tracksaw: 5x5 and 4x8

[treesner]

trying to figure out a battery powered track saw kit to cover my needs that includes working with 5x5 baltic birch and 4x8.. I hear a lot of people say its worth getting a long track opposed to connecting so trying to figure this out.

tsc55 kit: 2 5.2AH batteries and 55” track: $825
to show saving if bought all those separately it would be $793

But since 55" doesn't cover 60x60 sheets (or does it?) maybe saving the $35 isn't worth it.

this is the kit i'm thinking of

tsc55: $465
2 18v 5.2AH batteries: $65+ $65= $130
charger: $65
75” for 60x60 sheets: 206
32" $85 (connected will give me 107" for 8ft sheets)
2 connectors $36
total: $987

a 103" track would be nice to have but is $331 which really starts to add up!

 

[rst]

Don't buy the Festool connectors, get the Makita connectors...Makita P-45777...Toolbarn has the best prices.  To use my TS75 I connected rails for lot of years before investing in the 3000.  Personally, going your route, I would buy the 1080/42" rail to give a little more length.

 

[treesner]

Don't buy the Festool connectors, get the Makita connectors...Makita P-45777...Toolbarn has the best prices.  To use my TS75 I connected rails for lot of years before investing in the 3000.  Personally, going your route, I would buy the 1080/42" rail to give a little more length.

maybe it's worth just getting the kit with he 55" and 75" and the connectors on the side totaling $1067

how much overhang do you generally want off the board beginning and end?
i'm assuming it would be hard to get accurate cuts by doing a cut as far as you can then moving the track and finishing the cut?

 

[rst]

With my 75 I use about 9", it will not be as much for a 55 or HKC.  I would buy the 55/1900 LR rail just for future purposes in case you later decide to use the 32mm shelve and drawer system.

 

[Samo]

Dealers may offer to substitute the 75" rail for the 55" rail when you order your TSC-55 kit.  Worth asking for it and I would get the bigger rails first.

 

[Paul G]

I went with the 118" track so I could do a diagonal cut on a 4x8 if ever needed, sort of a no limitations approach to breaking down a 4x8. YMMV

 

[HarveyWildes]

Remember that the kit comes with two chargers, so the kit with the guide rail really does save money - if you need two chargers.

 

[treesner]

Remember that the kit comes with two chargers, so the kit with the guide rail really does save money - if you need two chargers.

Didn't realize that, think I'm going to go with the air stream kit

 

[treesner]

I went with the 118" track so I could do a diagonal cut on a 4x8 if ever needed, sort of a no limitations approach to breaking down a 4x8. YMMV

Is the 118 a pain to cross cut 4ft?
Talked to a dealer about trading the 55 for 70 but wondering if I should just get a huge one and store it with my plywood

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[peter halle]

you will have about 2 feet overhanging on each side.  If you have a wide open workspace then it is doable.  But when crosscutting narrower than 48 it can get wobbly.

Peter

 

[rst]

I would not recommend the 118 as an only track although it and my 75 get the most use.  That being said I own every size.

 

[Tinker]

I have several sizes of track rails from 55" down to the shortest length, whatever that is.  i also have a 76" (or is it 79"?) for longer cuts.  The longer is the longest I could fit in my VW wagon.  If I need to make longer cuts, I have several connectors.  Using a 4' level as a straight edge for alignment, i have not had any problem with connecting rails for out of shop projects. If  my truck were used for only woodworking projects, i might consider a longer rail. But my truck isn't so I don't.
Tinker

 

[DrD]

[member=57611]treesner[/member]

Good Morning!  One of the things you may have discovered in the responses to your post is that everyone has an opinion based upon what is right for them - taking into consideration all sorts of variables, and I'm one of them.

At 72, I have found I'm not nearly so dexterous as I once was, and manhandling 118" of rail is more than I want to do.  Plus, my shop layout isn't set up for swinging something like that around.  I find it much easier to join rails at the work - not bringing long rails to the work, using the previously mentioned Matika connectors.  The added benefit is that I can have a variety (32", 42" 55", and 75") of rails which singly or in combination meet any and all needs I would ever possibly have in my shop, sparing me the expense, and related storage problems associated with the 118" rail.

Having said all that I watched Tom Silva in an episode of TOH adroitly use the 118" and was quite complimentary of the rail.

Best wishes in sorting out what is right for you and best for you.

 

[ben_r_]

I would go with two Holey 55" tracks. That way youre ready to go for the LR32 system should you discover how awesome that can be and youll have 110" when the two tracks are put together. Cant always add more tracks later should you feel you need a smaller or longer one.

 

[w802h]

I don't know how many times I use the long rail, then short rail, then long rail, etc. I can't imagine having to spend more time dealing with the rail than cutting.  The 55" is a very useful size by itself - the most useful for me.  A longer rail is a nice compliment.  If cost is an issue, you can always start and stop your cut and reposition the rail.  I have two long rails and bought a 32" when I needed some retail therapy, but I rarely use it.  For me, a 75" would get used more than a 32", but I wouldn't want to be without an 8 or 9 ft (capacity) rail. A lot of smaller pieces end up being cut on my cabinet saw.