I'm a Festool newby and just purchased my T 15+3 and the installer set. After using it i'm hooked. I now want a saw, but I am having a hard time deciding between the 55 or the 75. I'm a long term weekend woodworker. Since we have two houses, I think the saw with a table would be great to haul between house. Thanks in advance.
Which saw?
- Thread starter txrpls
- Start date
[welcome] to the forum.
Regarding the saw you need to think what you are going to be doing, I have the 55 and like you a hobbyist. Although I've never had the need for the 75, I think if I was buying now that's the one I'd go for. Its always great to have the extra depth of cut even if you don't need it now, but who knows in the future.
Regarding the saw you need to think what you are going to be doing, I have the 55 and like you a hobbyist. Although I've never had the need for the 75, I think if I was buying now that's the one I'd go for. Its always great to have the extra depth of cut even if you don't need it now, but who knows in the future.
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Welcome to the forum and to Festool. Just a friendly reminder of our 30 day money back guarantee. So, if you get the 55, for instance, and decide you want the 75 then you can swap in 30 days. If you're cutting material thicker than 1-15/16", you'll need the TS 75. There's a decent difference in size and weight between the TS 55 and TS 75.
Please remember that you can call and get advice and assistance from Festool as well. We're here to help. Phone numbers below in my signature.
Shane Holland
Festool USA
Please remember that you can call and get advice and assistance from Festool as well. We're here to help. Phone numbers below in my signature.
Shane Holland
Festool USA
ccarrolladams
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txrpls said:
[welcome] to The FOG, TXrpls!
Fortunately one of the very best Festool dealers is active here and located in Austin. I recommend getting to know Tom Bellemare very well.
As always Shane tells the truth like it is. Festool has a marvelous 30 return policy, because often the only way to be sure of a tool is to actually use it.
I have owned the TS55 virtually since they were introduced in the USA and I also purchased one of the first TS75 sold in Los Angeles. Mostly I use tracj saws to break-down sheet material. For me hardly ever do I use sheet material thicker than 19mm or 3/4" So for me I make hundreds of cuts with a TS55 for every cut I can only make using a TS75. Personally my experience is that an overly large blade is no advantage making glue-ready cuts in sheet material. On its guide rail a TS55 will cleanly cut almost 50mm, but cutting 19mm typical plywood I only expose 2mm of blade beyond the work. TS55 has more than enough power for this kind of sawing.
The TS75 is more powerful and for safety has a slip-clutch, in addition to a really good riving knife. Of course the TS75 weighs more and does need more rail before and after the cut.
EWTHeckman
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[welcome] to the FOG!
My situation is similar to yours. (DIY) I visited a local dealer where I handled both saws. The weight difference between the two is significant. In my case, I decided to go with the TS 55 and I haven't regretted it.
Once you've handled both, the decision should be clear. If the extra weight (and $$) of the TS 75 doesn't bother you at all, go for it.
My situation is similar to yours. (DIY) I visited a local dealer where I handled both saws. The weight difference between the two is significant. In my case, I decided to go with the TS 55 and I haven't regretted it.
Once you've handled both, the decision should be clear. If the extra weight (and $$) of the TS 75 doesn't bother you at all, go for it.
[welcome] to The FOG, TXrpls!
Fortunately one of the very best Festool dealers is active here and located in Austin. I recommend getting to know Tom Bellemare very well.
[/quote]
Thanks, I have children in Austin and I would rather buy from a local guy instead of a chain. Just another reason to see the grandkis
MrToolJunkie
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[welcome]!!
This is one of the frequently asked questions here on the FOG and you are going to get folks in both camps. I opted for the TS75 since I work primarily with solid lumber and having the extra blade depth is important to me. The weight thing is not a huge factor as once on the track you are just pushing them through the material. I like having the extra power of the 75 too. The 55 is a nice saw and really excels in sheet goods and thinner material. It also is easier to handle if you have to lift in on and off a guide rail all day long.
Tom is a great guy and local and you can try both out and see which one fits your needs. The MFT/3 is a must-have accessory too and will help regardless of which size saw you decide to get.
Keep us posted and do not be afraid to ask lots of questions...have fun!
Scot
This is one of the frequently asked questions here on the FOG and you are going to get folks in both camps. I opted for the TS75 since I work primarily with solid lumber and having the extra blade depth is important to me. The weight thing is not a huge factor as once on the track you are just pushing them through the material. I like having the extra power of the 75 too. The 55 is a nice saw and really excels in sheet goods and thinner material. It also is easier to handle if you have to lift in on and off a guide rail all day long.
Tom is a great guy and local and you can try both out and see which one fits your needs. The MFT/3 is a must-have accessory too and will help regardless of which size saw you decide to get.
