OMG...DROPPED MY ATF55!!! HELP!!!

[darita]

Today, I did a really stupid thing.  I had the ATF55 sitting on the offcut side of the guide rail, on the MFT1080.  When I pushed some stock thru, I pushed the saw right off the end of the table.  The saw hit the right-front corner of the base and slightly bent a tab on the base.  I gently bent it back and had to tweek the base plate a little to flatten it out...not much at all.
Anyhow, everything looked OK, so I tried a test cut and black stuff from the splinter guard started flying around.  I stopped the cut and checked and found that the blade is now a gnats hair from the aluminum!  I took the screws out of the base and tried to reset the base, but it's still super close to the guide rail.
Anyone had this happen?  What should I do?

 

[Alan m]

i think i would send it in. im sure it need a touch up anyway so they can reset everything

 

[AlexThePalex]

This sounds like serious damage. I don't think fiddling around with this yourself is a good idea. Send it to Festool to be repaired.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Festool Service will always prepare an estimate before starting an out-of-warranty repair.

My memory is that the AFT55 was replaced by the TS55 in mid to late 2005 in the USA, so the damaged one is long out of warranty.  On the other hand, service parts are still available and the cost of the repair might not be as much as buying a new TS55, especially with the TS55R coming to the USA in a few months.

 

[darita]

Can't tell you how much this bums me out.  Just one stupid little move...

 

[peter halle]

Can't tell you how much this bums me out.  Just one stupid little move...

Don't let it get you down.  Hey, the safest tool is the the one that stays in the systainer on the shelf and never gets used.  I have sent my TS-55 to the floor several times.  Nice thing is that although it needs work it isn't trashed and parts should be available.

Hang in there.

Peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

Can't tell you how much this bums me out.  Just one stupid little move...

Hey, you can't bake an omelet without breaking some eggs. These things happen. I remember how I droppped my very first Festool on the very first day I got it. I hadn't even used my Rotex 150 yet and I dropped it 3 meters down the stairs. My heart stood still for a moment. I was so happy to see it had nothing, built like a tank. Unfortunately for you a plunge saw is quite a bit more delicate. It will cost you to get it repaired, and that can hurt. 

 

[peter halle]

You want to feel better? My niece (age 3) about a year ago came home with the family after picking up a new car.  Upon getting out of the car she picked up a rock and ran it down the entire side of the car and then proceeded to make the other side match.

Feel better?

Peter

 

[John Stevens]

I accidentally dropped my ATF55 about six or seven years ago.  Half of the shroud that connects to the dust hose snapped off.  I sent it to Festool's US repair shop and they fixed it for a price that I thought must've been a loss for them.  Give 'em a try.  Best of luck.

Regards,

John

 

[PeterK]

When you get it back, the service guys will have it all calibrated and aligned properly. They are very fast and the turnaround time is really quick. Bet you are pleasantly pleased with the repair cost.

 

[darita]

I know you guys are right.  I just hate being without it, but it's my own fault...so in it goes!  Hopefully it will come back better than expected.  I'm sure over the years, it's gone out of calibration by quite a bit.  It's about time anyways.  Thanks for the advice.  Should I send it in packed in a box or send it boxed, in it's systainer?

 

[ccarrolladams]

I know you guys are right.  I just hate being without it, but it's my own fault...so in it goes!  Hopefully it will come back better than expected.  I'm sure over the years, it's gone out of calibration by quite a bit.  It's about time anyways.  Thanks for the advice.  Should I send it in packed in a box or send it boxed, in it's systainer?

The first step is to actually speak to Festool Service over the phone. Ask them the best way to ship your ATF55. My own thought would be a sturdy corrugated carton and bubble pack, but it is their opinion which counts.

The critical calibration on Festool track/plunge saws is the 'toe-in' of the blade relative to the track. The idea is the blade should be slightly toward the rail at the leading edge, with the trailing end slightly outward. Had your saw needed a toe-in tuning while you have owned it, you would have noticed a degraded cut edge. With reasonable care an ATF55 or TS55/75 can remain calibrated for years.

'Standardizing' the toe-in of your saw is part of the Festool Service. They use a special fixture calibrated at the factor when they adjust toe-in. The rest of us use a method advocated in Festool End User classes requiring only the correct size Trox driver and a business card, besides a guide rail and a piece of wood slightly less than 50mm thick.

