I ordered a new TS 55 (plus a CT 36 vacuum) after months of consideration and it is en route to my workshop now. Thank you for a great video in explaining the operations of the saw and rail systems. This will certainly give me a jump-start as I have 8 sheets of 3/4" birch awaiting the arrival of my TS 55 for my next project. Well done!
Cheers Darren. I really appreciate people like you who give their time to pass on knowledge and experience to others like me. Thanks again, much appreciated.
I struggled with the same issue as you. Based on demos and reviews, I knew Festool was a quality brand. The first time I used my TS 55, I knew I made a good decision. Great job on pointing out the highlights of this great saw.
Oh my god, this thing looks awesome. I recently inherited some power tools, one of which was a circular saw. I bought a Kreg Accu-Cut track adapter and have used it a few times. I thought it was pretty good until I saw this video.
I've just put new floors in my house and used a Mafell track saw for it. Using a track saw just made it so much easier, no matter if it was wood, vinyl or cork flooring.
To have a table saw that can do the same thing as a track saw it would probably cost about $10,000. I have a table saw that can cut 4x8 sheets but will still use the festool saw to cut a reference edge.
I’m an artist who requires several 9 or 12mm boards cut to paint on..This is ideal as it’s very expensive having a cutting company doing it…some do take a couple of days to have jobs done..Also the Festool is very accurate in taking small edges off panels too…excellent accuracy..I used to use a Mikita circular saw but results were not great for presicion work
its normal with plywood, it has a rough wood structure, and when cutting vertical direction it always leaves a rough cut, so it depends on the type of wood. overall the ts 55 has a smooth cut with the blade that come with it. btw i recomend another type of hose bent is using. there is one with textile, that doesn't get stuck behind obsticles when using the ctl midi or mini
Hi Jason, thanks for this and all your videos. I have been watching a number of your videos, as well as Festool related videos and also on different takes on the Ron Paulk bench. Could you tell me how high you made your workbench? I know its a personal thing but just curious. Going to pick up my TS55 today and need to get this bench done. Thank you.
Yes, that upper mark is calibrated (or should be calibrated) taking account the thickness of the track. The bottom mark is calibrated to cut without the track. If there is a little discrepancy, use the micro-adjust screw to zero in.
Great review! Thanks for doing it. Question: I'm building a farm house table with breadboard ends. Will this saw cut the ends at an exact 90 degrees so the bread board end fits perfectly. Enjoy all your videos.
@@bentswoodworking Thanks! I have 2 circular saws. Adjusted the crap out of them with a precision square. No go. Think I'll bite the bullet on the Festool.
Excellent video...I'm amazed at how you didn't have to clamp it down. I want a panel saw so bad but can't afford one now. But after watching this video I might settle for a track saw.
Looking to buy a TS 75 for my first track saw, and this review has a lot to do with my selection, so thanks for the help. Wanting to go with the larger saw for the benefit of cutting thicker tops. What length tracks would you recommend? I found a deal where you get a discount with the TS 75 and a 75” track. I figured that and a 55” with a set of connectors would get me to cutting 10’ material if ever needed, but most likely the longest cut will be 8’. Is there another combo of rail sizes you would recommend?
If I buy one of these I was hoping to use this saw double duty and use it as a flush cut saw for removing subfloor on the perimeter of the room. But... the knob for the tear our mechanism would get in the way. Does that knob remove easily?
The lefty vs righty complaint is all about seeing the line to make the cut. In the case of a track saw, visual isn't a problem as the track is doing the alignment for you. Line it up, set the saw down, and cut. Shouldn't make a bit of difference if your left handed or right.
First thing to do when changing the blade; make sure the power is disconnected. Interesting video, very informative, thanks. Would be good to know what better blades for. finer cut you mentioned, were. Bosch also could have been included in the list of other brands.
What is the difference between TS 55 EQ and TS 55 REQ? I bought some of the front splinter guards and they don't seem to fit my TS 55 EQ, and apparently the ones I bought are for the REQ, or at least they look different. Should they be interchangeable?
Nice video. I will stick with my homemade cutoff boards (small one and large one) and my DeWalt saw. With my Freud blade I get excellent cuts just like your cuts. I cut lots of plywood too. Just can’t see spending that kind of money on a saw
I'm a new Festool TS 55 REQ user. My saw will not cut thicker stock than 3/4" what am I doing wrong. I can't seem to increase the depth of cut to more than 3/4" Is my new Festool TS 55 saw blade too short to cut stocks thicker than 3/4"?
There are two neoprene strips on the underside that "stick" to the wood. When the begin to lose their grip, just put some blue painters tape on them, them pull off. It removes the debris and they regain their adhesive properties. Very good system!
My son bought this saw but has never used it, i need to cut up some ply so got it out to use it. On pressing down the blade i noticed that when combined with the track it seems it will cut of the rubber edge of the track, plus the edge of the splinter guard, i had to use it without the track. Any idea what is wrong here?
My understanding of these saws it that the blade is purposely about half a degree out of parallel with the groove. This keeps the rising teeth at the back of the blade ever so slightly away from the cut. The extend to which this is true would explain why the offcut shows tear out.
Larry, Dewalt has there own track profile. that is not compatible with any other manufacturer that I know of. I know the Makita and I believe the triton as well are compatable with festool tracks.
@@Amboy65 You might want to rethink the use of a Makita track with the Festool 55. Yes the saw will slide in the Makita track, but with a lot of slop. The reason is because the rail that the saw runs on, on the Makita, is 15 thousands smaller then the Festool, so every time you want to go from one track to the other, you must re-adjust the two small green knobs to tighten up the side play. Also the outer channel on the Makita has a small protrusion on the inner wall that will not let you use the small kick-back tool supplied with the Festool.
Error grave. Esta circular tiene el corte al revers,el disco penetra en la madera de abajo hacia arriba ,en una circular de mesa de arriba hacia abajo ,el resto es de lógica.un saludo
@@christianpetersen1782 I've used both the Mak and the Festool extensively and there is no comparison between the 2.The Festool gives a much better cut and will outlast anything from Japan/China. After cutting 18mm birch ply with the Festool,it only takes a few seconds per foot of edge to sand to near perfect finish with p120 on a random orbit sander,then ur ready for chamfering/profiling/assembly. Will save you so much time compared to the Mak which will have bits falling off it or broken after 2 years of careful use.
I use a custom jig with a Milwaukee circ saw and it works extremely well, especially when I use double sided tape on the back of the jig so it doesn't move. No tear-out on my work pieces. But the dust is insane! I am upgrading to Festool because of their dust extraction system.
55 and 75 in the name comes from the depth the saw can cut. 55 or 75 millimeters. I dont know if you have heard of millimeters? Its what we use for measurements in the civilised world ;)
