My new track saw - issues

B

BGeva

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2017
Messages
5
I just joined this forum and my first post is disappointment with the new tool - Track Saw 55. Up until now every tool I got from festool connected to the vacuum and power flawlessly and performed this way as well. Until now.

3 issues with my new saw -
  1. The power plug is a bit different - and does not fit the other tool's plugs. I have the standard power cord wrapped together  with the vacuum hose, so any change of the tool required two connectors unplug and new tool plug. The electric cord from other tools does not fit the track saw.
  2. The vacuum hose does not connect the same way as well. Rather fitting in the saw connector
  3. Finally, and the biggest disappointment - dust collection - when cutting in the middle of the sheet I have a spray of chips going out forward from the side window.

Questions:
  1. Do I have the older saw and thus all the connectivity problems?
  2. Do I miss some kind of plastic piece covering the side window? I just put piece of blue tape over it temporarily and the dust collection is almost flawless
  3. or What do I do wrong?

Thanks,

BG
 
Welcome!  Let's see if we can get you sorted out.

1) There are 2 different plug it cords festool offers, they are different gauge cords.  The cord for the TS55 will work on all tools, but the other won't.  I know it is more work, but swap the old with the new and this issue will be resolved.

2) The 27 mm hose gets pushed into the dust port, so this is normal.  If you have the 36mm it goes over the outside of the port.  The 36mm hose is what I prefer for this saw, you may not want to purchase a new hose, but it does aid dust extraction.

3) Let me ask a question, are you supporting what you are cutting?  I use the MFT or foam boards under the material I'm cutting and extraction is really good.  I know others have placed cardboard or tape over the window to help.  I haven't so can't personally say if it helps.

Hopefully you get it figured out, take the suggestions offered and try.
 
I assume (correct me if I'm wrong) that by the side window you mean the clear dust cover where the green anti splinter guard would go? If so push the "window down onto the material, only time I've had problems is when it's raised off the material being cut. I keep the green splinter guard on mine most times, with the thumb bolt tight it wont move when you set the saw down off the track.

Wooden Skye covered the rest.

Tom

 
1 and 2 have been addressed, but as a side note many around here feel that there should indeed only be one cord option, which is the heavier gauge cord. They're either 16 and 14, or 14 and 12, can't remember off the top of my head but I believe it's the former. Anyway, the thicker one as mentioned is the one that will work with all festool tools. The thinner one has a mechanism that prevents the cord that ships with say a sander, from being connected to oh say a track saw.

3, do you mean the window that gives access for blade changes? I cover mine with blue tape and it solves that. I also go one step further and (no pics sorry) make a thicker apron out of blue tape that stretches the whole length of the saw where it rides on the track and keeps chips from flying out at the cut line. Obscures view but what do you really need to see? Whole beauty of a track saw right there.

As another side note, you should look through some threads now before you run into it, about the importance of using the correct blade for the material and type of cut you're doing. The 48T blade shipped with the saw will not work well for much except crosscuts in thinner stock, you'll want to look into the 28 and 12T blade options as well. Bang for buck wise there are other blade options than festool just FYI. Using the incorrect blade for the application will result in dissatisfaction with the cut and saw power level. Speaking from experience. These saws don't have the power like a worm drive or some of the other track saws to plow through material, and tend to be less forgiving if you make the wrong blade choice...
 
Festool is not the only one that has this issue.  A lot people put painters tape of the opening in the side for blade changes to improve the dust collection.  I believe Festool also sells a side cover for the TS 75 to cover the opening and to improve it’s dust collection.
 
Thank you all for the info! It was very helpful.

  1. Will have to replace the cord attached to my hose with the new one from the saw. I am planning to put a flexible cable leave around anyway, so extra work but hopefully one more time only.
  2. Probably will not go to get another larger hose. Especially that then i will have issues with the connectivity to my smaller tools,

Overall, I feel that Festool should standardize better for both of these - initially go with smaller gage cord for all tools as well with larger hose. It is clearly higher cost, but with Festool’s prices should be covered.

  3. I use the splinter guard permanently and the spray seemed to come from the side window needed for blade replacement. With blue tape over it it is MUCH better, although I still have some accumulation in the front of the saw where the angle setting is located. Actually, I saw several YouTube videos where that opening was taped. I wonder why festool does not offer a cover for that opening as a standard equipment. I will try the “skirt” tape approach to check if this will improve the situation and then decide on permanent solution.

Thanks again!

BG
 
Another factor for optimizing dust collection is the way your material sits on your cutting surface. I built a Paulk style work bench so I have the full 4'x8' surface for cutting stuff down. I have 3 3/4 "x1' sacrificial plywood strips that I position under my piece being cut, and make sure that there is a solid surface under the entire cut line. That coupled with the two tape methods mentioned, and I'd guess about 98% dust collection?
 
