Replacement Festool Track Saw Purchase or ?

[HappyCamper]

I have an old Festool tracksaw, the immediate predecessor to the TS 55, the ATF 55 E.  I bought it before there was a Festool dealer in Canada. At that time, I had to register as an importer to buy these from a US dealer, so well over 15 years ago.  The saw is still working well, as it has light hobbyist usage,  but it has always been a little underpowered.  I am considering replacing this saw with a newer version.  Any recommendations?  I have seem a You tuber that has complained about the longevity if the corded TS 55 recommending the cordless.  Any thoughts on that issue as well as the lack of power.  I have also seen reviews of the new Milwaukee track saw which is cordless, but looks a bit bulky. I think it is made in China, which despite have a 5 year warranty, is not a factor in its favour.  The Milwaukee saw does run on the Festool rails, so bonus point for that.  I also see that Festool is coming out with another saw, which will possibly replace the TS 55.  I have looked at the Makita, but I prefer having a riving knife.  Any experience and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Lincoln]

If you want more power, try the Mafell - corded, or cordless. Great saw, in all ways.
But, can't imagine you would be disappointed with the current TS55 or TSC55, but I'd probably wait for the new TS60, if you don't mind the cord. 1500watts vs 1200watts and greater cutting depth.
Re. riving knives, don't think any of the current Festools have one, they've swapped over to the electronic kick back protection instead.

 

[ChuckM]

TS 55 FEQ-F-Plus, essentially a TS55 REQ with a thinner kerf blade, does have the riving knife.

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

I have an old Festool tracksaw, the immediate predecessor to the TS 55, the ATF 55 E.  I bought it before there was a Festool dealer in Canada. At that time, I had to register as an importer to buy these from a US dealer, so well over 15 years ago.  The saw is still working well, as it has light hobbyist usage,  but it has always been a little underpowered.  I am considering replacing this saw with a newer version.  Any recommendations?  I have seem a You tuber that has complained about the longevity if the corded TS 55 recommending the cordless.  Any thoughts on that issue as well as the lack of power.  I have also seen reviews of the new Milwaukee track saw which is cordless, but looks a bit bulky. I think it is made in China, which despite have a 5 year warranty, is not a factor in its favour.  The Milwaukee saw does run on the Festool rails, so bonus point for that.  I also see that Festool is coming out with another saw, which will possibly replace the TS 55.  I have looked at the Makita, but I prefer having a riving knife.  Any experience and suggestions would be appreciated.

Honestly, if you already have festool tracks I'd be inclined to give the milwaukee a shot. Even more so if you have any M18 batteries. While I vastly prefer tools not made in china, just being made there doesn't necessarily mean bad quality.

I have the TS 55 FEQ (most recent corded TS 55) and love it. No issues with power or reliability in the (almost) year I've had it. The job I bought it for was ripping down some parawood worktops for an L shaped workstation. I used the 28 tooth general purpose blade and it went just fine.

I'm still tempted by the M18 saw though.

 

[thudchkr]

If you want more power, try the Mafell - corded, or cordless. Great saw, in all ways.
But, can't imagine you would be disappointed with the current TS55 or TSC55, but I'd probably wait for the new TS60, if you don't mind the cord. 1500watts vs 1200watts and greater cutting depth.
Re. riving knives, don't think any of the current Festools have one, they've swapped over to the electronic kick back protection instead.

The Mafell saws can also be run on the Festool tracks, even though the Mafell/Bosch rails have some advantages to them.

 

[Cheese]

I have a Mafell MT 55 corded and a Festool TSC 55 K cordless, both use Festool rails and I'm happy with both.

 

[Toolpig]

Longevity of the corded TS55? Mine is over 15 years old and still going strong.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Coen]

I have seen a Youtuber that has complained about the longevity of the corded TS 55 and recommended the cordless.

Dumb*ss Youtubers that are too stupid to realize that carbon brushes are a consumable should be ignored outright. Or shamed. Some have rectified their mistake in a follow-up video, kudos to them.

