Festool TS 55 EQ Plunge Cut Circular Saw

Reviews of Festool TS 55 EQ Plunge Cut Circular Saw

1.) Second to none
Reviewed by: Justin G. Cramer Chicago, IL USA
Rating:
For those of you that are unaware of Festool as a high quality product let this tool be your introduction. I have been dabbling in woodworking and carpentry for the better part of 10 years. I am by no means an expert at it.

Fit and cut quality have always been something that I have struggled with. Even with lasers on some of my tools I still could not get the quality of cut needed to close up some of the joins in the way I would like. The Festool TS 55 has changed that, especially when cutting sheet goods. The rail is rock solid and does not flex, unlike my old strait edge. This makes it very easy to make a tapered cut with out any bowing.

I have owned the saw for about two months now and have completed three projects with it. It has taken some getting used to to power, plunge, push, un-plunge and release but with the saw blade spinning down in the case I do feel a bit safer.

One added benefit that I was not expecting is that the saw and guide rail fill in quite nicely as a miter saw. The quality of the cuts makes my DEWALT DW718 Heavy-Duty 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw seem less needed.

2.) Best guided saw
Reviewed by: remodel & cabinets
Rating:
I use the TS 55 & guides to cut plywood, plastic laminate & siding. Best control & perfect cuts. The splinter preventer edge is replaceable on the guides; I have short & long & joining bars. Can cut 12' of laminate in one pass! Wish I had more power; I should have bought the 75. This saw works well in cabinet shop and trim work. Get a Porter-Cable if you frame.


3.) Excellant saw
Reviewed by: Extensive reader CO
Rating:
I have used a couple other track saws and this one totally blows them away. Easier to use and better results.

The Good:
Part of a well designed and thought out system that is more than the sum of the parts.
Sacrificial edge on the guide minimizes splintering and tear out (except on very thin brittle materials there isn't any).
The new Festool Parallel Guide Extension Set makes it a faster and more convenient replacement for a table saw. (Both the guides and extension are really a necessity.)
Best panel saw on the market.
No real limit to the size panels or stock that can be cut with precision. (Other than how much guide length you can afford, room and support. I found that a deck with ½" between board spacing works well for large panels or ripping longer boards.)
Can use table other than the MFT (BTW the MFT800 is on blow out).
Good weather resistant case.
Very flexible and a lot of power.

The Bad:
Part of a well designed and thought out system that is more than the sum of the parts but the parts get to cost a lot.
Need to use the sacrificial edges and trim them to the blade.
Can be a bit fussy to setup; particularly with narrow or thin stock (takes shimming with scrap or a template).
Using with tables other than the MFT is not difficult just not as fast.
Can do small/narrow stock but is fussy to set up; doesn't rip thin/narrow stock easily.
Doesn't do dadoes.
No provision for blades in the case, case liner is thin brittle plastic and can't be modified.
Limited third party blades.

The Ugly:
Part of a well designed and thought out system that is more than the sum of the parts but there are a lot of parts to keep track of.
If you cut a lot of heavy stock particularly hardwood, metal or a tough plastic; or you need more than a 50mm (2") deep cuts you really want the 75.
Fairly heavy.
Needs precise setup for good results.
TS 55 & TS 75 Portable Plunge Saws: With Fs/2 Guide Rail, MFT Multifunction Table, & CT Dust Extraction System (Festool Essentials) is a waste of paper.
For cutting limited sizes of stock that is very thin or brittle the Festool PS 300 EQ 6 Amp Jig Saw with the weirdly named Festool 490031 Guide Stop is a better tool also for ripping relatively narrow material; although, that's what a bandsaw is for.
Limited but adequate selection of blades.
For a lot of ripping a table saw is faster, but not as convenient unless handy in the shop.
While it does well as a miter saw does not do compound miters and if you are going to be doing a lot of trim work you really want a Festool Kapex KS 120 Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Jet JMS-12SCMS 12-Inch Dual-Bevel Slide Compound Miter Saw or a Milwaukee 6955-20 12-Inch Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw with Digital Miter Angle Fine Adjust.

Tip for Festool documentation their site, click on support, click on knowledge base, scroll down to the tool and click on it; you will get a list of updated and supplemental documentation that is quite good. There is also a excellent how to video for the saw and the guide rails and extnsion on the festool users group site.

Overall a little pricy but the best.
BTW the 10% off sale is only through the end of May 2010, on the saws and accessories. (Been extended through the end of June!)

