small lumber

[EQUINOX400]

Of the saws in the Festool line, which one would you recommend for cutting (both ripping and crosscutting) small pieces of lumber, usually less than 12-15" in length. I have small lengths of cherry, maple and walnut in in 6" and 8"  widths that sometimes need to be reduced to 4". Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[tbellemare]

How thick?

Tom

 

[EQUINOX400]

Most of the pieces are 1/2" thick.

 

[John Stevens]

Of the saws in the Festool line, which one would you recommend for cutting (both ripping and crosscutting) small pieces of lumber, usually less than 12-15" in length. I have small lengths of cherry, maple and walnut in in 6" and 8"  widths that sometimes need to be reduced to 4". Any suggestions would be appreciated.

What are your criteria--accuracy, speed, dust collection, others?

Regards,

John

 

[irvin00]

Of the saws in the Festool line, which one would you recommend for cutting (both ripping and crosscutting) small pieces of lumber, usually less than 12-15" in length. I have small lengths of cherry, maple and walnut in in 6" and 8"  widths that sometimes need to be reduced to 4". Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Best tool for that would be a table saw, nothing Festool is optimized for that - yes, it can be done, but it's a pain in the neck.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Of the saws in the Festool line, which one would you recommend for cutting small pieces of lumber

That would be the CS 50.

Ok, I'm a jerk ......   [tongue]

But I guess the TS 55 with an 80 cm rail and a proper home made jig could also do the trick.

No idea why the other guys start asking you questions, it is not as if there's so much choice in Festool's saw line up these days, especially not in the US. You don't want a jigsaw for this so that only leaves the TS 55 or TS 75. The 75 is obviously too big.

But a table saw would be best suited for sawing small stock. If I were you, I'd look for some small portable table saw by DeWalt or Bosch.

 

[tbellemare]

I'd use the MFT and TS 55. It could require extra piece(s) for guide rail support.

Tom

 

[EQUINOX400]

My only criterium is accuracy. Dust collection and speed are not that important for me. I had thought that a small table saw would probably be the best solution, and that appears to be confirmed. I have the TS55 with the sled, but there are a lot of gymnastics involved getting it set up. I don't have a workshop and have to use the garage, which involves setting up and taking down, which gets to be a pain. Thanks to all who offered their expertise.

 

[justinmcf]

i agree with alex.

you need a tablesaw.

dewalt, bosch or makita would do the job beautifully.

justin.

 

[Mark]

I'd vote for the tablesaw and would lean towards the Bosch. I have the Festool Parallel Guides and have finally figured out a decent way to use them, BUT compared to how quickly I could have done the same operation on a table saw... I'm making drawer boxes... it would have been a lot faster. For the price of the parallel guides I might have put that towards  the Bosch. There is this window of material that is optimal for a tablesaw versus anything that we can get in NA.

IF you are going to use the MFT, you will have to put a stop at the end of the rail so that the blade doesn't push the material out from under the rail. You will also need to support the material laterally under the rail and since you are using 1/2" material you will also have to move the back stop away to get the rail to sit on top of the material.

You CAN certainly do it with Festool and achieve great results but if speed is your concern and you've got a lot to do... spend the money on a tablesaw.

 

[EQUINOX400]

I think the Bosch TS is the way to go and certainly appreciate everyone's suggestions.

 

[RONWEN]

I think the Bosch TS is the way to go and certainly appreciate everyone's suggestions.

I got my Bosch 4100 w/folding stand on sale for under $400.  If you go that way make yourself some zero clearance inserts & you can cut some very small, very thin work pieces safely.

 

[monte]

hmmm,
let's see.
since one tool for a job is never enough,,,,,,,,

take a look at this,
http://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/tablesaw.html

It's beautifully made to make very small lumber.
The Festool number 1systainer works very well as a temporary extention table.
And, I'm about to order his new tilting table addition.
(up till now it just made 90 degree deadly accurate cuts.)

Of course this may not be the everything saw your hopes are set on.
But, it's definitly the end game for what it does.

(I have his drum sander as well.)
Works beautifully for ripping veneer strips as well.
Great for model making, box making as well as model ship building.

.

 

[rmwarren]

Also check out the Micro Jig Gripper tool for tablesaws, I bought one after someone on the forum recommended it and I am a lot more comfortable cutting small stock on a table saw now.

[attachimg=#]

Toolnut has them here:

http://www.toolnut.com/Micro_Gripper_Gripper_100_Basic_System_p/gr-100b-fslash-y.htm

And they have a video of it in action also.

 

[RONWEN]

Also check out the Micro Jig Gripper tool for tablesaws, I bought one after someone on the forum recommended it and I am a lot more comfortable cutting small stock on a table saw now.

[attachimg=#]

Toolnut has them here:

http://www.toolnut.com/Micro_Gripper_Gripper_100_Basic_System_p/gr-100b-fslash-y.htm

And they have a video of it in action also.

I second that, anytime I'm working with smaller pieces I use mine.

 

[monte]

Also check out the Micro Jig Gripper tool for tablesaws, I bought one after someone on the forum recommended it and I am a lot more comfortable cutting small stock on a table saw now.

third that as well!
[big grin]

 

[Theshipstore]

I will tell you first hand as someone who took the tip of a pinkie on a shaper table , there is nothing like the Micro Gripper System. I now have two and I use them on the table saw and my shaping tables always now and I can't tell you how much safer it is.
Wish I had them earlier but inattention Will get you every time [doh]

Sal

 

[builderbob]

+1 for the Gripper!  I purchased one of them when I met Sal @ ToolNut and realized that I have two hands and one was not enough to continually feel safe while moving stock through my table saw & router table...I purchased the second one from Peachtree Woodworking at a great price and now I'm very comfortable...I can also cut repeat narrow rips...safely!

Bob

 

[rmwarren]

+1 for the Gripper!  I purchased one of them when I met Sal @ ToolNut

Bob - it was your review that got me to look at it in the first place, thanks for posting it.

RMW

 

[builderbob]

Ron...I totally forgot that I had made mention, but now I remember!  I'm glad I could help!

A cabinet company that I install for had an employee recently lose his pinky on a shaper as well and I recommended the Gripper to them as well...granted the guy was moving the piece of wood in a nonconventional way through the cutter, but this certainly could've saved a digit!

Bob