Saw Advice

[mattmass]

Hey Everyone,

I'm struggling to make up my mind on a saw purchase. I'm a beginner woodworker, but am getting more and more into it. I'm planning on tackling two custom closet storage projects. I'd also like to be able to do some light framing and other home improvement type stuff.

I really like the new HK 55, it seems really versatile with a track. At first, I thought it was a great fit for my uses. But, I'm starting to wonder if I'll ultimately regret not having a plunge saw. Of course, I'm also going back and forth on cordless vs corded.

Ideally, eventually I'd like to have a cordless HK55 for versatility and ultimate portability and a corded TSC 55 for extra precision and power. Does that make sense? Or am I just over-thinking? Should I just get a corded HK55 and be done with it?

I'd appreciate your thoughts - thank you!

 

[Holmz]

If you are doing sheet goods then a track saw (55) is probably better, and you can still go through a 2x4. So if you are doing sheet goods for closets, then a TS55 and a lamello Zeta p2 (and Clampex p10) and a table are pretty much all you need... And maybe an old iron for edge banding.
After you fall over with the cost, consider that you save a lot, and get exactly what fits the closet.. and #2, it will end up pretty easy to do it all.

Do you need portability? Or do you have access to an extension cord? Will you be doing enough framing to nessecitate the HK?

Personally, I would suggest a vacuum goes on the list somewhere... Then the cord plugs into it, and you housemates/spouse keep smiling. 

You could probably get the parts cut to size by a lumber yard and just get the zeta/ Clampex .

 

[Paul G]

For a corded saw consider the ts75, more power and greater cut depth. I had the 55 and it was recalled and I opted for the 75 upgrade and no regrets.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Welcome to the FOG Matt!

The HK saw is nice if you plan on doing more framing than sheet good work.  Since you mentioned light framing, and two closets, also that you are a new woodworker, I think the TS55 might be better for your needs.  As for cordless/corded, well I think batteries are best for guys that work in the field and much less useful in the shop/around the house.  BTW, the C at the end of the tool model denotes the cordless version.  So the TSC and HKC are the cordless versions of the TS and HK saws. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

If you are doing sheet goods then a track saw (55) is probably better, and you can still go through a 2x4. So if you are doing sheet goods for closets, then a TS55 and a lamello Zeta p2.....

I'd say forget the Lamello Zeta.  Its a very cool tool but it is priced for professional/production shops.  I believe it is priced well over $2,000 USD.  I just don't think it is a good fit for a beginning woodworker.

 

[Brice Burrell]

For a corded saw consider the ts75, more power and greater cut depth. I had the 55 and it was recalled and I opted for the 75 upgrade and no regrets.

The TS75 is best suited for ripping a lot of thicker hard woods.  If that doesn't sound like what you have in mind go for the TS55 (or HK55).  The TS55 can handle hard woods up to 50mm/1 15\16" with the right blade, you'll just need to take a bit slow. 

 

[Carquest]

how close is the power between the corded and cordless versions? Of the TS55 for instance?

 

[Birdhunter]

The plunge saws, either model, are far more flexible than what is primarily a framing saw. I suggest you find a way to physically handle both the 55 and the 75. I found the 75 to be a real beast to handle. It's a big heavy powerful saw. I use a big table saw to plow through thick hardwoods so cannot vouch for the 55 doing that, but it handles 3/4" plywood easily. The Festool vacs really compliment the track saws. They are much quieter than the commodity shop vacs.

 

[Paul G]

For a corded saw consider the ts75, more power and greater cut depth. I had the 55 and it was recalled and I opted for the 75 upgrade and no regrets.

The TS75 is best suited for ripping a lot of thicker hard woods.  If that doesn't sound like what you have in mind go for the TS55 (or HK55).  The TS55 can handle hard woods up to 50mm/1 15\16" with the right blade, you'll just need to take a bit slow.

In my years of using the TS75 I've never thought it was over powered or too large for any task I put it to. And the times I needed to cut thicker than the 55 can I was VERY glad I had it. To me it's an extra $120 well spent, YMMV.

 

[McNally Family]

Hey Everyone,

I'm struggling to make up my mind on a saw purchase. I'm a beginner woodworker, but am getting more and more into it. I'm planning on tackling two custom closet storage projects. I'd also like to be able to do some light framing and other home improvement type stuff.

I really like the new HK 55, it seems really versatile with a track. At first, I thought it was a great fit for my uses. But, I'm starting to wonder if I'll ultimately regret not having a plunge saw. Of course, I'm also going back and forth on cordless vs corded.

