Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Mar 26, 2010 09:06pm | #1

   The short answer is "no"

   The Festool Plunge Cut is certainly a useful tool, particularly for sheet goods. I wouldn't see it as a total replacement for a table saw, however. Imagine, for example, doing a quick cut-off of a 1x2, or doing angle cuts on such narrow stock. You need a large, flat surface for the guide rail to rest on.

2. 
   woodhouse94 | Mar 26, 2010 09:09pm | #2

   well i do have a miter saw for that and for thing rip cuts i could use a dummy board to rest the track on to make the cut easy and i will be keeping my miter saw and if i realy do need my table saw it is portible so i could bring it down

3. 
   DonaldCBrown | Mar 26, 2010 10:02pm | #3

   Festool saw vs. table saw

   Have you read the discussions on the Festool Owners Group (FOG) on this subject?  Festool has a number of accessories, such as tables and positioning aids, that help the plunge saw do many of the things that are usually done with a table saw.

   I don't own any Festool equipment, but I think the owners who contribute to the FOG would have a wealth of sound advice.

   Don

4. 
   ring | Mar 27, 2010 12:22am | #4

   The two saws are so different that their uses only slightly overlap.  If you are cutting up sheet goods, either on jobsite or in shop, then the plunge saw with guides is a terrific solution.  (I have the TS75).  If you are working solid wood, or dadoing pieces, or ripping narrow strips, or a hundred other jobs then there's no replacement for the tablesaw. 

   The Festool set uses no permanent floorspace, so what's the problem having both?  IMHO, any well-equipped shop for general woodworking needs at least 4 different saws - a tablesaw, bandsaw, panel saw (unless the TS is a slider), and a miter saw.  You'll never regret having versatility in the shop. 

5. 
   James R. | Mar 27, 2010 12:48am | #5

   I do like my TS 55 and use it more than I use the table saw.  There are however, several things I just like doing on the table saw.

   Cross cuts I usually do with the Festool, they tend to come out cleaner and smoother.  I also cut large panels with the TS 55 and cutting angles on a larger board is far easier with the TS 55. 

   Ripping, on the other hand, I find easier on the table saw.  I can extend a long board on rollers both on the in-feed and the out-feed easier  than I can with the Festool.  I have several Festool guide rails, however it's more trouble to set up.  If you're on a job sight the Festool is better hands down.

   I do agree with Don though.  Check out festoolownersgroup.com and you'll get a lot of feed back.

   Good luck,

   Jim

6. 
   nikkiwood | Mar 27, 2010 02:00am | #6

   Festool vs. TS

   There are some zealots who claim  the Festool saw can replace a TS.

   I've owned a Festool since shortly after they came out, and it is a terrific piece of equipment, but no substitute for a table saw.

   However, if you work with sheet goods, it is very slick for cutting cabinet parts, since it is accurate and produces very smooth cuts.

1. 
   cahudson42 | Mar 27, 2010 03:12am | #7

   TS-55 Worth its Exhorbitant Price

   I have had a TS-55 for about 2 years. It is perhaps the one Festool piece of equipment worth its exhorbitant price. It is unbeatable - IMHO - for cutting down any and all sheet goods. (Here is an an example of how I use it: http://www.cfnet.net/yc ) It will cut multiple 3/4" sheets for matching parts, leave beautiful edges, and easily cut any odd angle.

   I use it in preference to my inexpensive Ryobi contractors TS whenever I can.  But there are times when the Ryobi is simply much faster, such as ripping down 5/4  6" (net 5 1/2") Western Red Cedar decking for Adirondack Chairs slats.  (I dislike using the Ryobi table saw, though I am not uncomfortable using it with the 'right' light material - such as WRC).

   If you primarily work in sheet goods, yes, I think you can use the TS-55 instead of a table saw.

   I actually prefer to work with 'real wood' - and the table saw has its place. Even so, I will always use the TS-55 to cut a glueup tabletop to size.

