Thinking about Festool TSC55

[Vinko]

http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/tsc-55-cordless-track-saws/c/1353/

I've been thinking of a really top-notch cable saw for a while (also been saying to myself that I want to get one of those Bosch SDS rotary hammers too -- and everytime I put it off an make due with what I have, I find another use I could have put it to).

Anyway -- anyone have recent experiences with these? Did you get the guide rails? They've been making them with imperial measurements for about a year or so now. What's the feature that's indicated by the REB abbreviation in the part number?

They're a significant investment, but I could put it to some good uses (I have the Metabo vac and a few of the Metabolic and Fein sanders).

Thinking of purchasing it from Bob Marino's site above (I notice a few guys here have done so) if I don't find a good local place.

 

[RWorth]

My son has the corded Festool track saw, and loved it so much he talked me into getting one, however when I saw the price I nearly soiled my shorts, so I shopped around and ended up buying the Makita version for 1/2 the price. When we compared the 2 tools side by side and with actual use, we are convinced that the 2 came from the same manufacturer, or at least built to the exact same specs. they are identical in every way except color. And I do love the saw, especially if you find yourself working alone. Much easier than running a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 threw a portable table saw, and 99% as accurate.

 

[LeeG]

I don't have the 55C, but I have been using their track saw for years and really like it. The 55C is on my short list. Another saw to consider is the newer HK55C. This is more of a circular saw, but can use the the regular tracks also.

 

[Northislander]

i have had the makita track saw for about 5 years. Once you've owned one you'll wonder how you lived with out it.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

The Makita is a very good alternative to the Festool. You can use Festool tracks with the Makita. I love mine.

 

[Jackfre]

I've had the corded 55 for probably 10 years. It is a great tool. Festool is very proud of their $tuff, but they work. During our recent remodel I installed new Oak T&G flooring. there is a large expands of the floor and almost in the middle is a 5x3' trap door down to the cellar. the floor was laid right over the lid and the seam was cut afterwards. The 55 plunge action allowed a perfect cut. That one job paid for that saw. Get the vac too.

 

[yeldogt]

You forget the price (thankfully) after using the tools .. they are great.

 

[Firebrick43]

The Makita is a very good alternative to the Festool. You can use Festool tracks with the Makita. I love mine.

+1
The dewalt is nice as well. It pivot mechanism is awesome, even better than the festool/makita. The dewalt will work on festool/makita tracks but not the inverse inverse. The makita is very nice as well.

I question the validity of a cordless track saw. The dust control/collection is what really makes the system.

 

[RivennHewn]

I own a Makita, and use the Festool at work. Not really much difference from a user's point of view.

I didn't compare prices on the corded/ cordless versions of the festool, but for me I wouldn't pay more for a cordless version. Getting half way through a critical cut and running out of juice scares me.

 

[JMartel]

I wouldn't get a cordless version. I don't care for cordless tools at all. Corded will last you way longer and you won't need to buy batteries again after they don't hold charge very large in a few years.

If you don't want to pay the money for the Festool, with a bit of modification, the Grizzly tracksaw is a great value. I've got one and it works quite well. Zero dust, clean cut lines with no chipout. Can't really ask for anything else.

$272 including the guide rail and clamps.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Tra...552?utm_campaign=zPage&utm_source=grizzly.com

I just made a cover for the opening in the blade housing for better dust collection, and I made a plywood foot for the outer edge of the cut so you get zero clearance cuts on both sides and stops rocking. I still need to pull the spring and cut a couple coils off to make it easier to drop, but other than that it's great.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/121082

 

[Git]

Are you a 'collector' or do you think you will actually use it

I bought the Festool Tracksaw when they first came out. At the time they were the only game in town, so I bit the bullet and bought one

Tracksaws really are a game changer and I would be hard pressed if something happened to mine. With that being said - I would definitely not recommend buying the Festool. The biggest criticism (and I agree) is they are underpowered. Secondly, their method of joining two tracks together **** - it just doesn't work well. (A company even developed a $99 tool to get the tracks properly aligned - http://www.festoolproducts.com/betterley-slc23-straightline-connector-for-festool-guide-rails.html). I ended up spending $300 just for the 106" track! And when the clear 'splinter guard' strip fell off like a lot of them do, I replaced it with the Makita's version and have not had any problems since
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JI1ZF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

At this point I would buy either the Makita or Dewalt (I personally prefer Makita) and spend the money saved on some decent accessories. I have the Festool 'Quick Clamp" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U309KW/?tag=atomicindus08-20) but I prefer to use my Dewalt clamps instead (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001J31PJM/?tag=atomicindus08-20)

An interesting accessory that is fairly new to the market is the "TSO Guide Rail" which quickly attaches to the edge of the track and makes cutting 90 degrees pretty simple/easy
https://tsoproducts.com/tso-products-guide-rail-squares/grs-16-guide-rail-square/

Note - I would not buy a cordless tracksaw from Festool. Your basically buying into a battery platform and when you look at the cordless tools that Festool has versus Makita for example, it doesn't even really compare

 

[scooby074]

I have the makita corded. Got a long and short track. Great tool. The Festool is overpriced for what it is. The makita is made in the UK.

