Elroy Skimms Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 I've seen it around how some people like to use thick foam on the shop/garage floor as a backer for breaking down sheet goods. I'll be picking up a track saw this week and resurrected an old SketchUp file I made a couple of years ago. It's a cart for storing sheet goods and the back side of the cart has a surface made with foam and framed in wood. The wood frame would allow me to clamp the track in place, and to prevent the top section of the sheet from sliding down into the blade on a horizontal cut. I would also be able to quickly drill holes as needed in the middle area if I need to throw on a Quick-Clamp when breaking down something that doesn't quite reach the edge. For me, vertical space is plentiful, horizontal space is not. I don't always have a 4x8 section of floor space that I can use but I already have a sheet cart. I've never used foam padding, so I thought I'd throw this out there and see if anyone saw any problems with it. Am I missing something? -E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Track saws are anti skid, but you will need to hold the track at that angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 That looks very interesting... I too have limited floor space during cold weather. I'd be interested in seeing if you make this and put it into use. Essentially it's as if a Panel Saw married a Track Saw I like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 I cut mine on my driveway using a 4x8 2" thick piece of foam. I would think using a TS55 in the horizontal or vertical position would be really uncomfortable/unnatural. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 I would see if there was a way to hinge that so when you need to cut it will be horizontal, but stored vertically. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elroy Skimms Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 10 minutes ago, C Shaffer said: Track saws are anti skid, but you will need to hold the track at that angle. The track would be clamped down as well, I forgot to mention that in the post. I went back and edited the post to reflect it. 7 minutes ago, pkinneb said: I cut mine on my driveway using a 4x8 2" thick piece of foam. I would think using a TS55 in the horizontal or vertical position would be really uncomfortable/unnatural. I had not thought of the saw being designed to be operated horizontally. When I go to Woodcraft and demo it, I'll see how it feels and how it operates in a vertical and horizontal track. 5 minutes ago, Woodenskye said: I would see if there was a way to hinge that so when you need to cut it will be horizontal, but stored vertically. Funny you mention that. I designed a panel loader for this very purpose a couple of years ago. I even laser cut a scale model out of 1/8" Baltic Birch to test the design. The model worked well, but in the end, I never did anything with the panel and this was shelved. My concern is still space though. Operating horizontally would still require 4x8 of clear space. But the pulley system raises above the ground so I could set it to float above my table saw and assembly stations. If I find vertical orientation of the TS 55 to be a problem, this pulley setup might make a comeback. -E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 The local wood place uses a TS75 as a panel saw in a vertical configuration. They have it on a springy wire thing that returns it when done cutting. I'd just put the foam on the floor or on tablesaw with some horses and make the cuts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 I agree with Mr LIama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 I just put dunnage on top of my table saw and outfeed table and cut my sheet goods there with the track saw. I purposely don't keep more sheet goods in my shop than I have an immediate need for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davestanton Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 The only "track" saws I have seen in a vertical situation have been mounted on linear bearings. The saw can rotate 90 degrees on the guide allowing vertical and horizontal cuts. These saws are a permanent fixture to the guides. I would be very concerned as to the safety of using a conventional track saw in the manner you mention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbs Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 following this...I have the same problem in my shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwood Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Odd, I just ordered a Centipede sawhorse for this very purpose. Figure I can set it up, make the break down cuts and put it away. Like TIODS, I don't keep anymore than I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elroy Skimms Posted January 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 7 minutes ago, Southwood said: Odd, I just ordered a Centipede sawhorse for this very purpose. Figure I can set it up, make the break down cuts and put it away. Like TIODS, I don't keep anymore than I need. I don't keep extra stock in the garage either, but if I have 10 sheets for a job, they gotta go somewhere while I am working. I have plenty of sawhorses and stands available to me. The problem is finding a 4x8 space to set them up. If the weather cooperates this weekend, I'm going to give this a whirl and see how it goes. If things go badly, that's why I have disability insurance! -E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwood Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Completely understand that. Big jobs and small shops don't mix well. I have a 2 1/2 garage and get cramped up all that time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Or you could just get one of these http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/tls/5936070855.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmotjr Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Pretty sure the shop I used to work in had that exact saw. It works pretty darn good for breaking down sheet goods. And it has a relatively small footprint, given how big it is. Don't think it's small enough for a small shop though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Without a method to capture the saw for the length of the cut I would use one vertically only when absolutely necessary. The effort to setup and control the saw would seem to outweigh the temporary location of the material and the benefits of gravity for the task at hand. None of us have seen your particular environment so you would have to decide if the rack and vertical dance were better for you than a couple-a-three temporary folding stands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elroy Skimms Posted January 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 14 hours ago, SplinteredDave said: Or you could just get one of these http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/tls/5936070855.html Actually, I have a flight to Philly later this week and a short stop in DC. I wonder if the Craigslist seller could get that past TSA? -E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 What happens when the top of the cutoff starts to fall and pinch the blade with a horizontal cut? I use 2x4's on the floor personally, and the 2x4's eventually get used for something else and I buy more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elroy Skimms Posted January 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 7 minutes ago, xxdabroxx said: What happens when the top of the cutoff starts to fall and pinch the blade with a horizontal cut? The top of the board would be clamped to the surface. The foam padding would be framed with wood to allow good clamping pressure. -E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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