Circular Saw Supplemental User`s Manual
Contents
1. PRODUC TS COM The TS 55 EQ Circular Saw Circular Saw Supplemental User s Manual WARNING To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury read and understand all safety precautions and instructions in this manual 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 Festool Limited Warranty This warranty is valid on the pre condition that the tool is used and operated in compliance with the Festool operating instructions Festool warrants only to the original consumer purchaser that the specified tool will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a term of one year from the date of procurement Festool makes no other warranty express or implied for Festool portable power tools No agent representative distributor dealer or employee of Festool has the authority to increase or otherwise change the obligations or limitations of this warranty The obligations of Festool in its sole discretion under this warranty shall be limited to the repair or replacement of any Festool portable power tool that is found to be defective as packaged with the User Manual Excluded from coverage under this warranty are normal wear and tear damages caused by misuse abuse or2. This is a precision adjustment Make sure the guide rail and workpiece are securely clamped The piece should be at least 3 4 inch thick by 12 inches _ Adjust Counter square clockwise ee m v The thicker the piece the more accurate the adjustment will be For best results the material should have a consistent center such as Medium Density Fiberboard MDF plastic or solid lumber v v 6 Turn the two stop screws in the direction determined in step 4 Make sure to turn both screws the same amount Each turn of the adjustment screw will have the following effect 2 Place the two pieces back together to verify that the original cut line is tight Figure A If the cut line is not tight make a new cut 3 Flip the offcut board end for end so the cut line is still together but the board is upside down Don t flip the board that was under the saw gt 1 turn equals 12 mm of gap between the boards shown above assuming 3 inch thick boards gt 1 turn equals 1 degree of adjustment 4 I t the joint bet the t boards a 7 Verify the adjustment setting by repeating steps 1 If there is no gap then the adjustment is correct through 4 If the gap is at the top of the two boards Figure B then turn the adjustment screws clockwise v v If the gap is at the bottom of the two boards Figure C then turn the adjustment screws counterclockwise v Front Bevel SAE n T Lock Knob t
3. Rear Bevel Lock Knob 5 Loosen the front and rear bevel lock knobs see image to the right Instruction Manual 11 Adjusting the 45 Bevel Stop The bevel setting has a positive stop at 45 and is adjustable for accuracy In most cases the bevel stop should be set for 45 however some users may prefer to have the stop set slightly larger than 45 for tighter miter corners The most accurate method for measuring a 45 angle is to make a box as shown Any error in the angle will be compounded with each cut made g v v v v Take a piece of scrap wood and bevel both sides double sided bevel as shown to the right Make sure the cuts are parallel The size of the wood is not critical but should be at least 3 4 inch thick and about 5 inches wide by 16 to 20 inches long Cut the piece of wood into 4 equal parts as shown in the top image to the right Put the four pieces together to form a box Examine the gaps in the corners of the box Gaps at the outside corners indicate the bevel angle is less than 45 Loosen the setscrew Gaps at the inside corners indicate the bevel angle is greater than 45 Tighten the setscrew Verify any adjustments by repeating the procedure Double Side Bevel Cut into 4 Pieces Matching the TS 55 to an Existing Guide Rail If you have more than one Festool saw and you want them to share the same guide rails you can adjust the TS 55 to
4. moving nearly parallel with the aluminum surface a shallow blade depth gt The ultra thin aluminum shown in the example was cut best with the fine crosscut blade The positive hook angle of the blade kept the flexible aluminum tight to the guide railina The shallow cut sheering cut a er ae reduces curling For slightly thicker less flexible pieces of aluminum the and grabbing negative hook angle aluminum cutting blade works best because it cuts less aggressively 0 010 Inch Thick Aluminum Sheet Extruded Aluminum For thinner stock this angle es of cut can grab a Care needs to be taken when cutting extruded aluminum because the blade may cut more aggressively than expected on the various surfaces of the stock This is most noticeable with thin walled extrusions gt With thin walled extrusions try to keep the blade teeth parallel to the walls see image above With thick walled extrusions try to keep the blade teeth perpendicular to the walls see image to the right Use the negative hook angle aluminum cutting blade and a moderate speed setting i gt Be prepared for the blade to catch unexpectedly as the x ay le lt cutting angle changes with each facet of the extruded ANE T ar eee shape n Near 20 TS 55 EQ Circular Saw Accessories Sawblades Ripping Panther Description Coarse Crosscut With a low tooth count and a high The h
5. 2 Porri CARY Non a a 2 cancr oey ROES Pero nT e rere mee 4 NAV OTN T E a E E eases 4 eaae ACL E E E E 4 e E o E E E E Tree 4 Personal Safety erecta teerostecchteaceneriacdrauens ottnuaontonetdnceadess 4 Tool Use and Care eer errr mr er erer errr Terre ree 4 I TVG PEEN E E SE E A 5 Specific Safety Rules for Circular Saws 5 Causes and Prevention of Kickback Respiratory Exposure Warning eessssesererrese 5 Tool Desci P W e q eer neere ns ree ern srr eet e tt 6 Technical Specifications yeeem tenon meer ere ere es teen tne ee et 6 Eae lere MO EE E eter Ont rn 7 SRR SE OF Ye E A E 7 DEC aI Adas LIMON ES apiason 7 Setting up a New DAW lt jap sadscoasesnastenscinntenss deouessotmeaseonssevees 7 Adjusting the Guide Rail Gib Cams eee 8 Trimming the Guide Rail Splinter Guard 8 Trimming the Outrigger Splinter Guard ss cc 9 Replacing and Adjusting the Riving Knife 0 00 9 Changing the Sawblade sessen 10 Setting the Blade Perpendicular to the Sole Plate 11 Adjusting the 45 Bevel SOP iranscceee ceeds 12 Matching the TS 55 to an Existing Guide Rail 12 Instruction Manual Pere e e E ore rere mer E 13 petting Me Blade Depth sexscnrsonteesnoncanentacanenstoranestemmtees 13 Dette the Motor Speed sessirnir 13 Turne On Te OAW sere ene nie a 14 Using the Outrigger Splinter Guard eee 14 pettine te Bevel ANC ie ereis 15 Usine DE CGUdE DO Piere 15 Wene Dust EX ra HO Mesiti i nr arene 16 APPICCIU ON ero