 

[Corwin]

The first step is to actually speak to Festool Service over the phone. Ask them the best way to ship your ATF55. My own thought would be a sturdy corrugated carton and bubble pack, but it is their opinion which counts.

The critical calibration on Festool track/plunge saws is the 'toe-in' of the blade relative to the track. The idea is the blade should be slightly toward the rail at the leading edge, with the trailing end slightly outward. Had your saw needed a toe-in tuning while you have owned it, you would have noticed a degraded cut edge. With reasonable care an ATF55 or TS55/75 can remain calibrated for years.

'Standardizing' the toe-in of your saw is part of the Festool Service. They use a special fixture calibrated at the factor when they adjust toe-in. The rest of us use a method advocated in Festool End User classes requiring only the correct size Trox driver and a business card, besides a guide rail and a piece of wood slightly less than 50mm thick.

I agree that you should call Festool service, but I would ask about how to readjust your saw first before asking about sending it in.  The adjustment for setting you toe-in most likely needs to be reset and there are relatively simple methods to accomplish this.

 

[ajones]

Why not look on it as an oportunity to treat yourself to the new ts55r which is launching very soon in the US ?

 

[Timtool]

Why not look on it as an oportunity to treat yourself to the new ts55r which is launching very soon in the US ?

Problem is this accident happened a couple months too soon, he needs his now!
I also have good experience with our Festool repair service, sent in my out of warranty Kapex because the engine was dead worn. They replaced everything that was broken, new engine, new bearing and new plastic body, the estimate they gave me was half what i was fearing and now mine is as new. It seems like they don't make profit on the repairs, while they could seriously screw you over like some other brands do.

 

[Tinker]

Why not look on it as an oportunity to treat yourself to the new ts55r which is launching very soon in the US ?

Problem is this accident happened a couple months too soon, he needs his now!
I also have good experience with our Festool repair service, sent in my out of warranty Kapex because the engine was dead worn. They replaced everything that was broken, new engine, new bearing and new plastic body, the estimate they gave me was half what i was fearing and now mine is as new. It seems like they don't make profit on the repairs, while they could seriously screw you over like some other brands do.

I am sure that Festool understands very well that when they give a toy owner a break on repairs, they will have one happy camper who will spend lots on new toys. 
Tinker

 

[Kev]

Why not look on it as an oportunity to treat yourself to the new ts55r which is launching very soon in the US ?

Problem is this accident happened a couple months too soon, he needs his now!
I also have good experience with our Festool repair service, sent in my out of warranty Kapex because the engine was dead worn. They replaced everything that was broken, new engine, new bearing and new plastic body, the estimate they gave me was half what i was fearing and now mine is as new. It seems like they don't make profit on the repairs, while they could seriously screw you over like some other brands do.

I am sure that Festool understands very well that when they give a toy owner a break on repairs, they will have one happy camper who will spend lots on new toys. 
Tinker

I think another factor is that Festool's tools are mostly designed to be serviceable / maintainable. They're not throw away tools like some brands that are literally cheaper to replace than repair.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

The ATF 55E manual still exists and describes the adjustment.

http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/ATF55E.pdf

 

[raiderone]

I dropped my ATF55 many years ago; I still recall the incident in slow motion.  I tried bending the bent portion of the sled back, but it did not cut the same/straight.  I took it back to the dealer that I bought it from and he replaced the sled at no charge.  He told me that the bend was too severe to bend back, although it did appear straight.  Since the saw is long out of production finding a new sled might be difficult or expensive, perhaps you could salvage one from a dead ATF55.  I would check with your local dealer on the off chance that he might have one.  Or post in the appropriate forum a want ad for the the sled.

 

[peter halle]

I dropped my ATF55 many years ago; I still recall the incident in slow motion.  I tried bending the bent portion of the sled back, but it did not cut the same/straight.  I took it back to the dealer that I bought it from and he replaced the sled at no charge.  He told me that the bend was too severe to bend back, although it did appear straight.  Since the saw is long out of production finding a new sled might be difficult or expensive, perhaps you could salvage one from a dead ATF55.  I would check with your local dealer on the off chance that he might have one.  Or post in the appropriate forum a want ad for the the sled.

After visiting Festool USA's headquarters (Mecca for me) and hearing about what Festool has parts for and has serviced, I seriously doubt that this will be a bad situation as far as parts availability.  I might be wrong or the costs might not make it doable for the owner if parts need to come form Europe, but most people I have spoken to have told me that the repair services are priced below what other companies charge.  I would still send it in and go from there.

Peter