I have an older but generally lightly used TS55 EQ that dates from 2005-08 (can't quite remember when I bought it). After a recent move I am returning to wood working and I have an opportunity to buy a new TS55REQ for a very good price. For those who have used both saws, is there enough improvement in the newer TS55 to upgrade? I think if I sell my current TS55 and upgrade to the new the cost would be very modest.
Old (ts55EQ) vs Newer (TS55REQ) Track Saw
- Thread starter Hotwheels
- Start date
Christopher Fitch
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- Jan 20, 2009
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- 141
Disclaimer: I do not own the TS55REQ - I do own the same saw as you do though.
When the TS55REQ came out, I wondered if I should upgrade and after some reading, I decided not to. I just did not see enough improvement to justify it. I like my TS55EQ and I don't have the impression I have missed out on anything.
With all this said, if you are getting a good enough price on the REQ, you can always sell the TS55EQ. You might recover alot of value.
Just my two cents.
When the TS55REQ came out, I wondered if I should upgrade and after some reading, I decided not to. I just did not see enough improvement to justify it. I like my TS55EQ and I don't have the impression I have missed out on anything.
With all this said, if you are getting a good enough price on the REQ, you can always sell the TS55EQ. You might recover alot of value.
Just my two cents.
AlexThePalex
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I also have the older TS55 for 4 or 5 years now and once in a while I wonder if I should upgrade. But I always decide not to. My current saw works fine and from the list of features Coen posted above, only the improved splinter guard appeals to me. But then you have to wait and see how it works out in real life.
Now if the newer saw had a seriously stronger motor, I would be swayed immediately. But Festool keeps on insisting on making them weak for the 55.
Now if the newer saw had a seriously stronger motor, I would be swayed immediately. But Festool keeps on insisting on making them weak for the 55.
I have owned and used the 220V versions of both those saws and the model before that (the atf55).
The extra features of the TS55 over the atf55 where all nice and usefull (round dustport, plugit cable, fastfix bladechange, springloaded riving knife, new type guiderail, green anti-splinter thingy).
Some of the extra features of the TS55R over the TS55 come at a cost.
I NEVER had to calibrate my TS55, It cut a perfect 90° angle and 45° out of the box, and still did after years of heavy use, I was looking into getting a new baseplate for it, because it was getting worn out, when it got stolen from my van.
The ability to cut -1° and 47° is not very usefull to me, and I had to calibrate the 0°/90° stop, which isn't as easy as on the previous model. And I still check it occasionally, I don't trust it as much as I did with my old ts55.
The ability to cut closer to a wall/edge is nice, but rarely used, but the bulge on the housing now sits on the other side, which gives you less space for your hand on the handle, I found the previous model more comfortable
The new riving knife is still springloaded, but it's now a little fin that trails behind, instead of the actual riving knife on the ts55.
I never had trouble acounting for the thickness of the rail when setting the depth, so the double indicator isn't a huge improvement for me. And in your case the newer saw will probably come with a fractional scale instead of metric (Which might be considered a positive feature).
The new dustport will have the locking tabs for the new vacuumconnection, but most people aren't really excited by that.
I do like it that the fast fix lever now also has a locking position at full depth, which makes it easier to set specific bevel angles with a bevelguage (If I recall correctly the ts55 couldn't do that).
My ts55 lived in a systainer classic, the ts55r came in a Tloc, which is an improvement, but a new one might come in a systainer3, which I like less than the Tloc. (I only have one systainer3 at the moment, and I don't like the top handle(you have to push it down so it clicks in place before you can lock another systainer on top, and you have to "click" it loose again, so it's less easy to quickly grab the systainer)
The fine adjustment for the depthguage is actually a handy feature.
I also like the clear window when not using the green anti-splinter thingy, and I think it improves the dustcollection.
Overall, if I had a TS55 in good condition, I wouldn't "upgrade" it.
The extra features of the TS55 over the atf55 where all nice and usefull (round dustport, plugit cable, fastfix bladechange, springloaded riving knife, new type guiderail, green anti-splinter thingy).
Some of the extra features of the TS55R over the TS55 come at a cost.
I NEVER had to calibrate my TS55, It cut a perfect 90° angle and 45° out of the box, and still did after years of heavy use, I was looking into getting a new baseplate for it, because it was getting worn out, when it got stolen from my van.
The ability to cut -1° and 47° is not very usefull to me, and I had to calibrate the 0°/90° stop, which isn't as easy as on the previous model. And I still check it occasionally, I don't trust it as much as I did with my old ts55.
The ability to cut closer to a wall/edge is nice, but rarely used, but the bulge on the housing now sits on the other side, which gives you less space for your hand on the handle, I found the previous model more comfortable
The new riving knife is still springloaded, but it's now a little fin that trails behind, instead of the actual riving knife on the ts55.
I never had trouble acounting for the thickness of the rail when setting the depth, so the double indicator isn't a huge improvement for me. And in your case the newer saw will probably come with a fractional scale instead of metric (Which might be considered a positive feature).
The new dustport will have the locking tabs for the new vacuumconnection, but most people aren't really excited by that.
I do like it that the fast fix lever now also has a locking position at full depth, which makes it easier to set specific bevel angles with a bevelguage (If I recall correctly the ts55 couldn't do that).
My ts55 lived in a systainer classic, the ts55r came in a Tloc, which is an improvement, but a new one might come in a systainer3, which I like less than the Tloc. (I only have one systainer3 at the moment, and I don't like the top handle(you have to push it down so it clicks in place before you can lock another systainer on top, and you have to "click" it loose again, so it's less easy to quickly grab the systainer)
The fine adjustment for the depthguage is actually a handy feature.
I also like the clear window when not using the green anti-splinter thingy, and I think it improves the dustcollection.
Overall, if I had a TS55 in good condition, I wouldn't "upgrade" it.
chrisrosenb
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- Sep 1, 2007
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- 1,265
I have both saws. A TS55 corded & a REQ cordless. The only thing, other than the cordless, that I like better on the TEQ is the depth stop. I would not upgrade just for that.
MrToolJunkie
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- Jul 6, 2009
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- 3,012
I think the expanded bevel is the key difference. Negative bevel cuts are good in certain situations and the old version does not do that. A flat housing might also be nice. Otherwise, no other real differences in cutting or performance in my opinion.
