Adjusting TS-55REQ Bevel Stop

[dlu]

I've been getting to know my shiny new TS-55 and have discovered that the 0° stop is much closer to the -1° mark. And the 45° stop is right around 44°. When I set the blade perpendicular to the shoe with a square the bevel indicator is very close to where it should be.

So… I'd like to know how to adjust the bevel stop (and, if it is possible, the zero point on the bevel scale) so that the stop is actually useful for returning and supporting the saw at 0°. Does anybody know how to do this?

 

[scyellleader]

I also have this issue with my new TS55 that was purchased 4/2014.

 

[Gotoh]

I've found that the visual scale on mine is pretty spot on, but the positive stops are not quite good enough to go by feel alone. I just line up the markers rather than rely on the detents (or make a bunch of test cuts in scrap and check them with a protractor before I dig into the real thing), but if yours is totally off on both counts, I'd consider sending it in while it's under warranty. If there's nothing in even the supplemental manual about adjusting those then I don't think it's something you can easily do at home without voiding your coverage.

 

[dlu]

I'm still hoping that it can be adjusted in the field. Sounds like I may need to call Festool. There are parts near the rear clamp that look like they might be the adjuster, but it isn't immediately obvious to me how they work. If I can avoid it, I'd really rather not send the saw back in – but I do want the stop to be right, just seems like it is better to have the saw spend most of its time at the stop rather than depending on the bevel clamps.

 

[blakjak220]

Mine is actually 90 and 45 at the corresponding stops but the indicator doesn't rest directly on either one.... so I guess if the time comes to ever need something other than those 2 then I'll either have to figure out how to calibrate it... just adjust for the offset or just use an external bevel gauge... but that doesn't seem like anything I'll need any time soon.. if ever.

 

[mbortolino]

I've also recently bought a ts55req, & the default 0° stop (letting the top part drop down with bevel screws untightened) is 0.75° out of square, & the positive stops seem a bit wobbly.

As Gotoh found, the visual scale (lining up the markings with that embossed triangle) is accurate for me so I've just been eyeing it to that, not bothering to hold a square against the blade, & cuts through 45mm material are very square.

Still it'd be nice to have some adjustment screws on the shoe as with the older TS55EQ model.

There are parts near the rear clamp that look like they might be the adjuster

I thought that at first, but it seems they're just assembly screws. Could be wrong though.

 

[Oso Rojo]

The manual claims its adjusted by the "after-sales service team." I understand what each of those words mean, but I just can't figure out who fits that label. Is that the service department?

I received mine on 5/1/2014 and it's scale is off by a degree or two. Using a Wixey magnetic angle finder the 90 is off by 1/2 a degree while the scale says it's 1 degree in the other direction. So technically my scale is off by 1.5 degrees and the vertical stop is off by 0.5.

Shane, Can you help with who is the "after-sales service team?"

 

[grbmds]

If you haven't already see Shane's response in Ask Festool section. I have chosen to send it back what Service says is a one-time adjustment. There is a process which he described that you could do. I chose not to. Also if you want, it appears that the holes for the stop adjustment screws remain in the REQ base plate so some self-tapping screws of the correcr size may provide the same adjustment as the old saw but I'd be reluctant to try that without definite confirmation that would work. Plus over time those screws would make indentations in tne plastic base thus requiring repetitive readjustment to keep the cur square. This may even have been the reason for redesigning this adjustment for the REQ.

 

[dlu]

If you haven't already see Shane's response in Ask Festool section.

Thank you very much for pointing this out. I hadn't seen Shane's response.

 

[dlu]

So… I'd like to know how to adjust the bevel stop (and, if it is possible, the zero point on the bevel scale) so that the stop is actually useful for returning and supporting the saw at 0°. Does anybody know how to do this?

I got a nice e-mail from Festool a while back suggesting that I call customer support who would be able to help me with this. I finally got around to it and the solution is quite simple. Here's how to do it:

• Examine the back of the saw, where the rear bevel clamp screw is. There you will see a relatively obvious Torx screw near the shoe, and a less obvious one in a hole in the black plastic, at about the 10 o'clock position relative to the green release button. Those are the screws that lock the position of the bevel stop (both for 0° and 45°). You'll need a T-25 screwdriver to adjust the stop.
• Loosen the two T-25 screws securing the bevel stop and the front and rear bevel clamp screws.
• Set the saw so that the blade is at exactly 90° to the shoe – I did this by shimming between the shoe and the bottom of the saw housing until the scale in front was exactly on 0°.
• Push the metal stamping that is secured by the "easy to see" Torx screw all the way down to contact the shoe.
• Tighten the two T-25 screws to secure the stop, remove your shims and test that the angle stops now work correctly. Remember to tighten the rear clamp first and avoid "torquing" the saw when clamping the front. That's it.