Table saw - CSC50 or TKS80

[Boski]

I'm looking at Table Saws and need some advice on what to buy.

I'm a hobbyist but always working on some kind of project. Recently I have done a wardrobe, flooring, skirting shelves, before that it was a lot of landscaping. So have a varied use case.

I really like the look of the CSC50 but the capacity is a bit off-putting so have been looking at the TSk80.

However, I am thinking to myself if I need that large a capacity, as have the TS60 and Kapex 120.

I do struggle with the smaller rips from trim, so the CSC50 does fit that use case, but on the other hand, it would be good to be able to rip sheets for an upcoming wardrobe with table saw accuracy.

Bit of a ramble and 'thinking out aloud', but what would you do in my shoes?

I also have the 1400 router, domino, ETS EC 150, Midi, and CSX18, for context

 

[squall_line]

Can we safely assume that you are not in North America, where the TKS80 is not available?  It's hard to make recommendations in this particular space without knowing your location, honestly, as the offerings on each side of the Atlantic are quite varied indeed.

 

[Boski]

Based in the UK bud

 

[AstroKeith]

I do have a table saw (non-festool) which I drag out of its corner for very specific jobs (ripping down thin pieces) but only perhaps twice a year.

What I use almost every day is my Kapex. Accuracy, convenience and dust collection all great.

About once a week I use my track saw. I have three tracks and can quickly cut up a full sheet of ply.

 

[tsmi243]

Don't write off a DeWalt unless you've tried one.  No finger detectors, but beyond that I can't imagine needing anything my 7491 doesn't have.

 

[woodferret]

TKS 80 unless you're space restricted to the point of having to tear it down every night.  If you're planing on doing really tiny stuff that needs the slider right up to the blade, then the CSC.  But you don't sound like you do.  I also don't think trying to do 500mm rips on the CSC would be that fun.  You're better off getting a reliable parallel guide for your TS60.

 

[Peter Kelly]

Check out the Mafell Erika range before you commit to anything. The legs on the TKS 80 seem a bit spindly which causes it to wiggle around somewhat. Might be annoying when cutting larger pieces of stock.

 

[bobtskutter]

I have a Dewalt DWE7492.  This is the only table saw I've ever owned.  I'm happy with it.

Regards
bob

 

[ElectricFeet]

I'm looking at Table Saws and need some advice on what to buy.

[…]

I really like the look of the CSC50 but the capacity is a bit off-putting so have been looking at the TSk80.

[…]

I recently replied to a PM from another poster, so I’m reposting some of the advice I gave them here, with a few modifications:

I would kill to have the space for your sawstop. And if I had had that space, I would have bought a saw with sawstop technology, rather than a CSC. If you need portability, the CSC would be a winner, though. As I have no space, it’s a really good choice for me.

Re the mitre track: no, it’s all totally non-standard and not even a round number in mm (wtf festool??). So other mitre gauges will not fit. I’m currently trying to thin down some material to run in the track myself but it’s really difficult to get an exact fit — on the CSC the mitre gauge is not meant to slide in the track, it’s meant to be clamped in the track with a lever (so that it is “as one” with the slider). So the runner is not the same size as the track and you can’t use the existing (clamp-able) runner to set the fence to cut a new (sliding) runner. And while Festool did a good job computerising the height/angle settings, setting the fence accurately is hit and miss.

[I eventually made these runners last night and they came out pretty well. I used a dial gauge temporarily stuck down with double sided tape to nudge the fence over.]

You can always make jigs for cutting small pieces on a big saw; not so easy to cut large pieces on a small saw. I would see a CSC as a big step down from a sawstop — both in terms of safety and in terms of adaptability / accessorizing. The components / blades / attachments on the CSC are all proprietary / strange sizes — just re-buying all the sawblades, because my TS55 blades don’t fit, was a pain.

If I were you, I’d wait to see the CSC close-up before buying it instead of a saw with sawstop technology. It really is a fantastic machine — I really love it — but it’s built to be portable / entry-level, not a “real” saw like the TKS80 or a sawstop.

Back to your use case: I wouldn’t want to build a wardrobe with a CSC SYS. You could, I guess, if you have a completely level floor and could set up infeed and outfeed rollers and add some side support too. Yeah, but no. The trim, by all means, yes, but for the rest, you’d be using your TS 60.

