TS55 VS table saw

[HowardH]

I'm looking to upgrade my table saw this year and have now begun to question whether or not I really need to if I have the MFT 1080 and the TS55.  How do you guys feel about it?  Some argue that a good TS is the backbone of any woodshop and would make some operations easier than using than using the MFT.  I'm thinking about getting a PM 2000 so it's no small investment. Do I really need it?

 

[mstens]

I can't imagine working without either to be honest.  I've done one project solely with my atf55 simply to see if I could.  Since then I use the two in concert, it would be difficult to deal with 12/4 material with the festool saw, simply because the tablesaw is more expedient.  That being said, I was discussing this the other night and were I to do it again, I'd seriously consider getting a large bandsaw before a cabinet saw.

 

[mysterium]

Howard,

I have both the AFT 55 & AFT 65 plunge saws along with a 1080 MFT table plus lots of rails.  They have literally change how I work..... 

However, if you asked could they replace a panel saw?  Absolutely!!!  In my case the panel saw is virtually collecting dust.  No comparision on quality of cut, dust collection etc.

But replace my Unisaw.....  No way!!! Yes the Festool plunge saw can do some of the function of a TS, but not the scope of a table saw.  The plunge saws are a great compliment to the table saw.

You will not need however over a 30" fence with the TS with the Festool plunge saw doing your sheet break down work.

jim

 

[HowardH]

I thought this would be the case.  I wasn't going to get more than a 30" saw anyway since I don't have the room.  I remember first seeing the Festool line at Woodcraft and didn't give it a second thought, it was just so expensive!  However, reading post after post in Woodnet about how easy it made everything, how great the DC system was, how accurate it is, well you get the picture.  I'm a convert and would never go back!

 

[Dan Clermont]

I don't have a tablesaw and probably won't have one with the sze of my current shop.

I recently bought hte TS-55 and it has helped me out immensely with larger projects (only built one thing with it so far)

I have a Laguna bandsaw I use for smaller pieces and am completely competent with hand planes so I can take a board with a rough edge off the bandsaw and square/joint/smooth it with planes.

Only thing I miss from a Table saw is the dado blade and to this day use a router for all dado type operations

Dan Clermont

 

[Dan Clark]

I have a TS55 and MFT1080 + rails.  I do not have a table saw.  Like many Festool users, I have not found a reason to get one (but I'm open to the concept).  I break down sheet goods using two connected guide rails + TS55 + pink insullation foam on the floor.  Than I cut the smaller pieces either on the floor or my MFT1080. 

For me it's worked great.  Nice square cuts and great accuracy.  No table saw or expensive third-party products needed. 

Regards,

Dan.

 

[mstens]

Question for those of you using nothing but a guided saw.  What are your usual materials?  I'm curious.

 

[Per Swenson]

Ok this is important, because its always different strokes for
different folks and years of work habits combined with intuitive knowledge of how to get certain jobs done.

Folks we run a small commercial shop for large size installs.
Our table saw is integral. But on the job, the contractors table saw is gone.
And we rely solely on Festool.

But back at the shop... I break down all of our rough sawn Mahogany with nothing more then the 65 and linked together rail. Plane one side then
joint the edge with the same 65 combo.

From there its easier for say 300 identical pieces to be pushed through the
table saw.

I hope this helps and explains methods of work.

Per

 

[Lou Miller]

Folks we run a small commercial shop for large size installs.
Our table saw is integral. But on the job, the contractors table saw is gone.
And we rely solely on Festool.

Per

That's pretty much exactly how I use my TS and my Festool as well.

Howard, I believe this exact topic was debated on Woodnet not long ago. That thread turned ugly, so I won't say too much more. However, it looks like you're getting the same responses here. Well, from people who aren't making a sales pitch anyway... Really, the two tools compliment each other perfectly. For me, being without one or the other would kind of like being without my right hand. Just wouldn't want to do it.

 

[Jim Becker]

For about a week or two I'm going to be table-saw-less, so any cutting I need to do or decide to do will have to be with the Festool saw and the rails or my MFT. (Sold my cabinet saw yesterday and will be taking delivery of a Mini Max slider at some point) There are some things I likely wouldn't want to do with the Festool saw and vice versa...so I'm also on the "complimentary" point of view. But I use the ATF a lot more than I ever expected I would, but it would not "replace" a table saw in my shop!

 

[woodshopdemos]

Howard,

The Festool System can replace the table saw buit you will need some positioning accessories.  Several of the EZ Users have sold their table saws....

Burt

Did anybody say anything about the EZ Users? Please keep this new, great site a Festool site and not cheap imitations. That is simply a request by me..an individual.

 

[woodshopdemos]

and now off of my high horse and to the subject. For the last 6 weeks, floodlights are on the TS as my assistants and I do a DVD with the Festool only shop. I set the shop up that way to answer this question that is posed to me all the time in emails that I get. I can answer it more honsestly when I setup the "Festool only shop". Yes, it is difficult some times not to run to the chop saw for a quick cut or the TS for a groove, but none-the-less, it is very possible.
  I am with Per though on the matter of practicality. He represents much more of a real woodworker than I.
  Before signing off,  my attempt to resaw a 4" plank with the TS75 was strictly a test to see if it couldbe done...with quality.

