TS 55R angle problems

[Administrator_JSVN]

No worries on posting in the Ask Festool section. It was best that you did, otherwise I may have missed your question directed to me. I just merged it back into the existing topic so it was all in one place and easy to find for everyone.

I think people generally are more likely to speak up about a problem than say "everything is working perfectly". That's why, even with you call out for people to do so, you may find no one responds and says everything OK with my saw.

As for paying shipping, it looks like you're in an area with three dealers very close by. Why not stop by one of them at look at their demo tool? I hesitate to say that because you obviously have decided not to buy locally, but it gives you a chance to eyeball the saw in person.

I'm glad you asked your questions. I want customers to make an educated, well-informed buying decision.

Shane

 

[mouppe]

Charles,

I did use my REQ saw to do some mitre cuts a few weeks ago, and I noticed that when I reset the saw to 90 degrees it was different to the previous generation of saws. But as Shane wrote, if you are careful about not exerting excessive pressure on the front of the saw before you tighten up the locking knobs, there will be no problem whatsoever. Lock the rear knob, then the front knob and you will be fine.

Richard.

 

[Ben H]

Having never been a track saw user, I have to ask if those that are;  On critical cuts, don't you use a square to check the blade before you cut?  I've used my PM table saw for years, it cost 5x times what the TS55 does, and I do not trust the scale on the it.  I always double check the angle before the cut.

I get that the scale on the piece of the plastic is off by a hair on the 55, but do guys really trust it to begin with?

 

[festnoob]

I get that the scale on the piece of the plastic is off by a hair on the 55, but do guys really trust it to begin with?

I no longer have an REQ. When I did I didn't make an angled cut, but I would like to trust it. Makes setting up angled cuts and returning to 0 much easier. On my EQ I would set up a 45 and cut without an angle gauge and it was spot on. My 75 is spot on also. If its there wouldn't you want to trust it?

My Sawstop cabinet saw took some adjusting but I trust it as well. My Kapex is spot on 45 also. All I'm saying is, if its there we should be able to rely on it.

 

[Ben H]

I get that the scale on the piece of the plastic is off by a hair on the 55, but do guys really trust it to begin with?

I no longer have an REQ. When I did I didn't make an angled cut, but I would like to trust it. Makes setting up angled cuts and returning to 0 much easier. On my EQ I would set up a 45 and cut without an angle gauge and it was spot on. My 75 is spot on also. If its there wouldn't you want to trust it?

My Sawstop cabinet saw took some adjusting but I trust it as well. My Kapex is spot on 45 also. All I'm saying is, if its there we should be able to rely on it.

I get what you are saying, but I've always been one to double check.  Crap can build up on the set screws giving you a false reading.  Whatever works for you.  I was also under the impression there are ball detents at 90 & 45 on the track saws.  Now I would expect those to damn close to perfect.

 

[GarryMartin]

I will wait to give a final verdict when I recieve my new saw

Any updates? I presume you have a replacement by now.

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Hi Gary the new one is at home waiting for me but I ask away from home until tomorro or Thursday evenin. I will let you guys know when I get home

 

[OttawaP]

I bought this saw last week. Out of the box it showed similar weirdness, but...it was not cutting at 90 deg. Once adjusted it's now bang on and aligning nicely at both ends. A bunch of experimenting shows angles other than 0 are typically within .1 deg . I find this quite reasonable for a hand/eye adjusted cursor.

 

[tbellemare]

I pulled my REQ out of the systainer yesterday and set it on a granite countertop to check it. It rocked slightly.

I then, loosened both bevel knobs and tightened them again. It stopped rocking. Apparently, it was in a bit of a bind.

Tom

 

[shoe5442]

I had the need to do my first bevel cuts with my REQ, and did a quick check of the 45 degree stop. It was off about 3/4 degree. I was able to adjust the stop, but now I see that the scale is off by 3/4 degree. If I set to 44 1/4, I get a perfect 45 degree cut. I see no obvious adjustment for the scale, and my web search brought me here. I was an early adopter, and have not sent my unit in for the recall. Now trying to decide what to do. Maybe it will come to me when I finish this project.

