Help me choose a (Festool?) plunge saw please

[markvan]

Hi Everyone

Usual indecision before making a major purchase. I'm after a cordless plunge saw after loving my Makita corded pluge saw. Perhaps you can help me choose please?

I like high end tools for various reasons and frankly were it not for one simple lack of a second handle, I'd be buying a Mafell MT 55. But the lack of a second handle does not inspire my (life) partner with confidence, when she is using a plunge saw she would like to have both hands on it, and is not that into having her second hand grip on the motot body.

So that leaves Festool, which is also attractive because of the single battery to keep weight down when she is cutting lighter sheet material.

I see a great deal in the UK on a TSC55K with batteries, charger, rails and clamps but I am aware that this is now a two or three year old design and the 55K on the Festool web site now has a whole alphabet soup of letters on it (KEBI).

Am I selling myself short by not purchasing the latest and greatest?

And thanks for any hand-holding  [wink]

Mark

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Hi Mark,

A warm welcome to the FOG. The cordless TSC55 is a superb machine by all accounts - I'm a 240-volt guy myself, but a number of fellow tradesmen I work with have bought the cordless machine and they all love it. You'll find many advocates on here as well. Regarding the 'age' of its design - the corded TS55 has been in continuous production now since 2003, so I wouldn't worry too much  [wink]

Regarding the raft of letters - these serve only to indicate which particular features are fitted to the machine. Festool do this since they sell globally, and some countries receive different versions of the machine to others. Here's a typical snapshot;

TS = Tauchsaege (plunge saw)

The individual parts of the Festool product codes have a specific meaning.
In the UK for example, the TS55 EBQ Plus FS GB saw breaks down as follows;

55 = Depth of cut (in mm)
E = Electronics (variable speed plus soft start)
B = Brake
Q = Plug it removable mains cable system
Plus = Comes in a Systainer case
FS = Comes with a Guide Rail
GB = GB spec with UK 3 pin plug

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Kevin

 

[Lincoln]

Re. batteries, The Festool has two, the Mafell has one. I have both saws and like them equally - I use the Mafell for heavier duty work, like thick/hard timber, cement sheet, engineered stone. I dedicate the Festool to sheet material.
I find it just as easy resting my hand on the Mafell base plate as I cut, as I do holding the handle on the Festool.
As a plunge saw rail, I prefer the Mafell, but the Festool is great because of all the accessories and being able to run the routers on them, etc.
There's really no 'bad' choice here.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

If she is concerned at all about weight, the corded model might be better. It is lighter than the cordless model, even with only one battery. It's not a significant difference, but it is there. I have never run a TSC with only one battery, but I can tell you there is a definite difference with two.
Then again, it may also depend on how many cuts you make, when you get it out.
On some days, I might make 100 or more cuts. With repetitive use like that, it matters.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=80328]markvan[/member] since you have been pleased with your current saw, have you considered Makita’s cordless option? I’ve got a corded TS55 and a TS75 but my son has the Makita cordless and has been pleased with it.

Ron

 

[markvan]

Hi everyone

Thanks for the welcome Kevin [member=75780]woodbutcherbower[/member] and the advice everyone: [member=69760]Lincoln[/member] @Crazyraceguy and [member=3192]rvieceli[/member] .

Feedback, Kevin mentioned softstart on a different saw, nice that, I went off to check and the TSC55K has that, so its the saw for me, ordering tomorrow  [smile]

[member=3192]rvieceli[/member] yes I hear what you say, but its the one battery two battery for my partners occasional use that comes into play here, and the Makita is so nice, but I want a trade up. It will still be there for mains powered work should it be needed.

Thanks again
mark

 

[HighlandMarine]

They’re all good saws. Hence I ended up keeping the TS55 along with the TSC55. Personally prefer the mains powered one in the shop most of the time for the weight savings. TSC for quick and dirty cuts.

 

[markvan]

Just a followup --  I bought the cordless saw and have been using it -- it's truly a delight to use

I have some followup questions but I'll post them in different threads.

Thanks for your  help and opinions all  [big grin]

 

[sancho57]

[member=80328]markvan[/member]

Glad you decided on the TSC 55. I sold my old corded TS55 and bought the TSC. Ive been very happy with it even though i had to buy new blades bc the old TS used a thicker blade.  Depending on what Im doing the dust collection bag does a very good job collecting dust. Not quite as good as with extraction but it does a good job.
I think you made a wise choice