 

[Coen]

[...]
Bit of a ramble and 'thinking out aloud', but what would you do in my shoes?
[...]

If you have the space and don't need to be mobile, definitely not the CSC50.

But if you look at the TKS 80 it still misses a lot that the competition got in the last decades. Like the parallel guide that doesn't move parallel as one and comes optional for €300. The Dewalt 7492 has it included in the base saw, that is also 2.5 times cheaper (after buying a hose set for it) than the base TKS 80. And contrary to the TKS 80 it also already includes a table widener. That leaves plenty of money to buy a good 3rd party mitre fence for the Dewalt and a good hourly salary to fix it's sloppy T-track.

The Dewalt website will stay [excrement], but their table saw is pretty good.

If you add in the table widener and parallel fence... you should ask yourself if the Sawstop feature is worth €1k+ to you.

And if you do need to move it; the TKS 80 is 12 kg heavier than the Dewalt DWE 7492. For me, 26.5 kg is doable up stairs and above my head etc. With the 38.4 kg of the TKS 80... it would exceed 50% of my own body weight and it would seriously limit me in how far away from my body I can hold it.

The TKS 80 employs the same design for the parallel fence as the CS 50 does. I saw that one in person in the showroom and right then and there decided it wasn't worth half it's money. If you unlock it, then move it.. the other end is supposed to follow based on the stiffness of the front part. Compared to the geared track of the Dewalt parallel that is a huge downgrade.

The TKS 80 (with legs) does have the same 900mm table height as the MFT, CMS, CS 50, etc. That is definitely a bonus. But out of the box, compared to the DWE 7492 it loses on the parallel fence, the width capacity, weight and (by a lot) price. The Dewalt loses on it's absolutely crappy mitre fence, but there are easy fixes for that while there are no easy/cheap fixes to bring the TKS 80 to the same level on those other things. Besides the SawStop feature of course.

 

[Boski]

Thanks all for the responses, appreciate the feedback and advice.

Some serious food for thought here, I didn't even consider Dewalt, but looking at their saws they do offer a lot for the money.

I don't have loads of space and do need it to be mobile.

So I am thinking I have two options:

1: CSC50 and use the TS60 with guides for tbe bigger cuts

2: Get more bang for my buck and saw that can handle a lot more and go Dewalt.

Is the Saw you mentioned the flagship model and would you recommend Flexivolt or corded?

Do they play well with Festool extraction?

 

[Coen]

[...]

Is the Saw you mentioned the flagship model and would you recommend Flexivolt or corded?

Do they play well with Festool extraction?

They don't have many models, but it's their biggest table saw. That size isn't availble on battery. Especially when hobbyist... where do you even hobby without 230V?

On the dust extraction. See here;https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/connect-2-5'-1-5'-dust-ports-on-dewalt-table-saw-to-ct-36/msg519687/#msg519687

 

[Boski]

Thanks for the link.

I do a lot of work at my families houses, so need to lug my tools around.

240v isn't really a problem, but I do have some flexivolt batteries already, so thought its worth asking the question.

 

[mino]

Being a hobby user, between a CSC 50 and TKS 80 I would go all the way to the CSC 50 camp.

That said, if TKS 80-ish size was not a concern, the CS 50 can do most of what a CSC 50 can at a lower price.

At which point the Erikas of this world join the discussion as well .. the main advantage of the CSC being it is the only *truly* mobile saw from these.

Having the CSC 50, and needing something with a deeper cut, I would look at the HK 85. In Europe, that is a way better "cut depth upgrade path" than a TS 75 is - for a low-duty-cycle hobby user.

 

[Boski]

This may sound like a stupid question, but i recently did a wardrobe that was 2300mm.

Would I be able to run full length boards through the CSC50 for to produce smaller strips for infills?

I'm guessing I'll need to cut the board down first roughly using the track saw and then feed through, but will need some kind of support on the outfeed, like a another board on some saw horses.

I really want that CSC50, but the Dewalt seems to make more sense in terms of being able to cut all the boards down for a wardrobe rather than small strips.

