TS55 or TS75

[putttn]

As a newbie/green pea to woodworking after 35 years, I am wondering if a guy should buy the TS55 or 75?  Most of my woodworking will start as just doing cabinets, bookcases etc for my workshop and small barn.  May want to cut a 4x4 for table legs but that would be seldom and still have my 25 yr old Skil saw worm drive that's hardly been used.  Would I be foolish to get the 55 or would the 75 be better because it uses a bigger blade that could be purchased from more sources?  Don't want to buy the 55 and wish I'd gone bigger or be locked in to one source of blades.

 

[Daviddubya]

I think the only answer to your question is - it depends.  It depends on your needs.  I own an ATF55, the predecessor to the TS55.  I have not yet run into a situation where I wished I had bought the bigger saw.  If you think you need the added depth of cut and corresponding increase in power, then get the TS75.  If you think that most of your work will be with panels and material up to 1-1/2" thick, the TS55 will be fine.  The 1-15/16 depth of cut on the 55 saw is enough for many of us.  I have never felt that my 55 was lacking power.

As for blades, you will get an excellent blade selection from Festool.  Personally, I have not felt the need to look elsewhere for blades.  Festool blades are high quality, and the price is quite competitive.

 

[mysterium]

This is a topic that's been kicked around many times on this (& the old Yahoo) forum...  And on many other wood forum's.... 

I'm not sure there is a "right" answer for everyone.... 

1st I have both the older models AFT 55 & AFT 65.  Of the two only because of the projects I've been working on lately, I've been grabbing the larger 65 more...

If your only cutting sheet stock, the 55 is a great fit.  But if your stacking multiple sheets or cutting lot's of thick hardwoods... the extra depth & hp of the larger saw is what your looking for... 

But in either case the key thing for the saws to preform correctly is the "right" blade for the job.  The 48 tooth blade that comes on the saws are perfect for most sheet stock, but won't cut framing lumber like the 4 x4 you mentioned.  I don't know about other blades fitting the larger saw 'cause I only use the Festool blades.  Yes the larger blades are more expensive...

As for cutting 4 x 4's you'd want the TS 75 however like a cabinet saw it won't cut that thickness in a single pass.  Only a bandsaw with the correct blade would cut that thickness in a single pass, although I have cut 4 x 4's in a single cut with my Festool Trion jigsaw, again with the "right" blade.

One more thing to consider if you go with the larger TS 75 is the length of the rails.  The larger saw with the blade fully plunged will need more run out room on either end, thus longer rails.  i.e. the longer 118" (3000 mm) for the TS 75 vs the 106 (2700 mm) for the TS 55 to cut a 96" sheet.

Hope this helps,
jim

 

[James Metcalf]

Putttn
David and Jim have given you good advice.I have both saws and reach for the TS55 most of the time.It is lighter in weight,and will do most all the jobs.I had the older version ATF55 for about one and a half years and wanted the new TS55. I sold it on Ebay for what I paid for it. It will be hard for you to go wrong with Festool.You also have thirty days to make up your mind to keep or return the saw.You can always buy the TS75 later if you have that need.                      Prices jump about ten persent on April first.

James Metcalf

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Just a quick note, while we don't have many exchanges I would say that I hear more often of customers exchanging the 75 for the 55 because of it's size and weight.  We have a quick comparison of the two with side-by-side photos of each on our website.  It also highlights some of the differences between the two.  Most notable the 3½ pounds and just the sheer size difference.
http://www.mcfeelys.com/festool/product/561174 (scroll to the bottom)

Shane

 

[Bob Marino]

As James stated - excellent advice here. See what your applications will be.The blades for both saws however, are pretty much proprietary to Festool

 

[AztecKing]

I just ordered the TS55 tonight from Bob and I can't see needing the bigger saw for my needs.  If I ever need to cut a 4x4 I can do it in two passes.  I can't wait to get it and put it to use. 

 

[Tinker]

Putttn,
I have the ATF 55.  for nearly all of my woodworking, there wood be absolutely no need for the TS 75.  i have even worked with 2x lumber.  I don't recall if i tried tilting at 45º with 2x lumber, but I have gone far enough into som 3" stuff that it was easilly finished off with my handsaw (one of those funny named Japanese saws with two sided cutting and thin kerf.)  you have mentioned your age.  believe me, if you are not already looking at the weight factor when buying hand tools, you will be very soon.  i was very tuned in to tossing 85 # concrete blocks, 96# bags of cement, soaking wet, concrete coated lumber that drove the ankles 3"s into the gronud and the knees into the chin, and even heavier rocks for over 40 years, and believe me, i am NOW, very weight conscious.  Unless you are expecting to work with very heavy (thick) lumber, I am pretty sure you will get along fine with the TS 55. it has plenty of power for most operations.  you can always upgrade.  (Be aware that you are already showing the very worst symptoms of Festool Mania for which there is no antidote.  Proceed with extreme caution!!!)  In my own case, i still have my old reliable Milwaukee that does get called in to service upon rare ocassions.  If you want to know how I would proceed, knowing you are very limited for space and only just getting into Festool system, i would get the TS 55 and then start thinking about the Trion PS 300.  The trion can span the deeper cuts occasionally needed and also can take up the slack to not need a bandsaw right away.  I have both and use both. if i had to get along with BS or Trion, only one, i would keep the Trion.  (I could use the extra space, but then i would probably get serious about the Kapex.  See what i mean about no known cure)
Tinker

