Track Saw or Table Saw

[pugilato]

+1 on that

 

[Rocky]

It's just my opinion, but a small table saw is a total waste of money. You don't get the flexibility of a track saw and you don't get the accuracy of a solid table saw.

The Sawstop Professional is a great tool and the Industrial model is incredible. Sawstop not only provides the instant stop, no cut feature, but also provides awesome quality.  The more I use my Industrial Sawstop, the more I'm impressed with its features and quality. If Festool made a full size table saw, it would look like a Sawstop.

Some people don't have space for a full size table saw.

 

[jacko9]

It's just my opinion, but a small table saw is a total waste of money. You don't get the flexibility of a track saw and you don't get the accuracy of a solid table saw.

The Sawstop Professional is a great tool and the Industrial model is incredible. Sawstop not only provides the instant stop, no cut feature, but also provides awesome quality.  The more I use my Industrial Sawstop, the more I'm impressed with its features and quality. If Festool made a full size table saw, it would look like a Sawstop.

Some people don't have space for a full size table saw.

If you have a track saw for sheet goods, a cabinet table saw is not that large of a footprint size wise.  If your going to get into woodworking like cabinet making or furniture making you need to have some space for a shop.  I remember when some folks thought a "Shop Smith" would do everything by itself [wink]

Jack

 

[skids]

It's just my opinion, but a small table saw is a total waste of money. You don't get the flexibility of a track saw and you don't get the accuracy of a solid table saw.

The Sawstop Professional is a great tool and the Industrial model is incredible. Sawstop not only provides the instant stop, no cut feature, but also provides awesome quality.  The more I use my Industrial Sawstop, the more I'm impressed with its features and quality. If Festool made a full size table saw, it would look like a Sawstop.

Some people don't have space for a full size table saw.

If you have a track saw for sheet goods, a cabinet table saw is not that large of a footprint size wise.  If your going to get into woodworking like cabinet making or furniture making you need to have some space for a shop.  I remember when some folks thought a "Shop Smith" would do everything by itself [wink]

Jack

I have a fold up table saw, Bosch 4100..I threw a Forrest blade on it and a ZCI, taped up a few holes here and there and put my CT on it. I get excellent results from that saw. It's far from a cabinet saw, and far from the footprint and expense of a cabinet saw, and I can't for the life of me imagine how a cabinet saw at three times the price will give me that much better results.

I have limited space, and fold up equipment that can travel has always been important. As I delve into more built ins and cabinet type work, we'll see if that was a bad idea. So far, Festool has served those needs with aplomb accuracy.

 

[Rocky]

That's what I was saying.  A small contractor type saw would do just fine for the small stuff.

 

[Samo]

If Sawstop ( Or Festool ) made a truly portable Table Saw, with dust collection and a well designed riving knife/guard assembly, I'd be all over it at three times the price of the current POS offerings.   [cool]

 

[ScotF]

Track saw for breaking down sheet goods and Table saw for ripping down dimensional lumber.  [wink]

I would add straight line ripping to the track saw list of tasks.

Scot

 

[Kev]

My acquisition sequence if I did it all again would be track saw, MFT/3, KAPEX, Bandsaw, table saw.

But as some have said - it's projects driven, but also heart inspired.

Sometimes you should just get the thing you think will make you happy !

Welcome to the FOG ... how appropriate that is [wink]

 

[Birdhunter]

I'd be cautious about using a small table saw. If the fence doesn't stay parallel to the blade or if the table flexes in the middle of a cut, binding and kick-back is a real possibility. Low power saws can bog down in the middle of a cut and create a safety issue.

My table saw for 25 years was a Delta Unisaw on rollers. Not a big footprint. There are really good Unisaws (older models are far better than the new models) on the used US market for less than $500.

My gut reaction is if, for whatever reason, you can't buy a good table saw, then don't buy any table saw.

 

[skids]

I'd be cautious about using a small table saw. If the fence doesn't stay parallel to the blade or if the table flexes in the middle of a cut, binding and kick-back is a real possibility. Low power saws can bog down in the middle of a cut and create a safety issue.

My table saw for 25 years was a Delta Unisaw on rollers. Not a big footprint. There are really good Unisaws (older models are far better than the new models) on the used US market for less than $500.

My gut reaction is if, for whatever reason, you can't buy a good table saw, then don't buy any table saw.

I agree with this, but also feel differently to some extent..It's always nice to have the better tool..But I have a close friend who's a finish carpenter, million $ + custom homes only. His skills are about the best I have seen for finish work. You need ZERO caulk when he puts something together. He uses a crappy, and I mean crappy (and old) jobsite saw, with a crappy fence, crappy power. It makes me laugh when he pulls it out, and when I use it and go back to my Bosch, it feels like a cabinet saw. Regardless, his results are impecable.

