New TSC 55 K saw and TPC 18 drill

[Doug S]

Not sure if I have seen these mentioned yet
https://issuu.com/hamervillemediagr..._builder_february_2021/66?fr=sZjZlODI5MzUzMDU

 

[DynaGlide]

On one hand I'm glad I haven't bought the TSC 55 yet. On the other, I have no need for that new kickback sensor if I'm on a guide rail 100% of the time. Cool tech though.

 

[neeleman]

[attachimg=1]
Here are a few specs of the new 2021 models.
TSC 55 K with KickbackStop protection
TPC 18 Quaddrive brushless percusion 4 speed drill
TDC 18 Quaddrive brushless 4 speed drill
both drills come with kickback protection, Bluetooth connection to phone app to change Forward/Reverse button function for left handed users.

 

[serge0n]

They also mention a "new generation of saw blades" in the article, whatever that means. I'm curious if Festool is coming out with new blades for TS55 and why they felt an update was needed.

 

[six-point socket II]

So the gear selector got a massive overhaul it seems, I guess those who had issues with it in the past, will be happy now. But from the picture, the drill seems to be more beefy/thicker. I guess I need to see & handle this in person!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[serge0n]

The gear selector looks a lot like Fein's. Maybe Fein is making the TPC? They did quite a few collaborations with Festool in the past.

 

[semenza]

So the gear selector got a massive overhaul it seems, I guess those who had issues with it in the past, will be happy now. But from the picture, the drill seems to be more beefy/thicker. I guess I need to see & handle this in person!

Kind regards,
Oliver

The plastic housing portion looks very much like the TiD18.

Seth

 

[mino]

The gear selector looks a lot like Fein's. Maybe Fein is making the TPC? They did quite a few collaborations with Festool in the past.

Or Festool making for Fein ... with Fein piloting the market as the smaller company.
For sure it looks like a joint collaboration on the basic gearbox/switch design and likely the motor assy. A good thing IMO.

Was looking at a PDC to complement my DRC. With this it will combine the cordless percussion with a "super-screwdriver" role I was thinking of getting from Makita. Nice!

 

[notenoughcash]

i may pick one up allongside a t18 if i decide i am rich enough.

and typical, ive just got a tsc [mad] [mad] [mad]

 

[six-point socket II]

Here's a Video, German:https://www.h3.plus/de/c/bereit-fuer-das-unschlagbare-doppel-tg#yes

TSC 55 K won't have an actual riving knife, instead it will glide on top of the material and release/activate the kick back protection when it's not making contact with the surface anymore. (As far as I understand this!)

Not sure how I feel about this.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Josh2]

The new saw blades are 1.8mm and not 2.2mm. I actually think that is a BIG advantage as long as any shatter is under control. The HK55 already has 1.8 blades. Mafell's tracksaw has 1.8 blades as well. The smaller kerf means that the new saw has to cut significantly less material, which makes a big different for power, battery life and cut quality. A lot of people say that the Mafell is more powerful and I think part of the reason is the smaller kerf.

 

[mino]

The new saw blades are 1.8mm and not 2.2mm.

This may be a bit of a pain.
The current blades use 2.2 kerf teeth on an 1.6 mm disc for 0.3 mm difference (each side). The difference is what one calibrates his rail for in turn.

They would have to go for ultra-thin 1.2 discs half with 1.8 teeth to keep the blades interchangeable.

But this would make them less than half as stable for harder use cases so I would expect 1.8/1.4 or 1.8/1.3 setting which would be a bit of a pain pain as no other maker does blades with under 0.3 mm difference - I am aware off.

Can someone measure the HK55 blades disc thickness ?

 

[Svar]

Here's a Video, German:https://www.h3.plus/de/c/bereit-fuer-das-unschlagbare-doppel-tg#yes
TSC 55 K won't have an actual riving knife, instead it will glide on top of the material and release/activate the kick back protection when it's not making contact with the surface anymore. (As far as I understand this!)
Not sure how I feel about this.
Kind regards,
Oliver

It seems that you can't use this "improved" saw without rail. When starting a cut (without rail) the unti-kickback trigger will not be pressed in and the saw won't start.
Besides, all this electronic kickback protection on various saws miss another important function of riving knife. Namely, keeping kerf from closing in on the blade too much and gauging the surface while not necessarily stalling the blade. Typically when cutting thin strips.

 

[slavi.yordanov]

That drill looks sweet! My C18's drill/screw switch on top sucks. Always switching between modes accidentally. I wonder if the new drill will be compatible with the C18's heads. They look to have similar style locking mechanism, unlike the PDC.

If the kickback system is the only difference between the new and old TSC55, it would be disappointing. I had the cordless Makita Tracksaw until recently and I have never had a problem with kickbacks, unless I did something stupid.

 

[Svar]

I have never had a problem with kickbacks, unless I did something stupid.

So, then you did have problem with kickbacks. This is exactly why safety features are in place, for when people make mistakes, which is a human nature.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

These features are what Mafell has in its saws and why no riving knife. The corded saw is more powerful...it is 400 watts more powerful. Equivalent of TS 75 motor on TS55 housing. It also uses thinner blade as noted. I have, use and like all variants of the Festool range and Mafell corded. All have pros and cons. Do not necessarily think this upgrade is worth it on the saw vs the current version, but I have not had kickback issues either.

 

[mino]

So, checked my TSC.

The riving knife is 2.1 mm thick. This means the TS 55 R/TSC 55 will *not* accept the new blades without a retrofit thinner riving knife or some home modification to make the knife about 1,7 mm or so.

Overall, happy for the new blades as it will mean more real cut power.

Otherwise the sensor versus riving knife is a trade-off.
Someone will love no frig'n riving knife while other will miss the guiding properties of the riving knife in free-hand cutting etc.

I will be in the second camp, but will probably tune the knife for the thinner blades after I get through my current blade set.

 

[mrboult]

I wonder if the hammer function sounds any better than the PDC? Man that sound was tough to deal with.

The new right angle chuck looks smaller, which is nice. But I hope compatibility with the old chucks is there.

 

[neeleman]

My experiences with the thinner blades (1.8 mm) on the HKC 55:
CONS
- getting dull faster
- can be sharpened fewer times
- FS guide rail has to be realigned or renew
- blades are bending to easily when taking of small pieces or skew direction
PROS
- faster sawing
- less dust
- less battery drainage
- less tearout
- FSK rails are great
Despite the CONS on the blades it's still a nice saw and I use it everyday.
Shame that the old and new blades are not interchangeable between the TS/TSC/HK/HKC, also when used on guide rails.
Maybe Festool should design different spacers for every type of blade to align to the guide rail strip.

 

[neeleman]

Here's a video about the TSC 55 K and TPC 18/4.
Unfortunately for some it's in German/Swiss language.
But the pictures speek for them selves.
Vimeo
Finally there's also a new offset chuck for the TPC/TDC drills.