Problem with TS55R CMS Module

[cliffp]

I took delivery of a TS55R module for the CMS base unit last week and have a problem with the riving knife extension (known as the guard carrier). Basically this part appears to be misaligned with the blade and doesn't sit centrally in the CMS aluminium slot. When I try and cut, the wood will cut the first 2" or so then gets jammed in this misaligned part. I asked Festool UK for a replacement but it is exactly the same. I noticed that someone commented on Peter Parfitt's video that they had the same problem but the solution was never added to the sequence of comments. Does anybody have any suggestions?

 

[Eli]

Make sure it's slotted into the right bit when you switch it out for the handheld mode one and tighten it. I think it is possible to tighten it at an angle instead of straight in. Sometimes the hose clip can be in the wrong spot on the hose which will force the knife out of it's proper spot. There is a sweet spot where the hose has just the right amount of bend on it to keep the guard/knife in the right place. That's all I got. [wink]

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Cliff

The riving knife extension should sit snugly against the riving knife on the saw. There is a little 'kink' in the riving knife extension where it sits over the riving knife. When it is screwed in place it may be a fraction off centre (0.5 mm on mine) but this should not affect performance. If the same problem happens with the replacement then either your saw's riving knife is misaligned (detected any problems with the saw out of the CMS?) or, perhaps, you are not quite managing to fit the extension correctly.

Can you send some pictures or a short video clip? If I can see what is wrong I will try and help.

Peter

 

[cliffp]

Hi Peter

Thanks for the offer of help. I have emailed you some photos which I hope will shed some light on the problem. I am not very good at uploading pictures otherwise I would have posted them here.

Cliff

 

[cliffp]

I sent the TS55R and CMS module back to Festool (their suggestion) and within a day they had looked at it and diagnosed a problem with the saw which made it impossible to fit the riving knife extension correctly and also (and unrelated) a warped sole plate (base) which caused the saw to cut at a slight angle to the dialled in setting. I understand that they are getting me a replacement unit. I reported the error in the cutting angle last July when I first bought the unit and they wanted to collect the saw and check it out but I felt I could live with the problem which seemed to be correctable by setting the angle to 0.5 degrees. I have been delighted with the saw despite this slight problem and look forward to any marginal improvement.  I think the moral of the story is that if Festool offer/suggest to collect and investigate an issue, take them up on the offer.

I am very satisfied with the service I have received so far.

 

[Stone Message]

I sent the TS55R and CMS module back to Festool (their suggestion) and within a day they had looked at it and diagnosed a problem with the saw which made it impossible to fit the riving knife extension correctly and also (and unrelated) a warped sole plate (base) which caused the saw to cut at a slight angle to the dialled in setting. I understand that they are getting me a replacement unit. I reported the error in the cutting angle last July when I first bought the unit and they wanted to collect the saw and check it out but I felt I could live with the problem which seemed to be correctable by setting the angle to 0.5 degrees. I have been delighted with the saw despite this slight problem and look forward to any marginal improvement.  I think the moral of the story is that if Festool offer/suggest to collect and investigate an issue, take them up on the offer.

I am very satisfied with the service I have received so far.

Hi Cliff

There are bound to be odd occasions when a Festool tool leaves the factory not quite to specification. I know that happens a great deal with other manufacturers but what sets Festool apart from the competition is that they are prepared to sort it out without a quibble. Festool UK have done a great job - now enjoy the fantastic saw.

Peter

 

[Arie van Leeuwen]

Hello festool people,

I also bought the new cms with the 55R saw. When I saw some wood, it go heavy because the riving knife push the wood against the fence.
I read on the FOG there are more guys who have trouble with the riving knife. Can FESTOOL fix this problem?

 

[dbpianos]

I have experienced the same problem with my TS55R. The riving knife "stub" on the saw has enough play to cause the riving knife extension (when mounted, for use in the CMS saw module) to misalign with the saw kerf - an unwelcome distraction mid-cut...

The amount of play is about a mm, which sounds small, but is after all almost half the blade width!

Currently awaiting a response from Axminster. I'll post an update as and when.

David

 

[dbpianos]

I should have posted an update sooner - Axminster did get back to me about this (after a gentle reminder) but only to say that they had asked Festool to respond. Which they haven't - just as well I'm not in a hurry...

The riving knife stub can be made rock-solid (side to side) by shimming the provided mounting bolt, but it would be hard for Festool to provide a universal solution because the gaps in question vary depending on the adjustment of the base plate and alignment of the blade. But somehow it seems unacceptable that I should have to position the extraction hose carefully so that it deflects the riving knife/blade guard/dust hood just the right amount to make it all align with the blade 

 

[Glasside]

Can i ask if this was ever resolved.

When I use my cms ts55 after 20cm or so I find the work starts to bind against the fence and I have to apply a lot of force to help the wood pass through the whole cut.

To other users - does the bolt that attaches the riving knife extension fit snugly against the body of the saw? On mine there is a very slight gap..

Thanks

David

 

[NL-mikkla]

I had the same diffculty with mounting the riving knife.
I opened up the complete side of the saw to see what the problem was.
It's just difficult to get the riving knife in the right place, by opening the side it's a piece of cake.

