Track Saw or Table Saw

[jacko9]

5HP Baldor motor and I don't need to worry about kickback on 8/4 hard maple or other woods with proper alignment.

Jack

 

[Paul G]

For those of you that haven't seen this Kickback Video I think it is worth the time. 

I'm not saying " Track Saw or Table Saw" I'm saying just be safe my friends.    [wink]

[ Video removed - against forum guidelines to demonstrate unsafe practices - Shane ]

I happened to see that vid before it was pulled, was a great example of being an idiot at the table saw and the operator admitted as much. Not sure what using a power tool unsafely proves except that it's dumb to do it. Even with a riving knife my hand would never be that close to the blade, has that guy ever heard of a push stick?  [doh]

 

[Mavrik]

There's no excuse for bad technique or stupidity.
However, there are times when we are just a little less focused or a little tired.
It's at times like that where we'd prefer it if our tools didn't bite us.

 

[Jmaichel]

There's no excuse for bad technique or stupidity.
However, there are times when we are just a little less focused or a little tired.
It's at times like that where we'd prefer it if our tools didn't bite us.

I think that is being a little harsh. Inexperience with any tool can lead to bad technique, which does not equate to stupidity. I don't agree with the video being pulled either, I think there was something to be learned from that kickback.

The OP's original question is more about the functionality of a table saw vs. track saw. Naturally table safety comes up anytime there is a track saw vs. table saw debate. The reality is that every tool in our shops has to potential to be dangerous. In most shops the table saw is used more than any other tool. Thus the statistical probability of injuring one's self on the table saw is increased. I agree that the table saw is inherently more dangerous than most tools but I would argue that compliancy causes more injuries then poor technique does.

 

[cliffp]

I agree with Jmaichel that it would be better to see dangerous practices as long as it made clear that they are dangerous. On seeing the reference to this video, I googled 'tablesaw accident' and saw a video that showed dangerous practices and it scared the s*** out of me! It also showed bad things happening that I would not have been able to predict but which I now feel more able to avoid because I have a better understanding of the cause.

 

[Samo]

Just a quick apology   [embarassed]

My post about safety and kickback was a little off topic.  Madlee, your Old Man is correct, just don't use some piece of junk w/o its safety devices.

Never should have posted that Video.  I like the guy that does those tool reviews.  He is entertaining and reviews allot of the stuff I'm interested in.  Even though he has disclaimers all over his offerings ( He is a business ) Festool can't have that stuff on the Forum and I honestly didn't even think about that.

My apologies to all, I've printed the Forum Guidelines and will read them.  I'm putting myself on time out and I have to stay in the shop for the rest of the day.   [big grin]

 

[ridgenj]

Samo,

Respectfully want to disagree and no need to apologize.
I am also trying to decide if I keep my Brand-new Ryobi table saw or I invest 2000 US dollars in a contractor table saw to last or just keep working with my new TS 55 REQ. For those weekend warriors like me, with funds but significant lack of  experience and woodworking knowledge, the safety advices and video helped me to decide what I want.
Safety advices can't be off-topic and if yes, willing to tolerate. In this forum we have all kind of individuals that might include teens seeking for advice and guidance. If we limit some topics "for experts only", I can understand and feel that some redundant safety advices could become tedious to read.

Many thanks for pointing me to the video and for reminding me that this can be a dangerous hobby if not exercised carefully.

My best

Luis

 

[GhostFist]

I don't quite get the suggestion that you have to own the entire "system" in order to get the most out of it. The Domino doesn't work better with a festool router, A kapex doesn't care if you use an ro90. Table saws are faster easier and in some cases safer to use than a track for certain applications. In other situations the track saw is the way to go. neither one makes the other obsolete.

 

[hockey_magnet]

I don't quite get the suggestion that you have to own the entire "system" in order to get the most out of it. The Domino doesn't work better with a festool router, A kapex doesn't care if you use an ro90. Table saws are faster easier and in some cases safer to use than a track for certain applications. In other situations the track saw is the way to go. neither one makes the other obsolete.

I tend to agree. While a have quite I few Festools, You certainly don't need to own all or most to make the others function better. The only one I can think of that's pretty universal is the vac since it improves the experience when using almost any Festool (well maybe not a drill  ).

