festool tsc 55 li battery vs cord?

[petrho]

I plan you buy a TSC 55 but not sure about advantages/disadvantages for battery vs cord.

Pros and Cons?

 

[Sanderxpander]

One of them needs to have its batteries charged but can be used without a power cord. If you use a dust bag you can use it without anything else attached. It's supposed to have slightly more power than the corded version.

 

[petrho]

thanks

 

[Grev]

I have both and since purchasing the TSC55 REB (battery), I never use the corded saw any longer.  For me, the battery model is much more convenient and cuts great!

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I plan you buy a TSC 55 but not sure about advantages/disadvantages for battery vs cord.

Pros and Cons?

As others have said, it’s more powerful than the corded. Lots of pros, and the only cons I can think of is, you must make sure you’re well stocked with batteries.
I have a lot of batteries because, we have been trying to go completely cordless for site work, or at least very close to completely.

I have a rule when buying cordless regarding batteries. If the machine takes one battery, buy two, if it takes two batteries buy four. Otherwise when the battery/s is flat, you’ll be willing a charger to hurry up.
Many people never consider this.

 

[Bob D.]

I don't have a huge collection of Festool but of the 14 tools I have I think the TSC55 is the best Festool purchase I have made. I was on the fence on the TS55 or the TSC55, and I am glad I went with the TSC.

 

[Shane Holland]

Just a friendly heads up that we have the Festool TSC 55 for $100 off right now. This is the model with batteries that do not have Bluetooth. So, if Bluetooth doesn't matter to you, this is a smokin' deal.

 

[Cheese]

I have a corded TS 55...it provides a stable base for a tall stack of Systainers.

It's been a Systainer base for the last 2-3 years, ever since I purchased the TSC and then the HKC along with 2 dust bags.  [big grin]

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I have a corded TS 55...it provides a stable base for a tall stack of Systainers.

It's been a Systainer base for the last 2-3 years, ever since I purchased the TSC and then the HKC along with 2 dust bags.  [big grin]

This gave me the giggles! 

 

[glass1]

Ts 55 is a gutless dog. Tsc 55 is the way to go

 

[Stephen B]

I do not doubt that in 110V versions the TSC is more powerful. A different discussion if referring to 240V versions.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I think nowadays cordless tools are more powerful, or at least seem or feel to be more powerful than their mains counterparts, for at least a couple of reasons.
Cordless brushless motors are said to be more efficient in distributing power, and the cordless tool blades have a narrower kerf. This makes cutting smoother, and is more noticeable in thicker, or harder timber and materials.

My Mafell plunge saw is, or at least seems to be more powerful than my TS55 but, out of my three plunge saws, my Makita cordless seems the most powerful.

To be honest, I’m amazed at how well my cordless tools perform, we have 18 volt and 36 volt circular saws that eat through anything we use them on. 36 volt mitre saws that after cutting all day on the same two batteries, I forget are cordless. A 36 volt reciprocating saw that will tackle anything with ease.
A 36 volt 230mm grinder is probably our next purchase, as I had a go of of another trades a couple of weeks back, very impressive.

A far cry from my first cordless tool many years ago, a 7.2 volt drill/driver that I had to save for.
In a workshop, I don’t mind cords but, on site I feel more comfortable with cordless, and I think cordless is definitely the way forward.

 

[glass1]

FYI the tsc uses the same blades as the ts.

 

[blaszcsj]

one thing to note is that the TSC can run on one battery in a pinch. Slightly slower cutting speed.

[member=4687]glass1[/member] is correct. However, I think the mafell has a 1.8mm kerf width. the TS and TSC 55 are 2.2mm.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

FYI the tsc uses the same blades as the ts.

That’s a shame, so the fact that the TS55 is a bit lacking in power can’t be blamed on the blade. We’ll have to find another excuse, how about the motor isn’t great? 

 

[jb.bouw]

I think going corded or cordless depends on the cuts you do. If you use a vacuum and or make repetetative cuts you're better off with a corded saw. If you do a lot of on location single cuts you're better off without a cord. IMHO

 

[RightAngleDesign]

I received the cordless version as a birthday gift two years ago and have never looked back at my corded version. I had been increasingly frustrated by having to manipulate both the cord and the hose, so that load was cut in half. Having to turn on the vac separately is just something to get used to and well worth the convenience. The tool cuts everything I ask it to with no problems.

An unexpected twist, however, was that my corded model has a very slightly different base, which makes using it on the same tracks as the cordless one impossible, since the blade position is off just enough that the cut strip can only work with one of them. I asked Festool at corporate and also one of their guys who was at the roadshow that visited my town. I was told that there was some way to move the plate on the older saw but that adjustment simply is not present on my unit.

I remain perplexed about it and have never been able to use my old saw (bought in 2008) since. Would anyone have a suggestion? I'd like to use the corded model for certain tasks but it's been gathering dust, so to speak.

 

[GarryMartin]

I was told that there was some way to move the plate on the older saw but that adjustment simply is not present on my unit.

Older generation saws were not limited and could be misadjusted beyond specification. The TS 55 R limits the blade position adjustment much more.

I remain perplexed about it and have never been able to use my old saw (bought in 2008) since. Would anyone have a suggestion? I'd like to use the corded model for certain tasks but it's been gathering dust, so to speak.

If it's that old, it must be a TS 55, and hence you can certainly adjust it to match the splinter strip that has been cut with your TSC.

The procedures for matching saws to splinter strips are covered in detail in the excellent Supplemental Guides.
http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/TS55REQ.pdf for the TS 55 R
http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/TS_55_EQ_US.pdf for the TS 55

 

[RightAngleDesign]

Well, now I just feel silly. Thanks, Garry! Looks like that will do it.

Cheers,
Rob