Get your TS 55 REQ dust bag conversion kit from The Nut

[Brent Shively]

Well, I did get it to close...by putting the screws back in and tightening them down.  Hopefully the slight flex in the plate will have no ill effects.  I guess I am still curious whether anyone with a TS55 can get the plate to close flush by hand (prior to locking down the 5 screws).  The plate closed flush easily (by hand) when I put the original ring back in, so in my mind there is definitely a sizing difference, with the new connector ring being bigger-- or the three internal female recesses do not fit the male tabs on the saw as well as the circumferential ring on the original connector.

If someone from Festool could confirm the proper fit, that would be great.  I'd hate to think I'm forcing in an incompatible part to my saw.

Promark747
I will verify tomorrow when I get into the office tomorrow.

Brent

 

[Cheese]

I really don't know if I should start a different thread or just add to the existing one, it's the moderators choice. I may break this into a couple of segments not knowing what this website can handle.

SO...Received my TSC kit from Tool Nut (thanx Shane) and decided to install it.

This is a view of my TS 55 EQ from the top showing the parting line of the cases with the standard DC fitting attached

[attachthumb=1]

I disassembled the cases, installed the new TSC 55 fitting, reassembled the cases and this is the result.

[attachthumb=2]

Upon further inspection I noted that the 3 male tabs that locate the 3 female recesses were improperly indexed to the exact location to fully engage the TSC 55 fitting, thus I elongated one of the recessed areas to allow for some variance. This top view shows the result. It's better but not great.

[attachthumb=3]

At this juncture I decided that something else was amiss.

 

[Cheese]

After thinking through the situation, I decided to take some measurements. The existing TS 55 DC nozzle has an OD (inside of the saw) of 1.562/1.572".
The new TSC nozzle has an OD of 1.594/1.600". That's huge considering the required fits. Consequently I decided to turn down the TSC nozzle on a lathe to fit. I turned it down to 1.572/1.574". This is the result.

[attachthumb=1]

FWIW, this is the standard female notch in the TSC nozzle.

[attachthumb=2]

And this is the modification to ensure alignment with the TSC nozzle.

[attachthumb=3]

 

[Cheese]

A few more photos and explanations to assist anyone that wants to convert their TS 55 EQ saw:

My saw, manufactured in 2010.

[attachthumb=1]

A picture of the original nozzle installed on the saw. Notice how close to the edge of the metal case the nozzle rides.

[attachthumb=2]

A picture of the unmodified TSC nozzle installed on the saw. The nozzle locates itself quite a distance from the edge of the metal case.

[attachthumb=3]

A picture of the modified TSC nozzle with the elongated notch fitted on the saw. The nozzle is now closer to the edge by about 1mm.

[attachthumb=4]

Finally, this is a view of the TSC nozzle with the elongated notch and the OD turned down to match the OD of the original nozzle. Particularly notice, that the nozzle now actually overhangs the edge of the metal case and both pieces of the case can be drawn together by the screws without excessive force on the screws or deformation to the side plate.

[attachthumb=5]

 

[promark747]

Thanks Cheese.  That was exactly my experience...the new connector/nozzle doesn't quite fit my TS55, and the cover plate will not close completely flush with the case unless the screws are tightened to the point where the cover plate may start to deform. 

 

[Brent Shively]

Well, I did get it to close...by putting the screws back in and tightening them down.  Hopefully the slight flex in the plate will have no ill effects.  I guess I am still curious whether anyone with a TS55 can get the plate to close flush by hand (prior to locking down the 5 screws).  The plate closed flush easily (by hand) when I put the original ring back in, so in my mind there is definitely a sizing difference, with the new connector ring being bigger-- or the three internal female recesses do not fit the male tabs on the saw as well as the circumferential ring on the original connector.

If someone from Festool could confirm the proper fit, that would be great.  I'd hate to think I'm forcing in an incompatible part to my saw.

Promark747
I will verify tomorrow when I get into the office tomorrow.

Brent

The elbow for the TS 55 EQ is smaller in diameter than the one for the TS 55 REQ. 

