TS55 vs TS60?

[onocoffee]

Apologies if this has been asked previously. I am considering either saw and the 55 is more pocket-friendly. I'm a relatively light user just starting out. Should I spring for the 60 over the 55? Or, will the 55 be a great choice? Thanks

 

[peter halle]

A suggestion - You might get some dry good targeted advice if you let us know what your usage is anticipated to be.

Peter

 

[Crazyraceguy]

This is kind of a "it depends" type thing. If you are mostly cutting sheet goods, the TS55 will do a fine job and save you a few dollars.
The TS60 is a great saw too. For me, the main thing is that it is capable of doing a 45 degree bevel through 1 1/2" thick material, where the TS55 is not.

 

[luvmytoolz]

It would also depend on whether you are already or plan to buy into Festool's battery flatform, in which case I would strongly consider the TSC55 for the convenience factor. If the TS60 came in a cordless I'd buy that in a flash, but sadly it doesn't and probably won't by the look.

If I had to choose between corded, the TS60 wins hands down for me.

 

[mino]

Apologies if this has been asked previously. I am considering either saw and the 55 is more pocket-friendly. I'm a relatively light user just starting out. Should I spring for the 60 over the 55? Or, will the 55 be a great choice? Thanks

Get a used TS 55 R and spend the change on things like Festool FS/WA, TSO PGs, MTR, etc. Plus a couple good blades.

Before splurging on a better saw. After some time, you will not really need to ask the question anymore. And can pass on the saw for almost the same money you will get it for ..

 

[onocoffee]

Thank you all. You are correct in noting that the best advice will be specific to my situation. I'm thinking of a "general purpose" use but I do have an interest in perhaps making chairs (mid-century, shaker, simple lines), but I'm still new to the world of woodworking so I don't necessarily have a defined direction yet.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Personally, if I were choosing between the two "today", I'd opt for the new TS60 which is a newer design, etc. The tiny bit of extra cut depth isn't a horrible thing, either. But my old ATF55 is still working just fine and unless it dies... LOL

 

[Cheese]

I think it gets down to the depth of cut that you need, the type of "riving knife" you prefer and whether you want to be cordless or corded.

The new TS 60 K & TSC 55 K have the electronic KickbackStop safety feature while the older TS 55 F has the traditional mechanical riving knife. All use the thinner 1.8 mm kerf blades.

I prefer being cordless so I use the TSC 55 K outside with the dust bag and inside hooked up to a CT vac. The flexibility/convenience of cordless can't be overstated.

 

[alltracman78]

It would also depend on whether you are already or plan to buy into Festool's battery flatform, in which case I would strongly consider the TSC55 for the convenience factor. If the TS60 came in a cordless I'd buy that in a flash, but sadly it doesn't and probably won't by the look.

If I had to choose between corded, the TS60 wins hands down for me.

That's an excellent point.

The TS60 is on my list of "interested" tools. The TS55 wasn't even on my radar because I prefer the larger cut (plus the ability to use the FSK rails is nice), but the lack of cord does have it's advantages, even with a hose.

 

[squall_line]

I think it gets down to the depth of cut that you need, the type of "riving knife" you prefer and whether you want to be cordless or corded.

The new TS 60 K & TSC 55 K have the electronic KickbackStop safety feature while the older TS 55 F has the traditional mechanical riving knife. All use the thinner 1.8 mm kerf blades.

I prefer being cordless so I use the TSC 55 K outside with the dust bag and inside hooked up to a CT vac. The flexibility/convenience of cordless can't be overstated.

Do you reach for your TSC or MT more often?  I'm personally still on the fence about getting an MT to replace my TS55F.

 

[Coen]

TS55 F as it is the only one with a riving knife. Unless you never cut real wood. Saved money can be used for longer rail, or.. or..

 

[Cheese]

Do you reach for your TSC or MT more often?  I'm personally still on the fence about getting an MT to replace my TS55F.

The TSC... [sad] [sad]...because I enjoy the cordless aspect so much. I prefer using the MT and I prefer the Mafell rails, but the cordless thing is just so easy. I'm so tempted to pop for the cordless MT and then these goofy issues would be behind me. [big grin]

 

[woodferret]

TS55 F as it is the only one with a riving knife. Unless you never cut real wood. Saved money can be used for longer rail, or.. or..

I just cut a couple sheets of PB core melamine and the narrow offcuts bowed... so I don't think we can say it's a real wood thing anymore these days.  :/

That said, I admit I've eyeballed the electronic kickback since I find myself occasionally cutting left-hand (not just the factory strip) and standing right of the saw still gives me willies even with the riving knife.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I just cut a couple sheets of PB core melamine and the narrow offcuts bowed... so I don't think we can say it's a real wood thing anymore these days.  :/

That said, I admit I've eyeballed the electronic kickback since I find myself occasionally cutting left-hand (not just the factory strip) and standing right of the saw still gives me willies even with the riving knife.

Plywood can do that too. Neither of them can really generate the pinching power of something like Maple or White Oak, but it can happen.
I cut left-handed, standing to the right of the saw at all but the most rare occasion. I don't see it as an issue at all.

 

[Coen]

TS55 F as it is the only one with a riving knife. Unless you never cut real wood. Saved money can be used for longer rail, or.. or..

I just cut a couple sheets of PB core melamine and the narrow offcuts bowed... so I don't think we can say it's a real wood thing anymore these days.  :/

That said, I admit I've eyeballed the electronic kickback since I find myself occasionally cutting left-hand (not just the factory strip) and standing right of the saw still gives me willies even with the riving knife.

Narrow offcuts usually don't have the power to destroy the cut quality or bind the blade completely. But yes, some engineer materials can still do somewhat of that.

 

[glass1]

No reason to buy the 55. The 60 is better.

 

[squall_line]

No reason to buy the 55. The 60 is better.

The TS55 FEQ-F-Plus-FS, with a 55" rail, is still $100 cheaper than a TS 60.

That's at least one reason to buy the 55 over the 60.  You can also find plenty of used, perfect condition TS55 for even less.

The fact that the TS60 and TS75 are the same exact price is a little astounding, even taking into consideration that the 75 uses brushes while the 60 is brushless.

 

[luvmytoolz]

No reason to buy the 55. The 60 is better.

Unless like me you want cordless, the 60 isn't an option then!

 

[Coen]

No reason to buy the 55. The 60 is better.

The TS55 FEQ-F-Plus-FS, with a 55" rail, is still $100 cheaper than a TS 60.

That's at least one reason to buy the 55 over the 60.  You can also find plenty of used, perfect condition TS55 for even less.

The fact that the TS60 and TS75 are the same exact price is a little astounding, even taking into consideration that the 75 uses brushes while the 60 is brushless.

In Europe the TS 75 is 200 bucks more expensive than the TS 60

 

[Lincoln]

No reason to buy the 55. The 60 is better.

The TS55 FEQ-F-Plus-FS, with a 55" rail, is still $100 cheaper than a TS 60.

That's at least one reason to buy the 55 over the 60.  You can also find plenty of used, perfect condition TS55 for even less.

The fact that the TS60 and TS75 are the same exact price is a little astounding, even taking into consideration that the 75 uses brushes while the 60 is brushless.

In Europe the TS 75 is 200 bucks more expensive than the TS 60

In Aus, the 75 is $500 more.