Track Saw usage

[mackaygtrs]

Hello there,
Just purchased the TS 55 REQ-F-Plus with 55" guide rail and totally new to the Track Saw scene. I have always wanted one for those 4x8 sheets of plywood or for long cuts but these type of cuts don't come often, for me anyways. I obviously went top of the line here and hope I haven't over purchased and maybe should have gone a cheaper route.

I'm looking to get the 36" guide rail and plan (or hope) I can use it for smaller cuts, like cutting 2x4 sheets into smaller usable lengths and pieces for cabinets, shelving and other smaller projects without always using the tablesaw. Not just for cutting up 4x8 sheets.

I guess my question is, will this be a saw I will only use when cutting up those big sheets and end up sitting around not getting used.

What type of projects, lengths and type of cuts are you guys doing with your Festool track saws? How handy is it and what kind of usage does it get in the workshop on smaller projects.

Again, new to the track saw scene so looking for your experience with how it's used.

Thanks.

 

[ear3]

Welcome to the FOG [member=77084]mackaygtrs[/member]

I think you'll find if you browse the Member Projects or How To sections on this board that the tracksaw for most of us has become integrated into every aspect of our carpentry, from breaking down sheet goods to fine finish work.  Having track saw capability fundamentally changed how I worked.  Instead of sweating all the measurements, for example, on a set of cabinet doors, I can now just build them a bit oversize to start and then fit them perfectly by taking small bites off with the tracksaw.  A tracksaw + tablesaw combo also takes care of all my edge jointing.  The more pertinent question is what don't I use my tracksaw for.   

Just a note, if you plan on being able to do the long cuts for 4x8 sheets, I would either purchase another 55" rail (that you can then join into a single long rail), or, if the finances permit it, spring for the longer 3000 rail.  Having the shorter rail you're contemplating purchasing is certainly convenient, but I'm struggling to think of an instance when I could only have used that rail, and not just relied as well on the 55". 

 

[4nthony]

Up until a few years ago, I didn't even know track saws were a thing. I'd always used a circular saw and a 6' level as a guide to break down sheet goods.

I've since learned that many people get by w/o a table saw and rely solely on their track saw with either an MFT or some parallel guides. It really can do a lot.

You should get plenty of replies on this topic. In the meantime, take a look at Peter Millard's YouTube channel. He's a UK based cabinet maker whose videos feature his TS 55 and all its uses.

 

[CADru]

One of my great appreciations of the track saw is under cutting doors (cutting doors to length). With the dust extraction setup most times its easier to take the saw to the door. 3-4 doors on the second floor you bet I'm taking the saw to the doors. I remember using painters tape on the under side of a saw shoe, scoring the veneer with a utility knife before making a cut [eek]

 

[presidentsdad]

You will definitely use the track saw for more than just breaking down sheet goods.  It's a game changing tool.

 

[ScotF]

Yep - it takes some practice and you may have to do things differently but it will open up lots of possibilities that are unsafe or near impossible to achieve without one. I too use one on virtually every project - from straightline ripping to joinery and everything in between. Lots of great threads and advice on the subject here.  Welcome to the FOG!

 

[RussellS]

A few of my uses:

1.  Straight line ripping one edge of a board before ripping it to width on the tablesaw.
2.  Cutting the bottom of interior doors so they clear the carpet.  Mine were the cheap light hollow doors so I took out the hinge pins and carried the doors outside to cut on sawhorses.
3.  Very recently cut plywood down to the right size for patches in roof sheathing.  I was reroofing the house.  Cut the rotted wood out with a jigsaw up on the roof, but used the track saw and 55" rail to cut the new replacement pieces in the garage.  Used a big styrofoam sheet underneath.

Track saw is very handy for cutting straight lines.  Track saw, table saw, chop saw, sliding chop saw, all have their place in different jobs.  Some can substitute for another sometimes.

 

[Birdhunter]

I use my TS55 with an assortment of tracks to precisely break down Baltic Birch 4’ by 8’ plywood. I can’t safely do this on my table saw. I use the TS55 on my MFT using the drop down track. I also use my SawStow Industrial table saw extensively. Each tool has a sweet spot and there is some degree of overlap. I would not want to be without either tool.

Also, if you plan to connect lengths of track together, read up on which connectors work well.

 

[fignewton]

I've used mine to undercut upper cabinets to fit in a larger refrigerator, and for making straight line cuts for a number of pieces where the 90 degree nature of my tablesaw would make it impossible.  For example, fitting pieces into a corner that is not square.  Easy to make a cardboard pattern, lay it out on the workpiece, line up the track, and cut perfectly.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

How often you use your track saw will be determined by how often you want to use it...there are so many applications where it can "solve the problem" and/or do something faster than setting up for another tool to use. That includes making cuts on existing cabinetry and even horizontal cuts on vertical surfaces by fastening up the track.

You will do yourself a good favor by getting the shorter track for incidental in-shop use. I'm glad I did that for sure.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

I was a very early adopter of the tracksaw concept and bought my first-gen TS55 in 2005 (where did those 16 years disappear to?). It was a game-changing product, and still remains the most-used saw out of the six in the back of my van. I use it for so, so much, it’s difficult to come up with a definitive list - but here’s a start;

Breaking down sheet goods
Clean cutting of laminated panels
Ripping stock boards to width
Straightening curved stock
Crosscutting and ripping countertops
Generating stripwood from boards
Plunge-cutting cutouts in countertops for sinks and hobs
Building and trimming doors of all sizes from cabinet-sized to church-sized
Making custom mouldings by pre-routing or spindle moulding an edge on board stock, then trimming to width
Trench-cutting rebates/rabbets
Cutting short tenons
Backplaning door leading edges

The list goes on.