 

[Mavrik]

Although for some reason my planer and beltsander came without the "plug it" which make it a little less "system-like".
Have retrofitted the planer.
Am planning on doing so with the belt sander.

 

[greymann]

In this discussion, one thing that hasn't been mentioned as part of the decision making process is age.  I'm just getting to be able to spend the time I'd like to in the shop.  But I am 68 and obviously not getting any younger.  In my mind safety is as much about losing focus at that critical instant as anything else and our reaction time and attention suffers with age.  I know mine has.  For me as a hobbyist with a smallish shop, the track saw was the answer over a table saw.

I agree with comments about rabbets and dadoes but also have found workarounds.  With the domino I don't rabbet the cabinet backs preferring a thicker back with full inset with dominoes and corner pocket screws.  When I do need to do dadoes I usually want them to be very precise and have found that Micro Fence products especially using the clamp interface has the quality and precision to complement my Festools.,

I'm also still looking forward to getting a bandsaw.

Dick

 

[sancho57]

Im not suggesting that you need o own the entire system. But if you only own a TS 55 a couple of guide rails, no it wont replace a table saw. But If you have the TS 55/75, guide rails long enough to rip a 8' sheet of ply, parallel guides, a router that can be used with a guide rail and a edge guide, Sliding miter saw,  your in good shape to replace a table saw for ripping, dadoing, Domino will solve your tenoning issues, the 850 planer can rabbit also.

I used Toms method of making a filler piece to fit under a guide rail  5 1/8" wide and ripped 2 1/4 wide cabinet door stock, faster then it would have been for me to roll out my table saw, plug it in, hook up the DC and began making cuts.

Not everyone has room in their shop to have a Table saw set up  stationary in the middle of their shop.

Most people I know have their table saws on wheels  and have to move them and set them up before they can use them

Then put them away when they finish.

 

[skids]

Im not suggesting that you need o own the entire system. But if you only own a TS 55 a couple of guide rails, no it wont replace a table saw. But If you have the TS 55/75, guide rails long enough to rip a 8' sheet of ply, parallel guides, a router that can be used with a guide rail and a edge guide, Sliding miter saw,  your in good shape to replace a table saw for ripping, dadoing, Domino will solve your tenoning issues, the 850 planer can rabbit also.

I used Toms method of making a filler piece to fit under a guide rail  5 1/8" wide and ripped 2 1/4 wide cabinet door stock, faster then it would have been for me to roll out my table saw, plug it in, hook up the DC and began making cuts.

Not everyone has room in their shop to have a Table saw set up  stationary in the middle of their shop.

Most people I know have their table saws on wheels  and have to move them and set them up before they can use them

Then put them away when they finish.

Agreed..Sure does seem the more pieces of this system I own, the easier and more pleasure I find in my work though.

 

[jacko9]

Since this thread has gone on long, I don't recall what the OP decided but, his original question still has merit and having the opinion of folks that do mostly other work than building cabinets and furniture can be confusing.

Track saws are for cutting up sheet goods and making do for other cuts when you don't have a table saw.  A good table saw will allow you to build quality furniture a lot quicker and more precise than a track saw IMHO [wink]

Jack

 

[Paul G]

Since this thread has gone on long, I don't recall what the OP decided but, his original question still has merit and having the opinion of folks that do mostly other work than building cabinets and furniture can be confusing.

Track saws are for cutting up sheet goods and making do for other cuts when you don't have a table saw.  A good table saw will allow you to build quality furniture a lot quicker and more precise than a track saw IMHO [wink]

Jack

Emphasis on 'good', with a long quality fence, full size out feed table and a large sliding table. Or for chopping up sheet goods the speed winner IMO is a panel saw

 

[jacko9]

Since this thread has gone on long, I don't recall what the OP decided but, his original question still has merit and having the opinion of folks that do mostly other work than building cabinets and furniture can be confusing.

