TS 75 - what rails to buy?

[L66]

Relatively new around here, but have found myself with a rapidly growing collection of green and grey boxes.  Much to my wife's confusion as last time she was in the workshop she asked if they were breeding...

Anyway I have a little cash after Christmas and would like to get myself a track saw.  I work mainly with hardwoods and don't do a huge amount of work processing sheet materials.  I was therefore leaning towards the higher powered, and extra depth of the TS 75.  However, I am not sure what to do about rails.  Do I get it with a 1400 and add a 1900 with the joining kit? I very rarely work with timber over 3000mm.

How much of an overhang is required beyond the end of the stock?  I would rather not have one massive rail as my workshop is not huge. 

Thoughts and suggestions gratefully received!

Thanks

Ian

 

[ear3]

You won't be disappointed with the 75 -- but get the panther blade if you're going to be ripping thick stock.  The only drawback with the 75 vs. the 55 is that the latter is more adept at doing bevel cuts, due to its lighter weight.  The TS75 will work, but you need to be more conscious of the saw tilting at a more extreme angle, especially if the cut is a long one and you're shifting your body position.  You also need more overhang at the front of the rail with the TS75 than with the 55, maybe 8-10 inches.

I initially purchased the 1400 rail to complement the one that comes with the 75.  I ended up getting the 3000 mm rail, however, and was very glad I did.  Although it is possible to set up the connectors to have the rails flush, it is not a foolproof operation, and if you're shifting the rail back and forth or flipping it around frequently you won't have to worry about rechecking the rail for straightness if it's a single piece.  Search for "Betterley" on the forum for additional options on how to connect the rails.

I originally got the 3000 rail because I was doing a paneling project with full sheets of ply.  But I've since found it to be invaluable for plenty of other cuts, such as straightening the edges of long boards (I don't have a jointer).

 

[dltflt]

I agree with Edward on this.  I have the 1900 rai which comes with the saw and 3000 rail.  I was connecting rails for a while but the longer rail is better IMO.

 

[sancho57]

75/1900 is the one

 

[L66]

Thanks gents, as far as I can see the UK version comes with a 1400 as standard, if it was a 1900, I would just buy that and add a 3000 as you are suggesting at a later date!

Will have to do a little more research.

Ian

 

[dltflt]

You should be able to upgrade to the 1900 for the difference in price.

 

[Wuffles]

The difference in price in the UK was (when I last checked) ridiculous given the difference in size isn't that great between the 1400 and 1900, but what everyone says is right, go for the 1900 and try and do a deal with the dealer with regard the price.

The 3000 is super handy, but it's like manoeuvring a plank in a room full of Fabergé eggs on flimsy stands.

I firmly believe Festool should offer public liability insurance for anyone planning to take it outside of a workshop.

But it is super handy, and I'm kidding about the eggs.

 

[Wonderwino]

My TS75 came with the 1900 rail in the U.S. which is fine for crosscutting 4'x8' sheet goods, but for ripping the 8' side, the 3000 can't be beat.  The 2800 is just a little too short for the TS75, although it works fine for the smaller footprint of the TS55.  A single rail is much easier to use than two joined rails, if you have the room to maneuver and store it.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

When I bought my TS75, it also came with a 1400 rail. I did enquire with the Retailer about upgrading to the 1900 rail and just paying the difference in price, but he said that the package price of the saw and 1400 rail was fixed and that if I wanted the 1900 rail, I would have to purchase it separately.
I believe the 1400 rail is the standard rail with the TS75 in the UK.

I knew I needed a longer rail for the job that I got the TS75 for in the first place, so I did ask for the 2700 rail. He didn't have one in stock but offered me a 3000 for the same price. I was more than happy with that!!!!

After completing that first project, I realized that I still really needed the 1900 rail. I ended up getting one from a member on here (it had a slight bend upwards about a 1/3rd of the way down its length, but it has no detrimental effect in use). I have ended up using the 1900 far more than I would have anticipated on jobs since. The additional 500mm length makes using the TS75 a lot easier.

Tim.

 

[L66]

Thanks for all the useful info.  Now I have to decide if I just need a 1900 or if the 1400 rail will be useful too.  I can buy the saw and rail separately. 

 

[rljatl]

If the 1400 is the standard size rail for the TS75 in the UK and the dealer will not let you upgrade to the 1900, ask them if they will let you upgrade to the 1400 holy rail (for the LS32 system).  The 1400 holy rail is the same or close to the same price as the standard 1400 rail.  Then, you can buy the 1900 to use with the TS75 and will at least have the 1400 holy rail that can used for the LS32 system, which you will probably end up with anyway.  [wink]

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

If the 1400 is the standard size rail for the TS75 in the UK and the dealer will not let you upgrade to the 1900, ask them if they will let you upgrade to the 1400 holy rail (for the LS32 system).  The 1400 holy rail is the same or close to the same price as the standard 1400 rail.  Then, you can buy the 1900 to use with the TS75 and will at least have the 1400 holy rail that can used for the LS32 system, which you will probably end up with anyway.  [wink]

I think in the UK, the difference in price between the standard 1400 rail and the LR32 1400 rail, is about £10/15. (Edit. I just checked, and the price difference is £23.)
Individual prices for the 3 rails mentioned .......1400 rail - £50,  1400 LR32 rail - £73,  1900 rail -  £105.

I may be wrong, but I'm not too sure if the UK retailers are quite as willing to do upgrades on the package prices of Saws/Rails/Joining Bars etc, as they are on the other side of the pond. I stand to be corrected....!!!!!

Tim.

 

[ScoFF]

I bought the 55" LR32 (the one with holes) to go with my 75" included.  I cut 8' sheets easy and 4' just as well.  It's a good combo and at least if I ever need the holes in the rail I have it.

 

[darita]

If the 1400 is the standard size rail for the TS75 in the UK and the dealer will not let you upgrade to the 1900, ask them if they will let you upgrade to the 1400 holy rail (for the LS32 system).  The 1400 holy rail is the same or close to the same price as the standard 1400 rail.  Then, you can buy the 1900 to use with the TS75 and will at least have the 1400 holy rail that can used for the LS32 system, which you will probably end up with anyway.  [wink]

I think in the UK, the difference in price between the standard 1400 rail and the LR32 1400 rail, is about £10/15. (Edit. I just checked, and the price difference is £23.)
Individual prices for the 3 rails mentioned .......1400 rail - £50,  1400 LR32 rail - £73,  1900 rail -  £105.

I may be wrong, but I'm not too sure if the UK retailers are quite as willing to do upgrades on the package prices of Saws/Rails/Joining Bars etc, as they are on the other side of the pond. I stand to be corrected....!!!!!

Tim.

Called my area Festool rep and he worked it out with my retailer to trade the rail supplied with my new 55, for an LR32 rail. He said it was no problem and that Festool expects this as an option. Of course you do pay the difference, but it's not much.