Tablesaw or Tracksaw for Narrow Rips [video 477]
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- čas přidán 11. 11. 2021
- In this video I’m going over that old chestnut of tablesaw vs tracksaw, but specifically in the context of narrow rips, where you’d expect the tablesaw to come out on top. But not always… enjoy!
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Other videos mentioned:-
Painting MDF Doors - • Painting MDF Doors [vi...
Concealed hinges - • How to fit concealed (...
Tricky Tracksaw Cuts - • Tricky Tracksaw Cuts [...
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Used/featured in this video:-
Strawbyte waste side jigs - bit.ly/Strawbyte_jigs
Festool TS55 Tracksaw - amzn.to/2pGvzDS (US: amzn.to/2oOgGhw)
Festool MFT - amzn.to/2x49HHE (US: amzn.to/2J25aKy)
Bessey DuoKlamp - amzn.to/3eDz1Ig (US: amzn.to/3w1s1dM)
Festool lever clamp - amzn.to/2pOohLD (US: amzn.to/2pnFZIM)
Festool Midi extractor - amzn.to/2tCIN3Q (US: amzn.to/2rKNIOx)
Other useful gear:-
Benchdogs precision triangle/square (Gifted) - bit.ly/precisiontriangle
Maxitek Storm D4 adhesive - bit.ly/StormD4PVA
Silverline 18g nailer - amzn.to/3sfcZ2S (US: [similar] amzn.to/3rjJR9u)
18g nail mixed pack - amzn.to/3lGRIfW (US: [similar] amzn.to/3ccvrmW)
Hyundai 8-litre quiet compressor - amzn.to/398TyB7 (US: nope, sorry)
Liberon beeswax - amzn.to/2zTixUU (US:amzn.to/2zklbal)
Festool Domino - amzn.to/2pVSnMk (US: amzn.to/2o7E22Q)
Festool Domino assortment - amzn.to/2piZjHa (US: amzn.to/2pGv1Lx)
Festool Domino 5 x 30mm - amzn.to/2oTq5CZ (US: amzn.to/2oOqyrL)
Moldex 6810 in-ear defenders - amzn.to/2P2c5nP (US:amzn.to/2LgIsye)
Hultafors Talmeter tape measure - amzn.to/2pHwnbH (US: amzn.to/2oqLQc9)
Moldex 6810 in-ear defenders - amzn.to/2P2c5nP (US:amzn.to/2LgIsye)
Mirock square - etsy.me/2MC0RT
Mirock 500mm T-ruler - etsy.me/365P0KE
Festool PDC 18/4 - amzn.to/2s3J0eq (US: amzn.to/2tWUHEL)
Festool T18 drill/driver - amzn.to/2QAHpK1 (US: amzn.to/2RPuOCR)
Spax screws - amzn.to/2oYWydc (US: amzn.to/2oOjkDT)
Bahco 6” combi square - amzn.to/2oumhX4 (US: amzn.to/2ouSg9k)
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I'd definitely be interested in your "5 worst purchases". We can always learn something from mistakes...it's cheaper to learn from other peoples rather than our own.
Definitely!
Same here. Would like to see your choices.
Me too! I've actually bought a table saw for my small space which is roughly the same size as yours. I kind of regret it, because of the outfeed (and infeed!) problem as well as the space dust extraction takes up. Contemplating whether I should take my loss and convert to a track saw..
+ 1
I also enjoy to learn about wrong choices other people make. So yeah definitely we need that episode 😁
Track saw has absolutely changed my life. I’ve a stigmatism in both eyes, in opposite directions and can’t cut a straight line to save my life. No amount of careful practice changed that. The tracksaw did. I’ve also hardly any space but use a lot of sheet materials. I have to cut full size boards upright (clamps on track) as my rear garden is HALF the width of your workshop, but, I manage. Hands down best tool I’ve ever brought.
Spot on. I don't have a table saw. But with the right jigs and measuring tools, I can make rips as accurate as any well tuned high end table saw. I won't claim it's faster than a table saw. But it's way faster than the table saw that my current budget and shop space will allow for.
ETA: Since I made the claim, I figured I better go put my money where my mouth is. I tuned up and calibrated my setup and ripped a couple of 1" strips from some milled pine stock, and measured the finished cuts with my vernier calipers between 30" of length. The worst variation I got from four strips was 0.003" over 30" of length. (One end measured 1.000" and the other measured 1.003").
I've got it setup so that once it's calibrated parallel, you can change the rip width quickly and repeatably with one of those "saw-tooth rack" repeatable positioners and the Benchdogs MFT fence.
