track saw

[jimmy986]

I just got my tax return back and am looking into spending it on some new tools. I have a domino 500, Rotex 125, a CT mini, and a DX 93 already. The track saws are looking very tempting. I am fairly new to woodworking. My family owns furniture stores that I manage and have started building my own about 15 months ago. So far I am sticking with smaller scale projects like coffee tables, end tables, etc.

I am working out of a small garage workshop so space is restricted which is one reason why festool products are very good for me. I am just wondering if a track saw like this is overkill for me. I don't break down sheet goods a lot but sometimes I do. What I feel the track saw would really help with would be to cut the table top glue ups down to final size. I currently do it with a dewalt circular saw. I clamp a straight edge to the top, cut it and repeat for all four sides. The track saw sounds like it would definitely make it more precise, reduce tear out, of which I get with my current method, and get the tops perfectly square.

As my skills progress, I would assume I would have more and more uses for it as well.

Is there another tool to add to my arsenal that would be better to start with?

And then it would make sense to buy a combo to save the money. The MFT tables seem like the go to accessory but with a track saw, I would probably want something bigger than the CT mini, right?

 

[Locks14]

I'd recommend the Bosch tracksaw over the Festool as your space is limited and therefore you won't have room to manoeuvre a 2700mm track. Therefore you will need to join smaller tracks to break down 8x4 sheet goods and the Bosch rails are far superior when it comes to joining rails together.

 

[rst]

If your focus is furniture over sheet goods, my opinion is that the 75 would be your best bet.  I have and use both 55 and 75 but the 75 handles solid and thicker wood better. I use three Fein vacs and Oneida cyclones for my shop use, but just bought a jigsaw and Midi combo to use the Midi for site work.  The MFT is a great work table.  I bought one and have since built four other tables (one is 64" X 101") using the LS32 system.  The track saw is not over kill, the Festool system is perfect for the type work you are doing.

 

[jacko9]

Your asking all the right questions and I think a track saw is perfect for your situation.  I would start with the smaller saw since I don't think your going to jump right in ripping 8/4 hardwoods just yet and a smaller saw will allow you to develop a feel for using  attack saw.  Dust extraction was the biggest immediate benefit I got from the Festool System so add at least a CT26 to your shop.

There was a track saw review @ http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/track-saw-review/ and I wrote to Fine Woodworking magazine asking them for a review of track saws and they replied that was their plan for later this year.

I found that for me the MFT worktable was a bit wobbly to actually do work on it so, I built my own work table out of scraps from a house addition with a 3/4" plywood top.

Good Luck,

Jack

 

[TheTrooper]

To square the tops, jump on the ts552and the MFT/3 table. The one with the track, fence and miter attachment.
Next in line I would bump to a router like the 1400 and CT36 since  you have the small vac.
Good luck and you've definitely come to the right place.

 

[JimD]

I did a quick check on the specs of Festool vacuums.  It looks to me like they are all rated 137 CFM and 96 inches of water lift (excellent).  The mini just has a small dust chamber.  Rather than get a larger vacuum just to get more dust capacity I would add a cyclone.  It will keep your vacuum working at high suction by keeping the filter clean and give you the dust capacity of a larger vacuum (5 gallon drywall buckets are often used under the cyclone). 

 

[Holmz]

I just got my tax return back and am looking into spending it on some new tools. I have a domino 500, Rotex 125, a CT mini, and a DX 93 already. The track saws are looking very tempting.
...

I have a CT-26, a dx93 too. And I recently got an MFT.
I went with the Mt55 as it cuts a but deeper than the TS55, takes the same blades and can be used on a Festool track. But I got the gear o mount it on the MFT with its own track.
I have a Domino700 on its way as well.

You cannot beat the Dominos for what they do, so that is a no-brainer, unless you are considering dowels.
Any vacuum can be considered a good thing to have.
When it comes to track saws you have many choices. I would suggest you consider them all.

First project will be a gate.

