rodger. Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 Can rough lumber be broken down with the festool tracksaw safely? For example, if I wanted to rip an 8" wide, rough cut, board into two 4" wide sections, could I just plop the track on it and rip? The length is prop not an issue, but assume its 8'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwalter5110 Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I have been throwing Paul Marcel videos around a lot lately! Here is a video of him ripping with a track saw. With as much advertisement as I have given him, he needs to start making videos again! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodeuce Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 It can be. I have a TS 75 and use it a lot. Just remember that there needs to be something supporting the other side of the track (width wise) when you are ripping thinner pieces (i.e. 4"). The track is probably 8 or 10"s wide...it is something in metric... I don't recall the exact measurements, but something under 4" or so and you can't use the clamps that go into the track. It then wants to tip back and forth. Also make sure your track is a good foot and a half or so longer on each end. Yes you can plunge with it, but it can kick and throw off your track if you're not clamped down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I used a TS75 a few times to rip rough lumber but it was something I did not like doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I rip on top of chunks of 2" thick foam sheets. I use other planks to support the track when ripping narrow pieces . I have made 14' glue line rips in 5/4 oak. Glued up a solid oak bar top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I rip my rough stock on the bandsaw. Doesn't get any easier or safer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted February 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I rip my rough stock on the bandsaw. Doesn't get any easier or safer. So now I need a new band saw too... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I rip my rough stock on the bandsaw. Doesn't get any easier or safer. Same here. I cut to rough width using circular saw and rough width using bandsaw. So now I need a new band saw too... Don't need much of a bandsaw to rip rough lumber but tell your wife you do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HunterL Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 Like others have mentioned I've done it but wasnt a huge fan as it can be difficult to support the rail. Also make sure to give yourself room to plunge before cutting into the board, or use the backstop on the track to prevent kickback. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 To answer the question, yes, you can use the track saw for that. Steve mentions a great idea of cutting on the foam as it supports the wood on both sides of the cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimberMagic Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Although I mostly use my track saw for breaking down plywood, I built my own long "MFT-style" workbench with 20mm hole matrix. Really handy for long boards, and you can set another piece of lumber next to the board you are cutting, to stabilize/balance the rail. i also use this bench as the outfeed table for my table saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 ==>rough lumber be broken down with the festool tracksaw Depends on how do you define 'rough'... S2S? S3S? Skipped planed one side only? It's really the wrong tool for the job... It'll work better as you get closer to S4S... But a jigsaw, handsaw, etc are better suited for the job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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