Brent

 

[Shane Holland]

Guys, there was nothing to lead us to believe that this wasn't compatible with the TS 55 EQ.

If you ordered one for your TS 55 EQ, please contact us/me for a refund and prepaid return label.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Shane
shane[member=18445]toolnut[/member].com

 

[Cheese]

[member=48572]Shane Holland[/member]
You won't be getting mine back...it's installed and I'm loving it. Especially the detents when the nozzle is adjusted, it shoud hold its position much better than the original design. [thumbs up]

 

[Shane Holland]

So,  to sum things up,  it's a drop in fit for the TS 55 REQ and the TS 75. 

The adapter requires modification for the TS 55 EQ.

Only fits the REQ. Does not work with the 55 EQ or the 75 EQ. Apparently the dust port diameter was changed with the REQ model.

 

[ishmerc]

wondering if is better to heat it up with a heat gun ,then put the cover on .

 

[anthonyz]

Are there any videos out on how well the bag collection works. I can see times where the bag would be a nice option; however, I would like to see how well it collects in comparison when attached to a DC. Of course I understand that being hooked up to a CT is always your best bet.

 

[rst]

Just as a side note, I have used the dust bag for my 850 planer on my TS with no problems.

 

[Brent Shively]

Are there any videos out on how well the bag collection works. I can see times where the bag would be a nice option; however, I would like to see how well it collects in comparison when attached to a DC. Of course I understand that being hooked up to a CT is always your best bet.

With the bag attached you will collect about 90%. Below is a video of Brian Sedgley showing how well it works.



Brent

 

[promark747]

Despite the imperfect fit, I am inclined to try to make this work with my TS55.  I may try to sand the connector to reduce its circumference (as I don't have a lathe) and/or elongate the recesses.  Of course, that would mean I wouldn't be able to return it...maybe Cheese could perform the mods for a small fee ;D

 

[tjbnwi]

Are there any videos out on how well the bag collection works. I can see times where the bag would be a nice option; however, I would like to see how well it collects in comparison when attached to a DC. Of course I understand that being hooked up to a CT is always your best bet.

Tom

 

[Brice Burrell]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] How much effort was the modify and and do you think it's worth the time?

 

[Cheese]

wondering if is better to heat it up with a heat gun ,then put the cover on .

The nozzle is injection molded from a material that has a glass fibre additive. Consequently heating won't make a difference until the onset of plastic deformation which means the material is actually melting. [eek]

 

[grbmds]

It doesn't sound like this would be a useful "upgrade" for a TS55REQ. I am not interested in modifying it to fit. If it fits and it works better than the factory original dust port on the REQ it would be definitely worth it. It sounds like that is not the case though.

 

[Shane Holland]

It doesn't sound like this would be a useful "upgrade" for a TS55REQ. I am not interested in modifying it to fit. If it fits and it works better than the factory original dust port on the REQ it would be definitely worth it. It sounds like that is not the case though.

[member=19734]grbmds[/member], no modification needed for the TS 55 REQ. Just remove the blade housing and swap. The advantage is the option to use the dust bag and the improved ability to put the port in a place and it's stays.

 

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] How much effort was the modify and and do you think it's worth the time?

Brice the mod really wasn't that bad.
Because this item is molded with a glass fibre additive added to the base material, (the original part was not), it adds strength, toughness and makes the material a lot easier to machine. On a metal lathe with single point carbide tooling, it machines like aluminum. I wouldn't be afraid what-so-ever to machine this on a wood lathe as long as the tool is sharp. You're only removing approx .015" (1/64") from each side.

If i were to do this again, I'd start by reducing the OD to the proper dimension because then the indexing issues I had with the 3 tabs & mating recesses would be mitigated. (I'm pretty sure of that  [eek])

I really like the adjustable nozzle with the built-in position detents, and expect that it will keep the hose from hanging down on the rail all of the time. Also not having to pull out the DC for just 1 or 2 cuts will be great. We've all made those 2 cuts without dust collection in a clean room and then spent the next 15 minutes cleaning up the mess and saying  to ourselves, I'll NEVER do that again. I'm banking on that this will give me the best of both worlds.