Keep us posted and do not be afraid to ask lots of questions...have fun!
Scot
Here are some factors the led me to get the 55 over the 75.
When used on the MFT the 55 has a greater cross cut capacity. This is because the 75 requires more room to start and stop on the rail.
The 55 comes with the blade I will use most. The 75 does not.
I have a small dedicated shop so having to maneuver around the 75 rail compared to the 55 is a big diference. The 75 also comes in a larger systainer which takes up more shop space. With the pace at which my systainers are multiplying it is important to me to have compact tools.
I wanted to economize on rails. When i got my 55 I switched for a 55 in LR32 rail. And then I added another 55 LR32 with connectors for cutting 8 foot ply, or LR32ing tall cabinets. So now I have three rails (the 42 with the MFT/3, and 2 x 55 in LR32). These three rails cover all the scenarios I can foresee encountering in my projects without compromise. If I had got the 75 I would have needed 4-5 rails to meet my needs. As an added bonus I can fit these rails in the 55 inch rail case for transportability. There is no larger case for the 75 rail.
The 55 seems much better proportioned to a single MFT then the 75. If you are using multiple MFTs joined together then I think the 75 may be called for. A single MFT is a small project workspace.
Many say the weight is not an issue because both slide easily on the rail. That is true enough. But lifting it on and off for repetitive cuts is still work.
I have a jig saw that I can put on the rail if I need to cut thick material. This gives me much greater depth of cut than the 75. I have a Bosch contractor table saw which I could use in a pinch (but I'll be happy if I never have to use it again).
My final advice is that unless you have a specific application in mind that can only be accomplished with the 75 then go with the 55. If I should encounter such an application then I wont hesitate to get the 75. But even then I will keep the 55 as my primary rail saw.
Cost did not really enter in to my decision. It was about economizing on work space and work flow efficiency.
When used on the MFT the 55 has a greater cross cut capacity. This is because the 75 requires more room to start and stop on the rail.
The 55 comes with the blade I will use most. The 75 does not.
I have a small dedicated shop so having to maneuver around the 75 rail compared to the 55 is a big diference. The 75 also comes in a larger systainer which takes up more shop space. With the pace at which my systainers are multiplying it is important to me to have compact tools.
I wanted to economize on rails. When i got my 55 I switched for a 55 in LR32 rail. And then I added another 55 LR32 with connectors for cutting 8 foot ply, or LR32ing tall cabinets. So now I have three rails (the 42 with the MFT/3, and 2 x 55 in LR32). These three rails cover all the scenarios I can foresee encountering in my projects without compromise. If I had got the 75 I would have needed 4-5 rails to meet my needs. As an added bonus I can fit these rails in the 55 inch rail case for transportability. There is no larger case for the 75 rail.
The 55 seems much better proportioned to a single MFT then the 75. If you are using multiple MFTs joined together then I think the 75 may be called for. A single MFT is a small project workspace.
Many say the weight is not an issue because both slide easily on the rail. That is true enough. But lifting it on and off for repetitive cuts is still work.
I have a jig saw that I can put on the rail if I need to cut thick material. This gives me much greater depth of cut than the 75. I have a Bosch contractor table saw which I could use in a pinch (but I'll be happy if I never have to use it again).
My final advice is that unless you have a specific application in mind that can only be accomplished with the 75 then go with the 55. If I should encounter such an application then I wont hesitate to get the 75. But even then I will keep the 55 as my primary rail saw.
Cost did not really enter in to my decision. It was about economizing on work space and work flow efficiency.
Hi txrpls,
Welcome to the FOG! [smile]
When you say cutting 4 x 4 and 2 x 4 , do you umean cross cutting or ripping?
Here are some threads that might help you decide
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/you-have-the-ts55-but-wished-you-had-the-ts75-instead/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/who-uses-both-ts75-and-ts55/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/ts75-vs-ts55/
Seth
Welcome to the FOG! [smile]
When you say cutting 4 x 4 and 2 x 4 , do you umean cross cutting or ripping?
Here are some threads that might help you decide
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/you-have-the-ts55-but-wished-you-had-the-ts75-instead/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/who-uses-both-ts75-and-ts55/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/ts75-vs-ts55/
Seth
justinmcf said:
Poof! [big grin]
peter
jtwood
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I, too, am a hobbyist woodworker, and my first Festool purchase was a TS75. I was hoping it would replace an aging table saw, but found that it did not do everything I needed it to do. So, after buying a new Powermatic table saw, I wish I had bought the TS55, because it is used primarily on sheet goods and on the MFT table for small cuts. I don't need the extra weight and size, but it certainly isn't worth dumping the 75 for the 55.
Steve
Steve
