End of sheet cutting with tracksaw

[stuartpaul]

Currently converting 8' x 4' sheets of mdf into strips with festool TS 55 and track (a joy to behold!) and I've stumbled on to what is an issue for me.

The track will 'allow' down to about 165mm wide with the 'grip strips' still in contact. As I want to convert the whole sheet into 100mm strips I'm left with this last cut unable to have the track 'supported' properly and worried about movement.

I do have additional sheets and thought that if this final strip is butted against a new sheet I'd be OK. However, the grip strips won't be in contact and again worried about slipping.

I'm not able to clamp the track at all as the saw needs to move.

I know there are many tracksaw users here and wondered what obvious trick I'm missing?

PS - Mr Maskery's little jig for cutting regular strips is pure genius and works a treat!

 

[Tortion-Stephen]

Hi,

When I made my workbench out of strips of 18mm birch ply I did just that, butted another piece up. I was cutting on pine stretchers on the floor and there was no hint of slip. I suppose you could clamp across the back ends underneath the track? #EDIT: after you make the start of the cut, so you don't try to jam the saw blade!

 

[JakeS]

As I want to convert the whole sheet into 100mm strips I'm left with this last cut unable to have the track 'supported' properly and worried about movement.

Not really answering the question, but do you have [access to] a table saw? I'd have thought that once you're down to that kind of width you're well within the size that's safe to cut on even a small saw bench.

 

[Sailormantom]

Hi Stuartpaul. I have done similar cuts with the TS55 without any problems although I do use Festool clamps to lock the track down for security. If your worried though you could make a quick jig that would allow you to clamp the 165mm piece hard against the edge of full size piece using wedges against a batten clamped down to your bench.

Cheers, Tom

 

[SteveF]

have u got spare rail connectors
u could put one in each end and screw to a block that would stop it moving
or even just a thin bit of wood put in the slots and clamp on them

Steve

 

[JJ1]

It's worth picking up a pair of the Festool rail clamps. It'll solve the issue and they're very useful to have especially if you plan on doing any beveled cuts in the future.

 

[petermillard]

Butt together a couple of the100mm strips you've already cut to provide support - tape them all together if you're worried about them moving. Festool's neoprene strips are very grippy, just FYI, but rail clamps are always good to have.

HTH Pete

 

[stuartpaul]

Thanks for all the thoughts.

Interestingly I'm left wondering if cutting strips less than the track width (and particlarly when not under the grip strips) is something of an achilles heel for the setup? Don't get me wrong - this is my first real use in anger and I think it's bloody brilliant bit of kit but this is a bit of an issue.

I've got the clamps but when you're cutting a pile of boards on the ground with only some thin spacers there isn't room for them. I tried just butting up against a full board and now ai have a wedged shaped strip (not by much but not parallel).

Any clamping pressure against the cut side stands a chance of making the blade bind.

I do have a table saw but not with 8 foot take off!

Yes, the grip strips are grippy but they have to be in contact with the strip being cut! I'll trying taping tomorrow and see how I get on.

 

[owen]

I don't see what the problem is. If the strip is narrower than the track just use another piece to support the rest of the width of the track. If the piece slips you're either doing something wrong,or the blades blunt and is taking too much force to cut. I've never had a problem cutting thin strips

 

[oakfield]

How about just using the parallel fence for the last cut and not using the rail?

 

[HOJ]

Never had an issue cutting narrow strips, but I wouldn't be doing it on the floor for sure, either make or buy some trestles and some lengths of 3" * 2", lay them on the trestles to make a cutting table, better working height and the clamps can be used effectively, last cuts are easy enough by using an off cut to support the rail.

 

[Knot Competent]

But do you have a 4' takeoff from your table saw? Cut 4' from one end, and then reverse the workpiece. Or don't I understand the problem?