Let me know if you want some pics. I'm kinda proud of it.
Peter you perfectly demonstrate that you don't necessarily need some US type of big double garage / workshop set up which let's face it you'll only feel the desire to fill the space with expensive tools you may never ever use ... so I found this video extremely encouraging and informative- thank you 😊👍
I totally agree! That`s why i follow his channel.
Peter's shop is about 2' narrower and 2' longer than than my itty bitty one car garage I'm turning into a shop this coming winter. I'm concerned about the twisty contortions Peter has to make to bring largish items in/out of his shop, would be all to easy to bump into something and knock it down or fall.
Small shop you really gotta think hard about what is essential and what is not and maximize the utility of what space you have. I'd love to have a table saw but will have to stick with my track saw for now. I'm planning to put most/all equipment on wheels to be able to roll out into the middle of the shop as needed, to maximize my ability to work on larger pieces but obviously Peter doesn't have the space to benefit from doing this. I think he's making great use of his limited space.
Looks like it's almost the size of a small/tight modern 2-car garage (both halves of this workshop).
Another big difference, if I may, is the scare factor. For me a table saw is still a scary thing to run, compared to a track saw where the blade is almost permanently inside the body of the saw.
I am learning more n more daily about track saw because table saw scares the heck out of me.
I like that you are doing great work in a small shop. It forces you to be creative and thereby exercises your brain just a little bit more. Don’t ever change.
Thanks! 👍
All subjective innit Peter mate. I think now, with the number of accessories and bench systems for track saws, it really can be a one stop saw. Particularly where portability or tight space are concerned. You working mainly with sheet materials, makes sense the tracksaw + mft is the heart of it. I like to make things difficult for myself of course with my looping hardwood frames so tracksaw, table saw, bandsaw and mitre saw are laid out to work together. Just depends what you do eh? I was thinking about tool buying regrets after I mentioned the bandsaw to you the other day. Sure we'd love a vid on it. I might join the party and do one too. All adds to the knowledge pool.
Yep join the party BBB, your home build table saw is awesome as not only does it work for what you do it has recycled a saw you were not using much👍🏻
Yup, main value of the track saw is, you take it to the material and the site you need it at!
@@dougsaunders8109 Cheers Doug. Yeah, once I cut out the site work, the big Maff was doing nothing. Absolute beast under the table! Eats through thick hardwood and gives a clean cut. Don't remember it being that good the right way up😂
Cheers Stew! Yeah, maybe I'll do my '5 worst' as Christmas special! 😂
@@10MinuteWorkshop things Santa should not bring you……
I use a table saw and a track saw table, without bias toward either. I am glad to able to have both. It's just that when I bought my table saw, there was no such thing as a track saw. When it was introduced, I could see the efficacy of it, in combination with the bench dog and clamping tables, and efficient dust extraction, which becomes more and more important to me as time goes on.
Like everything else, I try to use the best tool for the job. I dislike handling larger sheets of plywood on the table saw. My accuracy isn’t great and I don’t feel safe, so a track saw is “better” for me there. OTOH once I get to manageable sized pieces and I want perfectly parallel sides on my workpiece, the table saw can’t be beat. Right now I need to cut the narrow side of a panel to get to 22-1/2” x 28” and only have 3” or so to take off the narrow end. I’m not making that cut on the table saw until I finish my crosscut sled.
If I had a very small shop or serious budget constraints, I’d get everything done with a track saw. I tried a smallish “contractor” table saw and that did *not* make the grade in terms of accuracy, safety, or dust collection. A medium sized table saw with cast iron table and extensions makes a big difference.
All my jobs take longer than expected. Especially according to my wife!
Five worst purchases and why they were poor, price v benefit for example, definitely a good video!
I have a tack saw and a table saw, a table saw can do stuff that a track saw can’t, smaller stuff much better on a table saw, plus repetitive ripping is much better on a table saw, and just much easier.
Good morning Peter. Very timely. just come back in from the workshop after another soul searching session to try to reorganise everything (AGAIN!) to fit into my modest space. Look forward to your 5 “worst buys”. Regards
Thanks John! 👍
Table saw track saw, every time I use one I think could the other have made my cuts better. The end result is I'm lucky to have both and I just need to plan which one to use more carefully. Thanks for the great video.
Another cheap table saw to avoid for furniture making is the line of Dewalt job site saws (DW 7485). The table is cast aluminium (not machined) and is never flat.