 

[Glasside]

I am curious.  For the rest of you - does the bolt that screws into the both the riving knife on the saw and then into the riving knife extension screw all the way so that the bolt sits snugly against the outside of the saw?  In my case there is about 1 - 1.5 mm of play.  I would like to know if this is a fault with the saw before looking into a repair.

Many thanks to you all,

David

 

[Stone Message]

I am curious.  For the rest of you - does the bolt that screws into the both the riving knife on the saw and then into the riving knife extension screw all the way so that the bolt sits snugly against the outside of the saw?  In my case there is about 1 - 1.5 mm of play.  I would like to know if this is a fault with the saw before looking into a repair.

Many thanks to you all,

David

Hi David

I have just checked mine and it does stick out - I checked by feel (as it was under the table) and would guess it to be about 2 mm.

Peter

 

[JakobProgsch]

That reminds me... I also had the issue that the riving knife doesn't completely line up with the saw blade and I at some point suspected that the problem is that screw. Essentially the riving knife has a fair bit of play. Which is ok as long as the "movement range" includes being lined up with the blade. But in my case the screw head hits the casing before the knife is lined up (by a tiny amount).

 

[Glasside]

Hi David

I have just checked mine and it does stick out - I checked by feel (as it was under the table) and would guess it to be about 2 mm.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks so much for checking, it's appreciated.  I had initially thought that it was probably okay like this and it's good to know of another that is similar.  Do you find any issues with the stock binding against the fence?  As I mentioned earlier I have found that I have to add quite a lot of force to keep the stock moving through the cut, and I wondered if that screw might somehow be the culprit. All works as expected until the cut passes the riving knife.

Visually my riving knife look like its well entered to the blade, though there is a little play (which I am near certain comes from this screw).

I'd love to get to the bottom of this.

David

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Peter,

Thanks so much for checking, it's appreciated.  I had initially thought that it was probably okay like this and it's good to know of another that is similar.  Do you find any issues with the stock binding against the fence?  As I mentioned earlier I have found that I have to add quite a lot of force to keep the stock moving through the cut, and I wondered if that screw might somehow be the culprit. All works as expected until the cut passes the riving knife.

Visually my riving knife look like its well entered to the blade, though there is a little play (which I am near certain comes from this screw).

I'd love to get to the bottom of this.

David

Hi David

Mine has always been a tiny bit out and has not caused me any problems at all. However, this discussion has tickled the engineer in me (not a very good engineer but he likes being tickled).

I have now sorted mine out. I am prepared to tell you how I did it but you must read and understand this:

If anyone tries to do what I have done then they do so at their own risk, they may void their warranty if anything goes wrong and, to be frank, it would be better to get Festool to sort this out if you are not happy with your CMS rather than trying to do anything yourself.

I checked mine and you can see that there is a visible lack of alignment but the slight play in the riving knife does stop this being an issue:

View attachment 1

So I measured the difference across the section where the riving knife extension mates with the TS riving knife. I did not write down both measurements but the difference was 0.2 mm:

View attachment 2

I then took two blocks of wood, one of which had a hole in it to allow the swell where the threaded part of the riving knife extension is proud of the surface to be protected when put in the vice:

View attachment 3

I then took another piece of wood to spread the load and keep the body of the riving knife extension flat and this was secured with a clamp. This then allowed me to apply a very small amount of force to bend the riving knife extension over very slightly. The bending can only happen along the existing bend area:

View attachment 4

I then put the riving knife extension back in place and it is now perfect:

View attachment 5

Whatever you do, do not try and bend the riving knife without protecting the two flat parts from being distorted. Bending must only occur at the site of the factory produced bend.

Finally, I do not recommend that anyone one does this as it can damage the riving knife extension, can invalidate your warranty and may lead to injury.

Peter

 

[Glasside]

Hi Peter,

And again thanks so much for the reply.  Your (now resolved) problem seems to mimic mine super closely.  I'm very tempted to attempt this myself but certainly take note of your cautions!

So kind of you to take the time to post such a detailed reply.  Be sure it helps greatly,

Thanks again,

David

 

[Stone Message]

Hi David

I have used my CMS-TS today for the first time since making the adjustment described above. It works perfectly. I was quite happy with the way it was but the adjustment is just noticeable and has certainly improved it.

Please note that my cautions above, written in red, still apply.

Peter

 

[Zebt]

I've just got the TS55R CMS and was missing the screw to attach the riving knife extension (guard carrier), now have part no. 10001800 but it is not the right screw, this screw doesn't reach the threaded hole, out of curiosity I took the face plate off the saw to see if the screw is the same thread as the hole, it isn't. The riving knife extension is the new type without the kink in it. Will head back to the local dealer tomorrow but was just wondering if anyone had any ideas or if i'm missing something?
Cheers

 

[casper62]

I contacted Festool here in Australia about the problem. They asked me to return it to the dealer who would forward it back to Melbourne where they would carry out a fix. I had to send the TS55 and the CMS module back. I have used it a number of times since and the problem appears to be fixed.