Advice for buying used TS 55

[fessetool]

Hi All!

I have been reading the forum for a while now and decided to take the plunge (pun intended), I am in the market for a track saw and found a couple of what seems good deal but would really appreciate your advice as this is my first Festool.

I have a couple of options
1. TS 55 FEBQ-Plus for 250 euros









2. TS 55 EBQ for 220 euro





Both still have the original blade, the first saw has a blade marked 2024-06, the second I don't have a date.

What do you guys think? The first saw seems newer and less worn out, does the blade look ok, or will it need sharpening?

I would like to reuse my current blade and Makita track but I am concerned about compatibility. The Makita track is compatible, correct? What about about compatible blade replacements since the F has a kerf of 1,8mm? I have some nice 160mm blades that I would like to reuse but these have cut width 2,2mm and bore size 30/20mm. Can those be adapted?

I am excited to get my first Festool but I want to make sure I don't buy a lemon, any advice is highly appreciated!

 

[MikeGE]

Welcome to the FOG!

Concerning the two examples, the first could be a scam deal. A Google image search shows multiple listings with these same images on French, German, Austrian, and Spanish websites with prices ranging from €120 to €460.

The second saw looks like it has seen much better days, but I couldn't find any Google image matches. However, I would not consider it at any price.

Here is a German website showing TS 55 saws for sale by private owners. This should give you a realistic example of what to expect in terms of condition and price for used saws in the German market.

eBay Kleinanzeigen ist jetzt Kleinanzeigen | Kleinanzeigen

Kleinanzeigen: Festool Ts 55 - Jetzt finden oder inserieren! - kleinanzeigen.de

www.kleinanzeigen.de

 

[fessetool]

Welcome to the FOG!

Concerning the two examples, the first could be a scam deal. A Google image search shows multiple listings with these same images on French, German, Austrian, and Spanish websites with prices ranging from €120 to €460.

The second saw looks like it has seen much better days, but I couldn't find any Google image matches. However, I would not consider it at any price.

Here is a German website showing TS 55 saws for sale by private owners. This should give you a realistic example of what to expect in terms of condition and price for used saws in the German market.

eBay Kleinanzeigen ist jetzt Kleinanzeigen | Kleinanzeigen

Kleinanzeigen: Festool Ts 55 - Jetzt finden oder inserieren! - kleinanzeigen.de

www.kleinanzeigen.de

Thanks for checking that and for the info, you saved me from a huge headache! That's indeed strange, the images only lead to actually two vendors in France, and the high quality pictures shows it's an EBQ, not even the same model, yikes! I am going to report it as spam.

In any case, I am still wondering about my questions in terms of blade compatibility.

 

[waho6o9]

Good job MikeGE. And Welcome to the FOG fessetool.

 

[onocoffee]

Welcome to the group and too bad those deals didn't pan out.

As you move forward, I thought I would share some thoughts as I've spent quite a bit of time lately seeking out used Festool. Caveat: I'm in the United States, so what I say is framed by that. For the most part, most people tend to overvalue their tools because they think they should get similar pricing as new. And I see a lot of tools with the statement "used once" or "used for one project" or similar and they look beat to hell.

First thing you want to do is familiarize yourself with current offerings and prices. Right now, the TS 55 FEQ is $629 and $729 with the 1400 rail. The F series has a thinner 1.8mm kerf which makes cutting easier. This is something to consider as you look at older saws.

If I'm interested in a tool, the first thing I ask for is a photo of the manufacturers plate. That tells you three things: 1)date of manufacture, 2)T-Number, and 3) Serial Number. 2 & 3 can be used to contact Festool Customer Service to learn about the history of the tool and if it was reported stolen. For me, the most important detail is the Manufacturers Date - now you know how old the tool is. And the older, the more discount I'm expecting.