I had one which was cupped between the 2 miter slots, so squaring up the blade never worked reliably (and the fence was utter garbage). I've since happily moved to a Festool MFT table like Peter's, and lo and behold the accuracy regained! If you absolutely need a table saw, at least get one that has cast iron table with a machined surface. But know that for the price of a single mid-range cabinet table saw (+ its accessories which you will inevitably buy) you can buy a Festool TS55 + the MFT table + the Festool Kapex120 + a Festool CTL dust extractor. which combined are more versatile than any table saw.
Yep let's see what your worst purchases are, I have made a few bad purchases too
The person who say no they haven’t either haven’t bought anything or are lying 🤥 . 😉
Brilliant video. My workshop is small and I don't have the room for a table saw, plus they frighten the hell out of me. I use a circular saw instead. Having seen you use a track saw I might just invest in one for more accurate cuts. Plus a video of your 5 worst buys sounds great. If I done one it would be difficult to pick just 5.
I thought I needed a table saw for narrow cuts. Your channel helped me with working around buying a table saw. Saves space and money (for now…)
Another great video Peter. I totally agree that it all depends on space, I have a table saw which is really nice to use but as I have a small shop like you it doesn't see much action. I would also be happy to see you do a 5 worst purchases video as like all of us I'm sure you have a lot of tools that seemed like a good idea at the time.
Love your pragmatic approach. Very good explanation.
I'd love to see the purchases you regret!
Peter, another interesting and helpful video. Thanks. Additionally, I like your British idioms, and searched the WWW and found this … “What is the ‘meaning of cut your coat to suit your cloth’? [mainly British] to make plans and decisions that are based on what you have and not what you would like. It is up to organizations which were supported by the taxpayer to cut their coats according to the cloth available.”
Yes please any video you make is informative entertaining and educational, I have a table saw and would dearly love your festool set up better to move the saw than struggle with moving the work look forward to another 10 min workshop
Great honest video, Peter, thank you. I've been arguing with myself on how to setup my shed, whether to design around the table saw, which I don't have full infeed and outfeed space for a full sheet, or my track saw, I think that this has secured thoughts 👍
As a retired press photographer I love the use of a tripod in your board cutting.
They work very well! 😂😂👍
Thanks Peter for sharing. Your workshop dimensions are about the same as mine, so your comments and seeing your layout are helpful.
Yr worst stuff will be of great interest . As is all your good stuff 😃 Keep on producing videos conveying yr vast knowledge 👏👍
This was exactly what I needed! I. In the same boat and wondered if I could get by with just a track saw. Based on how it's used in other videos and now with your video my mind is made up. Track saw it is!
Agree 💯 I use my track saw for most things and my table saw mainly for the smaller items like when I have a ton of draw boxes to make up
Brilliant Peter. I started with a Lidl table saw and after watching your videos including your back catalogue bought a track saw and have now even gone further and after building a couple of MFT/3 benches, shelled out some dosh and bought the hinge and location adaptors for the Festool MFT/3 bench including the long bench side rail extrusions and built my own fully functioning MFT/3 complete with hinged rail and I love it. Cheers mate. As always inspiring Peter.
Well done you!
Nice one David! You got your MFT built before I did! 😂👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop I am still waiting to see what I can improve on mine Peter 👍🤣 when I see yours.
David and others, did you work from any plans for own MFT builds? I am equipping myself to do similar with an MFT top, Peter’s table plan, and Benchdogs fence and stops, but can definitely use help related to adding the Festool pieces plus any others. Thanks.
@@marksullivan4230 Hi Mark, I didn't work from any real plans just workshop doodles. I built the benches around left over garden 75 x 75mm fence posts and a purchased MFT/3 top from CNC Design , you will find them online. I got the details of the Festool hinge and rail support from Peter and after further investigation I found a great spares company, Spare Parts World who supplied them as a pair for I think £99. I also bought the long side rails for the MFT/3 not the short ones and mounted them on the long side of the bench with roofing bolts of all things. I hope this helps Mark if you need more let me know.
Interesting video Peter, well said on your choice of setup, totally agree with you. The torsion box terminology is new ro me, I made my workbench that way without knowing what it's called 😄, you live and learn. Thank you 👍
The torsion box underlying structure… your Mondrian admiration is showing. :-)
I thought that too when I saw it from overhead! 😂👍
Don't worry about posting the obvious stuff - your conceiled hinges video was a revelation for me - I have done my own layout drawing based upon your video and have saved the video for future reference.
