My disappointments with my new TS 55 tracksaw

[ReneS]

I bought the TS 55 sight unseen based on the many positive things I have heard about it. And it has some good points, for sure.

But I have two fairly substantial complaints.

1 - The plug-it cord is heavier and has a different attachment profile (not sure what to call it) than the other plug-it cords I have gotten with other Festool tools. Okay, understandable for a tool that draws more power, but one of the selling points for me was that I could use one cord, keep it with my dust extractor, and then just attach it to whatever Festool tool I end up using--sander, domino, and now TS 55. And when one dies, I would have a bunch of others waiting in the wings. Not so much any more.

Ye, I can use this cord with my other tools, but none of the other plug-it cords I have will work with the TS 55. So when this cord dies, I can't just pull out another plug-it cord from my collection.

2 - This  might be even worse. The attachment point on the saw is very awkward to get at. Getting a quarter turn on the plug-it cord takes multiple, uncomfortable motions.  My hand is impeded by the very tight space and I can only turn the cord a tiny bit at a time. Yeah, I have aged a bit over the years, but there are a ton of things that I do on a regular basis that require strength, hand grip, etc. and I have no problem. This seems like a ridiculous design choice. I have another Festol tool that also has a somewhat awkward location for the plug-it attachment, but nothing like this.

Dang, am I really getting that feeble, or have any of you experienced this?

So I guess I am starting to see the validity of various critiques that I have read in the past year. The tools are expensive and are sold as being well designed and expertly manufactured. Issues such as these seem like unforced errors.

After having issues with my Makita track saw and rails, I pretty much feel like this was the way to go, but these issues put a serious dent in my appreciation of the Festool system.

Sorry for venting.

 

[Packard]

I’ve managed to damage power cords on a few of my power tools (circular saw, belt sander, etc.). And buying a replacement Plug-it is faster, easier and cheaper than getting a service guy to replace a damaged cord.

My track saw is the only tool with a Plug-it, so I don’t know if it is more or less convenient than other tools.

 

[ReneS]

I’ve managed to damage power cords on a few of my power tools (circular saw, belt sander, etc.). And buying a replacement Plug-it is faster, easier and cheaper than getting a service guy to replace a damaged cord.

My track saw is the only tool with a Plug-it, so I don’t know if it is more or less convenient than other tools.

Yeah, I can bite the bullet and get an extra track saw plug-it cord as back up...

Out of curiosity, do you find attaching the plug-it cord at all awkward?

 

[cpw]

I only use the higher gauge plug-it connected to my CT.  I have two of them one for each vacuum, plus a third that I keep in my truck [after forgetting a cord 100 miles from home].  I don't find the heavier gauge to be a problem.

The cord does get beat up with constant use. I have a couple of places where the jacket is nicked but not through to the conductors.  I've not yet had to replace one after about 8 years of use.

I have a TS75 and OF1400 that use the higher Gauge plug it; so can't say anything about the positioning on a TS55.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I got burnt by the wrong cable thing myself, many years ago. I took a CT26 and a few tools to do some work at my daughter's house, only to find that I couldn't do it, without a cable. So, I adopted the same as cpw, the heavier gauge Plug-its on 2 CTs. I connect and disconnect things dozens of times a day, at times, in a professional environment. I have never had a real issue. The main complaint I have is that the connectors on the tools are not all oriented the same way. It's not a big deal, but I would prefer to have them all the same.

Yes, the TS55 is a little odd. The connection point is at a downward angle and rotated at an angle too. It's certainly not a deal breaker though. The RO125 is a little difficult too. The Plug-it and the vac port are very close together. It is far easier to connect the cable first, then the hose, since it just shoves on.
I guess that this is one of the very few situations where being left-handed is an advantage?

I disconnect the cable and return my tools to their Systainers after each use. They are far easier to store with the cable off, but you don't have to that. If you dislike fiddling with it, you could just leave them on.
(As a side note, the TS60 has a much easier connection point.)

Personally, I think the 2 cable concept is a little silly. Apparently, some engineers decided that the tools that draw less power could use a lighter cable. So, the connector had to be designed so that you couldn't use them with the higher-powered tools. Why? I just don't see the point of complicating things. Just supply the heavier cable with everything and move on.

 

[woodferret]

Some people only use sanders.  The cord does matter, especially when you're at the higher finishing grits.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Some people only use sanders.  The cord does matter, especially when you're at the higher finishing grits.

You really think it matters? They are not that different, and you still have to deal with the hose, which is arguably the most influential part. 

 

[ReneS]

I agree CRG. For the price and the claimed cross-functionality, I think they should provide the heavier cord with all of the tools.

I know I am not alone in wanting to use one plug-it cord for all the Festool tools I have when using the dust extractor, which I pretty much do all the time.

 

[woodferret]

Some people only use sanders.  The cord does matter, especially when you're at the higher finishing grits.

You really think it matters? They are not that different, and you still have to deal with the hose, which is arguably the most influential part.

From my personal experience, I will switch out to the lighter cord if I'm only doing sanding work.  It memory coils less and its lighter weight creates less drag resistance if it hangs on stuff.  As for the hose, it being stiff ironically means I can control it's position better with the off-hand, something I can't do with either cord.  On those occasions where I'm whipping the sander all over the place, I switch to the bag.

edit: I should point out I'm talking wrt to reno work, where I can be pretty squeezed into tight spaces.  In the shop, I don't care as much and have my heavy cord on the CT and sanding work usually is just a quick dab with the ETS EC 150 there.