Track saws are for cutting up sheet goods and making do for other cuts when you don't have a table saw.  A good table saw will allow you to build quality furniture a lot quicker and more precise than a track saw IMHO [wink]

Jack

Emphasis on 'good', with a long quality fence, full size out feed table and a large sliding table. Or for chopping up sheet goods the speed winner IMO is a panel saw

I don't disagree that a panel saw is better than a table saw for full sized sheet goods but, your missing the point from the OP original question and that is what saw will allow him to build furniture and cabinets (including doors and face frames) and that answer is still a table saw.  I would prefer a track saw over a panel saw but I don't cut sheet goods very often in furniture making.

Jack

Jack

 

[Paul G]

Since this thread has gone on long, I don't recall what the OP decided but, his original question still has merit and having the opinion of folks that do mostly other work than building cabinets and furniture can be confusing.

Track saws are for cutting up sheet goods and making do for other cuts when you don't have a table saw.  A good table saw will allow you to build quality furniture a lot quicker and more precise than a track saw IMHO [wink]

Jack

Emphasis on 'good', with a long quality fence, full size out feed table and a large sliding table. Or for chopping up sheet goods the speed winner IMO is a panel saw

I don't disagree that a panel saw is better than a table saw for full sized sheet goods but, your missing the point from the OP original question and that is what saw will allow him to build furniture and cabinets (including doors and face frames) and that answer is still a table saw.  I would prefer a track saw over a panel saw but I don't cut sheet goods very often in furniture making.

Jack

Jack

Yes, I agree the table saw is much more versatile for those applications.

 

[Tinker]

I agree the tracksaw is the easiest when cutting sheet goods to size.  I have never used a panel saw; but i have only seen them cutting square to the sheet.  Also, at the lumber yard, they are used for cutting boards to length.  A table saw can be very quick and accurate for cross cutting boards and narrow sheet of ply, mdf etc.  That is if you have room for infeed/outfeed.  For those of us who have small shops, it can be impossible to set up and rip a full sheet, or even a half sheet of plywood.  Also impossible to cross cut any board longer than six feet. Actually, in my shop, it is almost impossible to cross cut any board longer than four feet.  The longest board i can manuver in to my workspace is 12 feet.  That is a chore in itself and takes great panning to get it around the corner.

My ATF 55 ca do all of that and more.  My table saw was moved out to my barn years ago.  It is great at collecting rust.

Do i miss having my table saw?  Yes, at times.

Will i ever move it back into my shop?  NO.  Not unless i build a bigger shop.

I have found that i can work quite well without my SCMS, altho i am hoping to afford a Kapex.  In the meantime, the ATF/MFT combo does just about everything.  This weekend, I cut a 12 foot 4x4 cedar post down to 32" lengths using the ATF/MFT.  It took me a couple of cuts before i got the system down close to perfect.  Could i have done that job with my table saw?  NO.  Could i have squared the cuts on the 32" pieces with the table saw?  YES, and probably quicker with slightly better accuracy.  But I made do with the ATF.  the next time, it will be quicker with better accuracy control; but for 4x4 and short pieces, it would still be quicker with the table saw. 

I have had the ATF for over ten years (Mental calc - of which some might calculate I am somewhat deficient  [huh])  and i am still learning more about how to use it.  One other thing I like about the ATF/MFT combo is that i do not need any where near as many jigs to do all of the cuts as with my table saw. Those used to take up a lot of space, both on floor, in corners and on the wall.  Now, i just need plenty of guide plates, fences and tools for measuring and setting angles.  the guides are on the wall among my lumber piles.  The tools are supposed to be in a drawer or on wall panel >>> when i take the time to put them away properly. [unsure]
Tinker

 

[doorguy]

I'm a newbie here but this is how I introduced to Festool.

I'm a commercial door guy and used to maintain shop with unisaw x  Biesemeyer fence for my door modifications.  With the downturn in construction, I shut down the shop, selling the table saw, went mobile and now use a TS55 and various tracks to do the same thing I did with my table saw.  I find it much easier to cut with the track saw than to run the door through the table saw and can't see myself ever going back. But I have two portable table saws that I use for reclaiming the stiles and rails when modifying the door size.  It's also easier and safer to run small items through a table saw IMHO.

DG

 

[webfarmer]

We could solve the issue in its entirety by resorting freedom in the United States, and allowing us to purchase the table saw module for the CMS.

Down with regulators!