blanning
Member
Registered: 04/07/05
Posts: 1526
Loc: Chicagoland
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I'm going to be selling some things shortly (some tools, some classic computers, etc) to fund the purchase of a track saw. So the question is, which one? I believe the candidates are still festool, dewalt, and makita. If the prices are all about the same, I would probably lean toward festool. This would be my first festool. :-)
The main purpose for me is cutting down 4'x8' sheets of things. So cutting through an 8' side (97" for melamine) matters for me. Which track(s) would it be best to get to handle this? Should I get a short one for the 4' side and a longer one for the 8' side, or can I put two shorter tracks together to handle the 8' side?
I'd like for the blade to make a clean cut in melamine, veneered plywood, laminate on both sides. Will the included blades do this?
thanks
brian
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fredhargis
Member
Registered: 08/21/03
Posts: 2025
Loc: Wapakoneta, Ohio
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I would get 2 shorter ones, and I wound up with 2-55" sections. They go together easily (if you don't mind paying $12 each for the little bars that join them),and make storage a little easier as well. there was another discussion on this, and some one suggested a 55 plus a 75, which allows diagonal cuts on a 4 x 8 sheet. But a 55 plus a 42 would not do it, you need a little extra to go past the end of the sheet stock (IMHO).
Edited in: Oops, forgot to mention, the stock blade with the Festool TS55 does give really smooth cuts in plywood, but I've not tried it in melamine.
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I long for the days when Coke was a cola, and a joint was a bad place to be..... (Merle Haggard)
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ned
Member
Registered: 08/23/02
Posts: 7425
Loc: atlanta GA USA
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Eurekazone guide, PC 325 mag, Diablo 40 tooth. Will do all you ask at a reasonable price. Note that max cut is only 1 3/8" but for less than that you're golden.
Clean cuts require the equivalent of a zero clearance insert which the EZ guide has. Also the strongest, stiffest guide out there.
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A man has a right to his own opinion, but not to his own facts- Jack Spong
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Rod_Brink
Member
Registered: 05/01/03
Posts: 689
Loc: Dallas
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I'm pretty sure the "Eurekazone" Smartguide was the first one and Eurekazone has several patents on this and related tools. The smartguide when lengthened to 100 inches... (two 50" section) is straight to within .002. I think the two section kit is about $190 and includes the base for your circular saw. the "Smart table" hardware kit including the steel table legs is about $85
http://eurekazone.com/products/
RodB
Edited by Rod_Brink (04/12/09 03:30 PM)
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okstatefan
Member
Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 2640
Loc: Forney, TX
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I've only used two, and I haven't even seen the DeWalt or Makita; so my experience is pretty limited.
I owned the EZ for a couple of years. I had it paired with a PC325. I also used the EZ table kit; but not with legs. It worked pretty well with sheet goods; but I didn't like it for anything outside of that. Dust collection was fairly good. The rails are heavy duty and they connect well. I had to jack with the smart square way too much; but that is another issue. In the end, I just didn't like it enough to keep it though. That, and I wanted my PC325 free of the base!
I moved to the Festool ts55, and it has been a better choice for me. The saw itself is outstanding: variable speed, plunge with depth stop, soft start, excellent dust collection, easy blade changes, removable power cord, replaceable chip protector, and excellent overall build quality. It is a pleasure to use. The rails work very well with the Festool system, but they aren't as heavy guaged or reinforced as the EZ rails. I prefer them; but I do my work in the garage, so they don't get contractor abuse. I still use the EZ table for full sheets of plywood.
The two 55" rails have been fine for me, but that's all I've known. I had roughly the same length rails with the EZ. I also have the old MFT-1080; but only because I got a stellar gloat on a close-out demo. I probably wouldn't have tried it othewise. It has since become invaluable.
Good luck with the hunt!
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barnowl
Honored Veteran
Registered: 03/25/07
Posts: 15849
Loc: Taxachusetts
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I took the plunge with the Festool TS-55 a few years ago, and never looked back.
I got the extra 55" rail, and the connectors, and clamps.
I use it for 95% of my sheet goods work, and only cut little pieces on the table saw.
Set up some cheap plastic saw horses, (I use 4) with a sheet of 1/2 plywood for a 4' x 8' table, and put Styrofoam insulation on top for a work surface.
I also use it with a different blade to put the first straight edge on rough lumber for milling purposes.
Oh, and the CT-22 dust collector in unison with the saw is a great investment, but if you have a Fein, it can be adapted.
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Steve
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cdub1977
Member
Registered: 09/26/07
Posts: 122
Loc: Bucks County, PA
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I have the Dewalt. It works great. But if you are going to pay the same price as Festool get the Festool. They have a more complete system in place already. If you run across the Dewalt for a decent discount I wouldn't hesitate. I get chip free cuts and it is dead acurate. The Fein vac fits the Dewalt perfectly as an FYI.
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BloomingtonMike
Member
Registered: 12/11/04
Posts: 4938
Loc: Bloomington, IL
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ned said:
Eurekazone guide, the strongest, stiffest guide out there.
It really is a MUCH nicer track setup than either Dewalt or Festool IMO.
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Mikie's Shop
And that's what counts. Me. - Chris Schwarz
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Bill_de
Member
Registered: 03/30/05
Posts: 7808
Loc: Delaware
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I own and am happy with the TS-55. One feature the DeWalt has that I would love to have is the ability to run the saw on either side of the track.
I lay out cuts on sheet goods as the final, finished cuts. It's often necessary to swing the track 180° to insure an accurate cut on the correct side of the line. I realize I could take the blade thickness into account when doing the layout, but it would be easier to just use a two sided track.
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Bill
"Liberals --- 10% to the left of center in good times
10% to the right of center if it effects them personally" --- Phil Ochs
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BloomingtonMike
Member
Registered: 12/11/04
Posts: 4938
Loc: Bloomington, IL
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One other nice feature is that the Dewalt tracksaw takes into account the track thickness in its blade depth setting. I also personally like that the settings are in inches.
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Mikie's Shop
And that's what counts. Me. - Chris Schwarz
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