Saws 55 and 75

[obdoor]

I noticed Festool is discounting the 55 and 75 plunge saws are they introducing new models ?

 

[Brice Burrell]

I noticed Festool is discounting the 55 and 75 plunge saws are they introducing new models ?

As far as I know Festool is not discontinuing the saws. (They are discounting them %10 as a "spring promotion" starting April first for anyone that hasn't heard.)

 

[Frank Pellow]

I noticed Festool is discounting the 55 and 75 plunge saws are they introducing new models ?

I very much doubt it.  I suspect that they just want to increase sales of the existing models.

 

[Bob Marino]

Brice and Frank are correct. Festool is alway working on improving/updating all their tools, but these are not being discontinued. This is simply a good promotion.

Bob

 

[Toolfest]

I spoke to a Festool rep a few weeks ago and asked if he knew of any changes planned for the saws. He said they are very happy with how the saws perform currently. He said the only thing they lack is a laser and something to the effect of "don't be surprised if it happens". It seemed like what he was saying came more  from having inside information rather than making a casual observance as to how the saws might evolve.

This rep did tell me on March 1 that a promotion was planned for April. I believe I was the first person to post that news here, so that bit of news from him did pan out. Maybe the info about the laser will prove to be true as well. We will have to wait and see.

Maybe someone from Festool will comment on any potential changes to the saws (or not  .

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

If you want it straight from the source... No, there are no changes to or new models of the TS saws on the horizon to my knowledge.  It's just a simple promotion, nothing more.

Edit: And, that would be inclusive of lasers, no plans to my knowledge.  Why would you need a laser on a saw with a guide rail???

 

[Corwin]

... Why would you need a laser on a saw with a guide rail???

That's what I was wondering... 

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

It's for night sawing. [cool]

 

[Toolfest]

Maybe because they are sometimes used without a guide rail.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Maybe because they are sometimes used without a guide rail.

I do use my saw off the rail at times, but I doubt very much that I would want to bother with a laser.  I am not a big fan of lasers on tools a think that, for the most part, they are gimmicks.

 

[Wonderwino]

Without the rail, these saws are more likely to kickback, particularly on deeper cuts.  They are designed to do a superior job with the rails; that is why they come with a rail!  ;D

 

[Tinker]

As Frank, I have tried using my ATF 55 without the rail.  I tried it once and ran for my old Milwaukee.  My experience ( a one time only and never again) was that for free hand, the old type circular saw was better than the Festoy on a rail.

As others have noted, i can not imagine what use a laser would be for cutting with a rail.  for me, I have one of those fully looking coal miner's lamps that straps to my head for nite time working  :
Tinker

 

[Toolfest]

Sorry guys,  I didn't intend my statement regarding the laser to be a trick question. I didn't see the need for stating the obvious, but judging from the comments, I was wrong. The laser obviously has no use when using a rail but would be for the times the saw is used without a rail.

Next question: who is buried in Grant's tomb? Groucho Marx would like this thread.

BTW, I have a circular saw with a laser and don't really use it, its nonessential.

The Festool TS appeared on "This Old House" in the 3/27/10 Roxbury Project episode. It was used on a guide rail to make a rough cut on a stair tread. Next, a Porter Cable saw was used free hand to make the finish scribe cut.

 

[mikeneron]

I could see some sort of laser system to eventually replace using the splinterguard to line up the cuts  [smile]

 

[lordinteriors]

if you got rid of the splinterguard what would stop it splintering ?

lee

 

[mikeneron]

Splinterguard would still be there, just not used for lining up the cuts.

 

[lordinteriors]

but you have to lay the guide rail down before you cut anyway so i dont see the benefit

lee

 

[mikeneron]

Just thinking towards the future is all.  One thing that bugs me is the splinterguard wears, especially when cutting 45 degree cuts.  My cuts were becoming less and less accurate until I moved the splinterguard over.  Bit of a nuisance, so having something like a laser alignment might be something that could be put in place.  I'm sure with Festool, they will think of something.

 

[lordinteriors]

even with the laser your splinterguard will still wear as the blade will be cutting against it

lee

 

[mikeneron]

That wouldn't matter as much then as you aren't using it to line up your cut marks...just to use from reducing chip out.