My Thoughts on the Festool TS55

Not me, it was that Sospan.

You'll catch the Festool bug now...

 

I used to have one. Sold it a year ago as I wasn't doing much in the way of joinery work. Have to admit, it's a quality tool (albeit with a price to match)

 

There is an attachment that fits on the end of the rail that smooths it but then you can't cut a 4" board, bought one then binned it.

 

Def on the to buy list. Have had to fit out a utility the last couple of days with staggered(height wise) and deeper worktops all cut from a 3m breakfast bar. Would have saved me a good few hours, especially after realising even my humble circular saw wasn't on the van...doh!!
Handsaw...router...jigsaw...oh the pain!!!

 

4' obviously

 

Don't rate the KS60, not impressed with it.

Cutting depth 45°/45° (left): 215 x 40 mm is poor, my Bosch will do 48mm, & 90 degree crosscut is better @ 70mm.

 

The TS55 has a very well deserved reputation.

Like all tools like these power and extraction cables always get in the way. There is an attachment that goes on the end of the rail, but as Chippie says its useless. The is a video on YouTube with one of the Festool bloggers putting a sleeve over the hose that helps it slide which looks really good.

I have the MFT table which adds a huge amount of capability. I made up some bedroom units this week and the were as accurate as making them up on a table saw. The only drawback is the maximum cutting width of 700mm, ok for units but can't cut big sheets up.

My only irritation is the splinter guard on the side of the machine which you have to have to remember to lower yourself.

It isn't so much that Festool gear is addictive, is that you look at it and think that makes it easier. As part of the bedroom units I was making this week, I had to cut some 55mm quadrant shelves for an open end cupboard. I used their MFS template with their router to cut a template, so easy. Same as cutting the holes for shelf pegs, I used to use a perspex and a Kreg template which used to take forever to line up and every few holes had to move it up for the next batch. There is a Festool rail, 1400mm long that reduces a lot of the work and also includes a jig for the cabinet hinges. Very expensive but reduces the risk of trashing a piece by making a mistake.

Some things in the range are a bit of an unnecessary, but you don't know until you try them and work it out for yourself. That is the main issue I have with the Festool kit is that the documentation and manuals are rubbish, with users having to rely on external video's and guides to understand what the products do and how to set them up.

And the other gripe - the use of Ikea type names for some of the products; Rubin, Viles, Granat, Brilliant just call them wood discs, paint discs, general purpose etc.

 

Have had the plunge saw for 10 years, amazing piece of kit.

You can get a deflection guard for the end of the track, not always practical to use it though.




http://www.powertool-supplies.co.uk...fS5U_3G7csiz9pv0nnP403PO3UJQvNYVloxoCutPw_wcB

 

Don't find it much use.