Peter, I bought a track saw to break down sheet stock to a more manageable size before cutting it on the table saw. Then I bought a MFT/3 to make more accurate crosscuts than using a miter gauge, and it's a lot more manageable with longer boards than a sled is on the table saw. I love my Sawstop, but if had I bought the MFT/3 first, I honestly would have had a hard time rationalizing buying it. I'm just glad I got it first. 😁
All the Best, Chuck
Sawstop is still a great purchase to have. I have the Contractor model for easy movement/storage. Space is valuable .
Peter, excellent explanation. The track and table saw both have their place for use. I personally have both, but I find myself using the table saw less and less, because it’s easier to bring the saw to the work. I find it safer and more accurate in many cases, especially for sheet goods. Thanks for your wisdom!
Hi Peter, yes I would love to see a video on your "5 worst purchases. Thanks for your videos, they have definitely added to my knowledge.
Thanks Rich! 👍
Those little waste side jigs are exactly what I’ve been looking for - just ordered a pair.
i love it how you easily approx metric to imperial or vice versa. i think your vids are the best in teaching weekend warrior like me in wood working. thanks sir!
Thank you!
Great, honest video Peter - many thanks!
Cheers Nic! 👍
Narrow rips for me, they happen with the Fritz & Franz jig riding on my K700S slider machine. 😁👍🏻
I'm a a newish subscriber to this channel and my comments sound like a broken record already I'm sure. there are many things that make this channel stand out . It's just a great channel all around.but I think one of the biggest components of peters success Is the absence of a table saw. Many many you tubers only use their track saws the same way I use my kreg acu cut for initial break down of sheet goods.but Peter high lights just how Much accurate ,efficient and professional work can be done safely with a track saw. Now my 12'x 24' shop has a big cast iron table saw and outfield work bench smack in the middle of it . But the more I watch Peter the more sence his approach makes sence , regardless of available space. Thanks for everything Peter !
Thanks Freddie, and welcome! Really appreciate you taking the time to make such a kind comment, and it’s great to hear that my videos have helped in some way. Best wishes from London! Peter
I've used my track saw for doing narrow rips. It works well. I also use it to edge joint boards for glue up.
The reason I got a contractor saw, was so I could take it outside to cut sheets. I bought it in the Black Friday staff sale last year, but still haven't needed to use it yet.
Always good to see a "worst purchase " video peter. Cheers for the video as always
A track saw is on my shopping list when my workshop is done.
I actually used a “track saw” 15 years ago when I had to cut some 4x8’ sheets to make a fireplace cladding. I used a 10’ straight edge that I screwed to the back of the sheet which was placed on sacrificial sheets of something on my garage floor and cut them with my circular saw.
Excellent points all around Peter...🤘🤘🤘
I always love your content and with an attention span like mine
10 minutes if perfect. You mentioned your worsted buys I’d like to see those and maybe even your best ones also.Thanks for having such a great channel looking forward to your next video
Thank you!
As always, you are right Peter, it's a matter of horses for courses. I concluded that I would be best to have both available and will be approaching the Finance Committee on that basis. I'll be sure to inform her you are the recognesed authority on the matter - and there are safely issues to be considered of course. :-).
😂😂 Thanks Norman! 👍
As usual it's always interesting to hear your thoughts about cutting large boards etc. in an awkward area. Myself I own a DeWalt contractors saw table which is fitted to a DeWalt mobile carriage . To use this for cutting sheets of board I take it outside on my garden decking ( on a sunny day of course) but I use roller stands as supports but still have to ask my mates help to support it. But laying the board on 3 sawhorses I can cut the board to size easily with my track saw.
Your tools and work aside, I would just like to say your presenting skill to camera is very professional.
Thank you! 👍
You're bringing me around to a tracksaw at some point, used to look a bit of a luxury purchase but now appreciate the utility, mainly from your videos. Still building up my workshop and developing basic skills, finding what works for me. I love the control and accuracy of even my inexpensive tablesaw, but don't really have room for the enormous infeed / outfeed platforms bigger shops build around them so I've ended up awkwardly cobbling together some temporary support, rolling the TS into the garden for more room, or cutting down with circular + straight edge. Sometimes those jobs would surely be less hassle with a tracksaw. I find all saw types have merit and functional overlap though so don't plan to get rid of any.
I love that setup with the track saw. That is definitely on my want list! Most likely won't be a Festool but I'm ok with that!
Great video. Matches my situation also, thanks.
I bought a tracksaw last year after resisting it for years. I built an entire kitchen with it and had no issues with accuracy. I still use the table saw but the tracksaw is so much more convenient for breaking down 8' x 4' sheet materials in my little workshop.
