TS55 as a Kapex alternative
- Thread starter yverof
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Wooden Skye
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Could you give a better description as to what you are looking to accomplish? I have read where several people use the TS55 as a replacement to having a miter saw, but it seems to me that you are looking to mount the TS55 in a way that is more like a traditional miter saw. Don't think it would be wise or safe.
yverof said:
I'm sure others will disagree with me. However, I have used the TS55 + MFT essentially as miter saw to cut 45's and 90's very accurately (plus at least one other angle). I have decided that, unless I become a trim carpenter (no chance at this point), there is no reason for me to invest in a Kapex, no matter how accurate. The TS55/MFT works great. I would suggest investing in one of the dogs sets though. Once aligned to the holes in the MFT, using dogs along a 45 degree angle as the fence is easy and extremely accurate. If you plan to cut a very large number of pieces at some specific angle, it's likely the Kapex would be a better choice. For me, the dust collection and accuracy of the TS 55 and MFT together would make this unnecessary for the amount of angle and cut-offs I do in my hobby shop. I see the Kapex as a luxury and a production machine more than anything. As I've said, though, I'm sure there will be many who will disagree.
yverof said:
Not stupid at all. If you have the full MFT/3 with miter gauge, as already mentioned, no other device is necessary. If you don't, Festool makes an angle unit (491588) that would come in handy. Before i purchased a Kapex, I used my TS 55 and MFT/3 for cutting outside miters on 7 1/4" baseboard molding and it worked fine. What kind of cutting are you hoping to do with your track saw?
Not a stupid question at all. However, the "device" already exists - a Festool MFT. The TS55 plus an MFT can do most of the work of a table saw and a miter saw. Get some dogs or a good T Square and you can make extremely accurate 90 and 45 degree cuts. (I have the older MFT with the older miter gauge, so I use squares and dogs.)yverof said:
Note that I also have a Kapex 120 and sawhelper arms. It is very accurate and very fast, and excels at making repeated cuts. It is the tool of choice for trim carpentry. I also have a Dewalt DW7480 table saw for certain cuts. I use both too, but only when it makes more sense.
All of this depends on what you will be cutting. Plywood? TS55 (nothing better). House trim, especially repeated cuts? Kapex. Narrow repeated cuts? Table saw. Resawing wood? Bandsaw. Fine, tight curves? Bandsaw, jigsaw, or scroll saw. It all depends.
How are you going to use the saw?
Regards,
Dan.
p.s. Make sure you get a DC with it. Once you go dustless, you'll never go back.
Thank you very much all, what I wanted to cut things like frames for pictures or door frames
I already have a MFT but a bit big to move around.
I found a solution with 3 items.
the SYSTAINER T-LOC SYS MFT (500076) with screw clamps
the 32" Guide Rail FS 800 - (491499) which I will cut into two pieces to make it easier to handle
the Dogs as suggested or the angle unit (491588) with a small mod to make sure it does not move. A shown in the picture I would be making holes once I'm sure the most used angles are accurate and a piece between the holes (in red). Hope this is clear
I already have a MFT but a bit big to move around.
I found a solution with 3 items.
the SYSTAINER T-LOC SYS MFT (500076) with screw clamps
the 32" Guide Rail FS 800 - (491499) which I will cut into two pieces to make it easier to handle
the Dogs as suggested or the angle unit (491588) with a small mod to make sure it does not move. A shown in the picture I would be making holes once I'm sure the most used angles are accurate and a piece between the holes (in red). Hope this is clear
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yverof said:
Sorry I didnt' understand you were using in a, more or less, mobile use. I use my MFT in my basement workshop and, therefore, really don't have any need to move it. I can completely understand that, if you will be moving it from jobsite to jobsite, you would want something more mobile.
