T55 Questions

[Steve F]

I am almost ready to take the TS55 plunge (no pun intended), but have two questions

1.  Is the TS55 intended primarily for 3/4 plywood, because I plan to use it for hardwood ranging from 4/4 to 8/4 thick?  My concern is whether I should seriously consider the TS75 instead because of the the power and depth limitations of the TS55.  On the other hand, I am concerned about the extra weight of the TS75.  I do this for fun, so I always want the tool that is the lightest, quickest to setup, and easiest to use.

2.  I need to be able to make accurate 90 degree cuts without an MFT.  I could buy a Dewalt T Track attachment, but wonder why Festool doesn't make something similar.  The only relevant Festool products are the Parallel Guide System and the Angle Unit.  But, the Parallel Guide System seems more appropriate for sheet goods and the price is a bit steep.  The Angle Unit is in the right price range, but is not really made for square cuts.  Am I better off with the Dewalt T Track?

Thanks

Steve

 

[sw1211]

Did you see this new product for 90 degree cuts?

 

[bionicus]

Festool has their 30-day guarantee so you could try the TS55 first and if you find it lacking trade up for the more powerful TS75. So far I've been really impressed with how my TS55 has handled demanding cuts but there's also been the odd instance where it might have been nice to tap into that extra power of the bigger saw.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I am almost ready to take the TS55 plunge (no pun intended), but have two questions

1.  Is the TS55 intended primarily for 3/4 plywood, because I plan to use it for hardwood ranging from 4/4 to 8/4 thick?  My concern is whether I should seriously consider the TS75 instead because of the the power and depth limitations of the TS55.  On the other hand, I am concerned about the extra weight of the TS75.  I do this for fun, so I always want the tool that is the lightest, quickest to setup, and easiest to use.

2.  I need to be able to make accurate 90 degree cuts without an MFT.  I could buy a Dewalt T Track attachment, but wonder why Festool doesn't make something similar.  The only relevant Festool products are the Parallel Guide System and the Angle Unit.  But, the Parallel Guide System seems more appropriate for sheet goods and the price is a bit steep.  The Angle Unit is in the right price range, but is not really made for square cuts.  Am I better off with the Dewalt T Track?

Thanks

Steve

Hi Steve, if your primary task is going to be cutting hardwood then the TS75 is going to be the better choice for you. I have the TS55 and it can cut 4/4" hardwoods but if that's what I did all the time I'd buy the 75. For cutting 8/4" hardwood the TS55 struggles. Don't put yourself through the frustration of have a tool that almost does what you what it to do.

As for a good 90 degree attachment for the guide rails, there aren't any, yet. The thread Steve-Co link is for a new Qwas product that is in production now, and will be shipping very soon. This is a great story, a member asked for a void in the track saw world to filled, and in about month a new product was born. If this new product works as I think it will, it should fit your needs perfectly. 

 

[Steve F]

Thanks,

I did see the QWAS rail fence a few days ago, but thought it was meant to be used with the MFT.  I re-read the information on their website and it seems that it can be used without the MFT.  I wonder why they didn't make it with a 45 degree option (instead of 30 and 60).

Is there a reason not to use the Festool Angle Unit to get consistent right angles?  Other than shop-made jigs, are people just using speed squares to get 90 degree cuts?

Steve 

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I wonder why they didn't make it with a 45 degree option (instead of 30 and 60).

These angles were actually requested, as you can easily use the MFT holes to achieve 45 degree angle setups.  But, that does implicitly require that one has a MFT...

Is there a reason not to use the Festool Angle Unit to get consistent right angles?  Other than shop-made jigs, are people just using speed squares to get 90 degree cuts?

Many people were complaining about the fact that the angle unit doesn't hold its setting very well.  The Qwas square started as a discussion thread about how people have modified their angle unit, or created something new in order to quickly setup cross-cuts with a guide rail.  Some people do use a speed square, rafter square, WP triangle, etc..

 

[Qwas]

Thanks Wood Junkie, you answered that nicely.

The 45 degree option was looked at but it takes up too much rail space and the unit is kind of bulky and awkward to use. I decided we only needed as wide as the space used by the saw sitting on the rail and looked into that. It was close to the 30/60 degree and I decided to go that path.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Thanks Wood Junkie, you answered that nicely.

The 45 degree option was looked at but it takes up too much rail space and the unit is kind of bulky and awkward to use. I decided we only needed as wide as the space used by the saw sitting on the rail and looked into that. It was close to the 30/60 degree and I decided to go that path.

I would have preferred to knock off the point of the triangle and have be a 45 but hay, I'll take it as is.

 

[allen r austin]

take the 75-
you can cut small work with the bigger saw
but you can not cut real big wood with the smaller saw
the first cut i made with the 55 was 1/4 short
thanks
Allen