Should I sell and upgrade to the TS60 (from TS75 and TS55)?

[petar73]

Ts60 has 1.8mm blade and I would not choose it over ts75 for solid wood.

Why not?

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I prefer thicker and stiffer blades with solid wood, personal preference.

 

[Cheese]

It also has a thinner blade so more power and less kerf waste. 

If someone says a TS60 doesn't have the depth capacity (62mm) to cut an average wood slab that's a deal breaker for me.  That's 13mm difference.  Over a cm.

The thinner blade is a welcome addition when using the dust bag. When I use the saw outside, I use the dust bag and it doesn't need to be emptied nearly as often.

The 62 mm is when used off the rail...57 mm when used on the rail.

 

[serge0n]

That was my dilemma as well and I have decided to keep TS55 and TS75.
I upgraded my older TSC55 to use new 1.8 mm blades, so now the saw matches in "power" to the newest K version. I put power in quotes because essentially both saws have the same motor, same speed and same torque. The only difference is blade thickness. But I digress.

TS75 allows you to cut slabs and thicker lumber. TS60 can theoretically only handle up to 9/4 lumber (57 mm max cut depth on track). I recently made a giant walnut table for a friend with the top built out of 10/4 walnut. It was massive. Running this table top through a table saw was not an option. My only option for cutting it was TS75 or a beam saw (which I didn't have) with a straight edge.

I rarely use my TS75, but when I do, there is no substitute. Sure, you can use a shallower cutting saw and finish the cut by hand using a pull saw. But that takes much longer. And you always run the risk of splintering/messing up the edge a bit. Nothing that can't be fixed, but again, it's extra work.

I use TSC55 all the time for sheet goods and thinner (7/4 or less) lumber. It's lighter, not as bulky and thinner kerf blade makes a lot of difference in dust collection. I get way less dust when jointing an edge. To me, TSC55 + TS75 is a perfect combo.
I would keep both unless space is at absolute premium and storing 2 huge systainers creates more problems.

My only complaint about TS75 is that it's not cordless. Recently, Makita had a deal for their 40v 10 1/4" saw plus battery and charger for $340. That was less than a corded Makita 10 1/4" saw! Cut capacity is 95 mm. I got it, but didn't have a chance to use it with a straight edge yet to compare performance to TS75 and decide if it can be a replacement. Makita also sells a version of their 10 1/4" saw that is track capable. But it's priced at $650 for a bare tool...

Using HK rails with TS60 seems to be awkward, the saw is heavier and bulkier than an HK saw. Sure, it's a nice feature, but how often would you use it instead of using a miter saw or your PCS with a miter gauge?

 

[ChuckM]

When I sold my TS75 several years ago, the concern that "one day" I might need it did flash across my mind, but that one day has never come.

There's a simple solution if my SawStop PCS can't handle a big heavy stock: my circular saw (which has about 2-1/2" cutting capacity) and a shop-made straight edge. Even that Craftsman circular saw hasn't seen much use for the past two decades, but then the circular saw, even it's mostly idle, cost me just $50, not $1,500!

 

[ScoFF]

That was my dilemma as well and I have decided to keep TS55 and TS75.
I upgraded my older TSC55 to use new 1.8 mm blades, so now the saw matches in "power" to the newest K version. I put power in quotes because essentially both saws have the same motor, same speed and same torque. The only difference is blade thickness. But I digress.

Very helpful answer.  I think I’ll keep the ts75 and keep the 55req unless I come into some play money then I’ll sell the 55 and get the 60 if I think I need it. 

How did you upgrade your 55 to thin kerf?    Does your saw have a full kerf roving knife that wouldn’t match the thin kerf blade ?

 

[serge0n]

That was my dilemma as well and I have decided to keep TS55 and TS75.
I upgraded my older TSC55 to use new 1.8 mm blades, so now the saw matches in "power" to the newest K version. I put power in quotes because essentially both saws have the same motor, same speed and same torque. The only difference is blade thickness. But I digress.

Very helpful answer.  I think I’ll keep the ts75 and keep the 55req unless I come into some play money then I’ll sell the 55 and get the 60 if I think I need it. 

How did you upgrade your 55 to thin kerf?    Does your saw have a full kerf roving knife that wouldnt match the thin kerf blade ?

Here is my topic on upgrading an old 55 to thin kerf:https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...ep-tsc-55-k-or-upgrade-tsc-55-r-to-thin-kerf/

Riving knife I installed is also 1.8 mm.

 

[Coen]

[member=50918]serge0n[/member] ; oh nice. I somehow missed that topic.

[...]
Using HK rails with TS60 seems to be awkward, the saw is heavier and bulkier than an HK saw. Sure, it's a nice feature, but how often would you use it instead of using a miter saw or your PCS with a miter gauge?

It's not heavier nor bulkier than the HK 85.

Well, I thought the same thing... but then it's easier to move an HK 85 in box than it is to lug around a mitre saw. Then on location it's also easier to move the HK 85 to an oversized beam than it is to move the beam to the mitre saw...

 

[serge0n]

[member=8955]Coen[/member]

It is heavier than HK 55. 85 is NAINA.

If you are doing carpentry, HK is a great saw. I don't see a place for it in a woodworking shop though. Maybe batch cutting a lot of wide panels at an angle.

 

[sancho57]

it depends if what you got does what you need why buy something else.

But then you can sell your existing saws and buy the new one, maybe have money left over for a blade ot 2.

Also depends if your one of those guys that have to have the latest and greatest.

I would say I can sell both saws (without rails), keep my rails, it will pay off the TS60 and possibly the set with a 55" track, I might have to kick in the tax.

I don't need the lighter TS55 being lighter and more handy, it's just a nice to have.  I wouldn't mind condensing the two large systainer tools to 1.  I'd like a single large capacity saw capable of cutting the max of what a tracksaw can do so 75mm but 60 might be close enough, not sure.    If I ever slice a live edge slab in half I'll definitely be using a track saw and not sure if the 60mm would be enough or I should keep the TS75 for that.    That's what I'm wondering.      It also has a thinner blade so more power and less kerf waste. 

Also, the TS60 can go on the FSK rails, if I ever want that functionality.   

If someone says a TS60 doesn't have the depth capacity (62mm) to cut an average wood slab that's a deal breaker for me.  That's 13mm difference.  Over a cm.

ive cut mesquite live slabs with my TSC 55. Beauty of using a rail. Make the first pass using a rail then flip the slab over set up the rail make the second cut on the underside.
If I need to joint it the 850 planer is great

 

[ScoFF]

I probably did a spontaneous and unwise decision.  I got the TS55 feq and rail set from the recon site and put my 55 req up for sale locally. And I’m keeping my ts75 for when I need depth.   
I know I could have just probably modded my req to accept thin kerf but I thought the mod plus the new blades might be similar to what my recon price would be after my sale plus I needed a 55” rail.  At least now I’ll have a more upgraded saw with the feq tag.

 

[squall_line]

I probably did a spontaneous and unwise decision.  I got the TS55 feq and rail set from the recon site and put my 55 req up for sale locally. And I’m keeping my ts75 for when I need depth.   
I know I could have just probably modded my req to accept thin kerf but I thought the mod plus the new blades might be similar to what my recon price would be after my sale plus I needed a 55” rail.  At least now I’ll have a more upgraded saw with the feq tag.

That's not a horrible option.

I'm surprised Festool is shipping the saw across the border, honestly.

 

[ScoFF]

I have it shipped to a place in New York just across the border 45min drive from me in Ottawa.