Bob

 

[semenza]

I had the need to do my first bevel cuts with my REQ, and did a quick check of the 45 degree stop. It was off about 3/4 degree. I was able to adjust the stop, but now I see that the scale is off by 3/4 degree. If I set to 44 1/4, I get a perfect 45 degree cut. I see no obvious adjustment for the scale, and my web search brought me here. I was an early adopter, and have not sent my unit in for the recall. Now trying to decide what to do. Maybe it will come to me when I finish this project.

Bob

Hi,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Regardless of the angle scale problem. You should send your saw in for the recall. Turn around is very fast.

Seth

 

[NEW2FES]

Why is the answer to every problem that you have 30 days to return the tool? Not sure how that is a solution? Also what if you find out after the 30 days? Shipping charges? What about all the other tools you bought to work with the saw? Remember this is a system.

I say it every time guys and gals stop making excuses for the tools as constructive criticism will force Festool to up it's game. Instead they read post after post of people accepting an inferior product. Would you invest more into changing your tool? It is a $600 saw and the buyer has every right to expect a correct angle gauge right out of the box. So now your project get's put on hold till it gets sorted out. If this was a Makita track saw there would be a 100 replies to get rid of that junk.

Great saws but there is always room for improvement.

 

[semenza]

Not sure the 30 day try it policy is the answer to every problem. But my post is not about the angle problem.  Bob's saw, having been recalled,  should be sent in for the recall repair.

Seth

 

[Worm Drive]

I noticed the same issue on my new 55req. The positive stop for 0 puts the gauge at -.5 and 46, in the other direction. I will play around with the saw, in the next few days, to see if the problem is with the scale or with the stop. Hopefully the issue is with the stop placement and not the scale.

 

[Worm Drive]

Just got back to the shop and checked my saw out. It seems that the scale is accurate, when I set the pointer to 0 it cut dead square. Also, right on the money when I set for a 45. The positive stops are off and there doesn't appear to be an adjustment. Seems that they should have a set screw to adjust the stops. It is only a minor inconvenience for me to have to set by eye, as I will mainly use the saw for square cuts.

 

[Fredrick]

Just got back to the shop and checked my saw out. It seems that the scale is accurate, when I set the pointer to 0 it cut dead square. Also, right on the money when I set for a 45. The positive stops are off and there doesn't appear to be an adjustment. Seems that they should have a set screw to adjust the stops. It is only a minor inconvenience for me to have to set by eye, as I will mainly use the saw for square cuts.

I have the same "issue" with mine. The scale gauge seems to be correct, but both stops (0 and 45) are a little bit off. Not really that big of a deal once you know about it as its easily countered by just using the gauge. Seems like something Festool should fix though. 

 

[geekboy]

I'm having an issue with the angle scale on my TS 55R saw also.  The scale was not set correctly.  I called the service number and I was told how to adjust the stop on the back of the saw. I made the adjustments and it is a lot better.  The problem is that on the scale on the front of the saw the arrow is between -1 and 0.  I called the service department again and I was told that there is no adjustment for the front scale so either I can learn how to use it with the scale being off or I can return the saw since I'm within 30 days.  Not sure what I'm going to do yet. 

 

[festnoob]

I'm having an issue with the angle scale on my TS 55R saw also.   The scale was not set correctly.  I called the service number and I was told how to adjust the stop on the back of the saw. I made the adjustments and it is a lot better.  The problem is that on the scale on the front of the saw the arrow is between -1 and 0.  I called the service department again and I was told that there is no adjustment for the front scale so either I can learn how to use it with the scale being off or I can return the saw since I'm within 30 days.   Not sure what I'm going to do yet. 

That's disappointing.  [embarassed]

 

[Jaybolishes]

If you want a saw that is right on with its indicator, go and buy a discounted ts55 on Craigslist.  If you don't care about the new improvements like the ability to go beyond 0 degrees and 90 degrees plus more,  the old saw will suit you just fine and give you the accuracy you're looking for.

 

[festnoob]

If you want a saw that is right on with its indicator, go and buy a discounted ts55 on Craigslist.  If you don't care about the new improvements like the ability to go beyond 0 degrees and 90 degrees plus more,  the old saw will suit you just fine and give you the accuracy you're looking for.

Selling my TS55EQ was one of the worse tool decisions I've made. Can't bring myself to buy someone else's 55 knowing how well I took care of mine. Maybe one day.