TS55 or TSC55? or Makita Sp6000J

[AnnaD24]

Hej everyone!

I am looking into buying my very first tracksaw. I have experience using table saws in woodworkshops, never used a tracksaw as of yet. I will initially mainly use for small projects to cut sheet material, make small furniture, cut shelves, and perhaps a floor in the near future. I also hope to use it in the future to make picture frames, which is what I have mostly been doing on table saws.

After doing quite some research and looking at my wallet, I had initially concluded that even if I really wanted the Festool corded version, probably the best buy for me would be the Makita SP6000J for now, allowing me to buy a saw and a guiding rail for less than just a Festool TS55. However, both Makita and Festool have some quite insane offers now in Germany that have gotten me completely confused on what to do and are now making me consider buying the cordless Festool TSC55 as they come with two free batteries atm? [unsure]
These are the options I now see on the table:

The Makita SP6000J (corded)
1 x HM blade 48 teeth (Makita)
1 x MAKPAC-D container
2 x guide rails 1500 mm
1 x protective bag
417 euro

The Festool TSC 55 KEB (cordless)
2x free batteries BP 18 Li 5,2 ASI
1x Systainer SYS3 M 437
1xHW fine-tooth saw blade WD42
1xdust bag
519 euro
+ charger 60 euro and extra rail FS1400 98 euro:
TOTAL 677 euro

The Festool TS 55 FQ Plus (corded)
1x Guide rail FS 1400/2
1x Guide rail pocket FS-Bag
1x Circular saw blade WOOD UNIVERSAL HW W28
1xSystainer SYS3 M 337
587 euro
+ extra rail FS 1400/2 98 euro:
total 685 euro

Do I stick with the original plan and 'just' buy the Makita set, which is a great deal already. Or do I eat only potatoes and bread for a month or two and spend the extra euro's for the corded or even cordless Festool???

The free batteries really got me doubting here, as a cordless version is now almost the same price as a corded one. I have also understood the cordless version has more power and an improved kickback protection system, something that the Makita lacks entirely. The Makita also does not have a riving knife, so it seems there is no protection for kickback at all. I am not so much concerned with having my tracksaw to be used on location. But than I was reading that the other, somewhat less obvious advantage of a cordless tracksaw is you can bring it with you to the shop when you buy large sheet material, and cut it to roughly the sizes you need at the shop, avoiding having to rent huge vans to fit larger sized sheets, which I thought was pretty smart ; ) For now I would also probably not buy a VC and work with the dustbag if I would go for the cordless one. So I would have to invest in a VC for the corded versions I guess.

Any advice, ideas, experiences more than welcome!

 

[woodferret]

TSC.  I've heard too many makitas kicking back and jumping the track.  Yes, it's technique, but either TSC or TS comes with the limit stop if your plunging on a start cut which add to the safety.  As for breaking down sheet goods at the store, probably none of these are that good of an option as oppose to just having them precut it for you.  The TSC's bag is useful for doing long rip cuts without worrying about the extractor hose.  You can buy it separately for the TS55 though.

Personally, I have the TS55 corded mainly because of lighter weight.  I have sheet goods delivered (marginally more expensive than renting a van) and just have it offloaded onto sawhorse in the driveway to break down.  Get the bag.  Cord by itself isn't too bad, but trying to drag a hose over a precariously large stack isn't fun - especially when it gets caught.  If you can, try both saws to see how they feel in stretch, and taking on/off and putting to the side.  The weight of the TSC55 might not be a concern.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I have the corded TS55 mostly because I use it in the shop, always connected to a CT26, and I am not already on the Festool battery platform. The only cordless Festool brand item I have is CXS, which is the odd battery. If I really need more power, I jump up to the TS75, but for mostly sheet goods, the TS55 is fine.

 

[glass1]

Exact opposite.  I have had the cordless makita for years. For the money it cannot be beat period. Excellent power and run time. NO KICK BACK ISSUES.  The ts55 is a dog no power avoid. The tsc55 is a winner. All the things the makita is not. Better rail adjustment and dust collection. Uses thicker blades to me who is often putting custom nickel backs and dados this is a plus. Maybe its an ecosystem choice. I have both the makita cordless and the tsc 55. The makita shines ripping solid stock without having to move to a panther blade yep its got power. The tsc shines for clean cuts dust collection precise rail adjustment especially when transitioning from connected rails.

