My HKC has replaced my TS55. It is not exactly a monster in power, but neither was my TS55 (I burnt the motor up). In my mind the HKC is nearly perfect (except for that 45 degree issue with framing lumber). I use it to make a living in the woodshop and on job sites. I change blades to fit the task.
TSC 55 vs HKC 55 - Which would you choose?
- Thread starter thudchkr
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yetihunter
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For what you want to do, and limited to those two: HKC, no doubt.
Honestly, though, wake up Ghostfist and ask him to talk about his KSS.
Honestly, though, wake up Ghostfist and ask him to talk about his KSS.
Holmz, I like my Milwaukee tools...all of them. The circular saw that I kept was the Milwaukee 6 5/8" steel cutting saw. It was one of the first generation Lion HUGE batteries. I use it specifically for cutting commercial steel doors, trimming for height and mostly for retro fitting door lites into exiting doors. I use my tools for commercial/industrial work so time is money. Anything that speeds up any task I encounter gets utilized.
It was just the ease of slapping the HKC with trail attached to make cuts that sold me. Even better was the ease of making angled cuts, both positive and negative. I initially bought a Makita track saw from Amazon Warehouse to investigate fuss about track saws. I use Festool tracks and have two of the 32" that I used to use for making stair stringers those days are over and I really should sell the Makita.
It was just the ease of slapping the HKC with trail attached to make cuts that sold me. Even better was the ease of making angled cuts, both positive and negative. I initially bought a Makita track saw from Amazon Warehouse to investigate fuss about track saws. I use Festool tracks and have two of the 32" that I used to use for making stair stringers those days are over and I really should sell the Makita.
gunnyr
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I recommend that you get the HKC 55 with the FSK 420 and 670 rails.
I have both the HKC 55 and the TS 55. I use the HKC 55 almost every day for some combination of framing, exterior trim, or fine interior trim. I typically use it with the FSK 420 and 670 and FS 1400 rail. I find the power more than adequate for my needs. My TS 55 stays in the shop. I typically do not use a dust extractor with the HKC but rather use the dust bag. I find that the dust bag collects 70-80% of the dust. I have three blades for my HKC; the 18 and 32 tooth blades as well as the Panther Blade. I find that by using the right blade for the task at hand I get great results. The battery life is excellent, I have never run out of battery power.
You might have read that the HKC 55 will not cut 2x material at a 45 degree bevel. I find this to be true ..... sometimes. All 2x material is not 2x..... I also find that I really don't cut at a 45 degree bevel all that often, when I do the little bit that the saw will not cut through is easily cleaned up with a chisel, razor knife, or block plane. The speed and accuracy of the bevel cut, particularly if it is of the compound variety, more than makes up for the depth of cut issue.
I love the speed, accuracy and repeatability that the FSK rails offer. At some point I am sure that I will pick up the shorter FSK 250 guide rail.
I have both the HKC 55 and the TS 55. I use the HKC 55 almost every day for some combination of framing, exterior trim, or fine interior trim. I typically use it with the FSK 420 and 670 and FS 1400 rail. I find the power more than adequate for my needs. My TS 55 stays in the shop. I typically do not use a dust extractor with the HKC but rather use the dust bag. I find that the dust bag collects 70-80% of the dust. I have three blades for my HKC; the 18 and 32 tooth blades as well as the Panther Blade. I find that by using the right blade for the task at hand I get great results. The battery life is excellent, I have never run out of battery power.
You might have read that the HKC 55 will not cut 2x material at a 45 degree bevel. I find this to be true ..... sometimes. All 2x material is not 2x..... I also find that I really don't cut at a 45 degree bevel all that often, when I do the little bit that the saw will not cut through is easily cleaned up with a chisel, razor knife, or block plane. The speed and accuracy of the bevel cut, particularly if it is of the compound variety, more than makes up for the depth of cut issue.
I love the speed, accuracy and repeatability that the FSK rails offer. At some point I am sure that I will pick up the shorter FSK 250 guide rail.
thudchkr
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Holmz said:
I really like the convenience of having, and using, a cordless circular saw. The M18 Fuel saws work quite well and I have no serious complaints with either. I tend to favor the 6-1/2" saw because the blade is on the left and I typically cut one-handed with my right hand. If I need the additional depth of cut, or need the blade on the right, I'll grab the other with the 7-1/4" blade. That's assuming both saws are there to choose from, (I often have one of the saws out on a project.)
