Dilemma: TS 55 with MODIFIED FSK rail or HK 55 with FSK rail and no plunge cuts

[Vladiator]

I use Kapex with UG cart and extensions to do ROUGH and FINISH carpentry but i got tired of loading the saw with the stand and extension rails in and out of my car twice a day... to save time that it takes to set everything up and take it down i have decided to get either a TS 55 or a HK 55 corded saw.

The only thing TS 55 has over the HK 55 in my opinion is the plunge capability....
HK 55 with the FSK 420 rail would be perfect for cutting 2x4 to 2x10 lumber and it would be much faster to set up and take down and would take less space in my car.

I have 2 options in front of me...

1 - Buy HK 55 saw with FSK420 rail but sacrifice plunge capability. I heard that plunge cuts are possible but they probably won't be accurate or as fast as they'd be done with the TS 55. I would most likely have to buy TS 55 saw as well if i want to have perfect plunge cut capability. This is the path festool would want people to take... using HK 55 for rough framing and TS 55 for more precise work with higher quality finished cuts.

2 - Buy TS 55 saw and FSK420 rail.... I know that in original form FSK420 is NOT compatible with the TS55. What i was thinking is using a CNC machine to shave down middle rib that prevents TS 55 to be used. Theoretically it would be a win win situation where I could do angled cross cuts on 2x dimension lumber with the modified FSK 420 rail and have also full plunge capability. And i'll just have 1 systainer to carry and won't have to buy 2 saws. I will never do plunge cuts with the modified FSK 420 rail.... for plunge cuts i'll be using regular TS 55 rails. This path gives TS 55 new possibilities and saves me from buying both saws.

Any thoughts?

 

[Goneshootin88]

I've used the plunge feature of HKC a ton since I bought it. I bought a separate 55" FS rail that I use exclusively with the HKC. The only time I use the TS now is for breaking down sheet goods where I need the double splinter guard to protect both sides of the cut.

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[Nat X]

I really can't think of any point to using a TS55 on a 420mm rail given the length of the base of the saw.  None of this sounds like a very good idea and I don't understand what you're giving up since you're not plunge cutting anything today anyway.

 

[flair woodworks]

Unless you make a lot of repetitive angle cuts, I'd probably just use the TS on a short FS Guide Rail with a square fence attached to the underside.

 

[mrboult]

I think the TS55 on an adapted rail is a bad idea. And a lot of money to get something that stinky won't work well.

Also the HK55 will plunge fine, with a dab of practice you'll get the hang in no time. It's not quite as simple as plunging the TS55, but it's not hard either.

Get the the HK55 and both FS & FSK rails