TS55/FS-WA or TSO GRS-16 vs. HKC55/FSK rail

[graveyardshifter]

Hello FOG. Planning to repair a portion of my deck or worst case scenario: possibly rebuild it. I currently have a TS55 and when I was looking for options to bring the cost down, I ran into rail squares, particularly the Festool FS-WA & the TSO GRS-16. Question is, is it cumbersome to use for cutting dimensional lumber compared to the HKC55/FSK rail combo? Is there another option that’s better than the two mentioned?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Coen]

The HK saws (and the TS60) lock to the FSK rail, so they become "one" and you don't have issues with the rail and saw separately tipping over into the ground after a cut.

 

[Cheese]

If you're cutting decking material, then just stick with the HKC and its FSK rail.

 

[Packard]

The one thing that dramatically improved my efficiency in rebuilding my deck was the palm nailer.  It allowed me to drive nails in tight quarters. 

Possibly less of an advantage nowadays as they now produce screws that are approved for deck structure.  But note, those screws are expensive.  And you don’t want to use the conventional screws that were designed for fastening the deck boards to the structure.

If you have a small compressor, the palm nailer will pay for itself quickly in fastener costs.

Also note, hot dipped galvanized nails are an excellent product, but cold galvanized nails are terrible.  I’ve been told that hot dipped zinc adheres at the “molecular level” (whatever that means) and cold zinc adheres by a mechanical means. The zinc frequently chips off of the head of cold galvanized nails leaving them unprotected from corrosion. 

If the box does not specifically state “hot dipped” it is almost certainly cold galvanized.  Don’t buy those nails.

Conventional screws has tremendous pull out strength.  But their strength in shear is compromised by two factors.  First, the roll forming that creates the screws will work-harden the steel making them susceptible to cracking (usually snapping off the head).

Second, when a nail starts out being made from 0.180” diameter wire , the shaft of the nail is still 0.180” after forming and will fit in the holes of deck structure brackets.

But a screw that ends up with that same 0.180” diameter (in order to fit in the holes of the brackets) has a body diameter that is closer to 0.150” and will not be strong enough for the structure of a deck.

You have to choose your brackets according to the fastener type you use.

 

[TSO_Products]

Hello FOG. Planning to repair a portion of my deck or worst case scenario: possibly rebuild it. I currently have a TS55 and when I was looking for options to bring the cost down, I ran into rail squares, particularly the Festool FS-WA & the TSO GRS-16. Question is, is it cumbersome to use for cutting dimensional lumber compared to the HKC55/FSK rail combo? Is there another option that’s better than the two mentioned?

Thanks in advance!

[member=74187]graveyardshifter[/member] - while TSO originated the GRS-16 and key features of the FS-WA/VL (both licensed to by us to FESTOOL), they are definitely not at all suited to your intended project.

We agree with [member=44099]Cheese[/member] that the HKC55/FSK rail combo is the way to go.

Thanks for thinking of TSO
Hans

 

[rst]

The HKC and FSK rails are fantastic. I've built four sets of stairs, three exteriors and an interior for my daughters and two decks. I bought all three rail lengths which allows me to set the three angles for the stair notches.

 

[graveyardshifter]

Thanks a lot guys!!! I’ll go with the HKC/FSK…now where to find a grand…lol

 

[squall_line]

I used my HKC and FSK250 to cut down a dozen 12' deck boards to 6' in the parking lot of Lowes over the weekend since their "saw was down".  Worked a treat, and the only issues I had were user error.

 

[TSO_Products]

Thanks a lot guys!!! I’ll go with the HKC/FSK…now where to find a grand…lol

[member=74187]graveyardshifter[/member] -  look on FOG Classifieds and place a WANTED post there.
If you buy new, this is also where you can recover a substantial part of your original investment in a high quality tool.

Hans

 

[Cheese]

Thanks a lot guys!!! I’ll go with the HKC/FSK…now where to find a grand…lol

When I purchased my HKC in 2016, it came with the 420 FSK rail automatically, which is unwieldy for cutting deck boards. About 4 years ago, I purchased the 250 FSK rail and that's been a lot easier for deck work and framing work... [smile]

 

[simonh]

I'd vote the HKC55 and FSK250 as the ideal combo for that job.  Of course it can be done with TS55 and rail+square but just more efficient with the HKC.  The HKC55 often seems up for sale cheap second hand in the UK.  Alot of people seem to find them underpowered but I've cut loads of 2by and cladding / decking without problems.  I use an 8ah battery on mine so don't know if that makes a difference as it has the newer cells than the 5ah.

 

[graveyardshifter]

k, thanks guys! Someone suggested a different tool to add to the confusion. Enter the Kapex KS60...

 

[Cheese]

k, thanks guys! Someone suggested a different tool to add to the confusion. Enter the Kapex KS60...

Don't get confused with the suggestions...there will always be someone who does things differently.  [smile]

The HKC solution is a worker at ground level continuously measuring, sawing and installing. The HKC solution is you at the 3 foot level with a continuous work flow. 

The Kapex solution is a worker measuring...standing up and walking over to the Kapex...cutting...and then returning to the area and kneeling down again where he/she can install the product.

Bottom line...HKC young guy stuff...Kapex...old guy stuff...I do both as needed.  [smile]