Help with 45* bevel on TS 55

[JimmyB1775]

Last and only time I tried to make a mitered box out of maple, next trying 3/4” ply, the bevel angle was off.  Not too much like 1/2*. But it would keep dry fit impossible without gaps in the miters. What am I doing wrong.  Saw is relatively new. Positive stop at 90 works. 45 is just off. 44.2 at the positive stop.

 

[ear3]

Unfortunately you can't trust the stops. If you have a digital angle gauges, like the ones you use to set bevel on table saw, you could do the same on the ts55 by removing the blade cover, attaching the gauges, and verifying the bevel. Or do the same by referencing the digital angle gauges off a test cut.

 

[lwoirhaye]

You may be asking a $1000 tool to do what a $5000+ machine is designed to do, though some guys claim they make that cut with a Festool.  A donkey's ear shooting board can be used to perfect the joint.  A table saw with a cutoff box can do a good job of it too, assuming the saw blade runs true and doesn't heel when tilted.

 

[Svar]

You need to cut a test piece (MDF works great) and then adjust stops or scale pointer accordingly. Don't trust factory settings. I use my TS 75 to cut accurate miters all the time.

 

[Birdhunter]

I use a SawStop Industrial table saw (big, heavy, accurate) with a very sturdy jig to make perfect 45 degree miter joints. My hat is off big time to those that can do it with a track saw. I make jewelry boxes out of expensive exotic wood. It would hurt to ruin a piece with a miter joint with even the tiniest of gaps.

 

[Gregor]

Saw is relatively new. Positive stop at 90 works. 45 is just off. 44.2 at the positive stop.

(underlining mine)
If within the first 3 years: send it in for adjustment.

Service all included. You paid for it, why not use it?

 

[sancho57]

"Service all included. You paid for it, why not use it?"

Thats what I say.

But before I take it into service Ill do what another poster said to make a few test cuts  .

your profile doesnt say where you live  so we cant recommend a store but bring it to your brick and mortar

some stores like Anderson ply have a festool area and Don is very very good with these tools and can and will test your tool try it out and determine if its the tool or user and if its the user show you how to do it correctly. I just went there to buy some ply and had him show me how to do some domino jointing.

You can call the local rep maybe he's demo-ing at a near by store or he might even come out to your shop either way have him give it a go as it could be technique/ operator error and not the tool.

There are a lot of resources that festool and festool dealers provide that we dont utilize.

 

[Svar]

If within the first 3 years: send it in for adjustment.
Service all included. You paid for it, why not use it?

True, but doing it yourself takes only few minutes. Less time than you'd spend packing it for shipment.