6. adjusted refer to page 9 for more information ER NesUCO NE The riving knife is a safety feature of the saw to prevent binding in the cut All saw work should be carried out only with the riving knife installed and correctly set 3 Install the power cord into the Plug It receptacle on the saw refer to page 14 for more information 4 Perform the guide rail gib cam adjustment procedure described on page 8 5 After completing all of the inspections and adjustments listed above cut the zero clearance splinter guards as described on page 8 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 Make sure the cams are not over tightened by sliding the saw down the guide rail If the saw does not slide easily loosen the cams Notes The cams do not need to be very tight for normal operations A tiny amount of side play will not impact the quality of a cut Trimming the Guide Rail Splinter Guard The leading edge of the guide rail has a replaceable rubber zero clearance strip The firs
7. can move during the cut In the example below starting the cut with the saw behind the workpiece can cause the guide rail to tip up and move The guide rail clamps are below the guide rail and not visible Don t start the cut by plunging the saw into the wood as this can lead to tearout at the bottom back of the sawblade Start the cut with the blade down and behind the workpiece and advance the saw forward into the cut Setting the blade depth too shallow just barely penetrating the underside of the workpiece can cause tearout on the underside of the cut The offcut is scrap so the outrigger is not needed ag Clamp the workpiece to keep it from moving f The cut is overhanging the work table slightly 18 TS 55 EO Circular Saw 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 Notes Always use the guide stop when making a plunge cut to prevent an unexpected kickback see page 15 Whenever possible put the guide rail on the side of the cut that will be saved If the guide rail is placed on the offcut side you must remember to account for the
8. live wire will make the exposed metal parts of the tool live and shock the operator gt When ripping always use a rip fence or straight edge guide This improves the accuracy of cut and reduces the chance for blade binding Always use blades with the correct size and shape arbor holes Blades that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run eccentrically causing loss of control gt Never use damaged or incorrect blade flanges or bolt The blade flanges and bolt were specially designed for your saw for optimum performance and safety of operation materials Sparks and hot embers can cause a fire or explosion in the dust extraction system Causes and Prevention of Kickback Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched bound or misaligned saw blade that causes an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the operator Supports must be placed under the panel on both sides near the line of cut and near the edge of the panel as shown The bevel adjusting knobs must be fully tightened before making a cut If the blade tilts during a cut it will bind and cause a kickback Use extra caution when making a plunge cut into existing walls or other blind areas The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause kickback y When the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf closing down the blade stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back toward the operator v If t
9. match the cutting position of a previous saw L 12 Clamp your existing guide rail to a small scrap of wood about 12 inches long so it cannot move Using your existing saw cut the piece of wood Do not move the guide rail after the cut is finished Place the new TS 55 saw on the guide rail Loosen the four hinge block mounting screws 2 front and 2 rear Plunge the blade to full depth and hold it there Slide the front of the sawblade up to the edge of the cut piece of wood Slide the back of the sawblade up to the edge of the cut piece of wood except place a piece of paper between the blade and the wood This paper serves as a shim to space the blade slightly away from the wood at the back of the cut The saw s cutting is improved if the back of the blade is skewed slightly away from the guide rail 8 Retighten the hinge block mounting screws Hinge Block Mounting Screws TS 55 EQ Circular Saw 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 gt Increased chance for kickback gt Increased chipping and splintering on the underside of the cut especially with melamine and veneers gt Increased burni
10. neglect damage caused by anything other than defects in material and workmanship This warranty does not apply to accessory items such as circular saw blades drill bits router bits jigsaw blades sanding belts and grinding wheels Also excluded are wearing parts such as carbon brushes lamellas of air tools rubber collars and seals sanding discs and pads and batteries Liability Statement This product has been built to the high standards of Festool Please do not attempt to operate or repair this equipment without adequate training Any use operation or repair in contravention of this document is at your own risk By acceptance of this system you hereby assume all liability Proprietary Notice 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 Festool portable power tools requiring replacement or repair are to be returned with the receipt of purchase to Festool call 800 554 8741 for address details IN NO EVENT SHALL FESTOOL BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF THIS OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WHATSOEVER ALL WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY STATE LAW INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THREE YEARS Some sta
11. of the saw from lifting up at the beginning of a plunge cut 1 Slide the guide stop onto the T slot of the guide rail with the embossed arrow pointing toward the front of the saw 2 Position the stop behind the starting position of the saw When the blade is at full depth the guide stop is 3 3 4 inches behind the start of the cut gt When the blade is less than full depth the distance between the blade cut and the guide stop will be greater For best results you should always verify the blade s cutting position before staring the cut 3 Tighten the thumbscrew on the guide stop Instruction Manual Position Indicator 15 Using Dust Extraction The TS 55 can be used with or without a dust extraction 1 Insert the extractor hose into the chip diverter 36 mm system The chip diverter swivels to direct the sawdust inside diameter 1 7 in h h i i T woh EIS MOP arcane aUehe acuOn yet 2 Plug the TS 55 power cord into the auxiliary outlet on the extractor if so equipped 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 The vacuum will automatically start when the saw is turned on and will remain running for a couple of seconds after the saw turns off to clear the remaining dust gt Set the power switch on the extractor
