TS 75 outrigger splinter guard

[legendtwo]

I just purchased a TS 75 saw and was using it on some 3/4 cabinet grade plywood.  I love its performance paired with the guide rails. I was using the blade that came with the saw, not a fine tooth saw blade.  I have to purchase a fine tooth blade still.  I installed the green outrigger splinter guard which is supposed to virtually eliminate splintering on crosscuts.  I know the splinter guard was installed properly, but the cross cuts were no better than they would have been without the splinter guard installed.  Is this splintering being caused by the blade being used?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The green splinterguard was fully depressed against the material being cut, right?

What was the depth of the blade set to?

Photos would be helpful, if you have them.

Honestly, I can't remember the blade depth right off hand, my brain is nearing full capacity on Festool trivia, but I'm pretty sure it has to be a certain minimum depth to engage the splinterguard.

I'm sure another forum member with a TS 75 can provide that info.

 

[legendtwo]

Thank you for your response.

I used the blade depth trick of lowering the blade until it touches the sacrificial surface (while the saw is on the guide rail) and then lower the cut depth selector two more millimeters to ensure a clean cut through the material but not too deep into the sacrificial surface.

The splinter guard was indeed flush to the surface of the material and tightened so as not to move.

I was baffled by the splintering too.

As I stated, I was using the blade that came with the saw.  I think it is a multipurpose blade.  Also, the saw speed was set to the maximum of 6.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

If you look at the splinterguard, is there a kerf cut into it?

I don't have a 75 here with me, but like I said, I'm pretty sure there's a minimum depth before the blade hits that splinterguard. I just don't remember what it is. You were at about 27mm give or take if it was 3/4" material and you dropped it a mil or two extra.

 

[legendtwo]

I do not have access to the saw and splinter guard from my current location to check for the blade cutting into the guard.  I will do so tomorrow, but I would think that 3/4" + 2 additional millimeters would be sufficient for the blade to engage the splinter guard.

I will check for it tomorrow.

Thank you for your reply.

 

[PaulMarcel]

I had that problem as well then created a longer offcut splinter guard with the existing splinter guard.  Wish Festool would make one that is longer so you can do a shallow plunge with the TS-75 and get a splinter-free offcut.  Anyway, easy solution with some scrap and two #6 screws.  I documented how to make the longer splinter guard here. Since I have a calibrated fence for the offcut side of my MFT, I actually have keeper pieces on the offcut side quite often.  Even so, the guard is still doing well since I wrote that article up and it wouldn't be difficult to cruft one up in a minute or three.

 

[ccarrolladams]

This is one reason why it makes good sense to use a TS55 to cut material less than 25mm thick!

With a TS55 the 'Outrigger Splinter Guard' or 'Green Plastic Presser Foot' works swell even with material

 

[legendtwo]

My problem turned out to be just the saw blade I was using to cross cut the plywood.  I had the 32 tooth blade.  I installed the 52 tooth blade and the splintering disappeared.