If I could do it all over again, I would get the MT55 and the Mafell / Bosch tracks. I cannot stand the track combining for Festool. Luckily I have a 118" track, but even that on occasion is not long enough. Would much prefer multiple Mafell tracks, but at this point I can justify the cost to sell used FT / buy new Mafell.
TS55 or MT55
- Thread starter dusteater
- Start date
At this point cannot be sure what I am doing. I would buy MFT with the saw if I knew that might be that is all I could do. Once again being retired has its limits. I am finding it hard to do what I want now. So many other factors involved. I am sure many understand that. If it comes down to buying one thing and I know I will not be able to afford anything else. I will still lean towards the MT55. or the MFT and TS55. That is my thought for now. I feel either direction will allow me to do things. In the past I had to make do with what I did not have. It just makes doing certain task harder thats all. Looking at reviews on the domino system makes me really want it. That for me means a trade off. A less expensive jobsite saw and buying the domino. There is no way I can drop 1700.00 in the combo. As far as sheet material My lumber Yard will cut it down. So that is an option. Being safe is a concern as I get older. Had some close calls years ago. That is one reason I looked at tracksaw.Either way I go I have to get it past my wife and somehow justify my purchase. Probably my biggest road block.
mrboult
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A TS55 with an MFT is a massively more productive setup than an MT55 on it's own! If it is down to those two options GO FESTOOL!
The mafel & bosch tracks are much better when it comes to joining them perfectly straight for long cuts, but that's seems to be the only reason they're better. I feel like there are more accessories for the festool system from the MFT to clamps to parallel guides etc. . .
Can't comment on the saw quality between the two, but I've never doubted my TS55 and I've put mine through all sorts of tasks.
The mafel & bosch tracks are much better when it comes to joining them perfectly straight for long cuts, but that's seems to be the only reason they're better. I feel like there are more accessories for the festool system from the MFT to clamps to parallel guides etc. . .
Can't comment on the saw quality between the two, but I've never doubted my TS55 and I've put mine through all sorts of tasks.
Birdhunter
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Could you remind us what you intend to build.
McNally Family
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dusteater said:
Rather than break the bank with a saw (and rails), for now let Home Depot cut your lumber for you, and purchase an inexpensive hand saw for the cuts they can't do. Then take your money and purchase the Domino from Festool, for connecting everything together (something Home Depot can't do for you).
I think your point is well taken, but i came here to find out about a tracksaw and what beifits they would be for me. I can do without the domino but not the saw. I will probably buy full sheets, but wanting to use hardwoods has been part of my issue with getting one of these. I believe from what I have read these saws can work with hardwoods from there it gives me the choice to do either sheets or hardwoods. That is what I am trying to figure out. This is why I considered Mt55
I was going to buy a jobsite tablesaw, but when I started reading about festool I realized that could be a option. I know many here have both and I understand they have different purposes, but I also know there are many who have made these their tools. So what do I really need is the option to break down sheet goods to size. I can do that with a tracksaw. I really think I can join hardwoods with glueline cuts and trim glued panels to size. With my slide compound mitersaw and router I make up for other things. I am here because you guys have the knowledge and skills when it comes to tracksaws and woodworking in general. I can learn a lot. I am in no means without some past experience with tools even though I have none with tracksaws. I wish I had not lost twenty some years of woodworking but it has been that long. I remember how it made me feel to make things, but most of all I remember how happy it made other people who got them. I am not a professional as many are here, but I am willing to learn from your experience. I don't know what for sure I will buy, but I feel from reading your forum you all have high regards for Festool saws.
I was going to buy a jobsite tablesaw, but when I started reading about festool I realized that could be a option. I know many here have both and I understand they have different purposes, but I also know there are many who have made these their tools. So what do I really need is the option to break down sheet goods to size. I can do that with a tracksaw. I really think I can join hardwoods with glueline cuts and trim glued panels to size. With my slide compound mitersaw and router I make up for other things. I am here because you guys have the knowledge and skills when it comes to tracksaws and woodworking in general. I can learn a lot. I am in no means without some past experience with tools even though I have none with tracksaws. I wish I had not lost twenty some years of woodworking but it has been that long. I remember how it made me feel to make things, but most of all I remember how happy it made other people who got them. I am not a professional as many are here, but I am willing to learn from your experience. I don't know what for sure I will buy, but I feel from reading your forum you all have high regards for Festool saws.
MrToolJunkie
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I say buy one and try it. Go Festool for cost and get it with the MFT and save 10%. MFT is useful for all other stages of a project.
Holmz
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dusteater said:
How old is the grandson?
What is the garage shelving going to look like? Shelves on brackets? Or an MDF/ply cabinet?
Basically life is short, and tools are expensive.
If the grandson is close by it might make send to build a work bench and then build the desk.
If there is an example if the design then it may be possible to understand what the minimum toolset is. The mention of having the sheets cut is probably more cost effective.
Or buy a desk and a couple of fishing rods and take the young one fishing.
Then later talk him into building a boat with you.
These are my thoughts, but I am 1/2 mad... And time poor, which is why I got the MT55.
