Invest in a TS or TSC?

[Skylier36]

Before I figured out the value of the Festool system I got a Makita 36v tracksaw to redo our pantry shelves (and I really hate my circular saw).
Is there a significant difference in the TS and TSC and would it even be worth moving to one of them?
So far I’ve picked up a MIDI, ETS125, OF1400 and DF500.
My level of commitment/experience is homeowner/hobbyist/honey do list lackey.

 

[sancho57]

if your happy with your current track saw why change?

If your not go for the TSC.

I sold my TS and bought the  TSC never looked back. Happy with the cordless

 

[LooseSox]

Are you running mains power and intend of running the extractor with the saw or on site with dust bag and no power? If you're running power and the dusty, I've never once wished I had the cordless for home workshop duties. On site the cordless would have helped out a few times.

 

[Skylier36]

Since I’ve picked up the MIDI I’ve been connected every cut. The experience with dust capture is so much better. Another reason I hate my circular saw, could only use it outside unless I wanted to spend half my time cleaning.
Plus the other Festool devices I’ve purchased are on mains and benefit from the CT.

 

[GarryMartin]

[member=10147]jobsworth[/member] is spot on once again with his observations.

Ultimately the decision is yours, but as you don't have any Festool cordless tools at the moment, you'll be paying a considerable premium for the TSC over the TS.

But I would add that if you are going to buy either the TS or TSC, and the cost isn't too much of an issue for you, I'd definitely go for the TSC. As [member=10147]jobsworth[/member] did, I sold on my original TS 55 for the TS 55R, then sold that on to buy the TSC 55, and I've even sold that on not so long ago for the TSC 55K! Even when used with extraction (and hence, sort of, "cabled") I've found it much easier to handle and use and I've never had issues with power during a cut, especially with the newer, thinner blades.

Of course, once you have one tool with the battery platform, it won't stop there... ;-)

 

[simonh]

In addition to the other considerations mentioned, I consider how long I'm likely to keep a tool.  If it's a low-use lifer tool such as my Lamello, then corded, I know I can drag it out in 20 years time, plug it in and use it.  With a battery, I've got to consider degradation and storage of the tool - I don't want a battery sat on a shelf in an unheated garage for 10 years or more with rare use etc.

 

[rvieceli]

My son has the same Makita that you have. He likes it a lot and I haven’t seen that my TS55 is any better or his Makita is any worse.

So my suggestion would be maybe keep the Makita and spend the money on something that you don’t have.

Ron

 

[Skylier36]

I appreciate all the feedback, I fully understand the battery aspect. On my 3rd set of the same tools due to battery design changes on a certain yellow brand. I’ve considered the HKC and drill/drivers, but was unsure of the TS/TSC since they are close but just enough of a difference (Riving knife, kickback,…).

 

[Skylier36]

I appreciate all the feedback, I fully understand the battery aspect. On my 3rd set of the same tools due to battery design changes on a certain yellow brand. I’ve considered the HKC and drill/drivers, but was unsure of the TS/TSC since they are close but just enough of a difference (Riving knife, kickback,…).

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

Corded gets my vote. I have the TS 55 FEQ and don't mind the cord at all.

 

[mkasdin]

It’s a Chevy / Ford or Blonde/brunette argument? The blonde is the cordless - you’re dealing with drama and charging. The brunette you stick the plug in and away you go. No fuss - One less thing to worry about? In the end you’re still attaching a vacuum hose to the tool, so the argument is less persuasive. I do have a HKC-55 and went cordless so I don’t need to drag around a cord and seldom if ever have a dust hose attached.

 

[GoingMyWay]

I have a TS55, TS75, and TSC55.  I've only been using the TSC55 lately.  I don't have Bluetooth batteries so I just use the dust bag.  The dust collection with the dust bag is supposed to be around 90%.  I absolutely love how nice it is to be completely cordless, especially when making small quick cuts.

