RSC 18 Cordless Reciprocating Saw

[ToolHutt]

I live in Germany and just bought one of these. I was surprised to see that the saw and charger are made in China.
I own a lot of Festool products and these are the first from China.
Are all Festool tools now being made in China?

 

[Frank-Jan]

No this is the first, it's a rebranded, but not straight copy of a flex model. I got one a while back too, but I bought the basic version (so no charger or batteries) I was a bit surprised by the "made in China" label too, but I saw afterwards in a thread when it was yet to become available that it was already known beforehand (rumor shared by Oliver)

 

[bwehman]

No this is the first, it's a rebranded, but not straight copy of a flex model. I got one a while back too, but I bought the basic version (so no charger or batteries) I was a bit surprised by the "made in China" label too, but I saw afterwards in a thread when it was yet to become available that it was already known beforehand (rumor shared by Oliver)

Interesting - I'll add this experience too - was at a local Festool event and the rep there said the recip saw was incepted by the Festool USA team, rather than the normal Germany develops and then feeds to other markets way of things. If accurate, this whole tool appears to be quite the exception to a lot of norms.

 

[mino]

No this is the first, it's a rebranded, but not straight copy of a flex model. I got one a while back too, but I bought the basic version (so no charger or batteries) I was a bit surprised by the "made in China" label too, but I saw afterwards in a thread when it was yet to become available that it was already known beforehand (rumor shared by Oliver)

Interesting - I'll add this experience too - was at a local Festool event and the rep there said the recip saw was incepted by the Festool USA team, rather than the normal Germany develops and then feeds to other markets way of things. If accurate, this whole tool appears to be quite the exception to a lot of norms.

Makes sense.

Recips see little (professional) use in the brick&concrete world of Continental Europe. There is simply no market here for high-end recips unlike in the US. Over here these are seen as almost exclusively hobby tools.

This results in literally no "native" DACH area maker of recips. The know-how was never here so if one wants a (quality) recip, one needs to talk to the Chinese top OEMs.

I always saw it as "a tool to leverage the FT battery platform" more than anything. Basing it on a Flex is pretty good though. They are another cost-no-object maker. Even if mostly China-made these days.

As for the charges, they are Made in China for a couple years. I believe the SCA8 was where it started. It, again, makes a lot of sense as all the top electronics makers are China/Taiwan/SKorea-based these days. Charger is just a charger, has zero effect on tools themselves so no point making in-house and more expensive something which the Chinese make *better* and cheaper. Emphasis on the *better* word.

Thinking about it, I would love for FT to license/OEM from Ridgid/Ryobi their AirStream nailers. That is one of the things which would make their Carpentry-aligned range reasonably complete while staying on the top hill as far as tech goes. Especially the 23 GA pin nailer and their 18 GA brad nailers would be great to see on the FT 18V platform.

 

[Cheese]

Recips see little (professional) use in the brick&concrete world of Continental Europe. There is simply no market here for high-end recips unlike in the US. Over here these are seen as almost exclusively hobby tools.

Ya, it's a USA thing as they were invented by Milwaukee in 1951 back when Milwaukee tools were actually made in Milwaukee Wisconsin.  [eek]  Every household has at least one of them and many households have several. Used for HVAC, demolition, tree trimming...you name it.

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[bwehman]

This thread led me down a research binge on Flex, which I knew nothing about. Apparently they are/were a big German brand before getting bought. Seems like they pump out some super high-quality tools akin to the trinity here in the USA (Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita).

I'm just so thrilled about the dust collection possibilities of a recip saw. One of my least favorite forms of filth in this construction world is the coating of coarse wood dust/chips all caked onto my arms, down my shirt, in my hair, etc. Even if this mitigates that mess by half, I'll take it and be thankful.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I never owned a Flex tool, but round here in certain dialects they use the word flex when speaking of an angle grinder, (like they used to use the word kodak, for a photocamera, or bic for a ballpoint pen)

The tool that flex has been most known for the last 15 years or so is their long neck drywall sander, the giraffe, I believe it was sold as porter cable giraffe in the United States, I haven't been to building fairs in ages, but last time they had a version with exchangeable heads (a round one and a triangular one), those heads could also fit a smaller tool when the long reach isn't needed, and an ergonomic cart, so you don't have to handle the weight of the longneck sander.

 

[mino]

I never owned a Flex tool, but round here in certain dialects they use the word flex when speaking of an angle grinder, (like they used to use the word kodak, for a photocamera, or bic for a ballpoint pen)

Well, for those not aware, Flex is the original inventer/maker of the angle grinder ... they still have some very nice one in their offer.