4.) Superb for Finish Work
Reviewed by: Reader Florida
Rating:
First, this is a pricey saw. It is a finish saw masquerading as a circular saw. It's not a jobsite saw nor is it designed to be used to cut 2x4s for form work. It's not a framing saw. This is not a saw you toss on the ground in the mud in a hole 8' down while putting up forms. That is what a Skilsaw is for. Where it really excels is in cutting large plywood panels for cabinet work. I recommend the 106" guide rail for working with 4x8' sheets of plywood. Two 55" guide rails using a connector that Festool sells will also work. With all that said, keep in mind the guide rails are made out of aluminum and have some flex in them. They do not have the rigidity of a compound saw for miter cuts in hardwood or the rip fence on a table saw for repetitive cutting of rails and stiles for cabinets. One is better off getting a Festool Kapex for the former and a good tablesaw for the latter.

However for cutting panels to size I can't think of anything better; you put the plywood on the sawhorses, mark and clamp the guide rail, and make your cut and it is splinter free. Try maneuvering a 4x8 sheet on a tablesaw and one will see how difficult (and dangerous) that is.

The best part is the dust collection system, if you are working indoors this feature pays for itself immediately in a cleaner environment and less cleanup time.

5.) can replace your tablesaw
Reviewed by: remodeler
Rating:
I am a home remodeler and have used my TS 55 for over 3 years and will not part with it. No other saw can cut as many different materials with the precision that this saw does. It basically has replaced the table saw at the work site. Only if I have a lot of ripping to do will the table saw come out. The best feature of the saw is no chipping of plywood, laminate or any other wood. If you are debating on this saw don't hesitate.

Pros: easy to operate, change blades, clean cuts, excellent dust control with a vac, fast setup.

Cons:None really

6.) Joy to use, a pride to own.
Reviewed by: Wedemay Marin County, CA
Rating:
I don't often find a tool, or tool manufacturer that impress me for long. Lagler and Festool are the top of my list. Both are German and both are the top of the line in their area.

Festool is the more well known, wider application company making many small power tools that are available in the US. More are available in 220 voltages in Europe. I"d say they excel in design, accuracy, ease of use and full system integration. The truth is once you buy one Festool you are on a slippery slope to owning the entire line. There are other good manufacturers out there, but few make a whole line of tools that work together to deliver great reproducible results with the least set up time and total compatibility. While many tools manufacturers cut corners when it comes to packaging Festool does not (at least not with their saws and sanders, the rail guide bag is a pricey extra and we will see how well it performs over time.I suspect that the rails actually have to either have "guide caps" for each end, a not inexpensive extra, or one of us users/inventors will manufacturer a slip on plastic retainer to protect the ends for transportation and just general moving around the job-site.Festool offer unsurpassed design, performance and good packaging. The whole "sustainer" system is a lovely part of the organization and portability of the tools. They keep the tools clean, stable and dry, while not using or while moving around in fairly strong, secure plastic boxes that interlock both with each other and the Vacuum.

my only complaint is the cut depth scale is in metric and they offer imperial scale on their routers, so why not on the saw? I'm buying a table saw tape for it to switch out so i don't have to keep converting in my head. this is a well designed, safe saw that delivers perfect cuts with excellent dust retention when used as directed with a vacuum, Ideally the CT 22. While a separate review, i will say it meets my needs for both performance and size balance while offering good specs and power control of the tool (overload protector) and adjustable suction.

The fact is, Festools are fun tools to own and use. Their quality seems top of the line, and the warranty is among the best in the industry. 1+2 (3 years). and I'm happy to see less expensive aftermarket blades here on amazon. I'm trying some and will let you know how they perform compared to the Festool blades.

Five stars if a bit pricey and warning: these tools and even the catalog is seriously addictive!



7.) Six Stars
Reviewed by: Chris Dempsey Detroit
Rating:
I delayed purchasing this saw for years due to the price & because I already have two tablesaws, three corded circular saws & one cordless circular saw; couldn't seem to justify the purchase. Shouldn't have waited- this saw is incredible! I am a remodeling contractor who does alot of custom cabinets, built-ins, etc. & have found this saw will make extremely difficult or impossible cuts easily. For instance, I just trimmed cabinet doors that were wallpapered(!?) & the anti-splintering worked perfectly- better than using a utility knife to score the paper. Trimming door bottoms is almost effortless, fast & absolutely splinter-free (even across splintery fir end grain).
In short, if you are a remodeler or cabinet maker, buy this saw today. If your kids go hungry for a week or two, it's worth it. BTW, I don't own Festool stock or other Festool products (overpriced), but this tool is worth every penny.

8.) Best saw I have ever owned
Reviewed by: Brian Kville
Rating:
By far this is the best saw I have ever owned. The guide rail system delivers precise cuts that are splinter free. Highly recommend the system for anyone looking to upgrade their systems.

