Comments on the TS55 EQB plunge cut saw

[morry]

I recently saw this unit being used on an episode of this old house for cutting sheet plywood using the guide rail system and looked like it was a great saw. I have been cutting up a lot of 2400 x 1200 melamine recently and have been getting less than great results clamping on a straight edge (allowing for a 39.5mm offset) then having to cut the sheet oversize to clean up the chipping of the melamine on the table saw. Do they cut melamine as cleanly as they state. It would be good to hear from somebody who has one.

[lucky_rick]

Morry

I have that saw and it came with the 1400mm guide rail. The rail and saw work a treat on timber but have not used it on melamine. I guess that with the right blade it would work well. Not the exact feedback you wanted but hope it helps. Also the guiderails are not cheap if bought separately.

Regards
Rick

[silkwood]

My brother-in law has the TS55 and is extremely happy with it. Yes, with the standard blade it cuts melamine very well (not quite as smooth a a scribing blade, but damn close).

I went for the AT55 because I bought it with the Basis system, which does not (as yet) work with the new TS55. When I use my AT for sheet goods (including Melamine) it does a very good job on the guide-rail side but leaves some chipping on the outer edge of the blade. Unless you absolutely have to maximise every millimeter of stock this is no great problem: simply trun the guide-rail around and take a few mil of the other side. Result..two reasonably clean edges. If I want perfection I simply make the first pass just scraping the surface, then resaw at the correct depth. This seems to work a treat, but you wouldn't want to go through for a production run!

Cheers,

[morry]

Silkwood

Thanks for the response. It looks like it's the one for me. Ive just got to find a buyer for my kiddney to pay for it.

[nt900]

Morry,

Just started using the TS55 EBQ, MFT and guide rail on melamine for the first time today. Here is an example of part of a kitchen overhead cupboard. No noticeable chipping, and I'm not using the top splinter guard. But I will include some close-ups tomorrow if I get a chance.

I am happy with the result. Also, as I expected, easier to do this job on the MFT than on the table saw. Especially the 2400 x 1200 sheets.

[nt900]

Here are three close ups of melamine cut with TS55 EBQ, guide rail and MFT.

The first pic shows how not setting enough depth causes problems.

The second and third pics show how using the set up correctly gives nice results.

The best side of the cut being the left side which is the piece to being used in the construction. The right side has a few minor chips, but this is the off cut piece. But this off cut is still as good as the factory cut sides of the original sheet. I am yet to use the splinter guard, which should improve the off cut side of the sheet to the same level of “non-chippedness” as the other side of the cut.

The underneath of both sides of the cut, which sit upon the MFT table surface, are pretty good to better again.

[morry]

Anthony

Thanks for taking the time to respond and include the great pics. This saw looks perfect for what I have in mind. I have a good table saw with a new CMT blade which gives very clean cuts but man handling a full 2400 x 1200 sheet on your own is a pain and a bit dangerous and the festool looks like the answer to the problem. Once again thanks.