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Post by holmz on Mar 3, 2017 21:59:58 GMT -5
I agree with Arron, but Johnathan has a sensible "1-saw" argument.
Adding to Johnathan's list would be the Bosch quick clamps and FSN mitre job. You could get 2 160 rails and cut one to 1100-mm and use the 500-mm with the Mitre. I essentially have a 1050 or 1070 on an MFT and the remainder is used for the occasional Mitre.
I have the MT-55. If it is sheets you are doing, then "what if" scenarios about the future need for the KSS becomes a great time to queue-up the 50's Doris Day "Que Sera Sera" album.
If you had the KSS then you would use it for the sheets, but if you need it later you will either use the MT55 or get a KSS.
You cannot generally make a bad mistake, but "primarily sheets" points a finger at the MT55.
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Post by calidecks on Mar 4, 2017 2:22:18 GMT -5
I've owned the TS55 and sold it and bought a Mt55cc which is just better on every front except no top handle. But that is small potatoes.
When you first start using the mt55cc it seems you keep finding little pleasant surprises. It's the gift that keeps giving. The engineering is second to none.
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Post by blueuk on Mar 4, 2017 9:39:49 GMT -5
I've owned the TS55 and sold it and bought a Mt55cc which is just better on every front except no top handle. But that is small potatoes. When you first start using the mt55cc it seems you keep finding little pleasant surprises. It's the gift that keeps giving. The engineering is second to none. Do you not use your thumb on the base plate to 'guide' it? I've only used mine once and that's what I do even though it's on a rail.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Mar 4, 2017 13:31:52 GMT -5
I think folks have pretty much nailed the pros of each. I have the KSS80 and love that saw - it is an engineering marvel in all ways. The only thing I do not like is that it can be heavy after using it all day. A smaller saw is ideal for a daily driver. The KSS60 was not out when I got the 80, so I did not have a choice. I would opt for the 60 over the 400 as the weight is not much different, but you get better cutting range and the blade guard lever and other controls are to the right of the housing and thus no thumb over the guard - which I personally like better. I really want a 300 for the trim and finish work I do but I have not pulled the trigger. Also, with the KSS 400, 60 and 80 you can get a roller edge guide and cut perfectly parallel and repeat rips off the rail - I use this all the time for rips on bigger wood that would normally go on the table saw or require more set-up with a guide rail. Probably my most used accessory.
I was close to getting an MT55 but scored a cordless Festool 55 for a deal that I could not pass up and so far this saw has exceeded my expectations. Whereas the corded version lacks power, I think that the TSC has ample powerfor anything I have cut and I have ripped 8/4 stock with it. I like the flexibility of cordless for quick cuts. If I had not found this deal, then the corded MT55 would be my choice for all the reasons stated.
The only thing I do not like about Mafell rails is that there is no teflon strip on the rail that the base of the saw can slide on - this is not a deal breaker per se, but you might have to lube your rail from time-to-time.
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Post by gerp124 on Mar 5, 2017 12:03:20 GMT -5
>>most precise saw for use with sheet goods the MT 55 is the saw of choice. >>The Festool MFT can be modified to except a Mafell rail. Otherwise buy an accurate square and be patient. >>Accurate cross cutting is challenging. The Festool MFT can be modified to except a Mafell rail. Otherwise buy an accurate square and be patient. >>You may not know it yet, but you need dust extraction. Plan on getting a high quality dust extractor to go with your new track saw. Yup, I'm definitely convinced that I'm hearing a consensus from a very knowledgeable and experience crowd. Plus, I rarely want to take it off the rail anyway, and I have other saws if I want to free hand something quick and dirty. Any recommendation on an accurate square? I don't think I can fit the Festool MFT into the budget at this point, plus, when I get to that point, I may prefer to build my own. Any recommendation on dust extraction? It looks like they're all pricey...
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Post by gerp124 on Mar 5, 2017 12:10:58 GMT -5
Knowing what specific tasks you most commonly do and buying towards those needs will bring the most satisfaction with the tool compared to a tool that can do more, but not do best what you most engage with it for. Thanks again kraftt. That's a big question, because I do it all, and to boot, I'm not a full time pro. That said, I think I'm going for the MT55 because production mode precision work on large sheet goods is a particular point of pain- all the other work I can manage.
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Post by gerp124 on Mar 5, 2017 12:15:23 GMT -5
>>In my experience I've found that with my MT55 it takes more concentration and a good square to get perfect 90° crosscuts. Might not seem all that big of a deal, and I hate to say it, but I've regularly had to re-cut because I wasn't setting up quite square enough with just a loose F guide rail...
