Relative Specs of old ATF55 and newer TS55

[extiger]

Anderson Plywood in Los Angeles hosted a Lie Nielsen seminar today and I was speaking to the employee who manages their Festool showroom and inventory. I told him I was pleased and a bit surprised that my 2005 ATF 55 saw is currently selling on eBay for more than I paid. About $240.

He said, why don't you sell it and by the TS55. The newer model is lighter, he said. I don't care because I'm a hobby woodworker and never leave the shop with my equipment. I know that newer motor has 3 bearings as opposed the twin bearings in mine. And, I believe there was a minor improvement in the Guide Rail. And blade removal is easier. But I don't care about that, either.

Would it be worth my trouble? Oh, and the complete Lie Nielsen line was pretty cool. Great woodworking benches (for $2500) and an impressive little T&G Plane, if you would need the portability.

Gary Curtis

 

[MrToolJunkie]

If you are happy with your current saw then I would not spend the money to upgrade.  The new saws are awesome (I have the larger TS75), but if the differences between what you are using and the new ones do not seem to matter, why spend the money?  Festool tools are high quality and I am sure that your current saw will give you years of trouble free service.  That is just my opinion. 

Scot

 

[Pete Pedisich]

I sold my 2005 ATF55 and replaced it with a TS55 a little over a year ago and in my opinion the older saw was a better tool (I know few if any will agree with me on this)
For me the easier blade changes on the new saw is the most meaningful improvement.

I would keep the old saw, it was great then, and it's still great.

With the money saved you could buy one of the new CT26 dust extractors!

 

[steeler]

Hello, new user here. 

I have a sort of related question as I will start my house remodeling in a couple months (flooring, doors, cabinets).

Since the TS series was launched over 5 years ago, when would we expect to get a new plunge saw series?

 

[extiger]

I'm the original poster on this thread. The model 55 saws served just one purpose for me  — cutting plywood sheets using the Guide Rail. Much better than wrestling a 45lb sheet of plywood over the top of a table saw.

And now that I have the MFT/3 table, it is handy for crosscutting thinner boards. You might appreciate that if you have a lot of plank flooring to do. I'm not sure, but I guess it is comfortable whacking 2x4s. But I wouldn't like to haul a 16-foot timber up onto the table. 

The TS75 has bigger capacity.
I can't imagine the Festool company squeezing an even larger blade in a plunge saw. I did sell my almost new General Tablesaw and replaced it with a 12" Inca. The 12" capacity is overkill most of the work I do, but having to deal with 4x4 timbers just a few times, I would never again settle for anything smaller.

Gary Curtis

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Since the TS series was launched over 5 years ago, when would we expect to get a new plunge saw series?

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here. The answer to your question is not any time soon.

PS - If memory serves, it was actually the end of 2006 that the TS 55 debuted in the US market.

 

[ccarrolladams]

I bought my first TS55 from Eagle Tool of Los Angeles in January 2006.

 

[extiger]

That's where I bought mine. And my tablesaw.  The ATF55 was a new item, but was returned unused in December of 2005. The owner heard that a new model was coming out and Eagle Tools swapped it out and gave him full credit.

I just bought my tablesaw from Eagle along with other equipment and saw it sitting there.

Gary