12. the tool s warranty The motor brushes are graphite bars that provide an electrical connection between the motor controller and the rotating armature When the brushes have worn past their useful length spring loaded wear pins are exposed that separate the brush from the armature contacts This disables the motor to prevent damage For a shorter break in period without excessive arcing new brushes have ribs that quickly form to the curve of the armature Procedure CAUTION Make sure the power cord is unplugged 2 Lift the wire connectors off the terminals on the brushes before beginning this procedure 3 Remove the screw that secures each brush to the motor 1 Remove the four screws that secure the access cover housing Be careful not to drop the screws into the motor to the motor and remove the cover 4 Carefully lift the brushes up to remove them Insert the new brushes into the motor and reassemble the saw by reversing the previous steps 2 Instruction Manual This Festool Supplemental Manual has been printed courtesy of 1 yA LNUT SINCE 1994 for our Festool customers
13. and stop o the cut are marked 19 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 A deeper blade depth for soft plastics reduces melting gt Too shallow of a blade depth and the plastic will be more prone to melting gt 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 gt Clean up the cut edges with a cabinet scraper Brittle Plastics Brittle plastics will both melt and chip so cutting them is problematic with most other saws The TS 55 works great for cutting this type of material gt Set the blade depth very shallow to reduce chipping Set the motor speed very low to reduce melting pare e o gt Use any one of the finer tooth blades for good results but i rw the negative hook aluminum and plastic blade provides the best results Notice that the cut In clear plastics such as acrylic if the cut is milky white it is is transparent a sign of melting Note how the cut to the right is transparent ei Thin Aluminum The problem with cutting thin aluminum sheet is that the blade teeth can catch the edge of the sheet and cut more aggressively than expected To reduce this you want the teeth
14. ard 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 L Remove the thumbscrew from the outrigger and slide the outrigger on to the front edge of the blade guard as shown Insert the thumbscrew through the outrigger through the height adjustment slot and into the captive nut on the back side of the outrigger Raise the outrigger to its top position and tighten the thumbscrew Place the saw on a stable surface so that the blade can be plunged down without cutting the surface or use a piece of scrap wood Outrigger Splinter Guard Set the motor speed to its lowest setting setting 1 This ed is edge Start the saw and slowly plunge the blade to full gets trimmed depth Replacing and Adjusting the Riving Knife Periodically inspect the riving knife to ensure it is not bent and has proper clearance away from the blade Replace if bent 1 2 Unplug the saw for safety Raise the FastFix latch lever and plunge the saw until it locks into position see page 10 for more information on the FastFix lever Using the arbor wrench stored in the auxiliary handle loosen the riving knife mounting screw If the riving knife needs replacement slide it out of its mounting and slide a new kn
15. at may be suitable for one tool may become hazardous when used on another tool TS 55 EO Circular Saw Service gt Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel Service or maintenance performed by unqualified gt When servicing a tool use only identical replacement parts Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance personnel could result in a risk of injury instructions may create a risk of electric shock or injury Specific Safety Rules for Circular Saws Risk of personal injury gt Keep hands away from the blade and cutting area Keep your second hand on the auxiliary handle If both hands are holding the saw they cannot be cut by the blade y jump backward See Causes and Prevention of Kickback below Do not reach underneath the workpiece The blade is fully exposed under the workpiece Never use a dust extraction system when making cuts that can y result in sparks such as cutting through nails and other ferrous Keep your body positioned to either side of the saw blade but not in line with the saw blade Kickback could cause the saw to gt Never hold the piece being cut in your hands or across your leg It is important to support the work properly to minimize body exposure blade binding or loss of control gt Hold the saw by the insulated handles when performing an operation in which the sawblade may contact hidden wiring or its own cord Contact with a
16. blade thickness when positioning the guide rail typically 2 2 mm Whenever possible set the saw depth to its maximum setting to minimize the amount of material that is not cut by the blade Make sure there is nothing below the cut that you don t want to cut into Manually cut the corners Full Blade Depth Shallow Blade Depth gt i The saw is plunged at the beginning of the cut and the guide stop prevents the saw from moving backward Butcherblock to be inset into existing countertop Instruction Manual Mark the beginning and end of the cut red tape in picture below If the blade is at full depth there are index marks on the saw that indicate where the blade is positioned gt For cuts similar to the example below support the offcut piece before cutting all four sides to prevent it from breaking the corners Trim the corners see image to the left with a handsaw General Procedure Place the guide rail on the cutline Place the saw on the guide rail and position it at the start of the cut Install the guide stop on the guide rail slide it up to the back of the saw and lock it in place Start the saw and slowly plunge it down Advance the saw through the cut until the end is reached Never back the saw up as this can result in a kickback _ A Clamp the guide rail to the finished side of the cut ij The start