There is all kinds of stupid tool videos on YouTube. Like everyone of them comparing 12V battery drills will compare how fast they can screw in a 8x300 screw, which has zero relevance to real use, but none of them will mention if the switch is decent. Like the DeWalt drill my brother has is advertised to be something like 0-1900 rpm, but in reality it's 0, 1000-1900, resulting in being unable to get screws in slightly more.

The new TS 55 F is corded and still has a riving knife. It has thinner blades and cuts faster. The magnesium base is also an upgrade from the ATF. Depth setting can be fine adjusted, it's lighter, blade change is easier.

If you want to depart with a lot more money you can sure get the Mafell. It has a stronger motor. But no riving knife, so not for me.

Keep a look on guide rail compatibility. I have the trinity on Festool rails (TS, PS, OF) and the last thing I want is a 2nd set of guide rails for a marginal improvement in one of the tools. The same is true for 18V battery systems; if you want to buy "the best" tool of each kind, you end up with six different battery systems. If you settle for the next best you can get rid of 4-5 chargers  [tongue]

 

[tjbnwi]

We had a week of down time so I sent a couple of my TS-55's in for a full overhaul. One was built 11/13 the other 04/13.

Everytime we process a sheet there is a minium of 32' of cut. I'd be willing to bet each one of these saws has over 15,000 miles of cuts on them.

Tom

 

[Toolpig]

I have an old Festool tracksaw, the immediate predecessor to the TS 55, the ATF 55 E.  I bought it before there was a Festool dealer in Canada. At that time, I had to register as an importer to buy these from a US dealer, so well over 15 years ago.  The saw is still working well, as it has light hobbyist usage,  but it has always been a little underpowered.  I am considering replacing this saw with a newer version.  Any recommendations?  I have seem a You tuber that has complained about the longevity if the corded TS 55 recommending the cordless.  Any thoughts on that issue as well as the lack of power.  I have also seen reviews of the new Milwaukee track saw which is cordless, but looks a bit bulky. I think it is made in China, which despite have a 5 year warranty, is not a factor in its favour.  The Milwaukee saw does run on the Festool rails, so bonus point for that.  I also see that Festool is coming out with another saw, which will possibly replace the TS 55.  I have looked at the Makita, but I prefer having a riving knife.  Any experience and suggestions would be appreciated.

I doubt your saw is underpowered. Change the brushes and put in a rip blade and see if that helps. You might have to toe (recalibrate) the saw, too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[darita]

I recently moved up from an old TS55 REQ to the cordless.  It's a whole different cutting experience, really.  I'm not a big guy and was concerned about the added weight, however it's been no factor at all now that I'm using it. 

 

[Cheese]

We had a week of down time so I sent a couple of my TS-55's in for a full overhaul. One was built 11/13 the other 04/13.

Everytime we process a sheet there is a minium of 32' of cut. I'd be willing to bet each one of these saws has over 15,000 miles of cuts on them.

Just curious Tom, what prompted you to do so? Was there some noise, vibration or just a different feel to the saw?

Just as important, did Festool replace anything major on the saws or was it the usual bearings, seals and brushes?

 

[Coen]

Yeah mean the Cordless with the 1.8 blade?

We had a week of down time so I sent a couple of my TS-55's in for a full overhaul. One was built 11/13 the other 04/13.

Everytime we process a sheet there is a minium of 32' of cut. I'd be willing to bet each one of these saws has over 15,000 miles of cuts on them.

Tom

So 1500 miles or 2400 km per year? No way!

 

[ChuckM]

He seems to be suggesting 24,000 km! My car doesn't clock that kind of mileage a year (mostly working from home).

 

[pixelated]

I think he means 1500 mi/24000 km on the saws since new, not in a year.

 

[ChuckM]

I think he means 1500 mi/24000 km on the saws since new, not in a year.

You're right. I misread. It's 2400km a year.

 

[HappyCamper]

Thanks for the suggestions.  My old saw is working fine.  I may pull the trigger on the TS 555 FEQ-F-Plus, or wait until the new '60 saw comes in.  I like the idea of the scoring blade.  Having a battery is of no particular benefit to me.  Any one have any idea of when the new saw will be introduced in Canada?