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7th May 2020, 08:51 AM #16GOLD MEMBER
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Hi Lappa. I bought the Festool clamps but had to grind down the section that slides into the track. Not to much work to modify but so much easier to continually tighten and loosen. I have also got my tool sharpening guys to re shape the alternating bevel on the Festool blades to a much steeper pitch, all to try and avoid chipping on melamine boards. I read lots of reviews online about this saw (and the other coloured versions available - green for Grizzly, yellow for a Total Tools version and even red for Aldi) and one of the weirdest comments that came time and again was about how hard it was topush the plunge release button up and hold in place. People even posted modifications they had made to the spring in order to make it easier. I don't know if I have particularly strong thumbs but mine has never been difficult.
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16th May 2020, 09:50 PM #17Novice
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I would do this in preference to any of the saws listed. Particularly if you need to do the project right now.
Or make a DIY track, which will have the advantage of reducing edge chipping, the same way a regular saw track would do.
With this and a new fine-cut blade you'll probably match any of the listed track saws for cut quality.
I'd then keep scraping the pennies for a Makita or Bosch (GKT 55), which are the most budget oriented of the top flight saws.
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17th May 2020, 01:47 AM #18New Members
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- May 2020
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Hey folks, on a similar thread but with slightly bigger budget...
I'm just an amateur home DIYer but with some decent projects behind me using lower end tools (room full of floor to ceiling book shelves in laminate, decks/pergolas, stairs etc.). I'm looking to move on to making furniture - a custom AV cabinet, two coffee tables, two dining tables etc. With limited space, track saw and MFT is the go, so trying to choose a plunge saw. Decision is complicated by the fact that I have two DeWalt XR 54V batteries used in my chainsaw. Would the cordless DeWalt suit my purposes (accuracy/quality/accessories), do you have any other suggestions, including 240V? DeWalt skin and track kit would still cost around $1,100, so there are probably a number of other options for the money. The other thing is I'm 53, so at this time I'm thinking "tools for life", which might help push me up a quality level. Was initially looking at Bosch GKT 55 240V, Makita looks OK. Not really thinking of stretching as far as Festool or Mafell... Thanks, Mike
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18th May 2020, 08:11 PM #19
The Festool TS55 with 1400mm track is only $1150 so it's not much more than the Dewalt cordless option. I could certainly see the advantage in a cordless plunge saw but once you attach dust collection it's a bit of a non issue.
Certainly the Festool or Makita will have the greater number of aftermarket accessories for the tracks. If you're looking for tools for life then the Festool is a no brainer but the Makita is just as likely to keep going as long as you do.
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18th May 2020, 09:34 PM #20SENIOR MEMBER
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Can't speak to the Makita but I splurged on a Festool TS 55 with an MFT and have never regretted.
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18th May 2020, 09:39 PM #21GOLD MEMBER
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i'd stick to a 240v version for a track saw. the extra grunt just helps if you ever need to cut something thick.
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18th May 2020, 09:47 PM #22GOLD MEMBER
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There is no way I would be forking out Festool money for a Dewalt saw, get the Festool if you are prepared to spend that sort of money, it is the saw that the others are measured by.
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19th May 2020, 12:12 AM #23
I would completely concur with other posters here pointing at the Festool considering the very small extra cost over the DeWalt you're already looking at.
One obvious reason is resale value should you ever decide it's not something you're going to pursue.
My other suggestion is to buy a 1400mm holey rail instead of the normal one. If you ever plunge down the rabbit hole of the LR-32 system, you will already have the required rail, and there is no disadvantage to having a holey rail for your track saw.
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19th May 2020, 08:41 AM #24Senior Member
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I agonised for months over the Bosch, Makita and Festool track saw and read and watched every review I could. I ended up with the Festool but any of three are great tools.
I had to wait a couple of months to save up the extra dollars but I am glad I did as the Festool is a brilliant. It's my only Festool tool - so I am not a fan boy.
Good luck with it.
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19th May 2020, 01:21 PM #25
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19th May 2020, 03:54 PM #26Senior Member
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21st July 2020, 07:15 PM #27
I anyone is still looking, I've seen a number of FT 55s on FBMP and GT.
~$599 mark used of course
hthThanks,
Barry G. Sumpter
May Yesterdays Tears Quench the Thirst for Tomorrows Revenge
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22nd July 2020, 01:15 PM #28
That is a depreciation of only 30% from new price of $865 - remarkable how well Festool hold their value.
Festool TSC 55 160mm Circular Saw Basic 201395 | Total Tools
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22nd July 2020, 08:01 PM #29GOLD MEMBER
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