Peter ah the old chestnut! I am somewhat in the same boat. My workshop measures 17 x 8 feet. When I set it up four years ago, my first purchase, which everyone told me I needed, was a jobsite table saw with an 80mm depth of cut. Then about three years ago I started following your channel. So I went out and bought an MFT replacement top from a local CNC shop, built a bench and made my own budget "MFT" and arranged this as the outfeed table for the table saw. After watching a number of your videos, I then took a long deep breath and ordered a Festool TS-55 track saw and matching Festool extractor. I used the table saw perhaps half a dozen times in the first year for narrow rips but have never used it since. The Festool track saw really impressed me and did everything I needed and with far less hassle than the job site saw. I have since outgrown the original workshop layout as my woodwork has progressed, so I am in the process of designing and building a new layout which will be centered around the MFT and the track saw, with an overhead extraction hose if I can figure out how to do it, that is. Will the table saw feature in the new layout?.....probably not.... as for the last three years it has been used solely as somewhere to store my ever growing pile of systainers.. As for narrow rips, I often do these, but on the track saw of course!
Great story Dawn! My table saw is more table than saw, as well! 🙌👍👍
I had a big home workshop with my pride and joy cast iron table saw, sliding table to the left, outfeed table to the rear and 2 extension tables to the right as the highlight. The reason it was pride of place in the middle was exactly as you say Peter, infeed, outfeed, left and right space needed for large sheets. And it weighs a lot, so cannot be shunted around to accommodate the left/right space needs. Mind you, with a big mdf sheet thrown on top it also made a great assembly table. 🙂
I have moved house and can’t use it any more. So I’ve just bought my first track saw (and quality blade) as I have some kitchen cabinets and drawers to make this weekend. I have great expectations but do understand its limitations for some of the stuff I would do on the table to speed up joint cutting for example. No need for that this weekend though, just a lot of blade ruining melamine chipboard, mechanical fixings and Roo glue - yuk.
I’ve bought a cheapy to start, times are tough and the project is simple but once I sell the lumpy stuff (table saw, lathe, bandsaw, 1 metre belt sander, jointer etc) can upgrade if necessary to something a bit more serious if I get the bug. I’ll also be having a first time play with a Kreg jig this weekend - sacrilege!
I have both and both have their strengths. Table saws really shine if you start using jigs. Tracks are great for really confined spaces such as yours.
I would love to hear about your 5 worst. The best answer for those that feel their way is best is, “You do you”.
Thanks Peter, another great vid, Table saw for workshop, tracksaw for site is my pref. but as you say each to his own. Yes please to your 5 worst, thanks again keep wall and safe, cheers mate!
Clear story totally agree with you. Greetings from the Netherlands
Thank you! Best wishes from London! 👍
We learn more about failures than from top performances so yes of course we want to see your "my worst tool purchases" video 😄
yes peter we've all made bad purchases but made due with them, we welcome a video. cheers from across the pond.
As with anything it comes down to circumstance and what tools you have. A sliding table/panel saw (with at least an 8’ stroke) will out perform a track saw. In the US your table saw would be called a “contractor saw” (portable table saw) a “cabinet saw” is a stationary unit with an enclosed cabinet.
Thanks, but it’s not portable, and it has an enclosed cabinet. The motor and lift mechanisms are attached to the cabinet, not the table. It’s a cabinet saw. A terrible cabinet saw, true. A contractors saw is something like this - www.google.co.uk/search?q=site+saw&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#imgdii=dSBNWT1E4kXmeM&imgrc=JbaVnGI7qqF5sM. Different animal.
Great video! 😊
I think a table saw comes into its own with jigs. But agree completely in the smaller (typical British workshop like my own) the tracksaw is amazing, my Titan is one of my favourite tools (thanks to your video a few years back egging me on to buy one).
Every tool has it's perfect use, it's what suits your specific requirements that matters most.
Thanks for this, I think so many people buy what they think they should have rather than what they actually need.
I think most interests have people that think that if you like A then you can’t like B, rather than someone’s things can be entirely down to how the person uses them
Nice vid as always.
I have been trying to figure out how to work with out my Table saw bc i’m moving to a place I won’t have a shop. I got a track saw originally to breakdown large sheet goods and finish them on table saw. I have trying to learn how to get repeatable rips with a track saw and your little waist side jig is what i need.
Excellent Video again, as a DIYer refurbishing a bungalow , i have been considering a tracksaw v table saw for a while, and never quite made up my mind. No workshop, Just use the space in the garage when the cars are out. So probably a track saw. Trouble is I like the Mafell, and recently went to Axminster Tools in Devon, as i was on a short break near by. And i loved the quality of the Mafell, was a bit put off by the video you did a while back , and also watched the video where the scribe cut was OK. look forward to watching your videos each week/fortnight. I would be interested in your 5 worst buys.