As a general guideline, I'd like to see half off current MSRP - and then this can be adjusted based on condition, wear, appearance, model type, etc. Preferably, I want to see the price lower - like a 2019 RO 150 for $250. But it can also be more than half. Like the TS 55 FEQ with rail that I bought for $550. In that case, the seller had bought it the month before, said he used it once (the rail was uncut) and decided to get the TS60. Since it was a month old (but past the 30 day trial period), he was selling it and had the receipt - which meant that I could register the tool with Festool USA for the full (minus the month) warranty. At the time, the TS55 was a little cheaper (2024) and my total with tax would have been $750. So, a $200 savings for an essentially brand new saw. Worth the extra cash.

Also, don't be shy to ask for a price you'd like to pay. Worse they can say is No. They might agree to it. I got a DeWalt 735X planer for $200 simply because I asked the seller if he would be willing to consider $250 (his asking price was $450). Then, when I got there and noticed a missing allen wrench, he knocked off another $50. So don't be shy to ask if they'll consider an offer - and I always ask politely because I think that helps.

But the difficulty of buying used is that you have to make an effort. Lots of trolling used websites, like FB Marketplace. But every once in a while, you find crazy deals - like the used ATF 55 E and CT 22 for $100. In that case, none of what I wrote applied. I messaged the guy to confirm it was still available and then told him I would be down straightaway. That deal was so crazy, I would have been stupid to have wasted time mucking around.

Good Hunting!

 

[fessetool]

hey guys, he sent me additional pictures. He has a few positive feedbacks as a seller, he admitted he got the pictures as he didn't have his camera. In any case I do have buyer protection. I would just like to know what you guys think given these new pictures, aside from the fact that it's dirty.



Otherwise I will have to steer towards DeWalt or Makita in what I can find on the used market within my budget.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I'm calling shenanigans on the "didn't have his camera" excuse, who under the age of 100 doesn't have a mobile phone nowadays, and all mobile phones have built-in cameras. I had to come back to add that I think it was quite deceitful to post pictures of another saw and very deliberately pass it off as the one he's selling, despite the few positive reviews to me, this alone screams untrustworthy and invalidates any positive claims.

But I can see why he didn't want to show the actual photos, I think that saws in terrible condition and is exactly what I'd expect a tradies saw to look like after years of use. Unless it was super cheap and you were sure there's no mechanical issues or slop, I wouldn't be buying it.

 

[peter halle]

Personally I would walk away.

Peter

 

[fessetool]

I'm calling shenanigans on the "didn't have his camera" excuse, who under the age of 100 doesn't have a mobile phone nowadays, and all mobile phones have built-in cameras. I had to come back to add that I think it was quite deceitful to post pictures of another saw and very deliberately pass it off as the one he's selling, despite the few positive reviews to me, this alone screams untrustworthy and invalidates any positive claims.

But I can see why he didn't want to show the actual photos, I think that saws in terrible condition and is exactly what I'd expect a tradies saw to look like after years of use. Unless it was super cheap and you were sure there's no mechanical issues or slop, I wouldn't be buying it.

Thanks for the feedback, aside from any subjective consideration, I agree that it's not really correct from the seller perspective. What might be a sign of low car is that the screws that hold the engine mount kind look oxidez/rusted. How can a relatively new machine have this kind of oxidation?

I am not sure I will go through with this, would have loved to get a Festool but I might steer towards Makita.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Thanks for the feedback, aside from any subjective consideration, I agree that it's not really correct from the seller perspective. What might be a sign of low car is that the screws that hold the engine mount kind look oxidez/rusted. How can a relatively new machine have this kind of oxidation?

I am not sure I will go through with this.

I think the deliberate deceit alone means nothing said can be trusted, so walking away as Peter put it is the best idea in my book.

The US market is way larger than the Aussie market, and the 55 is around $1200 new here, but second hand I've seen new looking ones sell s/h for $500AUD or so, so I would expect you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a good one at a reaswonable price.

I will add though don't settle for a cheaper or inferior brand if you're really after a Festool, as you may regret it for a long a time. A mate of mine bought the Makita cordless as it was 2/3rds the cost of the Festool, and he's had loads of issues since and now wishes he spent the extra and bought the 55 instead. Could just be an isolated case, but buy once cry once is so true.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I just don't understand how some guys treat their tools so badly. Age is just a number, when they are treated properly. The whole point of the Systainer is protecting the contents.