17. dicate the blade position when the blade is at full depth Press down on the splinter guard until it rests on the workpiece ka v 7 Clamping Thumbscrew Or taste Outrigger Splinter Guard Blade Position Workpiece Index Mark 14 TS 55 EO Circular Saw 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 Tilt the saw until the index pointer is pointed to the desired bevel angle setting 4 Tighten the front and rear lock knobs For bevel angles greater than 30 degrees most of the weight of the saw is beyond the edge of the sole plate Make sure to hold the sole plate down when cutting to prevent the saw from tipping unexpectedly Using the Guide Stop The guide stop serves two purposes it controls the saw s position and prevents a kickback during a plunge cut The leading edge of the guide stop prevents the saw from moving backward as the plunge begins The anti kickback lip engages with the sole plate of the saw to prevent the back
18. ection must be used for appropriate conditions Ordinary glasses are NOT proper eye protection Tool Use and Care gt Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control gt Do not force the tool Use the correct tool for your application The correct tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed gt Do not use the tool if the switch does not turn it on or off Any tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any adjustments changing accessories or storing the tool Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally gt Store idle tools out of reach of children and other untrained persons Tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users gt Maintain tools with care Keep cutting tools sharp and clean Properly maintained tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control gt Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the tool s operation If damaged have the tool serviced before using Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools gt Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model Accessories th
19. evel 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 Setup and Adjustments Setting up a New Saw There are some simple setup procedures to follow before a new saw can be used Follow this sequence of inspections and adjustments before using the saw for the first time It is important that these instructions be followed sequentially before cutting the zero clearance splinter guards AAAA Always disconnect the saw from the power supply before making any adjustments to the saw or installing or removing any accessory 1 With the saw unplugged inspect the blade for damage and make sure it is properly secured to the arbor Refer to Changing the Sawblade on page 10 for more information DA AWW INfe Check regularly whether the saw blade is in good condition Saw blades which are cracked damaged or deformed should no longer be used Instruction Manual Pandata prat a K 7 gt lt 5 ig v be K matar orp a a i kid hai 2 The riving knife is installed and adjusted at the factory however you should verify that it is properly secured and
20. ew that secures each cam to the sole plate and remove the cam and friction washer gt The replacement parts kit will include 2 cams 2 friction washers and 2 screws Install the new cams and friction washers with the screws provided gt Make sure the limit tabs are pointing away from the guide rail slot as shown v Tighten the screws enough to compress the friction washers but take care not to over tighten the screws Replacing the Guide Rail Splinter Guard The splinter guard prevents splintering and chipping of the workpiece by holding the top edge of the workpiece down as the teeth of the sawblade move upward against it The splinter guard needs to be replaced if it becomes damaged or worn 1 Peel the original splinter guard away from the guide rail 2 As needed clean residual adhesive and debris from the guide rail 3 Peel off the plastic backing from the new splinter guard to expose the adhesive 4 Without stretching the rubber carefully place the new splinter guard on the underside of the guide rail tight to the alignment rib 14 b 5 Make sure the splinter guard is firmly pressed down to the guide rail 26 TS 55 EQ Circular Saw 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
21. has several features to protect the motor from few minutes for the motor to cool down before resuming misuse operation The thermal overload resets automatically when the temperature returns to normal The TS 55 also has over current protection If the electrical current to the motor exceeds the safe limit such as what happens with a pinched blade the motor is temporarily disabled to protect itself The motor is automatically reset when the power trigger is released 6 TS 55 EO Circular Saw The TS 55 has thermal overload protection If the motor overheats from extended heavy use the electronic controller will shut down the motor until it cools down This is to protect the motor from permanent damage Once the thermal overload has activated simply wait a Intended Use The TS 55 EQ hand operated circular saw is designed exclusively for sawing of wood wood like materials and plastics The saw may also be used for cutting aluminum when a Festool aluminum cutting sawblade is installed The tool should not be altered or used for any other purpose other than as specified in these operating instructions Using the tool in contravention to this manual will void your warrantee and may lead to injury The user shall be responsible and liable for damages and accidents resulting from misuse or abuse of this saw Single Point Entry Single point entry means that the sawblade always enters the cut at the same location regardless what the b
22. hat the guide rail is placed slightly diagonal to maximize wood usage while eliminating the bark edge Panther Ripping Blade Instruction Manual v v Elevate the work piece off the table for a finer edge but it will take more effort to rip the wood The Panther blade is aggressive enough that you do not need to fully expose the whole gullet as shown on page 13 For cleaner cuts expose 2 to a full tooth of the blade below the wood The deeper the setting the easier the cut will be For a less aggressive combination blade you may need to set the depth so the full gullet is exposed below the wood Choose the orientation of the guide rail to optimize the board usage This may have several different options Align the cut with the natural wood grain orientation Align the cut to avoid defects in the wood Align the cut to maximize board width while eliminating curved edges Place the board on sawhorses or elevate it from a work table so you do not cut into your work table Use an optional long guide rail or two shorter rails joined together 17 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 splinter free cut The TS 55 handles these problems effortlessly Tips for Successful Crosscutting Use the correc
