some bigger sheet pieces on the table saw, and I can see how the TS55, or other track saw, would be an easier option, and provide better finished edges than I'm getting now.

Honestly, I could probably get by with the table saw, but I'm really just "wanting" to get more into this system now that I've dipped my big toe into the Festool pool.  (FesPool?)  I'm intrigued by the usefulness of the dust extraction, even though I'd never heard of it 4 weeks ago.

I do have a simple Kreg pocket hole jig, so I can use that for simple joining while I'm learning. 

As of now, I think this is the order:

• TS55 or similar track saw, with guides
• Midi DE
• Sander
• Domino/Router
• Router/Domino

Well, it's time to send flowers to my wife, then call an emergency family budget meeting.  Wish me luck.

EJ

 

[RKA]

Rope the tools into the budget and materials needed for each job. It's sounds silly but depending on how one looks at things, it could be easier to swallow if it's viewed as part of the job rather than a separate line item drawing away from the materials budget (or pocketbook budget).  . Good luck.

 

[peter halle]

Oh, by the way, as you are accumulating your tools, don't hesitate to check out the Refurbished sale and also the classifieds here.  You might be able to save a few $$$.  And also note that if you check the Festool USA website or the digital catalog there are discounts if you buy tools and a dust extractor together.

Peter

 

[fdengel]

Get the track saw and dust extractor at the same time to save 10% on the DE.

 

[waho6o9]

Maybe swap out the track and get the track

with the holes on your combo purchase mentioned

above.

 

[TulsaWood]

A quick update.

We went to a local shop to pick up baseboard, casing, and crown samples.  The older house we moved into this year is 3200 square feet, and all of the trim will be replaced. 

After talking through all the projects, my wife tells me I need to start getting all the tools we need to get started.  After explaining how well the Festool dust extraction works, she was sold!

So, my TS55 and Midi DE are on the way.  And I did get the "holy rail".

Thanks for all the help.  There are Many more questions  coming.  We've started painting the downstairs, and will shortly start switching out the door and window casings.  Followed by baseboards, the. crown. 

EJ

PS.  My wife is awesome!!