 

[Holmz]

I don't speak the language, but you can see a few in comparison to each other:

I don't know why this produces a "banned video link" when I try to insert it:
but is comes up with a search of 'track saw comparison denmark bosch dewalt festool mafell youtube'

 

[semenza]

I don't speak the language, but you can see a few in comparison to each other:

I don't know why this produces a "banned video link" when I try to insert it:
but is comes up with a search of 'track saw comparison denmark bosch dewalt festool mafell youtube'

At one point there were a couple of individuals that were posting video comparisons that had been done in a deceptive way. They also were not indicating the fact that they were employed by a dealer for another brand even when prompted to do so.  FOG allows discussion and comparison, etc. of competing brands. But not the way these people were doing it.

I suspect the video you are trying to insert is from the same source.

Seth

 

[fshanno]

My family owns furniture stores that I manage and have started building my own about 15 months ago. So far I am sticking with smaller scale projects like coffee tables, end tables, etc.

That's interesting.  You sell your stuff?  If so do you sell your pieces side by side with the manufactured products on the sales floor or is it made to order?

I have a garage shop too.  I break down sheet goods in the driveway.  I pick up sheets at the lumber yard then come home and break them down immediately.  I back in and set up my knockdown ripping platform right behind the truck.  I slide the sheets right out of the bed and on to the platform and do the rips.  I have my MFT set up behind the ripping platform.  I slide the ripped pieces onto it for crosscutting.  I guess you could say I'm a fair weather track saw user.

I have the 106" guide and using it in the driveway is certainly no problem.  In fact, using it in a two car garage is no real problem. 

I would highly recommend the MFT even if it meant going with a cheaper saw.  Apparently, from the review linked here, the Makita is more than acceptable. 

 

[JimD]

There are a couple ways to spend less than a Festool track saw and MFT cost.  One is to make a Ron Paulk style worksurface instead of getting the MFT.  He has a crosscut jig so you don't lose much functionality and you can have a much larger worksurface if your want.  A larger work surface doesn't seem to be what the OP needs, however.

The other way to save is to get a different track saw.  I have a DeWalt.  The wood whisperer review helped me decide to buy it.  I got it with 57 and 102 inch tracks for about $600.  That's roughly half what the closest Festool tracks and saw would cost.  The Makita is similar in price and also gets favorable reviews.  There is a Triton I don't know anything about.  I've seen comments on a Bosch but I don't think it's available in the U. S..  There is also the Grizzly.  You can get it with one track for under $300.  Reviews are not so good but owners report a new blade makes a big difference.  Even with the new blade, the spring you compress to plunge is reportedly stiff and the fit and finish are noticeably worse.  But still the price is also much lower.  Cuts with a good blade are apparently quite good. 

The Festool has by far the best support in accessories.  If you don't break down sheet goods much you may not need a parallel guide but I really like using it.  I had to make one for my DeWalt.  I haven't seen them for anything but the Festool and there are 4 suppliers for Festools.  The MFT is set up for the Festool.  You can get a router adapter for the DeWalt but I haven't seen it for any of the others except Festool. 

I would review you tubes and articles on the MFT to understand how it works.  There is one with a title like "getting the most out of our MFT" that is by  woodworker who uses almost all hardwoods.  He has a shop full of equipment but is changing over to Festools.  I also like the Ron Paulk video on using the parallel guides in which he also shows his cross cut jig and the videos by Roger Muller on general track saw use.  Ron and Roger use Festools. 

 

[Holmz]

I don't speak the language, but you can see a few in comparison to each other:

I don't know why this produces a "banned video link" when I try to insert it:
but is comes up with a search of 'track saw comparison denmark bosch dewalt festool mafell youtube'

At one point there were a couple of individuals that were posting video comparisons that had been done in a deceptive way. They also were not indicating the fact that they were employed by a dealer for another brand even when prompted to do so.  FOG allows discussion and comparison, etc. of competing brands. But not the way these people were doing it.

I suspect the video you are trying to insert is from the same source.

Seth

It is possible - but it looked fairer, and less controversial, than the on with the sparks flying out the jig saw.
I assumed it was because it came in second place.