23. he blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut the teeth at the back edge of the blade can dig into the top surface of the wood causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and jump back toward the operator Kickback is the result of incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as described below Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and position your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback forces Kickback forces can be controlled by the operator if proper precautions are taken If the blade is binding or when interrupting a cut for any reason release the trigger and hold the saw motionless in the material until the blade comes to a complete stop Never attempt to remove the saw from the work or pull the saw backward while the blade is in motion or kickback may occur Investigate and take corrective actions to eliminate the cause of blade binding gt When restarting a saw in the workpiece center the saw blade in the kerf and check that the saw teeth are not engaging the material If the saw blade is binding during a restart it may climb up or kickback from the workpiece gt Do not use a dull or damaged blade Dull or improperly sharpened blades cause excessive friction blade binding and kickback Support large panels to minimize the risk of the blade pinching and causing a kickback Large panels tend to sag under their own weight y y y Respirat
24. i e A E A iced 17 Straight Lining Rough Lumber se ccscssscssvnsssesnssseasopenness 17 Crosscutting and TriMming eseeeererrerererersrn 18 Pone UNE eese E 19 Cutting Non Wood Materials 20 510 4M bal fc e E E E en tee 20 Joye lai loa ed icin els arne E etree Tee 20 TA A ana ter ere tr net ny tert ttt 20 Exraded 4 Uhsqht gh ino eeemererenenenyr ener ner Tree r a 20 SCC SS SOI CS pss tester E eens ce 2d Ce AE E T E E EE 21 E l e E E E OO were EE 22 PUS OVO r E E 22 Guide Rail Accessory Kit 22 Rip Fence Parallel Guide jsocc2 se cesshccescteeceseeecascsdotesieces 22 Systainer System Container ce eeeeeseeseeeseeeeeeees 23 Troubleshooting eranen er ore ter terete ort 24 DYNAMICS CV AINCS serpari E AE 29 Routine Feu alicia ica 6 saree rreenetr ern enten erer re errere rer ar 25 Replacing the Guide Rail Gib Cams nsss 26 Replacing the Guide Rail Splinter Guard 0 26 Changing the Motor DGG NGS sanettdermcsseeansey noceicn antes 27 General Safety Rules WARNING Read and understand all instructions listed below Failure to heed instructions may result in personal injury electrocution or fire hazard Work Area Safety gt Keep your work area clean and well lit Cluttered benches and dark areas invite accidents gt 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 Electr
25. ical Safety gt Double insulated tools are equipped with a polarized plug one blade is wider than the other This plug will fit ina polarized outlet only one way If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet reverse the plug If it still does not fit contact a qualified electrician to install a polarized outlet Do not change the plug in any way Double insulation eliminates the need for the three wire grounded power cord Save These Instructions Keep bystanders children and visitors away while operating a power tool Distractions can cause you to lose control Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes radiators ranges and refrigerators There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is grounded gt Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock gt Do not abuse the cord Never use the cord to carry the tools or pull the plug from an outlet Keep cord away from heat oil sharp edges or moving parts Replace damaged cords immediately Damaged cords increase the risk of electric shock Extension Cords All due care should be practiced while using extension cords with this tool gt When operating a power tool outside use an outdoor extension cord marked W A or W These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of electric shock Never use an extension cord that is damaged such as cut
26. ife back in Raise or lower the riving knife so there is a 2 to 4 mm 3 32 to 5 32 inch clearance between the knife and the blade Retighten the mounting screw Instruction Manual 9 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 gt 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 The riving knife mounting screw is accessible through an opening in the blade cover Sawblade Checks and Warnings Use only sawblades that are approved for use with the saw and appropriate for the type of material being cut Use only sawblades with a diameter of 160 mm and an arbor bore of 20 mm Do not use a sawblade that is bent or warped Do not use a sawblade with missing or damaged teeth Removing the Sawblade 1 A Unplug the saw for safety Although not required you may wish to remove the outrigger splinter guard for better clearance Raise the FastFix latch lever Press upward on the plunge lock release button and plunge the saw down until it locks into position Using the arbor wrench stored in the auxiliary handle loosen the arbor bolt by turning it countercloc
27. igh hook angle of the Rae A als d Purpose hook angle this blade easily cuts Panther blade makes for effortless 5 p 5 i l ae results when a single blade is needed through general construction materials ripping without burning the cut n8 sor for crosscutting Tooth Type ATB 12 teeth ATB 14 teeth ATB 28 teeth Hook Angle 15 Item Number 487 377 439 685 490 516 Description Fine Laminate Aluminum and Plastic With a high tooth count this blade The ultra hard TCG teeth on this The negative hook angle and high provides excellent chip free blade provide chip free cutting of TCG tooth count of this blade Purpose crosscutting of lumber and fine laminates and solid surface provides grab free control for cutting materials without dulling aluminum and hard plastic Tooth Type ATB 48 teeth TCG 48 teeth TCG 56 teeth Hook Angle Item Number 491 952 489 457 439 686 Notes ATB Alternate Top Bevel The ATB type blade slices through wood fibers first on one side and then on the other for clean cuts in natural and manmade materials TCG Triple Chip Grind The TCG type blade is designed to cut through hard materials The trapezoidal tooth cuts the center of the kerf and the flat raker tooth cuts the edges This type of blade design is more resistant to dulling ATB TCG 26 a Bevel Angle All of the ATB type blades shown above have a bevel angle of 15 This moderate bevel angle provides good chip free cut
