Table saw rip capacity vs. Festool plunge

[fcraven]

My table saw has Looooonnnnngggggg rails. On any given day I can have a little over 50" rip capacity to the right (or 59" to the left) The only motivation, of which I can think, to have such capacity on a table saw comes from sheet goods, and the desire to crosscut a 4x8 sheet of plywood in half. I don't think I've ever used the rails for that, and normally they are mounted in the center with 25ish inches to both the left and right of the blade.

I never cared to cross cut anything that big on my table saw and now that I have a TS55, I'm thinking of amputating some of my rails so that I have a normal 25-30" capacity to the right. In theory this should be more then enough, my table saw's foot print will be reduced, and moving it around will be easier. If I want, or need, to tip the blade away from the fence, I can still move it to the left side of the blade (which I often do).

So, assuming that YOU have a Festool plunge saw, how has your use of your table saw changed in regards to needing a 50" fence? My theory is that with a TS55, and a guide, I no longer need to pretend to be Norm, when I can more safely set the pink stuff on the garage floor, and cut the plywood on the pink stuff... by the way, I need to post about my first experience doing just that...

 

[ROb McGilp]

Hi,
I am probably the exception to the rule, (though I know one other person who's TS use has greatly reduced) but I now don't use my TS at all. I have a TS75 which gives me about 70mm cut depth when using the rail and I can happily cut lengths up to at least 3 metres. In addition and more importantly, I feel much safer.

Albert

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Actually, I use the 30-50 inch section of my ts extension a lot - to store push sticks, splitters, stops ,etc.  Haven't used it to hold a workpiece at all since I got the TS55.

 

[mastercabman]

one of the reason i got my festool saw is because i don't have a ts with 52" capacity.i do have access to one, but since i got the ts55,i don't even bother with it.also,i sometime have a hard time cross cutting sheets by myself (trying to push the sheet and making sure it is against the fence,and watching your fingers,all at the same time).                i also use Styrofoam sheet for cutting,but mine is blue

 

[Lou Miller]

Okay, I'll be the one to buck the trend here. I love my TS55, but I still prefer using my tablesaw. I frequently use the full length of my 52" rails on my saw. Maybe its the setup I have, but I find ripping and cross cutting sheet goods to be easier, and much much faster on the tablesaw. I don't have any problem moving full sheets around by myself though.

At my old house, my shop was much more narrow in width. I cut the rails down on a Unisaw I had back then from 52" to 36". I can't tell you how many times I wished I hadn't done that. I've since replaced that saw and cutting the rails down again is something I would never consider doing.

 

[Overtime]

My TS55 is still new to me along with the MFT - a few test cuts and a small project so it is still just a nice circular saw.    Got it - and a long rail primarily to brake down sheet goods in the garage before huffing them down to the basement shop. And for the rare job site use. I have a cabinet saw with long rails in a large shop so space is not an issue. I'm a lucky guy, so many choices.
    My first thought for most cuts is always the table saw, 1" or 50", especially for sheet goods.  I actually keep the extension table clear so the fence can be used to the max if needed at any time. Don't have to move a pile of last project's stuff off the table to cut a sheet in 1/2. I have thought about cutting the rails down but I quickly snapped out of it. I don't want to be dependant on a circular saw. I want it to compliment my shop and to be there when needed. But I don't see it as the "go to" saw. But I do see that it is fully capable of doing just that.
  I think about the safety of the cut and proceed with due caution. Proper alignment and a riving knife sure helps. Board Buddies are nice too. I love having the capacity to make large cuts and would not give it up. If you have space - have an outfeed table and or rollers and better still - have a helper, then I think the table saw is far more convenient and faster.
  An example of a cut where you have a choice - the 55 or a table saw w/ long rails....  You are cutting the back of a book case - sheet goods 1/2" ply of some sort.  You have a piece of ply on hand that is 32" X 60" and the final dimension is to be 30" X 47" for the back of a book case.??  ....  Go directly to the tablesaw and do not pass go.
   
   
 
         

 

[pakkmule]

Amputate Yes, Exterminate No.  I use the 75 to size and then you are much quicker in sizing cabinet sides 24-30" or so on the Table Saw.  I am a Unisaw owner, and frankly, I too considered selling it (one of the last American Made Unisaw)...but I just couldn't do it.  So, as a gentleman posted before me, it is a great work area from 30 inches out...LOL. 

There is no better system than using the Festool saws in conjunction with the tablesaw.  Lets face it, ripping 10 foot sticks into 2-8" stock is a pain with a Festool saw.  So, amputate, and not exterminate! 

pakkmule

 

[Tinker]

I am in the group who use the TS as a storage surface. (along with every other available horizontal surface)  I also use it as an assembly surface, in much the same way as I do the MFT, by using the fence and miter square to square up.  If the MFT is being used for the purpose, then I do all of my cutting on the TS.  It is also much quicker ripping short and/or narrow pieces on the TS.  Sometimes, both TS and MFT 1080 are in use as assembly/glueup areas, at which point I move my cutting operation to horses, WorkMates or MFT 800.  Any available horizontal surface that can be worked over with my AFT 55, even on outside concrete deck with lumber scraps under.
I might, at some point, decide to part with my TS, but never with my AFT 55, unless replacing with the Festool TS 55 or 75.
Tinker

 

[Jeff Magnus]

I would imagine the Plunge and TS dilemma is quite a pain for all you shop guys. But for us in the field the Plunge has totally replaced the TS, for me anyhow. Safer, easier, cleaner, and more precise then any site TS setup Ive ever come across. Sheetgoods are milled with amazing speeds now by one man, versus the old, "Hey buddy could you help me rip these 12 sheets real quick  ". I am also a rigid foam user with the Plunge. If any planning, routing or sanding is needed I simply add some "DomiDogs" to the sacrificial sheet of 3/4.

