36v cordless TS 55 REB

[Nathyb]

I have the cordless ts55 36v powered by two 18v batteries was just wondering if any one else has one and what they think of the saw I fitted a kitchen the other day with it yes it makes great cuts and is a good bit of kit I fully charged the batteries when I got it and didn't use it for about a week and then in the saw it showed only two of the 3 cells was charged and the batteries didn't last all that long I managed to do what I had to cut just wanted to know any one else's thoughts on this saw thanks

 

[richy3333]

I love mine but then it was free
If I leave the batteries in my saw for a week or two they are then depleted. I need to remove them.

 

[Locks14]

I have the cordless ts55 36v powered by two 18v batteries was just wondering if any one else has one and what they think of the saw I fitted a kitchen the other day with it yes it makes great cuts and is a good bit of kit I fully charged the batteries when I got it and didn't use it for about a week and then in the saw it showed only two of the 3 cells was charged and the batteries didn't last all that long I managed to do what I had to cut just wanted to know any one else's thoughts on this saw thanks

That's a shame the batteries drain. I'm not sure of the reason for this as they are Li-on and should hold a charge.

I have Makita 18v and 10.8v drills/impact drivers. I only break out the 18v impact driver on the rare occasion the job is too big for the 10.8v. The batteries will last for many weeks on the tools and still hold significant charge. So I wonder why this isn't the case with this saw? Maybe there's something I'm missing and a current draw related in some way to the fact there are two 18v batteries wired in series to produce 36v?

P.S. something that never runs out of power and is always ready and willing is the "." and the "," keys on your computer! [big grin] [wink]

 

[Taylorkitchens]

I've had mine about 10 months, it's just used to fit kitchens really, all panels and cut outs.. I have noticed recently that the top 3 LEDs on show up 2... I actually think it's an led fault as I tried it with the 4 batteries I have all fully charged and they are the same, only shows 2 out of the 3 LEDs in the top battery.

The only thing with the tsc55 I have noticed as I use mine every day!  You have to have sharp blades!!! I mean i get a blade sharpened a week. 1 fresh blade does 2/  maybe 3 kitchens worth of decor panels, hob and sink cut outs on an average 15-20 unit kitchen with 8 or so gloss faced panels.

 

[Larso]

Love using mine but i am sure their is something amiss with the 4.2ah batteries they definately dont hold a charge very long in storage which is supposed to be a benefit of the lithium battery.
The first makita ones were bad but since new releases of 4 and 5ah they are pretty well perfect in everyday use.As i carry and use festool and makita each day the comparison between the performance of them is easy and the makita battery is far superior in run time and holding the charge.
The festool charger supplied with the saw is also very slow but the saw is good and the convenience is great so i just bought 4 extra bateries and another charger and keep on top of the charging each day.
Not sure if its true but also was recently told Makita have a 6ah on the way and this time the charge indicator is on the battery not the tool.

 

[Cheese]

Possibly there is some circuitry problem within the TS 55, where internal draining of the battery happens when the battery is mounted in the TS 55 saw? I've stored batteries in my CXS & C 15 for months and there has been no battery drain issue.

 

[DB10]

  I've got Festool batteries in, 10.8, 14.4 & 18v and the only ones that I've noticed any battery drainage on is the 4.2 18v's.
  This is not only when they are stored on the TSC but when they are also stored on the PDC as well.
The TSC sits pretty tight in the Sys 5 and the only convenient place to store extra batteries with it is on the saw. I'll charge the batteries tomorrow and leave them off the saw next week and see if this make any diference.
Gota agree with Larso,  regarding the Makita batteries holding their charge for a lot longer but the Dewalt 18v 4ah's hold there charge for an amazing amount of time when left on the tool.
Prefer having a charge gauge on the battery rather than the tool.
I've noticed this last month that both Bosch and AEG have just released 18v 6ah batteries.

 

[Nathyb]

After using the saw a few times I think it's a fantastic system makes excellent cuts straight etc but you know when you buy some thing and your happy with it but I didnt forefill your expectations I think to be honest I could still fit kitchens with just my bosch 36v the batteries on the festool don't seem to last long at all don't know if there faulty or what, so did it just spend £583 because I wanted a new tool that I didn't really need lol

 

[philphilop]

After using the saw a few times I think it's a fantastic system makes excellent cuts straight etc but you know when you buy some thing and your happy with it but I didnt forefill your expectations I think to be honest I could still fit kitchens with just my bosch 36v the batteries on the festool don't seem to last long at all don't know if there faulty or what, so did it just spend £583 because I wanted a new tool that I didn't really need lol

One of the parqet floor layers arived on our last project with a ts55 battery saw, said its the future and with the special technology of 2 18v batteries was told it would cut 50 linear metres on one charge. He invited everyone to come and see his first cut, 5m plank of 45mm selected grade A douglas fir, didnt even make half way and it died, and so did he. Now has his money back and uses his MF 55 with a power cord hangong out of the back.