28. is common in most power tools with a variable speed control When there is no load on the sawblade the pulsations of the motor cause the gears to rapidly engage and disengage called backlash and this is the sound you are hearing 13 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 i Using the Outrigger Splinter Guard The outrigger splinter guard is used when the cut to the 3 Place the saw on the guide rail on the workpiece and right of the blade needs to be chip free When not in use lower the splinter guard down to the surface of the the outrigger can be raised out of the way For bevel cuts workpiece the outrigger is easily removable 4 Tighten the thumbscrew 1 Remove the thumbscrew from the outrigger and slide the outrigger on to the front edge of the blade cover as Notes ene gt Inspect the bottom of the outrigger for burrs that could 2 Insert the thumbscrew through the outrigger through scratch the workpiece the height adjustment slot and into the captive nut on Remove the outrigger when making bevel cuts the back side of the outrigger gt For plunge cuts there is an index mark to in
29. kwise Remove the arbor bolt and washer Retract the riving knife out of the way and remove the blade from the saw Replacing the Sawblade 1 10 While retracting the riving knife insert the blade into the saw and over the arbor flange Make sure the blade s teeth are facing forward in the direction shown above Place the arbor washer over the arbor flange and rotate it until the alignment keys engage with the arbor flange Replace the arbor bolt and tighten it firmly While pressing down on the auxiliary handle lower the FastFix latch and slowly release the plunge Plunge Lock Release Arbor Wrench WARNING pes ad PO REDUCS THE ue t Remove the outrigger yi Arbor Washer and Bolt TS 55 EQ Circular Saw 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 For even greater accuracy the procedure below uses a method that amplifies a small measurement into a larger measurement to make it easier to observe This doubles the accuracy of the adjustment Adjustment Procedure 1 Using the guide rail carefully cut a small piece of wood in half
30. l safety protection should be employed hearing vision and respiratory Certain cleaning agents and solvents are harmful to plastic parts Some of these include but are not limited too Gasoline Acetone Methyl Ethyl Ketone MEK Carbonyl Chloride cleaning solutions containing Chlorine Ammonia and household cleaners containing Ammonia To ensure proper cooling of the tool and motor the cooling vents in the motor housing must always be kept clear and clean Keep the Saw Clean Dust and debris from some materials can be extremely abrasive and cause components within the saw to wear prematurely It is important to keep moving parts cleared of abrasive dusts As a general rule keep the saw clean of all dust and debris Even soft wood dust can be abrasive over time Examine all moving parts for dust and debris Instruction Manual Keep the bevel hinges clean of dust using compressed air or cotton swabs If the hinges wear due to abrasive particles the saw will not perform optimally Keep the blade area and dust extraction port clean of debris Debris can cause wear and reduce the effectiveness of the dust extraction system Keep the Sawblades Sharp Using a dull sawblade can be extremely dangerous and provide poor cut quality Never attempt to sharpen a sawblade manually Special equipment is necessary to properly sharpen a circular sawblade An improperly sharpened sawblade can injure the operator destro
31. ng of the cut especially in certain hardwoods like cherry and maple With the exception of underside chipping all of these effects are greatest with finer toothed blades Effects of Too Deep of a Setting Increased danger with more of the blade exposed below the workpiece Increased sawtooth marks in the cut gt Increased top side chipping and splintering especially without using the guide rail and splinter guards Blade Depth Recommendations There are no set rules for setting the depth of the blade with respect to the underside of the cut However a common industry guideline is to have the gullets of the blade even with the underside of the workpiece This will therefore be used as a baseline to describe optional depth settings Setting the Motor Speed The TS 55 has electronic speed control with soft start circuitry The electronic controller will maintain the motor speed even as the load changes The speed control is infinitely variable from 2000 to 5200 RPM The optimal speed of the saw is predominately determined by the type of material being cut _Soft wood products and veneer plywoods 6 __ Plastic laminate countertops Instruction Manual If a material is prone to burning in the cut increase the depth slightly This includes ripping hardwoods such as cherry and maple Using a combination blade in solid wood may perform better with a slightly deeper setting Using a coarse blade in
32. ory Exposure Warning Various dust created by power sanding sawing grinding drilling and other construction activities contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer birth defects or other reproductive harm Some examples of these chemicals are gt lead from lead based paints crystalline silica from bricks cement and other masonry products arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber The risk from these exposures varies depending on how often you do this type of work To reduce your exposure to these chemicals work in a well ventilated area and work with approved safety equipment such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles Instruction Manual 5 Tool Description Figures 1a and 1b a Dust Collection Port p o e 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 Pott 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 Technical Specifications Depth of Cut without 55 mm 2 2 90 43 mm 1 7 45 guide rail All metric dimensions are binding Sawblade dimensions are critical for safe operation and are presented in metric units only The TS 55
