New improved TS55

[Troll]

Here's a heads-up to a new improved TS55, called the TS55F.  Coming to the UK around April, and presumably coming to the USA at some point.

Troll

 

[Coen]

They only switched the blades from 2.2mm to 1.8mm. An improvement to some... a con for others.

 

[unixisgoodforyou]

Does anyone know if the motor is brushless (EC-TEC) or old style brushed?
RWW

 

[AlexThePalex]

Does anyone know if the motor is brushless (EC-TEC) or old style brushed?
RWW

Probably brushed, if they've made it brushless they would have plastered it all over the place. This new saw is just a minor update, nothing special.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I just bought a TS55 new, I for one am glad it is 2.2 kerf as my TS75 also is 2.2 so my FS will work for both.

I think they add the F to make clear that it has the anti kickback funktion. So if it was an issue I would have buyers regret now. But kickback is not an issue on the track you can just use the stop provided with the saw.

 

[neeleman]

The TS 55 F has NO anti-Kickback function.
Only the new TSC 55 K does have it.
Both have the Finer 1.8 kerf blades, and the K stands for anti-Kickback

 

[bertv]

I think the F stands for Faster — all propaganda is spouting about is "two times faster".

 

[Coen]

I think the F stands for Faster — all propaganda is spouting about is "two times faster".

According to the catalog F stands for 'Werkzeugwechsel'  [wink]

 

[rmhinden]

Nice to see that Festool is updating their tools.  Many haven't been updated in a long while.

Bob

 

[PreferrablyWood]

The TS 55 F has NO anti-Kickback function.
Only the new TSC 55 K does have it.
Both have the Finer 1.8 kerf blades, and the K stands for anti-Kickback

OK jeg understand. Anti kickback is a nice feature if it does not come with any disadvantages.

 

[Coen]

Nice to see that Festool is updating their tools.  Many haven't been updated in a long while.

Bob

As long as there is nothing to add... why would they update.

 

[Wood_Slice]

I was curious as well but claiming cuts 2 times faster is misleading. I guarantee there will be a ton of people thinking at first glance that its more powerfull than its predecessor. If you put the 1.8mm blade on the current REQ it will most likely also cut 2x faster than 2.2mm blade. Its just missleading and many people wont even unvestigate further and buy it on brand recognition alone.

I have a Kreg track saw bought before i caught the Green bug. Based on description is more powerfull than the TS 55. I didnt even think when i bought it but coming from a circular saw user to the Kregs its an easy transition as opposed to festools opposite blade side. I see the merrit in both types.

Shame they didnt increase the power on the TS 55 or add a anti-kickback on the corded version or a brushless motor, but cheaper to make a brushed motor.

While on the topic can the new 1.8mm blades be used on previous Festool track saws?

 

[mrboult]

I was curious as well but claiming cuts 2 times faster is misleading. I guarantee there will be a ton of people thinking at first glance that its more powerfull than its predecessor. If you put the 1.8mm blade on the current REQ it will most likely also cut 2x faster than 2.2mm blade. Its just missleading and many people wont even unvestigate further and buy it on brand recognition alone.

I have a Kreg track saw bought before i caught the Green bug. Based on description is more powerfull than the TS 55. I didnt even think when i bought it but coming from a circular saw user to the Kregs its an easy transition as opposed to festools opposite blade side. I see the merrit in both types.

Shame they didnt increase the power on the TS 55 or add a anti-kickback on the corded version or a brushless motor, but cheaper to make a brushed motor.

While on the topic can the new 1.8mm blades be used on previous Festool track saws?

The riving knife in the previous saws is thicker for the 2.2 blades, so I imagine it will not work well with the 1.8 blades.

 

[mino]

While on the topic can the new 1.8mm blades be used on previous Festool track saws?

The riving knife in the previous saws is thicker for the 2.2 blades, so I imagine it will not work well with the 1.8 blades.

Correct, the old knife is 2.1mm, so one would need to file it to 1,7mm-ish for it to work well with the new blades.

Well in the realms of a common shop. But not something Festool can do without a re-certification of the tool and/or a liability issue if they made a retrofit kit ..