 

[bassman00]

I was faced with the same question and went with the TS55.  Actually, I have the TS55/MFT1080 package coming in this week... Right Bob?  ;D

For a while my thinking was to get the larger one and not have to worry about "upgrading" for larger cuts.  The package price difference wasn't that great.  However, I would rarely need the extra capacity of the 75 so why lug along a bigger, heavy machine?  I can always cut larger pieces by hand if I have to.  I would be using my TS55 for sheet goods and for crosscutting long planks and squaring large panels where the limited space around my contractor saw would make it difficult or impossible.

Just be careful, it is a slippery slope you're on.

PaulD

 

[putttn]

I am finding that Tinker is well named.  He "Tinkers" with your mind by throwing out new things I've never heard of like "Kapex".  What's Kapex I ask myself, then Google it only to find out it's another toy I now have to think about.  What's worse is I've got this neat-nick wife that really thinks Festool is really cool, especially when I sanded a cabinet in our garage right next to the back door into our home=no dust.  But I have justified my purchases because of the space saving attributes and how neat and clean everything is when in Sustainers.  Well, I guess the votes are overwhelming for the TS55 so that's the next purchase.  Now I have to check out this Kapex.  When's it coming-how much-what for?  This Festool thing is addicting, just showed a friend who's got a complete shop of tools and now he wants to jump on the Festool bandwagon too.

 

[Dan Clark]

Check out this Kapex thread:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=158.0. 

Regards,

Dan.

p.s. hold on to your wallet firmly. 

 

[Tinker]

I am finding that Tinker is well named.  He "Tinkers" with your mind by throwing out new things I've never heard of like "Kapex".  What's Kapex I ask myself, then Google it only to find out it's another toy I now have to think about.  What's worse is I've got this neat-nick wife that really thinks Festool is really cool, especially when I sanded a cabinet in our garage right next to the back door into our home=no dust.  But I have justified my purchases because of the space saving attributes and how neat and clean everything is when in Sustainers.  Well, I guess the votes are overwhelming for the TS55 so that's the next purchase.  Now I have to check out this Kapex.  When's it coming-how much-what for?  This Festool thing is addicting, just showed a friend who's got a complete shop of tools and now he wants to jump on the Festool bandwagon too.

I'm glad you only mentioned that I like to "Tinker".  There are those who would add a certain letter that gives an entirely different meaning.
i also have a neatnick who really gets on to me about dust and dirt.  the mud season is here (my daytime job takes me outdoors) and the din is becoming such that I am replacing all of my earmuff hearing protectors.  Anyhow, The last in house project had me working in bathroom, hall, Living room, bedroom and kitchen.  when I first started, she was practically standing on top of me with broom and dustpan.  I was using several different toys, each hooked up to my CT 22.  After about 15 minutes, she went back to her own work, allowing me to continue.  She could barely find anything to cleanup.  she even let me work til noon without any extra vacuuming.  And the same in afternoon.  She approves of the system.
Tinker

 

[T. Michael]

I'm glad you only mentioned that I like to "Tinker".  There are those who would add a certain letter that gives an entirely different meaning.Tinker

Would that be "Thinker" ?

Mike

 

[LaserGecko]

Most notable the 3½ pounds and just the sheer size difference.

I tell you what, it's the darned truth! I had only played with the TS75 at the store when I ordered the TS55.

The size difference is substantial. The motor is smaller; it's much lighter. What's really amazing is the blade for the TS55 almost looks like a toy, but it's capable of doing such fine cutting.

The deal breaker for me was the size and cost of the additional rail needed to breakdown sheet goods.

 

[Dixon Peer]

We have two 55's, the old one and the new, and an old style 75.  I never reach for the 75 unless it's to cut the bottom of a 2 1/4" entry door (we make them) or some other task that requires the extra cutting depth.  It is noticeably heavier than the 55's are...the new 55 seems even lighter than the old onel

 

[Programmergeek]

I have the old stlye 55 and just got the new one never needed the 75 unless I was doing multipal sheets but then the guide is so fast to set up it really wouldn't save that much time between halling 2 saws and setting up a second saw.  I do however like the size and weight of the 55 alot more. 

 

[Ted Miller]

Just got the TS55/CT Midi yesterday and man both these items are very light. The TS75/CT22 was bit to move when doing some kitchen work. This 55 is so light and perfect timing from Bob Marino I need it tomorrow...