MrToolJunkie
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Anyone get one of these yet? Thoughts so far?
Festool TSC55
- Thread starter MrToolJunkie
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Cheese
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tjbnwi said:
I'd be very interested in what you're thoughts are once you have some time to use it. I'd like to replace a Milwaukee V28 platform with something (?) else.
JediKnight
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First time poster, long time reader of FOG.
My day job is as an editor for eMercedesBenz.com, and I'm fortunate to get write about tools as well for our Lifestyle section.
I actually just posted a review about my TSC55 on our website, but as an owner of all three Festool track saws, the TSC55 is a great saw that has a unique place in the lineup.
I talk about it towards the end of the review, but if you're primarily working in a shop, the corded TS55 and TS75 would be my top choices (the TS55 for normal thicknesses, the TS75 for thicker material).
If you find yourself out of the shop on a regular basis, however, the TSC55 is a great alternative. You get power equatable to that of the standard TS55, and the dust collection is still great with just the bag, even without a dust collector.
If you're a hobbyist, two batteries are probably all you'll need for most projects; if you're a pro cutting all day, an extra pair is probably ideal. And if you work in places without power like new construction, on a roof, or in other outdoor locations, the TSC55 is perfect.
Lastly, from a speed standpoint, if all you need to do is make a couple cuts for a project, especially in your house, it's really nice not having to haul in a dust collector just to make a few cuts.
Hope it helps.
-Thomas
My day job is as an editor for eMercedesBenz.com, and I'm fortunate to get write about tools as well for our Lifestyle section.
I actually just posted a review about my TSC55 on our website, but as an owner of all three Festool track saws, the TSC55 is a great saw that has a unique place in the lineup.
I talk about it towards the end of the review, but if you're primarily working in a shop, the corded TS55 and TS75 would be my top choices (the TS55 for normal thicknesses, the TS75 for thicker material).
If you find yourself out of the shop on a regular basis, however, the TSC55 is a great alternative. You get power equatable to that of the standard TS55, and the dust collection is still great with just the bag, even without a dust collector.
If you're a hobbyist, two batteries are probably all you'll need for most projects; if you're a pro cutting all day, an extra pair is probably ideal. And if you work in places without power like new construction, on a roof, or in other outdoor locations, the TSC55 is perfect.
Lastly, from a speed standpoint, if all you need to do is make a couple cuts for a project, especially in your house, it's really nice not having to haul in a dust collector just to make a few cuts.
Hope it helps.
-Thomas
mike_aa
Member
Thomas, Thanks, and [welcome] to the FOG.
Cheese
Member
JediKnight said:
Thanks for posting both your TSC 55 mini-review and the url of eMercedesBenz.com. Interesting web site, never knew it existed. I like that Ulysse Nardin is a sponsor. Mercedes, mechanical watches, F1 & Festool, it doesn't get much better than that.
I also read your longer TSC 55 review on eMercedes. Nice to know that it has the power & dust collection capability of the TS 55. Consider posting your next Festool review on the FOG and [welcome]
MrToolJunkie
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Appreciate the insight shared so far. Saw a post from Phil on the HKC thread talking about the cordless TSC being his most used saw over the corded TS55. I have the TS75 now and love the saw, but I hate the hose and cord getting tanlged up at times, even with the Boom Arm and being able to plunk a machine down and go is appealing for some applications. At first I thought that this saw would not be for me, but the more I think about it the more appealing it sounds to me. It just might compliment my 75 nicely.
IndyWoodworker
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I just opened my new TSC 55 REB_Plus and have put the batteries on the chargers (2 batteries and 2 chargers). A quick impression is that the saw without the batteries is light. The Systainer is taller than usual but the overall weight including saw, batteries, chargers doesn't appear different then what I am use to with the TS 55EQ. It will probably be a few hours before I can get an opportunity to put the TSC 55 through testing with some nice cherry 4/4 board.
This is my second saw Festool Track Saw. I primarily look to the TSC 55 REB to be my go-to saw for a variety of tasks. At this time, I break down my lumber in the garage then move it to the basement for final cutting and assembly of my project. I move my existing track saw between the two areas. I prefer to have the TSC 55 REB in the garage for quick breakdown and then down to the basement for more detail sawing.
More later. I am quite excited to get an opportunity to use the TSC 55 REB.
This is my second saw Festool Track Saw. I primarily look to the TSC 55 REB to be my go-to saw for a variety of tasks. At this time, I break down my lumber in the garage then move it to the basement for final cutting and assembly of my project. I move my existing track saw between the two areas. I prefer to have the TSC 55 REB in the garage for quick breakdown and then down to the basement for more detail sawing.
More later. I am quite excited to get an opportunity to use the TSC 55 REB.
