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

I wonder why this part is a different size from the original one. Is it different so that it does not fit the old saw and thus give an incentive to buy a new saw? Or is it different because nobody compared the old to the new and it just happened to be a bit different in size?  Hmmm.
 
jimbo51 said:
I wonder why this part is a different size from the original one. Is it different so that it does not fit the old saw and thus give an incentive to buy a new saw? Or is it different because nobody compared the old to the new and it just happened to be a bit different in size?  Hmmm.

Just a guess, but the REQ has a flat side so you can cut flush against a wall. It's possible it changed to accommodate that new design.
 
To reduce the diameter of the fitting, I used my Shopsmith with expanding jaws chuck. I started with low speed sanding, but that was too inefficient. I switched to a 10 in file and was finished in a few minutes. I used a small file to expand two of the slots (just in case, I did not try with one). I did several file and fit as my skills with the calipers are not so great.

The fit did not seem quite symmetrical so I just rotated the fitting until the cover closed tightly.

The elbow has to be removed for the saw to fit back into my old style sustainer. The dust bag does fit in also.

I only ordered one to see how it worked. Now I can order another one for the TS75 which people say will be a drop in fit.
 
Shane Holland said:
grbmds said:
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.

Since I don't really need the dust bag, if I just order the new dust port it will install in the TS55REQ without modification and will connect to the Festool hoses? Will it connect to both the 35mm and 27mm hoses? Just for information also, how effective is the dust bag for collection on the REQ since it seems to have been made for the TSC? In the video the demonstrator says the collection is 90% because of a channel modification in the TSC design. Would the effectiveness be the same on the REQ because this design modification doesn't exist on the REQ?
 
grbmds said:
Since I don't really need the dust bag, if I just order the new dust port it will install in the TS55REQ without modification and will connect to the Festool hoses? Will it connect to both the 35mm and 27mm hoses? Just for information also, how effective is the dust bag for collection on the REQ since it seems to have been made for the TSC? In the video the demonstrator says the collection is 90% because of a channel modification in the TSC design. Would the effectiveness be the same on the REQ because this design modification doesn't exist on the REQ?

Yes, it will connect to your hoses without modification.

The dust bag collection is measured using a method where a piece of lumber is weighed, cuts are made, the sawdust captured is weighed and the collection percentage is calculated.  I don't have that same stat for the REQ, but I think you would see very similar collection. I've not seen a side-by-side comparison.
 
Well, I got a chance to use the TSC bag on my 55 EQ. All I can say is SWEET. I was cutting a bunch of 1 1/2" foam and I'd say the dust collection is every bit at the 90% level and it may be a bit better than that. You know how the cut foam residue clings to everything, well I've got about 15 particles on my arm and the rest is in the TSC bag. Pretty nice  [thumbs up]
 
As pointed out before, the difference in size between the old and new elbow is small, but the new one simply does not fit in the older saw. When comparing the elbows visually, it is difficult to see a difference in size. If there is even a very small bit of slack in the fitting in the TS 75, the new elbow could fit.

I may order another one for my TS 75 so I will know. I can take the new one and try again in the TS 55. If it does not fit, I may try trimming a small amount off the length of the fitting first. It is possible that that dimension may also be critical. I would not reduce the diameter again as that is obviously not needed for the TS 75 and might make the fit too loose. 
 
jimbo51 said:
I may try trimming a small amount off the length of the fitting first. It is possible that that dimension may also be critical.

I would not reduce the diameter again as that is obviously not needed for the TS 75 and might make the fit too loose. 

Trimming the length won't help because it's the correct engagement of the 3 internal (saw housing) male tabs that determine the positioning of the elbow and ultimately if the saw housing and blade cover close completely. The outside diameter of the TSC elbow is larger by about .030" (1/32") and you can see that to be the case in the photos below.

Before: 1.600" OD
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After:1.570" OD
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If you are having problems with the TSC hose/bag adapter fitting up to the TS-55EQ, TS-55R or the TS-75, you will need to clock the fitting. I just installed them on my saws and it took less the 5 minutes--total. I started with the E due to the issues I read about in this thread. When I first placed it in the cover it did not nest properly. The bore edges did not line up, I clocked it one position and the fitting nested perfectly. As I replaced the fittings on the 55R and 75 I tried different clock positions, only one nested properly.

The first four photos of are of the 55EQ, with top and bottom seam close ups. A photo each of the 55R an 75. Final photo of all of them with the new fitting.

This update to the older saws is well worth the investment.

Tom
 

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I did read your post, it had me wondering. I did not want to say anything until I received my fittings from Tom. Once I had the cover off I placed the fitting in the three available clock positions, only one fit up properly.

I did fit it up to the cover then installed them as a unit on the saw body, just easier to work with (and I'm a lazy guy).

Tom
 
One other item of note with these adapters installed on the corded saws---------you have to remove the hose adapter to get the saw back in the Systainer properly, the bag attachment part of the fitting remains in the saw.

Toim
 
tjbnwi said:
If you are having problems with the TSC hose/bag adapter fitting up to the TS-55EQ, TS-55R or the TS-75, you will need to clock the fitting. I just installed them on my saws and it took less the 5 minutes--total. I started with the E due to the issues I read about in this thread. When I first placed it in the cover it did not nest properly. The bore edges did not line up, I clocked it one position and the fitting nested perfectly. As I replaced the fittings on the 55R and 75 I tried different clock positions, only one nested properly.

The first four photos of are of the 55EQ, with top and bottom seam close ups. A photo each of the 55R an 75. Final photo of all of them with the new fitting.

This update to the older saws is well worth the investment.

Tom

I have the "old style" TS55eq and my experience is the same as Tom's, works fine once you find the right position to seat/key the new hose adapter.
 
RLJ-Atl said:
tjbnwi said:
One other item of note with these adapters installed on the corded saws---------you have to remove the hose adapter to get the saw back in the Systainer properly, the bag attachment part of the fitting remains in the saw.

Toim

The TS 75 fits in it's systainer without removing the hose adapter.

I have my 75 on the CMS plate, when I need to transport it, out of habit I bet I remove the fitting. [unsure]

Tom
 
[attachthumb=1][attachimg=1][attachthumb=3]I tried the Dust Bag on my TS55EQ and found that after a few cuts the saw did not return to the up position after a plunge. I took off the blade cover and found there was cut debris jammed around the riving knife and also under the blade. See Photos. I cleaned out the debris and the plunge worked fine. The bag was pretty full also. I decided that without the vacuum attached that the debris starts packing itself inside the saw when the bag is full. I decided that the plunge return was more important to me than the use of the Dust Bag. That and the information that the Dust Bag was not made for the TS55EQ made me return my Dust Bag.
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I installed the fittings to end the hose flop, still going to use a Ct with the corded saws.

Tom
 
RLJ-Atl said:
Shane, you jumped to a conclusion based on what you read without testing your own product.

I actually asked Brent at Festool to confirm whether or not it would work. I based my conclusion on that. I'm sure he did the same that others did, so I don't fault his results. We're all here to collaborate for the benefit of all.

I'm glad Tom was able to discover what needed to be done to get it to work with the TS 55 EQ. Thanks, [member=4105]tjbnwi[/member].  [thumbs up]
 
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