As for what they make interesting for Festool fans, they are the angled RAS-style sanders and related polishers.

 

[cpw]

This might be a dumb question; but they had a Festool live today and were saying how great and strong their blades were.  I was assuming it works with standard blades that I can get locally at Home Depot; but I don't think Sedge ever came out and said it.

Can anyone confirm it actually works with standard blades?

 

[squall_line]

This might be a dumb question; but they had a Festool live today and were saying how great and strong their blades were.  I was assuming it works with standard blades that I can get locally at Home Depot; but I don't think Sedge ever came out and said it.

Can anyone confirm it actually works with standard blades?

I don't see why it wouldn't.  The Jigsaws take standard T-shank jigsaw blades, and the ends of the Festool blades have the same tool end as any other reciprocating blades I've seen recently.

 

[wwb119]

I was wondering the same, Sedge didn't really say.

They look similar.
https://www.toolnut.com/festool-577496-rs-sort-5-5-piece-reciprocating-saw-blade-set.html

 

[Michael Kellough]

Good time to mention that Metabo (not htp) cordless reciprocating saws accept T-shank jigsaw blades as well as regular recip. blades.

 

[bruegf]

Interesting that its made by flex.  So what's the difference between the flex model and the festool?  Is really worth buying the festool at 379 for the bare tool compared to the flex bare tool for 199 at lowes?

Flex also is offering a life time warranty on the tool battery and charger now thru Dec 31.

 

[squall_line]

Interesting that its made by flex.  So what's the difference between the flex model and the festool?  Is really worth buying the festool at 379 for the bare tool compared to the flex bare tool for 199 at lowes?

Flex also is offering a life time warranty on the tool battery and charger now thru Dec 31.

The differences are, as far as I know:

• The shoe on the Flex doesn't accept the dust collection attachment
• The battery system is different (this is highly individual)
• The pendulum adjustment on the Flex uses a switch rather than the dial on the Festool
• The Flex is 24V instead of 18V
• The Flex comes with a lifetime warranty on tool and battery, as you mentioned, but I'm not sure if that includes wear/tear like Festool 3-year or not
• Festool kit includes a second battery (I know you said Bare Tool, but for others comparing)
• Festool includes a Systainer-L; Flex has no carrying case for the bare tool and a canvas bag with the kit (may or may not be important, but that adds $60-80 to the price for the Festool)

 

[Cheese]

Flex is considered one of the best producers of automotive finish polishers for car detailers. Flex...Rupes...Festool Shinex

 

[Imemiter]

I got a variety pack of the Festool sawzall blades that I'm happy with so far, but the saw itself plummeted off my wish-list after I lifted it. Even without a battery I am not burly enough for such a tool. 

 

[squall_line]

I got a variety pack of the Festool sawzall blades that I'm happy with so far, but the saw itself plummeted off my wish-list after I lifted it. Even without a battery I am not burly enough for such a tool.

Every time Sedge mentioned the 9 pound heftiness of the tool, it reminded me of the line from Snatch when Tommy buys his gun from Boris the Blade: "Heavy is good.  Heavy is reliable.  If it does not work, you can always hit him with it."

 

[PaulMarcel]

Every time Sedge mentioned the 9 pound heftiness of the tool, it reminded me of the line from Snatch when Tommy buys his gun from Boris the Blade: "Heavy is good.  Heavy is reliable.  If it does not work, you can always hit him with it."

I believe Sedge used to (currently?) lift a lot so this is him multi-tasking a warm-up with woodworking

 

[Crazyraceguy]

This is one particular tool that I wouldn't "invest" in, but that's just my use-case situation. I see a recip saw as a very crude demolition tool, which I just don't do. I have a Makita cordless, which came as a "bonus tool" with the original LXT 5 piece set that I bought in 2005. It did not come in the original package, you had to mail in some part of the box and a copy of the retailer's receipt. It was shipped a few weeks later. I still have it because it was at home during the shop fire. I occasionally trim/prune trees/shrubs with it.  [scared]

 

[Ron B]

This is one particular tool that I wouldn't "invest" in, but that's just my use-case situation. I see a recip saw as a very crude demolition tool...... I occasionally trim/prune trees/shrubs with it.  [scared]

I agree.  Used mine yesterday to cut tree roots when digging a hole.  That is probably how I use it the most.