TS55 what accessories to order when buying

[John Stankus]

I am about to go ahead and purchase a TS55 saw.  What other accessories should I purchase at the same time.  I am thinking about an additonal guide rail and coupler.  The MFT combo looks tempting but a bit pricey.

Thanks for the input

John

 

[semenza]

Hi,

        A pair of guide rail clamps, either the screw type or quick acting. Often you will find that you don't need them once you get used to using the saw, but theyare needed sometimes, and if you do get the MFT you will want them to use with that also.
        If you get an additional rail go for a 1900 (75") . It can be coupled to the 1400to give you eight plus feet or used on its own for medium length cuts. I prefer not having to connect rails- if that is what you are thinking then get the 106 or 118 to cover an eight foot cut.  If you get guide rail connectors - you will need two not one.
        If you are planning to cut lumber in addition to sheet goods you may want the Panther ripping blade.

      Also replacement splinter guards that attach to the saw.

Seth

 

[bruegf]

Even though it's not obvious before you buy one, the MFT is worth every penny.  I use the saw more on the MFT than I do with just the rail, and do most cross cutting on the MFT instead of the TS.

Fred

 

[Loren Hedahl]

Number one addition for me would be a vacuum.  My saw is almost dust-free when I use the vac.  What does escape are a few larger chips that don't cloud up the air and are easily swept up.

When I decided to go with Festool I took advantage of their combo's, i.e., TS55 plus MFT.  RO125 sander plus vacuum. 

Since then I've added a couple of extra rails plus connectors, screw clamps, rip blade and a Domino.  I also made a bench for cutting plywood and for ripping by using the hardware and legs from an old folding banquet table.

I'm happy with my purchases and find I use my contractor saw less and less.  It now has the extensions removed and the rails cut short.  With a plywood top it is used mostly as a roll around workbench now.

 

[Hoover]

One of the top advantages with festool is the dust free work.  Working with the TS55 and not having it hook up to a vacuum, you are missing a major benefit.

To just start out, what you will need is one of the vac's if you don't already have something that will work, and another guide rail and 2 connectors.  The clamps, splinter guard, extra blades, etc are things you don't need but can add in time.  I like the idea of the smaller guide rails rather than larger ones for easy transport.  If your in a shop all the time, then the larger ones will be quicker for use but I think they are too expensive to justify.

 

[Tinker]

I agree with the MFT and CT vac.  I have a whole bunch of guide rails, some old style and a couple of new style.  The longest I have is the 55" (two of them)  I do not have a lot of space so I would not go for the longer guide rails but no trouble putting two or three together if necessary.  As one of the other responders suggested, the clamps are definitely needed.  I have the quick clamp and the screw type.  I like the clamp type (I don't have catalogue in front of me so I can't give you part numbers right now) best, but there are situations where they are just a little clumsy or no room to flip the handle.  I would go for the screw type first. You can use them anywhere.  My next order will include two sets of the larger screw type as I do not have them yet.  I actually use those Festool clamps much more than any other clamps in my shop.

Of course, you will also find it necessary to go to a store that supplies mountain climbing equipment to help you with your stability now that you are out on that slippery slope. :

Hope this helps
Tinker

 

[Ned]

John,

Please read the Never buy the same same size rail thread, if you haven't already.  The follow-ups to my initial post have been unanimous in agreement.  Don't get a second 1400.  If you intend to break down sheet goods, your second rail should be a 1900.  You won't regret it.

I have a pretty low ceiling in my work area (90", ~2.3m) but have no trouble hanging a 1900 rail on the wall vertically.  Each of the hanging screws has several rails on it.  Takes next to no space.

As Seth pointed out, you need 2 rail connectors.

Welcome to the slippery slope.

Ned

 

[brandon.nickel]

I second the motions on the CT22/33 and also the longer guide rails.  I now have a 1080 (w/holes), 2 x 1400s (that are connected all the time) and the 1080 on the MFT.  I wish I'd gotten the 106" instead of the 2nd 1400.  The only advantage is that you can barely get 2 x 1400s into the guide rail carrying case (would an extra 2 cm have killed them?).  A 2800mm and a 1400 would be much better.

 

[Dan Clark]

I'd love to have a longer rail, but I really can't justify a 2700 or 3000mm rail yet.  But then there's the storage issue...  A few days ago I started wondering where I'd store one if I could rationalize it. 

Then I realized that there is a nice 10' long X 15" high X 6" wide space between my garage door rails and a support beam.  It's a very nice spot for storing longer rails.  I'll bet a lot of garages and workshops have "dead" space that would make a perfect place to store guide rails.

Dan.

 

[John Stankus]

Ok, I already have a Fein Turbo II vacuum.  Is that the same size hose as the CTs?  I have to see if I can swing the MFT, which sounds useful.  I need to think about rails.

John

 

[Overtime]

Get the 55 & 1800 MFT combo if you can. You'll get a 1400 rail (I think) with the set, and this setup will give you a taste of what to expect and you can build from there. That MFT table is - will be - way more than you might expect. "Usefull" will be an understatement regardless of what size and capacity of shop you have now.  At first you may think it's small and for some it is, especially if you use it as an assembly table. But for long stock I use roller stands if needed. You will not regret the MFT. Shortly after using it you will understand.

Guide rail clamps should be at the top of your list as mentioned. the Quick release clamps are awesome. Those flat black pincher clamps for the MFT holes and then the Jorgy hold down clamps can also be used with the MFT.

