KSS400?

[JeremyH.]

Hi guys,

I've been looking at the KSS400 to serve all my purposes for track saw duties to non-trim miter saw action. No it's not better than many specialized tools but it's $10k less for right now. But do other blades fit it? As far as I can tell it's a 100% match to Festool blades, so I can pop on a 48T solid surface and do melamine if I want.

The KSS300 looks nice too, but all it appears to have going for it is 8.8krpm.

On the plus side, I love it's plunge action lever. (I use the TS55 all the time, don't own, plunge is meh, have to be damn careful)

Any reason no?

 

[stvrowe]

I've been looking at the KSS400 to serve all my purposes for track saw duties to non-trim miter saw action. No it's not better than many specialized tools but it's $10k less for right now. But do other blades fit it? As far as I can tell it's a 100% match to Festool blades, so I can pop on a 48T solid surface and do melamine if I want.

The KSS300 looks nice too, but all it appears to have going for it is 8.8krpm.

On the plus side, I love it's plunge action lever. (I use the TS55 all the time, don't own, plunge is meh, have to be darn careful)

Any reason no?

I researched this question last year.  From what I recall, the Festool blade will fit the KSS400 but the kerf is slightly wider than the Mafell blade so if you intend on switching back and forth, expect some adverse impacts to the anti-splinter strip.  While it was very tempting to be able to use the TS55 blades and minimize more tooling investment, I ended up with the KSS300 as it fit my intended purpose of installing hardwood flooring better than the KSS400.  If you are doing primarily framing type work, the KSS400 is probably a better choice.  If your intent is to cut melamine neither of the KSS saws would be my first choice. 

If you believe the speed of the KSS300 is the only thing going for it, you are sadly mistaken.  This saw is lightweight, has plenty of power, and is accurate.  The only negatives IMO are the lack of a blade brake (long coast down time), the dust collection is not quite as good as the TS55, and the blades are only available from a single source.

 

[Holmz]

For the s/w types....

IF (disk_thickness - kerf_thickness == 'The_same') THEN
  The_arbor_to_kerf_offset = The_Same  !And the splinter strip is in the same place.
ENDIF

 

[Kev]

For the s/w types....

IF (disk_thickness - kerf_thickness == 'The_same') THEN
  The_arbor_to_kerf_offset = The_Same  !And the splinter strip is in the same place.
ENDIF

An experienced BA can understand that ...

 

[Brice Burrell]

From reading on the Mafell users forum other people have used Festool and other blades without issue.  However, there is a laminate blade with the correct kerf offered by Mafell, part # 092569.  I don't have that blade so I got no first hand knowledge on how well it works.

 

[JeremyH.]

The only right thing for melamine is a table saw with a scoring blade... My preference is simply to not use melamine but it happens.

I'd use it for building everything, but I don't do floor work. It's my answer to not having a lot of tools, and being mobile, atm. Later I can get an actual track saw to go on the tracks I'll have.

That's good to know the Mafell laminate blade is different. I don't cut laminate often but if it came up!

The depth on the KSS400 is good enough for 1.5in wood counters, where as the KSS300 barely makes it, and not necessarily at a depth I'd want.

 

[thedude306]

I own the KSS400 and think it's a great saw but it is a bit on the heavy side if  you are not used to it.  If you have ever used a worm drive they are similar.  It rides on the mafell FSN track which is a nice bonus.  If the 300 did as well I would be heavily considering it. 

It's very precise and has the ability to do 2x with easy.  Cutting with the slider is a absolute joy once you start figuring out how to use it and incorporate into your work flow.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I own the KSS400 and think it's a great saw but it is a bit on the heavy side if  you are not used to it.  If you have ever used a worm drive they are similar.  It rides on the mafell FSN track which is a nice bonus.  If the 300 did as well I would be heavily considering it. 

It's very precise and has the ability to do 2x with easy.  Cutting with the slider is a absolute joy once you start figuring out how to use it and incorporate into your work flow.

Interesting thoughts, Brad. My 80 is pretty heavy to use all day long and I am considering a 300 or 400 to go with it - although  with the new battery 300 that looks like a slick set-up.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I own the KSS400 and think it's a great saw but it is a bit on the heavy side if  you are not used to it. If you have ever used a worm drive they are similar.  It rides on the mafell FSN track which is a nice bonus.  If the 300 did as well I would be heavily considering it. 

It's very precise and has the ability to do 2x with easy.  Cutting with the slider is a absolute joy once you start figuring out how to use it and incorporate into your work flow.

A worm drive saw is something like 16-18 lbs, the KSS400 is more like 10-11 lbs. with the rail attached.

 

[thedude306]

I own the KSS400 and think it's a great saw but it is a bit on the heavy side if  you are not used to it. If you have ever used a worm drive they are similar.  It rides on the mafell FSN track which is a nice bonus.  If the 300 did as well I would be heavily considering it. 

It's very precise and has the ability to do 2x with easy.  Cutting with the slider is a absolute joy once you start figuring out how to use it and incorporate into your work flow.

A worm drive saw is something like 16-18 lbs, the KSS400 is more like 10-11 lbs. with the rail attached.

My SKil magnesium wormy is around 15 pounds and my kss400 is just over 11bls.  It might not be a perfect comparison but my point is a kss400 with the track is a big saw (well bigger then most are used to),  the track is something you need to get used to (both size and use)

 

[Holz-Her]

The KSS 300 is now also available in cordless...

 

[skinee]

"It rides on the mafell FSN track which is a nice bonus.  If the 300 did as well I would be heavily considering it." 

the kss300 will ride on the FSN track but can only be used for 90 degree cuts as the FSN track is thicker than the flexi rail,the kss 400 will also ride on the flexi rail as well as the FSN track

 

[JeremyH.]

KSS400 isn't heavier than the tracksaw, which is what I'd be using otherwise. It'd just force me to slow down on framing and need a dumpy miter saw. (Kapex or Erika aren't in my budget atm)

Thus far I'm fairly sold. I wouldn't go with a battery, as nice as it could be at times. If I'm doing a lot of work it just wouldn't cut it (pun intended). I'm sure it's better than most cordless devices. I think Festool had the right idea however, using 2x batteries.

 

[wrightwoodwork]

The weight of the kss saws only feel slightly heavier as the weight of the track is added yet it takes the same amount of energy to push along the track as any other track saw. It's only the initial lift that their is the added weight

 

[JeremyH.]

Well I do like light tools, but the weight isn't that big of a deal. I don't mind moving a TS55 around a lot, and it's similar.

Biggest potential downside is no depth-limiter, but maybe it has one?

 

[wrightwoodwork]

It doesn't have a depth limiter, it requires you push the lever down to the required depth reading the scale on the saw which gives an approx depth of cut. Most of the time when using the depth is preset. Saying that there is times when it would be nice. The kss80 does have a depth stop. I also think the hkc also has can't fully remember

 

[JeremyH.]

The KSS80 is a big boy! But it doesn't have all the blades available for tracksaws with it.

I bet I could figure out how to make my own depth stops for the KSS400. Reality is I almost never need it.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

The KSS80 is a big boy! But it doesn't have all the blades available for tracksaws with it.

I bet I could figure out how to make my own depth stops for the KSS400. Reality is I almost never need it.

It is big for sure, but awesome. You can put the TS75 blades on it -- not as much depth of cut, but works for many things.