TS 55 - Can it cut multiple sheets of plywood?

[aaron91]

Hello all,

This is my first post and I was wondering if anyone has problems with their ts 55 cutting multiple layers of plywood?  The first time I noticed the problem was about 2 months ago.  I was trying to cut two layers of 3/4" fire rated plywood and the circuit protection would shut off after about every foot.

The other day I picked up a new rip blade and I was trying to cut through 3 layers of 1/2" mdf, same problem only I could go about 2 feet before the saw shut down.  Also, I was pluged directly to the wall no extension cord.

They rep at my local store told me the ts 55 was really only a "single sheet" saw and if I was going to cut multiple sheets at once I should get the ts 75.  Is this true?

Thanks
Aaron

 

[timcgibbs]

Hi Aaron,

Sounds like something is wrong- Best thing to do is contact Festool service.  I use my ts55 all the time for multiple sheets and even 2" maple butcher block counter tops. Let the saw do the work, try not to push it too much though.

good luck!

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have cut multiple stacked sheets with the 55.  Something funny is going on.

Call the phone number on the saw.

 

[aaron91]

thanks for the input i really appreciate it.  I will call festool tomorrow and see what they say.

on a second thought could it be that i am too impatient and i'm pushing the saw more than i'm letting it do the cutting.  I'm kind of tough on my tools and that could be an issue, compared to how i use my circular saw to rough cut sheet goods i personally don't think i'm pushing too hard.  i just want to cover all of my bases before i call.

thanks for your help

 

[Brice Burrell]

thanks for the input i really appreciate it.  I will call festool tomorrow and see what they say.

on a second thought could it be that i am too impatient and i'm pushing the saw more than i'm letting it do the cutting.  I'm kind of tough on my tools and that could be an issue, compared to how i use my circular saw to rough cut sheet goods i personally don't think i'm pushing too hard.  i just want to cover all of my bases before i call.

thanks for your help

Aaron, that was my first thought.  Still, a call to Festool won't hurt.

 

[billg71]

I cut two sheets of 3/4 hardwood ply and Baltic Birch all the time with the TS55, only time I ever tripped a breaker was when ripping a 2x12 with the 48-tooth blade and the vac running.  [eek]

If you can't cut 1-1/2" of MDF with a rip blade I'd say there's something not right with your saw. You can't lean on the saw like you can a good sidewinder but if you're somewhere close to reasonable with the feed rate you shouldn't have any problems. Just keep in mind it's a 10-amp saw, it won't cut like the 15-amp skilsaws with 24-tooth blades you're probably used to.

Call service, they can ask questions and see if your saw needs repair or you just need to lighten up a little..  [wink]

Good luck,
Bill

 

[fritter63]

I was just coming here to post a similar story.

A couple weeks ago I was using the TS55 to rip 5/4 Alder. After a few boards, it "overheated" and shut down on me. Was fine after I let it cool off.

Today, I was ripping a 2x4 to narrower widths. On the second rip cut, it did the same. Had to let it cool down for a few minutes. This was only doug fir. There is a definite "carbon smell" to the motor area (is this normal when under regular shut down situations?). Or have I fry'ed my motor?

 

[Mavrik]

I treat my ts55 as a gentle, precision saw.
When dealing with hard wood or very think wood, i cut in 20mm passes.
There's another good reason for that - it prevents leaving burn marks and needs less finishing afterwards.
No tool likes to be pushed beyond its "happy" zone.

Same reason we do routing in multiple passes

 

[Frans]

Did you use a guide rail? If not, you might get the blade jammed if you don't keep the saw straight.

Or perhaps one of the sheets moved during sawing, causing the blade to get stuck.

If have never had a problem cutting multiple sheets at the same time, but I always use a rail and make sure the sheets can't move.

Frans

 

[Brice Burrell]

I was just coming here to post a similar story.

A couple weeks ago I was using the TS55 to rip 5/4 Alder. After a few boards, it "overheated" and shut down on me. Was fine after I let it cool off.

Today, I was ripping a 2x4 to narrower widths. On the second rip cut, it did the same. Had to let it cool down for a few minutes. This was only doug fir. There is a definite "carbon smell" to the motor area (is this normal when under regular shut down situations?). Or have I fry'ed my motor?

Not likely, as you know the saw shuts itself down to prevent that.  If your saw is still fairly new you might just be smelling the brushes seating.

 

[sancho57]

How sharp/ clean is your blade?

It may need changing

 

[aaron91]

I figured it out.  I'm just too impatient and I was rushing the saw.  I was cutting two layers of 3/4 ply all day for cabinets and never had a problem by lowering my feed rate.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[fdengel]

You probably did think of this, but just in case, you might want to check that the speed setting on the saw is all the way up.

 

[Julian Tracy]

Well - no one has ever accused the TS55 of being super powerful.  It has no where near the power of any other circular saw I've owned.  Of course, they were 13 and 15amp saws and I think the TS is a 10.5amp saw.

I've found it to be lacking in power when cutting built up edges of particle board for counter tops.

What it lacks in power though, it makes up for in precision.

For the guy above cutting 2" Maple - you must not be using the standard 48 tooth blade for that - no way it'd go at a decent pace.

That 48 toother is a great blade, but it's got it's limits and it's easy to find em.

I'd say if you want to consistently cut multiple layers of sheet goods, especially engineered stuff, you'd be better off with the 75.

JT

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

I'm with you on that Julian!

When I cut in a border into hardwood I have to take it slow. Real slow to keep the motor sounding happy.

 

[Dan1210]

just like to say how much of a tough little cookie the ts 55 is, i used mine to remove stock on some large half lap joints for these roof trusses i made, the timber was wet but time was against me and i needed to get the job done, the saw worked really hard and a few times i thought i should stop as it was just tool abuse! at one point it actually cut out and i thought i should use my old dewalt to finish it off, after a while the saw was fine and working again but it surprised me how tough the tool was and the motor protection was a life saver, i regularly cut 40mm oak worktops with my saw and with a new blade it goes through like butter and gives me a ready to bolt up finish (no routing to clean up needed) a fantastic tool and with the right/sharp blade can handle anything you throw at it, my 55 is 4/5 years old now still as good as the day i bought it, the only issue i have is the dust extractor port has become loose over time and will drop down rather than staying in the position i move it to, will it cut multiple sheets of ply? yeh no problem!

 

[pugilato]

I had a similar problem recently... ripping 3/4 plywood at 45 degrees.  The machine overheated (I could feel the vacuum hose heating up) and cut out once.  I found two issues.  the first is that the blade was filthy.  cleaned it up with this spray I got from Rockler, and then squirted it with this other spray that lubricates the blade.  the second problem is that the vacuum bag was full.  Issues attended to, problem solved.

 

[daviszr1]

I was just coming here to post a similar story.

A couple weeks ago I was using the TS55 to rip 5/4 Alder. After a few boards, it "overheated" and shut down on me. Was fine after I let it cool off.

Today, I was ripping a 2x4 to narrower widths. On the second rip cut, it did the same. Had to let it cool down for a few minutes. This was only doug fir. There is a definite "carbon smell" to the motor area (is this normal when under regular shut down situations?). Or have I fry'ed my motor?

I've had problems with ripping 2x12's pinching the blade and riving knife so hard the saw is locked up.  I've started to make 1/2 depth cuts in stock that I am concerned is going to have a lot of internal movement/strees.  No problems since then, even on stuff that has shown a LOT of internal stresses.

Of course this doesn't help the OP since plywood isn't likely to pinch like solid wood.