No adjusting knob/motor control

[friis02]

Hi,

I recently bought a Festool ATF 55 circular saw from a second hand shop and I'm very happy about it. However, I don't get why this is no adjusting knob for the speed. How can this be? I've taken some photos of the saw and added them to this subject

Best regards,

Christian

 

[Svar]

Because it's a single speed. Says so on the box: 5800 rpm.
There were several (two?) ATF saws. Speed control was on ATF 55 EB. Yours is simply ATF 55. Perhaps you could retrofit, seems like a panel on the motor housing.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Welcome to the FOG, [member=66278]friis02[/member]! Thank you for your question.

[member=23087]bnaboatbuilder[/member] is correct. The ATF 55 was a single-speed saw that predates our current TS 55 track saw, which has variable speed.

We hope you're satisfied with your ATF 55. If you're not TS 55 REQ is available and a great solution.

(Tyler)

 

[friis02]

Thank you very much - that explains it!

 

[semenza]

Thank you very much - that explains it!

Hi,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]  Glad you got your answer quickly. Three minutes to the first reply. Not bad.

  I had the ATF55 (first Festool) did lots of cutting with it. I sold it and bought the TS55 when it came out due to features not cutting quality or capability. The variable speed is nice to have once in a while if cutting plastic or something other than wood. I am not sure I have ever turned it down for wood.  The auto retract on the riving knife was one of the things I went for the TS55. The features in total really. But that ATF should perform very well.

Seth

 

[antss]

Was the ATF55 available in N.America ?    I only remember models having speed control .

I think there were 55 E  and 55 EB/1 variants of the multi speed versions too.

 

[semenza]

Was the ATF55 available in N.America ?    I only remember models having speed control .

I think there were 55 E  and 55 EB/1 variants of the multi speed versions too.

Yeah, that may  be. I actually don't remember the exact letter designation of the one I had or even if it had the variable speed.

Seth

 

[antss]

Mine definitely had variable speed and was circa 1998.

I don't remember the exact nomenclature though.

 

[Michael Kellough]

If you use the saw for wood only you may actually prefer it to the variable speed version (though you won't know what you're missing).

Unless I need run the saw at a lower speed I find the variable speed controller annoying. It is responsible for the gear gnashing sound new users find somewhat alarming.

You might prefer having full power and full speed as a constant.

You also have the full length slot that keys to the guide rail. With that slot you can start and end the cut with the saw closer to the end of the guide rail compared to the jibs on the TS saws.