Track Saw or Table Saw

[ShawnRussell]

If you were already looking at a budget of 2500ish dollars you will not regret the Festool purchase. I could accomplish much more with equal dollars in Festool vs one cabinet saw, unless all I was making were cutting boards.  [tongue]

 

[crpaulk]

I think both are necessary. The table saw is fast and efficient, but for breaking down plywood the track saw is safe, accurate, clean, and efficient. If you are a small shop or portable like me the track saw does the work of a very expensive sliding table saw which costs many, many thousands. If you have to start with one, go with the track saw and pick up a good portable table saw later.

Ron

 

[sancho57]

what Ron said

 

[rmwarren]

what Ron said

Yup. Much as I want the TS55 to totally replace my table saw sometimes I just have too whacky a set up to make a cut that would be simple on the table saw.

RMW.

 

[Runhard]

I am a hobbyist and DIYer. I initially bought the TS75 instead of the TS55 because I did not have a table saw, but I might buy the TS55R as well. I work in my basement that is two 11' x 22' sections. I mainly have one full section for my shop and a small part of the other. I really want a table saw, but I just don't have the space right now. I am patiently waiting to either buy a new home with space for a bigger shop, or just build a new house and my dream shop all at once. I will probably buy a bandsaw first or at the same time as a table saw. I could buy a small contractors TS now, but I would rather wait and buy a nice cabinet saw  [big grin]  If all else fails, I could use the table saw that is in my maintenance shop at work  [wink]

Daniel

 

[dwillis]

Although Festool owners may cringe at this application, I made extensive use of the TS55 to build concrete forms, something I could not have done with a table saw.  Because we were pouring exposed concrete in residential construction the owner wanted the concrete (retaining wall and buttresses for column footings) to look good.  In addition the forms had a number of angles, so it was important to have precise cuts (plus there were multiple identical forms).  Because the corners were chamfered I had to have quite a bit of 3/4 inch stock ripped at 45 degrees, which was easier to do on a table saw (hard to hold and rip narrow strips using the TS55). That said, both tools have their place and each does well for specific applications.

 

[fp1337]

I'm in the same boat, I'm a beginner but I'm very careful. Still I wouldn't touch a table saw with a 10 foot pole. I just don't want to, I think the potential for injury is just too high. Not so much from accidentally touching the blade (there is SawStop for that), but from kickback. That and lack of space in my basement. I feel that a combination of a track saw and a bandsaw will be all I need, but I'm not 100% sure yet. There is something annoying about ripping a 2x4 with a tracksaw. A good bandsaw will probably solve that and other similar tasks.

 

[Tinker]

When i use the BS for ripping, where i need a smooth/square edge, i rip about 1/8" large and joint it with either the CMS or my HL 850 with the 850 mounting frame and adjustable fence.  I also use the 850 for finishing off mitered edges.  Even tho small, it does a great job.
Tinker

 

[ScotF]

A really good blade will almost eliminate the need for any post-cut jointing.  I use a Resawking Blade from Laguna and the cuts are all close to being as good as what the Tablesaw can do -- virtually now blade marks and just in need of some light sanding.  A blade without set will give you a better cut if you opt for the bandsaw technique.  I do agree with Tinker to leave a little extra if you are not sure of your set-up or the quality of cut off the bandsaw is not good enough.

Scot

 

[skids]

To respark this debate a little..

If you had a nice band saw, and a Track saw..Can anyone then see any reason to own a table saw? What wouldn't you be able to do with a BS and track saw combo that a Table saw can do?

 

[ridgenj]

I need also advice. While planning to work on bookcases and cabinets for my home, I don't have space limitations.
I have an unpacked Ryobi 10" table saw that I purchased around summer 2010.
This item has been recalled.
I have the TS55 REQ and I don't think that I will rip anything else than 4x8 appleply and stock for the frames and carcasses.

I was looking into the JET table saws but don't think this is the route I want to go after reading this posting.

