New TS55 REQ

[jar45]

I got my new saw, read the instructions twice and made some practice cuts on scrap plywood.  WOW!  I have been used taking close or approximate measurements and getting things close enough.  I now need to learn how to improve my skill in the area of measuring. This saw can deliver at a level beyond my present, limited skills.  I did sigh up to be notified when the next Festool classes have opening.

John

 

[gkaiseril]

[welcome] to the forum and use of Festool.

We are all improving our skills every day.

 

[RKA]

Very nice!  I had a similar experience after using a guided circular saw (where the guide would sometimes slip or I'd goof my calculated offset).  These track saws are elegant and precise, why isn't everything this simple?  One tip, if you know you want to register for one of those classes, don't hesitate, they fill up within a matter of a few hours.  

 

[SHosler]

I struggled for a while trying to decide whether to buy a T55.  (Why spend so much money).  But in the end I figured "how could so many professional woodworkers be wrong?"  After using it for two weeks I realize why?  I can't believe I got along this long without it.  It is amazing.  I can cut sheet goods with no splintering, and amazing accuracy.  I am hooked on Festool.  I hope all their tools perform this well.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Welcome to the forum, SHosler. Glad you're liking your TS saw.

And, yes, they all perform that well  [wink] If you don't agree, just return it under our 30 day money back guarantee.

Shane

 

[Joszef]

I bought a ts55rew in june of 17. It is now end of augest. Been working on one project with ash all summer. I regret buying it. The 48 tooth blade will not cut the 4/4 ash. I am using the rail to cut it with old faithful worm drive. I wish the distributor would have educated me about the blades. Second fes tool I am not happy with. Called the company and I'm not calling back to talk to some one who reads off a screen. My 20$ Diablo blade with 48 teeth and the worm drive is doing the job at a lower cost. The track is ok. I expect more not to waist my hard earned money. The worst part is I saved for a couple of years to get it. Fes is not poor ma'am friendly.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I bought a ts55rew in june of 17. It is now end of augest. Been working on one project with ash all summer. I regret buying it. The 48 tooth blade will not cut the 4/4 ash. I am using the rail to cut it with old faithful worm drive. I wish the distributor would have educated me about the blades. Second fes tool I am not happy with. Called the company and I'm not calling back to talk to some one who reads off a screen. My 20$ Diablo blade with 48 teeth and the worm drive is doing the job at a lower cost. The track is ok. I expect more not to waist my hard earned money. The worst part is I saved for a couple of years to get it. Fes is not poor ma'am friendly.

Welcome to the forum.  Sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction.  There is a small learning curve to getting the most out of your track saw.  I would agree the saw is a little under-powered compared to your worm drive (as is almost every other saw).  As you touched on, blade selection is key.  I think you'll find much better luck with a 28 tooth blade, or rip blade on 4/4 hardwoods.  I know from experience that the saw is very capable with the right blade, I've ripped 6/4 Ipe with a rip blade.

The more I used my TS55, the more uses I found for it.  Hang in there, you might grow to love the saw.  Good luck.   
       

 

[Jozsef Kozma]

I used wormdrives for 27 years exlusivly ,then one rainy day
Shopping at toolnut I was introduced to Mr AF 65
The more I used it and learned about tracksaws the more I liked it 
Yes it has limitations , but the quality of work and clean workplace
Outweighs the negatives
When ever I work on a table (horses) the track saw or HKC is used
There are different blades + different saws + different brands for different
Folks
My wormdrive is hardly ever used
Jozsef

 

[rst]

It's all about the blades.  I've had an 8 1/4" Skil worm for 40+ years, it will cut anything, concrete, wood, aluminum, even steel.  BUT only with the right blade for the job, and it will not give the finished results any of the four track saws that I own...55, 75, HKC, and Makita.  After all, you can build a house with just an axe...but why would you.

 

[Jozsef Kozma]

Agreed completely about right blades and right tools for
the job 
Jozsef

 

[SS Teach]

I held off getting the TS for a few years. Then I contacted Bob Marino. My 55 R arrived and I wondered why I waited so long. Most of my work involves ply, redwood,  and cedar. The cuts are the very smooth and clean. For rip cuts I have a Panther blade sitting in the Systainer. A friend of mine cuts logs into boards. When it's time to use a hand held he uses a TS 75. Since the saw rides on a rail he doesn't see weight as an issue.

 

[grbmds]

I bought a ts55rew in june of 17. It is now end of augest. Been working on one project with ash all summer. I regret buying it. The 48 tooth blade will not cut the 4/4 ash. I am using the rail to cut it with old faithful worm drive. I wish the distributor would have educated me about the blades. Second fes tool I am not happy with. Called the company and I'm not calling back to talk to some one who reads off a screen. My 20$ Diablo blade with 48 teeth and the worm drive is doing the job at a lower cost. The track is ok. I expect more not to waist my hard earned money. The worst part is I saved for a couple of years to get it. Fes is not poor ma'am friendly.

