TS55 Alternative

[antss]

You and he could use the Festool rails to accomplish what you're talking about.

Dewalt saw is available without their rail. The FT version is more expensive though.

 

[Bob D.]

I think everyone is overlooking a VERY important aspect of the track saw in general.  My friend has a DeWalt track saw and it works good for cutting off doors and general ripping of stock, but when it comes to accurate cutting of sheet goods I find it lacking.  Let me explain before you roast me.  His DeWalt track has a splinter guard alone both edges so you can cut in either direction without flipping the track around, while this may seem like an advantage it can not be used with a MFT or Paulk style work top with dogs (eg ParfDogs) because this is no solid edge to put against the dogs.  Also, he can not use parallel guides to make repetitive cuts when building cabinets.  I use my TS55 for repetitive cutting and for square cuts using my Paulk inspire work bench.  The DeWalt would be useless for me.  So to buy or not to buy a DeWalt would depend on what you use it for.

This is the reason I bought the TSC55, but still have my DeWalt track saw. Maybe down the road when I am comfortable with theTSC55 I will sell the DeWalt. I did make myself a set of parallel guides to be  able to make repeat cuts with the DeWalt track saw, but it must be removed each time from the track as it registers on the lone center guide of the DeWalt track which makes it a PITA to use. The lack of accessories both from DeWalt and third parties for the DeWalt track saw is most of what drove me to the Festool track saw. DeWalt has very little, only the router guide as far as I know.

 

[jeh]

I think the real power if you will of the FlexVolt is that it brings a number of tabletop tools into the cordless realm like their 12"" SCMS which is powered by a pair of FlexVolt batteries and the 10" portable tablesaw. Not saying they are the best or anything of that sort. They are the first of what will be many tools from a number of companies that will follow in the next year or two and as always the tools and batteries will get better. The 12" SCMS comes with a battery eliminator so you can also power the saw from 120V AC. Don't know why they didn't do that with the table saw. I haven't used but have handled 20V tools with the FlexVolt battery and they do feel clumsy. MY guess is because they were designed to be balanced with the much lighter 20V Max batteries and you stick that 60V on there its like someone duct taped a cinder block to the tool. I  could see a small bandsaw or a cold cut metal saw coming soon.

Both of these tool are very nice. I have both and am more than satisfied with them. Do keep in mind on the tables that the blade is 8 1/4" and the table is slightly smaller than the corded version. I am getting as advertised run times out of both of them. For the record I have a Kapex that has never failed me, but I was not willing to risk purchasing a second given all of the complaints. As for the tablesaw it is a must have item when on-site. A tracksaw takes too much setup time for cutting smaller pieces. I realize you can do just about anything with a tracksaw (I have a Mafell MT55cc and a TS75), but for repeatability the tablesaw is an advantage.

 

[hopper]

You and he could use the Festool rails to accomplish what you're talking about.

Dewalt saw is available without their rail. The FT version is more expensive though.

I think you're saying to use the DeWalt saw on the Festool track,  but I don't think it will fit on the Festool track

 

[Frank-Jan]

It does, as do the makita and the mafell mt55.

(I tried posting a picture of the dewalt saw on a festool track, but I couldn't get the post to work, anyway just google dewalt plunge saw festool track)

 

[hopper]

It does, as do the makita and the mafell mt55.

(I tried posting a picture of the dewalt saw on a festool track, but I couldn't get the post to work, anyway just google dewalt plunge saw festool track)

I know the Makita tracks are compatible with Festool but have no experience with Dewalt compatibility.  I'll check to see if my buddy's DeWalt will fit my Festool track,

If the DeWalt saw was to fit the Festool track , would it mess up the splinter strip for the next time I use the Festool on that track?

 

[demographic]

I noticed that someone up the thread mentioned the score "feature" on the Makita saw.

Am I missing something here? Are there really people who can't manage to set the TS55 for a 1 or 2mm depth cut so it scores the line on the first cut?
Do they really need another little switch/button/whatever just so they can do that?

I'm not trying to belittle the Makita tracksaw, I've used one and it was nice but on the list of features that score thing just doesn't even get a 1% from me, just set the fuggin depth. Sheesh.

Quite like the anti tip thing mind...

 

[Frank-Jan]

If the DeWalt saw was to fit the Festool track , would it mess up the splinter strip for the next time I use the Festool on that track?

The Dewalt saw has an extra groove in the base so it can also be used with festool tracks. It might very well cut the splinter strip closer to the rail, or cut further from the rail; but so could another festool saw.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I noticed that someone up the thread mentioned the score "feature" on the Makita saw.

Am I missing something here? Are there really people who can't manage to set the TS55 for a 1 or 2mm depth cut so it scores the line on the first cut?
Do they really need another little switch/button/whatever just so they can do that?

I'm not trying to belittle the Makita tracksaw, I've used one and it was nice but on the list of features that score thing just doesn't even get a 1% from me, just set the fuggin depth. Sheesh.

Quite like the anti tip thing mind...

I value the scoring feature higher than the anti-tilt feature, I have never used a makita plunge saw; but I also never adjusted my festool saw for making a scoring cut; I can't be bothered to reset the cutting depth twice for each cut.
When cutting a bevel you need to push down on the sawbase wether it has an anti-tilt feature or not, or it might tilt the guiderail with the saw, resulting in a bad cut.

I also dislike most of the "features" of the ts55r over the ts55 (while I liked most of the features of the ts55 over the atf55).
I hardly ever need to bevel further than 45°, or cut at -1°, but it makes calibrating the saw to 0° or 45° a pain. (My ts55 came calibrated out of the factory, and stayed that way for years. (it probably still cuts square now, whoever is using it))
I hardly ever need to cut close to an edge, but the ofset dustport gives me less space for my hand every cut.

 

[antss]

Ditto here. 

Been using tracksaw near on two decades now and can only remember doing a score cut once.  It was on a panel that had a metal or aluminum skin.  I'm not even sure it was necessary then.

 

[Cheese]

I'd suggest you look at the TSC 55. That and the HKC are my go-to saws. In the last year, I've only pulled out the TS 55 ONCE. I actually think the TSC with 2 batteries, has more power than the corded TS. The TSC doesn't seem to bog down when pushed like the TS 55 does.

 

[Jmacpherson]

I'm a big fan of the HKC, used mine just the other day and all cuts were 100% accurate in pressure treated wood.
Started off on the MFT3+TS55 but switched to the HKC because it was more accurate and easier.

Question, is the extra kg of weight with the TSC vs corded noticeable or not really since its running on the rail?

Just to throw the cat among the pigeons for the lovers of the Makita tracksaw, the cordless 18vX2 brushless version is now available in the US and I assume in Canada too. - not sure on rest of world
Based on specs has more rpm than the corded version.

 

[Cheese]

Question, is the extra kg of weight with the TSC vs corded noticeable or not really since its running on the rail?

Like I said, I haven't used the TS 55 lately but the TSC is noticeably heavier when lifting or placing it but once on the rail it's all the same.  [cool]

I also like the depth control adjustment better on the TSC, it's a one-handed affair. The control on the older TS takes both hands to operate.

 

[antss]

anyone know if the TSC produces more torque than the plug in version ?