Recently, Festool released a new and upgraded version of their TS 55 Track Saw, but why? Well, they wanted to address a number of common complaints with the original model, and other track saws on the market–primarily the speed. With the new model, Festool has worked to enhance the usability of their 6-1/4″ Plunge Cut Track Saw to create the most efficient, powerful, and precise cuts possible.

Optimized Design

The new TS 55 FEQ delivers more power and faster cutting than the older version (the TS 55 REQ). The REQ model drew a lot of power out because of the vacuum attachment and thicker blade, which took a lot of cutting power away from the saw. Some people found that they needed to go over the material multiple times to fully cut through the piece they were working on, and they experienced a lot of resistance while cutting thicker or tougher woods. The TS 55 FEQ does a better job of allocating its power output to the blade so that you can cut much faster and have a cleaner edge. This makes it a great saw for cutting interior doors to length, manufacturing expansion joints in flooring, cutting chipboard to size, and cutting/processing plasterboard. Festool also created a new splinter guard for this saw, making it virtually splinter free.

Thinner Saw Blades

One of the major changes Festool made with this saw is the design of their new saw blades. The new TS 55 FEQ saw comes with a thinner blade for 2x faster cutting, more power, and higher feed rates. The new blade has a 1.8mm kerf, which is 20% thinner and 60g lighter than the previous blade, which had a kerf of 2.2mm. The thinner blade drives through less material, creating less dust, more power, and faster cutting. You will also get 50% more life out of the blade because it causes less friction with use.

Upgraded Guide Rail and Angle Stop Miter

The upgraded guide rail for the TS 55 F has vertical cutting capabilities so that you can attach the guide rail to non-flat surfaces. The track can be screwed into the wall, or there are adhesive pads that can be used to connect the track to a vertical surface without having to drill into the piece. Plus, when you’re packing up for the day, the track fits perfectly over the handle of any Systainer system for easy transportation.

The new Angle Stop Miter helps you align the track saw to cut at specific angles. It clamps directly onto the track and rotates 60° in either direction past 90° to make the most accurate cuts. There are also preset detents on the gauge to easily adjust to common angles. One flaw of other angle stop miters is that there isn’t a clear view of the alignment along the track to your work piece, so this new design has openings along the edge so that you can clearly see if your track is lined up with the edge of the wood.

Looking for a slightly larger option? The TS 75 EQ is Festool’s 8-1/4″ plunge cut track saw that can cut through material up to 2-3/4″ thick. This saw uses the same guide rail and comes with the same set of accessories as the TS 55 FEQ, but delivers deeper cuts and has an even more powerful motor. When paired with the upgraded CT MINI 1 HEPA Dust Extractor your cleanup time will be faster and easier than ever.

The Festool TS 55 FEQ is available NOW in two kit options. The TS 55 FEQ-F-Plus kit has the saw, blade, Systainer SYS3 M 337, but not the guide rail, and the TS 55 FEQ-F-Plus-FS kit includes the saw, guide rail, Systainer SYS3 M 337, a saw blade, and accessories. If you have any questions about this saw or any other tools and accessories from Festool, give us a call at 800-242-4424, email us at sales@ohiopowertool.com, or leave a comment below for assistance. We’re always happy to help! To be the first to know about new products and deals, subscribe to our e-newsletter and follow us on social media!