madlee said:
ShawnRussell said:
@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.
@ShawnRussell - I have limited space, essentially a two car garage and one of the bays is filled with my the stuff from the wife and kids. I am also not able to dedicate the space to the full time setup of a workshop. Funds are also considered. I'm trying to weigh out which is going to get me furthest for the projects I'm doing now and would like to do. I currently have a DeWalt miter saw and stand that works okay and a skill saw that I'll typically rip sheet goods down to manageable sizes with before attempting to run them through a Hitachi contractor saw. It seems wasteful and more time consuming processing sheet goods that way.
The track is a good bet over and above your skill saw set up.
Lastly, what I would caution you with, and I say this not knowing if you presently own any Festool, is the fact it does work as a system. Which means, if you are taking the plunge into Festool for the first time, consider the tempatation that you will likely want more of it as you learn what it can do for you. Doesn't mean it's mandatory and you have to buy into the whole system thing, but as I said it's likely you will want to when you realize where these tools can take you. And right out of the gate you would want a dust collector to go with that TS saw.
Much like you I started (about 15 years ago) with the desire to do my own remodel work on my house, and was lucky enough to have an older brother in trades who taught me alot in my teenage years. I was and still always looking for a way I can eliminate labor costs from some area of a project I wanted to take on. Once I calculated that I was able to say for example, frame my basement, and install the steel beams to remove lallies (not fun), hang blue board, remodel a bath, build an addition, install a new const. window etc I justified buying a tool. Maybe that logic is flawed, but invariably it's how I justify/support my hobby-and it works with the wife. Fast forward 10 years and this has now evolved into setting up a dedicated workshop where the tools are still mobile and are great quality. Enter Festool...
If you haven't taken the leap just consider what I have mentioned here. Festool is spectacular, and I have yet to run into a tool from their line up that doesn't exceed my expectations, but the reality is the prices are not for the faint of heart. I know you mentioned money is a factor (is for everyone I suppose) but something someone who is not making money with the tools needs to consider. Not trying to deter you, just stating it through my experiences. I don't regret any of my Festool stuff, and I plan on having it for many years, but do a little research upfront on what you think you want from Festool, consider the projects you have planned and what you will take on and how much labor cost you eliminate by doing it yourself.
Of course the fun you will have has a value, but no way to calculate that! Best of luck to you, if you get the TS show it off! [wink]
