TS 55 EQ Circular Saw Instruction Manual Important: Read and understand all instructions before using this tool.
Warranty Conditions of 1+2 Warranty You are entitled to a free extended warranty (1 year + 2 years = 3 years) for your Festool power tool. Festool shall be responsible for all shipping costs during the first year of the warranty. During the second and third year of the warranty the customer is responsible for shipping the tool to Festool. Festool will pay for return shipping to the customer using UPS Ground Service. All warranty service is valid 3 years from the date of purchase on your receipt or invoice.
Contents Warranty ..............................................................................2 Conditions of 1+2 Warranty .........................................2 Festool Limited Warranty .............................................2 Liability Statement .........................................................2 Proprietary Notice..........................................................2 General Safety Rules...........................................................4 Work Area Safety .................
General Safety Rules WARNING: Read and understand all instructions listed below. Failure to heed instructions may result in personal injury, electrocution, or fire hazard. Save These Instructions Work Area Safety ► ► Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite accidents. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
Service ► Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury. ► When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance instructions may create a risk of electric shock or injury. Specific Safety Rules for Circular Saws !WARNING: ► ► ► ► Risk of personal injury. Keep hands away from the blade and cutting area.
Tool Description Figures 1a and 1b a. Dust Collection Port. i. Bevel Gauge and Lock Knob. b. Spring Loaded Riving Knife. j. Guide Rail Gib Cams. c. Arbor Bolt. k. Sole Plate. d. Outrigger Splinter Guard. l. Plug-it Power Cord Port. e. Depth Stop and Gauge. m. Speed Control. f. Blade Wrench Storage. n. Main Handle. g. FastFix Arbor/Plunge Lock. o. Trigger (On/Off Switch). h. Auxiliary Handle. p. Plunge Release and Trigger Safety Release.
Single-Point Entry Single point entry means that the sawblade always enters the cut at the same location regardless what the bevel angle is set to. The pivot point of the bevel adjustment is located at the bottom edge of the splinter guard. This means that the cut will always be along the splinter guard for any bevel setting. (Note that this is applicable only when the guide rail is used. When the guide rail is not under the saw, the bevel cut will move slightly outward, away from the main body of the saw.
Adjusting the Guide Rail Gib Cams The guide rail gib cams tighten against the rib of the guide rail to remove any side-play from the saw during a cut. Thumbwheels on the top of the cams permit easy adjustment. 1. Place the saw on the guide rail. 2. Loosen both cams by rotating the thumbwheels counterclockwise. 3. Working with one cam at a time, jiggle the saw side-to-side while turning the cam clockwise until the saw fits snugly to the rail. 4. Repeat for the second cam. 5.
Trimming the Outrigger Splinter Guard The outrigger splinter guard is used to prevent chipping on the offcut side of the sawblade. The outrigger can be retracted away from the workpiece when not needed. Before the outrigger splinter guard is used for the first time, it needs to be trimmed to fit the sawblade. 1. Remove the thumbscrew from the outrigger and slide the outrigger on to the front edge of the blade guard as shown. 2.
Changing the Sawblade The TS 55 saw features the FastFix system for easier blade changing. The FastFix system is engaged by raising the FastFix latch lever and plunging the saw down. The system includes the following features: ► ► ► ► For safety, the power switch is locked out. The plunge depth is locked in the position shown to the right with the arbor bolt accessible through an opening in the blade cover. The arbor is locked from turning.
Setting the Blade Perpendicular to the Sole Plate This adjustment ensures that cuts are made square to the workpiece surface. This adjustment is completed at the factory and shouldn’t need to be adjusted unless the tool has been modified or serviced. The most accurate method for checking the square of the blade is to make a cut with the saw and examine the resulting cut.
Adjusting the 45º Bevel Stop The bevel setting has a positive stop at 45º and is adjustable for accuracy. In most cases, the bevel stop should be set for 45º, however, some users may prefer to have the stop set slightly larger than 45º for tighter miter corners. The most accurate method for measuring a 45º angle is to make a box as shown. Any error in the angle will be compounded with each cut made. 1. Take a piece of scrap wood and bevel both sides (double-sided bevel, as shown to the right). ► ► 2.
Operation Setting the Blade Depth The TS 55 is equipped with a depth stop for setting the depth of the blade during a plunge cut. Using the correct blade depth improves cutting safety, cut quality, and motor efficiency. Effects of Too Shallow of a Setting ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► Higher drag on the sawblade, requiring more power and effort to complete the cut. Increased chance for kickback. Increased chipping and splintering on the underside of the cut, especially with melamine and veneers.
Turning On the Saw To prevent unexpected start-ups, the power switch has an integral safety interlock. Before the saw can be started, the plunge release must be engaged. 1. Insert the Plug-it cord into the saw with the keyway lined up with the key, and twist the end to lock it in place. 2. Press up on the plunge release lever. 3. Pull back on the power trigger. Using the Outrigger Splinter Guard The outrigger splinter guard is used when the cut to the right of the blade needs to be chip-free.
