Got tired of being sprayed with dust on certain cuts with TS55

[amt]

There are some cuts, like a "clean-up" pass or a jointing cut, where the dust collection is pretty much non-existent when using the track saw.  This is because the blade is not cutting on both sides.  When you do make a cut with blade cutting on both sides, the material itself (as it's being cut) creates a path for the dust to go.  Without this "path", it can lead to a massive dust cloud, and sometimes wood particles smacking you in the face.  So, after putting up with this problem for far too long, I decided to try something:

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This captures 95% of the dust, compared to maybe 20% before to modification.  This addition is pretty easy to make and attaches to the saw with one screw and some tape.

 

[Benjamin]

lol i like your idea... but have you considered this solution.

works well.

http://www.slingers1858.co.uk/Festool-ABSA-TS-55-Cover-491750.html

 

[wow]

At least your tape is the right color!

 

[shed9]

lol i like your idea... but have you considered this solution.

works well.

http://www.slingers1858.co.uk/Festool-ABSA-TS-55-Cover-491750.html

The problem with the Festool TS cover is that it doesn't work with the splinter guard attached.

There have been a few threads on TS saw dust collection improvement and most people just fit a bit of tape of the side. I appreciate that it's clearly going to collect more with the side skirt however I personally like to see what the blade is doing.

Not knocking the idea though, if it works it works.

 

[Benjamin]

lol i like your idea... but have you considered this solution.

works well.

http://www.slingers1858.co.uk/Festool-ABSA-TS-55-Cover-491750.html

The problem with the Festool TS cover is that it doesn't work with the splinter guard attached.

There have been a few threads on TS saw dust collection improvement and most people just fit a bit of tape of the side. I appreciate that it's clearly going to collect more with the side skirt however I personally like to see what the blade is doing.

Not knocking the idea though, if it works it works.

Ya I guess the splinter guard can't be used with the older model but it does work with the req eh

I'm not sure why people don't use the cover plate more often? I love that thing sometimes

I agree though that's its nice to see what the blade is doing but something like through cuts where it's irrelevant I like using it for the extra collection

 

[amt]

I did not realize that accessory was available for the TS55.  FWIW, the little extra tab of cardboard (in first picture towards the front of the saw) on my solution was the key part to get nearly all of the dust sucked up.  Otherwise too much dust would shoot out the front while cutting.

 

[festooltim]

How does it work when you are just shaving a little of the side when your board needs a trim. That's when I get a lot of dust shooting out the side because their is nothing their to catch it.

 

[tjbnwi]

Being the idiot I am I just run my hand along the edge of the saw. Works just like the cardboard cover.

Tom

 

[Tinker]

Being the idiot I am I just run my hand along the edge of the saw. Works just like the cardboard cover.

Tom

Ditto
To the part about cupping hand in front and along side.
X to the personal identification.  [poke]
Tinker

 

[Benjamin]

How does it work when you are just shaving a little of the side when your board needs a trim. That's when I get a lot of dust shooting out the side because their is nothing their to catch it.

Can't remember how it will work with that, but it's a great accessory for a lot of stuff so it's not a waste to get.

Helps a lot in many situations

 

[rst]

National Guard Products and Pemko make brush type dust door sweeps.  These are available with in 3/8" up to 4" brushes.  I  clamp a short piece with spring clamps to the outside edge of my 55 and 75 and completely contain wayward dust.  I use the 4" to contain dust on my table saw above and below and it also is practically dust free.

 

[semenza]

National Guard Products and Pemko make brush type dust door sweeps.  These are available with in 3/8" up to 4" brushes.  I  clamp a short piece with spring clamps to the outside edge of my 55 and 75 and completely contain wayward dust.  I use the 4" to contain dust on my table saw above and below and it also is practically dust free.

Oh I like that idea  [thumbs up]

Seth

 

[Carl Prentiss]

Any chance of a picture of the door sweep attached?

 

[ART at WORK]

Any chance of a picture of the door sweep attached?

Yes a very nice idea, I would also apreciate a couple of Photos of your brush attachment.

 

[mcooley]

And if the brush is thick enough it might just be the right obstruction for the front of the TS55 to prevent the material shooting forward when exiting the cut.

 

[#Tee]

thats funny cause im in the process of making a shroud out of carbon fiber and magnets to work with splinter guard

 

[mcooley]

Perfect that way you can "sculpt" the bend going along the side to the front portion. Form fitted! Send pics when done.

 

[mcooley]

More low tech but I've used this stuff to sculpt small plastic objects. This could work well for fitting over the front corner with all the various angles and such.

http://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/H206627BS?engine=google&campaign=Shopping&adgroup=Supplies+%3E+Modeling+Pellets&keyword=modeling+pellets%2C+friendly+plastic%2C+thermoplastic+molding+compound%2C+white.+sold+per+1.4-ounce+pkg&gclid=Cj0KEQiA7NyiBRCOhpuCm9Dq6b4BEiQA9D6qhbuii_FIGFJAoFGpadb8tsbIgve_t35frmmwyOpRS-IaAiPF8P8HAQ

 

[Tinker]

There are some cuts, like a "clean-up" pass or a jointing cut, where the dust collection is pretty much non-existent when using the track saw.  This is because the blade is not cutting on both sides.  When you do make a cut with blade cutting on both sides, the material itself (as it's being cut) creates a path for the dust to go.  Without this "path", it can lead to a massive dust cloud, and sometimes wood particles smacking you in the face.  So, after putting up with this problem for far too long, I decided to try something:

I missed "the wood particles smacking you in the face" part the first time i had read your original post.  I also have experienced the dust and wood particles flying around when making certain cuts with both my old ATF 55 and the newer TS 55REQ.  I cannot figure out, however, how you ever get wood particles smacking you in the face unless you are standing in front of the saw and pulling it towards you, or bending so for forward while making a cut that your face is actually in front of the saw. 
Tinker

 

[mcooley]

Well, putting this dust guard on and adding a strip of the foam tape to my tracks are probably the two simplest and best mods I have made to my track saw setup.

Acrylic was left over and I just screwed a small piece of wood to the front which blocks 90% of the dust shooting out the front when exiting the cut. And as far as those foam strips go no idea why Festool doesn't just add this strip on all their tracks. It helps. So thanks for the suggestion.

One final thought, I love using the tools but for every clever design I find I also notice a missed opportunity. Must be their cost to profit ratio because in some cases what the tools are sometimes missing is very strange given how thorough they are. I can't imagine they haven't thought of every possible detail. Case in point, why not a very small LED light bar on the underside of the track saw illuminating the blade and cut? Not a big deal I know but the work environment is often unpredictable. 

All mods here were taken from this forum, so, thanks!