Table or track saw - if you can only have one - which one it is?

[Kev]

One day someone is going to produce a compound mitre saw that swivels in a way that the head can present the blade parallel to it's back fence (with adjustable distance, depth, angle) ... imagine being able to use it like a safe upside down table saw  [big grin]

Even if you had to disconnect and reposition the head module in it's 90 degree opposed position - could be handy.

Then all you need is a router sticking up from below  [wink]  ... the Festool Super Combi ???

 

[JeromeM]

One day someone is going to produce a compound mitre saw that swivels in a way that the head can present the blade parallel to it's back fence (with adjustable distance, depth, angle) ... imagine being able to use it like a safe upside down table saw  [big grin]

Isn't that a a radial arm saw? [tongue]

 

[Kev]

One day someone is going to produce a compound mitre saw that swivels in a way that the head can present the blade parallel to it's back fence (with adjustable distance, depth, angle) ... imagine being able to use it like a safe upside down table saw  [big grin]

Isn't that a a radial arm saw? [tongue]

Many radial arm saws can rip and dado ... but they're bulky beasts!

My history isn't great here - isn't the radial arm saw DeWalt's claim to fame?

 

[rdesigns]

I vote for the table saw. I have had the TS55 for about 6 months, and it is a fine tool which you will no doubt want to buy sometime, but I recommend the table saw to start with.
You are like many of us who have to fit woodworking time into a busy schedule with many other demands, like wife and kids, etc, etc. Speed is what you will gain with the table saw so that you can better use the limited time available to you.
You can build a sliding crosscut table for the table saw to increase its capacity for crosscuts.
You'll have the cutting capacity of a 10" blade compared to 6-1/2".
You'll be able quickly and accurately dial in bevel angles.
Dados and rabbets are quick and easy with a table saw. (I prefer it over the router for most cuts of this type.)
The TS55 excels at breaking down sheet goods, but you already have that from your wood store.

Also, I compliment you on your enviable ability to write clearly in a language other than your native tongue.

 

[builderbob]

For me, it would be a tough choice. I don't have the space for a large cabinet saw or 30" fence any saw for that matter. I use the TS55 for breaking down sheet goods and I use a portable 16" fence dewalt table saw for narrower rips. You could always buy the table saw and use any circular saw with a shooting board to get zero clearance (on one side of the blade). On the other hand, the rails in the Festool system leave so many opportunities to use other tools accurately (routers, domino (creatively)).

I'm curious to see how you fare with this decision!

Bob

 

[Dan Clark]

Reiska,

I have a TS55 and a bunch of other Festool.  I've been looking around for a small table saw, like a Bosch or Dewalt.  Given your portability requirement, your table saw options  are limited.  Cabinet saws and larger contractor saws won't work. 

Here's a decent contractor saw: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005OQM6/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000022365&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=00ZBFJ778Q9PPYN8HQM5 .  It weighs 390lbs shipped.  Yes, you could probably break it down in pieces and lug it in and out, but I doubt you want that.

Something like the Bosch 4100 might work: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000S5S5CW/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000022365&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=00ZBFJ778Q9PPYN8HQM5 .  But with the rolling stand it's about 100lbs. That's fine if you always leave it on the stand and don't take it up and down stairs (it doesn't like stairs).  Otherwise, you'll need to go even smaller. 

One point to consider is infeed and outfeed space for a table saw.  If you're ripping a sheet of ply with a TS55, you need maybe 10-11 feet of space.  On a table saw, you need something like 18-20 feet of space. 

IMO, a small tablesaw like a Bosch or Dewalt, plus a Festool TS55 would be the best combo for you.

Regards,

Dan.

p.s. My constraints are somewhat different, but my space is limited and tools need to be stored away at the end of a weekend.  That's one of the attractions of Festool.

 

[JeromeM]

I have a very old "micro table" table saw. The table moves not the blade and there is no tilt I also have an Elu circular saw that can be fixed to a table. But I had to make a similar choice to yours. Upgrade to a nice table saw or go to a track saw. I decided that the track saw was the way to go. That was 4 years ago. If I was in the same position today I would make the same choice again.

With a table saw you can certainly make repetitive cuts more easly but you need much more space. Also unless you have a very big table there are quite a few cuts that would difficult or dangerous on a table saw. I don't want to move 2 metre pieces past a blade. With the reverse (track saw) that is simple.

 

[ScotF]

I have a large cabinet saw and a TS75/MFT-3 and the last two projects I have made I did with limited/no use of the TS -- this is for furniture --one desk and two cherry 5 shelf bookcases.  The Parallel Guides work surprisingly well and are very, very accurate once calibrated.  The cuts from the TS are very near glue ready and it was a breeze to cross-cut the big thick slabs for the tops of the bookcases and the 32 inch wide desktop with the TS75.  Having both types of saws, I have options.  But honestly the speed, flexibility and accuracy of Festool has greatly diminshed my need for the large cabinet saw.  In fact it has so much stuff on it now (clutter, furniture parts, etc...), it would take some time to clear everything off to be able to use it.  I am trying to make more and more without using it and seeing what my limitations are for what I do.  So far I have not come across any...maybe the speed of setting a rip fence vs. adjusting the guides is one big advantage, but so far I have been able to easliy replicate what I used to do on a tablesaw with my TS75 and other Festools. and having the dust collection and ability to store tools away in a small footprint is a real plus.  I may very well end up selling my cabinet saw at some point and regain all that space...what a treat that would be.  But I am also going to continue to build some other projects with just Festool and see how it goes.

Good luck with your choice, but it sounds like your space constraints and need to move tools in and out of locked storage would lend itself to the TS55/TS75 option.

Scot   

 

[RC]

Well, so I took another sip of coolaid and got me a new TS55 EBQ + FS1400/2 rail package off our local auction site... 

Thanks for all your comments - I'll be putting the saw through its paces next summer and see how well it fairs [thanks]

Now I just need to acquire a CT-VAC to go with it ... Hmm... CTL26 or 36 [tongue]

 

[Kev]

Well, so I took another sip of coolaid and got me a new TS55 EBQ + FS1400/2 rail package off our local auction site... 

Thanks for all your comments - I'll be putting the saw through its paces next summer and see how well it fairs [thanks]

Now I just need to acquire a CT-VAC to go with it ... Hmm... CTL26 or 36 [tongue]

Congrats on the new family member  [big grin]

Personally - go the 36 if it's staying local ... a lot of extra volume for a little more $'s.