 

[onocoffee]

[member=81880]ReneS[/member] I too find the Plug-It on the TS55 to be awkward and the orientation differentiation from the other tools is rather irritating. Like the others, I just now use the cable from the TS55 to power all the tools (except the HL850). Just makes it easier. And if that one burns out, I'll just get another one.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I only use the heavier version for all tools including having one "tied" to my extraction hose. I'm sure it's already been noted, but you can use the heavier cord for any PlugIt tool but you cannot insert the lighter cord into a PlugIt tool that requires the extra amperage handling of the heavier cord. The lighter version of the plug has an extra "bump" opposite the alignment groove to insure that it cannot go into the thirstier tools.

 

[peter halle]

Regarding hard to install and turn cord, one tip that has been around forever is to tilt / bevel the saw for easier access.  The connect will get a little easier over time.

Peter

 

[ReneS]

Regarding hard to install and turn cord, one tip that has been around forever is to tilt / bevel the saw for easier access.  The connect will get a little easier over time.

Peter

Thanks. I just tried that, and it is easier.

 

[simonh]

Engineering loved the idea of a single Plug-it cord to rule them all. Finance hated the idea of the increased cost across every product line. Engineering said they could produce two cords to cut down on the extra costs... Everyone (no-one) was happy. Oh wait, then we have the Conturo or the HK85, OF2200 which we don't even have a heavy duty plug-it cord for... 

 

[mino]

Engineering loved the idea of a single Plug-it cord to rule them all. Finance hated the idea of the increased cost across every product line. Engineering said they could produce two cords to cut down on the extra costs... Everyone (no-one) was happy. Oh wait, then we have the Conturo or the HK85, OF2200 which we don't even have a heavy duty plug-it cord for...

The wrong hill to die on.

I am actually kinda surprised FT even released the "bigger" tools with PlugIt in the US, given how they have the connector running at the edge of its spec to do so ..

The sad reality is that the "thin" cord shipping in the US is wired almost like the "thick" one in the 230V world is. A truly thin/flexible cord, like available in Germany, and why the two cord types exist (no, it is not cost) is just not shipped in the US at all.

The "thin" one over here us truly thin and super-flexible for those who may need it. It is just 2 x 0.75 mm2 and uses quality rubber, both features are a boon for light tools like sanders or the jigsaws.

Onto the big tools, I believe Festool (Germany) did not want to run the connectors at the edge of their spec. FUSA just decided to wing it, kudos to them on this - we remember well how upset folks were when the TS60 went the more conservative route.

---
On to the OP, I do not agree with the rant. There is nothing preventing the cable plugged in permanently as with any other manufacturer tool.

As for the "complain" that Festool tools are a tight fit when new. Yeah! Kudos to them! That is how a tool designed to keep operating for a decade or so looks like when new.

 

[ReneS]

Mino - As always (in my limited experience) you have provided some interesting information and thinking.

You are right. I could just leave the cord plugged in to the TS 55. But there are two issues for me.

One - It is more efficient to have the plug-it cord connected to the dust extractor and then just attach it to the tool I am going to use. Yeah, it is a small thing. But it is very nice, so losing that would feel like a loss.

Two - The tools I have fit neatly in their systainers. I doubt they would fit with the cord attached. And if they did, it might be such a tight fit that the cord connection might be stressed. But honestly, I have not tried that.

For now, I will leave the heavier cord with the dust extractor and maybe buy another for back up.

Of course, these are "luxury problems." It's funny how when my expectations are raised, small issues look bigger.

 

[semenza]

The best solution is to buy another tool with the heavier cord. Then you have a back up cord.  [big grin]

Seth

 

[Michael Kellough]

The only thing worse than bringing the wrong cord to a work site is not bringing one at all.

The “light” cord problem can be fixed with a sharp blade. If the tool is only used intermittently the small gauge wire isn’t a big deal. The no cord problem requires a lot more resources to solve.

More than a decade ago I arrived at a site in Manhattan (an hour from my place by car) with my saw and vac and no cord. Fortunately my helper had a smart phone and a bicycle and in less than a half hour he was back with a “heavy” cord for the saw. He got it from a lumberyard that I was familiar with but didn’t know had started carrying Festool. The next day I bought my first iPhone so it was a costly but valuable learning experience.

 

[PaulMarcel]

The “light” cord problem can be fixed with a sharp blade. If the tool is only used intermittently the small gauge wire isn’t a big deal.

I wasn't going to admit that I did that once. Now I have all the light cords in a box labeled "Festool Orphans" so I never accidentally grab one

 

[Cheese]

I have 4 CT's, I also have a 16 gauge cord dedicated to each CT so that I can use any Festool tool with any of the vacs. The 16 gauge cords stay with each vac & hose.

After tool use, each tool is returned to its Systainer and not having to recoil the cord in to a shallow Systainer each time, saves time and allows me to include more accessories in each Systainer. The shorter Systainers used for sanders, jig saws, grinders and planers are especially problematic. Once the Systainers become large (T-loc IV/V or M337/M437) the coiled cord space issues start to go away.