I have used the ATF55 extensively for several years and recently picked up the new TS55. The first thing I noticed was a more refined look and feel to the saw. The slightly larger and rubber grip is more comfortable than the ATF without a doubt. It's slightly less heavy, is about as loud, but does run more smooth than the ATF. Festool has a third motor bearing compared to the two the ATF had. The saw glides without any effort with the magnesium base. The newer rails now come with two HDPE strips and the combination of the new base and these strips is a great improvment over the orginal metal base on just aluminum rails.
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Plunge action has the same ease but the depth indicator is WAY more easy to read and slightly more easy to adjust. A couple improvements - the adjusters to take up the rail play are now eccentric hand screws. Sure beats having to find that straight edged screwdriver you had to file down to adjust the sets screws on the ATF. Two set screws are easily accessable to set the base/blade to 90 degrees. The setting was of by about 5 degress and it took maybe 5 minutes to get it set to a perfect 90.
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Another nice improvement is a lever lock feature to change the blades. This "fast fix" lever releases the plunge and holds it about half way down, exposing the flange screw through a window. This position also allows you to adjust the riving knife the same way - although, mine was set perfect right out of the box. This is quicker than having to remove the four-five screws on the ATF to remove the whole housing. They were small suckers too and had a tendancy to "disappear" if dropped on the floor. Plus, when the saw is plunged and locked in place, it automatically engages the spindle lock for blade changes. Funny, I read a review where the author gave the TS55 an "8" on blade changes and said "it may be tricky for a novice". Not getting that one at all. Blades changes are as simple as can be..
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I never used the riving knife on the ATF but this one plunges with the blade, is smack in line with the teeth and I don't even know it's there, quite frankly....guess it'll stay.
The TS55 comes with a splitterguard accessory which easily mounts on the front/side of the saw. Press it down to the material, lock and plunge in to cut the kerf. I did about five test cuts with it on and then off, and frankly could not tell any difference in the topside quality of cut. I mainly cut ply with the saw so it'll be interesting to see if it does make a difference with other matierals.
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For now it's going to stay off for the simple fact that the splitter is proud of the base when on, and will teeter on a flat surface when you put the saw down. How's that for petty?
How does it cut? I'm not sure how Festool could have made a better cutting saw than the ATF, but this one is as perfect as perfect gets. I'd go a limb to say it does cut "better" because of the third bearing and being a little more stable, but I'd have to get all scientific of cut analysis and I'm just not that kind of guy
Why look any further..
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Two other noticable differences are the hose port and cord. The TS55 is a swivel and a round female port opening to accept the CT's round 1" rubber end. The ATF had a square/oblong port (like the Festool jigsaw and Rotex sander) and the hose end stayed VERY secure inside the opening. Of course the rubber hose end is tapered and there is resistance, but not as much as I'd like. The ribbed flex hose does have the tendancy to get hung up sometimes on the material and rail, causing it to pull away from the saw port. I wish the saw port had ribbing to keep the hose very securly attached....we shall see. The cord is a plug-it type that is removable - this I like. However, the plug n twist of the festool is not as secure as the plug it style you would find on the Milwaukee tools. Also, the cord from the saw is angled down and towards the operator....wish it was more "up" and "away". But hey, with cuts like this and a saw that will last a good long while I'm very pleased. Whether you feel the need to upgrade your ATF to the TS is a matter of personal preference and budget.
As per usual, Bob Marino gave suburb customer service discussing the details of the new saw. Can't beat the delievery either - put an order in with Bob on Monday morning, get your stuff the next day.