Possible to get a metric version of TSC 55 (576816) in the states?

[johnyhuh]

This is for Festool USA.

Is there an option to order TSC 55 with metric depth gage?

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      Try calling them 888-337-8600. Or maybe [member=71429]DerickC[/member]  has the answer?

Seth

 

[slavi.yordanov]

My reconditioned TSC55 came with metric scale and it had imperial scale sticker included. It’s an older model though.

 

[ScotF]

You can buy the part and replace it if you want - pretty simple retrofit. Or, some dealers might still have them in stock.

 

[johnyhuh]

I’m thinking of getting this unit, but in metric. IMHO, Festool USA should provide us with an option or just have the gage with both metric and imperial.  [big grin]

 

[TNOutback]

I called Festool USA and was told I could send in my TS 55 and have a metric scale installed for $75.  :-\

 

[johnyhuh]

I called Festool USA and was told I could send in my TS 55 and have a metric scale installed for $75.  :-\

Yes, I called as well. This is ridiculous. Might as well just create a sticker with a scale and slap it on.  :'(

 

[Cheese]

Yes, I called as well. This is ridiculous. Might as well just create a sticker with a scale and slap it on.  :'(

There was a time a few years ago when Festool would supply a metric label gratis. I'd suggest another phone call and maybe this time a more sympathetic person will be on the other end of the line.  [smile]

 

[squall_line]

Yes, I called as well. This is ridiculous. Might as well just create a sticker with a scale and slap it on.  :'(

There was a time a few years ago when Festool would supply a metric label gratis. I'd suggest another phone call and maybe this time a more sympathetic person will be on the other end of the line.  [smile]

The part listed in EKAT as "Sticker" is about a buck-oh-five, so it probably cost them more to take the phone call and put the thing in an envelope than the sticker itself costs.  [scared]

Definitely ask for the sticker instead of for the tool.  And be very sympathetic, for sure.  There's probably even a video or a manual that shows how to properly calibrate the sticker to the machine when you overlay it.

 

[Cheese]

There's probably even a video or a manual that shows how to properly calibrate the sticker to the machine when you overlay it.

Ya, and that's the best part. [popcorn] [popcorn]

There is no calibration necessary because the saw detents are still in millimeters, rather than in inches.  [eek]

So, the current measurement situation is bogus if you're expecting inch measuring increments.  I faced this situation with the HKC when I purchased an imperial unit (the only option available) and then tried to cut kerfs to an imperial depth...that didn't work well.

 

[DeformedTree]

Maybe someday Festool will fix this situation they have got themselves into.

While I think people are trying to help with various "solutions" in the end it doesn't fix the simple fact that folks just want to be able to buy the tools in metric, new, anyplace, any time.  People mean well and are trying to be helpful, but I think a lot of folks just get frustrated even more because the more "work around" people find, the less the original issue is addressed.

Swapping parts, stickers, buying used, having someone know someone who knows someone wanting to sell one etc, does nothing to address the real issue and really doesn't help folks.

When someone gets an urge for a tool, a real quick way to have that urge killed is realizing it's no longer metric. And now a double whammy of realizing buying a new tool means it coming in a systainer 3. I've gone down this road so many times where I decide "oh, why haven't I bought this, or "hey, I could use that" and then come to a halt when I remember the metric issue. All it does is causes me to check out other companies stuff. From a business standpoint having people willing to spend a bunch of money on something they very well don't really need, but are still wanting to buy is great. Having that sale blown because you stopped making it the same as you make it everyplace else is just a dumb way to blow a sale.

 

[semenza]

Maybe someday Festool will fix this situation they have got themselves into.

While I think people are trying to help with various "solutions" in the end it doesn't fix the simple fact that folks just want to be able to buy the tools in metric, new, anyplace, any time.  People mean well and are trying to be helpful, but I think a lot of folks just get frustrated even more because the more "work around" people find, the less the original issue is addressed.

Swapping parts, stickers, buying used, having someone know someone who knows someone wanting to sell one etc, does nothing to address the real issue and really doesn't help folks.

When someone gets an urge for a tool, a real quick way to have that urge killed is realizing it's no longer metric. And now a double whammy of realizing buying a new tool means it coming in a systainer 3. I've gone down this road so many times where I decide "oh, why haven't I bought this, or "hey, I could use that" and then come to a halt when I remember the metric issue. All it does is causes me to check out other companies stuff. From a business standpoint having people willing to spend a bunch of money on something they very well don't really need, but are still wanting to buy is great. Having that sale blown because you stopped making it the same as you make it everyplace else is just a dumb way to blow a sale.

  When someone gets an urge for a tool, a real quick way to have that urge killed is realizing it  is  in metric.

    The thing is some years ago it was the opposite. People wanted inch scales and did all the same work arounds and made all the same complaints in the opposite direction. Those topics and posts are on FOG. And people looked at other companies tools because they did not want metric.

    Maybe the increments should actually be in inches, maybe the tools should all be available in both, maybe Festool could have done it better, etc. , etc. But Festool responded to the original issue by switching to imperial scales.

