Track saw power?

[SethThompson]

I recently bought a TS 55.  Last night was my first time using the saw a decent amount. I was trimming the end off a 1 inch thick maple panel. While I was making the cut, the saw sounded like it was losing all of its power a couple times. The saw regained its power after a second though. Is this normal? This happened on a couple different cuts.

 

[KescoNY]

Does it feel like its binding and maybe it feels like its losing power?

 

[SethThompson]

Does it feel like its binding and maybe it feels like its losing power?

It does not feel like the saw is binding at all. There was no burning on either side of the cut. The saw did not seem like it was struggling. I was making a fairly slow pass (I know I can't expect to plow through stuff with it) and the saw seemed to be losing power for no apparent reason.

I'm using the TS55 hooked to a CT36 on a 20 amp dedicated breaker.

 

[SethThompson]

I'm also getting a crazy amount of static electricity. I'll be returning it if I can't solve that problem.

 

[KescoNY]

Even tho this has never happened to me, i believe i read it on FOG, about the plug it cord not being fully seated or clicked completely causing a lose connection.  Maybe you can try removing the cord, inspecting the pins and trying again .

Hope that helps

 

[tjskinny]

When I am cutting and reposition myself due to vacuum hose or whatever, every now and then I have found my myself slighty releasing the trigger just momentary and re-engage the trigger just as quickly.  In that moment the saw starts slowing down, and you would expect the saw to jump right back up to speed when repressing the trigger, but it takes a moment and feels like it is loosing power.  I believe that moment of what feels like power loss is due to the speed control electronics recalculating what it needs to do.  So if you did happen to release the trigger, and I don't mean a full release, just a slight dis-enagement it could be what you are experiencing. 

My TS55EQ did this as well as my TS55REQ.

 

[Holmz]

Maple can be pretty hard.
Sometimes we just need to go slow.

I was able to get my Mt55 really bogged in some 45-mm wood last week, and it has more torque. I had to go slower than I wanted and I am running a 220v saw.

It is interesting as the lo-load PRM is a bit lower than the loaded RPM. So when one pauses it actually slows up and starts t go slow slower when restarting but pours the coals to it and the PRM goes higher.

I am assuming you have had it more than month?
On 110v it is a struggle and maple is hard.
You may nee to slow up, use a TS75, or run a 220v unit.

The static is concerning and I wonder it is is related?

 

[SethThompson]

When I am cutting and reposition myself due to vacuum hose or whatever, every now and then I have found my myself slighty releasing the trigger just momentary and re-engage the trigger just as quickly.  In that moment the saw starts slowing down, and you would expect the saw to jump right back up to speed when repressing the trigger, but it takes a moment and feels like it is loosing power.  I believe that moment of what feels like power loss is due to the speed control electronics recalculating what it needs to do.  So if you did happen to release the trigger, and I don't mean a full release, just a slight dis-enagement it could be what you are experiencing. 

My TS55EQ did this as well as my TS55REQ.

I noticed this right away. I slightly let off the trigger and the saw started to stop. After that I was extra careful to keep the trigger pulled. Same problem still.

 

[SethThompson]

Maple can be pretty hard.
Sometimes we just need to go slow.

I was able to get my Mt55 really bogged in some 45-mm wood last week, and it has more torque. I had to go slower than I wanted and I am running a 220v saw.

It is interesting as the lo-load PRM is a bit lower than the loaded RPM. So when one pauses it actually slows up and starts t go slow slower when restarting but pours the coals to it and the PRM goes higher.

I am assuming you have had it more than month?
On 110v it is a struggle and maple is hard.
You may nee to slow up, use a TS75, or run a 220v unit.

The static is concerning and I wonder it is is related?

I've only had the tool one week. Most likely returning it unless I find a solution to this soon. I was going so slow through the maple that I would have a hard time believing that I was going too fast.

As far as power, I will try to replug the cord into the tool. I was careful to put it in all the way, but it could be that I didn't do it right.  It is interesting that my extractor did the same thing about a month ago. It seemed to be losing power then fired right back up. Starting to question my festool purchases.

 

[ear3]

You've probably thought of this already, but just to make sure -- are you sure it's not the normal operation of the MMC motor to adjust the speed of the saw on the basis of the resistance its encountering in the material (the tell-tale sign is the "growling" noise?

I recently bought a TS 55.  Last night was my first time using the saw a decent amount. I was trimming the end off a 1 inch thick maple panel. While I was making the cut, the saw sounded like it was losing all of its power a couple times. The saw regained its power after a second though. Is this normal? This happened on a couple different cuts.

 

[Brice Burrell]

My guess is your saw is fine.  It sounds like you were crosscutting, still 1" of maple is no slouch to cut through, and I'm assuming you were using the 48T blade that comes with the saw.  The 28T blade cuts solid wood better and still has a pretty good cut quality.

I don't think the Plug-It cord is an issue.  To be thorough, the cord needs to be turned a full 90 degrees to be properly connected.  When the cords are new they can be very tight and it seems like they can't make the full 90 degree rotation.  Trust me they will, just muscle it.  Almost all tools have a line marked on the Plug-It connection point, and the Plug-It cords have arrows.  When you have the line on the tool and the arrow on the cord lined up the cord is fully connected.   

The static could be that your outlet isn't grounded.  You might want to test to see if you have an open ground.  A receptacle tester is fairly inexpensive, maybe $5-10 at a big box store.
Klein Tools RT100 Receptacle Tester, Amazon

 

[tjbnwi]

I agree with Brice, saw is working as it should.

Are you using a CT? If not the static is discharge through the hose, that could be the problem, if you are, check the ground prong on the plug and receptacle as Brice recommended.

tom

 

[SethThompson]

Thanks guys. Still having issues with the static. It all appears to be on the track. A friend of mine who has owned a track saw for about a year said he had static issue at first, but it went away with time.

Any advice on this? Thanks

 

[Birdhunter]

This kind of an offbeat suggestion. Have an electrician check out the circuit. Another test would be to plug the dust collector and saw into a totally different circuit.

 

[Holmz]

Since the plug-it has 2 wires, it is only the vacuum that would have a ground that needs to be plugged in?

 

[Bohdan]

[member=47181]SethThompson[/member]

Are you using an anti-static hose with a CT vac?

 

[flair woodworks]

I would try a different power outlet, or try running the saw and vacuum on separate circuits to see if the problem goes away.

 

[SethThompson]

Tried running the saw on a different circuit. No luck there. All of the static is on my track though. Is there a connection that needs to be made between the saw and track so it is grounded?

 

[tjbnwi]

Tried running the saw on a different circuit. No luck there. All of the static is on my track though. Is there a connection that needs to be made between the saw and track so it is grounded?

No.

Strange, never heard of this before.

Picture of your set up? I know it sounds strange but sometimes pictures help. Take a picture of the bottom of the saw also.

Tom

 

[Grasshopper]

I've had static with mine, but it's outlet specific.

As for cutting through 1" maple, mine runs pretty slow on thick hardwood.  I did a 14' rip cut of some S3S poplar (about 1 7/8" thick or so) and had to crawl or the saw would bog down (I was on a 15 amp circuit and through the breaker every 12" or so).  if when you stop feeding the saw through the material (with the trigger still pulled) and the motor revs back up, I'd say that sounds like normal operation.

Tried running the saw on a different circuit. No luck there. All of the static is on my track though. Is there a connection that needs to be made between the saw and track so it is grounded?