Thoughts on RSC 18?

[onocoffee]

Today, I was breaking down oak pallets (gotta save money somewhere to buy more Festool!) and using my old school 18v DeWalt reciprocating saw, which has served me well for the past 25 years (I don't use it a lot). There were moments when it was getting bogged down a bit which made me wonder about the RSC18. When the DeWalt is ready for pasture, would the RSC be a good replacement? I've picked it up at my local dealer and it is a beast. Heavy and solid. I know Festool does elegance and finesse, but how is it with brute force and demolition?

 

[luvmytoolz]

The RSC is my next "must have" when Festool next has them on a promotion! Along with the SYS 50 the planned RSC purchase was part of why I was happy to finally buy into the Festool battery platform!

Mates I know that have the RSC love it.

 

[bwehman]

I’ve used it a bunch and it’s fantastic. Super smooth, well thought out design. The dust collection works surprisingly well. I loved my old dewalt, but this is a much nicer saw.

 

[MMCO]

My DeWalt saw died yesterday in the middle of a project. I decided to buy the RSC and was concerned at first at how heavy it was in the store. As soon as I turned it on and started sawing, my regret of spending $650 quickly disappeared. It cuts like butter and more importantly the reduction in vibration was significant. I usually don't spend this kind of money on a construction tool but this is making me consider other items like the HKC in the future. I hope it holds up like all may other F tools.

 

[luvmytoolz]

My DeWalt saw died yesterday in the middle of a project. I decided to buy the RSC and was concerned at first at how heavy it was in the store. As soon as I turned it on and started sawing, my regret of spending $650 quickly disappeared. It cuts like butter and more importantly the reduction in vibration was significant. I usually don't spend this kind of money on a construction tool but this is making me consider other items like the HKC in the future. I hope it holds up like all may other F tools.

I'm glad to hear that, I've been lusting after the RSC for a while and plan to get it in a week or so! Reviews have all been very positive I've found.

 

[boomvader]

Found a gently used one on eBay for $240. Used it to demo our guest bathroom. Amazing tool. Very little vibration compared to the old Craftsman I bought a few years ago.

 

[Cheese]

So, I consider the Milwaukee Sawzall as the Cadillac of reciprocating saws. They were the first to the market and they excel over all the other contenders in so many areas and have for the last 60 years.

Has anyone actually compared the RSC to the latest Milwaukee offering? I played with a RSC and it weighed a ton for a 76 year old guy. I get that 40 years ago I wouldn't have felt that intimidated with the saw but at my age, sawing 2x material with a RSC, one-handed, out-stretched, seems to be problematic. Am I missing something here?

 

[luvmytoolz]

I did briefly consider the Milwaukee myself as my son has a bunch of their gear, but in the end the choice came down to the battery platforms I've committed to, either Makita or Festool. I love my Makita drills and impacts, but the rest of the range I've found a bit lacking in one way or another, so despite the weight it's the Festool for me, and the dust control is just a bonus on top.

 

[Cheese]

I did briefly consider the Milwaukee myself as my son has a bunch of their gear, but in the end the choice came down to the battery platforms I've committed to, either Makita or Festool. I love my Makita drills and impacts, but the rest of the range I've found a bit lacking in one way or another, so despite the weight it's the Festool for me, and the dust control is just a bonus on top.

Thanks for that... ...I was thinking about adding the RSC to the grouping just because I assume it's much smoother than the Milwaukee offering. Certainly, the AGC 18 is much smoother than the Milwaukee cordless RA grinders and I'll probably be picking up another one as a cut-off tool. However, the weight of the RSC just stops me in my tracks.