Was about to bite the Festool bullet for cs and guide system the other day when I went back in the discussions and saw some alternative systems(hilti i think)
Anybody care to weigh in? I was thinking about the 55 saw but price is prohibitive and dont like having to pay more to get enough guide to rip 8′ sheet
Thanks
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I have heard people say good things about the Makita system. Pretty sure that the guy that did a review of them all for JLC favored the Makita over the Festool. I think his handle over at JLC is either Archmolding or Archmoulding maybe?
EZ Smart... I have 2 systems plus their Smart Table and the router guide system. All great stuff! I've used the Brand F quite a bit and even omitting price from the equation I prefer the EZ Smart products. I know this is a real hot button here, but I'd seriously consider it.
http://www.eurekazone.com
HTH
PaulB
http://www.finecontracting.com
I've also heard good things about the Dewalt. There was a review either in FHB or JLC within the last year if I recall correctly.
I've got both the Festool setup and the EZ Smart rails. I like them for different reasons.
First thing to ask yourself is what are you going to be using this for?
How often are you going to use/need the plunge cut ability of the Festool saw? If you're doing a lot of flooring work, it's going to come in handy. Same thing if you need to make a sink cutout in place.
If I was building a bunch of cabinets I'd reach for the Festool one, if only because the rail lays dead flat on the cutting surface. The EZ cutting strip has a bit of an arch to it, and it can shift when you clamp it down (you should clamp it since it's not sticky like the Festool one, though you can get some sticky tape and apply that to the bottom of the EZ rail) I think it's easier to be precise with the Festool one, and it's quicker if you are doing a bunch since you can just put the rail in place and cut, without worrying if it's going to shift.
That said, I prefer the cut that I get with my Milwaukee on the EZ rail to that of the Festool saw. Can't quantify it, but it just seems a bit smoother.
One other thing to consider is whether dust collection is important to you. If yes, realize that you are going to have to pop for a vacuum if you want to utilize that function on the Festool. If you couldn't care less about where the dust winds up (and you've already got a decent circular saw), save your money and get the EZ set up.
Actually, that should be my final point. You can get some dust shield modifications for your existing circ saw through EZ. If you're the kind of individual that enjoys tinkering with something, you'll appreciate the EZ setup; if you just want to buy the damn saw and go cut some stuff right out of the box, you should consider the Festool.
And the Makita got some good reviews over at JLC.
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Thanks to everybody for weighing in
Have you considered a shooting board? While I'm sure a $600.00 Festool would be marginally better I sure wouldn't make money with one. I built these using a shooting board I made out of scape plywood. I'm not bragging about the work, just pointing out that shooting boards have served carpenters well for a long time, work like a charm and cost almost nothing.
I am trying to understand why the rail saw wont make you money. I saw your built in (they look nice by the way). My Fes makes me money everytime I pull it out, The speed of exact cuts with out clamps the chip free cuts in laminate and melamine. plunge cuts, stoped cuts, router adapetrs for the rails... the things that seem "marginally" better from the outside are the very things that make the tool worth the extra $$$ once you make it your own. This is why Festool has a 30 day no questions asked return policy and you they dont repackage returns for reconditioned sale. They are the cheapest tools to own long term.... you can buy that $600.00 saw today, use it daily, and sell it 3 years from now for $500.00. Check Ebay most of these saws are selling for 85% of new.You do good work. the rail saw will not help you do a better job. but it will help you do it faster and easier. and time and efficiency to the pro = $$$Craig
before I bought the Festool 55, I would break down plywood stock with my skill saw within 1/4 ", and then have to run everything through my table saw for final cuts...virtually doubling my work. I did not have room to run an entire 4X8 through the table saw. Now I can make the first cut the finish cut with confidence. Im saving time, and thus money. Couldnt be happier.
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I've looked at Festools rail saws a couple of times and a year ago almost bought one. But, it's the same old problem, space. I can't carry most of my tools as it is so over the years I've gotten rid of the ones that spent most of their time sitting in the shed. If I needed to make super accurate plunge cuts frequently I'd get one but otherwise it's just one more tool begging for space. The price doesn't bother me at all, I think almost all tools are inexpensive these days.
you are right about space. and the efficient use of it in your work vebhicle.What do you do I mean i can tell you are able to do some nice built-in's so I am guessing that you also can run trim, so i am wondering what your bread and butter work is?Secondly what do you use for a work vehicle.I am primarily a tile setter and countertop fabricator. so i need to make long accurate rips on site (thus the rail saw). 2 years ago I switched from 2 Chevy Astro's to a pickup and trailer. I also went to the systainer for all my work kits..it is nice to have what you need where you need it.Craig
Over the years we've done pretty much everything but the economy dictates our work these days! there is no new home construction and very little large remodeling work. We do mostly building maintenance and rot repairs. I'm down to one truck, a Chevy van with a shelf system and roof racks. For 99% of our work a chalk line and experience is straight enough. For shelves or the rare cabinet we use a shooting board. We haven't done any stain grade work in 25 years so we can afford more tolerance.
You're mistaken about having to buy a vacuum to use the Festool dust pickup. All you need is the hose because the vacuum end of the hose fits into a standard ShopVac. Got one in the shop. You can't take advantage of their anti-static hose since other vacuums don't provide the ground path needed, so the cheaper non-anti-static hose makes sense.
Maybe that didn't come out right. He's going to need A vacuum, not necessarily the Festool one. The Fein works, your ShopVac, too, and probably a few others perhaps with an attachment.Perhaps the point is better made thusly, it's penny wise and pound foolish to drop a chunk of cash on the Festool setup and not run some kind of vacuum, since a big part of what it does is tied to keeping the dust off of you and your work.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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i recently bought the Festool TS 55 plunge saw with the short guide. It's awesome! I've been using it to cut all the plywood for the cabinets I'm building --- fast and accurate and fun to use!
I know the price is high, but i justify by telling myself that it's better then wasting cash on some of the other stupid tools i bought and never use (oh, and i also don't mention it to my wife).
I should have bought the longer guide rail though. i'll probably get the extension.
I'm pretty sure i'm going to buy it Ive used one and think I've probably lost money not doing this earlier
Once you've decided that you really need a rail saw, don't mess around, just buy the Festool.
I admit to being a Festooligan, but they are miles a head of anyone else. I didn't want to spend the $ either, but it is well worth it.
It's like 2p10. I was always too cheap to buy it, and swore yellow glue was fine. Now, I don't know how I operated with out the stuff.It's not too late, it's never too late.
It's like 2p10. I was always too cheap to buy it, and swore yellow glue was fine. Now, I don't know how I operated with out the stuff.<<<DITTOView Image
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I've also been weighing the pros and cons of buying a tracksaw.
I found this review, a bit long, but a good one.
http://thewoodwhisperer.com/81-dewalt-tracksaw-review/