HKC or Mafell?

[ProCarpenterRVA]

I already have the TSC55. I love the power it offers in the 36v format. I really want to buy a cordless saw for quick trim jobs and repairs. I've considered the festool hkc and the mafell kss40 18m bl. Right now the combo deals are so tempting given the free blade and Bluetooth batteries included. I'm concerned about the power of the hkc saw in 18v relative to the 36v format. I've heard that the hkc doesn't like wet timber and struggles with the cuts I'd like to hear from some owners of these saws regarding their capabilities in all areas of the carpentry trade.

Also, an chance that Festool might be moving to a 36v HKC?

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[Holzhacker]

Good timing on this.
I've had the HKC for a month or two now. However, until yesterday I hadn't had a chance to really work it. I've used it but haven't used the crap out of it in one session.
Yesterday I cut a whole lot of wood, osb, crap, etc. into pieces to get rid of. I cut up a lot of stuff and was pretty surprised that one battery cut all of it. I was expecting to have to change batteries but no.
I haven't cut any treated or wet lumber. My guess is the HKC would do fine with 1x treated but a lot of 2x treated might be tough.
I can tell you the saw doesn't like to be skewed so that the blade binds to material. The full battery kept going. As the battery wore down though the blade would stop.
For me the HKC is a secondary convenience saw. I wouldn't consider it a primary saw for hardcore work. For 1x's and trim work I wouldn't have any reservations based on my use so far.

 

[mrboult]

I agree with every thing Holzhacker said.

Had mine for 3 years. Bloody love it, and it cuts all 1x materials great. 2x materials are fine if dry but can bind and require a second attempt. Wet lumber is definitely slower going, and beveled cuts in 2x are far from impressive. But it has done everything I've ever asked from it one way or another.

Ultimately it's a great saw and I often find my self smiling at it, appreciating it's brilliance and convenience. But, if your'e cutting 2x lumber all day every day it's def a little weak and that would get old fast.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that the HKC is a good light-duty to medium-duty saw. Works great for what it is intended to do. I would also look at that Mafell offerings if I were in the market and compare to the battery 50 or 60 size. The 40 would be great for smaller stock and has received lots of high praise. I actually prefer the plunge on the HK and HKC to my Mafell KSS saw for most cuts.

 

[Cheese]

Here's a photo of 1 7/8" thick aromatic cedar ripped with a:

TSC for top board with blade marks

HKC for bottom board with fewer blade marks

Aromatic cedar has the same approximate Janka hardness value as mahogany, birch & cherry so the HKC is a very competent saw.

The Mafell equivalent to the HKC is the KSS 50.
https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-kss-50-18m-bl-cordless-cross-cutting-system

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[pettyconstruction]

I like mine,been cutting 1x lap siding with it, and it works great.
Long battery life also ,but , it is kiln dried 1x8 wood.

I have in the past cut stair stringers with it and I worked great,
If I were to do that a lot, I would get a second rail, one for each angle.
I agree with the earlier statement that it is a light to medium saw,
And in using it that way, you shoul be happy with it.
Cheers, Chalie

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[yetihunter]

Mafell KSS 50.  It’s also more than twice the price.  There is also a larger KSS60.  Talk to Jeff at Timberwolf. He’s a nice guy.  The very petite  KSS40 kit is on sale right now (well for the past year).  I’ve had my hands on both the KSS50 and the HK55 and I prefer the Mafell.  However, I’m not so confident about either company’s power nor power to physical size ratio.  I wanted the 18v KS 55 (non-crosscut) for some time but the feedback on power of that and the HK really turned me off.  Since I’m not framing, the KSS40 suits me just fine.  Jeff made the mistake of turning me onto Makita and my 36v that I got for about $120 can run circles around these 1 battery saws.  They make a 7-1/4” and a 10” (or so) that can run on the Festool rails you already have.  Meanwhile, the HKC 55 has a thirty day return window, so why not try it out?

 

[ProCarpenterRVA]

Thanks for all the advice. I really wanted that mafell but it's so small. The KSS50 is nice but it's a high price point.

I decided to go with the HKC and tid combo it was kind of a no-brainer there's just too much value. So, when somebody comes along with a 36 volt option it isn't crazy high I'll jump on that.

That's a good tip on that Makita I like the rear handle left hand model they've got out.

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[AstroKeith]

I've had a HKC for a while and havent found it wanting.

I've learnt that on long cuts in thick or hard timber if the battery isn't on three LEDs, after about a metre of cut the revs can drop just a little and you can end up with blade marks. I've only had this ripping down 25mm thick oak and baltic birch ply.

I have enough batteries to be able to have a fresh one in reserve which I slam in if I'm going to risk this.

It seems to be a battery fade issue on long cuts. The battery recovers almost immediately. I once spent hours making about 40 short (300mm) cuts in 25mm baltic birch ply and didnt need to change battery once.

 

[yetihunter]

Thanks for all the advice. I really wanted that mafell but it's so small. The KSS50 is nice but it's a high price point.

I decided to go with the HKC and tid combo it was kind of a no-brainer there's just too much value. So, when somebody comes along with a 36 volt option it isn't crazy high I'll jump on that.

That's a good tip on that Makita I like the rear handle left hand model they've got out.

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They’ve got some crazy deal going on where you get four batteries, a dual charger, and a choice between the rear handle and the sidewinder for $249 until the end of the month.  Caveats are that the cordless Makita saws are not built as nice as the Festool nor Mafell, the particular two are 7-1/4” (larger physically) vs 6-1/2, and Makita comes with some mega-thin junk instead of a proper blade.  Cripe Distributing is selling Guhdo’s (the one that was here for a very short period of time vs the other Guhdo that’s here) remaining inventory and that includes nice normal thickness 7-1/4” blades and el Diablo wise, I’m actually digging their Demo Demon (I otherwise am not on the budget Freud bandwagon, but preferences).

 

[Rob Z]

A friend bought the rear handle model and says it's great.  He's working commercial now and says that makita never lets them down.  He leaves the Festool saw at home, seems safer that way.  [big grin]

Thanks for all the advice. I really wanted that mafell but it's so small. The KSS50 is nice but it's a high price point.

I decided to go with the HKC and tid combo it was kind of a no-brainer there's just too much value. So, when somebody comes along with a 36 volt option it isn't crazy high I'll jump on that.

That's a good tip on that Makita I like the rear handle left hand model they've got out.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

They’ve got some crazy deal going on where you get four batteries, a dual charger, and a choice between the rear handle and the sidewinder for $249 until the end of the month. Caveats are that the cordless Makita saws are not built as nice as the Festool nor Mafell, the particular two are 7-1/4” (larger physically) vs 6-1/2”, and Makita comes with some mega-thin junk instead of a proper blade.  Cripe Distributing is selling Guhdo’s (the one that was here for a very short period of time vs the other Guhdo that’s here) remaining inventory and that includes nice normal thickness 7-1/4” blades and el Diablo wise, I’m actually digging their Demo Demon (I otherwise am not on the budget Freud bandwagon, but preferences).

 

[yetihunter]

I treat most of my Mafell and Fein stuff the same way.  I can afford to replace a Makita.