I think for someone, like me whos skill ranking in carpentry overall is advanced amateur, this is great advice. Although I believe building skills is more important than building a tool collection, it's very much about the tool for me as well- Festool has made it easier for me to learn, and improve skills to some extent, and have a boatload of fun. But...For those who have skills, in the field all the time and know how to manipulate the material they work with because they can do it in their sleep it becomes much less about the quality and tolerances of the tool. It's just second nature, and more about whatever gets it done to get paid. At least the contractors I know in my region tend to think this way. Not all, but alot. 

If a cabinet saw were an option I might spring for one in a large shop, but I feel like I do pretty darn well with Festool and my gravity-rise TS. And I know few remodler-types who own large Table Saws in their home shops. I really think this argument for one or the other resonates more with folks who primarily make Funiture and Cabinets.

So in the case of the OP posted, I vote small table saw.

 

[Rocky]

I agree with you Skids.  I'm just a hobbyist, just doing this to pass time and not to make any money from this.  There is no need for the large equipment.  I remember my father who was a carpenter for 40 years and he never had a table saw, always used a skil or hand saw.

 

[peter halle]

One thing you didn't mention is whether or not you have a permanent home for your work area.  If you have a smaller area then a large table saw might make the area less useable.  And as you have stated, there are some operations that just aren't enjoyable or necessarily safe with a table saw.  That situation exists will almost all tools.  I guess is that is why there are all sorts of tools.

Portable table saws have made great improvements in the past 10 years - if you spend the money to get up above the DIY models.  To do so would have you spending roughly $500 and up.  At this price range you get improved fence located and locating features as well as more easily utilized blade guards s Irving knives / splitters / anti kickback cauls.

The track saws and the Festool system helps to maximize a small space and with it's inherent portability can make storage easier.  Although there are work arounds, ripping  2 1/2 " pieces out of  a 1 x 4 is not the strong point of the system.  Especially if you need to cut 16.  But if you need to cut down sheet goods and start with a 4 x 8 sheet the Festool system will allow you to do that in much smaller area, more safely, and generally with less mess to clean up.

The MFT/3 certainly helps (IMO) make the argument stronger for the Festool system because it adds some speed and accuracy to the equation and in combination with a router can make dados on larger pieces easier and faster.  For instance take a 6 foot bookshelf side for the shop where you wanted the shelves dadoed into the sides.  Handling that 6 ' piece with the Festool system will be a lot more enjoyable than on a table saw.

Since converting over to Festool in the last 7 years I find that my Dewalt portable saw doesn't get used much.  It used to travEl everyday, but now it might be used an hour a month - and only if I can't do a work around.

Sorry for the long post.

Peter

 

[ShawnRussell]

@Madlee,

I would answer your question with a question: What are the reasons that you are comparing one over the other? Is it space, cost, safety, dust?

I am somewhat in the same position as you. I am asking the same question but instead of buying one or the other I have both and I am considering getting rid of my table saw. I have a Delta Unisaw which is a great tool and I love using it, but I am moving to a smaller space and question the need of using a large footprint for a tool that I might can do without.

If space and cost is not an issue, I would keep both tools. The shear number of jigs that you can use on a table saw just makes it an awesome tool. For ever cut I do not want to make on the table saw the track saw fills that need. I have done dado cuts with my track saw, I can make repeat rip cuts with the track saw(get the parallel guide) better than a table saw, it is portable and can do plunge cuts.

If cost is the factor I would stick with just my track saw and buy some hand tools. This is the route I am moving towards. On the flip side, you could argue that by the time you factor in accessories the cost of a TS saw is about the same as a quality cabinet saw. And if you plan on buying Lee Valley/Lie Nielsen tools then your costs can easily far exceed a cabinet table saw.

I am speaking from a newbie perspective on safety. I personally think knowledge and a sliding table saw is safer than any other cabinet saw(yes looking at you sawstop). I would also think the track saw wins out over all other cabinet saws as well.

And dust control, that one is a no brainer. A Festool track saw wins hands down.

Overall, I am leaning more towards moving the table saw out. I have tracked how much I use the table saw vs my track saw in the last 30 days and the track saw wins by a ratio of almost 6:1. The table saw racked up a lot of time when I need to make an abundance of rip cuts in thick material quickly. If it were not for that project the ratio would have been closer to 9:1.

for perspective, I am a hobbyist who works on mostly light construction projects. I am moving towards doing built-ins and some real furniture.

 

[Kev]

It's such a shame that the CMS for the track saws and the Precisio aren't available it the US !

As I've mentioned before I've gone round in circles many times on this.

Very good advice prior on space - a big table saw needs lots of room.

My tool shop showed me a very nice new METABO portable the other day ... quite solid and relatively reasonably priced. If I didn't have Festool options I could be tempted.

 

[pugilato]

Gee, I wonder if I should feel inadequate for not owning a Unisaw or Sawstop... I have a Bosch 4109 with a gravity stand and it is a very good piece of equipment. Cost about $500 new, the fence is good, it does not warp and so on. The blade it came with was pretty poor, but that was taken care of long ago.  I used to use it a lot more until I got my Festools, but it is no less valuable to me for other things. I have learned that the MFT is a good outfeed table when ripping long pieces.