The Fien will be an asset so no need for a CT Vac for now.  Longer rails are nice , I have a 3000 that I use to break down sheet goods, I store it flat on a lumber rack. That is a killer accessory.

 

 

[Jim Pieri]

John,
Festool sells an item called hose/tool connector for their hoses to connect up to all the festool dust ports, round or oval. There are two offered that I know of, #487071 for 1" dia festool hose, or #487721 for 1 7/16" hose.
I used the one inch with a hose from metabo or somewhere and it worked fine.
JP

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Ok, I already have a Fein Turbo II vacuum.  Is that the same size hose as the CTs?  I have to see if I can swing the MFT, which sounds useful.  I need to think about rails.

John

John,

I have both a Fein Turbo II and a Festool CT-22 vacuum.  Yes, the Festool hoses will fit the Fein vacuum.  You will need a Festool hose with its elastomeric tool end fitting to connect to some Festool units, including the 1010 router and Deltex 93 sander because these tools have oval-shaped DC ports.  If you are planning to just buy a hose, keep in mind that Festool offers AS (anti-static) and regular hoses.  The AS hoses supplied with Festool's vacuum machines are much stiffer than the hose supplied with the Fein vacuum.  The hose supplied with my Fein is ~16 fit long and has a hard plastic tool end fitting.  This can be joined quickly reliably to any Festool machine having a round DC nipple which is intended to slip into the hose IF you first roll a correctly sized rubber O-ring onto the Festool DC round nipple.  I do this frequently with my RO 125 because I much prefer the longer, larger diameter, more flexible Fein hose.  I have never gotten "zapped" by a static electricity shock when using this setup.  In contrast I get static discharge shocks frequently when I use my ancient Craftsman vac with its standard 2 1/2 hose.  The HD power cord, variable speed, locking wheels, top side storage, switchable "off' for the auxilary power receptacle, and blower function features of the Festool vacuum are not available with the Fein vacuum, so you may want to budget for addition of a Festool vacuum later.

Dave R.

Dave R.

Dave R.

 

[Lou Miller]

I'm finding that one of the best things I got to go with my TS55 was an 800 rail. The MFT is the best option for crosscutting. However, lugging an MFT out to a jobsite doesn't always make sense. I'm finding that I really prefer the 800 rail most of the time (I just square it up with a 12" speed square) for most of my crosscuts. The 1400 rails can be a pain in the neck to make crosscuts with because of their length.

Just wanted to throw this out there as something different that wasn't really touched on. Those with an MFT won't find it to be much of an issue, but if you plan to go without an MFT, the 800 rail is almost a must have, IMO.

 

[bill-e]

The MFT is the sleeper in Festool's lineup.  It took me a long time to break down and buy one and then I bought a second one 2 months later.  The MFT will enable you to use every Festool power tool more efficiently and effectively.

As for the Fein, the easiest way to use it is with a Festool hose.  Get the non-anti static hose as the AS hose wont be effective with the Fein.

 

[John Stankus]

Found out today that I will be getting an unexpected payment for some additional work over the summer, so I think I am going to go with the TS55/MFT combo. 

A couple of questions still though
  Bill-E suggested going with the Festool hose to connect to my Fein vacuum.  Which size will fit the saw (and the Fein?)  Is that the 27 mm  hose?

I assume if I get the combo, I will still need to order 2 rail connectors and 2 clamps.  Is that right?

John

 

[henry1224]

the rail connectors are used only if you connect 2 rails together. Most of us addicts though will tell you to just buy longer rails later

You get the 1080 rail with the 1080 mft, a 1400 rail with the TS 55 or TS 75 saw , then get the 1900 rail for longer rips

 

[Jim McFarland]

John, if you have the smaller diameter (~15' long) Fein hose with an outside diameter of ~1 3/8" (34mm+) at the attachment end -- this will fit snugly as is inside the TS55 dust port.  Fein also sells a "step adapter" which (when cut to 2nd step) fits the Domino and is flexible enough for the oval dust port of tools like the RS2E sander.  Believe it or not, I'm not telling you this to discourage another Festool accessory sale, but to encourage you instead to apply the hose money to a future CT22 (or similar) purchase.  The Fein works well for most of my Festool equipment, but IMHO a Festool vac with adjustable vacuum is required for the Festool sanders (especially the finer grits).  And once you get a CT22 or 33, you'll someday want a boom arm!  This is a very slippery slope!  Having been in your position with a Fein vac and wanting to buy some Festool equipment, I would regret having an extra Festool hose at the bottom of this slope (and no, I don't know where the bottom is).  I actually postponed buying Festool for some time because I didn't want to make the Fein redundant.  I got over that in a big way and I still use the Fein for shop cleanup and dust collection with some non-Festool tools.

 

[Joe Jensen]

I have a TS75 and I ended up buying the really long rail [the one that lets you rip 8ft sheets with the TS75]  I read too many posts from folks having issues with connected rails.  Just my 2cts..joe

 

[Greg in Memphis]

Hello John
Two of those 482107 rail connectors work better than one. A lot more stable.
I'll have to chime in on the MFT, though. They are way too handy.
A package deal could save you some money.
The 800 deluxe comes with a 32" rail and is versatile, yet portable.
The 1080 deluxe comes with a 42" rail and is about 30 lbs heavier. More work space, but no way near as portable.
If you do go the package route, you can upgrade the size or type of rail for the difference in price per rail. An LR32 type rail is just a few bucks more. You may want to get that LR32 hole drilling kit later.
Another thing to consider is not getting stuck with two of the same size rails.

Good luck on your purchase decision

Greg