I Resurrected my Festool TS55 tracksaw for less than a tenner!

So I've had my Festol TS55 REBQ for 5 years or so, and it's had a lot of commercial use in that time
It's out of warranty, and recently It started to loose power, and become unreliable. Having done zero maintenance on it for the whole of it's life, i feared the worst, and set it aside in favour of my cordless circular saw from Hikoki, But i need it for a job that's coming up, and so so decided to try and fix it, rather than buy a new one.... turned out the brushes were at fault, and they are a really easy fix, for less than £10. Even using genuine festool parts from a dealer.
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[@jasonmejia5581]

Hello my friend! This is a great video. I I had the same issue with my saw. After watching your video I noticed you cleaned it out pretty well. Initially I was going to buy brushes as you did but after I saw your brushes were hardly worn And there was lots of dust in the saw. I decided to blow it out first & wouldn’t you know the saw came back to life. Again thank you for the video and you’ll definitely have a follow for me. Cheers!

[@OzrikKnob]

Thanks for this. I ordered new brushes half way through your video; this is exactly the problem I'm having with an HK 55.

[@bobbauvian7700]

the used brushes are practically new. nice thanks for showing exactly how to remove the more difficult to remove brush.

[@Bill.L.Carroll]

Always a bonus when you can repair your own tools so there's not so much time lost through postage, and it was hella cheap! Nice one, mate. 👍🏾

[@BrainFizz]

Very true! it's been good as good since too!!

[@JohnSmith-pn2vl]

i do this stuff a lot, you wanna clean the rotor, use a fine grid sandpaper and press it lightly against the rotor while spinning it until the copper is shiny again. you could clean the slits with something pointy depending on the condition. this brushes are perfectly fine, no need for the new ones.

[@S7tronic]

Thanks for uploading, I will know how to change mine when the time comes. The old bushes were not very worn, apart from the grooves-seems like they are necessary to make proper contact with the commutator. I picked us an Erika 85 two months ago, so you won't hear me grumbling about Festool prices. 😁

[@BrainFizz]

So easy it’s ridiculous.... but yeah, it always feels like it’s the ryobi/makita mob that scream expensive at Festool and have never actually heard of the expensive brands - even funnier when you think these folks most likely never heard of festool 5 years ago....🤔🤔

[@andyjames8612]

Very clean looking machine for six years old mate. Great video and very helpful as my TS55 suddenly started to play up, it starts up ok but as I plunge it loses power briefly then it’s ok or it’ll start up normally then run on reduced power for the rest of the cut, almost like I’ve turned the speed down from 6 to 3. Hoping it’s just the brushes and maybe a clean up inside the compartment

[@BrainFizz]

It is, I have a nasty habit of looking after my tools though.

[@pokypie182]

the groves are to allow the brush to bed in quicker that's why it sounded better after a couple of runs

[@woodworks2123]

Where did you get genuine brushes for less than ten quid? I'm away to change mine.

[@paulmacey9084]

brilliant advice thank you

[@normanboyes4983]

Useful video and thank you for doing it.👍 I did not see the commutator in detail so cannot comment on that, but you showed plenty of sparking in the before shots and not afterwards - was there still sparking? If there is it may be worth sending back to Festool - not sure but there may be capacitors fitted for radio signal suppression that may have failed. The grooves on the new brushes are to allow them to ‘bed in’ to the commutator surface more quickly. BTW I own a TS55 and I honestly would have paid another £100 for the time it saves to cut mm perfect with a good finish each and every time. Same goes for the Domino. Wish I had bought years ago.

[@ukhomewoodworker848]

Great video 👌👍

[@BrainFizz]

Thanks!👌

[@DaveGDesigns]

Nice job rich 👍🏻

[@BrainFizz]

Cheers Dave!

[@AndyCPugh]

Good job.

[@BrainFizz]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jpwoodwork]

first video on changing the brushes, ur a trend setter mate

[@blotontheland]

I think Peter Millard did a video on the same topic when he was convinced that his Festool TS55 had died!

[@BrainFizz]

I think that was just talking about it. Not actually doing it. But I could be wrong.

[@blotontheland]

@@BrainFizz Hi Brian, I think you maybe right there, good video though on replacing them.

[@BrainFizz]

Thanks, and No problem. Richard.

[@danieljerloew]

how did it hold up? ;-) Just changed my brushes, and i hope it also has a "run in" timer, cause theres more sparks now than before haha. But i heard they need to settle in. Do your saw still work till this day?

[@thepeginator2556]

I bought a TS55 a couple of months ago, the sound after you changed the brushes sounds more to less identical to my brand new’n. Found your channel from makers international podcast, which I found from fools with tools podcast. Just started listening from ep.1 - should keep me going for a bit!!

[@BrainFizz]

I challenge you to watch all 199 episodes before next Sunday and be in the live show for Ep 200 next week 2130BST!😂😂 Good to have you onboard!👌

[@thepeginator2556]

BrainFizz I work nights and get through about 8hrs worth a night... so even at that rate that might be a big ask! Very much enjoying what I’m hearing so far though. I just listened to the episode where Bill Lutz(sp?) got you all hook line and sinker with his fake story of being dragged leg first into some kind of chainsaw thing at work, A+ for effort 😂

[@kieranardaen-webb9913]

My saw started doing this the other day. I noticed your electronic break isn’t kicking in. Is it working now?