I prefer to add a bigger TS75 if needed.
Any advice?
Cheers
Luis

 

[jacko9]

I need also advice. While planning to work on bookcases and cabinets for my home, I don't have space limitations.
I have an unpacked Ryobi 10" table saw that I purchased around summer 2010.
This item has been recalled.
I have the TS55 REQ and I don't think that I will rip anything else than 4x8 appleply and stock for the frames and carcasses.

I was looking into the JET table saws but don't think this is the route I want to go after reading this posting.

I prefer to add a bigger TS75 if needed.
Any advice?
Cheers
Luis

Why would you buy quality power tools like the Festool TS55 REQ and then but the bottom of the barrel table saw?  If your going to be doing woodworking for years to come, buy a Powermatic or Delta (older used model) or take a look at the Sawstop professional cabinet saw.

The TS will just give you a deeper cut than the TS55 but, it won't make the repeatable cuts that you can make on a quality table saw.

Since Festool doesn't sell table saws my opinion will be in the minority here.

Jack

 

[Kev]

Festool do sell tables saws - portable, but still high precision. Just not in the US.

Bandsaws and table saws are different animals ... a lot of application overlap, but one will never be a replacement for the other.

A high quality small table saw is an important shop item, but I do see track saws making large panel saws a thing of the past in smaller shops.

The US really needs the CMS module for TS55/TS75 - that'd certainly help over there. I also thing the Precisio would sell like hot cakes.

 

[ridgenj]

Thanks Jack, good advice. I was even looking into the Incra aftermarket fences that will allow repetitive cuts.
I am new to this hobby and want to have a few but quality power tools.
Any preference between the two recommendations?
Has anyone an opinion about the saw stop device? The laws office that contacted me about Ryobi send me info about saw stop and the need to make it a US safety standard.
Cheers

Luis

 

[jacko9]

Thanks Jack, good advice. I was even looking into the Incra aftermarket fences that will allow repetitive cuts.
I am new to this hobby and want to have a few but quality power tools.
Any preference between the two recommendations?
Has anyone an opinion about the saw stop device? The laws office that contacted me about Ryobi send me info about saw stop and the need to make it a US safety standard.
Cheers
Luis

Cheers
Luis

Luis,

I have a 5HP Powermatic 66 table saw and it cuts perfectly every time without hesitation.  The new Powermatic Table saws I believe are imported and I haven't looked at the quality of them.

There is a web site OWWM.com where you might get some leads on a good used quality machine.

Jack

 

[ridgenj]

Kev,

I  second you. In another post I stated  about the need of a CMS table  just because of the possibility of having the two additional table inserts.

I am even thinking to buy one in Germany and ship it to the US. I know UL etc. but as we all know, some quality vendors have excellent switches for a conversion to 110 V.

Cheers
Luis

 

[ridgenj]

Jack, thanks for the advice and ponying me to the right place.
Cheers
Luis

 

[Kev]

Thanks Jack, good advice. I was even looking into the Incra aftermarket fences that will allow repetitive cuts.
I am new to this hobby and want to have a few but quality power tools.
Any preference between the two recommendations?
Has anyone an opinion about the saw stop device? The laws office that contacted me about Ryobi send me info about saw stop and the need to make it a US safety standard[/b].
Cheers
Luis

Cheers
Luis

If the US wants to make a commercial product a safety standard they should pay the inventor/owner for the patent, then make it free. Our "safety" is making a lot of people very wealthy ... sometimes I think the world should be a lot more dangerous ... that could go a long way to address declining average intelligence!  [big grin]

 

[skids]

To respark this debate a little..

If you had a nice band saw, and a Track saw..Can anyone then see any reason to own a table saw? What wouldn't you be able to do with a BS and track saw combo that a Table saw can do?

Again I pose this question

 

[farms100]

I dont have a track saw yet. short of a big money panel saw for breaking down sheet goods. they are an excellent option for a small shop or hobbyist.

for a built in cabinet, you could easily have 50+ feet of rabbets and or dadoes. frankly I'd much prefer a table saw with its beefier motor, and blades.  than a router bit that i'm going to have to toss after 100 feet of usage.  not to mention the long term wear and tear on the router.

Sometimes it makes sense to bring the work to the tool instead of the other way around.