My TS 55 EQ plunge saw is behaving strange, seems to be something wrong with the electronic speed control. The saw doesn't get up to speed, and the rpm's are oscillating up and down. If I dial down the speed to about 4 it runs steady (but slower). The saw is about two years old, and I have not been using it that hard. This problem gets worse if I run on an extension cord (voltage drop) I have 120-121 Volt in my outlets. Anybody out there having experience with this kind of problem?
TS 55 EQ problem
- Thread starter mauikoa
- Start date
First [welcome] to the FOG.
I am not an electronics kind of guy, but one of the things that I think that I remember is that many of the dial switches and controls are self cleaning if you operate them enough. Try rotating your speed selector from stop to stop 15 times and if that doesn't help, unfortunately call Festool in the morning at the number posted on the label on your saw.
Peter
I am not an electronics kind of guy, but one of the things that I think that I remember is that many of the dial switches and controls are self cleaning if you operate them enough. Try rotating your speed selector from stop to stop 15 times and if that doesn't help, unfortunately call Festool in the morning at the number posted on the label on your saw.
Peter
ajones
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My guess would be brushes........ interesting that its worse on a extension lead.. should not make any difference..if the lead is good and in spec for the load on it.(its not coiled up is it?)
I would check your lead out as well as the saw, I think you have two issues, possibly..
I would check your lead out as well as the saw, I think you have two issues, possibly..
I know this is an old thread, but my TS 55 EQ is having the same problem. It is an old saw (2005), but hardly used - long story short, my uncle purchased it new, used it SPARINGLY, and gifted it to me a couple of years ago.
Issue: I was ripping some 1" mdf and the dust was horrid. Anyhow, the saw worked well for a short while, then the power started cutting out. I assumed it was overheating (no smoke or anything), so I waited a few minutes. Thereafter, when I start a cut, it starts, gets to full rpms, then a short way into the cut the rpms slow down or it turns off. When I disengage/reengage the switch, it usually will start, but runs at really low rpms. If I let it run (no load) for a few seconds, it will sometimes 'kick-in' to the higher rpms, but will then go back down when I start cutting.
1. I am cutting pretty slow - if I wanted power/speed, I would use my worm-drive skillsaw.
2. When I start using the saw after no use (eg next day), it usually cuts for a short time without issue. For example, I was ripping 1 1/2" Purpleheart, I think I got about 6 feet before it started having issues (once again, going really, really slow)
3. The problem is MUCH worse if I try to cut with any speed - putting a load on the tool, but not so much that I would consider it abuse
I called service, and they were great. I just hesitate to send it in because of the possible costs, especially if I can easily fix it myself.
Like I said, there was a lot of dust in that first job, and while I blew off/out the dust with air, I haven't opened it up to clean/inspect it.
I was hoping the OP found a solution, or someone has had similar issues and can help out. I will try this route before starting a new post.
I thank you in advance.
Issue: I was ripping some 1" mdf and the dust was horrid. Anyhow, the saw worked well for a short while, then the power started cutting out. I assumed it was overheating (no smoke or anything), so I waited a few minutes. Thereafter, when I start a cut, it starts, gets to full rpms, then a short way into the cut the rpms slow down or it turns off. When I disengage/reengage the switch, it usually will start, but runs at really low rpms. If I let it run (no load) for a few seconds, it will sometimes 'kick-in' to the higher rpms, but will then go back down when I start cutting.
1. I am cutting pretty slow - if I wanted power/speed, I would use my worm-drive skillsaw.
2. When I start using the saw after no use (eg next day), it usually cuts for a short time without issue. For example, I was ripping 1 1/2" Purpleheart, I think I got about 6 feet before it started having issues (once again, going really, really slow)
3. The problem is MUCH worse if I try to cut with any speed - putting a load on the tool, but not so much that I would consider it abuse
I called service, and they were great. I just hesitate to send it in because of the possible costs, especially if I can easily fix it myself.
Like I said, there was a lot of dust in that first job, and while I blew off/out the dust with air, I haven't opened it up to clean/inspect it.
I was hoping the OP found a solution, or someone has had similar issues and can help out. I will try this route before starting a new post.
I thank you in advance.
Brice Burrell
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mgudor, welcome to the FOG.
There could be something wrong with your saw or maybe not. I can't help but think you could have a dull blade trying to cut tough material. 1" mdf is within the range of the TS55's capabilities, but is no walk in the park for it. Same thing with ripping 1 1/2" Purpleheart. If you are using the right blade, that is sharp, for these tasks you shouldn't have issues.
A couple of questions, what blade(s) are you using and are they sharp?