The best piece of advice I can offer of which and in what order is to look at what you are going to build with the equipment. If cabinets, TS55, hands down. If decorative boxes, the table saw. This might be a sterile discussion if our friends at Festool would just make the tablesaw adapter for the TS55 on this side of the water.

 

[electricald]

Hello Madlee,
I am brand new just like you. I have used those small table saws that don't have enough power and trying to do anything with sheet goods is a pita. So, my first purchase of the Festool line was the TS 55 plunge cut saw. It comes with a 55" rail and I bought another rail as you need two for breaking down sheet goods. Of course you need the 55" (or 1400mm) rails as you want to extend beyond the length and width of the 4 X 8 sheets. You will also need two connectors to join the two rails and then get two quick clamps or as they are commonly called ratchet clamps. Do that, and I promise you, you will not regret it. I ripped 1x5x8 clear pine for the furring on my windows with the TS 55 and I just posted this on a recent thread. I did not sand it, plane it, or have to shape it after. And I even used the 55 to crosscut the pine after. That is the only tool I used to do this. Have a look at the picture. It's coming from my I pad so it's rotated 90 degrees (a fault with I pads and I phones; would not be a problem if Festool made them, Ha!). When I ripped the pine and showed my neighbours, they were amazed.

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Festool is quality, FULL STOP!

Regards,
Dan

 

[Samo]

It's such a shame that the CMS for the track saws and the Precisio aren't available it the US !

As I've mentioned before I've gone round in circles many times on this.

Very good advice prior on space - a big table saw needs lots of room.

My tool shop showed me a very nice new METABO portable the other day ... quite solid and relatively reasonably priced. If I didn't have Festool options I could be tempted.

I'd like a Precisio with a blade braking system for the US.  They are probably going to make them a required safety feature here soon.

[eek]

 

[ShawnRussell]

Not at all. I bought my Unisaw(2004 model) for 700 bucks. About 2-3 years ago cabinet and woodworking shops were going belly up like the housing bust. If you were willing to drive an hour or two up into the Carolinas, Tennessee, and NE Georgia you could buy heavy equipment for 20-30 cents on the dollar of what someone paid new.

If, I had the space, time, and knowledge I would buy the old iron from 1948 and earlier. I would have a shop of nothing but restored Oliver machines and be as happy as a lark. Festool is great.. but I am not sure my TS55 will last another 50 years without much retooling... I have seen some incredibly old portable Milwaukee, Craftsman, and early Black and Decker equipment that is near 50+ years.

Gee, I wonder if I should feel inadequate for not owning a Unisaw or Sawstop... I have a Bosch 4109 with a gravity stand and it is a very good piece of equipment. Cost about $500 new, the fence is good, it does not warp and so on. The blade it came with was pretty poor, but that was taken care of long ago.  I used to use it a lot more until I got my Festools, but it is no less valuable to me for other things. I have learned that the MFT is a good outfeed table when ripping long pieces.

The best piece of advice I can offer of which and in what order is to look at what you are going to build with the equipment. If cabinets, TS55, hands down. If decorative boxes, the table saw. This might be a sterile discussion if our friends at Festool would just make the tablesaw adapter for the TS55 on this side of the water.

 

[skids]

Not at all. I bought my Unisaw(2004 model) for 700 bucks. About 2-3 years ago cabinet and woodworking shops were going belly up like the housing bust. If you were willing to drive an hour or two up into the Carolinas, Tennessee, and NE Georgia you could buy heavy equipment for 20-30 cents on the dollar of what someone paid new.

If, I had the space, time, and knowledge I would buy the old iron from 1948 and earlier. I would have a shop of nothing but restored Oliver machines and be as happy as a lark. Festool is great.. but I am not sure my TS55 will last another 50 years without much retooling... I have seen some incredibly old portable Milwaukee, Craftsman, and early Black and Decker equipment that is near 50+ years.

Gee, I wonder if I should feel inadequate for not owning a Unisaw or Sawstop... I have a Bosch 4109 with a gravity stand and it is a very good piece of equipment. Cost about $500 new, the fence is good, it does not warp and so on. The blade it came with was pretty poor, but that was taken care of long ago.  I used to use it a lot more until I got my Festools, but it is no less valuable to me for other things. I have learned that the MFT is a good outfeed table when ripping long pieces.

The best piece of advice I can offer of which and in what order is to look at what you are going to build with the equipment. If cabinets, TS55, hands down. If decorative boxes, the table saw. This might be a sterile discussion if our friends at Festool would just make the tablesaw adapter for the TS55 on this side of the water.

Yes, those were the days weren't they...Before engineers and companies got together and embraced the concept of planned obsolescence.

I feel my Festool stuff is as close as I can get to perfect engineering and manufacturing by todays' standards. For the most part everything else in the tool world is engineered like crap and then built in China by comparison.

 

[ceddy]

I opted to go for the track saw for portability reasons. I don't make money from woodworking, I just see it as a hobby. There really isn't much "more" you can do in a table saw, but some things will be much faster such as repetitive cuts. I think for all around usage around the house (or friend's houses!) the track saw is great.