Table saw / track saw. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Track saw excels on sheet goods. Both are good to have.
Seth
Seth
TS55 or MT55
- Thread starter dusteater
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You are right about that. The way I figure what ever I do I am better off than I am now. Even if my choices are a dewalt tablesaw or The Ts55. Both are within reason. It just depends On how much I want to change in the way I do woodworking. The MT55 would truely be my first choice but no matter how I look at it I can't really justify it. The other thing is I have a 10" sliding compound mitersaw. As far as sheet good most lumber co. around here will cut sheets down for you to haul. I really think if I had the money and was really looking at this I might opt for a 7480 saw with the Domino system. That covers hardwood and jointery.
I think it will probably go like this. I will torture myself with lots of choices but in the end probably buy TS55. Reason is festool systems are good. it is a place to start. When I did photography I took this picture with black and white film. This is what I am not ready for
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MrToolJunkie
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dusteater said:
I really do not think you can go wrong. I have a few Mafell tools and they are the best tools in their categories that I have used -- jigsaw and the KSS80 -- just absolute engineering perfection. I would not hesitate adding the MT55 to my arsenal -- service and availability from TW is no issue at all and now Tool Nut carries Mafell so they are slowly expanding.
That said, I really like the TSC55 as I indicated before. Being cordless opens up more possibilities for me as I like to work outside and now I have no issues with a cord. It has cut everything I have thrown at it including ripping 8/4 walnut with no issues at all. So it is plenty powerful for that type of work. I like Festool's anti-splinter guard for the right of the blade too - Mafell uses a scoring function and I think that both can work well. But, I get perfect cuts in ply with the TSC and I am happy with it.
I do think that Mafell rails are better - there are two clamping slots so you can clamp thin stock closer to the blade. Also, connecting them is a breeze and super fast. So there are some advantages. Festool comes in more lengths and it is easier to use other accessories like parallel guides. They also have plastic strips to allow the saw to slide easier. Mafell's rails are actually ground and machined on the side opposite the splinter guard and this is really nice for positioning the rail - since not Parallel Guides are available for it, I use a stop-rule and I get perfectly parallel and repeatable cuts with this method.
I think you buy what makes sense financially and go for it - like I said, I really think that you will be happy with any of the saws. They are all well made and cut very nicely.
The Zeta looks great for special connectors and (and biscuits of course) the Tenso in particular for box construction though I do like the way a domino will allow even large panels to stand up with no additional support while doing assembly. I do think the Domino can do a wider range of woodworking joints though.
Seth
Seth
Thanks again Scott for your input works of encouragement. Here ones like yourselves who have use these saws It make me fell better about stepping out there to buy one. Thanks for info on the TSC55. I really am taking a look at that. It would free me to work anywhere outside my house. I read other forums but find a lot of negative stuff in some of them. I don't here. I am dismissing the MT55 out just have to see.
MrToolJunkie
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If you got with the TSC, I would suggest getting a spare set of batteries to charge while you are using one set and then swap - that way you can cut all day and not run out of juice. The batteries do last a long time. The good thing with Festool is that you can buy a saw, try it out and if it does not work for what you want, you can return it no questions or swap for a different one. This does not apply to any accessories - so only what comes with the original scope of delivery - so you cannot buy extra blades and batteries, for example and use them and return them. But, going with the basic scope of delivery is likely enough to see if it will work. That is a pretty risk-free way to purchase. I have had to take advantage of it for four tool purchases - and only because I had issues with the tools and just swapped for new ones.
Coliban
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I don´t want to be obtrusive, but, as i mentioned already, the Bosch GKT 55 GCE is nearly the same as the MT55cc (i think, the Bosch doesn't has a scoring function). While it is not available in NA, they sell it in England for about 440USD (but with 230V). Found one with 110V Bosch GKT 55 GCE
(btw. i think the domino system is outstanding and, when it comes to heavier task, with no adequate substitute because it i so versatile, it can be used for a wide range of tasks View attachment 1).
(btw. i think the domino system is outstanding and, when it comes to heavier task, with no adequate substitute because it i so versatile, it can be used for a wide range of tasks View attachment 1).
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Holmz
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Coliban said:
Nonsense [member=54664]Coliban[/member] it is not intrusive, but giving the fellow a full range of possibilities.