 

[tjbier]

I bought the TS55, used it for 1hr and immediately brought it back to the store and upgraded to the TS75.  It was underpowered cutting though 1"-1 1/2" cherry and white oak, even with the panther blade.
The TS75 is nice but is way overkill just cutting down sheet goods.
If I were buying one now, it would be cordless. No question. I could be swayed either Makita (I have tons of cordless already) or Festool. A guy at work just bought the TSC55 and with just the dust bag on it ripping sheet goods I was very impressed, it's power and how much the dust bag collected. TSC55 can be run on 1 battery where the Makita cannot. Not a deal breaker, but might be handy at some point.
Not having a cord or hose to trip over, get caught on the track ect was very nice.

 

[woodferret]

I should add that a track saw is only as straight as it's rail.  If you only have either the makita or festool as local dealers where you can return/shop for straight rails then the choice would be which ever one it is.  If your online shops will allow no-hassle returns, they'd count too.

I used to have a Triton track saw and while it's pretty decent value, their rails were slightly bowed.  Good enough for rough breakdown and shop furniture, but not further.  I switched to Festool just because I had a local Lee Valley that'd let me easily bring in rails/swap trying to find a straight one.  Normally, it's the expensive long rails that concern me the most, but ironically, my 800mm rail was the one that deviated 1+ mm.  Also, get the TSO connector when you want to join rails. 

 

[Tinker]

eat only potatoes and bread for a month or two
Tinker

 

[kevinculle]

I have had the corded Makita with two 1400mm Makita tracks for about 6 years.  I have used it to rip sheet goods without issue or kickback.  When I built my ipe deck I borrowed my buddy's two 1400mm Makita tracks, connected all four together and used the saw to run straight line end cuts across 16' (~5m) of 3/4" ipe deck boards and it didn't break a sweat.  I highly recommend it!

 

[notenoughcash]

TSC.  gobs of power and smackes the TS in almost every respect.  the extra weight has never been an isue.

or the cordless makita, the makita cordless range is huge, but it donesnt feel as refined as the tsc

 

[mino]

If you want to save money, get the Makita saw and rail connectors set, but skip Makita rails an use them on the Festool FS/2 rails.
Ideally, get the holy LR32 version of the rails.

If you want the best hobby use saw from these three, get the older TSC with 2,2 blade and a mechanical riving knife.

My 2 cents.

 

[ScotF]

I like both the corded and cordless Festool. I have the riding knife version of the cordless and it is awesome in all regards. I understand the newer one is more efficient on battery use due to the thinner kerf. I have only had one kick back when I was new to using track saws and as others have mentioned, the little stop Festival provides negates that from happening in plunge cuts. Ideally like all my saws and do not think you can go wrong. I think there is a new version of the TS55 that will take thin kerf blades in Europe so that too might be an option if you go corded.

 

[slavi.yordanov]

TSC55 and LR-32 rails, no question about it. You would be surprised how much the bag catches. Makita is pretty good too as others have noted. I switched to Festool because of the bluetooth, it's so convenient. You would be a vacuum in the future too, that almost guaranteed.

 

[Bertotti]

I have been using my corded version to rip longboards and sheet good a lot recently. I use a generator if I am not near an outlet. I am firmly set against a consumable on a tool I use a lot. I have some battery drills but they are just safer when going up and down ladders but I still hate that I need to spend as much on a battery as I do a tool. If that doesn't bother you no worries but batteries do not last forever and is a constant irritation to me. My ts55 works great. Cord and all and one other thing to think about is if you're dragging around the hose for the vac then you still aren't really cordless the hose is just a big cord.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

My ts55 works great. Cord and all and one other thing to think about is if you're dragging around the hose for the vac then you still aren't really cordless the hose is just a big cord.

This was my reasoning behind the corded version. I always have mine connected o the CT.
I mostly cut sheetgoods with the TS55 and occasionally rip some barn wood. For thicker stock, the TS75 does the job. It has never felt underpowered.

 

[Spandex]

I have been using my corded version to rip longboards and sheet good a lot recently. I use a generator if I am not near an outlet. I am firmly set against a consumable on a tool I use a lot. I have some battery drills but they are just safer when going up and down ladders but I still hate that I need to spend as much on a battery as I do a tool. If that doesn't bother you no worries but batteries do not last forever and is a constant irritation to me. My ts55 works great. Cord and all and one other thing to think about is if you're dragging around the hose for the vac then you still aren't really cordless the hose is just a big cord.