[@retiree1033]

Seeing that dust you pulled out at the start, I wonder whether that was your problem and not the brushes. A good blow through with an airline may have been a good move before reassembly.

[@BrainFizz]

Airlines generally just blow the dust deeper. That’s why I hoovered it out, besides I don’t have the air blower for my compressor (which I hardly ever fire up since going cordless for my nailers). Brushes that look fine, but still require changing are commonplace with Festool tools.

[@trainlgb]

We need model trains now!!!!

[@BrainFizz]

Hahahaha!!

[@chrismorrison480]

Very good video - thank you. Had the same problem with my one - exactly the same "ill" noise etc. Just changed the brushes (which were considerably more worn than your example), but it sadly has not fixed it - still sounds "ill". Any suggestions of what else may be causing it? Mny thx. Chris.

[@BrainFizz]

Are the contacts clean? That will make a difference…. Other than that I’d send it back for a repair (even if outside warranty period).

[@johnterdik4707]

@@BrainFizz I have a very similar issue with my TS55 REQ. I called Festool and ask what would be the worst-case repair cost and was told, "about 1/2" the cost of a new saw, so I sent it in. About a week later I received an estimate of $402.40 (US Dollars). I looked at the new Plunge Cut Track Saw TS 55 FEQ-F-Plus" and the cost is $599.This includes the "Systainer SYS3 M 337" ($80), and the "HW fine tooth saw blade W42" ($87), If I subtract these items the net is $432 and the repair estimate is $402.40. In my simple mind, Festool is charging me the cost of a new saw. I'm just a hobby guy and estimate that in one year I would use my saw less than you would in a week. Currently, Festool has my saw and is waiting for approval from me. To send it back without repair I would pay $60 for shipping (they did provide a shipping label to send it to them), thus I'd be paying to ship $30 each way. I'm leaning toward NOT having Festool repair, try the brushes as you did. I did remove the cover to view the brushes and saw that they had a lot of life (in my opinion) thus I was very surprised to see that your old brushes also had very little wear. Per Festool the PN for my brushes is 492014. Other options are to purchase the new "TS 55 FEQ-F-Plus" (PN 576708) for $599 or the "Cordless Track Saw TSC 55 5,2 KEBI-F-Plus" (PN 576718) for $699. While I do love battery tools it is questionable for me. At times I do get annoyed with the power cord. Decisions, decisions!

[@MazMaslin]

Missed your channel, but found yt had unsubbed me. Hope all is well bud.

[@BrainFizz]

Welcome back!

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

The brushes will take a little while to bed in Mate 👍 😊

[@BrainFizz]

I suspected that that would be the case. Previous machines I’ve changed the brushes to have been hidden away after, tablesaw for Example. This is the first tool I can think of that has been openly visible to me afterwards.👌🤔

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

I'm thinking the little groves are there to help it bed in quicker? I don't know I'm just guessing

[@BrainFizz]

Possibly, or to reduce friction? Could explain why once they’re worn, it slows but there’s still plenty of brush left?

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

I think carbon is 'self lubricating' so I think friction is out, and it's early so I'm off to work to think about this some more 👍 😊

[@BrainFizz]

😂😂

[@dsaworxcarpentrysolutions9155]

Where did you get the hikoki vacuum adapter?

[@BrainFizz]

Comes with the saw.

[@1larfinboy]

My one has gone wonkey tonight. B@##₩"?S! needed it over the weekend as well. Where did you get your replacement brushes from?

[@BrainFizz]

Mine came from “nuts & bolts” they’re down western supermare A quick google will find them. They’re great service, stock most things (huge range), and deliver. But be warned, it’s about £75 minimum for free postage. I tend to wait and order bits in a batch making up orders with things like abrasive and jigsaw blades if I need things in a hurry. If not you might try FFX, both will supply you only genuine Festool parts.

[@1larfinboy]

@@BrainFizz Thanks for getting back to me. Nuts and bolts are a great shop but like you say expensive P&P like you I buy enough to get free delivery ( but I'm banned from shopping for anything that isn't strictly necessary at the moment.) FFX say they don't stock brushes for 110v only 240v. Thanks any way mate.

[@markdudley1028]

Not so much ressurection as maintenance.

[@BrainFizz]

Not so much a constructive comment as just noise………

[@SharpestBulbs]

The people who would buy a joke of a tool like that for that price would never attempt to fix it. They would just buy another one. That's why you couldn't find a video on it.

[@BrainFizz]

Does that make me my own paradox then?🤔🤔🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@SharpestBulbs]

@@BrainFizz I doubt you paid full price and if you did...why?

[@BrainFizz]

Why do doubt I paid full price it?!?🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@jonathanbeet8405]

Why keep using it for £10 when you can buy a new one for £400 Derrrrrr!

[@elusivemite]

I own 3 tracksaws. My first was the ts55. Bought a DeWalt 110v as it was lacking in power when working with lumber. And an 18v DeWalt Out of the 3 the festool is still the nicest to use. Little details like the speed of depth change the plunge action the dust removal. The handle position. Your also paying for the service. Mine is now 8 years old. At 3 years old it crapped out on me. I put a request for service in on a Friday. They collected it Monday and had it back to me repaired by Thursday. Show me a DeWalt/Makita owner who has had service like that