So it is (as they say in Australia) "It's all good mate". [wink]
And I agree with you and [member=1619]SRSemenza[/member] about the dominos (for real wood).
Just for sheets, and only sheets, then the Zeta deserves some real consideration. Like the tablesaw, many people can end up with both.
We need to see if that GKT-55 in 110v is "Universal", which means that it would be 50/60 Hz.
I suspect so if ¿it is the same Cuprix motor? from Mafell.
That would seem to generate some chin scratching as a good option.
demographic
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Coliban said:
Hmm, never knew that one.
Kind of a biggie isn't it?
I really like having that 12mm from a wall (or floor) distance as skirting board covers the flooring gap or 12mm off a floor is a nice size for a door.
30mm is damn thick skirting board or a door that has to be removed (bear in mind I've used my TS55 to cut 12 mm off the bottom of two barn doors that were catching on the concrete, I didn't fancy lifting them off to cut down) to cut it to size.
Birdhunter
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The OP stated he was considering either a track saw or a small table saw. My immediate reaction was that a TS55 with the MFT rail is a lifetime tool while a small table saw will eventually be replaced with a bigger and better cabinet saw. My advice would be to go with a high quality track saw and vac now then save up for a Domino and then a high quality cabinet saw.
From a safety viewpoint, I think breaking down sheetgoods on any table saw is risky business. Doing so on a small table saw would really worry me.
From a safety viewpoint, I think breaking down sheetgoods on any table saw is risky business. Doing so on a small table saw would really worry me.
MrToolJunkie
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demographic said:
I think that in Mafell's view the tracksaw is primarily used for sheet material and that their KSS line of saws is more construction and flooring. The KSS300, for example, is their small circular saw that is really designed as a trim saw and excels at flooring from what I have read. My bigger KSS80 excels at construction cutting and working with big timbers on and off a rail. Not that a tracksaw cannot do that type of work, but the KSS saws excel at it and are easier to use for it -- kind of like Festool's HK series of saws.
I believe If I buy small tablesaw first I will never get the tracksaw because there will be other things always. If I buy a good tracksaw and never get the chance to pick up tablesaw I would like that better. Not a young man anymore, I think safety reasons leans me towards tracksaw.
One question here. If I cut sheet goods and stick with 4/4 hardwood will the TS55 work out for me. I know I need another blade for ripping hardwood. I know I would be crosscuting some gluedup harwood panels. When I considered the ts75 for the money I am close to MT55. Same goes for the TCS55 when you figure batteries.
dusteater said:
Short answer is yes.
You can get it done a little faster (hardwood) with the TS75, but the TS55 does the job and certainly not slow or difficult (as you know with proper blade). Buy it , try it, get the ripping blade and try that, then you'll know first hand. If you return it you will eat part of the price of the ripping blade. But the barely used blade should be no problem to sell here in the FOG Classifieds to get some of that cost back.
Seth
Birdhunter
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The only caution on cutting really nice wood with a track saw is you can get some blowout at the end of the cut. I normally will use a sacrificial piece at the exit end of the cut to avoid blowout. I see blowout even on my heavy cabinet saw, but it's not as pronounced as with a track saw.
You should consider getting a pair of the Festool clamps for the track. They slide into a slot in the track and allow clamping the track to the wood with no obstruction to the saw path.
Other than that
You should consider getting a pair of the Festool clamps for the track. They slide into a slot in the track and allow clamping the track to the wood with no obstruction to the saw path.
Other than that
DrD
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[member=63978]dusteater[/member]
As far as choosing between the Festool or the Mafell, my preference is Mafell. I will add, since they are both expensive, I would probably lean towards the Makita; I believe it is more powerful, and have been told it runs on Festool guide rails. It is also considerably less expensive.
Have fun, DrD
Haven't been a young man for some years now. I have a TS 75 - love it - and a very expensive granite table cabinet saw. Have had 2 run-ins with the cabinet saw blade (while powered up) which couldn't happen with the TS 75, thus the cabinet saw is a surface upon which to leave something I'm too tired/lazy to put back in its proper place.dusteater said:
As far as choosing between the Festool or the Mafell, my preference is Mafell. I will add, since they are both expensive, I would probably lean towards the Makita; I believe it is more powerful, and have been told it runs on Festool guide rails. It is also considerably less expensive.
Have fun, DrD
