Dropped my ts55EQ... Allignment tips anyone?

[Bob Gerritsen]

Hi All,

So yesterday I dropped my TS55EQ and I've noticed the foot/base plate has moved a bit. The engine with the blade isn't parallel to the sole anymore.

I've found the four screws, two per side next to the bevel adjustment knobs, that make adjustments possible but so far I've not had much luck, it's an iffy process of trial and error without any clear measuring points.... Before sending it to service, any tips on how to fix this myself? So basically, the problem is I need to get the blade exactly parallel to the sole (or more precisely the track) again.

Any suggestions are appreciated, I have a heavy workload at the moment and would love to be able to fix this quickly myself, sending it of is going to ruin my planning...

Cheers all, Bob.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Yes, this procedure is covered in the Supplemental Manual. The blade is not supposed to be perfectly parallel to the sole plate, so you may not actually have a problem, but just think you do. The rear of the blade should be slightly farther away from the cutting line than the front. If that is what you are seeing, your dropped saw may not have moved after all.

However, if you have already tried to adjust the saw, then look through the procedure in the manual linked above. You'll need to modify your procedure a little bit to get you back to where your splinterguard was previously cut, and then set the toe distance.

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Thanks Rick, I've just found page 22 of your manual to the TS55REQ, I'm going to try that with my saw. Actually, I've made some cuts and noticed the quality of cut is a lot worse now so something has moved.

Thanks! Bob.

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Rick, I've tried your method with the 0.15 feeler for the back of the blade but no improvement. Either the blade was hit too but I don't see how or I'm missing something. Might have to send it for service anyway, might be quickest in the end, just need to use my very old Festo track saw until it's back.

Thanks anyway! Bob.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Yeah, if it is still giving a poor cut, it probably is best to send it in for service.

Thanks Rick, I've just found page 22 of your manual to the TS55REQ, I'm going to try that with my saw. Actually, I've made some cuts and noticed the quality of cut is a lot worse now so something has moved.

By the way, the link in my posting above was direct to the TS55 EQ saw. The manuals are fairly similar, but I have them for the ATF55E, TS55EQ, and TS55REQ. All of my manuals are located here:
http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/

 

[sancho57]

Dropped mines too  [crying].

Its just not running right IMO. (could be psychological) but I think not.

Im bringing to my brick and mortar tomorrow to get a 2nd opinion before I send it in.

Man this sucks.

edited to add:

I checked the toe in it was OK, the issue I was having is it was burning the plywood.

Couldnt figure out what was going on with it.

Wellll the ply is imported walnut (98 bucks a sheet).

So for giggles i did some cutting on some domestic shop birch (50 bucks a sheet), came out like glass.

I was having issues ripping the 4/4 walnut to. It did ok but slllooowwwly.

So Im getting a Panther blade to rip the walnut and getting the standard blade sharpened.

I still have a question about the toe in so Im calling festool service to get some info on toe in tolerances.

 

[darita]

Dropped my AFT55 a couple of months ago.  It worked fine, but the blade was tracking super close to the rail edge.  I sent it in for repair and had it gone thru.  It cost me $95 in parts and adjustments, but it's like a brand new saw now.  I had some bent parts that I didn't even notice.  I'm glad I did it.  The saw took 5 days to get there.  They had it on Friday and I was notified that it was shipped back on Monday.  I got it back later that week.  Pretty quick and cheaper than I expected. 
If you do send it in, be sure to note and mark all known effected parts.

 

[sancho57]

when ya check / adj the toes be sure t have a new(er) blade thats clean and the clear plastic edge on te rail is in good shape or replce it before setting the toe in. Makes life a lot easier when ya set it

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

I'm having better results with a different blade now, maybe the blade is twisted because of the fall. It needs sharpening anyways so I'll have them check it before sending the saw to service.

 

[sancho57]

thats what I did and found the blade was dull. still need to get it sharpened but I bought another blade to use in the mean time.