New TS 55 REQ owner. It seems like there's something wrong with my saw.

[Administrator_JSVN]

Any idea what the turnaround time would be?

Based on what I believe to be your zip code, it would be 2 days in transit, 1 day in repair, 2 days back. Those are business days. If you called and got the return label emailed to your tomorrow, you'd have it back by the end of next week.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

All set. You'll get an email with instructions to print a return label.

 

[Jaybolishes]

That stinks. I think it's very very rare and would make one think "what are the odds this would happen to me?"  You will surely find the next saw you get will cut wonderfully.  But if I can offer my own advice? Try the ts75,  it's not a new model and just perfection in my mind.  But that's just my opinion for what it's worth. I love my TS 55, but the 75 is so powerful and versatile I use it every time.  You push it on a track so the xtra size isn't really noticeable.

 

[fdengel]

Is it just me, or does the rail in those pictures have the same unusual cut pattern as the wood?  It almost looks like the saw blade is hitting the metal part of the rail, unless I'm just misinterpreting what I see in that picture?

 

[GarryMartin]

Is it just me, or does the rail in those pictures have the same unusual cut pattern as the wood?  It almost looks like the saw blade is hitting the metal part of the rail, unless I'm just misinterpreting what I see in that picture?

It has the same pattern, but it's the splinterguard not the metal part of the rail.

There is quite a bit of sawdust around though, and I can't see the saw attached to an extractor in any of the shots. Not that I'm saying that would make a difference to what's being seen from a cut perspective; just an observation.

 

[Jaybolishes]

Even if the TS55 made a bad cut like the one we are seeing Here,  I'd still want the saw for the mere fact that it has a rail to cut perfectly straight lines diagonally and such.  Also having a saw with the dust collection is another one of the main reasons I'd still buy it.  Once he sees a nice cut there will be those other factors which the ts55 provides, like having the best tool support system known to man, and that's really why I like the saw.  There's so many other reasons to buy it other than just the fact it leaves the best edge.  Then you have the rail system to use with a router, also the hoses and cords interchange between tools.  These are the reasons to buy festool, not just the amazing results.  But this is a terrible unworthy cut for festool so send her back.

 

[woodie]

Why not have Amazon replace the saw? They'll send the replacement out before you send your saw back (typically the same day you request the replacement). With two day shipping from Amazon that beats waiting a week. Not to say a week isn't good turnaround to "repair" the saw, but since your well within your 30 days... just my  [2cents]

 

[woodie]

Even if the TS55 made a bad cut like the one we are seeing Here,  I'd still want the saw for the mere fact that it has a rail to cut perfectly straight lines diagonally and such.

I hope you're joking. If a $150 circular saw left a better cut than a $600 dollar saw (with a $70 blade) I doubt anyone would buy the $600 saw, rail or not. Any increase in efficiency from the rail or dust collection would quickly be lost in cleaning up that edge.

 

[amt]

One more vote for the Amazon return.  They should be able to get you a new one in a couple days.

 

[Wuffles]

I'd be inclined to return rather than wait for a repair. Also, someone ought be sorting out a new splinter guard for your rail (unless you're sending the rail back too) whether you go down the return or repair route, that splinter guard is going to be waaay off now.

 

[Vanquish]

You guys have a good point. Might as well go the amazon route I guess.

Since I don't have the Festool dust extractor, what's the simplest way to hook up vacuum to the saw with a different hose size, either 2 1/2" or 1 1/4"?  Do they make an adapter that fits other brands like Ridgid and Shop-Vac? I did a quick search, but there are a bunch of bits and pieces that came up and I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking at.  I saw one persons solution was duct tape, but that's kind of lame.  :

 

[Jaybolishes]

I think the festool hose fits the ridgid vac perfectly if I'm not mistaken.  Sorry I don't have my ridged vac at home to verify.

And no I wasn't joking Woodie.   I needed a rail for many applications in what I do.  Screwing it to walls to cut cedar shakes to install standing seam, cuting odd angles you can't rip freehand on a table saw.  Believe it or not cutting siding freehand is not easy to make straight lines, and when you're installing a $50,000 standing seam roof, it better look straight.   I used to always use my joiner anyway, like most people still do.  How much do table saws cost?  So maybe You wouldn't buy it, but I still would need it.  Now there's other track saws around, before, what else were you gonna buy? Honestly, I considered the amazing edge it leaves as a bonus.  I was always going from table saw to joiner.  If I initially bought it as a hobbiest, it wouldn't be as attractive of course, but I am a professional and you need the right tool for the job.  $600, cheap.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

You can probably find a graduated hose adapter at most home improvement or hardware stores to adapt your current vacuum to the saw.

 

[Vanquish]

Just wanted to give a quick update. I ended up sending the saw back to Festool for repair. Because it was purchased from another store through Amazon and not directly from Amazon, it ended up being less of a hassle to just let the guys at Festool work on it. I've had the saw for a week now and it definitely cuts much better than before. I don't know what they did, but the 48T blade cuts well now. The 28T blade is a bit rougher than I would expect, but I guess that's just the nature of the blade. Interestingly though, the piece that gets cut off to the right of the blade is as smooth as glass. Overall though, I'm satisfied. This saw definitely makes my life easier.

I'm really pleased with the guys at Festool. I couldn't ask for better customer service. I even got a new free splinter guard for my rail when they sent my saw back. Thanks Shane and Lester for working with me to get this problem resolved.

I have my eye on the ETS 125 EQ now. Might have to pick one of those up soon.  

 

[festnoob]

I just bought a TS55 REQ and like every other Festool saw that's been in my possession I figured it was ready to use out of the sys. I took it on site today to modify a piece of furniture for a co-worker. I raved for weeks about how good Festool works and clean edge it leaves. I was horrified when I saw the finished cut.  [eek] He was disappointed and so was I. Spent more time hand sanding the blade grooves out of the desk top than it took me to disassemble cut and reassemble; I only had 400grit. (I didn't bring my ets125 because figured I wouldn't need it.) I'm guessing something's not right so I'm calling service on Monday.

edit: BTW  my edge strip is all jacked up also

 

[Worm Drive]

Did you adjust the gibs, prior to using? What blade did you use?

 

[festnoob]

It was tight on the rail for a perfect slide. I used the stock blade. I've had a 55eq, a 55req (prior to recall), and a 75 and never experienced a cut like this. Can't even use the rail until the strip is replaced. My saw was manufactured in 12/13...maybe the standards changed. Who knows?

 

[tiralie]

That cut looks horrible.
Reset the toe in and see if that improves the cut.
Tim

 

[jimmylittle]

Agree - replace through Amazon.  I had to do this with my Kapex, and I filled out the form on the Amazon site on Friday and had my new saw on Monday afternoon.  I unpacked the new one, put the old one in the box, and gave it back to the UPS guy. No lost days (because of the weekend) and I had a new one.  And, you can continue to use the defective one in a pinch until the new one arrives.

I'm usually all for supporting the local businesses, but sometimes they little guy just doesn't have the inventory or resources to deal with exchanges of big ticket items.  My local Festool dealer, Kamco Lumber (in Brooklyn) has very little in the way of tool inventory.  Maybe one or two of each sander, a Domino or two, never more than one Kapex or TS, and no empty sustainers at all.  They are good for supplies (sanding discs, Dominos, bits, etc...) Amazon or a 45 minute drive are my only options.  Amazon has not failed me yet.

 

[Worm Drive]

Was the track clamped down?