HK or TS saws?

[treee]

Hi chaps,

I'm brand new here and this looks like a fantastic resource!

I'm after some help on which saw to choose either the TS75 or HK85.

I love the versatility  of the HK saw and the ease with the FSK rails and am aware that it won't work with the TS saws however I have been told the TS maybe better suited to what I am using it for and maybe a more accurate saw?

I'll be using the saw to mainly cut hardwood slabs, things like table tops/ coffee tables/ serving platters  so they can vary in size but usually the thickness will be 30 - 50mm. I tend to cut woods like walnut/elm/ oak etc

It will very rarely be used to process sheet goods etc

Am I right in saying 55 saw will not be powerful enough for such hardwood slabs?

Thanks a lot for any help

 

[peter halle]

First,  Welcome to the FOG!  With a cutting depth of 55mm on the rail the TS-55 will achieve the cut.  If cutting with the grain use a ripping blade.  Crosscut using a finer tooth blade.  Yes you could move up to the TS-55 and get more power.

Honestly for your scenario I would lean towards the TS saws.

Peter

 

[treee]

Why is it you say you lean towards the Ts?

I'm not trying to be clever, just a genuine interest.

Thanks for the help!

I also forgot to mention it doesn't need to be light as it will stay in the workshop!

thanks

 

[Holmz]

The TS55 is not the most powerful 55-mm tracksaw.
If the material is always under 2" then you either need a more powerful 55-mm saw or a larger saw.

Either saw would make a straight enough cut for a table, so it probably depends on what you like.

If I was in a shop I would go with a TS, but wearing overalls and wollen cap I would go for the other.

 

[Arvid]

Look into the mafell kss saws. Or the mafell plunge cut saw.

 

[geoffshep]

With a cutting depth of 55mm on the rail the TS-55 will achieve the cut.

Isn't it 55mm without the rail?

 

[treee]

The TS55 is not the most powerful 55-mm tracksaw.
If the material is always under 2" then you either need a more powerful 55-mm saw or a larger saw.

Either saw would make a straight enough cut for a table, so it probably depends on what you like.

If I was in a shop I would go with a TS, but wearing overalls and wollen cap I would go for the other.

What is the most powerful 55mm track saw at the moment? Ideally a 55 would be preferable I'm must not sure if there is one powerful enough for what I'm after!

Thanks

 

[treee]

Look into the mafell kss saws. Or the mafell plunge cut saw.

I'll check them out but the last time I looked at Mafell it was just too expensive for myself.

 

[treee]

With a cutting depth of 55mm on the rail the TS-55 will achieve the cut.

Isn't it 55mm without the rail?

You are right its 50mm with rail, I believe.

 

[Ivan T]

I think a TS 75 would better suit your needs. More power, deeper cut and you get a 75 inch rail. The TS 55 excels when working with sheet goods. It is only $150 more.

 

[lwoirhaye]

I owned a TS55 for several years and I really preferred it for plywood.  If I was cutting hardwoods I found a Porter Cable circular saw had more power.  After awhile I didn't use the riving knife on the TS either.  I would sometimes straight-line lumber with it and wished it had more power.  I think the TS made a thicker kerf and that may have had something to do with my perception that it lacked power.  Of course the cut quality was pretty good but still in ripping hardwoods it's not even close to a jointer-quality edge and would leave marks and scorching sometimes.

 

[Stephen Coff]

Not seen or used a TS75 though i don't think the TS55 is close to good enough for repeat ripping through hardwood tops of any decent size such as 55mm, TBH it would struggle in my view doing once. If the TS75 is purely a bigger version than id say that is what you are after otherwise the HK85 with a different blade a longer track

 

[ear3]

I've ripped 8/4 material with the TSC55 before, but it's not something I would want to do on a regular basis, and you'll definitely get some burning/blade marks.  Much safer to go for the greater power and capacity of the TS75 if you're doing slabs.

If ripping anything over 2"/50mm I would go with the panther rip blade on the TS75.  The finish is not as good, but anything toothier and you're risking more dramatic blade marks in the wood.  If the edges are exposed, you could always cut it a few milimeters oversize and then do a finishing cut with a finer blade.   

Can't comment from direct experience on the TS vs. HK, but from all that I've read and seen on here I think the HK is designed as more of an in-the-field, rough, framing tool.

Hi chaps,

I'm brand new here and this looks like a fantastic resource!

I'm after some help on which saw to choose either the TS75 or HK85.

I love the versatility  of the HK saw and the ease with the FSK rails and am aware that it won't work with the TS saws however I have been told the TS maybe better suited to what I am using it for and maybe a more accurate saw?

I'll be using the saw to mainly cut hardwood slabs, things like table tops/ coffee tables/ serving platters  so they can vary in size but usually the thickness will be 30 - 50mm. I tend to cut woods like walnut/elm/ oak etc

It will very rarely be used to process sheet goods etc

Am I right in saying 55 saw will not be powerful enough for such hardwood slabs?

