TS55 odd sound and not cutting intermittently

[Vaskerville]

Yesterday I was cutting a 2x4 lengthwise and twice my TS55 stopped.

I heard an odd sound, like a build of pressure, before it wouldn't cut the wood. For about two minutes, it made a slightly less loud sound but the blade did not have the force to cut. Then, I waited for two minutes, and it worked again (and sounded right).

And then it happened a second time. Odd sound, it doesn't have power to cut and makes an off sound, I wait, and then it cuts again.

I was done using it at this point.

Has anybody experienced something like this? I live in Haiti so I can't simply take this to the local shop...

Thanks

 

[android]

I'll throw out a few technical points.

Most tools including Festool use microprocessors to control the motor speed. They use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to control the motor speed. This is one of the reasons tools sound "growly" when they spin up to speed. It also allows the speed to remain mostly the same as the blade takes a load.

Additionally, there is a thermistor inside the saw to protect from overheating.  The microprocessor is going to either shut down power to the motor or go into a limp mode depending on how it's programmed.

So, if after cooling down a bit, your saw works fine, then you were maybe on the borderline of being overheated which can happen ripping a lot.

If it continues to be sketchy even after resting, it's likely broken in some more permanent way.

 

[RDMuller]

Are you using long lengths of thin exetension cords in a hot environment and having voltage drops?  Read about Festool MMC.  I think it is protecting you.

 

[KongKirill]

Silly suggestion... But. 2x4 of what? spruce or oak? If your blade isn't sharp enough and wood is hard, it could be electronics, than mentioned earlier. May be lower rpm would help?
Hope your saw is fine..
K

 

[Birdhunter]

I’d ask about the blade you had in the saw. Is it a rip blade? If not, that could be the source of the over heating.

 

[android]

Oh, I forgot to mention...

The reason most tools will go into the limp mode is not so you can finish your cut, but because you are supposed to continue to run the tool unloaded to cool it down.

The fan blades are fixed to the motor shaft so the only way to cool it down quickly is to run it. That will usually cool it off faster than letting it sit.

 

[semenza]

Yesterday I was cutting a 2x4 lengthwise and twice my TS55 stopped.

I heard an odd sound, like a build of pressure, before it wouldn't cut the wood. For about two minutes, it made a slightly less loud sound but the blade did not have the force to cut. Then, I waited for two minutes, and it worked again (and sounded right).

And then it happened a second time. Odd sound, it doesn't have power to cut and makes an off sound, I wait, and then it cuts again.

I was done using it at this point.

Has anybody experienced something like this? I live in Haiti so I can't simply take this to the local shop...

Thanks

Yes, that is what happens when the overheating protection circuitry kicks in. 

I have actually had this happen when ripping 2 x pine. Even though the wood is easy to cut the darn twisty stuff can really put pressure on the blade even with the riving knife. If using the 48 tooth blade that could definitely cause overheating.

Seth

 

[Gregor]

I had the same effect with 22mm birch multiplex (45° cut over full length of 2.5m with universal blade), first cut fine but 2nd always stalled around the 2m mark. Quick talk to the service department also gave 'overheat protection' as reason for behaviour of the saw, switching to a new blade fixed the issue - the old one looked and felt fine but as I could only reproduce it with that blade my guess is that it simply needs a sharpening.

 

[Vaskerville]

Wow, what amazingly good answers!

The wood is local oak - it's pretty hard. So, overheating sounds like the problem. Good to know all the oddness of the sound I was hearing can be explained.

And yes, electricity around here is almost always a bit wonky. We only have power from the grid for 10 hours each day. The other 14 hours we're on six batteries. And, if I need to turn on something powerful during those hours, I turn on our VW sized generator to run the house. Last year two of our laptops were fried by grid power. Anyways...

I think I'm due for a new blade as well. I'll get a 26 (28?) tooth blade as well.

There actually is a small fine woodworking shop in the city (Petion-ville). Prices are typically nearly three times what they are in the US (we have to pay 70% duty tax when shipping things into the country - plus the cost of shipping!).

I bought the majority of my Festools while living in Africa though...

Thanks for the super helpful information.

 

[peter halle]

Please do let us know how this works out.

On a personal note, your country has had so many challenges in recent years.  I applaud you and all your countrymen and women who persevere.  Godspeed to all!

Peter

 

[Cheese]

On a personal note, your country has had so many challenges in recent years.  I applaud you and all your countrymen and women who persevere.  Godspeed to all!

Peter

AMEN...well said Peter. Only 10 hours of grid power daily...sheesh. [crying] [crying]