 

[wrightwoodwork]

I always take them performance claims with a pinch of salt. Them claims are done in a lab we all work in the real world where timber is wet. Temperature is cold or hot blades are blunt ,

 

[jonny round boy]

One of the parqet floor layers arived on our last project with a ts55 battery saw, said its the future and with the special technology of 2 18v batteries was told it would cut 50 linear metres on one charge. He invited everyone to come and see his first cut, 5m plank of 45mm selected grade A douglas fir, didnt even make half way and it died, and so did he. Now has his money back and uses his MF 55 with a power cord hangong out of the back.

I'm guessing that's more to do with the blade than with the saw. Bet he was using the standard 48 tooth blade...

 

[philphilop]

One of the parqet floor layers arived on our last project with a ts55 battery saw, said its the future and with the special technology of 2 18v batteries was told it would cut 50 linear metres on one charge. He invited everyone to come and see his first cut, 5m plank of 45mm selected grade A douglas fir, didnt even make half way and it died, and so did he. Now has his money back and uses his MF 55 with a power cord hangong out of the back.

I'm guessing that's more to do with the blade than with the saw. Bet he was using the standard 48 tooth blade...

Don't know which blade but festool supplied him with a blade for the task as he was not only cursing the rep for selling him a 500€ saw but he had also charged him another 100€ for a blade.
I was at the demo in Bordeaux when he said he was going to buy one but we all said that they are only cutting 18mm ply, we asked the rep if he had any real timber and his reply was it will cut anything up to 55mm.
Battery versions of tools carry a 200€ premium over the corded versions, buy 5 battery tools and your at the cost of a vehicle installed 230v power supply that will outlast the batteries you buy.

 

[Nathyb]

Any one want to a buy a saw lol after using the saw again today like I said it's good but not needed for site work can easy use my bosch 36v little more dust but gets the results I need and not as much farting around with a guide rail I've emailed festool telling them I I'm not over the moon and asked for a refund but as its outside the 15 day return policy I won't hold my breath so might be making a appearance on eBay soon

 

[promhandicam]

There was an issue with the battery gauges on some of the early TS55REB saws. Mine was replaced by Germany. There should be a thread on it here somewhere. However even with the replacement, the gauge is next to useless, going almost immediately from 3 bars to 2 when in use.

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

I have had mine for around 6 months now and I find it an excellent piece of kit, yes it does eat batteries dependant on what you are cutting but I picked up another 2 batteries and this is no longer an issue as I can have 2 in use and 2 on charge if necessary. But I have found it invaluable as on some sites and jobs I work on the electricity is not energised or is being worked on so cordled tools are no use. At the end of the day corded tools will always have more longevity as your not dependent  on battery/life but the cordless tool have there place in lots of situations especially for site work in my opinion.

 

[Nathyb]

Update I returned the saw to festool and it turns out the saw was drawing power from the batteries draining them so I'm getting a refund yeppie !!!!

 

[sucker 4 tools]

i have got the tsc 55 with the 5.2 amp batterys and it has been faulty from new the first time i charged the batts one wouldnt charge until i moved it around in the charger, then i charged them and not all the led's where lit up, when i came to use it the batt's depleted very quickly only cutting 12mm ply and it would go onto flashing led's very quickly which they say by that point you should re-charge batts i have not chanced using it with one battery as im too scared it wont last and when i charge the 2 batts at exactly the same time with 2 chargers one always runs down quicker than the other ! now it is being sent back to be looked at. but i am not sure what to do now. i have never spent so much money on a tool and im thinking i should of got the corded or the new cordless circ saw as it may be more usable, the guide for the tsc is good but i like to use saws free hand a lot. ??????

 

[Nathyb]

From the first time I contacted them I told them I wanted a refund they said if it's faulty we will refund the money back to the dealer and they will refund me which is what happened although I was about 20days into owning the saw by the sounds of it you've got a broke one lol ring up and ask for a refund £600 down the drain in my opinion I own a festool dust extractor and that will be the only thing I think makita make good tools for a fair price and have a good warranty 

 

[MAK]

I got one this week. Used it a fair bit doing a kitchen and also trimming a door down.
I'm pleased with it, quite impressed with the dust collection.  It's certainly nice not having the lead and hose dragging every where.
Not needed to recharge batteries yet, holding up well.
It comes into its own when space is tight, or if you just need to do a few quick cuts.
Can seeing it saving time in certain situations.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

is anyone else getting the same problems as i have ? i think i will wait and see what they say and maybe try an get 2 more batts for free then it wont be an issue really. or i could get the corded one or i could get the new circ saw ?