TS75 setting depth with a rail

[DiscoStu]

I was chatting to a mate and he asked how I set the depth of cut for my track saw to allow for the rail. I looked puzzled and said I use the gauge that is set for the rail. I have a TS55, he has a TS75 and said he only has one “gauge” I’ve had a quick look at some photos and he appears to be right. So how do you set your depth on the TS75 to take into account the rail height?

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[Birdhunter]

I never prefer to set tools by anything except a physical measurement.

I put the TS55 saw on the rail, make sure it is unplugged, set the depth to about the right place, and measure. Adjust depth until it measures correctly. Usually, I’m making a through cut and I’m checking the depth to be sure I cut through but not so deep as to deepen the MFT existing kerf.

 

[sancho57]

I set the material on my MFT, set the rail on it to the edge of the material. Set the TS 55/75 on it lower the blade until it just kisses the MFT, lock the blade and callit good.

another Fogger here sets it on cardboard so he doesnt kiss/mark the MFT .

 

[Roseland]

Am I missing something here?  The rail is 5mm thick, so I add that to the material thickness, plus another 2 or 3 to ensure I cut through cleanly.  So for 18mm ply (which is often a shade thinner than this), I use 18+5+2 = 25mm.

Andrew

 

[DiscoStu]

Ok so it’s doesn’t have a gauge and you have to allow for the track. That seems a bit poor on a tool costing as much as the TS75. I know you can allow for the depth, but you could allow for the width of the fence and use a straightedge with a circular saw.

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[Distinctive Interiors]

Am I missing something here?  The rail is 5mm thick, so I add that to the material thickness, plus another 2 or 3 to ensure I cut through cleanly.  So for 18mm ply (which is often a shade thinner than this), I use 18+5+2 = 25mm.

Andrew

I have a TS55 and a TS75. Neither of them have the dual scale that is fitted on the TS55R or the TSC55R. I just do as Andrew has explained above,.....its not a problem...!!!

 

[jonnyrocket]

I own both a TS55REQ and TS75EQ and there definitely is a difference between the depth gauges of these two saws.
I have to admit that even though the TS55 has the "FS" depth stop that accounts for rail thickness, I still set the depth with the rail near the edge of the material and visually verify the blade is deep enough before I make the cuts.
In this regard, it doesn't matter what saw I am using.

 

[dlu]

Hmm, I know I could check the depth of the blade against the stock I'm cutting, but the last time I did that I was using a worm drive Skilsaw – to cut concrete...

Cutting sheet goods on the TS55 I just use the FS depth scale and add 2mm. Don't even think about it, it just works.

I suppose it wouldn't be that much harder on the 75 to be adding 7mm, but the 55 is so right – just add what you want for blade protrusion.

The whole value proposition for Festool (for me at least) is well made tools that don't get in my way – just put the rail where I want the cut, just set the scale for the depth of the cut I need, just plug the tool into the vacuum, just stack the boxes. So the product manager in me says that the 75 should have the 55's depth scale. Obviously you can make good use of the tool without it (none at all on that Skilsaw) but why not build on the value established by the 55.

 

[ScotF]

The 75 is the older scale. They revamped the 55 a few years ago and the two depth scales. I just put the saw on the rail and adjust to the material as others have noted. That is fast and easy. Of course, adding 6mm -7mm to the material also works great.