 

[Packard]

I've been slowly migrating from table saw to track saw.  But still, I use the track saw almost exclusively for sheet goods.

Originally, for breaking down sheets, I found it accurate enough for final cuts and the quality of the cut is superior to my table saw, especially for plywood and melamine clad particleboard.

But small and narrow pieces end up on the table saw or radial arm saw.

Confidence in the system promotes usage.  And usage promotes confidence. 

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

For me an essential adjunct to the TS-55 is one of the Festool dust collection units. I quickly found--as a totally new experience in the woodworking hobby--that I could cut wood in my "Sunday best" and not have sawdust everywhere. And while you're at it, be sure to get the Bluetooth remote for it (which means you need one of the CT's that will take that adapter).

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I've been slowly migrating from table saw to track saw.  But still, I use the track saw almost exclusively for sheet goods.

Originally, for breaking down sheets, I found it accurate enough for final cuts and the quality of the cut is superior to my table saw, especially for plywood and melamine clad particleboard.

But small and narrow pieces end up on the table saw or radial arm saw.

Confidence in the system promotes usage.  And usage promotes confidence.

I watch quite a few woodworking YouTube channels and quite a few of them just use their tracksaw for the initial break-down (oversize) and then do final cuts on a tablesaw. I just don't get that at all. Why? It's double cutting everything for no good reason. That tracksaw can make cuts as good or better and only do it once.
I too use mine on a daily basis. It could be anything from simple crosscuts of stock that is wider than my mitersaw can handle, to oddly angles pieces of solid surface material and miter folding.
A short section of track is very handy. I use a standard sized 1080 rail, but there are others here who cut custom sized pieces from longer tracks too.

 

[tjbnwi]

As others stated, you’ll expand how you use the track saw. You know you’re getting used to it when you start cutting plaster ceilings with the TS-55.

Tom

 

[nvalinski]

I watch quite a few woodworking YouTube channels and quite a few of them just use their tracksaw for the initial break-down (oversize) and then do final cuts on a tablesaw. I just don't get that at all. Why? It's double cutting everything for no good reason. That tracksaw can make cuts as good or better and only do it once.

I do this a lot. I don't have any parallel guides or anything to precisely lay a track in a repeatable fashion. Thus, the track saw breaks down sheet goods/panels to be able to safely fit a tablesaw, then the tablesaw is used to quickly rip off an edge so that they are the same exact dimension. I will similarly use it to create a straight edge on long solid lumber that isn't so conducive to being sent through a jointer, and then rip the opposite side on the tablesaw.

 

[bobtskutter]

As others stated, you’ll expand how you use the track saw. You know you’re getting used to it when you start cutting plaster ceilings with the TS-55.

Tom

???
OK, I'll bite.
How'd you get the rail to stick to the ceiling?
Bob

 

[mike_aa]

As others stated, you’ll expand how you use the track saw. You know you’re getting used to it when you start cutting plaster ceilings with the TS-55.

Tom

???
OK, I'll bite.
How'd you get the rail to stick to the ceiling?
Bob

[member=76043]bobtskutter[/member]  I'm sure Tom [member=4105]tjbnwi[/member] will answer this, but I used his advice and did the same thing recently.  Whether it was a wall or ceiling, I used drywall screws, one on each end of the rail, to temporarily hold it in place. 

Mike A.

 

[tjbnwi]

As others stated, you’ll expand how you use the track saw. You know you’re getting used to it when you start cutting plaster ceilings with the TS-55.

Tom

???
OK, I'll bite.
How'd you get the rail to stick to the ceiling?
Bob

Expand the picture, you’ll see a screw through the hole in the far end, a clamp is holding the rail to the ceiling were the ceiling is open.

A vertical cut using the Rapid Clamps.


Tom

 

[Coen]

Hello there,
Just purchased the TS 55 REQ-F-Plus with 55" guide rail

Well, it's actually 1400mm so you get 3mm's more  [tongue]

and totally new to the Track Saw scene. I have always wanted one for those 4x8 sheets of plywood or for long cuts but these type of cuts don't come often, for me anyways. I obviously went top of the line here and hope I haven't over purchased and maybe should have gone a cheaper route.

You will love the accuracy and quality of cut of the TS 55.  [wink]

I'm looking to get the 36" guide rail and plan (or hope) I can use it for smaller cuts, like cutting 2x4 sheets into smaller usable lengths and pieces for cabinets, shelving and other smaller projects without always using the tablesaw. Not just for cutting up 4x8 sheets.

Huh, a 36" rail? Did they dream up a new length? I know of 800, 1080, 1400 (also available in holey), 1900, 2400, 2424 holey, 2700, 3000, 5000, all [mm]

I guess my question is, will this be a saw I will only use when cutting up those big sheets and end up sitting around not getting used. What type of projects, lengths and type of cuts are you guys doing with your Festool track saws? How handy is it and what kind of usage does it get in the workshop on smaller projects.

Again, new to the track saw scene so looking for your experience with how it's used.

Thanks.

I recently used mine to cut out some laminate flooring to make space for a new kitchen, to cut 50mm PVC pipe (cleanest cut ever!), to cut a table top. And because of lack of a miter saw I'll soon use it to cut a timber frame for a new toilet. A bit before I used it to cut ceiling-height melamine panels.

If you ever plan (or want to keep the door open); buy the holey 1400 rail instead of the normal one. From what I understand they are the same price in the USA.