I still recall the first hiss of a Festool track saw. The sheet was walnut ply. The rail sat firm. The blade slid like a hot knife through wax. I lifted the offcut and grinned. The edge looked ready for glue without one extra pass. That moment sold me on the system.
You are here for a festool track saw comparison. You want facts, yet you also want real shop talk. You will get both. I have pushed these saws through plywood in tiny apartments and hardwood slabs in driveways. I have seen what helps and what slows you down. Strap in, grab a fresh cup, and let us find the saw that fits your build life.
Fast Picks for the Busy Builder
- TS 55 FEQ wins on cabinet grade sheet
- TSC 55 K rules when you live out of a van
- TS 60 K handles mixed stock with ease
- TS 75 EQ powers through thick slabs
- TSV 60 K leaves melamine edges crisp in one pass
If you crave details, keep reading because each pick has a clear reason.
Why Listen to This Guide
I cut wood for a living and for fun. I have tracked rails across living room floors with a client watching every speck. I have ripped white oak at dawn while neighbours still slept. I switch blades more than shirts when a deadline looms. The words below come from splinters, sweat, and a shop vacuum that hums like a loyal dog.
Track Saw Basics in Plain Words
A track saw rides a straight rail so the blade follows your line without drift. The rail carries a splinter strip that hugs the edge of the cut. That strip reduces chip. The plunge action lets you start in the middle of a panel. Add a dust hose, and you can cut indoors without snowing sawdust over the sofa.
Model Lineup at a Glance
TS 55 FEQ
Corded tool with a classic brushed motor. It runs a one hundred sixty millimetre blade. Max depth stands at fifty five millimetres. Weight sits just under ten pounds. Plug It cord swaps fast with other Festool tools. The saw suits sheet goods, light hardwood, and tight spots around cabinets.
TSC 55 K
Cordless sibling with a brushless motor. It eats two eighteen volt packs yet runs fine on one in a pinch. Cut depth matches the corded model. Kickback Stop halts the blade if it senses lift. No fixed riving knife sits behind the blade because the sensor fills that role. The saw feels at home on a job site where outlets hide or trip breakers.
TS 60 K
New kid with a bit more bite. Blade size bumps to one hundred sixty eight millimetres. Depth reaches sixty two millimetres. Brushless heart means steady speed under load. Kickback Stop remains. Weight rises a hair yet still feels nimble. Depth gain lets you bevel through two stacked sheets in one sweep.
TSV 60 K
Picture the TS 60 then add a tiny scoring blade before the main cutter. That bonus blade slices the face veneer so the big blade leaves a clean edge. The score blade spins opposite the main blade so chips peel in. This model shines on melamine and high gloss panels.
TS 75 EQ
Big brother with a two hundred ten millimetre blade. Depth caps at seventy five millimetres. Weight crosses thirteen pounds. Riving knife sits behind the blade. You feel the heft, yet you will love the reach when a slab table calls.
Depth Meets Real Work
- Cabinet boxes in three quarter ply need only fifty five millimetres
- Double layer mitres get easier with the sixty millimetre crowd
- Thick bench tops beg for the seventy five millimetre monster
- Door scribe cuts stay neat with the smallest body
I once tried a waterfall edge on forty millimetre oak with a fifty five millimetre saw. Two passes and lots of sanding followed. The next job I grabbed the bigger saw and finished before lunch.
Corded Against Cordless
Corded means no battery swap. The wire can snag, yet power never dips. Cordless means freedom in a hallway or yard. Two packs charge while two packs cut. Grab the style that matches your space and your patience for cords.
Safety Gear Built In
Kickback Stop locks the blade if the saw jumps. Riving knife keeps the kerf open so the wood cannot pinch the blade. Both systems aim at the same hazard. You still need steady hands, yet the tech gives one more layer of calm.
Safety holds utmost importance, so engage every feature and keep blades sharp.
Dust Control Tips
Good dust capture will ensure clean lungs and happy clients. Use a CT series extractor with an antistatic hose. Set auto start so the vac fires with the saw. Keep the rail splinter strip fresh. Fit the front chip guard when cross cutting veneer.
I ripped melamine in a condo last winter. The floor stayed clear. The client offered coffee instead of complaints. That result sells more work than any ad.
Rails and Helpers
- FS 1400 rail covers most cross cuts on full sheets
- FS 1900 rail handles a long rip on eight foot stock
- Rail connectors join two shorter rails for transport ease
- Clamps lock the rail on slick surfaces like pre finished ply
- Parallel guides turn the rail into a repeat rip fence
- Rail bag keeps edges straight in the van
Respect your rail. One dent turns every cut messy. I store mine on a wall rack made from scrap plywood lined with felt.
Blade Choices
- Fine finish blade (around forty two teeth for small saws) loves plywood and cross cuts
- Rip blade (near thirty teeth) chews hardwood fast
- Scoring blade on TSV model stops chip on brittle faces
Kerf sits under two millimetres so feed gently. Clean pitch from teeth with a citrus cleaner and an old toothbrush. A dull blade screams and burns. Swap it before it ruins your panel.
Feel in Use
TS 55 glides like a skate on ice. Plunge action feels light. Gauge marks read clear. TS 60 adds depth yet keeps balance. TSV feels similar yet the score motor hums beside your ear. TS 75 sits heavier yet cuts calm because mass damps vibration.