The Strawbyte jigs are so worth having and are a must have for all tracksaw users, IMO. They have made my life easier when cutting narrow strips from larger material. I have a little DeWalt tablesaw, and it is fantastic, but because I do my woodworking in a medium sized shed, using it to rip down an 8 x 4 ply sheet is not possible - and probably dangerous, even if I did have room. Repeatable cuts in small stock is where my table saw will always win out. I cut 30 ply runners for a basic chest of drawers in a few minutes on my tablesaw. Would be a lot longer with the TS.
Small shop problems 😂😂 you do you bud you have some interesting project video
I have only recently entered the world of tracksaws but like imperial and metric systems I use both for different things.
Personally I find they compliment each other well
I Soooo wish you'd done this video BEFORE I bought my table saw.
I have a single garage. I'm a DIY Mechanic AND DIY woodworker.
I have various spanners, car related tools as well as woodworking tools and a table saw.
So for me, room is tight. I need to be able to cut wood as well as keep room for a car to be parked in the garage while I work on that.
Your logic surrounding a track saw is 100% sound and I wish I'd thought about that before I bought my table saw.
Still. Thank you for the insight.
I have a massive Felder table saw and not quite enough room to rip plywood sheet, I use a track saw for this and dress it on the table saw or not depending on the quality of the cut. Track saws are amazing and on site the Felder saw is useless back at the workshop. Love watching the skill of your use of the track saw great channel I watch every week keep up the great work and yes please do an episode of your worst tools. I bought a clamp guide once sent it straight back after using once. Better off with a strip of Mdf. Thanks again Peter. Looking forward to the next episode.
Cheers Alan! 👍
I have an ancient DW 744 and it's a great tool; accurate and reliable. NOT perfect but indispensable in my workshop. I've just bought a track saw. so time will tell. At the moment, I think the fence gives the table saw its purpose for easy consistency but I'm excited to learn the use of the track saw, which is a Makita.
Definitely interested in your top 5 worst. Think that could be quite amusing.
I also find myself using my track saw a lot more than the table saw. Mainly because I find it easier and quicker. If I'm cutting any longer than a meter on the table saw I need to have the workshop door open. (not a lot of fun in the rain) The track saw is also cordless which I prefer. Dust collection is also easier, as I can either use the hoover underneath my bench or the dust collection hose that hangs from the ceiling. The table saw I have to connect a 6inch hose too, then go outside to turn on the dust collector. (haven't got around to fitting a remote yet)
Good video. I too would like to see your 5 worst purchases.
Like you, I have a small workspace. My single car garage. I have a table saw which I use pretty much all the time as I have been working with hardwood more than sheet goods. That said, I also have a Home made MFT style top and combined with the Benchdogs Fence and TS55 Tracksaw, that gives wonderful and square cuts in ply and MDF. I'll probably use it for edge jointing some rough cut timber too.
Yes Peter do the most regrettably purchased tools as we have all done it I'm sure
All the best mate great content as usual 👍
Thanks! 👍
I’m always quite jealous when viewing your videos especially due to the apparent ease of marking and accuracy you seem to be able to achieve.
As a beginner and novice diyer/woodworker i prefer the idea and safety of a track saw, but trying to find the MFT rail attachment doesn’t quite seem to be possible without spending big.
Great video Peter thank you for sharing
Best option to get 'Millard style' cross cuts without the festool hinge and MTF table is (IMO) to get a cheap MTF style MDF benchtop and some rail dogs that screw into the underside of your rail. You then have perfect cross cuts and the only real downside compared to the hinge setup is that you can’t cut boards that are quite as wide (you are width limited by the outermost holes in the MFT style top). But you have one advantage, which is that the dogs-style setup auto adjust for material thickness. The hinge setup requires manual adjustment or packers.
Thanks Andrew - and Kristoff! I'll be doing a DIY MFT-alike for my next big build after the router bench is out of the way. 👍
Good afternoon Peter and thank you for another superb video. My method is slightly different as I only have standard circular saws on home made rails for the cuts I do. One issue I had recently though which is what is leading me to getting a table saw was trying to make some rip cuts through a scaffold board and when I got to the last cut I couldn't securely clamp the guide to the board, even using another to prop up the left side of the guide. The work piece was not able to be secured safely. That's my reason for thinking of getting one to make long cuts in very narrow pieces.
