ts 55 or 75

[Foghat]

Hi,
I'm just getting ready to get into Festool. I'm replacing my old power tools with them. I'm trying to decide for the track saw which of the two models would best suit my needs. I'm thinking of the 55 or the 75. My main uses at this point are ripping and crosscutting plywood and possibly some deck material, like TREX. General use for things like fence and deck building, but also for making some bookshelves and furniture.
I have found a slightly used 75. Just wondering if there is any disadvantage to this one vs. the 55? I know it's heavier, but otherwise?
thanks,
foghat

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Welcome to the forum, and to Festool.  [smile]

If you're primarily cutting ~3/4" thick material, you would be best served by the TS 55. If you ever plan to cut anything thicker than 2" or rip a lot of thick hardwood, consider the TS 75.

The TS 75 is much larger in size and is heavier like you mentioned.

I'm sure our forum members will add to that and offer their personal experiences. Also, a search of the forum will yield many existing threads about this topic.

If you have any other questions, let us know.

Enjoy your new saw!

Thank you,
Shane Holland
Festool USA

PS - One other note: our new TS 55 REQ will debut in a month on May 1st. http://www.tracksaw.com

 

[butzla]

Hi Foghat, Welcome! As Shane said, you really should think about how you'll be using your saw. The 55 is smaller and lighter, better suited for sheet goods, particularly with bevel cuts. It also comes with a finer blade, 48 teeth as opposed to 36 on the TS75. IF you can get a good deal on a used 75, go for it! That's what I did. But plan on plunking down a c-note for a finer toothed blade if you want to get the same finish-cut results like that of the TS55. Either way, great saws!

 

[johninthecamper]

the bevel cut is much easier on the 55,no real weight leaning out past the c.g.,unlike the 75.

 

[Foghat]

Thanks, guys.
The 75 I saw also comes with a finer blade and would cost about the same as the 55. Though the upgrades to the 55 would be nice, I may at some point cut something thicker than a single plywood panel. The 75 would let me cut several at once to match them. Just wondering if the main draw back for most of the work is the weight. If it's unwieldy. I don't use them too often, but I have put off doing lots of projects because the tools I have are either not accurate, or the set up takes so much time and is so easily messed up. ( I know about measuring and all, I did work as a carpenter for several years. The quick and safe set up of Festools is just so much better and I'd be more likely to take on the projects around the house.) I found that several times just setting up a guide, with the offset of my circular saw, clamping things and such would lead to some wobble or it would get off line and then I'd have to start all over. It made working very frustrating. The accuracy of these tools is what is so appealing. It's trying to figure out which of the two would be best for me.
Thanks.

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Buy the TS 75 now and when the TS 55 R comes out for release your side of the pond buy that then. That way you have the best of both worlds  [big grin]

 

[butzla]

Thanks, guys.
The 75 I saw also comes with a finer blade and would cost about the same as the 55.

If it comes with a finer blade and it's about the same, go for it!  The weight is not a problem until you're making bevel cuts but even then it's doable.  It's just that you'll wish you had the 55 but by that time, the new one will be out and readily available.

 

[semenza]

Hi Foghat, Welcome to the FOG  ???  [smile]

One thing to consider about stacking sheets for cutting ..... I find that by the time I get them stacked and aligned perfectly (and clamped so that they don't shift)  that I could have done it just as fast or faster  cutting them separately. 

Seth

 

[Foghat]

Hi guys,
Well, I fell down the slippery slope big time! I found a slightly used kapex which was like new and bought that, replacing my old chop saw. What an unbelievable difference! then I decided I needed proper dust collection, and that I could save a bit with a package deal, so i got the R90 with a CT26, and the 150/3. All are just beautiful and work so well.
Next up is an mft3 and new ts55req, and that'll be it. (well, except for a few accessories...).
I fell and I couldn't get up! :
I'm sure I'll have more than a few questions for you guys, but I have to say I am so eager to finish projects that i started but got frustrated because my old tools were not performing squarely, in spite of repeated adjustment. They'd just worn too much in those adjustable parts. They were over twenty years old, and didn't owe me a thing...they probably were never meant to last that long and got lots of hard use on job sites. Now I'm ready to finish those and start new ones.
Foghat