4 Kapex motors, now today my TS55 smoked

[ghostofhoward]

So today I was using my TS 55 to rip some 5/4 walnut (taking it fairly slowly, newly sharpened blade, ct22 extracting dust) and the motor starts smoking and a loud buzzing sound and sparks commence. I actually started laughing because it was so pitiful and so expected. My kapex has had 4 motor repairs and now sits almost unused so I pretty much knew the ts55 would burn up too. I own a lot of festool stuff, sanders, routers, dust extractors, domino 500, tons of accessories  etc, etc and everything has worked fantastic except for those pitiful saws. Whoever is engineering those saw motors should be so ashamed of themselves. They are building hobby grade lemons and charging an enormous amount of money for them.The saw is 4 or 5 years old and gets used for projects about once every 2-3 months on average, primarily just used for plywood before today. Brushes are barely worn. Now I'll have to pay an exorbitant repair fee for another underpowered motor that will almost surely burn up again. What a joke.

 

[ear3]

I would be ticked off as well if I had had your experiences.  Have you talked to service yet?

So today I was using my TS 55 to rip some 5/4 walnut (taking it fairly slowly, newly sharpened blade, ct22 extracting dust) and the motor starts smoking and a loud buzzing sound and sparks commence. I actually started laughing because it was so pitiful and so expected. My kapex has had 4 motor repairs and now sits almost unused so I pretty much knew the ts55 would burn up too. I own a lot of festool stuff, sanders, routers, dust extractors, domino 500, tons of accessories  etc, etc and everything has worked fantastic except for those pitiful saws. Whoever is engineering those saw motors should be so ashamed of themselves. They are building hobby grade lemons and charging an enormous amount of money for them.The saw is 4 or 5 years old and gets used for projects about once every 2-3 months on average, primarily just used for plywood before today. Brushes are barely worn. Now I'll have to pay an exorbitant repair fee for another underpowered motor that will almost surely burn up again. What a joke.

 

[ghostofhoward]

No, it's on the weekend. They'll just act like it's suuuuuper rare and who knows what's wrong with it but send it in with a credit card number and they'll look at it....

 

[Shadytree]

I smoked my 55 motor ripping 1/2" oak strips.  Festool repaired under warranty & I sold it. I'm giving their cordless DC motors a try, so far so good.

 

[AlexThePalex]

The Kapex burning up in 110v country is a known issue and Festool really dropped the ball there, but a TS55 burning up is a rare thing indeed, we hardly ever read about that here.

 

[sheperd80]

I have to agree about the ts55. I had a makita and returned it for a ts55 for the sake of the "system". But the festool saw is a gutless wonder. Mine bogs down on 3/4 plywood. I keep expecting it to smoke out. All this ecm technology is laughable when the saw slows down considerably under ANY load. Makitas saw was much more powerful.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[peter halle]

[member=6305]ghostofhoward[/member] , I hope that Festool treats you well. 

It is indeed rare to read about TS-55 failures here as [member=5277]Alex[/member] wrote.  Are there comments here along the line of "the TS-55" is underpowered?  Absolutely.  But there are more comments and real world expressions about how the saw has done the job day in and day out.

Peter

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I recently switched from Festool TS55 to the Mafell MT55.  The Mt55 has a lot more power and overall the build quality is better.  I was frustrated with the power of the TS55 and the lack of power and the TS75 is too big for breaking down sheet goods. 

 

[RDMuller]

I recently switched from Festool TS55 to the Mafell MT55.  The Mt55 has a lot more power and overall the build quality is better.  I was frustrated with the power of the TS55 and the lack of power and the TS75 is too big for breaking down sheet goods.

You hit the nail on the head here.  The TS55 is wonderful on sheet goodsfrom both power and size perspectives, but is very "iffy" on rips.  I too do not like the size of the TS75 for sheet good and general use.  Plus it is darn expensive to own both.  I think the answer is to beef up the power on the TS55.  This complaint would then go away.

 

[Green Mojo]

Hey, OP - I feel your pain, but that is definitely not normal. I have been breaking down 8/4 white oak all week with my 55 and it is a beast. I did go to the 12 tooth panther blade as that is much better when ripping the thick stock. Struggling with 5/4 is not at all typical.

 

[Cheese]

I own both the TS 55 and the TSC 55, I feel the TSC 55 has more power. Recently I’ve been ripping 5/4 walnut with the TSC 55 and it works like a dream. I’ll probably off the TS 55 for a Mafell MT 55. That way it will play better with the Mafell P1 cc jig saw when they’re used on rails.