Thanks a lot for any help

 

[Holmz]

The TS55 is not the most powerful 55-mm tracksaw.
If the material is always under 2" then you either need a more powerful 55-mm saw or a larger saw.

Either saw would make a straight enough cut for a table, so it probably depends on what you like.

If I was in a shop I would go with a TS, but wearing overalls and wollen cap I would go for the other.

What is the most powerful 55mm track saw at the moment? Ideally a 55 would be preferable I'm must not sure if there is one powerful enough for what I'm after!

Thanks

Even my MT55 bogs down a bit in 2" thick hardwood with the 48 or 52 tooth OEM blade (230v)... and cutting Merenti or Jarrah, and not oak or maple.
It is not enough for me to change to a lower tooth count rip blade, but enough to get me thinking that maybe I should.  [embarassed]
I can envision that a saw with a bit less power would never be able climb on top of its power curve.
We are comparing 1400W versus 1200W... so it is ˜15% more power... The TS75 is 1600W.
One could probably do the maths and factor in the blade diameter to get torque  8)

It is cheaper than 2 saws, but if one wants two saws (as a large and a small one) then there is no great advantage one smaller saw.

If you already have rails then just get TS75. If not then you have some extra investigating work.

 

[treee]

I think a TS 75 would better suit your needs. More power, deeper cut and you get a 75 inch rail. The TS 55 excels when working with sheet goods. It is only $150 more.

Yeah I'm starting to wonder if I can get away with a circular saw with a guide rail.

I'm in the UK so a 75 is about £570 and the 55 Is in line with all the other plunge saws on the market at £370

 

[treee]

I owned a TS55 for several years and I really preferred it for plywood.  If I was cutting hardwoods I found a Porter Cable circular saw had more power.  After awhile I didn't use the riving knife on the TS either.  I would sometimes straight-line lumber with it and wished it had more power.  I think the TS made a thicker kerf and that may have had something to do with my perception that it lacked power.  Of course the cut quality was pretty good but still in ripping hardwoods it's not even close to a jointer-quality edge and would leave marks and scorching sometimes.

I was going to say I might look into a circular saw and guide rail system now.

You're not the only person I've heard say it lacked power. Part of the beauty of the TS saws is the fact people say you get a jointer quality cut (or close at least) but it seems I would be asking much of the saw.

Thanks for your help

 

[treee]

Not seen or used a TS75 though i don't think the TS55 is close to good enough for repeat ripping through hardwood tops of any decent size such as 55mm, TBH it would struggle in my view doing once. If the TS75 is purely a bigger version than id say that is what you are after otherwise the HK85 with a different blade a longer track

Thanks for your help! I think you are right! A lot of people say the TS55 won't be powerful enough.

Thanks

 

[treee]

I've ripped 8/4 material with the TSC55 before, but it's not something I would want to do on a regular basis, and you'll definitely get some burning/blade marks.  Much safer to go for the greater power and capacity of the TS75 if you're doing slabs.

If ripping anything over 2"/50mm I would go with the panther rip blade on the TS75.  The finish is not as good, but anything toothier and you're risking more dramatic blade marks in the wood.  If the edges are exposed, you could always cut it a few milimeters oversize and then do a finishing cut with a finer blade.   

Can't comment from direct experience on the TS vs. HK, but from all that I've read and seen on here I think the HK is designed as more of an in-the-field, rough, framing tool.

Thanks for the advice!

Ive heard great things about the panther ripping blades. I think your right about the extra power. Im tempted to go of ra circular saw with a guide rail system instead now to be honest. It just doesn't seem the 55 will have the power and the 75 is getting close to £600

Thanks

 

[Holmz]

I think a TS 75 would better suit your needs. More power, deeper cut and you get a 75 inch rail. The TS 55 excels when working with sheet goods. It is only $150 more.

Yeah I'm starting to wonder if I can get away with a circular saw with a guide rail.

I'm in the UK so a 75 is about £570 and the 55 Is in line with all the other plunge saws on the market at £370

Don't forget to cost up the rails when doing your sums.

 

[treee]

I think a TS 75 would better suit your needs. More power, deeper cut and you get a 75 inch rail. The TS 55 excels when working with sheet goods. It is only $150 more.

Yeah I'm starting to wonder if I can get away with a circular saw with a guide rail.

I'm in the UK so a 75 is about £570 and the 55 Is in line with all the other plunge saws on the market at £370

Don't forget to cost up the rails when doing your sums.

Yup my mistake!

The 55 is around £400 with a 1400 rail and the 75 is £570 with a 1400 rail also.

So like you said ideally I'd need to price in a  longer rail.

Cheers