I love this Track Saw!

[Brad_bb]

@DR_Buck As Scott said the slab will shrink from drying, then if you flatten the slab it will remove even more material.  So If you are green milling at 3", you should end up within the range of the TS75 cut depth.  Keep in mind you will find other uses for the tool too.  You'll be able to cut sheet goods easier.  You'll whip it out to edge or re-edge boards while you're building something.  Point is, It should pay for itself.  My sawmill has paid for itself at least twice if not more.

[DR Buck]

@Brad_bb

As Scott said the slab will shrink from drying, then if you flatten the slab it will remove even more material.  So If you are green milling at 3", you should end up within the range of the TS75 cut depth.  Keep in mind you will find other uses for the tool too.  You'll be able to cut sheet goods easier.  You'll whip it out to edge or re-edge boards while you're building something.  Point is, It should pay for itself.  My sawmill has paid for itself at least twice if not more.

Thanks - I considered all those possibilities before spending the money.    It's supposed to be delivered today.  We'll see.  :  

My main use will be edging long boards and occasional slabs.   If I use it for sheet goods, it will only be if am not in my shop.   Otherwise I use the panel saw for sheet goods.    So much easier that fining a clear open space to lay a 4x8 sheet of anything.    Now, if I were to splurge and buy the angle kit, it would be used for sheet goods. ;D

[DR Buck]

I'm impressed.    

I used the new TS75 yesterday and it worked well.   I had one minor issue that confirmed this saw makes a lot of sawdust quickly.    The hose I connected to it was clogged and I didn't know it.   After the 2nd pass there was so much sawdust compacted inside the saw the blade would not fully retract.     After unclogging the hose and decompacting the saw everything worked well.

I bought the saw with two track sections.   The package deal came with a 75" track and I ordered the 55" and connector set extra.  Most of the stack of boards I edged were 11 to 12 feet long and I only have just under 11 feet of track.  This required me to cut off the ends of the boards first.   They were to long for the intended uses anyway, but I will be ordering another 75" track section.    I considered the 106" or 118" but the price is REDICOULOUS.   Since I've bought Festool and not the Makita track I don't want to get something that I cannot connect to what I already have.  

I'm not impressed with the lack of rigidity of the connected track sections.  It could be better.   When edging a stack of boards you need to move the track off and on for each board and even with the 2 connector sections inserted the track seems to want to twist where they are connected.

Bottom line is I am happy and glad you guys helped my buy the right saw.  

BTW -- I also got the ripping blade.    

[alan gage]

Glad you like the saw. Too bad the section lengths aren't working out. I don't know if the Makita tracks will connect to the Festool tracks or not but the cheaper cost of the long track (as well as longer length) was the biggest reason I went with Makita tracks with my Festool saw. As I'm sure you're aware there are legions of Festool fanatics out there on the internet and I'm sure someone has tried it and reported the results.

I experience the dust port plugging on occasion too. Sure makes a mess when it does. Most of the time I find a splinter that wedged sideways and started to catch the sawdust.

Happy cutting!

Alan

[YellowHammer]

I got the long track, its withstood several years of use and is as straight as the day I got it.  As I've said, Festool stuff is stupid expensive, but stupid good.

I had mine hooked up to a shop vac when I got it, but it filled up so often, I don't even bother anymore.  I just turn the elbow away from me, and tell the customer to stand back because sawdust is about to come at them.

  

[customsawyer]

Been using my track saw for a couple of years. A couple of months ago it got to where it was trying to pull away from the track when cutting. First thought it was the blade. Nope new blade didn't fix it. Dug up the phone number from the manual and gave Festol a call. They let me know what to do to send it back. You have to go on line and fill some stuff out but it wasn't to bad. Put it back in the box it came in and carried it in to shipping store. Festol gave me a label for it so it was free shipping. About a week later I got it back and it's back to cutting like a dream. I think it's only a few years that they offer the free shipping and free repair but I was very pleased. 

[Dave Shepard]

I've had my 3000, 1900, and 800 tracks in use at the same time. No issues with twisting. I really needed three 5000 track sections, but spending $1,800 wasn't in the budget.

[DR Buck]

I broke down and ordered a second 1900 (75") track.   The 55" & 75" that I initially ordered Aren't long enough to edge 12' slabs/boards, so I can now use the pair of 75" tracks.    I really wanted to get the 2700 (106") or 3000 (118") for doing 8 ft lengths, but the cost said no way.   Even with those I would still need to use a second one to get the 12 foot length I need.   So, the two 75" and one 55" will be my solution.    

[WDH]

That is the combo three that I have too. 

[xlogger]

What is a fair price to charge if a customer buys a 8 ft 9/4 slab and wants to straight line one side? About how much time do you find it takes on a average?
Some times I would think waiting on them to decide on the cut might take as long as cutting. Also how unsquared would the cut be on a slab that has not been completely flat yet if any?

[Brad_bb]

 Also how unsquared would the cut be on a slab that has not been completely flat yet if any?