I often run the saw against a speed square for cutoffs, and once you learn how much the blade is offset from the saw's shoe, you make your mark for where the square will be positioned instead of your cut location. This is my one peeve with the M18 saws. The amount of offset is not an even fraction like my cordless Makita saw, so it's more difficult to be both quick, and precise.
I tend to use the TS saws primarily in the shop, but will take them to site if they're the best tool for the job. I'm looking for the convenience of cordless with the accuracy of a track saw. The miter capability is just icing on the cake. I pretty much always use a dust collector with my TS saws, so I'm often spending much more time setting up a cut and putting equipment away, than I actually spend cutting.
I'll probably end up with a TSC at some point, just won't be quite yet. Now if Mafell had cordless on their MT or their KSS, that might be the impetus to acquire my first taste of the "Red Kool-Aid.".
All in all, I doubt that I'll get rid of my my M18 saws. They're convenient, have good power, and I have a ton of other M18 stuff.
Clint
Jmacpherson
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thudchkr said:
Mafell seems to have heard your request.....http://www.mafell.com/kss40/#startseite
See the last post in this thread, [member=2085]Henrik R / Pingvinlakrits[/member] has taken ownership of his KSS50http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/mafell-mt55-18m-bl-and-new-kss50-18m/
thudchkr
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Jmacpherson said:
Ah, the "Red" stuff beckons. I see, after some additional browsing, that they have a cordless MT55 as well. And I'm not sure about having only 40mm depth of cut. Anyone know if either is available in North America? If someone has them listed, I haven't been able to find evidence of such.
Thanks
Clint
Holmz
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thudchkr said:
It is new gear...
In Au most stuff is imported in direct, and it is not uncommon to hear of that in North America.
The 10.8V Metabo gear is NAINA, as the charger is 230v. (It is stunningly good.)
The red forum is probably a better place to ask about this... [smile] (but I am pretty sure this has a 110/120v charger option.)
Kev
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Holmz said:
[member=40772]Holmz[/member]
Can't fathom companies making chargers these days that are fixed input voltage or have fixed leads for that matter. I'd seriously embrace a forward thinking tool company that started to embrace cordless charging!
Holmz
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Kev said:
Well they obviously are not intending on addressing the small part of the world that is on 100/115v power.
The charger is also potted with a conformal coating, that precludes maying it easy to get to the board...
[member=2575]thudchkr[/member]
All that aside I think that the 18V Metabo/Mafell platform is available in North America?
You need to look yourself though, as I only really understand the 18V drills in a limited sense... and the 18V saws less.
yetihunter
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Metabo 18v is here. 10.8 is not.
For an 18v Mafell that clearly runs on Metabo batteries,
one must order an 18v Metabo charger in 110v and Bob's your uncle.
For an 18v Mafell that clearly runs on Metabo batteries,
one must order an 18v Metabo charger in 110v and Bob's your uncle.
demographic
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I have a corded TS55 and a cordless HKC 55 and now I have the HKC I hardly get the TS out of the van, its MUCH more versatile and just quicker to setup.
The TS still has its place, processing large amounts of sheet goods with good extraction capabilities, slightly cleaner cuts (especially on the waste side) and it sets the extractor going which is handy.
As for the HKC being underpowered? Well I wouldn't complain if it had more poke but I cut through 2x10 floor joists easy enough. I generally prefer it with the Panther blade for most of the work I use it for though.
The HKC really is a gamechanger though, everyone I've worked with thats seen it in use has been blown away by its capabilities.
The TS still has its place, processing large amounts of sheet goods with good extraction capabilities, slightly cleaner cuts (especially on the waste side) and it sets the extractor going which is handy.
As for the HKC being underpowered? Well I wouldn't complain if it had more poke but I cut through 2x10 floor joists easy enough. I generally prefer it with the Panther blade for most of the work I use it for though.
The HKC really is a gamechanger though, everyone I've worked with thats seen it in use has been blown away by its capabilities.