From this page:http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fes-sc-3.htm

 

[T. Michael]

Howard, 

I have the TS55 and a PM 66 TS with a recently installed Jessem MasteRSlide -- sort of a poor man's eurosaw.  Great for those small repetitive pieces, and slim rips.

If I was starting over, I'd like a euroslider to go along with my TS55 with rails, and an MFT for breakdown of materials. 

However, If my budget was limited to a cabinet saw, I'd give the Saw Stop a good look.  It's features, fit and finish run circles around the PM 2000 IMHO.

Best, Mike

 

[WillieO]

Ok this is important, because its always different strokes for
different folks and years of work habits combined with intuitive knowledge of how to get certain jobs done.

Folks we run a small commercial shop for large size installs.
Our table saw is integral. But on the job, the contractors table saw is gone.
And we rely solely on Festool.

But back at the shop... I break down all of our rough sawn Mahogany with nothing more then the 65 and linked together rail. Plane one side then
joint the edge with the same 65 combo.

From there its easier for say 300 identical pieces to be pushed through the
table saw.

I hope this helps and explains methods of work.

Per

Well put. I do so many things besides ripping stock on a Table Saw that for me its a must have. One thing I do do alot since I parked my Griggio slider is crosscut sheetgoods with the festool then rip on the table saw. Crosscutting first makes the stock more manageable for me and my aching back.

 

[HowardH]

I'm looking at the SS as well as the PM2000.  I am having a hard time getting past the $4000 tag on the SS verses $2000 for the PM.  Not to start a flame war here, I know, I know, how much is a finger worth kinda thing, (that's a woodnet sort of discussion anyway) but it's still a lot of money for something you should have the utmost respect and caution when you work with it.  Wouldn't it be something if Festool came out with a real TS, not that one they currently have with the circ saw mounted underneath.  If it was developed and was as innovative as their hand power tools, the line would be out the door and around the block to get one. 

 

[greg mann]

I'm looking at the SS as well as the PM2000.  I am having a hard time getting past the $4000 tag on the SS verses $2000 for the PM.  Not to start a flame war here, I know, I know, how much is a finger worth kinda thing, (that's a woodnet sort of discussion anyway) but it's still a lot of money for something you should have the utmost respect and caution when you work with it.  Wouldn't it be something if Festool came out with a real TS, not that one they currently have with the circ saw mounted underneath.  If it was developed and was as innovative as their hand power tools, the line would be out the door and around the block to get one. 

My guess is this is not Festool's vision of their market. Festool is about portability, jobsite, and otherwise unique solutions for the most part. Hence the CMS concept. I don't believe they see any logic in trying to break into the stationary TS market when there are so many great Euro saws already in existence. I am sure they could but doubt they should.

 

[clintholeman]

I don't have a table saw and don't want one and truly see no need for one.  My MFT 1080 and "65" work very well and very efficiently in making all sorts of furniture and cabinets on a daily basis. 

Old habits such as table saws do die hard though... and everyone has a comfort level in how they work. 

Have you tried just simply not using your table saw?  Once you give 'em up, you may find that you like it ;-)

Just my opinion, ymmv...

 

[Lou Miller]

I don't have a table saw and don't want one and truly see no need for one.  My MFT 1080 and "65" work very well and very efficiently in making all sorts of furniture and cabinets on a daily basis. 

Old habits such as table saws do die hard though... and everyone has a comfort level in how they work. 

Have you tried just simply not using your table saw?  Once you give 'em up, you may find that you like it ;-)

Just my opinion, ymmv...

I personally do about half my work on site, and the other half in my shop. For on site stuff, I no longer use a tablesaw. However, in the shop I'll never give up the table saw. I recently did a kitchen with 62 doors. Each door was a 7 piece door (2 rails, 2 stiles, 1 center stile, 2 panels). So that's 434 individual parts to cut. The Festool system is awesome, but there's no way I'm going to cut 434 parts with the Festool system and get the same effeciency as I do with a table saw. That was just the parts for the doors, then there were the 30 cabinets, shelves, and all kinds of little filler peices. Add it all up and the effeciency of the tablesaw allows for more profit than the Festool for me.

Ultimately, it depends on what type of work you're doing. For some tasks, the Festool is clearly the better choice. Others, the tablesaw is...

 

[bgray43050]

I think that from the responses, you get the idea.

I have both a TS55 and a tablesaw, and I want both of them.

However, if you want to get away with only a TS55 and and MFT with no tablesaw, it can be done, but my feelings are that there are downsides.

If you're crosscutting a 4x8 sheet down the middle - tablesaw if you have a 52" fence...otherwise, Festool

If you are ripping a 4 x 8 sheet anywhere along the width - tablesaw

If you are crosscutting 1 foot off of a 4 x 8 sheet - definitely Festool!  There's nothing more difficult (or possibly dangerous) than trying to crosscut a small slice off a 4 x 8 sheet on the tablesaw.

 

[JayStPeter]

I have both a Unisaw and ATF55 now.  I have been considering replacing my Unisaw with a SawStop.  It will probably be a couple years before I actually do it, but I will probably not get the 50"+ fence on a new saw.  I may actually saw the rails on my unisaw down.  Right now, my Uni is positioned so I have space to cut full sheets in any direction.  With shorter rails and giving myself a little less crosscut length restriction, I could rearrange my shop a little nicer.  A large MFT type device will be added, and this will aid in the placement.  But, I will not get rid of the TS as it still remains the heart of my shop.

Jay St. Peter