Ny grandson is four. We have had him about every day since he was six weeks old. His mon works and we watch him. He is the light of my world.
As far as the shelves she just wants like shelve cases on back wall nothing fancy. I would put wall cabinets back there myself. I learned long ago to try to make her happy As far as shelves I dont know what I would use. She would paint them so maybe MDF.
His desk I would probably build out of oak walnut and cherry. Might use baltic birch and walnut.
Once again reason I considered MT55. I do not know sometimes I think should just get a tablesaw, but safety is my concern there. The domino would be nice but 1000.00 Im sure it is worth it nothing else like it out there. I think about the TS75 which is an option But if I don't buy festool system then if it is just the saw then Mt55 is more money but I fell might be better investment. I am sure both are great. I have a son-inlaw who would love tools when I am gone. Why not leave him some good ones.
My family is important which leaves me with a lot of resonsibility besides myself. This makes it harder to spend money. My car is old and there are other things we do need, but don't have to have. I just know if I don't buy something I never will. I would truly enjoy making furniture and other items.
Now back to the saws. Working a lot with hardwood is my concern. I have a mill close by and in this area walnut,oak and cherry are common. River maple is cheap which is not a really hard wood. .65 cent o bd foot. Walnut around 4.00 and white oak cheaper than that. I have a small lumber yard which say they can get me baltic birch plywood which would be my choice for sheet goods. Having a garage with two cars in it is a problem. working in the driveway is my only real choice. I would love to have dedicated shop. I used to years ago. If I was by myself I would find the money to buy all the tools I need insulate the garage put heat in there and that be my shop. Not an option today. So what can I do. Buy a good saw. Maybe saw and MFt table. move in and out garage. That is my options. I am sure festool is wonderful would not be here if I did not believe that. Also many other choices are cheaper but I know German quality is good. We all know good tools make us happy other wise we would not buy them. If that is because we need that quality or want that quality either way does it matter, same thing.we find many things in life we settle for, but sometimes having the best of one thing lets us know we are worth it.
As far as the shelves she just wants like shelve cases on back wall nothing fancy. I would put wall cabinets back there myself. I learned long ago to try to make her happy As far as shelves I dont know what I would use. She would paint them so maybe MDF.
His desk I would probably build out of oak walnut and cherry. Might use baltic birch and walnut.
Once again reason I considered MT55. I do not know sometimes I think should just get a tablesaw, but safety is my concern there. The domino would be nice but 1000.00 Im sure it is worth it nothing else like it out there. I think about the TS75 which is an option But if I don't buy festool system then if it is just the saw then Mt55 is more money but I fell might be better investment. I am sure both are great. I have a son-inlaw who would love tools when I am gone. Why not leave him some good ones.
My family is important which leaves me with a lot of resonsibility besides myself. This makes it harder to spend money. My car is old and there are other things we do need, but don't have to have. I just know if I don't buy something I never will. I would truly enjoy making furniture and other items.
Now back to the saws. Working a lot with hardwood is my concern. I have a mill close by and in this area walnut,oak and cherry are common. River maple is cheap which is not a really hard wood. .65 cent o bd foot. Walnut around 4.00 and white oak cheaper than that. I have a small lumber yard which say they can get me baltic birch plywood which would be my choice for sheet goods. Having a garage with two cars in it is a problem. working in the driveway is my only real choice. I would love to have dedicated shop. I used to years ago. If I was by myself I would find the money to buy all the tools I need insulate the garage put heat in there and that be my shop. Not an option today. So what can I do. Buy a good saw. Maybe saw and MFt table. move in and out garage. That is my options. I am sure festool is wonderful would not be here if I did not believe that. Also many other choices are cheaper but I know German quality is good. We all know good tools make us happy other wise we would not buy them. If that is because we need that quality or want that quality either way does it matter, same thing.we find many things in life we settle for, but sometimes having the best of one thing lets us know we are worth it.
Birdhunter
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Just to mention that you can buy walnut veneer sheet goods that look darn good. I built a desk and wall cabinets using the veneer for the sides and solid walnut for the other surfaces. I use Watco finish on the veneer after very light sanding. The same finish works on the solid wood.
Not to change your mind now, but look at the SawStop contractor saw. It's a very well made saw that features the instant stop. I have the biggest version of the SawStop saws, but the safety feature is the same.
You may find the hardwood you buy won't be straight or correctly dimensioned for your purposes. It doesn't sound like a jointer and planer are in your budget. Our local Woodcraft store will do special stuff like that for a reasonable price. If there is a woodworker guild or club in your area, the members could be helpful to you.
Be sure to have both eye and hearing protection for the little guy if he is helping you work.
Not to change your mind now, but look at the SawStop contractor saw. It's a very well made saw that features the instant stop. I have the biggest version of the SawStop saws, but the safety feature is the same.
You may find the hardwood you buy won't be straight or correctly dimensioned for your purposes. It doesn't sound like a jointer and planer are in your budget. Our local Woodcraft store will do special stuff like that for a reasonable price. If there is a woodworker guild or club in your area, the members could be helpful to you.