 

[ROb McGilp]

Hi all,

I didn't make clear that I don't use very much sheeting at all, all solid timber, but what sheeting I have cut for the backs of chests etc using ply or MDF are just a breeze with the TS75. The edges are so clean and the cuts effortess.
Jeff, I also wanted to say that it's great to see an idea put forward by one person providing a benefit for someone esle. I'm sure Tezzer will be like a cat with two tails. ;D

Regards,

Albiert (German)

 

[Ted Miller]

I'm like Lou, (no relation) my 12" Table Saw has 7' rails and is the workhorse of my shop then my 12" jointer is second. I have quite a few TS jigs I use but I use the TS75/55 for ripping down full sheets. My lower back is tired of lifting 49x97 3/4" MDF is not fun on the TS...

 

[Loren Hedahl]

I still have a contractor table saw.  I removed the side extensions and cut the rip guide rail to the width of the saw body.  I also made a plywood top for use as an extra workbench.

Since it's on casters, it is normally parked out of the way, but gets pulled out for ripping narrow boards and only in good weather out to the drive way because I don't let it dust up my shop any more.

So to answer the question, my table saw rip capacity is about 9 inches.

Loren

 

[HowardH]

I learned this weekend the value of using the guiderails and the TS55 to rip sheet stock.  I was building the door to finish off my sysport (many thanks to Sroxberg as I built his design) and I was using 3/4 melamine.  A piece 60" x 48" was simply too big for me to handle safely and accurately on my toy BT-3100 saw.  It cut very nicely on the floor using stickers underneath.  Unfortunately, my local Woodcraft didn't have two connectors in stock so I use my 1400/2 and 1080/2 together.  They had "1" connector in stock!  Who in the hell would buy only 1 connector? - but I digress.  I left a smidge over what I really needed, cut using the 1400 and then tried my best to reset the rail on the end I couldn't quite finish off the first time.  Got it close enough but not perfect so I was able to then handle the newly ripped piece on my TS to finish it off.  I can always see the need for a GOOD TS.  It was much easier ripping a series of BB ply drawer sides using the TS.  A PM2000 or SS is definitely in my future.  BTW, Fred, I'm not surprised by the length of your rails.  You have a habit of doing everything large!  ;D

 

[Joe Jensen]

My table saw has Looooonnnnngggggg rails. On any given day I can have a little over 50" rip capacity to the right (or 59" to the left) The only motivation, of which I can think, to have such capacity on a table saw comes from sheet goods, and the desire to crosscut a 4x8 sheet of plywood in half. I don't think I've ever used the rails for that, and normally they are mounted in the center with 25ish inches to both the left and right of the blade.

I never cared to cross cut anything that big on my table saw and now that I have a TS55, I'm thinking of amputating some of my rails so that I have a normal 25-30" capacity to the right. In theory this should be more then enough, my table saw's foot print will be reduced, and moving it around will be easier. If I want, or need, to tip the blade away from the fence, I can still move it to the left side of the blade (which I often do).

So, assuming that YOU have a Festool plunge saw, how has your use of your table saw changed in regards to needing a 50" fence? My theory is that with a TS55, and a guide, I no longer need to pretend to be Norm, when I can more safely set the pink stuff on the garage floor, and cut the plywood on the pink stuff... by the way, I need to post about my first experience doing just that...

I may need some lessons.  I'm still not comfortable that rips will be as parallel with the TS75 as with my Tablesaw.  I still just use the TS75 for breaking down sheet good into manageable chunks.

How do you all make sure that the guide is perfectly aligned? I'm only 45, I didin't think my eyes were that bad...joe

 

[Programmergeek]

I don't have a full size table saw I only have the Dewalt contractor saw but the ts55 is much safer that was one of my reasons for getting it.  The table saw alwas scared me a little, which is a good thing.  Kickback is a thing of the past. 

 

[Loren Hedahl]

I may need some lessons.  I'm still not comfortable that rips will be as parallel with the TS75 as with my Tablesaw.  I still just use the TS75 for breaking down sheet good into manageable chunks.

How do you all make sure that the guide is perfectly aligned? I'm only 45, I didin't think my eyes were that bad...joe

Use two sliding combination squares, for example.  Set one to the exact rip dimension, then set the second one to the first.  Use them to position your guide.

You've only got one?  Set it to the dimension.  Insteading of marking your stock stick a razor blade into the wood at the end of the square.  Repeat for the other end.  Slide your guide to the razor blades.

I take no credit for these ideas.  They came from that clever guy, John Lucas, on Wood Shop Demos.  His web site is an education in itself.

Loren

 

[Michael Kellough]

Insteading of marking your stock stick a razor blade into the wood at the end of the square.  Repeat for the other end.  Slide your guide to the razor blades.

This works great until the rubber strip wears back, then you need the extra combination square to set against the back side of the guide rail, until someone comes up with a better method.

 

[woodshopdemos]

Loren, thanks for the credits. I am glad you are able to use some of the ideas.

As to my Unisaw with 55" rails and a TS III, I haven't used it in about 8 months. Yesterday when Elena, Andrea and I were in shop and cleaning, Ilena asked me what that machine was under all the stuff. I thought she was pulling my leg about the "junk." She was serious. In all the time she has been here, we have yet to use the saw.

 

[mysterium]

John,

You do realize you are driving us crazy......

"Yesterday when Elena, Andrea and I were in shop and cleaning...."

Not only do you have one beuatiful women in the shop at all times ..... but they come in pairs!!! And they clean!!!!!

Only other person I can think of with a shop was Pablo Picaso who had women wanting to "clean" his shop...

John Lucas the "Pablo Picaso" of the wood medium... er ah the Woodshop

Nice gig John....