Festool redesigned its TS 55 REQ plunge-cut saw with a large, readable depth scale for cuts on or off the guide rail, a micro-adjustable depth control and a flat housing offset to make straight cuts parallel to any edge.

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“The flush housing lets you cut up against an adjoining wall so you can get as close as possible,” says Festool applications specialist Brent Shively. “We’ve also added an in-place splinter guard, which eliminates tear-out on both sides of the blade. You can put a clear plastic window on that’s going to help with the dust extraction and allow you to see where the blade is cutting exactly.”

The saw, designed for use with or without a guide track, is an alternative to a job-site table saw and can make life easier in the shop, too, eliminating the need to lug heavy sheets of plywood to a cabinet saw. It can also make compound-angle cuts by beveling the saw and angling the guide rail.

The new saw also features a redesigned riving knife that emerges before the saw blade for easier positioning in existing cut lines and an improved dust channel design. A detent override function allows for a greater bevel range of minus-1 to 47 degrees. Limit stops will keep the saw base from rising during a plunge cut and can also be used as both beginning and ending stop guides.

Festool is offering the saw at an introductory price of $585, which includes a 48-tooth carbide blade, 55” guide rail, splinter guard, limit stop, Plug-it power cord and the T-Loc Systainer SYS-4 storage container. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a three-year limited warranty.

Contact: Festool U.S.A. Tel: 888-337-8600. www.tracksaw.com

This article originally appeared in the June 2013 issue.