Are you cross cutting or ripping? If ripping, for sure a Festool rip blade would be what you need. If cross cutting, I'm puzzled. Is ash that much harder than white oak? I cross cut 8/4 (planed to a little less than that) with no problems. I have also cross cut maple thicker than 4/4 with no problems. I recently cut through 12/4 purple heart (from both sides) and I didn't have a problem.

I did have the blade come loose one time and that created problems in any hardwood (probably something I did but still can't figure out why that happened).

I can't remember ever having any problems with any 4/4 hardwood.

 

[1toolshort]

can't use 48 teeth successfully on 4/4 hardwoods. 

 

[paulc75]

I use my cms as a table saw constantly with the panther blade and can cut just about any hardwood thrown at it, even 100mm we get and Purple Heart from both sides. Blade choice is absolutely crucial. Mine is also 110V UK. I only use the 48t for cross cuts and can still cut through most hardwoods with ease.

Use the right blade and you won't have any issues

 

[Steven Owen]

I bought a ts55rew in june of 17. It is now end of augest. Been working on one project with ash all summer. I regret buying it. The 48 tooth blade will not cut the 4/4 ash. I am using the rail to cut it with old faithful worm drive. I wish the distributor would have educated me about the blades. Second fes tool I am not happy with. Called the company and I'm not calling back to talk to some one who reads off a screen. My 20$ Diablo blade with 48 teeth and the worm drive is doing the job at a lower cost. The track is ok. I expect more not to waist my hard earned money. The worst part is I saved for a couple of years to get it. Fes is not poor ma'am friendly.

Welcome to the forum.  Sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction.  There is a small learning curve to getting the most out of your track saw.  I would agree the saw is a little under-powered compared to your worm drive (as is almost every other saw).  As you touched on, blade selection is key.  I think you'll find much better luck with a 28 tooth blade, or rip blade on 4/4 hardwoods.  I know from experience that the saw is very capable with the right blade, I've ripped 6/4 Ipe with a rip blade.

The more I used my TS55, the more uses I found for it.  Hang in there, you might grow to love the saw.  Good luck.   
     

Most of my homework has told me to spend the extra coin on the TS 75 for cutting hardwood boards.  The TS 55 is great for plywood, it does seem powerful enough to take on hardwood cuts.

 

[antss]

Steven - if you're planning to cut mostly 5/4 hardwood and above , then yes the 75 would be a better choice.

If your primarially cutting  4/4 and below , the ts55 can handle the task with less arm fatigue.

I'll reiterate that blade choice is critical no matter which saw you chose.

 

[Steven Owen]

Steven - if you're planning to cut mostly 5/4 hardwood and above , then yes the 75 would be a better choice.

If your primarially cutting  4/4 and below , the ts55 can handle the task with less arm fatigue.

I'll reiterate that blade choice is critical no matter which saw you chose.

I’m still surprised Festool didn’t give the new unit a little more guts.  A lot of uses complain about the TS 55 for being gutless.  I’ll be working with 6/4 and 8/4 hardwoods for furniture tops.  The TS 55 won’t cut it.  Yes, the pun was intended. 

 

[grbmds]

Steven - if you're planning to cut mostly 5/4 hardwood and above , then yes the 75 would be a better choice.

If your primarially cutting  4/4 and below , the ts55 can handle the task with less arm fatigue.

I'll reiterate that blade choice is critical no matter which saw you chose.

I’m still surprised Festool didn’t give the new unit a little more guts.  A lot of uses complain about the TS 55 for being gutless.  I’ll be working with 6/4 and 8/4 hardwoods for furniture tops.  The TS 55 won’t cut it.  Yes, the pun was intended.

Never had a problem cutting 6/4 and the rare 8/4.

 

[semenza]

If you know will be cutting a lot of 6/4 and 8/4 then I would go with the TS75. But the TS55 will do it using the proper blade for the type of cut.

Seth

 

[antss]

What do we make of the "more powerful" feeling that people seem to have with the ts75 ?

It is 30% more powerful than the 55.  But its blade is also 30 % larger too? 

I can see when people say the 75 feels more powerful when cutting 3/4" - 19 mm material.  But shouldn't these same people experience the same perceived anemic power when using the ts75 to cut 4/4 - 25mm material ?  I'd think it'd be even worse cutting a 2x4 - yet we never hear about that. 

The momentum of the bigger blade can't be making the difference, can it ?