Cord or cordless track saw?

[Holmz]

This saw is going to be used in my home shop and not as a business.  I wish they offered an adapter that would allow you to run a battery powered saw from an AC outlet like a see offered on their sander.  Since they don't and this is my first Festool purchase I am leaning toward the corded version unless responses from this post convince me otherwise.

If one was a double EE or electronic savvy they could make a killing with that concept with a bit of capital and manufacturing...

 

[semenza]

I like both.    I make  very  few track saw cuts on site. So I like cordless for on site for handiness and set up.  Easy to take out cut where ever and not need to move the vac etc.

In the shop I want the vac connected. So the cord is no issue. I can't imagine wanting to empty the dust bag all the time. I know it actually holds quite a bit of dust from fine blade cuts in sheet goods etc. But start doing rip cuts with a rip blade and it fills quickly. I like the lighter weight not having batteries too although I guess that is the trade off for no hose. The amount the hose and cord get in the way will depend on the set up too ..... boom arm, overhead holder, etc.

Seth

 

[McNally Family]

Thank you! Just ordered the Mafell dust bag. Easier than modifying the Festool bag connection.

I have a 240v TS55 but been eyeing the 18v X2 Makita. Will be available here in Jan 2018.

[member=23087]bnaboatbuilder[/member]  - if look at this instagram post, they state the Mafell dust bag fits perfectly to the Makita saw and works on bevel cuts without any modificationshttps://www.instagram.com/p/BbTLEK7hxbR/?taken-by=toolsbydesign

The same user also posted a series of photos and short videos of how to modify the Festool bag to fit the Makita saw.https://www.instagram.com/p/BZhgjX9BZYi/?taken-by=toolsbydesign

I just noticed today that Timberwolf tools has started selling the Mafell dustbag:
https://www.timberwolftools.com/mt55-kss50-dust-bag

I suspect this has just been added in anticipation of Timberwolf listing the battery powered MT55 and KSS50 (although neither is listed yet).  I am going to order one for myself for those rare cuts away from my CT26.

 

[ben_r_]

Cant recall, does the Makita cordless tracksaw work on the Festool guide rails? I seem to remember reading that it does.

 

[acer66]

I just bought the corded Festool because I did not want to deal with another type of batteries and I do not plan to take it to jobsites.
Having said that, when I saw the deal toolnut and maybe others have too on the Makita cordless have, 2 free extra batteries,  I was tempted.

 

[acer66]

Acme Tools has an even better deal with 4 batteries, dual charger, saw and a rail for $499. I bought my kit from Tool Nut a month ago with the extra batteries but no rail was included. Just saw Acme's offering a few days ago.

I just bought the corded Festool because I did not want to deal with another type of batteries and I do not plan to take it to jobsites.
Having said that, when I saw the deal toolnut and maybe others have too on the Makita cordless have, 2 free extra batteries,  I was tempted.

[eek] That is great deal indeed.

 

[DB10]

Acme Tools has an even better deal with 4 batteries, dual charger, saw and a rail for $499. I bought my kit from Tool Nut a month ago with the extra batteries but no rail was included. Just saw Acme's offering a few days ago.

I just bought the corded Festool because I did not want to deal with another type of batteries and I do not plan to take it to jobsites.
Having said that, when I saw the deal toolnut and maybe others have too on the Makita cordless have, 2 free extra batteries,  I was tempted.

[eek] That is great deal indeed.

So for roughly the same price as a bare Festool TSC 55 which is a very good saw, you can get the Makita which has got some very good reviews, with four batteries duel charger plus a rail. I would say it was game over for Festool, years ago when they were the only show in town with a decent track saw they could get away with it. Not so easy now the competition has caught up.

 

[ben_r_]

Acme Tools has an even better deal with 4 batteries, dual charger, saw and a rail for $499. I bought my kit from Tool Nut a month ago with the extra batteries but no rail was included. Just saw Acme's offering a few days ago.

I just bought the corded Festool because I did not want to deal with another type of batteries and I do not plan to take it to jobsites.
Having said that, when I saw the deal toolnut and maybe others have too on the Makita cordless have, 2 free extra batteries,  I was tempted.

And they are doing 11% off right now!

 

[D1llig4f]

Anyone know where I can get that mafell dust bag in the uk, or even a part number for it. My searches for it are failing so far.

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

Mafell dust bag part number is #206921

Anyone know where I can get that mafell dust bag in the uk, or even a part number for it. My searches for it are failing so far.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Anyone know where I can get that mafell dust bag in the uk, or even a part number for it. My searches for it are failing so far.

It is Mafell part no 206921, it is printed on the bag.

Axminster should be able to get it for you, or FFX.
Miles Tool & Machinery, MTMC.co.uk sells Mafell too, so you do have a few options.