Every tool has consumables (blades, bits, etc), so I think it really comes down to their cost and how often they need to be replaced. Do batteries really need replacing that often?

The reason I eventually want to swap my TS for a TSC is so I have the option of using it completely cordless with the bag. Yes, most of the time it will have a hose connected, which means the cordless functionality isn’t being used (ignoring the power increase), but if I want to use it without a cord and without a hose, I can. That’s not an option with the TS.

But I agree that if you plan to use a TSC exactly like you’d use a TS, at all times, you might as well just have a TS.

 

[squall_line]

I got a TS55 instead of a TSC because I never intend to use it outside of the shop/garage and I want my kid to be able to use it 15-20 years from now as a hand-me-down.  The HKC I plan to use outdoors and/or unattached, and drills are drills to me (other than perhaps hammer drills), so I'm fine with batteries for those.

If I find myself needing a TSC55 because I'm moving outside of the garage, I would probably still keep the TS55 as an "electrical plugs probably won't go obsolete" backup.

 

[Spandex]

Another, more positive way to look at the additional cost of batteries is that they’re interchangeable between tools, so you only need to own a few, then you can save money by buying bare tools.

 

[squall_line]

Another, more positive way to look at the additional cost of batteries is that theyre interchangeable between tools, so you only need to own a few, then you can save money by buying bare tools.

I politely offer this counterpoint:

This was my reasoning for opting for a Makita Impact and Drill combo earlier this year.  Festool doesn't have the "bench depth" in their lineup to justify buying a single cordless tool over a corded one merely for the battery platform, IMHO.  Aside from there being something like 6 different batteries just in the normal lineup (Amp-hour difference and Bluetooth inclusions/exclusions), future resale also may take a hit for hobbyists.

Which isn't to say that Festool's cordless tools aren't worth buying, but I wouldn't personally count "battery platform" as a major upside to consider it over a corded tool, especially since there are three completely different and incompatible battery architectures within the "system".

Drills, Saws, Sys-Rock, Sys-Lite - Same battery platform
OS/OSC18 - Cordless makes sense if you're not using dust collection
Carvex PS(B)/PS(B)C420 - Love it or hate it machine, arguable if cordless PSC is more convenient/worth buying over Mafell P1CC?
Trion - Corded only
Sanders - Different battery architecture, only one that also accepts a cord
CXS/TXS - Different battery architecture
Kapex - Corded only
Routers - Corded only
Banding machine - Corded only (can't even wrap my head around the weight if that went cordless and had enough battery to sustain prolonged heating)

With Festool, sometimes the "batteries included" kits come with even more accessories than just the batteries and charger compared to the original tool, or with a completely different insert in the systainer (although at least they come with the Systainer; some say this is another thing that they would like to get rid of in "bare tool" variants). 

Thing is, if you wanted to buy one tool with batteries and everything else bare-tool, you have to be very choosy about which battery-included tool you buy, as some of them have a higher price differential with the battery than others, or have completely different battery capacities, bluetooth-inclusion, etc.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

squall_line, That is part of my reasoning also. I am not already on the Festool battery platform, with the exception of the CSX, which does not count here.
The big problem I am facing right now is with the Vecturo. As I see it, because of the accessories/attachments, the cordless model is the one I would prefer, but again not already on the platform.
I may eventually go that route, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to go in with only one tool using that battery.
I am well equipped with the Makita batteries, using them with drills, impact drivers and compact routers, so I just don't look forward to another battery.
If I did go with the cordless Vecturo, I might be convinced to switch to TSC, because I know that I can get most of my money back from the TS. I'm just not sure that the added weight of the battery version is worth the cost difference? The occasional cut w/o the CT hose might be handy, but?

 

[mrboult]

I've owned two Makita Sp6000Js

They're great with one real issue!! The adjusters on the base plate to fine tune the saw's grip on the rail come loose EVERY SINGLE DAY of use.
So by the end of the day there is 1-2mm of variation in your splinter guard strip. Removing much of the saws accuracy.

IF this issue didn't exist in then the Makita would be a solid recomend from me if you want to save some cash over the Festool.
But regardless, for me the Festool is always the winner because of the service/parts/accessories/blades availability and quality.