 

[mino]

I would not consider a small (non-slider) table saw as anywhere close to being the optimal tool for precise-cutting 2 meter long boards.

That is -the- prime job for a track saw and parallel guides (if series production is needed).

(Ab) using a super precise tracksaw like the TS 60 for "rough-cutting" makes no sense in my view.

---
I am no pro, but after a couple weeks of playing around with my TSC 55 I was able to make a perfectly straight -and- perfectly placed 2 meter long cut even with one 1400 mm rail by moving the rail along the cut. That is, without two joined rails or a 3000 mm one and without parallel guides. Up to the point I discoveed the difference between Makita and Festool rails having a role (my Festool FS/2s were

 

[sancho57]

IMO It depends. I know thats not what your looking for but Ill give ya some critera I am going to use to determine whether go with the CSC50 or stay with my TS 75 module in my CMS.

CS50 would be good for you if you, have a track saw w a larger selection of rails as its main use would be for cutting thin / narrow strips It wouldnt be good for ripping sheet material ad wider things that the track saw would excell at. It is also very portable and you can use it anywhere on your property or home.

TKS80 is a table saw, yes you can move it around your property but it would take more of a effort. You can rip larger sheets and wider sheets of sheet goods.

I am sticking with my CMS TS75 module as my main table saw. I have so much invested in it, bought lots of accessories and have it set up in my shop,and it doesnt take much room.  It does everything I need/want.

If I need to relocate it closer to my home as I live on 1 1/4 acre Ill put it in the back of my trucks and set it up in my garage or patio so I dont have to walk far to the shop.

So not knowing what you actually plan on using it for or what tools you have like a track saw with various lengths of tracks, Shop size etc those are the things i would take in consideration.

But the CSC 50 does look pretty cool doesnt it. :>)

 

[ElectricFeet]

This may sound like a stupid question, but i recently did a wardrobe that was 2300mm.

Would I be able to run full length boards through the CSC50 for to produce smaller strips for infills?

I'm guessing I'll need to cut the board down first roughly using the track saw and then feed through, but will need some kind of support on the outfeed, like a another board on some saw horses.

I really want that CSC50, but the Dewalt seems to make more sense in terms of being able to cut all the boards down for a wardrobe rather than small strips.

The surface of the saw, with the table extended and the fence at its max distance from the blade — that is, the maximum support your material is resting on — is:

• 500mm wide, with 280mm between the fence and blade
• 440mm deep with around 180mm infeed (because you’re not using the slider for rip cuts like this, so can’t add the slider’s depth to the infeed)

View attachment 2
View attachment 1

As you rightly say, you’ll need a tracksaw to cut down the full sheets.

Re the strips:

When I was cutting my thin runners the other night, I started with a 1000 x 500 mm sheet of heavy uhmw plastic. I haven’t yet set up any outfeed support (and I don’t have the Festool trolley/table thing). After realising there was no way I could cut the strips directly from that piece as it was too unmanageable, I decided to first cut off a 100mm strip to work with. I still needed to get help to make that initial cut (“manual outfeed support”).

And even then, thin strips that dangle over the back can be pulled up easily by the back of the blade (even with the riving knife), so my bow featherboard was doing a lot of work (excellent product) to stop kickback.

(I need to bring my outfeed support project further up my todo list.)

For 2m+ strips? Rather than using saw horses for outfeed support, use them to support the material so you can use your tracksaw. Clamping the rail(s) to the material from underneath will give you good quality dead straight rips.

 

[Boski]

Some excellent responses, thanks for the advice.

 

[Boski]

Some excellent responses, thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the info and pictures, really useful.

I'm disappointed to hear it was so difficult to cut strips with the saw, do you think the Festool table would have helped?

It really does seem like with the restricted capacity, but also the new table this table saw is a floor fitter dream and maybe for small pieces / assembly, but even then its limited.

This maybe me being cynical, but has anyone watched the first two of Peter Millard videos on the CSC50 where he isn't too impressed and then the third one where he says it is great?.

People like Peter Millard and Peter Parfitt are extremely influential for the UK markets and their opinion could either make festool 100's of thousands over the years or the opposite, so for Festool to offer them an 'incentive' would surely be worth their while.

But I am just being cynical here and maybe thinking out loud, as this probably isn't the case.