Ideally, eventually I'd like to have a cordless HK55 for versatility and ultimate portability and a corded TSC 55 for extra precision and power. Does that make sense? Or am I just over-thinking? Should I just get a corded HK55 and be done with it?

I'd appreciate your thoughts - thank you!

In the beginning.......

For me, I am setting up my Festool shop/project  capability by categories.  I started with drilling/driving (C18 set).  Then I moved on to dust extraction (CT26), and then sanding (RS2E), as well as hand sanding.  After some serious backfilling on accessories for each category, I built my workbench (custom MFT with 1080 plate), which then led me to establish my clamping abilities.

After my worktable was up and running, I moved on to develop a cutting capability that would best serve my immediate needs.  Since initially, I need the capability to not only make straight cuts, but curved and circle cuts as well, I started researching jig saws.  It was not long before my research led me to the Mafell P1cc, arguably one of the best jig saws on the market today.  While it costs as much if not more than either the HK 55, or TSC 55 (depending on what accessories you purchase for your saw), neither of those will make curved or circle cuts, both of which are more important to me right now than just being able to break down sheet goods on a regular basis (although with a straight edge as a guide, a Mafell jigsaw will deal with sheet goods as well.

That is not to say I won't also purchase a track saw in the future, and when I do it will be a corded version for several reasons.  First, I am primarily shop bound, so portability is not a major concern to me, as is dust extraction for instance (I like the fact my dust extractor turns on when I start my sander), and secondly, I try to limit my battery tools to drills because I have lived long enough to watch cordless tools come and go, due to changing battery technology, whereas my older corded tools still work 25-30 years later (I just recently discarded three generations of older cordless drills, that were no longer economically viable to maintain).  It should be pointed out that if I was working in the field, my opinion of battery tools might be different.

Of course, this is all written from my own personal perspective, so your needs and expectations may very well be different.  Please accept it as merely an explanation of what and why I went the direction I did, and nothing more.

 

[rljatl]

For a corded saw consider the ts75, more power and greater cut depth. I had the 55 and it was recalled and I opted for the 75 upgrade and no regrets.

The TS75 is best suited for ripping a lot of thicker hard woods.  If that doesn't sound like what you have in mind go for the TS55 (or HK55).  The TS55 can handle hard woods up to 50mm/1 15\16" with the right blade, you'll just need to take a bit slow.

In my years of using the TS75 I've never thought it was over powered or too large for any task I put it to. And the times I needed to cut thicker than the 55 can I was VERY glad I had it. To me it's an extra $120 well spent, YMMV.

I agree with Paul.

 

[QuailRider43]

I'm a beginner woodworker, but am getting more and more into it. I'm planning on tackling two custom closet storage projects. I'd also like to be able to do some light framing and other home improvement type stuff.

Some quick thoughts from someone who was in your situation not that long ago.  Buy what you need to do the job on hand.  In this case, it's closets.  So let's start with what is needed to do that job:
- Breaking down sheet goods:  TS55 + various length tracks.  I highly recommend splurging on adding the FS3000 guide rail.  It just makes dealing with panels so very much easier.  Also, consider MFT/3 (if funds allow) for all those cross cuts.  TS75 I'd reserve for really thick stuff.  It's a lot heavier than the TS55, and you're going to be swinging it around a lot as you manipulate the panels.
- Corded.  Unless you're dangling from a roof or working at a job site with an overloaded generator, forget cordless for a track saw.
- Dust collection:  A must buy.  CT22 et al.
- Now comes assembly:  MFT/3 + various clamps (quick clamps, clamping elements, and QWAS dogs) is great here, for clamping and squaring.  I can't emphasize how much easier it is to do assembly when your pieces are clamped in a known square position.
- Assembly part 2: domino 500.  It's optional, but really nice for quickly slapping together the carcass and drawer boxes.  Otherwise, clamp square, then glue and screw (or nail gun, or Confirmat screw as indicated).
- Want to get fancy?  LR32 + holey rail + OF1400.  It's super slick for making professional looking adjustable shelving, frameless hardware mounting etc.
- Now as for framing:  anything can cross cut dimensional lumber.  I like to use a moderately priced miter saw, and save my Kapex and it's very expensive blades for fine work.  I wouldn't consider the Festool framing saw unless you were a pro doing a big job.

In summary, for cabinets I would start with a TS55 track saw and dust collector (and maybe add the Ultimate Dust Deputy since it will pay for itself over time).  Add the FS3000 if you plan to work with a lot of sheet goods.  The rest can come if your needs and funds allow.