 

[acer66]

Acme Tools has an even better deal with 4 batteries, dual charger, saw and a rail for $499. I bought my kit from Tool Nut a month ago with the extra batteries but no rail was included. Just saw Acme's offering a few days ago.

I just bought the corded Festool because I did not want to deal with another type of batteries and I do not plan to take it to jobsites.
Having said that, when I saw the deal toolnut and maybe others have too on the Makita cordless have, 2 free extra batteries,  I was tempted.

And they are doing 11% off right now!

Oh boy.

 

[Brice Burrell]

.......To be frank, buying into Festool batteries is questionable because they are not designing new tools to work with their previous battery platform. So now they have multiple non-compatible 18v batteries which is dumb. Makita uses the same 18v platform for all it's tools that go back 10 years and everything moving forward.

If I'm not mistaken the old 18V, and the new Airstream 18V batteries are compatible.  In other words, the old 18V batteries work with the new "Airstream" version tools. 

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

Ergo 18V are different from the Airstream 18v, not compatible.

.......To be frank, buying into Festool batteries is questionable because they are not designing new tools to work with their previous battery platform. So now they have multiple non-compatible 18v batteries which is dumb. Makita uses the same 18v platform for all it's tools that go back 10 years and everything moving forward.

If I'm not mistaken the old 18V, and the new Airstream 18V batteries are compatible.  In other words, the old 18V batteries work with the new "Airstream" version tools.

 

[Bob D.]

I don't understand when you say not compatible. I bought my TSC55 with Airstream batteries and chargers earlier this year. I also have a T15 drill and a pair of batteries for it. On the TSC55 I can use any combination of batteries I have to power the saw. ALL of the following are possible with varying levels of power depending on the batteries used:

15v x 1
15v x 2
18v x 1
18v x 2
15v + 18v
15v + 15v
18v + 18v

How much more compatible can they make it?

Or am I completely misunderstanding your statement on compatibility.

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

The new battery called the Ergo specific to the new hybrid sanders which just came out this summer are not compatible with your drill or track saw, correct? So now there are different 18V batteries in the Festool lineup which only work with certain tools instead of all the 18V tools on one battery platform. I also assume the chargers are different too. Anyone who has the new sanders and can shed some light on the new Ergo batteries, that info would be very welcome. As I see it there are multiple 18V batteries which can't be used universally across ALL Festool 18V tools.

 

[Bob D.]

Yes, the batteries for the sanders will not work with other 18v tools. I believe this was discussed when the sanders were first announced earlier this year. IIRC the change was necessary because the rectangular shape of the current batteries did not lend itself well to good tool balance and ergonomics of the sander.

I had the same question as to why a new battery form factor but once it was explained I understand why. For those who opt for the cordless sanders that is just something they will have to live with, or not and keep using corded tools. Maybe there will be more tools that use this battery in the future, but I don't recall any mention of that possibility here.

 

[Holmz]

The new battery called the Ergo specific to the new hybrid sanders which just came out this summer are not compatible with your drill or track saw, correct? So now there are different 18V batteries in the Festool lineup which only work with certain tools instead of all the 18V tools on one battery platform. I also assume the chargers are different too. Anyone who has the new sanders and can shed some light on the new Ergo batteries, that info would be very welcome. As I see it there are multiple 18V batteries which can't be used universally across ALL Festool 18V tools.

It's a system?

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Yes, the batteries for the sanders will not work with other 18v tools. I believe this was discussed when the sanders were first announced earlier this year. IIRC the change was necessary because the rectangular shape of the current batteries did not lend itself well to good tool balance and ergonomics of the sander.

I had the same question as to why a new battery form factor but once it was explained I understand why. For those who opt for the cordless sanders that is just something they will have to live with, or not and keep using corded tools. Maybe there will be more tools that use this battery in the future, but I don't recall any mention of that possibility here.

Ergo batteries use the same charger as the other 18V batteries. Also enable the use of running a machine with a cord. The german Festool rep I spoke with said that this opens up new possibilities for them for future products. I don't think it is a terrible design and it would allow for some interesting products for sure - but you would have to get a few extra batteries and perhaps one or even two transformers along the way. Being able to charge all batteries on same charger is good.

Batteries that don't fit other machines is not so great but for dedicated machines for daily use it is fair enough - remember that Festool caters to professionals as their target base.  Sometimes - for specialty machines - having the machine is more important than battery compatibility with other machines. I would prefer to have them all cross compatible though. 

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

Henrik R / Pingvinlakrits,

Here in the U.S., I will bet you more hobbyists own Festool than professionals. Just a hunch. I've been a professional photographer for 18 years and know that the high end digital backs (from Hasselblad and Phase one) are owned by more amateur/hobby photographers (wealthy mind you) than working professionals. The U.S. is funny that way, too much disposable income.