 

[yeldogt]

Are you a 'collector' or do you think you will actually use it

I bought the Festool Tracksaw when they first came out. At the time they were the only game in town, so I bit the bullet and bought one

Tracksaws really are a game changer and I would be hard pressed if something happened to mine. With that being said - I would definitely not recommend buying the Festool. The biggest criticism (and I agree) is they are underpowered. Secondly, their method of joining two tracks together **** - it just doesn't work well. (A company even developed a $99 tool to get the tracks properly aligned - http://www.festoolproducts.com/betterley-slc23-straightline-connector-for-festool-guide-rails.html). I ended up spending $300 just for the 106" track! And when the clear 'splinter guard' strip fell off like a lot of them do, I replaced it with the Makita's version and have not had any problems since
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JI1ZF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

At this point I would buy either the Makita or Dewalt (I personally prefer Makita) and spend the money saved on some decent accessories. I have the Festool 'Quick Clamp" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U309KW/?tag=atomicindus08-20) but I prefer to use my Dewalt clamps instead (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001J31PJM/?tag=atomicindus08-20)

An interesting accessory that is fairly new to the market is the "TSO Guide Rail" which quickly attaches to the edge of the track and makes cutting 90 degrees pretty simple/easy
https://tsoproducts.com/tso-products-guide-rail-squares/grs-16-guide-rail-square/

Note - I would not buy a cordless tracksaw from Festool. Your basically buying into a battery platform and when you look at the cordless tools that Festool has versus Makita for example, it doesn't even really compare

Great review -- Thanks. I am buying some new tools in the near future .. will look at the Makita. The only time I used the track Festool track was cutting some hard maple -- was surprised how it bogged down. Guess most use to cut sheet goods - that's what I want it for.

 

[Git]

Great review -- Thanks. I am buying some new tools in the near future .. will look at the Makita. The only time I used the track Festool track was cutting some hard maple -- was surprised how it bogged down. Guess most use to cut sheet goods - that's what I want it for.

In all fairness to Festool - I *think* their tracksaws come with either a 48 tooth fine crosscut blade or the 28 tooth combination blade since most people use these saws to cut down sheet goods. Festool makes a 'panther' blade that is used for ripping and only has 14 teeth.

I have the Panther blade - and I still find the saw to be underpowered but I just wanted to point out that you need to use the proper blade for the material you are cutting.

Lastly with these tracksaws - when you do change blades you want to try to stay with one that has the same kerf thickness because the blade actually cuts the 'splinter guard' strip the first time you use it and the splinter guard strip is what you use to align your cuts to the mark. A blade with a wider kerf will cut back the strip and the next time you use the narrower kerf blade your cut will be off slightly

 

[James E]

Git obviously knows his stuff and I will chime in only as another data point. I agree with everything Git has said, although I did bite the bullet and buy the Festool 55 saw.

The saw is underpowered and I find myself changing the blade more often than I do with my cheap saws. 75% of my cuts are single cuts, where I pull the saw out and do what I need to do no matter what blade is on there at the time. Can't always do that with the Festool. I really dislike battery powered saws. Cutting is extremely power-consumptive and I just can't imagine being able to do much work with a battery powered saw (I have one--not Festool--and hate it). True also that committing to a Festool battery saw is also committing to a series of very expensive Festool batteries and charger.

The track idea is great. I find myself using the track even when I don't need to, just because it's so easy to use and the cuts are just perfect when you're done. I do find Festool's track system to be better than most, although I admit that I haven't seen a Makita track up close.

I have the Festool work table and the hinged track attachment is money. Repetitive square or mitered cuts are really, really simple with that setup.

I agree that the Festool method of attaching multiple rails *****.

I also agree that the Festool sacrificial edge guides don't stick well enough. I'd rather have stronger adhesive and have to get out the GOO-GONE to clean the rail up when I switch out strips than have the damned thing peel off or slip slightly as I'm lining up a cut. Thank you Git for telling us about the Makita strips. I'll be buying them next time.

 

[RivennHewn]

Gotta get me one of these!

 

[Git]

Gotta get me one of these!

I have one - and although it was expensive, I don't regret buying it all.

Keep in mind they make two versions. The GRS-16 on and the GRS-16 Parallel Edge which is $20 more. When I bought mine I didn't understand the difference very well, and didn't really care to spend another $20. Then one day I was cutting some plywood and for some reason that I don't remember at the moment, I needed to work from the 'other side' and have the GR16 attached near the 'end' of the track and then it dawned on me why they made the parallel version

This is how you would normally attach the GRS-16 like this which I would call the 'near end of the track'. If for some reason you needed to cut 90 degrees from the other side of a piece of plywood, for example, the Parallel Edge Version makes it easier (if that makes sense)

Lastly - anyone considering buying a Festool, don't forget that their tools usually come with a no question asked, 30-day money back guarantee - so you can always buy it and try it out for yourself

https://www.festoolusa.com/service/service-all-inclusive/30-day-money-back-guarantee

 

[Stuart in MN]

Ryan (the owner of this site) recently invested in a lot of Festool tools - check with him to see what he thinks of the saw.