Re: Dreading making this post.... TS55 not cutting square.

[Xovonob]

I'm having an issue with getting my cut square.  I believe I've identified the issue, and also believe this is the correct thread to share it.

The Issue
The cuts I’m getting are dead square in solid cherry until the end of the cut, where the saw dives into the material (see pics).

Background
I recently “upgraded” my Festool track saw from a TSC 55 (Festool 201403) to a TSC 55 K (Festool 576718).  The original saw had no issues cutting square on the Parf Guide made MFT top, and I’ve confirmed that clipped rail to Parf fence is dead square.  I used both a Woodpeckers 1281 and the TSO massive triangle to confirm squareness… zero play.

My Setup

• TSC 55 K purchased in November, 2021.
• MFT with a MDF top made with the Parf Guide system.
• Parf fence that the material sits against.  Confirmed fence-to-rail is square with two manufacturers squares (Woodpeckers 1281 and TSO giant triangle).
• FS 1080 track.  Also confirmed the issue persists on my FS 1400 track.
• Track is supported with same dimension material at various points across the track, including after the fence.
  

Issue Identified
The base of the saw does not lay flat on a flat surface.  It wobbles diagonally (see pics).

Question for Community
For those of you who own a TSC 55 K: when you lay the saw flat on a flat surface, can you wobble it diagonally from rear left to front right (facing the saw as you would during a cut)?  If yes, are you getting square cuts?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Yes, it should sit totally flat on any flat surface, including (and especially) the rail.

 

[Xovonob]

Thanks for the response.  That's what I suspected.  I noticed the wobble after a significant amount of trying other things.  I loosened the guide rail cams and very carefully tightened them just to the point of removing lateral play.  Wobble persisted.  Then I took it off the track and put it on a flat surface and the wobble was still there.

I have a request in to Festool service.  Hopefully they'll get it sorted quickly.

Cheers.

 

[ScotF]

Did you loosen the bevel locking knobs? If one is tighter than the other that can give some deflection. Might be worth trying.

 

[Xovonob]

It's definitely the base.  It occurred to me to use winding sticks to check it.  The image says it all.
[attachimg=1]

 

[Svar]

Did you loosen the bevel locking knobs? If one is tighter than the other that can give some deflection. Might be worth trying.

That happens. If you tighten one knob, then while tightening the other incidentally press the saw it may cause the base to warp and stay that way. However, what's shown on the picture looks extreme.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

It's impressive that a guy even has a set of winding sticks. That's kind of a hand plane guy's territory.

 

[ChuckM]

Can be used as a straight edge, too. $39.50 CAD:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho.../53276-lee-valley-winding-sticks?item=50N0101

 

[Xovonob]

It's impressive that a guy even has a set of winding sticks. That's kind of a hand plane guy's territory.

Haha... yes.  I am dogmatically undogmatic in that way.  I love power tools for their speed and precision; I love hand tools for their speed and precision.

I am also in that extreme minority of people who purchased their winding sticks rather than made them.  Contradictions abound.

 

[fritter63]

Clicked in to harass you about not knowing how to setup up a guide rail.

Backed slowly into the foliage again after seeing that you own winding sticks........ [cool]

 

[Coen]

Kill it with fire!

I mean sent it in.

Just to be sure... no direct under de base? Like a line of Epoxy?