TS55 - help aligning the cut

[rich1947]

When using the TS55 I measure the board from the right and draw my line then place the edge of the track along the line and cut but the cut is short by the width of the blade as the blade is cutting on its inside along the track on the line but its outside is cutting into the wood that you want causing the cut to be short by the width of the blade so maybe I have to turn the track around and cut with outside of blade cutting waste side or measure from the left. Has anyone else noticed this and why does it not mention it in instructions or am I supposed to work it out myself. Hope this makes sense and apologise for being long winded.
Rich1947

 

[Sparktrician]

When you're cutting, your marker line should be flush with the edge of the splinterguard on the rail.  The saved piece would be to the left and the cutoff (waste) to the right.  Hope this makes sense. 

 

[eddomak]

Hi and welcome to the FOG!

Sparktrician has filled you in on the basic operation (and you're right, it isn't covered in the manual). If you're new to the saw then you might also want to check out the "Supplemental Manual" written by Rick Christopherson available here: http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/

It has a lot of information on how to get the best out of your saw in different scenarios and set it up for top notch accuracy - I learnt a lot from it.

P.S. I must admit sometimes it would be nicer to have the waste-side be the left side as well.

 

[Ivan T]

The guiderail sits on the piece you want to keep.

 

[rich1947]

Thanks for replies, thought I must be an idiot  [embarassed]. I suppose the simple remedy is from Ivan T saying the track is always on the piece you keep

 

[GPowers]

When using the TS55 I measure the board from the right and draw my line then place the edge of the track along the line and cut but

The guide rail need to be on the left, the side you want to keep. If you put it on the Right, the waste side, you will always be a blade width short.

 

[Wooden Skye]

I took me awhile to figure this out as well (good piece on left).  Sometimes in one of my moments of brilliance I still get it wrong and end up with two identical pieces with different measurements.  [eek]

 

[Runhard]

You could also add or subtract 2mm (kerf thickness) to your measurement (depending on what side you measure from) if you want to use the piece to the right of the cut.

 

[ElCabong]

I took me awhile to figure this out as well (good piece on left).  Sometimes in one of my moments of brilliance I still get it wrong and end up with two identical pieces with different measurements.  [eek]

Welcome to the FOG. Same here. My first cut was the wrong side. Couldn't figure out why I was short. I measured and found it to be the width of the kerf. I was accustomed to my table saw where the right-hand side of the blade/cut was usually the "good" piece. 

 

[carlb40]

You could also add or subtract 2mm (kerf thickness) to your measurement (depending on what side you measure from) if you want to use the piece to the right of the cut.

That is what i do if i have to cut pieces that are too narrow for the rail.

 

[crsowa]

Like they said.... Blade in the waste.
I've used my track saw so many times... and yet I still cut 2 pieces short last weekend by doing just what you did because i was rushing...

In the words of the great philosopher, Nelly... "you ain't from Russia, so why you rushin'"...