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Post by gerp124 on Mar 5, 2017 12:20:46 GMT -5
>>Given you're stated desire is the most precise saw for use with sheet goods the MT 55 is the saw of choice. >>Accurate cross cutting is challenging. The Festool MFT can be modified to except a Mafell rail. Otherwise buy an accurate square and be patient. >>You may not know it yet, but you need dust extraction. Plan on getting a high quality dust extractor to go with your new track saw. Thanks John- do you have any recommendations on: -square? -F-WA angle fence for cross cuts? -dust extraction?
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Post by gerp124 on Mar 5, 2017 12:29:11 GMT -5
>>Adding to Johnathan's list would be the Bosch quick clamps and FSN mitre job. You could get 2 160 rails and cut one to 1100-mm and use the 500-mm with the Mitre. I essentially have a 1050 or 1070 on an MFT and the remainder is used for the occasional Mitre. Again, I can't thank you all enough- high level advice like this is precious as gold to me. I'm 100% on the MT55, especially since I want to be able to move into cabinet making, and my Dad is already set up for this, and I think this will change his life when he borrows it :-) I can't find any USA sources for the Bosch stuff- can you point me to a reseller?
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Post by holmz on Mar 5, 2017 16:06:16 GMT -5
What is the square needed for? (FSN-WAN) I just mark the sheets with a pencil, and use the 3-4-5 rule when checking square or diagonal measurements. I do use the clamps though to hold it all in place and I use the fancy Bosch jobs and an extra set would be worthwhile.
Timberwolf or ToolNut would be US places for rails. I got Bosch because they had them in country. The mitre and router (lr32 type thing) FSN-OFA(?) I got from Europe. The saw also from Europe, but Australia (and almost all rest of the world) is on 230v/50-Hz.
Any vacuum will work. A garage sale one will not embarass the saw. I also enjoy the Bosch rails as they are not "brand matching and coordinated" and make it all seem not to be "over precious"... Even though it somewhat is. You will probably ended up with Mafell painting on yours because they are there, and rails are expensive to ship.
Some of the gear
If Dictum has the FSN-WAN (etc), then that is the easiest as the website is great. Tobias is good, but I hate to have a bunch small things to load him down chasing up. For rails and the FSN-WAN and FSN-OFA though kit he is likely the best.
i need some extra FSN-KZW clamps if someone is ordering. (I have a deal on US shipping)
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Post by gerp124 on Mar 6, 2017 12:03:13 GMT -5
>>What is the square needed for? (FSN-WAN) >>I just mark the sheets with a pencil, and use the 3-4-5 rule when checking square or diagonal measurements. >>I do use the clamps though to hold it all in place and I use the fancy Bosch jobs and an extra set would be worthwhile. >>Timberwolf or ToolNut would be US places for rails. I got Bosch because they had them in country. The mitre and router >>(lr32 type thing) FSN-OFA(?) I got from Europe. >>Any vacuum will work. A garage sale one will not embarass the saw. I also enjoy the Bosch rails as they are not "brand >>matching and coordinated" and make it all seem not to be "over precious"...
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Post by gerp124 on Mar 6, 2017 12:09:13 GMT -5
>>What is the square needed for? (FSN-WAN) >>I just mark the sheets with a pencil, and use the 3-4-5 rule when checking square or diagonal measurements. >>I do use the clamps though to hold it all in place and I use the fancy Bosch jobs and an extra set would be worthwhile. >>Timberwolf or ToolNut would be US places for rails. I got Bosch because they had them in country. The mitre and router >>(lr32 type thing) FSN-OFA(?) I got from Europe. >>Any vacuum will work. A garage sale one will not embarass the saw. I also enjoy the Bosch rails as they are not "brand >>matching and coordinated" and make it all seem not to be "over precious"... Original response didn't include my comments: 1) I want the square for production cross cuts- I really dislike measuring from the two ends- I make mistakes too easily. 2) I don't see any of the Bosch track stuff in the USA, so Mafell paint it is, I guess. It would be nice to find some price competition, but that would be minimal anyway. I've removed most of the possible competition by choosing the exact make and model :-) 3) At least I can save some on the dust extractor :-)
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Post by kraftt on Mar 6, 2017 13:44:13 GMT -5
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Post by reflector on Mar 6, 2017 15:34:39 GMT -5
I've had good luck in obtaining the Bosch rails in the 0.8m, 1.1m, the joining piece and miter fence from Amazon.de and Amazon.co.uk, the shipping rates are fairly reasonable. The 1.6m and holey rails I had to order from Dictum. That was a fairly involved process of emails being sent over several weeks.
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Post by kraftt on Mar 6, 2017 16:32:54 GMT -5
I've noticed that email correspondence can be slow with some sites. You have to prod them along to make sure they're sill alive or getting enough oxygen on Mars. It makes me wonder if some of these eBay deals are actually employee discounts that come around and the sales teams need to stall for time (?)
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