TS55 Bevel angle accuracy

[Roseland]

For some time I’ve been aware that when I cut 45° mitres and joint them, the resulting angle is just shy of 90°.

When set to 45° on the scale, the angle between the blade and baseplate looks right, but it’s hard to tell.  The saw sits flat on the rail (I press down on the hatched area on top of the baseplate).  The rails are straight and sit flat on the wood, and I am careful to make sure that the rail is supported over its full width, including before the cut starts.

There is a grub screw that limits the bevel angle, and if I tip the saw to this stop it does cut at 45°, but that’s a full degree past the last mark on the scale.

The blade (Festool 48 tooth) is sharp and there’s no play in the snibs on the rail.

Any ideas what I’m doing wrong?

Andrew

 

[tjbnwi]

Which model 55? I think on my E I can adjust the pointer, on the R I cannot.

Tom

 

[Roseland]

It's an 'EBQ', and if there is an adjustment, it's not obvious to me  :-(

The pointer seems to show correctly at 0°, although one is squinting at an angle to see that.

Andrew

 

[Roseland]

OK, so I've just gone and done some test cuts.  At 0° it is square, as accurately as I can measure with an Incra square.  At 45° on the scale it's just over 1° shy.

Andrew

 

[bkharman]

OK, so I've just gone and done some test cuts.  At 0° it is square, as accurately as I can measure with an Incra square.  At 45° on the scale it's just over 1° shy.

Andrew

Check in this guide. I think there is reference to fine adjusting.
http://festoolusa.com/media/pdf/ts_55_eq_us.pdf

 

[Roseland]

bkharman,

Thanks for the suggestion.  The fine adjustment sets the maximum bevel to 45°.  If I tip the machine as far as it will go (to the stop) it is at 45°, but the pointer is past the 45° mark on the scale.  Given that the scale is spot on at 0° I don't see what adjustment can be made.

If I'm being stupid here don't be afraid to tell me so!

Andrew