Consolidated FAQ for the TSC 55, PDC 18 and BHC 18.

[Brent Shively]

In the specs for the BHC18, it mentions crown borer - 2.6" or 68mm. Is a crown borer the same as a concrete hollow core bit? I've never heard the term crown borer before.. Thank you for any help.

Yes, they are the same as hollow core bits.

Brent

 

[HVACseth]

That's awesome, thanks Brent!

 

[neeleman]

In the specs for the BHC18, it mentions crown borer - 2.6" or 68mm. Is a crown borer the same as a concrete hollow core bit? I've never heard the term crown borer before.. Thank you for any help.

Yes, they are the same as hollow core bits.

Brent

I've used the BHC 18 with hollow core drills up to Ø82 mm in masonry without any problems.
In concrete that's a different story. I then use my mains powered Bosch GBH 4-32 DFR.

 

[HVACseth]

Thanks neeleman!

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Any idea of run time with the two 5.2 Ah batteries for the TSC? I know the videos shot had lower Ah from a year or two ago. Also, how does power compare to the corded version? Is it similar or a little stronger on full charge? Can this saw handle cuts in 8/4 and 6/4 or is it better suited to sheet goods only and 4/4 stock?

I never really considered a battery track saw, but the videos have got me thinking. I really like the dust bag too and it seems like it would be great for lots of things and not having to worry about the dust extractor and cord is a plus in certain applications.

Thanks

 

[Brent Shively]

Any idea of run time with the two 5.2 Ah batteries for the TSC? I know the videos shot had lower Ah from a year or two ago. Also, how does power compare to the corded version? Is it similar or a little stronger on full charge? Can this saw handle cuts in 8/4 and 6/4 or is it better suited to sheet goods only and 4/4 stock?

I never really considered a battery track saw, but the videos have got me thinking. I really like the dust bag too and it seems like it would be great for lots of things and not having to worry about the dust extractor and cord is a plus in certain applications.

Thanks

The run times could  very depending on  the application.  It can cut 100m of 3/4 plywood on two fully charged 5.2Ah batteries.

The TSC55 has an RPM of 5200 when using two 18v batteries.  The TS 55 REQ as the same 5200 RPM.  It can handle material thicknesses up to 1 15/16".  Blades selection will be key if  you plan on ripping any of these materials rather than cross cutting.

Brent

 

[jacko9]

Any idea of run time with the two 5.2 Ah batteries for the TSC? I know the videos shot had lower Ah from a year or two ago. Also, how does power compare to the corded version? Is it similar or a little stronger on full charge? Can this saw handle cuts in 8/4 and 6/4 or is it better suited to sheet goods only and 4/4 stock?

I never really considered a battery track saw, but the videos have got me thinking. I really like the dust bag too and it seems like it would be great for lots of things and not having to worry about the dust extractor and cord is a plus in certain applications.

Thanks

The run times could  very depending on  the application.  It can cut 100m of 3/4 plywood on two fully charged 5.2Ah batteries.

The TSC55 has an RPM of 5200 when using two 18v batteries.  The TS 55 REQ as the same 5200 RPM.  It can handle material thicknesses up to 1 15/16".  Blades selection will be key if  you plan on ripping any of these materials rather than cross cutting.

Brent

Is there any information about the dust/chip control efficiency for the TSC 55 with the onboard bag?  If this is as good as using a saw with the CT extractor it will be very useful for cutting sheet goods without the hose and wire dragging behind.

Jack

 

[Shane Holland]

Jack,

Dust extraction is not quite as good with the bag as with an extractor, but it's darn close. Matter of fact, you'll find yourself needed to empty the bag every 50' or so. I don't know if there's a spec for % dust collection.

Shane

 

[SittingElf]

Is there any information about the dust/chip control efficiency for the TSC 55 with the onboard bag?  If this is as good as using a saw with the CT extractor it will be very useful for cutting sheet goods without the hose and wire dragging behind.

Jack

It actually works pretty well, but you have to empty the bag pretty frequently. Call it about 85% of the collection that you would get with a CT.

There is a Festool produced video from Germany showing a very long cut using the bags. Search for it, and you'll get a really good feeling about whether it will meet your needs without the CT.

