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Festool is recalling one of their saws due to a blade guard issue.
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Electrical Engineer by day, Woodworker by night -
Not "their saws", rather: Festool TS 55 REQ Plunge Cut Circular Saw
Sold between: May 2013 and July 2013 -
Not to change the subject but I thought that all circular saws were "plunge". Just like all fences were sacrificial.
capncarlComment
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The Festool circular saws plunge kind of like a plunge router. You preset the depth of cut, put the saw on the wood or edge of wood, start it and push it down. The whole body pushes down, exposing the saw blade under the saw. Once the cut is done the body comes back up retracting the saw blade.Comment
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So.... all this tool is good for is to plunge cut? About like some of us who think that we have to have a different plane for each shape and application, only more expensive!Comment
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I have the previous model and have been using it for several years now mainly to break down sheet goods to finished size. It is meant to be used on their guide rails and works great as a portable panel saw and has great dust collection when used with a vacuum.
I trimmed the bottoms of 2 very heavy interior doors, still hanging in place in a finished library in a very expensive home. With the guide rail clamped to the door, it was quick to make clean cuts on the finished doors and there was just minor cleanup after. Done the conventional way, I would have had to remove each door and carry them downstairs and outside 250 ft away to make the cuts.
Their tools can be expensive. But, for me, the ones I use for work, save me time and give me great results which equals more money.
There are many good videos on YouTube that show their tools/system. I got interested after seeing a finish carpenter using some at a jobsite and being impressed with the work he produced using them.TonyComment
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Got my Festool track saw last week. I cannot believe the quality of the cuts. The splinter guard on the rail, combined with the splinterguard on the saw, left beautiful, tear-out free cuts on the 3/4" ply I cut.
I was going to upgrade my BT3100 with a SawStop so I had the power to break down sheet goods. The track saw will take over that role. I'll now keep the BT3100, and in fact, I just installed a Forrest Woodworker II blade on it. Great blade! The BT3100 just has a slightly new use model for me.
My next purchase is a Festool Domino -- I'm hooked.LeeComment
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I'm glad to hear Festools are working for you. They have advantages over my DeWalt track saw but I have no desire to switch.
With respect to the plunge mechanism, which the DeWalt also uses, it doesn't really affect the ability to use the saw like any other circular saw. For a typical cut it is, turn the saw on (soft start), plunge to the stop, make the cut, retract the blade, set it down flat. The arbor bearings seem to be much tighter so the edge of the guide rails do not get worn down from repeated use. Sawdust pickup is also better but it functions pretty much like my Milwaukee. I don't plan to use the DeWalt for cutting up framing lumber, however. It would do it but the Milwaukee works fine for that.Comment
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I agree with JimD on the use of a conventional circular saw for tasks like framing, rather than a more expensive/precision track saw. I've got an old 1970's-era Craftsman "Professional" circular saw in the garage that gets plenty of use for outdoor projects. No need for super clean or highly precise cuts on those projects. It is heavy and powerful and I wouldn't ever get rid of it.
My shop is in the basement, so my garage has another set of tools -- mostly my older drills, older sanders, and older hand tools that have been replaced with newer tools in the shop. And I've got a few Harbor Freight brand "loaner" tools like the angle grinder that seem to see more use from my neighbor, than from me!LeeComment
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