The TS55 is certainly a "safe bet" and totally sensible if one has Festool rails, but personally I be getting a long enough rail that I did not need to try and connect them.
(My 160-mm saw blades came in yesterday and a whole stack of jig saw blades...)

 

[jimmy986]

Your asking all the right questions and I think a track saw is perfect for your situation.  I would start with the smaller saw since I don't think your going to jump right in ripping 8/4 hardwoods just yet and a smaller saw will allow you to develop a feel for using  attack saw.  Dust extraction was the biggest immediate benefit I got from the Festool System so add at least a CT26 to your shop.

There was a track saw review @ http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/track-saw-review/ and I wrote to Fine Woodworking magazine asking them for a review of track saws and they replied that was their plan for later this year.

I found that for me the MFT worktable was a bit wobbly to actually do work on it so, I built my own work table out of scraps from a house addition with a 3/4" plywood top.

Good Luck,

Jack

Is there a good reason to start with the smaller saw? I know I may not need the greater depth of cut right now but for $100 more, wouldn't it make sense just to buy the 75 right now if I have reason to step up later? I've also heard that it works better for handling hardwood as well, which is what I am dealing with 90% of the time.

I'm still really torn about getting a bigger capacity CT versus an MFT table. Since I don't use anything on location, an MFT might be a bit expensive for a work table. I understand the MFT table helps holding workpieces down and will eliminate tear out on the underside of cuts but would simply having a scrap pieces of ply or MDF laying on an existing workbench help with tear out for a much lower cost? How do you get replacement tops for the MFTs when you've put enough cuts into to need a new one?

 

[aas]

The TS55 is woefully underpowered - if you will be cutting hardwood get a TS75.

 

[TheTrooper]

Go with what's in your budget. Just remember that Festool keeps their value. If you get the ts55 now so you can put the $100 elsewhere then go for it. Plus the blades are cheaper.
You didn't mention if you had a table saw or miter saw. If not I'd recommend the MFT/3 so you can effectively and efficiently square and cut your work pieces. 

 

[jimmy986]

I do have a miter and table saw. I find maneuvering a table top on the table saw to square it up to be a little unwieldy. That is one of the biggest reasons I'm looking at the plunge saws. The ease of accuracy is a big plus. The accessories for the MFT tables seem pricy. Are there less expensive options from other companies? Since I just have the CT mini, will the plunge saws fill those bags up quickly? For the most part, I will only be using the saw at the end of projects to square up the tops. I break down sheet good a little but only once a month or so for shop projects and things like that.

I think I'm pretty much sold on the 75 but what I'm really going back and forth on is if the CT mini will be enough for now and I should get an MFT table or if I should get a CT 36 or 48. Or, since I am more stationary in where I work, it would make more sense to make/find another option for the table. The MFT with the side clamping and the guide rail and miter that attach to the table, along with the basic work hold downs is very tempting. It seems like it would be very useful for the saw, all of the sanding I do, plus hold downs for things like pocket screws, my domino, etc.

I've started looking into building my own. Is it possible to get a large piece of MDF or something similar and building my own larger workbench that would be sturdier for assemblies as well? It should be too difficult to use a router to make my own holes and I could easily use dados and t-track on the sides to get something similar. This might be a better option to get a larger work surface and probably get the same or similar functionality and a sturdier table for the same price or less. For those with more experience, am I wrong on this?

 

[Birdhunter]

I'm a serious hobby woodworker and a retired engineer. I find the MFT plus TS55 to be an exceptionally well integrated combination especially when paired with Qwas dogs.  I use a lot of Oak, Ipe, Ebony, and Walnut in my projects and commission work and the TS55 has never lacked the power to make clean quick cuts in these wood types.

 

[HowardH]

there is no discernable difference between the CT models other than capacity.  The Mini and Midi have slightly less suction but not by much. The mini should be able to handle the TS 75 without much issue.  Having a 36mm hose over the 27mm will make a bigger difference.  It's pretty amazing how much more efficient the CT is with the bigger hose.