TS55 - Questions

[Hardyg]

Hi all,
Great forum. I have been reading for some time and have learned much. I have several Festool items and this group has helped greatly in getting the most from them.
First post with a few questions.
I have a TS55 saw, recently purchased along with two guide rails. The guide rails I bought have the new transparent splinter guards but when I tried to buy a spare roll of this splinterguard, only the black one seems to be available. Can anyone tell me the product number for the transparent guard. It doesn't appear to be listed in the 2009 catalog.
Also, the track gibs on the saw base are held in with pressed-on lock clips instead of screws and do not seem to be adjustable. I know they should be tight but I can barely turn them. Is this a new "feature" What if they needed replacing? Many thanks for any help.
Hardy

 

[sw1211]

Tool Home carries the splinterguard.  If you search on Splinter, the various sizes and options will be displayed.

 

[Hardyg]

Thanks, Steve

 

[peter halle]

Hardy,

If your dealer only has the black strips, he has older stock.  Hold out for the clear.  With you being in Canada, there are several dealers who participate here who are in Canada.

Peter

 

[peter halle]

Hardy,

If this photo shows what you are talking about:

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Then then look at this for the parts.  They are replaceable. Parts 78 and 79?

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[tbellemare]

Hardy:

If you're in Canada, I would think that Dan Clermont can help you. I can't sell outside the U.S..

The parts above, 78 & 79, that Peter pointed out, are sacrificial wear parts. The older saws didn't have these and could possibly wear out the contact blocks opposite the gibs. I just had to change a base for that reason about a week ago.

The adjustment should be fairly tight but if it is too tight, try some judiciously applied dry lube, it should help. I'm assuming your saw is new...

Tom

 

[Hardyg]

Thanks guys,
All is fine now. I returned my old splinter guard and replaced it with the transparent one; no problem.
I see that the newer saws have a wear strip (part no. 78, oddly named "crossheaded guide") and that the gib cams don't contact the guide bar so would not likely need replacing, just the wear strip. I don't have to do this yet but it is nice to know what is happening. I will try the lube idea, I almost tore the skin off my thumb trying to turn the cams.
Hardy