Mbconstructionjoinery
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I have had the TSC55 since Christmas and personally I think it is he ideal track saw for site work, I do a lot of kitchen fitting and it is ideal for this as it saves being restricted by a cord and as others have already mentioned the dust collection with the bag is excellent so does not need to be linked up to a ct to work cleanly. The only downside is it does eat the batteries so if you intend using it all day it definitely requires an extra set of batteries which is what I now have and have never been left in the situation where I had no batteries to power the saw. But if you are mainly workshop based and running dust extraction on you other tools I would probably make sense to go with the corded version. I also have the ts75 so have the best of both worlds [big grin]
I've also owend the TSC for about six months now and without doubt if you are using the saw for any length of time you will defiantly need 4 batteries as the battery indicator on the saw can go from three green lights to one very quickly and this could catch you out especially if your cutting thicker material.
Apart from that it's a great saw with excellent dust extraction. When the dust extraction starts to fail it's usually time to empty the bag.
Apart from that it's a great saw with excellent dust extraction. When the dust extraction starts to fail it's usually time to empty the bag.
Kev
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I think the TSC55 becomes a better choice on a long run where the hose and the power cord can actually be an annoyance.
The extra weight is noticeable ... but isn't an issue on the track. There's always going to be a weight penalty if you add batteries to a saw.
Battery technology will only get better, higher capacity and faster charge times. In a little over 2 years the Festool offering has stepped from 2.6Ah to 5.2Ah, pretty much in line with other manufacturers cordless offerings.
The extra weight is noticeable ... but isn't an issue on the track. There's always going to be a weight penalty if you add batteries to a saw.
Battery technology will only get better, higher capacity and faster charge times. In a little over 2 years the Festool offering has stepped from 2.6Ah to 5.2Ah, pretty much in line with other manufacturers cordless offerings.
tjbnwi
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Got around to taking the TSC 55 out of the box. I did notice it is heavier than the TS 55. I'll report back when I get around to opening the Systainer.
By the way the, BHC 18 is a great cordless hammer drill.
I ordered 3 items as kits, 6 batteries should last me a bit.
Tom
By the way the, BHC 18 is a great cordless hammer drill.
I ordered 3 items as kits, 6 batteries should last me a bit.
Tom
tjbnwi
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Haven't cut anything yet. Do have the batteries charging.
I rail match all of my TS saws. The TSC 55 match my other 3 TS saws perfectly without any adjustments. The first pictures are the saw on the fixture I made to match the saws.
The TSC retains both of the FastFix positions.
There are now adjustment screws for 90º and 45º. The -1º and 47º options are still there.
Pictures of the screws and new -1º setting tab.
I might get around to using the saw tomorrow---maybe.
Tom
I rail match all of my TS saws. The TSC 55 match my other 3 TS saws perfectly without any adjustments. The first pictures are the saw on the fixture I made to match the saws.
The TSC retains both of the FastFix positions.
There are now adjustment screws for 90º and 45º. The -1º and 47º options are still there.
Pictures of the screws and new -1º setting tab.
I might get around to using the saw tomorrow---maybe.
Tom
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Cheese
Member
[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member]
I'm interested in your rail matching process.
What was the issue you encountered, that prompted you to cut off a chunk of rail & mount it to some delrin or polyethylene in the first place?
How does the test rail dimensionally compare to the rest of the rails you use?
Do you use the test rail as a go/no go gauge when you purchase additional rails? If so, is there a large variance in rail dimensions?
Whar's the purpose of the 2 rail stops you placed in front of & behind the TSC 55?
I'm interested in your rail matching process.
What was the issue you encountered, that prompted you to cut off a chunk of rail & mount it to some delrin or polyethylene in the first place?
How does the test rail dimensionally compare to the rest of the rails you use?
Do you use the test rail as a go/no go gauge when you purchase additional rails? If so, is there a large variance in rail dimensions?
Whar's the purpose of the 2 rail stops you placed in front of & behind the TSC 55?
Kev
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It's certainly a smart move to align the saws ... even as a non pro I've ended up with rails that have become tool dedicated ... my LR32 rails tend not to meet the saws, the orange rails (Protocol) only get used for chain saw and diamond cutters and the TS75 tends to live in the CMS. Subsequently I only need to match my mains and cordless 55's ... but they were perfect out of the box (to my level of accuracy).
tjbnwi
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I'll answer the matching question later.
This is a video of the very first cuts and my impression of the saw. Keep in mind the blade is the stock 48 tooth that comes with the saw.
One error I made is---the material for the first cut is Basswood not Beech. Again I shoot them and up load my videos, no editing no seconds, what you see is what happened in that moment in time.
Just realized, I did not receive a Festool Fan sticker with the TSC---I'm sending the saw back [laughing]
Tom
This is a video of the very first cuts and my impression of the saw. Keep in mind the blade is the stock 48 tooth that comes with the saw.
One error I made is---the material for the first cut is Basswood not Beech. Again I shoot them and up load my videos, no editing no seconds, what you see is what happened in that moment in time.
Just realized, I did not receive a Festool Fan sticker with the TSC---I'm sending the saw back [laughing]
Tom
JediKnight
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Definitely check rail alignment if you're using the TSC55 with your other TS rails. I forget to check first, and the TSC took a little off my TS55 Req rail.