Be sure to have both eye and hearing protection for the little guy if he is helping you work.
Thanks, They don't carry walnut veneer here the closet place would be 30 miles away, but I am sure they would get it for me. They said they could get baltic birch. It would be easier then gluing up panels. No joiner and planner are not in the budget. One reaason I looke at tracksaws was thier cut quality and using sheet materials. As far as the little guy gramma wouldnot let him close to anything like that. I have been reading alot about applewood plywood too. My only concerns is when I finish something it will hold a good finish. I have seen some nice stuff done in veneer plywood.
This why If I use a lot of sheet goods and like them I think TS55 would do nicely.
This why If I use a lot of sheet goods and like them I think TS55 would do nicely.
Birdhunter
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I use the walnut desk I built all the time. I don't think a veneer would hold up very long as it is extremely thin (easy to sand through). You might have to use solid walnut for the top, drawer fronts, and the edges.
I used a DeWalt biscuit cutter to join all the pieces as I built the desk long before the Domino was available. It's a very good and much cheaper alternative to the Domino.
I used a DeWalt biscuit cutter to join all the pieces as I built the desk long before the Domino was available. It's a very good and much cheaper alternative to the Domino.
Thanks, I will keep that in mind. Birdhunter, I have looked at sawstop and I figure they are good saws no so much the jobsite as cabinet saws but it is a good one. The dewalt joiner is an option for now. Twenty years ago given the choice I would have a tablesaw, but now I am not sure. the simple aspect of the tracksaw attracks me if I did nothing but sheet goods it would be a done deal. Doing harwood tops for desk and such would not be much of a issue there. Sawstop may be my answer in the end but my desire is to move out of my comfort zone into something new. I am the type to beat a dead horse to death instead of just moving on.
Guys, before you get completely bored with me here is my plan. I really think I will buy either the TS55 or TSC55 to start with. Might even buy MFT3 if I can swing it. MT55 is a wonderful saw I am sure, but festool give lots of option to build on. I am not good at waiting but I have to for a couple months to see if I can do this. One reason I do not have credit cards anymore. Keeps me honest. I feel festool has the quality I can really enjoy so I can't go wrong with any of the saw choices. Who knows It just might work. Thanks for your kind comments here and will let you know in the future which way I go.
Honestly, you can probably do everything with a regular circular saw and a couple small power tools like a router. Tools don't make the project, you do. If you are still wanting a track saw, there are plenty of less expensive alternatives. And the Domino is nice, but just about any mortice can be done with a $50 router as well. I would caution buying in to a set of expensive tools until you are really sure you will be using them again and again.
Coliban
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dusteater said:
You can´t do anything wrong with that combination.
Until I really need cordless, for example, working somewhere off the grid in the countryside or on the roof of a house, etc., i would stick to cords because of the dust extraction. I have a hose anyway for the dust extractor so it makes no sense investing in cordless devices with all that battery staff (except for drills). If you buy the TS55 maybe you could invest in the MFT3, i think this is a good choice. I for myself have no workshop, so the tools have to be very versatile and compact while still sturdy and accurate and the festool system is the answer to all of these problems. I guess, you would even can´t see the difference when looking at the results between MT55cc and TS55 and to be true, the TS55 fits better in the festool system than the MT55cc. The DF500 in my eyes is a magic tool, but, to some extent, although i think the Dominos are not comparable to any other joiner, they overlap and most of the problems in furniture construction to some extent can also be resolved with cheaper biscuit joiner.
In my opinion for a given budget, i would buy a saw (TS55), a dust extraction and then a working bench, the MFT/3. To span the time until new resources appearing, i would buy a good biscuit joiner and think then about a Domino. Our fathers and grandfathers didn't had access to this sort of tools and they made awesome woodwork.
regards
I have a router and miter saw, If I buy a TS It will never be a waste of money. I will use it. Who is the say in the final moment I might just buy dewalt job site saw. I have made a choice to have some tools. Gone without too long. I could have Makita or dewalt track saw but if a track saw is what I am going to have it will be a festool. If table saw is what I end up with it will probably be a Dewalt. I never see tools as a waste or loss for me there has many projects around our house that if they were there I would use them.I am not without the skills to use them just trying to be real about and keep in check my purpose for buying them. It is not a do or die thing just a desire to become involved again in something I like and enjoy to do. Life is forever when your thirty, seems like you have all the time in the world, when your 66 you better get going ,a day, a year changes everything.
Guys I am going to eat crow here. I love the idea of festool tracks, but when I see more reviews is there any reason one like me who just a hobbiest can opt for the Dewalt or Makita tracksaw. Might give me some flexibility for some elbow room. I watched video on the dewalt. I realize blade changes and quality are not the same, but cut seem good. Not to say I would not buy ts55 but like to keep my mind open here. I know people here have festool. I hope I can buy one but if I can't then at last I have other options. I get stuck on things at times and close my mind to what can really work for me. I like the honesty here it makes me stop and think. The Makita I believe works with festool rail which appears to be better. I hear there has been some problems with makita rails.