9.) A must have tool
Reviewed by: Jesse Gilsbach America/ Michigan
Rating:
I did a ton of research before making the purchase and it's the best tool in my line up

10.) Great engineering, innovation... one MAJOR design flaw
Reviewed by: OldSchoolSkill USA
Rating:
high-quality German engineering? Check.
Best dust collection in its class? Check.
Safety features including riving knife? Check.
Accurate rips? Check.

Loaded with innovative features, with lots of available accessories, this may be the best circular saw, except for two glaring problems. The price is ridiculous and the BLADE IS ON THE WRONG SIDE!

It bugs me that we have to either use the saw left-handed, or lean over to see the cut. Also, that makes the otherwise great dust-collection a damn nuisance because the hose is ALWAYS in the way, getting snagged on edges and distracting the user. When are manufacturers going to recognize the MAJOR DESIGN FLAW.

As DeWalt and Makita jumped on the bandwagon and started copying this design, why didn't THEY fix this problem?


Do we have to wait for someone to get hurt and sue?

Because my crazy rich tool-nut friend buys the best of everything, he owns this. I helped him build a new shack for his swimming pool, so I have used this saw a bunch. I cuts great. The guide rail works perfectly and is lightweight. I LOVE this thing and want one SSOOO BAD!

I might even fess up the bucks for one if they JUST PUT THE BLADE ON THE OTHER SIDE.

So, if you are left-handed and rich, and always cut on the left side of boards, this is the nicest saw on the planet.
If you are right-handed and not a billionaire or refuse to go into debt for this Teutonic tool, get the bosch worm-drive and make your own saw guide.

You can buy the "friction strips" and add them to any straight-edge you make. Or you can just use regular friction tape which is a lot cheaper. And by the way, in case you haven't figured this out yet, it is NOT just the friction strips that make the guide rail work so well. It is ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE.

Just make your home-made guide rail WIDE. Sure the friction tape will help. But when the weight of the saw comes down on the rail, it squeezes air from underneath so that miles of atmosphere press down with 14 or more pounds per square inch. THAT is why the guide rail stays in place... NOT any gimmicky expensive friction strips.

There is my (hopefully) humorous opinion and a little physics lesson for useful fun too! ;-)

Dear Festool, I Love your quality and innovation, but please, make this for right-handers and bring the price down. Then I can guarantee more sales... at least one more that is.

Features of Festool TS 55 EQ Plunge Cut Circular Saw

Festools TS 55 EQ keeps all the great features of its predecessor and adds new features that make the plunge saw more convenient, more capable and more user friendly. A new, larger Thumb Interlock makes it easier to switch on the power and pivot the blade down for cutting, while a new Blade Lock disconnects the power switch, and locks the blade down in position for removal. Plunge cuts in the middle of a workpiece are easier than ever, since the riving knife is now spring loaded, and automatically retracts when plunging. When used with the Festool Guide rail system, the TS 55 ideal for installation of laminate flooring systems, and allows cutting just 3/8" off a wall. Cross cutting veneered materials with most circular saws leaves a splintered mess. Festools new sacrificial Splinter Guard rests on the workpiece directly above the cut, providing "zero clearance" support at the blade for the top veneer, resulting in clean, chip-free cuts in melamine, veneered plywood, and even high-pressure laminates. The suggested 55" guide rail allows for fast precise cuts with little or no setup time, since the edge guide automatically aligns to the cut-line. Electronic variable-speed control automatically maintains a constant blade speed under load, and the soft start and automatic idle cut down on operator fatigue and noise. Surprisingly, the Festool TS 55 EQ uses a 6-1/4" diameter blade, but still provides a 1-15/16" cut at 90 degrees, and 1-7/16" cut at 45 degrees -- plenty to cut construction 2x stock. Festool TS 55 EQ includes a systainer storage box, 48-tooth carbide tipped blade, 55" guide rail, limit stop and chip deflector.

1.) When used with Festool guide rails, you can achieve perfectly straight and splinter-free cuts.;
2.) Spring-loaded riving knife (splitter) keeps the cut kerf open so that the material does not pinch the blade. This reduces the chance of kickback.;
3.) Combine with a Festool dust extractor to achieve near dust-free performance.;
4.) Blade changes are easier and safer using the FastFix system which locks switch and arbor simultaneously for easy arbor bolt removal.;
5.) MMC electronics provide soft start, variable speed, constant speed under load, and current and thermal overlad protection.;

Package Height x Length x Width: 60 in. x 60 in. x 17 in.
Package Weight: 24.25 lbs.

Accessories for Festool TS 55 EQ Plunge Cut Circular Saw