I do use foam board under the full workpiece when I cut. So this is covered. Will try the tape along the edge, and if any better will go with the accessory.

Still annoying that you need an “accessory” for something overseen during the design. Dust collection was always Festool’s strong point, so should be high in their priority when building and testing.

BG
 
AS for the hose, get the larger hose. now, take the smaller hose cut about 18 inches off it and place two male ends on it. One will fit into the male end of the larger hose and the other onto smaller ports such as on the sanders. When not needed simply pull smaller extension hose off and you connect larger hose to larger tool such as a planer or saw. works well for me.
 
BGeva said:
.... Dust collection was always Festool’s strong point, so should be high in their priority when building and testing.
...
Click to expand...

The marketing is along those lines and they did do a lot.
Their rebadging of Nilfisk vacuums was wise.
But it is not like it is exclusively in the DNA of FT, and others cannot also do the same.

(...20 years later...)
These days everyone seems to be doing it, and some do it better than FT with respect to saws.
 
I will state that I did expect better dust collection with my TS 75 without using sacrificial backer and a taped up blade window, until I cut with it with no collection and witnessed the material that IS normally collected.  I think I'm easily getting 70% collection as is with no backer or tape.  I think I'm closer to 90% with backer and tape. I can live with that.
 
Hi!

On dust extraction:

Do you use a dust extractor with the TS? Do you give the dust extractor enough time to start up before you plunge into the material? And the same question goes for the the TS, do you give it enough time to run at full speed before plunging into the material?

I'm using a TSC and no matter if I attach it to the dust extractor or use the dust bag - I never had material coming out of that rectangular opening next to the name plate. (Dust might have escaped through that hole, but never even close to the point where I found it necessary to tape it shut/ find a cover for it)  But I always let the saw gain full speed before I plunge into material. Thus enabling the airflow to work its magic.

Kind regards,
Oliver
 
six-point socket II said:
Hi!

On dust extraction:

Do you use a dust extractor with the TS? Do you give the dust extractor enough time to start up before you plunge into the material? And the same question goes for the the TS, do you give it enough time to run at full speed before plunging into the material?

I'm using a TSC and no matter if I attach it to the dust extractor or use the dust bag - I never had material coming out of that rectangular opening next to the name plate. (Dust might have escaped through that hole, but never even close to the point where I found it necessary to tape it shut/ find a cover for it)  But I always let the saw gain full speed before I plunge into material. Thus enabling the airflow to work its magic.

Kind regards,
Oliver
Click to expand...
I dont think I've noticed dust coming out of this window either, but I think covering it does cause more resistance to suction and does increase collection.  I dunno for sure.
 
I get a little dust at the end of a cut. It shoots out the front of the saw as the blade emerges from the wood. I’ve never seen dust come out the side. Dust collection I.S excellent as the TS55 come out of the box for mine.
 
Birdhunter said:
I get a little dust at the end of a cut. It shoots out the front of the saw as the blade emerges from the wood. I’ve never seen dust come out the side. Dust collection I.S excellent as the TS55 come out of the box for mine.
Click to expand...

I agree with [member=15289]Birdhunter[/member] - no dust apart from a little at the end of a cut.

Maybe the OP, [member=66176]BGeva[/member] , has an issue with the extractor or its hose. Is the bag full or is the hose partially blocked ? Has he done a check of the vacuum at the end of the hose that would connect to the tool ? The suction should be such that you would not risk stuffing it up your trouser leg !

Peter
 
Peter Parfitt said:
(...)

The suction should be such that you would not risk stuffing it up your trouser leg !

Peter
Click to expand...

[eek] [scared] [blink] [blink]  [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] LOL! [thumbs up]

Kind regards,
Oliver

 
Some other thoughts:

1.  You have other Festool products but didn't mention which ones.  It is common to reduce the suction on the dust extractors for sanding.  Is your suction set to full?

2.  You might want to take the cover off to check and make sure that there isn't any obstruction in place at the intersection of the black plastic nozzle / saw body intersection.  Here is a video that gives a tip and also shows the insides:  https://www.instagram.com/p/BZVpVhpnNYY/?taken-by=festoolsedge

3.  Whereas a diminished amount of suction could be part of the issue, you might want to review how old your filters are.  And how old and full your bag is.  Even if it is not full if it has been used for a long time the bags pores can get clogged.

The only time I have ever had poor collection in the middle of a board was due to debris in the black nozzle.  I am one of the dreaded bag re-users and certainly have also experienced the diminished suction caused by filter and bag situations.

Offered respectfully,

Peter
 
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