TS55 hinge play?

[dans]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I bought a TS 55 this week and there is a minimal amount of axial play in the hinge mechanism. I'm worried if this is normal or some sort of factory defect.

Here's a clip: youtu.be/R0Gg2yOr0Ws

Who else has this on their saw?

Thanks Dan

 

[ear3]

[member=73061]dans[/member] Interesting observation.  Just went and checked my TSC 55 and was able to produce the same slop as shown in your video, which means it must be normal for the saw.  But when you plunge the saw down, that slop disappears, so it does not in any way affect the cut.

It may explain, though, why sometimes you get blade marks at the tail end of a cut on the last inch of the board, though this could also just be from the natural motion when you're retracting the saw at the end of a cut.  It try to push the blade all the way through the cut so I am not retracting while still on the board, though sometimes it's unavoidable if you're maxing out the rail capacity.

 

[dans]

I observed the same, though when you push/pull on the back of the handle, you can still reproduce some slop. I don't want to be suuper fussy but it kind of bugs me. My Makita SP6000 has the same although worse and it doesn't reduce when plunging. The Festool is thought to be superior. [unsure]

 

[Svar]

I've been saying this for years. They all have it, TS55, TS75, HK55, HK85, I tried them all. I even sent one for service and Festool said it's "within specs", which is their euphemism for design flaw.  Up to a half mm wobble. Unbelievable that such a refined line of saws come with sloppy hinge design. I bet lion's share of complaints about cut quality could be traced down to this.

An older thread on this:https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...nge-hinge-excessive-play/msg561330/#msg561330
Another one about HK85:https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...-front-hinge-pin-section/msg537777/#msg537777

FYI Mafell MT55 hinge is smooth and rock solid.

 

[yetihunter]

Come to think of it, my MT55 does not wobble either.  But my other Mafell saw sure does. All of my other circular saws do that too. 

 

[Svar]

Come to think of it, my MT55 does not wobble either.  But my other Mafell saw sure does. All of my other circular saws do that too.

Don't all other Mafell saws use linear shafts instead of hinge to move up and down?

 

[yetihunter]

Come to think of it, my MT55 does not wobble either.  But my other Mafell saw sure does. All of my other circular saws do that too.

Don't all other Mafell saws use linear shafts instead of hinge to move up and down?

Yes, but they can flex if you lean on them.  The sole is connected to the bevel hinge like everything else.  It’s most noticeable on the ks300/ks40 because of how light it is.  But, you have to make the saw do that.  It doesn’t happen while using it.

EDIT:  I’m sorry, I’m thinking about a whole different thing than what the op is talking about. 

 

[dans]

Update: I got a replacement saw...guess what? Has it too, even worse, more play sideways, and it doesn't stop when plunged. There even is some sort of "clonk" sound when trying to press the saw against its housing.
I'm gonna send it back too. This is totally unacceptable in a saw that expensive, that is marketed towards professionals. I thought there is an improvement over the Makita. The Makita is just as good.