I tell new users to practice plunges on scrap. Find the point where the blade kisses wood. Muscle memory soon sets, and you will drop the saw on target every time.
Motor Power and Feed Rate
Brushless motors hold speed under stress. That matters when oak or hickory push back. Listen to the pitch of the motor. A steady whine means good pace. A low bog means slow feed or switch to a rip blade.
Keep a scrap sample by the saw. Make a test cut before touching the real part. That tiny ritual saves tears later.
Which Saw Fits Your Shop
Small Garage Shop
Pick TS 55 FEQ. It shares one cord with your sander. It stores in one Systainer. It feels right on the MFT top.
Mobile Installer
Pick TSC 55 K. No cord across a hallway. Batteries top up in the van during lunch. Dust hose still links to a vac for clean trim.
One Tool Shop
Pick TS 60 K. Depth covers most tasks. Brushless motor reduces service. Same rails as the smaller saw, yet broader reach.
Slab Artist
Pick TS 75 EQ. Long rails, big blade, deep bite. Yes, your arm will feel it. The look on a client face when a waterfall joint closes first try will warm your soul.
High Gloss Cabinet Pro
Pick TSV 60 K. Score, cut, done. Glue line flawless. Time saved goes straight to your margin.
Anecdotes From the Field
I once cut a full set of white melamine closets inside a city condo. The TSC 55 K paired with a CT 26 kept dust to a ghost. The client wore a black sweater and never brushed a flake.
Another day found me under a carport ripping six centimetre maple for a farm table. The TS 75 EQ thundered through, and the offcut fell with a satisfying thud. The edge felt smooth enough to rest my cheek on.
During a rush job I tried the TS 60 K on stacked ply mitres. One pass, both layers clean. That single feature secured its spot on my cart.
Steps to Glue Ready Cuts
- Wipe rail pads clean
- Check splinter strip edge
- Adjust base cams until slop vanishes
- Pick blade for the task
- Set depth two millimetres past stock
- Place rail on marks and clamp if slick
- Route hose away from exit point
- Squeeze trigger, let blade reach speed, plunge smoothly
- Keep steady push until clear of stock
- Hold saw until blade stops
Follow the list and good edges come easy.
Slip Ups and Quick Fixes
- Rail drift on glossy panels – add clamps or painter tape under pads
- Minor chip at exit edge – place a scrap backer
- Burn marks – change to rip blade or raise speed
- Slight curve in long cut – slow feed and keep even pressure
Mistakes happen. The saw only follows your hands, so guide it with calm intent.
Maintenance in Minutes
- Blow dust from vents at day end
- Wipe base and rail grooves with dry rag
- Clean pitch from blade teeth
- Swap splinter strip when ragged
- Inspect Plug It connectors for cord wear
- Rotate battery packs so charge cycles stay even
Ten minutes of care keeps the tool fresh for years.
Budget Chat
Festool prices sit higher than box store gear. Yet each saw arrives in a tough case and holds value on resale. Used kit can save cash. Check that rails are straight and the base cams still snug. A blemish on paint matters less than a dent in the splinter strip.
Factor batteries if you go cordless. Four packs cover a full day. A dual charger means fresh packs every break. Vacuum cost also enters the picture. One extractor can serve saws and sanders alike for many seasons.
Decision Map
- Mostly sheet goods: TS 55 FEQ or TSC 55 K
- Mix of sheet and hardwood: TS 60 K
- Thick stock often: TS 75 EQ
- Chip prone veneer: TSV 60 K
Ask yourself where you cut and what you cut. Match depth and power to that answer.
Setup Tips for Speed
- Store rails in a padded bag
- Mark rail lengths with tape so you grab the right one fast
- Keep a short scrap for test cuts near the saw
- Label blade cases by task so swap time drops
- Stick a tiny rubber pad at rail end for safe parking
Little tweaks shave minutes that stack into hours over a month.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Can the cordless saw match corded power
Yes, brushless design keeps speed steady with sharp blades.
Will Kickback Stop trigger on every plunge
No, only if the saw lifts or binds.
Do all models ride the same rails
Yes, every Festool track saw uses FS rails.
Is the fixed cord on TS 60 annoying
Not in a bench setup, yet mobile crews may prefer the plug style.
Do I need the scoring model for melamine
Need depends on volume. Occasional panels cut fine with a clean strip and slow feed. Daily jobs earn the TSV.
Which extractor pairs best
CT 26 handles most shops. Go larger if you run long sessions.
Which blade stays on the saw by default
Fine finish blade handles plywood and cross cuts. Swap when grain calls.
How do I steady a rail on rough lumber
Clamp the rail or add low tack tape under pads.
Can I join two rails without a bump
Yes, tighten connectors on a flat bench and mark the pair.
When replace splinter strip
When chips creep back or the edge shows gaps.
One Last Word
A track saw changes how you build. You drop the rail, push, and watch a clean line appear. Dust swirls into the hose instead of your lungs. Edges fit without drama. Pick the saw that fits your work and space. Then listen for that first clean hiss. It never gets old. The right tool turns labour into pleasure, and sawdust into craft.
That is the whole story, and I hope it guides you well. Now grab a rail and make something unique.