 

[antss]

If you're just interested in doing closets at a reasonable price, there are several manufacturers that will cut parts any size you design that can be assembled on site with knock down fittings and the UPS man will deliver right to you door. 

No way a Zeta's cost is justifiable for a homeowner.

 

[QuailRider43]

If you're just interested in doing closets at a reasonable price, there are several manufacturers that will cut parts any size you design that can be assembled on site with knock down fittings and the UPS man will deliver right to you door. 

Truthfully, the words "Festool" and "reasonable price" rarely fit in the same sentence.  [poke]

 

[Holmz]

If you're just interested in doing closets at a reasonable price, there are several manufacturers that will cut parts any size you design that can be assembled on site with knock down fittings and the UPS man will deliver right to you door. 

No way a Zeta's cost is justifiable for a homeowner.

Good point on the knock down idea for all of it.

It is funny how everyone will say "a domino is totally worth it" for quality, ease, and quickness, but a zeta costs too much.
It is indeed on the wicked end of wallet flow, but if there is any tool to make a beginner look good then it is a zeta following a track saw.

Of course when the Mrs says "that looks better than an IKEA", it does not sound like much of a compliment. But having exactly what she wants in a knock down that she wants, does not get easier.

----
Back to the track saws.
A 75 is bigger. This falls into the concept of "it can do", or "it has more utility".
Or
It falls into the concept of overkill for sheet goods, and the wrong tool for someone that does not sport a can of spinach and a pipe.

Less obvious is that the MT55 has the power of the TS75, and the rails are better. It is also not wallet friendly, although the Bosch rails are better value.
---
You probably need a vacuum and any Ol drill, and there are a hundred other little things. I used a Japanese razor saw (pull saw) at the shops yesterday. I basically bought a 2x4 and had the Mrs car so I needed to cut it down. It is cordless and ~$30. And I had to order some more tape measures. It never ends, and the little stuff goes cha'ching at the register.

 

[nickao]

The TS 55 cant even gang cut ply, it's just so under powered.

For me the Makita is the best value of any track saw and far more powerful than the TS55. I sold my TS55 and my TS 75 both here on the FOG and my Makita serves me well, I use it on Festool rails. I paid I think 269.00 for the Makita on sale and never looked back. I think you can get them for about 310.00 right now(no rail).

If you are ever going to rip hardwoods though you will need the TS 75, I use a table saw for hardwoods myself, but the TS 75 did cut just about anything I through at it, 2" solid Wenge and the like. For hardwoods the TS 55 struggled with 1" Oak, my Makita plows right through it.

 

[mattmass]

Wow - I'm blown away by all the great information. Thank you everyone! I sincerely appreciate it.

I think the recommendation on going corded is very sensible. Cordless is cool, but I won't ever be far enough from power to make it a necessity.

I was a little surprised that no one thought the HK 55, when paired with a rail, could do the job - even for small projects. But, I think I get it. The TS 55 is a much more capable track saw, and could aways be used for small amounts of framing work.

 

[nickao]

Wow - I'm blown away by all the great information. Thank you everyone! I sincerely appreciate it.

I think the recommendation on going corded is very sensible. Cordless is cool, but I won't ever be far enough from power to make it a necessity.

I was a little surprised that no one thought the HK 55, when paired with a rail, could do the job - even for small projects. But, I think I get it. The TS 55 is a much more capable track saw, and could aways be used for small amounts of framing work.

That's more a function of not enough of us owning and/or being able to use it long enough to recommend it than anything else. The tool is just too new for most people to give a recommendation, I need to use a tool everyday for weeks before I can even suggest it to someone one.

With my corded Makita and working in a shop 100% there are still times I almost pull the trigger on a cordless Festool track saw. It really is on my short list.

 

[Holmz]

Wow - I'm blown away by all the great information. Thank you everyone! I sincerely appreciate it.

I think the recommendation on going corded is very sensible. Cordless is cool, but I won't ever be far enough from power to make it a necessity.

I was a little surprised that no one thought the HK 55, when paired with a rail, could do the job - even for small projects. But, I think I get it. The TS 55 is a much more capable track saw, and could aways be used for small amounts of framing work.

And as [member=3373]Dovetail65[/member] pointed out, Makita's version of the TS55 saw is a more capable version, and it is also less $.

 

[Paul G]

----
Back to the track saws.
A 75 is bigger. This falls into the concept of "it can do", or "it has more utility".
Or
It falls into the concept of overkill for sheet goods, and the wrong tool for someone that does not sport a can of spinach and a pipe.

Good grief, it's a whopping 3.7 lb (1.7 kg) heavier. The weight rides on the track just the same, no spinach or pipe required LOL