 

[ghostofhoward]

I recently switched from Festool TS55 to the Mafell MT55.  The Mt55 has a lot more power and overall the build quality is better.  I was frustrated with the power of the TS55 and the lack of power and the TS75 is too big for breaking down sheet goods.

I follow you on Instagram and commented there about getting the hk55 recently when you were talking about having switched to Mafell. I don't know if I can afford to switch to Mafell but will certainly be considering makita...

 

[ear3]

+1  I rip 6/4 and even 8/4 hardwood all the time with my TSC55, which I converted over to from the corded TS55 in part because of the power boost on the cordless version.  With the proper blade, the saw has always performed like a champ for me.

I own both the TS 55 and the TSC 55, I feel the TSC 55 has more power. Recently I’ve been ripping 5/4 walnut with the TSC 55 and it works like a dream. I’ll probably off the TS 55 for a Mafell MT 55. That way it will play better with the Mafell P1 cc jig saw when they’re used on rails.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I recently switched from Festool TS55 to the Mafell MT55.  The Mt55 has a lot more power and overall the build quality is better.  I was frustrated with the power of the TS55 and the lack of power and the TS75 is too big for breaking down sheet goods.

I follow you on Instagram and commented there about getting the hk55 recently when you were talking about having switched to Mafell. I don't know if I can afford to switch to Mafell but will certainly be considering makita...

The Makita is an awesome choice and everyone loves it.  It also comes with a 3 year Warranty.  I was looking at getting the Makita Cordless but I always use a vac with my Track Saw so didn’t see the point of losing a cord when I already have a hose.  Also thanks for the follow

 

[Vondawg]

[quote author=ear3  With the proper blade, the saw has always performed like a champ for me.

[quote author=Cheese
I own both the TS 55 and the TSC 55, I feel the TSC 55 has more power. Recently I’ve been ripping 5/4 walnut with the TSC 55 and it works like a dream.
[member=1674]Peter Halle[/member], Are there comments here along the line of "the TS-55" is underpowered?  Absolutely.  But there are more comments and real world expressions about how the saw has done the job day in and day out.
I totally agree ! Blade selection is key and I really think (we) don’t take the time to install the appropriate  blade (or don’t own it, so don’t) but both my 55 and 75 work really well for the given task
[/quote]

 

[JeremyH.]

+1  I rip 6/4 and even 8/4 hardwood all the time with my TSC55, which I converted over to from the corded TS55 in part because of the power boost on the cordless version.  With the proper blade, the saw has always performed like a champ for me.

I own both the TS 55 and the TSC 55, I feel the TSC 55 has more power. Recently I’ve been ripping 5/4 walnut with the TSC 55 and it works like a dream. I’ll probably off the TS 55 for a Mafell MT 55. That way it will play better with the Mafell P1 cc jig saw when they’re used on rails.

What does a conversion take to do?

I had no problem ripping anything with the TS55, when I used one working with a shop for awhile. But it was all plywood and melamine typically. Sometimes it was thicker counter top stuff. No issues, ever. Just took it slow instead of trying to rush it. Always supported whatever was being cut and trimmed.

 

[android]

Just curious....

Have you ever had your AC power checked?

The expected voltage should be between 110 and 125.

Below 110V is considered brownout conditions and is bad for most electrical motors and electronic gear.

 

[Master Carpenter]

My TS 55 died once. Made a cut in 3/4 ply, no problem, set up for next cut, pulled trigger and nothing. No smoke, no weird noises, no warning. Sent it in for repair and it's been fine since. I chalked it up to a few full depth rips I made in some fir timbers, I know the saw got hot on those.

With all the annual price increases I could probably get what I paid for the saw if I sold it. I've spent quite some time researching the Mafell, if there was wider distribution of it, I would already own it

 

[ghostofhoward]

Just curious....

Have you ever had your AC power checked?

The expected voltage should be between 110 and 125.

Below 110V is considered brownout conditions and is bad for most electrical motors and electronic gear.

I have checked it but not recently. I will have to do it again because I really don't remember the results.

 

[JeremyH.]

Just curious....

Have you ever had your AC power checked?

The expected voltage should be between 110 and 125.

Below 110V is considered brownout conditions and is bad for most electrical motors and electronic gear.

Not using undersized extension cords for a mile would help that. That could be an issue people don't realize.