   I would not part with my TS-55. Nonetheless, I still would like to upgrade my Ryobi at some point. The problem here is - I can't see doing so with anything but a SawStop. And at $3,000 or so for the 'Professional' (I have been advised by numerous SawStop users to stay away from the Contractor version) - its just not in the cards at this point.

   If you work a lot of sheet goods, get the TS-55. You won't be disappointed.

   Chris

1. 
   GRW | Mar 27, 2010 08:24am | #8

   My $0.02

   I have a TS and a Festool TS 55. I like them both, and would have both if I had the choice.

   If I could only have one, I'd choose the tablesaw. The TS is capable of doing so much more

   than the Festool. In fact if I didn't do so much sheet stock work, the TS 55 would just collect

   dust instead of making it. It's a great tool, but it does limited tasks.

   GRW

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Mar 27, 2010 10:47am | #9

   Your Chair

   Chris,

   That's an interesting way to build a chair for sure, and as good a use as I can think of for the track saw.

7. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 27, 2010 11:59am | #10

   It's already been stated and the reason.. the FT won't replace a TS if you work with solid wood ripping.. dados.. tenon jigs.. narrow rips.. etc. It is an excellent tool if you mainly work with sheet goods or you have a very limited space shop but if you do add the accessories that Don mentioned you will have about as much invested as a medium grade TS. If I did more than the 3-4 sheets of ply I use annually for drawer bottoms and dust backs on chest.. etc. it might be a worthwhile investment. But with that said I would probably gear toward the EZ system and use my own circulars I already have to break sheets down to TS size with a clamped guide.

8. 
   woodhouse94 | Mar 27, 2010 04:14pm | #11

   plunge saw

   well i think i wont get the saw now i think i will just get things i really need like  router or a brad gun and compressor because i do have a tablesaw and i do have a circular saw if i realy do need to cut sheet goods but thanks every one for your help.

1. 
   DonaldCBrown | Mar 27, 2010 04:55pm | #12

   Plunge saw

   Foxrocks-

   You might benefit from taking a look at the EZ system,

   http://eurekazone.com/index.html

   Their components are derived from the Festool idea of a guided circular saw. You can probably get tracks and an attachment for your circular saw that will give you the basic functionality of Festool plunge saw at a much lower price.

   Don

2. 
   AZMO | Mar 30, 2010 06:26pm | #14

   Plunge saw

   Fox if you have a circular saw, make a nice guide to go with it.  Basically just a piece of 1/4" plywood with a straight 1 by 2 glued on top. Make sure the 1/4" is as wide as the saw. Then set your saw and rip along the 1 by 2. This precuts the plywood to size. Next cuts all you need to do it lay it along your marks or line. Buy a nice blade for your circular saw, a plywood or melamine type blade. Then cut out and attach a 1/8" hardboard to the bottom of the saw. Plunge the blade through the hardboard, and you have controled the chip ou. For 5 bucks you have yourself an economical saw that will cut sheet goods quite nicely.

   AZMO

9. 
   SawdustSteve | Mar 30, 2010 02:01pm | #13

   Festool ??

   Hi Foxrocks... Were you able to get that table saw from the school auction??      Like most Festool products, it will last at least two lifetimes, so that is good.  It will do major injury to your wallet, so that is bad.  Before buying, see if you can get your hands on one and REALLY TRY it.  Not just one short cut, but at least 5 minutes of cutting... streight, angled, plunge  (Oh yes, you can not plunge and back up to a line).  Just like test driving a car, you should test drive this saw.    Be aware that this saw takes a special diameter blade (NOT 7 .25") that you won't be able to find at your local Home Depot.  It also has a metric sized shaft, so standard bladesa won't fit onto this shaft.  I've tried it and I was impressed, but ther are other companies that make similar units AND they take standard blades.

                    SawdustSteve   Long Island, NY  (E of NYC)

1. 
   woodhouse94 | Apr 01, 2010 09:30pm | #15

   thanks for the help

   yes i think i will make a guide like u said when i need it and about the auction i signed up for a mailing list and when the auctions for tools such as table saws and other surplus tools come up i will get a letter in the mail