If you have the space for the infeed and outfeed it's the best tool for the job.👍
I think double sided tape can help you in that case. Plus the prop board go the same thickness. That is what I end up doing.
5 worst purchases would be great. you can also add the 5 best purchases.
The video is great, as usual.
You've just convinced me to try and sell my table saw (the workshop is pretty small) and stick to the track saw and/or get more sheet material stuff cut at the timber yard. BTW the "moire effect" with your shirt this week was something to behold on my PC screen!!
I didn’t think I was moving around that much! 😂👍
Ive just bought my first track saw so will see how it goes for me
I prefer table saws for narrow, same width rips, but I don't have one in my workshop. Space (lack of) is one reason, but the main reason is safety. As a hobbyist woodworker I'm always jumping on projects for an hour or two here and there when I can. This means that my workflow and muscle memory is not as consistent as that of a full time 'maker'. Add in the sporadic distraction factor of my Mrs walking through the workshop to access our utility room to put some washing on (and occasionally bring me a brew) and the risk of me chopping a finger off with a table saw is too high for me to accept. If I get a tap on the shoulder when running my track saw with my ear defenders on I might mess up a cut, same thing with a table saw and I could take my hand off. Not worth it.
I'm with you on this
after watching you a tracksaw is my next purchase I dont need anything amazing I dont make much but it looks easier than my tablesaw's
Yes, I would agree that with your circumstances a table saw doesn’t make much sense. It doesn’t help that there are really no worthwhile table saws in a size that would work in the space you have. Even the worst quality plunge saws seem to produce better cuts than the smaller table saws available today, not to mention much safer. Thanks for another well presented video. With my current situation, I’ve been forced to use my plunge saw more extensively and your videos tutorials are a great help, but I still miss my table saw 😉.
Quite easy to see why you opt for the track saw in the style and size of work shop you have.👌🏽
You have a really decent setup that allows you to do exactly and precisely what you need to do without any hassles whatsoever.👍🏽
Adapting to your environment is crucial to the quality of your output too, and return customers, is all the testament you need.😉
Cheers Bill! 👍👍
A very logically-explained video. You can get accuracy (which I would generally define for most woodworking as +/-0.1mm) by table saw, track saw or even hand saw. If just depends on the accuracy of the set up and the sharpness of the blade. I am lucky enough to have a large workshop and so, my table saw has room all the way around; I actually use a electrically operated lift table which I have mounted on a torsion box on castors and it acts infeed and outfeed tables. I have a tracksaw and the Festool parallel guide arms with the optional thin rip accessory. That gives me accurate repeatability either by table or track saw. I think that the only situation that I always use the table saw is if, for instance, I have a piece of narrow (150mm or narrower?) piece of timber that I want to rip into even narrower pieces; I just find the table saw gives me greater control and security.
I don’t often make dados using a saw rather than a router but I would again use the table saw as I can more easily control the width of the dado by gradually moving the fence.
If I didn’t have the space, I would undoubtedly go with a track saw and be very happy with it. What I wouldn’t do is buy a very cheap “table” or “site” saw; Inaccurate and unreliable.
My only “tip” would be that, no matter which way you go, is to get a good blade and keep it sharp. I send mine away regularly (I have 4 blades and so I can send 3 blades away for a couple of weeks whilst I use the 4th blade) for sharpening. If using only mdf or ply, then rip cuts or cross cuts are no different but, if you are using “proper” timber, do invest in rip blades and cross cut blades. They do make a difference but changing blades can take time; if you don’t want to do that, then a combination blade - but a quality brand.
100% with you in blades! 👌👍
Interesting comment on blades Theo. I have a friend who is a shop fitting joiner, and for site work or indeed sometimes factory work, carries two Festool track saws. One is fitted with a cross cut blade and the other a ripping blade. I initially thought it overkill, but he explained that he benefits from zero dead time in changing blades, so much more efficient working and avoids the temptation of using the wrong blade for 'just one wee cut' (which is never just one), and compromises the quality of the work, and the longevity of blade sharpness. He believes the 2nd saw paid for itself within 18 months, which is a great return on investment in any one's book.
@@duncanmacleod7283 yes, I can see to him that time is money and that 2 saws is worthwhile. I only do it now as a hobby and so time is not critical - so 2 saws and 3 blades. I suppose that if you add the band saw and my Bosch mini track saw, it’s even more. I have to say that I only change band saw blades between re-saw and curved work - not rip and cross.