33. s exposed wires or bent missing prongs gt Use only extension cords rated for the purpose Personal Safety Stay alert watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool Do not use tool while tired or under the influence of drugs alcohol or medication A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury Dress properly Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry Contain long hair Keep your hair clothing and gloves away from moving parts Loose clothes jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts Avoid accidental starting Be sure the switch is off before plugging in the power cord Carrying tools with your finger on gt Use only extension cords rated for the amperage of this tool and the length of the cord Using too small of an extension cord can cause the router to lose power and damage the tool 50 100 Ft 100 150 Ft gt 150 Ft the switch or plugging in tools that have the switch on invites accidents gt Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the tool on A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury gt Do not overreach Keep proper footing and balance at all times Proper footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations Use safety equipment Always wear eye protection Dust mask non skid safety shoes hard hat or hearing prot
34. s The two green latches on the front of the Systainer secure the cover These are also used for stacking Systainers as described below Stacking Latches The two gray latches on the sides of the Systainer are used for stacking one or more systainers together Stacking Tabs The stacking tabs are used to lock two systainers together There are four sets of tabs two on the front and two on the sides of each systainer Stacking Latches 2 s p Stacking Tabs 4 Stacking Systainers For convenience in transporting Festool tools and accessories the systainers can be stacked and locked together The systainers are locked together using the stacking tabs and latches 1 Place one systainer on top of the other 2 Release all four latches on the lower systainer by pulling back at their top edges step A to the right 3 Slide all four latches upward step B as depicted by the two views 4 Snap all four latches back to their flat position step C so they engage the stacking tabs of the upper systainer The image to the right shows two accessory systainers stacked together Instruction Manual 23 Troubleshooting Motor does not start 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 dus
35. s installed correctly not turning backward gt Reduce the motor speed If possible increase the blade depth Excessive chipping on the lower Make sure to use the correct blade for the type of material and type of cut edge of the cut A very shallow blade depth can cause chipping on the underside if the teeth are barely protruding below the surface Increase the blade depth Excessive chipping on the top edge Make sure to use the correct blade for the type of material and type of cut of the cut Inspect the splinter guard Make sure it is flush with the cut line for its entire length Materials prone to splintering may splinter more if the blade is set too deep 24 TS 55 EQ Circular Saw 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 To prevent injury or electrocution always unplug the tool from the power supply outlet before performing any maintenance or repair work on the tool Do not use compressed air to clean the motor housing of the tool as you could inject foreign objects into the motor through the ventilation openings Compressed air may be used on other components but persona
36. sheet materials may be improved with a shallower cut Cutting dense and or hard materials may require a deeper setting to decrease heat and load on the tool Cutting fragile or shatter prone materials such as plastics or countertop laminates is best with a shallow setting and low speed Cutting aluminum may be improved with a semi shallow setting but not too shallow When Used with the Multi Function Table MFT you may wish to keep the blade depth shallower Cutting non fragile non shattering plastics such as polypropylene or solid surface countertops may be improved with a deeper cut gt More aggressive blades such as the Panther ripping blade can be used at a shallower setting Using the Depth Stop Press in on the index pointer and slide it up or down to the desired setting m gt When used with the guide rail add 5 mm to the desired depth to account for the guide rail thickness Turn the speed control dial shown on page 14 to the number shown in the table to the left A Note About Speed Control When you first turn on the saw and there is no load on the sawblade you may notice a slight growling sound from the saw This is normal and is a result of the motor s gears reacting to the speed control The electronic controller in the motor controls the motor speed by turning it On and Off very rapidly This form of speed control is called Pulse Width Modulation PWM and
37. t 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 Crosscutting soft lumber or lumber core veneers should use the combination blade With fewer teeth than the fine crosscut blade this blade will be more aggressive for cutting yet still provide good chip free cutting Crosscutting thick hardwood lumber and difficult to cut lumber should use the coarse crosscut blade The coarse tooth count of this blade provides very aggressive cutting of difficult material but won t provide as smooth of a finish as the finer blades Cutting plastic veneer countertops or solid surface materials should use the fine laminate blade The Triple Chip Grind of this blade lasts longer in hard materials and reduces chipping in man made materials The Fine Crosscut l Blade triple chip grind will provide good cuts in wood veneers but not as good as the alternate top bevel fine crosscut blade gt For small offcuts overhang the workpiece from a work table or saw horses as shown below For larger offcuts support both the primary piece and the offcut gt If the offcut is reusable use the outrigger splinter guard to prevent chipping Make sure the workpiece is secure The lightweight door shown in the example below would slide on the table if not clamped down Make sure the guide rail is secure if it
38. t extractor has power only when the selector is at Auto 4 Inspect the power cord including extension cords for damage or missing prongs 5 The motor brushes may have worn and need replacement The guide rail gib cams won t stay The cams may be worn and have a flat spot Replace the cams tight The friction washers may be worn or missing The saw makes a Growling sound This sound is normal and expected It is the result of the gears in the saw s heavy when it is first turned on or idling duty drivetrain reacting to the speed control of the motor The electronic controller in the motor controls the motor speed by turning it On and Off very rapidly This form of speed control is called Pulse Width Modulation PWM and is common in most power tools with a variable speed control When there is no load on the sawblade the pulsations of the motor cause the gears to rapidly engage and disengage called backlash and this is the sound ou are hearing The saw makes wavy cuts Make sure the guide rail gib cams are properly adjusted gt Inspect the blade for damage Make sure the sole plate is not rocking on the guide rail gt Keep the blade depth consistent during the cut don t raise and lower the blade Forcing an ATB type blade into the cut too fast can cause the blade to deflect Saw cuts are burning Make sure to use the correct blade for the material Make sure the blade is sharp Make sure the blade i