Setting the Bevel Angle When used with the guide rail, the blade of the TS 55 enters the workpiece at exactly the same location regardless of the bevel angle (see the picture on page 7). However, when used without the guide rail, the cut position moves outward slightly as the bevel angle increases. (The small notch at the front of the sole plate indicates the cut position when the saw is used without the guide rail.) 1. Remove the outrigger splinter guard. 2. Loosen the front and rear lock knobs. 3.
Using Dust Extraction The TS 55 can be used with or without a dust extraction system. The chip diverter swivels to direct the sawdust away from the work area when a dust extraction system is not used. For best results, however, a dust extraction system (such as the Festool CT 22 shown below) should be used. Festool dust extractors have the added features of variable speed, and sensing when the saw is turned on.
Applications The TS 55 is capable of performing a wide variety of tasks. The following sections provide information on some of these tasks. This is intended to be an introduction to the capabilities of the saw, but should not be considered as a comprehensive list of its capabilities. Straight-Lining Rough Lumber Purchasing lumber directly from a saw mill is significantly less expensive than buying from a home center.
Crosscutting and Trimming No other saw on the market can outperform a Festool for splinter-free, fine crosscutting. With other saws, the problem is two-fold; getting a straight cut, and achieving a splinterfree cut. The TS 55 handles these problems effortlessly. ► Tips for Successful Crosscutting ► Use the correct blade for the cut. ► Crosscutting fine veneered wood should use the fine crosscut blade. The Alternate-Top-Bevel teeth will slice the wood fibers best, with virtually no chipping.
Plunge Cutting Plunge cutting is used when the cut does not start at the edge of the workpiece; it starts in the middle of the workpiece. There is a wide variety of applications for plunge cuts. The example shown below is for insetting a maple butcherblock into an existing countertop. A square cutout is made in the middle of the countertop, and the butcherblock piece is inserted into the cutout. ► Mark the beginning and end of the cut (red tape in picture below).
Cutting Non-Wood Materials Soft Plastics Soft plastics such as polypropylene won’t chip, but they will melt. Therefore, a more aggressive cut with the blade set deeper will reduce the melting. ► ► ► ► Too shallow of a blade depth and the plastic will be more prone to melting. Too deep of a blade depth and the teeth marks from the blade will be more prevalent. Any of the fine-tooth blades with a slow motor speed will cut this material with good results. Clean up the cut edges with a cabinet scraper.
Accessories Sawblades Description Purpose Coarse Crosscut Ripping (Panther) With a low tooth count and a high hook angle, this blade easily cuts through general construction materials. The high hook angle of the Panther blade makes for effortless ripping without burning the cut.
Guide Rails Additional guide rails are available in lengths from 32 inches to 197 inches. Guide Rail Accessory Kit Item Number: 492 396 Contains: Miter Gauge, Splinter Guard, Guide Stop, Cord Guide, Guide Rail Connection Bars, Guide Rail Clamps, Systainer. Dust Cover Item Number: 491 750 The dust cover is for improved dust collection by covering the openings in the side of the blade cover.
Systainer (System Container) Every Festool product is shipped in its own unique system container, called a "Systainer." This provides protection and storage for the tool and accessories. All Systainers are stackable and can be interlocked together, including stacking and locking atop Festool dust extractors. Parts of the Systainer ► ► ► ► Carrying Handle. The carrying handle folds flat when not in use. Cover Latches. The two green latches on the front of the Systainer secure the cover.
Troubleshooting Symptom Motor does not start Possible Causes 1. Check that the cord is properly plugged into an outlet. 2. Make sure the outlet has power. Check the circuit breaker or try another outlet. 3. If used with a Festool dust extractor, make sure the selector switch is pointing to "Auto". The auxiliary outlet on the dust extractor has power only when the selector is at Auto. 4. Inspect the power cord (including extension cords) for damage or missing prongs. 5.
Maintenance Routine Maintenance Any maintenance or repair work that requires opening of the motor or gear housing should be carried out only by an authorized Customer Service Center (name supplied by your dealer)! Maintenance or repair work carried out by an unauthorized person can lead to improper connection of electrical wires or other components, which can result in injury.
Replacing the Guide Rail Gib Cams If the gib cams are over tightened, or the saw is used in an environment with abrasive dust, the cams may develop flat spots and should be replaced. Maintaining proper adjustment and keeping the saw clean will increase the life of the cams. ► Adjust the cams according to the procedure on page 8. Unplug the saw for safety, and lay the saw on its side on a stable work surface.
Changing the Motor Brushes The motor brushes wear out over time and need to be replaced by an authorized service center. Festool does not condone brush replacement by the end-user. Completion of this procedure by an unauthorized service center will void the tool's warranty. The motor brushes are graphite bars that provide an electrical connection between the motor controller and the rotating armature.