Hello Peter, Great video, really like the the approach and YES, would love to hear your worst buys 🤣 I-m sure they will fall into 2/3 products we have all made a mistake on. While I love track saws *I have 4 of the major brands* but I still fell that the TableSaw is more accurate *repeatability* and more versatile *cut ranges* small pieces and large thinner pieces come to mind, to not mention the versatility when you are cutting joinery, something really hard and really scary with a track saw. And yes, track saws are accurate… just that it’s exposed to more user error 😅
Wow Peter that's a full workshop when you where bringing the sheet through. Bet you can't wait to get your organised workshop back. Definitely agree with you on an earlier video when you said about Adam savage taking two weeks to look at your empty workshop to decide where to put things. I can't do that for 20 mins never mind two weeks 😁😁
Thanks Chris! 👍
Eleven minute workshop!
I don't have a track saw, but 2 home made circular saw guides. I do also have a table saw on a mobile base with router table built in. Mobile assembly table doubles as outfeed. It's tight in a single garage and I never attempt to wrangle anything bigger than a 1/2 sheet through the table saw. Full sheets get broken down on the driveway with sacrificial polystyrene insulation backer. The problem I have is accurately cross cutting anything wider than 40 cm on the table saw with a sled. I use the shorter homemade guide.
It works well enough and I'm not making a living from it so the high set up time's not an issue.
Maybe I can justify a decent track saw one day just for the convenience and the superior dust capture over a portable circular saw...
I really appreciate your attitude of "I can't tell you what works best for you." I really appreciate your perspective because you don't do things the way most (American) CZcamsrs do. In my mind the biggest advantage of a table saw is repeatability. Consistency is often more important than accuracy, at least in what I'm trying to do.
Thanks! I agree - but I can also get 100% consistent and repeatable cuts with a tracksaw/MFT/combi square/jig setup, too! 👍
yeah I tried using a tracksaw myself (well a dewalt circular saw on a rail, which for what I did was basically the same thing).
It didn't really work for me, I like to make small things, too small to clamp a rail onto.
Little over a month ago I bought a dewalt table saw and it's been great! Considering most my pieces aren't even bigger than the table in/outfeed hasn't been a problem at all for me.
I concur with Robert 😊👍
Enjoy your videos. I think those who say they only use their tracksaw for breaking down sheet goods and then use their tablesaw for finish cuts have a cheap tracksaw of low quality. I have been woodworking off and on with a Shopsmith system for 3 decades because that is all that would fit in my small shop (6m x 3m). Recently I have switched over to a Festool tracksaw and I use my tablesaw less and less now. For those of us with a small shop, I really think a tracksaw can be a tablesaw replacement, so I definitely agree with you. Thanks for this video.
Thanks! 👍
Great video Peter. I've got both and must say I use the tracks 95% of the time just because it's such a pain to drag the table saw out of the workshop and into the garden to do any cutting because of my 18' x 8' workshop! Incidentally it is a Bosch 'site' saw which would probably kill me if I had to cart it around the job site on a regular basis! Think the 5 Worst would be a very interesting one but I think my table saw, good as it is, would rank as number one on mine! I'm sure you're planning it but an updated Christmas gift special would be another good one, too!
Thanks Carl! Yes, gift ideas video should be out in a couple of weeks or so. 👍
I do have the space to run an 8ft sheet through my table saw. Can't remember the last time I used the saw though, more than a year I think. Cme to think of it, can't remember the last time I dealt with a full sheet of material lol.
Yes A five worst purchases would be interesting.
I can see you’ve had a bad table saw experience and I can’t knock track saws at all. I’ve just got the cordless dewalt ‘plungeee’ and i love it. But a proper workshop with a proper cabinet saw is an amazing thing. Cut box joints or tenons on a tracksaw? 👎 Cut anything on a tablesaw 🤝
Keep up the good vids pete! I very much enjoy them and love your point of views and ideas. ☺️
great video! I would love for you to do a review of the mafell erika 85.
Thanks Mark. I’d be interested in having a play with one, but I don’t know anyone who has one. 👍
I am no expert even though I make furniture. I found the table saw isn't much good for long cuts as I can't keep the wood straight. I am now going to get a track saw (going for the Erbauer ) . You do explain things very well. I am making a cross cuts sledge for my table saw to cut smaller pieces. Thank you.
I have a table saw as well as a track saw. The track saw being a result of following your goodself.... I have to say, I use my track saw far more. Although my table saw has its place....
If I had to pick... track saw no question.. 👍👍
A 5 worst purchases video would be extremely helpful. There are 2 things I love to learn from the masters: 1) What to do 2) What NOT to do.