TS 55 or MFT/3

[Master Carpenter]

Without a doubt, saw first. The ts 55 has a lot more uses than just "breaking down sheet goods". For everyone advising to "buy into the system", yes the system has great benefits, but for me at least, and several others from reading the posts here, the track saw is the gateway. Making precise cuts will advance your woodworking farther than having a fancy workbench.

I started with the saw, added a Festool hose to use with a shop vac and used a couple saw horses. Once I saw how much more i could do, I worked to add to the system. You question asked which first, so it doesn't matter why you are spacing out the purchase, you'll get the mft eventually, and that will add more capabilities.

I wouldn't buy the mft second, I'd get a sander. The other Festool that really changed the game.

 

[Chance Beasley]

Latimer,

I would get the saw. Then the dust collector (CT vac). But, immediately I would search the internet and buy a downloadable file for around $10 that has the MFT hole pattern on it. Find a wood shop with a CNC machine and have them cut you out 2 MFT tops for around $75 (this should include the MDF as well). I own the MFT and wish I just would have done the CNC shop versions first. You'll be able to fit 2 tops out of one sheet of MDF. Or, you can have them scale it bigger and make a bigger version.

 

[grbmds]

Thanks everyone for the responses, as for my plans its just like i said a dilemma, i'm just looking for the best place to start in acquiring decent

tools and like i said i have a choice of two options. I could just buy the saw and the track and use it on my workbench i suppose, but i do like

the MFT table in that it has a range of uses which i like also, and for its size its perfect for me.

So i guess i will do a lot more research before deciding which one, please continue to offer the pros and cons of each, its very much appreciated.

Thanks again, Latimer.

Having purchased tools kind of randomly when I first started woodworking, I wish I had put more thought into what I would build with them and where I will use them. Now I have a shop full of tools which will allow me to build anything I want and some things that I will probably never have the need to build. I have more tools than I need for sure.

The TS55/MFT3 combo is a very powerful tool but, for me it won't do everything. You will also eventually need dust collection if you don't want a big mess. The TS55 will definitely function on its own without the MFT but will still make a mess without dust collection. Certainly you can go cordless with the TSC55 but, if you are just using it in your shop, I feel the TS55 is a better choice.

There is no way for anyone to tell you which tools you need. If I had it to do over again, I'd wait till I had a project and buy the tools I need for that project and accumulate new tools each time I started a new project for which I didn't have the appropriate tools. That's probably too sensible for most of us when a shiny new tool stares us in the face.

 

[Welshdog]

Since we are discussing the TS55 I have a question: After the whole Imperial/Metric kerfuffel, how is the TS sold in the US?  Pictures on Festool USA website clearly show the depth scales as metric.  After using my ATF55e for 10 years I kind of want a saw with a metric scale.

 

[Mario Turcot]

New saw in NA is imperial only. If you are from US you can contact festoolusa and they will sent you a metric sticker for free. For Canadians, you have to order them through your local dealer $$. Can I pretend to be on the US side with a Canadian address

Mario

 

[TXFIVEO]

I say get the TS75..more power and ability to cut much thicker material...good to have when you need it. To compare...I got an 8” jointer instead of the usual 6” jointer...boy I’m glad I went with the larger capacity machine for those future projects where you will inevitably “need” it and wish you had it!

 

[GoingMyWay]

I was fearing I may have made a mistake buying the TS55 instead of the TS75 especially because I was cutting 8/4 wood to make a cutting board.  That was until I got to pick up and hold the TS75 again at the Roadshow this past Tuesday.  It is considerably bigger and heavier than the TS75.  I can affirmatively say that I'm glad I got the TS55 instead of the TS75.

 

[Sanderxpander]

I suppose if you're getting rid of the miter/chop saw it's worth considering the 75 over the 55 just to have something that will cut thicker beams. Though I guess a track saw really isn't the ideal tool for that to begin with.

 

[TXFIVEO]

If the slight weight difference between the TS55 and TS75 is a “deal breaker” maybe a little less time in the woodshop and more time in the gym.  [eek] The saw is primarily slid on a track.  It’s not like you are holding dead weight all day long. 

 

[Latimer]

Latimer,

I would get the saw. Then the dust collector (CT vac). But, immediately I would search the internet and buy a downloadable file for around $10 that has the MFT hole pattern on it. Find a wood shop with a CNC machine and have them cut you out 2 MFT tops for around $75 (this should include the MDF as well). I own the MFT and wish I just would have done the CNC shop versions first. You'll be able to fit 2 tops out of one sheet of MDF. Or, you can have them scale it bigger and make a bigger version.

Thanks for the info, and everyone else, i will take all suggestions and ideas on board, thanks again, Latimer.

 

[GoingMyWay]

If the slight weight difference between the TS55 and TS75 is a “deal breaker” maybe a little less time in the woodshop and more time in the gym.  [eek] The saw is primarily slid on a track.  It’s not like you are holding dead weight all day long.

I take back about what I said about the TS75.  It's actually not that heavy (even for a weakling like me).  I bought a TS75 this past Sunday so I can cut the 8/4 wood for my end grain cutting boards.  I also purchased a MFT/3 that arrived last week.  I am now FINALLY able to properly cut and support the wood.

I wish I had just bought the TS75 and and MFT/3 from the beginning.  I'm going to also keep the TS55 as it's a great saw as long you're cutting sheet goods and not thick hardwoods (even with the panther blade).