 

[ChuckS]

I appreciate all the feedback, I fully understand the battery aspect. On my 3rd set of the same tools due to battery design changes on a certain yellow brand. I’ve considered the HKC and drill/drivers, but was unsure of the TS/TSC since they are close but just enough of a difference (Riving knife, kickback,…).

Better first decide if the safety aspect is more important to you than the power mode.

- If it's, the power mode is no longer a choice.
- If not, decide if you plan to use a dust extractor with the saw. If yes, go with the corded saw as you have the hose to wrestle with anyway.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I love the idea of a cordless tracksaw...but like was mentioned above, not having any other 18v Festool tools makes for a very expensive entry for me. My Festool Drill/Divers are two CXS and one T-15. (and an older 12v that sits in a Systainer at this point) So going cordless on the tracksaw means not just the tool, but also a couple of batteries and a charger. At least for now, that's how things stand, but it could change in the future as I'll likely be using my tracksaw more in my new shop since I shifted to a short-stroke sliding table saw from something longer that was in the old shop/old property.

 

[Skylier36]

Some good points on the power vs safety features. At this point I’m converting a 19x12 walkout basement space into a shop and all my cuts are on a track saw.
How often does the community rip sheetgoods offsite for transport? That’s my other challenge, renting a pickup gets expensive after a while.

 

[mino]

There is a bigger difference between the Festool FS/2 rails versus the Makita rails than between the saws.

FS/2 vs, Makita rails
+ the extrusion is more precise (about 1/2 the "intensity" of the bends on a new rail compared to Makita rails)
+ WORKING anti-slip pads
+ holy LR32 option
+ no (useless) "anti-tip" feature affecting saw compatibility
+ the anti-splinter strip is harder (so it is better at being anti-splinter)
- the anti-splinter is clear, so if you use to precisely place the rail (you should not), it is harder to see

The Makita rail connectors are better though.

Saws TS 55:
+ TS55 is (signifficantly) lighter
+ has sliding cams (less fiddling with cams)
+ a bit more longevity as it has better bearings

In total I would say:
- consider getting a parallel guide system like the TSO PGs ahead of upgrading anything you already have
- consider moving to FS/2 (LR32 variety), before you consider any saw upgrades
- consider the TS55 as a lighter COMPLEMENT to your cordless + you can use it with the same hose+cable combo as your sanders

The FS/2 system and the various accessories are the game changers. The saws are just the cherries on the rail system's cake ...

 

[johnyhuh]

if your happy with your current track saw why change?

If your not go for the TSC.

I sold my TS and bought the  TSC never looked back. Happy with the cordless

I did the same route. TS55 was a bit under powered IMHO.

I would question.. "Do I need portability?"

 

[Skylier36]

Thanks [member=61254]mino[/member] wasn't aware of the difference with the track, I'll have to pay closer attention to the anti-splinter strip on the Makita track and the FS track that came with my MFT/3.
Started looking at the TSO components, look interesting.

 

[tomk]

I'm a hobbyist and currently an owner of the TSC 55K. I started out with the Kreg corded tracksaw and unless I was careful it would always get the cord twisted up in the vac hose. I since purchased a few more cordless Festool tools so that I can get more value out of the batteries although to be honest I probably won't be using 5.2 AH batteries in much other than the track saw. Festool also does not offer a full line of cordless tools yet so you won't be able to completely eliminate having another battery platform - I use DeWalt to fill the gaps.

I got the 55K before the FEQ was released in the states. If I had to do it all over it would be a toss-up between the 55K and the FEQ. One other reason the 55K was attractive was that I can easily take it with me to the lumber yard and do some rough break down of sheet goods on the spot making transportation much easier. It has already come in handy with hauling 5' x 5' baltic birch which doesn't fit in either of my vehicles.

 

[Oilers]

Corded. 

As a hobbiest, I own cordless drills.  Everything else has a cord. 

As others have said, cordless will always just work, cost is lower, and you don’t feel locked to an expensive battery system

Also, saws make a lot of dust, I bet you will substantially always use the saw hooked to your CT.  Since you’ll be near power, but the corded 55 and be done.