Seth

 

[DeformedTree]

yes, for some folks that can be just the same issue.  The core issue is they went from one to the other.  They didn't sell them in both and let folks decide.  Festool will never know the impact of their move due to how they did it. Maybe they have gained sales, maybe they have lost sales, there is no way to know.

Still, it won't change the system is metric, the tools are metric even if labels say otherwise. Even if you like inches, it won't change the issue that now you just have a mislabeled system.  Like cheese points out, it may have things shown in inches, but it doesn't work right. If Festool had gone one step further and reworked internals of tools, the issues would be more extreme.

I can appreciate that some folks are happy in inches, but if I bought such a tool, just to find out none of it worked as intended (see Cheese and the HK) that is bad.

You can go to other tools, but if you dig into it, you will find a lot of those are the same, a metric tool with some inch labeling on them for the US market, they just never sold them natively labeled, you haven't changed the situation. All Festool has done is make a mess of their system, and angered people who were fine with it as it was, or had adjusted or were planning to go metric when they bought into Festool. 

I think Festool had it right when they came here.  Toss in an inch sticker, or they could even toss in the inch replacement parts, many tools it's one thing and not hard to replace.

Some folks will say they never use the scales on tools, but what gets missed if when you have well made accurate tools, the scales work very well. If you can use them, it makes work so much easier.

 

[Packard]

I've read though the saw can come with a metric or an imperial sticker, the notches (detents) that click on the depth are in metric.

What does each click on the depth equal?  It is synchronized with the stickers or is it always the same?

 

[Cheese]

What does each click on the depth equal?  It is synchronized with the stickers or is it always the same?

Always the same...always metric.  [sad]

 

[DeformedTree]

I've read though the saw can come with a metric or an imperial sticker, the notches (detents) that click on the depth are in metric.

What does each click on the depth equal?  It is synchronized with the stickers or is it always the same?

On the TS saws, you have mm steps for the depth.  The physical parts are metric. If you set it for 20mm depth, you get 20mm depth, also the rail is 5mm thick, so the scale has 2 sides to account for this.  Not sure how they account for the rail on the inch ones. My TS55 is metric, I don't know if on the inch one they changed other parts of the plastic, but I doubt it. I think it's the same plastic, different ink stamp. I don't know if they include a metric sticker or not with the inch saws.

The factory scales don't use stickers, it's part of the plastic/inking on the part.  The inch scale saws have their own plastic part, they don't use stickers.  In the past, all the saws/tools were metric, festool included a sticker you apply over the metric scale. When they went "imperial" in N. America, they changed the part. So not a sticker.  The part is easy to change, just a couple screws. 

Routers are bit different, the bits inside still work metric, not sure what a full turn is, if it's 1mm or .5mm or what. The OF1010 has a scale that attaches via screws, it would be dead simple for them to include both parts.  OF2020 factory scale is adhesive backed, so it's a swap of "stickers" but the screw inside is still metric, so an inch scale is going to be meaningless, you might as well just leave it off.  Some retailers sell the scales for the 2 routers. So people can "fix" their tools for a few dollars verses the 75 bucks mentioned and sending to Festool. No idea what happens on the OF1400.  The planer looks to be the hardest one, it's scale is internal in a handled, so no idea what it takes to change.

 

[Cheese]

What does each click on the depth equal? 

Here's a very early imperial HKC as they never offered a metric version for the US. The 1st photo shows the blade depth set on the zero marker while the 2nd photo shows it is indeed just barely touching the wood.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

Here the blade depth has been eased up 6 detents to the 1/4" position.

[attachimg=3]

And these are the measured results at the 1/4" position...hmmm...looks more like 6 mm than 1/4" to me.  [poke]  So each detented position equals 1 mm.  Sorry Festool, close but no cigar.  [sad]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

 

[DeformedTree]

Great photos Cheese.  Highlights the madness very well.

I never knew they never sold metric HKs here. 

 

[Cheese]

I never knew they never sold metric HKs here.

Ya, Festool never offered a metric HKC in the US, they just took the Euro metric version and attached an imperial scale and released it with much fanfare, as their "First USA Imperial Tool".  [crying]

I wanted a metric version to match my TS 55 and TSC 55 but had to settle for the imperial version. Once I got home I decided to acquaint myself with the new imperial saw but spent about 3-4 hours of fumbling around and trying to figure out why the blade depth stops never matched the imperial depth scale.  [huh]

Was it the wrong blade, was there something wrong with the diameter of the blade, was there something wrong with the new saw?

Then the light bulb finally went on. I suddenly realized I was now the owner of the metric saw I wanted but attached to it was an imperial scale. Worse yet, because a metric version was never available in the US, a metric scale was not available thru Festool USA. If I wanted to put the correct metric scale on the saw, I'd have to order it from Festool UK and they wouldn't ship to the US.  [mad]  [crying] [mad] [crying]

 

[Samo]

Not to highjack this thread about imperial TS 55's but not the only issue with the HK saws.

I have to work with Imperial on jobsites.  Yes, I would prefer a metric scale on all my Festool saws!!!!!!  Metric in the shop and when doing cabinets in the field.

I think the way to fix the HK's is with a slightly bigger blade?  I have read here it can be done?