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.
Increased burning 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.
►
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 b
lade 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 m
speed even as the load changes. The speed control is
infinitely variable from 2000 to 5200 RPM. The optim
speed of the saw is predominately determined by the typ
of material being cut.
Material
Soft wood products and veneer plywoods
Hardwood products
Plastic laminate countertops
Hard plastics
Soft plastics
Masonry and cementitious hardboard
Aluminum
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 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.
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.
When used with the guide r
►
depth to account for the guide rail thickness.
Turn the speed control dial (shown on page 14) to the number
otor
shown in the table to the left.
al
A Note About Speed Control
e
When you first turn on the saw and there is no load on the
sawblade, you may notice a slight "growling" sound from t
saw. This is normal, and is a result of the motor's gears
Speed
reacting to the speed control.
6
3-6
The electronic controller in the
6
by turning it On and Off very rapidly. This form of speed
control is called "Pulse-Width Modulation" (PWM), and is
3-5
common in most power tools with a variable speed control.
1-4
When there is no load on the sawblade, the pulsations of the
1-3
motor cause the gears to rapidly engage and disengage (called
4-6
backlash), and this is the sound you are hearing.
ail, add 5 mm to the desired
motor controls the motor speed
he
13