There could be something wrong with your saw or maybe not. I can't help but think you could have a dull blade trying to cut tough material. 1" mdf is within the range of the TS55's capabilities, but is no walk in the park for it. Same thing with ripping 1 1/2" Purpleheart. If you are using the right blade, that is sharp, for these tasks you shouldn't have issues.
A couple of questions, what blade(s) are you using and are they sharp?
Rip Van Winkle
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The OPs problems sort of sound like what happens when a cordless tool is being used with batteries that are almost exhausted. You can wind up with a tool speeding up, slowing down, losing torque and running erratically. This would make me think there may be a short or other bad connection in the wiring, plugit, switch or otherwhere in the wiring. There could also be a problem eith the variable speed module or other component.
If the saw is operating erratically you should probably stop using it until the problem is checked out. If the speed of the saw and power level are rising and falling in use you could wind up with a nasty accident from kickback or some other surprise. Plus the position were users stand when using a track saw is somewhat different than with a standard circular saw, and might make it harder to compensate in case of kickback or other problem.
If the saw is operating erratically you should probably stop using it until the problem is checked out. If the speed of the saw and power level are rising and falling in use you could wind up with a nasty accident from kickback or some other surprise. Plus the position were users stand when using a track saw is somewhat different than with a standard circular saw, and might make it harder to compensate in case of kickback or other problem.
mgudor said:
Hi,
Welcome to the forum! [smile]
I would take the side blade cover off and make sure that no large chips are blocking the dust port. Sometimes from previous cutting a piece will get jammed inside. It can't always be seen by looking into the port, I've had it happen. That would be a good place to start in checking the DC issue.
On the power issue .... it sounds like the saw might have a problem. But if you are using the 48 Fine blade that comes with the saw for ripping 1 1/2" thick purple heart , that will be a problem regardless. The Fine blade is designed for cross cuts and sheet goods.
Seth
Rip Van Winkle
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As to the dust problems, some saws and other tools use the centrifugal force from the spinning blade and/or the airflow from the motor to assist with dust exhaust or dust collection. If the motor isn't working up to speed then the dust collection would also have issues.
demographic
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Had a problem like this at work yesterday, in my case it was caused by the site power to the house being about a eighty yards of 16 amp cable causing massive voltage drop.
Today we got three phase to maybe the last twenty yards where the large transformer is then a 32 amp cable to a 32-16 amp adapter right by the extractor and through that to the saw.
Ran fine today.
Today we got three phase to maybe the last twenty yards where the large transformer is then a 32 amp cable to a 32-16 amp adapter right by the extractor and through that to the saw.
Ran fine today.
mastercabman
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I have a friend that his saw had similar issue
He sent it for repairs and i think that he told me that the electronic that controls the speed control under load needed to be replaced
The saw puts more power when under load to keep the speed at the same rpm
He sent it for repairs and i think that he told me that the electronic that controls the speed control under load needed to be replaced
The saw puts more power when under load to keep the speed at the same rpm
Thank you for all the replies...
The dust collection works fine - I was simply working outside that day and didn't hook up the shopvac (I was really just letting everyone know there was a boatload of fine sawdust that i thought might have caused an issue).
Yes, I believe I am using the wrong blade [scared], which is why I go REALLY slow - not that it makes it okay, but I use the saw so little it is hard to justify the other blades.
Yes Rip, now that you mention it, it does remind me of my cordless circ saw (lipo). Once the batteries are low if you turn it on it runs at a lower rpm (yes, batteries should be charged at this point...but sometimes I only have 1/2" to go [wink]). So when my TS 55 comes on at the low rpms, it does increase the power/rpms after a few secs, and then goes back down under nearly any load.
I will check with a better chord, but just in case...mastercabman, any idea what it cost to fix? I will try to give service a call tomorrow and maybe they can give me an idea over the phone.
Thank you all once again...
The dust collection works fine - I was simply working outside that day and didn't hook up the shopvac (I was really just letting everyone know there was a boatload of fine sawdust that i thought might have caused an issue).
Yes, I believe I am using the wrong blade [scared], which is why I go REALLY slow - not that it makes it okay, but I use the saw so little it is hard to justify the other blades.
Yes Rip, now that you mention it, it does remind me of my cordless circ saw (lipo). Once the batteries are low if you turn it on it runs at a lower rpm (yes, batteries should be charged at this point...but sometimes I only have 1/2" to go [wink]). So when my TS 55 comes on at the low rpms, it does increase the power/rpms after a few secs, and then goes back down under nearly any load.
I will check with a better chord, but just in case...mastercabman, any idea what it cost to fix? I will try to give service a call tomorrow and maybe they can give me an idea over the phone.
Thank you all once again...