39. t time the saw is used with the guide rail this strip is trimmed to match the sawblade When trimmed to size this strip reduces chipping and tearout during normal cutting If you have more than one saw that uses the same guide rail system you want all of the tools to have the same cutting path Before cutting the splinter guard use the Matching the TS 55 to an Existing Guide Rail procedure described on page 12 to match one tool to another 1 Set the blade depth very shallow 6 to 7 mm so that the blade teeth penetrate the strip by about half a tooth as shown 2 Set the motor speed to its lowest setting setting 1 Aj A V4 Guide I Surface gt p lt gt Rear Thumbwheel fa LO whe The cam action of the gibs allows for a large force to be applied to the gibs from a small amount of turning of the thumbwheel Over tightening the cams or operating the saw in abrasive environments can cause premature wear Periodically inspect the cams for flat spots and replace if necessary vy y 3 Place the guide rail on a stable surface with the strip hanging over the edge so you don t cut the table 4 If necessary adjust the guide rail gib cams as described on page 8 5 Cut the strip in a single smooth low speed rip from one end of the guide rail to the other Set the blade depth so about 1 2 a tooth is below the splinter guard TS 55 EO Circular Saw Trimming the Outrigger Splinter Gu
40. tes in the U S and some Canadian provinces do not allow the limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts so the above limitation may not apply to you With the exception of any warranties implied by state or province law as hereby limited the foregoing express limited warranty is exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties guarantees agreements and similar obligations of Festool This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state in the U S and province to province in Canada consequent to your use or misuse of this equipment Festool assumes no liability for incidental special or consequential damage of any kind Equipment specifications applications and options are subject to change at the sole discretion of Festool without notice All drawings and information herein are the property of Festool TTS Tooltechnic Systems AG amp Co KG All unauthorized use and reproduction is prohibited Written and Illustrated by Rick Christopherson 2006 TTS Tooltechnic Systems AG amp Co KG All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America and Germany Festool is a trademark and service mark of TTS Tooltechnic Systems AG amp Co KG www festoolusa com TS 55 EO Circular Saw Contents VIAN Y aE a OEE 2 Conditions of 1 2 Warranty ssrsesssimereisinrsressssnseiuisas 2 Festool Limited Warranty eeeeeeeeeeeeeereerereereersren 2 Je ele D ea E a a A E eer
41. ting without rapidly dulling 26 b Hook Angle The higher the hook angle the more the tooth grabs the material and pulls it into the cut Ripping blades have a very high hook angle to cut aggressively Lower hook angles are used for harder materials where greater control is needed Tooth Count The more teeth a blade has the smoother it will cut Conversely blades with fewer teeth cut more aggressively Instruction Manual Guide Rails a Guide Rail Accessory Kit Additional guide rails are available in lengths from 32 inches item Namba 402 206 to 197 inches 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 Rip Fence Parallel Guide Item Number 491 469 Use the rip fence instead of the guide rail for making a rip using the edge of the workpiece as a reference 22 TS 55 EQ Circular Saw 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 gt Cover Latche
42. to Auto The auxiliary power outlet is active only when the switch is set to Auto TS 55 Power Switch Power Cord Set to Auto ee A Extractor J A Hose E va Chip _ Diverter Z onpas 16 TS 55 EQ Circular Saw 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 However part of the reason why the lumber is less expensive is because it frequently has not been straight line ripped Sawmills have special straight line ripping tablesaws but they charge an extra fee for the service and straight lining on a regular tablesaw is complicated The TS 55 can quickly and easily straight line rough lumber using the guide rail Additionally if the grain of the wood is diagonal with the cut edge the TS 55 can be used to re cut the lumber on a diagonal to match the natural wood grain direction or to avoid defects Tips for Successful Straight Lining Use the correct blade for the cut The Panther ripping blade will provide the easiest cutting in any hardwood A coarse combination blade may be used for softwoods or Notice t
43. y the saw and damage the workpiece The sawblades should be sharpened regularly and only by a qualified sharpening service Improper grinding of the carbide teeth of a sawblade can result in serious injury to the saw operator Adjust and Inspect the Saw To ensure the saw is in proper working order periodically inspect the operation of the saw and ensure it is properly adjusted Observe the function of the saw during normal operation Unusual sounds are indicative of pending problems A reduction in the cut quality indicates the saw is either improperly adjusted or not functioning properly A reduction in cutting power or speed may indicate a dull blade or a motor problem If any of the safety devices on the saw are inoperable or disabled immediately stop using the saw and have it serviced gt Periodically inspect the guide rail gibs cams for wear and proper adjustment If the cams are worn or misadjusted the saw will not cut straight 25 Replacing the Guide Rail Gib Cams If the gib cams are over tightened or the saw is used in an Adjust the cams according to the procedure on page 8 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 Unplug the saw for safety and lay the saw on its side on a stable work surface Using a T 15 Torx driver remove the scr
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