Festool HK85 Groove Unit VN HK85

[alltracman78]

I just picked this up the other day; when I was looking at it there didn't seem to be very much info on it, I thought I'd post what I know now.
Mostly pictures for the moment, haven't had a chance to use it yet and probably won't for a little bit.

Inserts are 14 x 14 x 2 mm and expensive. I don't know if there's an aftermarket option or some other cutters that happen to be the same size that are made over here. It would be fantastic to find a domestic option.
Cutter screws are 10mm long and 5x1.0 ? thread. I'll have to confirm that when I get a chance.
The head takes a T20 torx.

Brand new it comes with all the shims on the bushing in between the 2 cutter heads. You have to pull the large "washer" with the bolt off, then pull the outer cutter head straight off the bushing and 2 rods. It takes some force the first time, it's aluminum so don't pry with anything. And the inserts are sharp.

View attachment 1

View attachment 2

This is assembled for the thinnest possible cut. The shims are on the outside of the cutter head, between the head and the large "washer".
Thinnest cut is 16mm? All the way to 25mm? Depending how many shims you install between the cutter heads.
View attachment 3

I was able to find replacment Festool inserts on Amazon UK for spares. It would be nice to find a cheaper option over here.
I would also like to try those aftermarket cutters with the different profiles as well.
Each Festool cutter head has 6 cutters, for a total of 12.
The aftermarket ones have 3 cutters each.

 

[alltracman78]

I meant to add several places mentioned this has been discontinued. It's still on the Festool site if you go to the HK85 first, and then go to the accessories.

Also, if anyone has a part number for the 2 aluminum cutter heads that would be great.
I'd love to grab spares if it is discontinued.

Link to the aftermarket cutters. Thanks to [member=75933]luvmytoolz[/member] for the info!
It's actually the entire cutter head, not just the replaceable inserts.https://www.whitehill-tools.com/cutter-heads/cutterheads-festool/cutters-for-festool-hk85-saw/

 

[luvmytoolz]

Another related item of interest, the crowd I got my (absolutely sensational) spiral insert head for my HL850 planer, also make a similar grooving cutter assembly with all the required parts for the 55, sorry link is insta, not sure where this specific product is on their website:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CvOXtnuM5WC/

 

[Lincoln]

The Whitehill cutters were designed by Oliver, at Bradshaw Joinery, I believe. He has videos about the process on his youtube channel.

 

[neeleman]

Festool Cutter Head #10 (2 pieces) for the VN-HK85 (10013170) is #10013167 and costs $473.
Spares cutters HW-WP 14x14x2/12 (574671) cost $106 and that's around $9/piece and they are 4-sided that makes $2/side.
I think it's a bargain for Festool spares.
[attachimg=1]

 

[semenza]

Another related item of interest, the crowd I got my (absolutely sensational) spiral insert head for my HL850 planer, also make a similar grooving cutter assembly with all the required parts for the 55, sorry link is insta, not sure where this specific product is on their website:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CvOXtnuM5WC/

I'd like to know more about that 850 cutter head ^^^

Seth

 

[Coen]

Everything in T-Loc got discontinued and re-releases with different number in Sys³

 

[Cheese]

Those inserts look the same as the inserts for the Shelix planer cutterhead. They're made by Tigra and are available in different toughness levels with different binders.

Another option is to look at MSC Industrial, Travers Tool or Tools Today for inserts. I highly doubt it is not a standard commercial item as that would negate the cost savings it was designed to effect.

[attachimg=1]

 

[alltracman78]

The Whitehill cutters were designed by Oliver, at Bradshaw Joinery, I believe. He has videos about the process on his youtube channel.

Cool! Thank you for the info.

Festool Cutter Head #10 (2 pieces) for the VN-HK85 (10013170) is #10013167 and costs $473.
Spares cutters HW-WP 14x14x2/12 (574671) cost $106 and that's around $9/piece and they are 4-sided that makes $2/side.
I think it's a bargain for Festool spares.
[attachimg=1]

Sweet!
I managed to find 2 sets (24 inserts) for $172 US on Amazon UK.
How many I stock up on depends on how available that size is over here.

Those inserts look the same as the inserts for the Shelix planer cutterhead. They're made by Tigra and are available in different toughness levels with different binders.

Another option is to look at MSC Industrial, Travers Tool or Tools Today for inserts. I highly doubt it is not a standard commercial item as that would negate the cost savings it was designed to effect.

