HK with decking materials

[w802h]

What can people report about the HK55 cutting decking materials?  Yes, the plastics, but also harder woods like IPE.  Thanks.

 

[KescoNY]

I did not get a chance to try it on IPE yet but i used it on trex to create an opening for a large hot tub on a 1400 rail and it did great.
Even used it to plunge..

By the feel of the machine, it seems like it would use up the battery much faster then it wood for regular lumber IMO.

EDIT: My experience is only with the HKC

 

[dmick]

I have the HKC and use it primarily in construction,deck building. Its motor seems powerful enough for Ipe, though ive mainly used it in cedar, treated and composite. The 18 tooth blade works great for Composite, I wouldn't recommend the 12 tooth for anything other than general construction and like the previos post mentioned, its perfect on the tracks and for plunging. Great all around saw in my opinion.

 

[w802h]

Thanks for the responses!  I may have a second floor deck to build and want to avoid lots of back and forth handling material!

 

[Kevin Stricker]

I love the HKC for deck building. No more wrangling 20' composite boards up onto my miter saw station. Slip a piece of cardboard between boards and cut the decking to size right where the delivery truck drops it. Run one side long then use a longer track to cut in the border.

A single battery can make it through a day cutting composite but Ipe would be a different story.  I would want to test it out with a scrap before purchase to confirm it has the guts. I would want to use a chop saw with vac attached so I wouldn't have to wear a mask all day. Dust collection on the HKC is "minimal" at best.

 

[dmick]

Thanks for the responses!  I may have a second floor deck to build and want to avoid lots of back and forth handling material!

Exactly right! That's what is so great about this saw, its ability to do what the Miter saw does. connected to my FSK 420, when I go to a smaller job and don't want to bother with lugging around the miter saw, I just bring the HKC. Its definitely a time saver and easy for a 1 man operation!