TS 55 Cutting Depth Adjustment?

[Neill]

As many of you do, I have been using a piece of hardboard or scrap lumber between the top of my MFT and my material to keep from cutting into the surface of the table.  I have been having difficulty with this scrap piece slipping and with using the table's mitre gauge with this kind of setup.  I am now ready to take the plunge into the table top.

My question is, what cutting depth should the adjustment be set at?  If I am cutting 3/4", I know I need about 19-20 mm for the material and 5mm for the guide rail.  How many mm for cutting into the table top?  Assume I am using the 48 tooth combination blade?  Is there a chart somewhere that shows what the setting should for different material thicknesses?

Thanks much.

Neill

 

[ForumMFG]

I know if you look at Brice's TS, he has a label on it with the cutting depth for various material thicknesses.

Here it is.

You can also look at the supplemental guide by Rick, he provides good information on page 13

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Forgive me, because I have not read my own manual for quite some time. Nevertheless, I think I cover this question in the manual. I know I talk about using different cutting depths depending on the type of cut. Check the on-line manual to see if this answers your question.

http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/

Your depth of cut is dependent on the type of cut and the material being cut.

 

[Neill]

Forgive me, because I have not read my own manual for quite some time. Nevertheless, I think I cover this question in the manual. I know I talk about using different cutting depths depending on the type of cut. Check the on-line manual to see if this answers your question.

http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/

Your depth of cut is dependent on the type of cut and the material being cut.

Rick,

First of all, my compliments and thanks to you for writing those informative supplemental manuals.  I know that I have printed all of them out and refer to your manuals before I look at Festool's.  I refer them to new members of the FOG whenever I can.

Before I made my original post I checked your manual and the only reference I could find was to vary the depth depending on the material and to allow 5mm for the guide rail.  You also say to make shallower cuts when using an MFT.

Neill

 

[Michael Kellough]

Somewhere in the range of 2 mm to 1/8" is a good depth. Start shallow and add a mm if it isn't cutting deep enough to reliably complete the cut. As Rick suggests, some materials and blade combinations need more depth for best performance tear-out reduction-wise.

 

[Neill]

Brice, Dave, Michael & Rick,

Thanks to all of you for your replies.  I like Brice's label idea.  It looks like the formula, subject to modification based on the type of blade is:

(5mm for guard rail ) + (2-3mm for cut into MFT) + (thickness of material) = Total Cutting Depth Adjustment.

If I am wrong, please let me know.

Thanks again.

Neill

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Oh dang-it, who left the door open? Come on guys, if you don't keep the screen door closed, the Michael Kellough bugs will get in. These little infestations will never stop once they get a foothold.

We need better smileys!!!

 

[Brice Burrell]

Oh dang-it, who left the door open? Come on guys, if you don't keep the screen door closed, the Michael Kellough bugs will get in. These little infestations will never stop once they get a foothold.

We need better smileys!!!

Rick, we tend to stay pretty tightly on subject over here and I don't think you'll find much smiley love here either. That's just how we like it.

 

[Neill]

Oh dang-it, who left the door open? Come on guys, if you don't keep the screen door closed, the Michael Kellough bugs will get in. These little infestations will never stop once they get a foothold.

We need better smileys!!!

Rick, we tend to stay pretty tightly on subject over here and I don't think you'll find much smiley love here either. That's just how we like it.

Brice,

It's nice to have guys like Michael and Rick posting here again.  We all appreciate their invaluable input.  We also could use a few more smiles in our day.



Neill

 

[ForumMFG]

Neill,

As my wife would say, the problem with this world is that people don't smile enough.  ;D

Good Point.

-Dave

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Before I made my original post I checked your manual and the only reference I could find was to vary the depth depending on the material and to allow 5mm for the guide rail.  You also say to make shallower cuts when using an MFT.

Go to page 20 in the manual. It discusses setups for various types of materials.

 

[Neill]

Before I made my original post I checked your manual and the only reference I could find was to vary the depth depending on the material and to allow 5mm for the guide rail.  You also say to make shallower cuts when using an MFT.

Go to page 20 in the manual. It discusses setups for various types of materials.

Rick,

Thanks.  I checked page 20 and the info will be most useful when I do cut those materials.  For now I am only cutting hard and soft woods.

Neill

 

[score0matic]

Here Is the Super KISS way of setting your TS 55 for 3/4 sheet goods

Step one
open the fast fix and lock your saw

Step 2
slide up the depth stop

Now your saw is properly set.

Craig

 

[woodshopdemos]

if it is just slipping, spray a single shot of 3M Type 77 Adhesive and let it dry. It wont stick to the table but it will help it not slip. Redo occasionally as needed. If yuou only spray the one side and let it become tacky or dry, it will not stick and become a mess in itself.