[attachimg=1]

Cutter head for which planer? I have the Dewalt one, pretty sure they're smaller. Though I haven't had them in my hands in a while.
Thank you for the suggestions, I'll look into those.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Another related item of interest, the crowd I got my (absolutely sensational) spiral insert head for my HL850 planer, also make a similar grooving cutter assembly with all the required parts for the 55, sorry link is insta, not sure where this specific product is on their website:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CvOXtnuM5WC/

I'd like to know more about that 850 cutter head ^^^

Seth

It's just a few posts up on this page Seth!

The cost was ludicrously low, but their gear is absolutely top notch!
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...cutter-spiral-router-bit/msg702210/#msg702210

cheers, Ian

 

[luvmytoolz]

Those inserts look the same as the inserts for the Shelix planer cutterhead. They're made by Tigra and are available in different toughness levels with different binders.

Another option is to look at MSC Industrial, Travers Tool or Tools Today for inserts. I highly doubt it is not a standard commercial item as that would negate the cost savings it was designed to effect.

Really commonly used size, this is the first couple I found:
https://www.toolingbox.store/produc...-for-grizzly-planers-14x14x2-0mm-30-10pcs-set
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/293077594088

CSP Tooling also do the same ones I believe extremely cheap so I'll be ordering some next lot of cutters I buy.

 

[Cheese]

Really commonly used size, this is the first couple I found:
https://www.toolingbox.store/produc...-for-grizzly-planers-14x14x2-0mm-30-10pcs-set
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/293077594088

CSP Tooling also do the same ones I believe extremely cheap so I'll be ordering some next lot of cutters I buy.

Ya, I went to Oella Saw & Tool which supplies the Tigra inserts to Byrd Tool for their Shelix heads and this is the first 14 x 14 x 2 insert that came up.
https://www.oellasawandtool.com/pro...terhead-FREE-USA-SHIPPING.html?language=en-gb

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I'd be extremely cautious about swapping out different carbide inserts. Most of my shaper tooling and cutter blocks use inserts, and most of them are not interchangeable. I suspect the cost to buy Festool replacements would pale in comparison for the cost of a surgeon to go searching around for an errant bit of carbide in your abdomen.....

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

For what it's worth, there are several other products from the usual suspects that perform the same functions as the HK85, if it's discontinued..... The NFU 50 and MF26cc come to mind, but I'm sure there are others

 

[mino]

For what it's worth, there are several other products from the usual suspects that perform the same functions as the HK85, if it's discontinued..... The NFU 50 and MF26cc come to mind, but I'm sure there are others

Well, in this market, the Festool/TTS offerings are historically the ones with the best price/value ratios .. so a loss is still a loss when the alternative is 1.5 the price, or more.

 

[Lincoln]

For what it's worth, there are several other products from the usual suspects that perform the same functions as the HK85, if it's discontinued..... The NFU 50 and MF26cc come to mind, but I'm sure there are others

Well, in this market, the Festool/TTS offerings are historically the ones with the best price/value ratios .. so a loss is still a loss when the alternative is 1.5 the price, or more.

The Mafell offerings have many, many more functions than the HK85, so comparing via price isn't fair.

 

[mino]

The Mafell offerings have many, many more functions than the HK85, so comparing via price isn't fair.

It is "fair" when you are the buying entity.

This was not to dis on Mafell in any way. H.e.l.l., I did not even mention them. It was to emphasize that *in this market* the Festool offering is the  value option.

Losing it means a loss to the customers, especially the hobby ones which are like 1/2 of this community. That can be directly counted in $€ or in ability/inability to afford this type of a tool.

I have a Protool CSP 145 E.
That saw cost €2000 when the Maffel was going for €3000 for a comparable design.

I could afford it used at $700 or so. I could not afford/justify the Mafell which (used) goes for $1500 or so.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

I'd be extremely cautious about swapping out different carbide inserts. Most of my shaper tooling and cutter blocks use inserts,  and most of them are not interchangeable. I suspect the cost to buy Festool replacements would pale in comparison for the cost of a surgeon to go searching around for an errant bit of carbide in your abdomen.....

100% agreed. I just finished machining almost 2000 linear metres of replica heritage mouldings using custom-made tooling on my ancient (but stellar) Wadkin spindle moulder. There may be an incoming 'Member Projects' topic about this. A machine specifically designed to do one job - but even after using it for 30+ years, it still scares the h*ll out of me every time I use it. Don't ever compromise on your safety.