HK - HKC saw questions

[PeterK]

Just a hobbiest but can see real benefits to the HK saws with rails for decking and other construction use. I currently have a TS55, Makita battery saw and a cheap big box store 7 1/4" saw for abusive use like stone. Have tried the TS55 freehand without a rail and it wanted to jump and buck. Got worried I would damage the blade so gave up using it that way. Works wonderfully on the rails. So now thinking the new HK series saws could be of serious benefit. A few questions if I may----

I notice the recommended blades for the HK saws have a listed narrower kerf of 1.8mm vs 2.2mm for the TS55. Does this mean I could use my FS guide rails with the HK saws and not damage the splinter guard cut by my TS55?

Could an FSK rail be shortened if I find I don't need the longer length? Probably not due to the spring return feature.

Am thinking the 250 and 420 rails would be worth having and using my FS rails for any longer cuts.

With a 45 degree bevel cut using any of the rails will it cut through normal 2by lumber cleanly? The specs are somewhat confusing listing two different depths.

Does the HKC with battery actually weigh the same as the corded HK saw as the listed specs say? Sure seems the battery version would be quite a bit heavier.

Anything about the cordless versus corded that is important to know? Would be leaning toward the corded version as lower cost and have a Makita battery saw for when cordless would be critical.

Thanks so much!
Pete

 

[ear3]

Couple of answers:

The kerf is thinner, and so theoretically it will not eat away the splinterguard on you TS55 rail, but there are sometimes subtle differences in how far blade is from edge between the saws, so you can't be totally sure until you try it.  The saws can be adjusted to one another however so that they are cutting along the same line.

I have the battery version, and it is pretty light.  haven't handled the corded version, so I can't compare apples to apples, but the weight of the saw is not a cause for complaint IMHO.

There has been a lot of discussion of the max capacity at 45, and the fact that it is just a tad shy to do true 45s in 2x material.  You can search the forum for more info.

I had a similar set of concerns about whether the length of the 420 rail was too much to do short cuts, but have since never found it to be an issue for cuts as narrow as 2".  I would definitely not cut one of the rails down.

As far as corded vs. cordless.  I've cross cut 8x4 material with the cordless without issue, and have never found the saw to be lacking in power.  You may want the corded though if you plan on doing longer rip cuts as well, as this will wear down the battery more quickly.  But I definitely prefer the freedom of the cordless -- no hoses/cords to get in the way, and can work up on a ladder if need be.

 

[Rip613]

Hi Peter,

I've got a HKC, and have had great luck with it. You can use the HK on the FS rails , you just need to adjust the base to match the rails. You can also use the 2.2 blades on the HK

I don't think you can shorten the rails, they have a cord that retracts the rail, I don't have it in front of me, but I don't think so. I have the 420, for regular 2X it's a bit long. The 250 would be better, though would limit you to 2X6ish mitres.

You can not cut 2X at a 45 bevel

Not sure on weight difference , but I'd defiantly do the HKC, it's reals nice not having a cord

Jeff

 

[demographic]

I have a HKC and a 420 rail for it.
Good combination as its long enough to be usefull but not unwieldy.

It runs fine on normal FS rails because the distance is set from the left side of the blade. Thats the guiderail side.
On the odd occasion its worth putting a bit of ptfe wd40 on the rail to keep it retracting as it should after a cut.
The dust bag is definately worth getting and if you cut much MDF its great.

If you cut much damp timber (slate battens for instance) the dust bag isnt much use as it clogs up but every other saw and powerplane I've used on those clogs.

Its honestly a game changer as far as Im concerned and Ive even used it to cut deep skirting boards so I didn't need to get a sliding compound mitre saw out.
I've just used it to cut the timbers for a shuttering job I've just done.

Could do with slightly more power but its still very god indeed.

 

[Jmacpherson]

HKC was my first Festool purchase and still one of my favorites, enjoy using it.

I've cross cut 2x2 material @45 without problems, just remember to set the plunge depth of the saw to max depth.
Not sure about 45/45 cuts though.

Just remember whatever FSK rails you look at, the actual physical length of the rail is a lot longer than the size it cuts vs the FS rails which is as long it cuts. Eg. FS1400 is +/-1400mm long, the FSK420 is a lot longer than 420mm.