HKC 55 - non standard angles?

Kevin Johnson

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Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
98
I am thinking of getting a HKC 55 (or the Mafell) instead of a new cordless miter saw.
I primarily install kitchens so I think the HKC could be very useful. However, I want to know how easy is it to set the angle to something not standard like, 46.5° or 46°? I recently had to install some trim on an outside corner at those angles and wondered if the HKC could have done the bevel and miter cuts. I am tired of lugging that big miter saw around.

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It's pretty precise, I find it just as easy to set half degrees for bevel and miter cuts as with my KS 60. I love it for any kind of framing and as a replacement for my miter saw when space is a problem. It's just so swift and intuitive.

However if you do mostly kitchen installs keep in mind
* that the result on the offcut side is not as perfect as with the TSC 55 with splinter guard
* plunging is a two handed operation that is not as safe as with the TSC
* the angle of the handle can be awkward when you work above hip height
* Because of the single battery the motor become noticeably more challenged when cutting hardwood / worktops of more than an inch when compared to the TSC (that one simply doesn't care what you throw at it, much more grunt)
* no speed adjustment (never missed it for wood but in case you cut acrylic)
* dust collection is surprisingly good but obviously just not quite as good as on the TSC
 
Hawkeye0001 said:
It's pretty precise, I find it just as easy to set half degrees for bevel and miter cuts as with my KS 60. I love it for any kind of framing and as a replacement for my miter saw when space is a problem. It's just so swift and intuitive.

However if you do mostly kitchen installs keep in mind
* that the result on the offcut side is not as perfect as with the TSC 55 with splinter guard
* plunging is a two handed operation that is not as safe as with the TSC
* the angle of the handle can be awkward when you work above hip height
* Because of the single battery the motor become noticeably more challenged when cutting hardwood / worktops of more than an inch when compared to the TSC (that one simply doesn't care what you throw at it, much more grunt)
* no speed adjustment (never missed it for wood but in case you cut acrylic)
* dust collection is surprisingly good but obviously just not quite as good as on the TSC
Ok, thanks. I am going to keep my TS55 and DeWalt miter saw. But, I was thinking that as an adjunct to those saws this would be perfect. You answered my question perfectly. Thanks

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It’s easy to set the HKC rail to fractional degrees for miter but setting the saw’s bevel to something fine is much more difficult. I’d use a digital inclinometer to measure the cut piece and then use the reading (and the instrument) to adjust the saw correctly. Doable, but much more time consuming than a proper miter saw.

When you get very familiar with the behavior of the saw and how your use of it affects the results you will learn how to change the bevel slightly by changing how you apply pressure as you push the saw and may be able to skip using the digital inclinometer on the saw.
 
As already mentioned.
Mitres are dead easy to set, bevels are slightly harder but can be done although lets face it, most sliding compound mitresaws aren't exactly vernier accuracy on that cut either.
For long rip cuts on thick hardwood you'll do better witb the 12 tooth blade which can be surprisingly neat if you don't go too fast with it.
 
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