I personally like the stability of the 2,2 blades and the fact my local blade maker makes them.

But still will probably get a spare knife assembly for my TSC to modify it for some special rip work down the line with the CMT 1.7/1.1
blade line (which has the same disk/kerf difference as the 2.2/1.6 Festool blades).

 

[4nthony]

They only switched the blades from 2.2mm to 1.8mm. An improvement to some... a con for others.

I've found myself in the corded camp when assessing what I want in a track saw and have ruled out the TSC 55 K. There are a few retailers that have the current model TS 55 in stock and I'm wondering if there are any compelling reasons to wait for the TS 55 F rather than placing an order for the current model.

The thinner blade perhaps with potentially faster cuts might be appealing to some, but I'm not working in a production shop looking to shave a few seconds off my cut times so regarding cut speed, I can take it or leave it. The riving knife looks to be the same. The cut angles are the same (-1 to 47). The flat housing as well (12mm). Is there anything else I'm missing? Are there other advantages to having the thinner blade that aren't obvious? More perceived power from cutting a thinner kerf but that might just be speed related.

A corded saw with kickback protection would be the nice saw to have. I'd be willing to wait a few months to order an anti-kickback corded saw, but I have no idea if that is in the works.

I have a project that I'm looking to start soon and having a track saw to make some of the larger panel cuts would be so much better than making guides -- or buying Bora-style guides -- for my circular saw. I'd also prefer not to wrestle with larger panels on the table saw.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Spandex]

Is there anything else I'm missing? Are there other advantages to having the thinner blade that aren't obvious?

I guess, other than what you’ve already mentioned, being able to swap blades between a TSC55 and an HKC55 would be very useful for anyone with both saws.

It’s certainly something that got me mildly interested in the new TSC. Not a selling point for everyone, but it does make a difference.

 

[ceddy]

Wouldn't be surprised if you can just swap out the riving knife.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

I have 22 160mm x 20mm bore x 48T 2.2mm kerf blades in constant using/sharpening rotation - so it's a no from me.

 

[Spandex]

I have 22 160mm x 20mm bore x 48T 2.2mm kerf blades in constant using/sharpening rotation - so it's a no from me.

Whilst it doesn't work for you as you already have the 2.2mm blades (and the saws that require them), it does highlight the benefit of having all your blades the same thickness... Whether that's 2.2mm or 1.8mm.

 

[Joebuck]

They only switched the blades from 2.2mm to 1.8mm. An improvement to some... a con for others.

I've found myself in the corded camp when assessing what I want in a track saw and have ruled out the TSC 55 K. There are a few retailers that have the current model TS 55 in stock and I'm wondering if there are any compelling reasons to wait for the TS 55 F rather than placing an order for the current model.

The thinner blade perhaps with potentially faster cuts might be appealing to some, but I'm not working in a production shop looking to shave a few seconds off my cut times so regarding cut speed, I can take it or leave it. The riving knife looks to be the same. The cut angles are the same (-1 to 47). The flat housing as well (12mm). Is there anything else I'm missing? Are there other advantages to having the thinner blade that aren't obvious? More perceived power from cutting a thinner kerf but that might just be speed related.

A corded saw with kickback protection would be the nice saw to have. I'd be willing to wait a few months to order an anti-kickback corded saw, but I have no idea if that is in the works.

I have a project that I'm looking to start soon and having a track saw to make some of the larger panel cuts would be so much better than making guides -- or buying Bora-style guides -- for my circular saw. I'd also prefer not to wrestle with larger panels on the table saw.

Thanks for the feedback!

I’ve recently picked up the new TSC55K, and after several days of using it, have come to the opinion that it’s the perfect saw for my needs. I have a small space to work, therefore I do most of my cutting outside on the STM1800 mobile table. The ability to pick up the TSC55K, install the dust bag and quickly breakdown full sheets without ANY cords or hoses is for me a game changer. I can now leave my older TS55 permanently setup at my MFT style table indoors for processing smaller parts or final dimension cuts. I’ve found the 55K to be every bit as powerful as it’s corded brethren and then some. If I were buying my first Festool track saw today, it’s definitely the way I’d go.