Yeah, I'd want it dry and flattened first.  But if the customer insists that's what they want, and you're willing to do it, do it.  Just explain to them that the cut may not end up being perpendicular because the surface your're referencing off of is not flat.  What to charge, no idea?  The track saw and track is expensive though.  If they're just looking for a rough edge cut, the customer can always do it themselves with a straight edge that is long enough and a regular circ saw.  Just have to take a little more time setting it up.  The advantage of the track saw is that 1) it's faster and easier to set up and 2)it will leave a glue line quality cut (if it's referencing off a flat surface).  All you can do is explain to the customer and give them what they want.

[YellowHammer]

I charge 50 cents per bdft, so it's usually $10 per slab.  I hand them the fence, a tape, a pencil, and tell them to call me when they have it marked.  

I charge this amount to discourage them from asking me to do it, as it does take time, as you say, with most of the time waiting on the indecision of the customers.  

I tell them "I'll cut it where you mark it" and get back to doing whatever I'm doing and when they have it marked, they come get me, and I go over and cut it.  

[WDH]

Sometimes I charge like Yellowhammer, sometimes I don't.  It depends.  Some people will want you to brush their teeth and take out their trash too, if you let them. 

[terrifictimbersllc]

I charge 50 cents per bdft, so it's usually $10 per slab.  I hand them the fence, a tape, a pencil, and tell them to call me when they have it marked.  

I charge this amount to discourage them from asking me to do it, as it does take time, as you say, with most of the time waiting on the indecision of the customers.  

I tell them "I'll cut it where you mark it" and get back to doing whatever I'm doing and when they have it marked, they come get me, and I go over and cut it.  

I don't think I would hand them the fence without a deposit.  :-\

[YellowHammer]

No, I don't, I put it on the slab so all they have to do is slide it around. It's one of those 10 footers.  

They are actually pretty tough.  I try to treat it delicately, nut I've had them leaning against the building, knocked over by the wind, several times, stepped on, etc, but they are all still straight.  

[alan gage]

I broke down and ordered a second 1900 (75") track.   The 55" & 75" that I initially ordered Aren't long enough to edge 12' slabs/boards, so I can now use the pair of 75" tracks.    I really wanted to get the 2700 (106") or 3000 (118") for doing 8 ft lengths, but the cost said no way.   Even with those I would still need to use a second one to get the 12 foot length I need.   So, the two 75" and one 55" will be my solution.    

Just a reminder to those looking at adding track that the Makita track works just fine with the Festool saws and is considerably less expensive and, if I remember right, slightly longer.
I have all 3 lengths of Makita track and have ripped 12'+
Alan

[Walnut Beast]

I think I would stick with the Festool track. That's me 

[alan gage]

I think I would stick with the Festool track. That's me

Everyone's gotta make their own choice. I did quite a bit of research and didn't find anyone who had a problem with the Makita track with a Festool saw. It's worked flawlessly for me. You don't need to tweak anything or do some workaround. Just drop the saw on and go right out of the box.
Also saw quite a few users with Festool track that preferred the Makita track joiners, which also work with either track.
Alan

[DR Buck]

While searching online for a new square I came across this beauty.   I think I need to add it to my "want" list.    Time to go saw a few logs and make some extra cash.  ;D 

https://youtu.be/7Xdb1HodsJs

[Nebraska]

Yeah that's  nifty.

[21incher]

I have been looking for one for a couple months but no one has stock. Just watched a YouTube video and they had info on how Covid19 is still  bad in Germany and there are shortages of all Festool tools with  many being  a year out before they start restocking.  

[21incher]

Well none of the Festool  TS75s were available anywhere so I decided to just order a Makita SP6000J with the 55 rail to start and looking for a 118 rail for now. Only 2 3/16 cut and I will use it mostly to straight line 5/4 to 6/4 so It should work. Got the saw and track for $409 shipped and just couldn't justify the price of the similar capacity Festool TS55 saw after watching some YouTube comparison videos. Hoping it will cut accurate 45s for a waterfall table with the guide lock.  

[21incher]

Well I love the Makita (Never tried anything else). Finally got the nerve up to order the 118" track online. Was worried about damage during shipping but no problem. Arrived today and it was packed in a MDF and plywood crate that kept it nice. Had to be shipped freight and they handled with care. Ordered from ToolNut that Tule Peak recommended and was delivered in a couple days. For under $700 I got the saw, 39" track, 59" Track, & 118" track. This is perfect for my needs.


 

 

 

[Joe Perkins]

While searching online for a new square I came across this beauty.   I think I need to add it to my "want" list.    Time to go saw a few logs and make some extra cash.  ;D

https://youtu.be/7Xdb1HodsJs

I also like this one!

[21incher]

Well had to figure out how to store the tracks so they wouldn't get damaged. Cut some hangers from the large track packaging mdf


 

And used 4 of them to hang the tracks from my shop ceiling


 

 

The long track uses all 4 and you push it up in the open slot then twist it in and drop it down to lock in place.
The 2 short tracks slide into the end 2 hangers.


 
They now sit up out of the way and easy to grab.