Replies

1. 
   borre | Jul 24, 2007 03:33pm | #1

   It surely won't slip if you make sure to lay out the sheets on a flat surface. A cupped or bowed sheet will not only make the rail slip easier, it also wil cause tear out since the rail is not touching the surface. With thin sheets like that it's wise to limit the dept of the cut. I normally let 2 to 3 teeth stick out of the surface. Depending on the saw blade you have (fine or coarse) you could consider to face the "good side of the sheet downwards to prevent tearout.

   Ed

2. 
   Jfrostjr | Jul 24, 2007 03:35pm | #2

   Scratch? - No.

   Slip? - I don't think so. When I first got mine, I used to clamp the rail in place. Now I don't do that and have had no problems.

   Too thin? - No, I don't think so. I bought 2 halfsheets of blue, insulation at a BigBox and use that cut into. Works fine.

   Frosty

3. 
   JeffHeath | Jul 24, 2007 03:35pm | #3

   The bottom of the festool rails is covered with a piece of rubber that acts as an anti-slip mechanism, as well as a little padding to eliminate scratching.  I use mine to cut finished cabinet pieces in the field all the time.

   It will work perfectly for this application.

   As far as tables go, Festool makes one, but I made my own.  I cover it with a sheet of 3/4" mdf for flatness, followed by a sheet of 1" polystyrene which acts as padding, as well as something for the saw to cut into besides the table.

   Jeff

1. 
   Buttkickski | Jul 24, 2007 04:09pm | #5

   Thanks to all the fast answers!

   Jeff (or others): I need a table that's easily broken down. Do you think a sheet of MDF on two saw horses then the 1" polystyrene would be flat enough?

   Maybe three or four of those cheap fold up plastic saw horses would be better??

   Also: do you think the vacuum is necessary, or would dusting off the slick veneer surface between cuts make it clean enough for the rail to stick?

   Thanks! 

   "I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 24, 2007 04:40pm | #6

   In your case, what you need is a flat, unyielding surface.If you don't mind a little hands-and-knees work, you could simply place your veneer on a piece of insulation that you lay down on a garage floor, say, and cut away. 2 horses would work, but you would need something like a piece of MDF to keep the veneer flat; in that case you could use the MDF as a sacrificial cutting surface, or place a piece of insulation on top of the MDF. I routinely use two horses (each about 20" high and 4' long), with three 8' lengths of 2X4 half-lapped to the top of each horse -- which gives me a flat surface. I then have 2 pieces of 1" insulation (cut from a 4x8 sheet) which serves as the sacrificial surface. This contraption is bulky, but it all breaks down and is easily transportable. If the weight of the saw and the rails is enough to flatten out the veneer you're cutting, then I don't think you will need the clamps.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   Buttkickski | Jul 24, 2007 04:46pm | #7

   Great idea half lapping the 2x4's to the saw horses. My only concern is crappy 2x4's that twist and warp, but I'll give it a try.

   Thanks.

   I'm ordering the Festool right now... 

   "I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 24, 2007 05:03pm | #8

   2x4's -- you only need three, and if you pick through the pile, you can generally find that many which are straight and relatively knot-free. I then glop on a couple of coats of varnish to help keep them that way.I have the Festool set-up and like it a lot. But before you buy, you should at least look into the EZ Smart system, if you haven't already.http://www.eurekazone.com/********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   Buttkickski | Jul 24, 2007 05:08pm | #9

   Thanks.

   I'm going Festool because I've used one before and it's way smoother than any circular saw I could buy for the EZ system. Plus, I like how the track doesn't (normally) have to be clamped to the sheet for cuts but the EZ does. 

   "I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."

3. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 25, 2007 12:20am | #12

   I think you will be well satisfied with the Festool set-up. But just for the record, the EZ track can also be used without clamps (because it has the same kind of tape on the bottom of the track). As far as cut quality is concerned, according to the people who have used both, any old CS with a $10 blade will render as smooth a cut with the EZ guide as you get with the Festool. On dust collection, the Festool wins; some argue that the newish Hilti CS (which has a better DC system than any other standard CS) is the equal of Festool. ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

4. 
   Buttkickski | Jul 25, 2007 03:28am | #15

   I'm buying the Festool because it was here at Woodcraft where I can touch it and try it. I loved it! I like the smooth plunge and the riving knife. I also ordered the 106" one piece rail so I don't have to piece together two shorter tracks.I look forward to using it.The EZ table looks great and I may order that kit then get the banquet table from Costco as Jeff H suggested. I was turned off by the Eureka website having to use Pay Pal only. That's annoying!Thanks 

   "I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."

2. 
   JeffHeath | Jul 24, 2007 09:27pm | #11

   Saw horses would be fine, just level them out.  A small table will foldout legs, like one of those plastic ones at Sam's Club, is perfect for this situation.  Just protect it with either mdf or polystyrene.

   Unlike Nikkiwood, I prefer to work standing up whenever possible.  His back must be better than my crooked, mangled mess of a spine.

   I have the CT-33 vac from Festool, and love it.  If you don't want to spend the money, you could just buy the hose that fits the Festool saw, and adapt it to your existing shop vac setup.  I tried it on mine, just to see how much better the Festool was.  It worked, but not as well.

   I agree with you about the other saws with the EZ.  I prefer one stop shopping for everything, which is why I chose Festool. IMHO, you get what you pay for.

   Jeff

    

4. 
   BOBABEUI | Jul 24, 2007 03:49pm | #4

   I had to answer this post with a posters screen name like Buttkickski.

   The Festool TS saws are amazing for sheet goods. I bought one because my right shoulder is getting a little too tender (old age) to heist sheet goods onto the table saw. The quality of cut is better than my Unisaw with a WWII installed on cabinet ply and my shoulder loves me for the purchase (not too sure about the LOML though!).

   As other posters have already mentioned, the Festool guide rails have rubber on the underside to keep the rail in position, although you can also clamp the rail to the stock.

   Good luck.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/24/2007 8:52 am ET by BOBABEUI

5. 
   Lataxe | Jul 24, 2007 05:10pm | #10

   Butt,

   Have a look at the Mafell equivalent, which has two extra features over and above the Festool whilst having similar high quality:

   http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section//sn/MAFKSS300L

   I'm not sure this is sold in the USA but it probably is.

   I think the ability to roll up the long guide track so it will go in the box with the saw is pretty good.  But how about that automatic run and return of the saw along the guiderail!  Why, man - just sent it to the job site with a sandwhich for its lunch and it'll do the whole job with you not even having to be there!  (Well, nearly).

   Lataxe, amazed at modern technology.

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 25, 2007 12:24am | #13

   Mafell sells a few tools in this country, but mainly to the timber framing crowd. I have no idea why they don't market the saw you mentioned in this country. They should.........********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   Cincinnati | Jul 25, 2007 12:34am | #14

   Whoa Lataxe! That kit is $760 US plus shipping. But it does make the Festool look like a solid buy.Greg

   <!---->•••••••

   Exo 35:30-35<!---->

3. 
   chabber | Jul 25, 2007 05:37am | #16

   Wow, that is a hideous website. I like the saw though. It is several pounds lighter than the TS 55 as well.Josh

6. 
   Burts | Jul 25, 2007 07:13am | #17

   Eurekazone has recently introduced the Power Bench Concept.  It works well on the job site and would be very capable of meeting the demands of your job.  I use it to cut finished materials and even cut formica good side up!  Here is a link:

   http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=61953