HKC 55 EB review from downunder!

[Captain_Cow]

Awesome review!  I'm in the market for a tracksaw and I'm torn between this and the TSC55.  Could anyone help out?  Pros and Cons of both.

Again thank you for the really informative video.

 

[Captain_Cow]

Thank you for the quick and concise reply.  I'm a Kitchen/Cabinet maker, my previous employer has the cordless TSC55 and I enjoyed it immensely.  I am still wondering if the HKC55 would be a very good substitute for the TSC.

I'll be investing on one of them by Saturday I really have to think this through.

Such a wonderful forum this.

 

[neeleman]

Some other considerations/differences:
HKC weights 4.1 kg (TSC 4.6 kg) both with one 18V battery
HKC can do 50° angled cuts (TSC 45-47°)
HKC runs on FS and FSK rails
HKC has the FSK rail connected permanent for (cross)cutting
HKC uses blades with a kerf of 1.8 mm (TSC 2.2 mm)
HKC can also use blades of TS/TSC
HKC runs at 4,500 rpm (TSC 3,800 rpm) both with one 18V battery
HKC can be used as regular circular saw and plunge saw

 

[Captain_Cow]

Would you say that the HKC would do a clean a cut as the TSC or would there be a significant difference?  This would be a very important factor for me.

 

[joiner1970]

Great video Dave, I hadn't realised this saw had a plunge mode

 

[aas]

Would you say that the HKC would do a clean a cut as the TSC or would there be a significant difference?  This would be a very important factor for me.

It depends what you want to cut with it. If you put on a TS blade, use it on an FS track, it will cut very cleanly - but I've only tried this on cheap 18mm laminate board, not sure if it would be good for worktops. If you explain a bit better what you will be cutting/making, and what saws you already have, it will be easier to advise you.

 

[neeleman]

Would you say that the HKC would do a clean a cut as the TSC or would there be a significant difference?  This would be a very important factor for me.

As aas already mentioned it all has to do with some factors:
- sharpness of the blade tooth
- number of tooth (HKC blades max. 32, TSC max. 48)
- use of guide rail
- kind of material
- longitudinal or cross cuts

If all of these factors are carefully chosen then the HKC can do cuts on par with the TS/TSC saws.
I have already tried the HKC on numerous cuts in different materials and it's a top saw!
The sound of the saw is also much nicer then the TS, it sings like a sewing-machine!

 

[aas]

I think I'd actually go as far to say that for someone with either a limited budget or limited space, the HKC could almost do as an only saw - buy it with a couple of FSK rails (250 and 670) and it replaces a compound mitre, a couple of FS rails (a shortie and a longie) and a replaces a plunge/track saw, plus a selection of HKC blades and TS blades. And of course it can be used off the track as a normal handheld circular saw!

 

[neeleman]

I agree with aas. It's a very versatile saw indeed.

And if you already own some of the 18V Festool batteries you can also buy the HKC as a Basic version.
This version has no batteries and charger included, but it comes with a W18 blade and systainer SYS 4.
I bought my HKC last week for only €251 excl. VAT.
I know it's an absolute bargain, you can't get it cheaper nowhere.
Because it was a bargain I also bought the FSK250, FSK420, FSK-Bag, PA-HKC parallel fence and dustbag.

Therefore I ended spending more on the green stuff again.

 

[Kev]

I agree with aas. It's a very versatile saw indeed.

And if you already own some of the 18V Festool batteries you can also buy the HKC as a Basic version.
This version has no batteries and charger included, but it comes with a W18 blade and systainer SYS 4.
I bought my HKC last week for only €251 excl. VAT.
I know it's an absolute bargain, you can't get it cheaper nowhere.
Because it was a bargain I also bought the FSK250, FSK420, FSK-Bag, PA-HKC parallel fence and dustbag.

Therefore I ended spending more on the green stuff again.

Yep - you've saved there [big grin]

 

[Davesbuildtips]

The limitations on this saw are only a couple from my use so far. It is easy to do compound mitre cuts but when the size of the stock gets to be a bit too small, you may find the stock flexes between the pivot and angle stops under the track. The kapex is by far superior here. I have cut stock with the HKC that is 30 x 19 and found it to be ok. Dust control can not compare when you need "M" or "H" dust control.
As others have mentioned, the cut will be as clean as the blade allows.
With those points in mind, I would suggest that a lot of people who do not require the offcut to be splinter free and are not dealing with MDF or other hazardous materials will purchase the HKC over the TS55.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I'm experiencing a weird delay on my order of the HKC saw, the guide rail 250mm is apparently on back order. But I'm chomping on the bit for it to arrive. It's going to be a perfect fit for a lot of my projects. If I need finer cuts and in thicker materials I can use the TS75..

I might at some point still either get the regular TS REQ 55 or the cordless version..

 

[Davesbuildtips]

I'm experiencing a weird delay on my order of the HKC saw, the guide rail 250mm is apparently on back order. But I'm chomping on the bit for it to arrive. It's going to be a perfect fit for a lot of my projects. If I need finer cuts and in thicker materials I can use the TS75..

I might at some point still either get the regular TS REQ 55 or the cordless version..

The HKC is no slouch at fine cuts. I was very surprised, and don't hesitate to use it instead of the TS55 on some occasions.

 

[Acrobat]

One thing I have just discovered, whilst the add on Parallel Guide  for ripping (slides in the side with two rods) is interchangeable with either the TS55 or the new HKC 55, the actual fitting pieces that secure it are different. Only 1 of the existing knobs and bent metal fits at one end, but for some odd reason they have narrowed the width down at the back end so existing metal fitting will not secure the guide rod. Bummer. I know it's a small thing but why? And isn't it the small things that can be part of the system one of Festools strategies and marketing ideals. Seems another oversight. Now either I have to cut down the piece to fit or order a new piece. 

 

[mat]

It is worth noting that when the full kit is purchased with batteries and charger it is a higher amp hour battery than that sold previously. This may be part of the spec required for reasonable work life before recharge.
Mat from Oz

 

[Davesbuildtips]

It is worth noting that when the full kit is purchased with batteries and charger it is a higher amp hour battery than that sold previously. This may be part of the spec required for reasonable work life before recharge.
Mat from Oz

I think it comes with 5.2 amphour batteries now Mat. I did the review with a 4.2 amphour and still got a heap of ripping done.

 

[Davesbuildtips]

As an aside. Anyone wondering how mine is going it is excellent! It does not replace the kapex in any stretch of the imagination but for on site work, brilliant.

 

[Lbob131]

Why  is the  HKC55  run with a single battery  and the  TSC55 has two?
Is this just for  lightweight  operation on site?
I assume  the HKC55  has half  the  cutting capacity. 
Apologies  if this  has been answered  on here  already.

 

[neeleman]

You already named the weight difference.
Other differences are: cost reduction, competition of other brands, kerf of the blade (1.8 mm) and use of FSK rails attached to the saw.
Most battery powered tools now are 18V, so Festool also wanted to have a circular saw with 18V.

BTW. Cutting capacity is the same 55/50 on rails. But the rpm of the HKC is somewhat lower (4,500) compared to the TSC (5,200).
When you use 2 batteries and use the right saw blades you nearly never will run out of power.
And the TSC will also run on 1 battery.

Even Mafell has just released an 18V cicrcular saw. In the past they only had huge 24V and 36V circular saws.

 

[Lbob131]

Thanks.
I think with the TSC    4  batteries    would  be  required.