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Shane Holland]

Here's the video Frank is referring to.

 

[jacko9]

Is there any information about the dust/chip control efficiency for the TSC 55 with the onboard bag?  If this is as good as using a saw with the CT extractor it will be very useful for cutting sheet goods without the hose and wire dragging behind.

Jack

It actually works pretty well, but you have to empty the bag pretty frequently. Call it about 85% of the collection that you would get with a CT.

There is a Festool produced video from Germany showing a very long cut using the bags. Search for it, and you'll get a really good feeling about whether it will meet your needs without the CT.

Cheers,

Frank

Thanks Frank,

I'm thinking that if I can rip a few 8' sheets of plywood with that bag I might be ordering one of them soon.  Since I have the T-18 drill with two 18v batteries this saw might be a very good solution for my track saw needs in cutting full sheets of plywood.

Jack

 

[jacko9]

I may have to look at that video a few times but, it looked like he changed bags every 16 - 24' of cut.  Are those bags the kind where you just unzip and dump?  If they are one time use, that can get very expensive in a hurry.

Jack

 

[Shane Holland]

I may have to look at that video a few times but, it looked like he changed bags every 16 - 24' of cut.  Are those bags th eknid where you just unzip and dump?  If they are one time use, that can get very expensive in a hurry.

Yeah, unzip and dump. Note that material in the video is thicker than 3/4".

 

[jacko9]

What is the weight of the TSC with two batteries inserted?

 

[Shane Holland]

What is the weight of the TSC with two batteries inserted?

10.1 pounds with 1 battery, 11.7 with two.

 

[Captainwrinkles]

Will the dust collecting bag designed for the TSC55 cordless saw fit on the old school TS55?

I understand the TS55 saw wasn't designed to be used with out the dust collector, but sometimes just a quick little cut doesn't justify pulling out the vac and getting all set up.

Also, i like the look of the dust drilling nozzle. Does it come with larger size fittings for drilling larger holes? that would be great! i could use when drilling with paddle/speed bits

Thanks

 

[Shane Holland]

Will the dust collecting bag designed for the TSC55 cordless saw fit on the old school TS55?

I understand the TS55 saw wasn't designed to be used with out the dust collector, but sometimes just a quick little cut doesn't justify pulling out the vac and getting all set up.

Well, yes and no. The TSC 55 has a different port design. You could easily replace the port so that it accepts the dust bag, except Festool USA doesn't have that part yet according to my most recent inquiry. Once available, I would think the port would be fairly inexpensive, but that's a guess. To replace, you'd just need to remove the side cover on the saw (a few screws).

Also, i like the look of the dust drilling nozzle. Does it come with larger size fittings for drilling larger holes? that would be great! i could use when drilling with paddle/speed bits

Nope, don't think so.

 

[jonny round boy]

I may have to look at that video a few times but, it looked like he changed bags every 16 - 24' of cut.  Are those bags th eknid where you just unzip and dump?  If they are one time use, that can get very expensive in a hurry.

Yeah, unzip and dump. Note that material in the video is thicker than 3/4".

Yes, it's 40mm worktop, so 1 1/2" material. He changed the bag every 5m, so about every 15'. I suspect that wasn't strictly necessary; the bags didn't look particularly full (I've used it to the point where the bag is rammed, and sawdust is spilling out when you remove it!).

 

[jacko9]

I may have to look at that video a few times but, it looked like he changed bags every 16 - 24' of cut.  Are those bags th eknid where you just unzip and dump?  If they are one time use, that can get very expensive in a hurry.

Yeah, unzip and dump. Note that material in the video is thicker than 3/4".

Yes, it's 40mm worktop, so 1 1/2" material. He changed the bag every 5m, so about every 15'. I suspect that wasn't strictly necessary; the bags didn't look particularly full (I've used it to the point where the bag is rammed, and sawdust is spilling out when you remove it!).

How effective would you say the bag was vs hooking up your CT extractor?

 

[Cheese]

How effective would you say the bag was vs hooking up your CT extractor?

At around 1:38 of the video there seems to be quite a mist of fine dust coming from the saw, I didn't expect to see that.