Tracksaw kaput - recommend a new one please

[Benchwayze]

The cordless Festool saw has to have a special track. It isn't the same as the T55 or 75. Designed as a site cross cut saw, which although running on a track is primarily meant to cross-cut boards: (So I am led to believe.)

 

[AJB Temple]

That is exceptionally helpful Eric. I have read excellent reviews of the Makita as being good value for money and practical.

As to Festool - I have to confess my shameful ignorance here: I don't actually know what a "Systainer" is. I had always thought it is a toolbox to keep the gear in. Is it something special? I am worried about starting Festool addiction. This happened to me years ago when I first started doing carpentry quite seriously: I got addicted to Elu tools. In tructh I never had cause to regret that. In my experience top quality kit usually pays for itself.

My wife is doing a German price comparison for me currently as the in-laws are over shortly, and I am hoping to take advantage of a tool store closing down sale in Koln before Easter. Useful functionality is more important that cordless. 110v does not bother me.

Track wise, all I mainly need to do do is break down 8x4 sheets. I can't see myself doing anything more demanding than that. I did use the Triton to do some flooring work, but I have nothing in mind like that for the next year or two.

(As an aside, the Triton experience has had an interesting outcome. My friend, who is a nice guy actually and dead straightforward, took the saw away with him after giving me the cheque and, and has pointed out the obvious damage to the tradesman, who apparently held his hands up this morning to having an accident with the tools. It is clear that the track has been run -over: there are tyre marks on it! As he owes the tradesman about £20,000 for the next stage payment, I expect they will come to some accommodation). For me it is a happy ending really as I can get what I want now.

 

[Wuffles]

If Mafell is cheaper in Germany as you stated before, why bother with Festool?


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[AJB Temple]

Because I live in England and Festool gear is much more readily available. For example, Axmisnter Sittingbourne is only half an hour drive away. Mafell I have to buy on-line only in the UK if I want to get additional gear (or get it when we go to Germany). I think the price advantage from German sourcing is about 8% compared with Festool. I am actually brand indifferent - it is about which is the best tool for me. I have no personal experience at all with either Mafell or Festool.

 

[Wuffles]

I misunderstood, I thought you said you were buying in Germany. Buy a saw, couple of rails, you're done. Consumables are available mail order, same as Festool. I've been through the Festool kit and am speaking from experience.


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[pcb1962]

The cordless Festool saw has to have a special track. It isn't the same as the T55 or 75. Designed as a site cross cut saw, which although running on a track is primarily meant to cross-cut boards: (So I am led to believe.)

The saw you're talking about here is the HKC55, there is also a cordless version of the TS55 which uses the standard track.

 

[Benchwayze]

Well button my lip!

I didn't know that. I must've been looking at the wrong advert. I fancied one for cutting rough planks in half, b't I recovered some strength in my arms when I thought about having to have a separate track!

Thanks for updating me!

Cheers PCb

 

[Nelsun]

I plumped for the TS55 for three reasons:

1) Everybody spoke very highly of the cut quality. The rail, splinter guard and blade do combine to give a very nice edge.

2) I had a Festool extractor (CT MIDI) with a plug-it cable attached along the hose. This makes things very easy when switching over tools... so long as they were Festool. This won't be a selling point to someone going cordless though.

3) I liked the idea of getting a Festool router that would run along the same pieces of track. I didn't have such a router at the time but I do now and love the flexibility it gives.

It is a slippery slope though!

 

[skipdiver]

Happy Makita owner here. Along with my Makita chopsaw, the plunge saw is the best bit of kit i have bought and definitely a "how did i manage without it" purchase. Invaluable when kitchen fitting. Have no experience of the Festool, so can't say but those i know that have one say they are superb.

 

[Adam9453]

It may help to know the screwfix started stocking the mafell track saw recently (at an exorbitant price) so you should be able to get spares very easily from your nearest screwfix.
The systainer is basically just a plastic box that the tool comes in. However the nice bits about systainers are that they generally have plenty of room in them for the tool and a few accessories which is useful when you actually need to move or store it away.
The systainers clip together so they can be moved as one lump or more importantly secured in a vehicle as one lump (less loose boxes flying about in the back of the van is always a good thing).
But overall the systainer is nothing more than a plastic box to put the tool back in (a £5.00 plastic box would basically do the same job just not quite as nicely).
The cordless version of the festool ts55 which i think is called the tsc55 IIRC is essentially the same as the ts55 just a few hundred quid more expensive for the luxury of not having a cord.
unless you are doing site work or there are no electrics for some reason, then just go for the normal ts55. You lose the advantage of cordless because you should have a vacuum cleaner attached to it to extract the dust so you would still be attached to a hose if not a cable. The vacuum cleaner would probably need to mains powered so again I doubt if you'll likely get the full advantage of the saw itself being cordless.

 

[AJB Temple]

Super helpful. Thanks. I have abandoned the cordless idea as there is no persuasive advantage. Systainer is of no real interest as I keep my tools in lockable drawers.

Sorry for confusion re sourcing. The tool (like a lot of mine) will be bought in Germany. We live there some of the time but in this case my in-laws are buying on my behalf and bringing it over. There is a tool place for tradesmen in Koln that is being redeveloped. My FIL can get Mafell saw and track kit at approx half price as long as I buy it this week. Sadly, this shop did not sell Festool. My worry was getting spares, blades etc but it seems it is no big deal.

 

[MBcarpentry]

I have both the Festool tsc55 and ts75 can't fault either saw both very accurate and great build quality. Only thing I would say is the tsc can eat the batteries depending on what materials you are cutting, I have other Festool 18v tools but also bought an extra 2 batteries to go with the tsc so 2 on charge and 2 on the saw if required. As others have said if you don't need the luxury of the cordless saw the ts55 is more or less identical in spec to the tsc55 and the corded saw is cheaper.

 

[Zeddedhed]

AJB, if you're going for the Mafell then it might be useful to know that Anglefix in Tunbridge Wells (on the North Farm Estate) are dealers for Mafell and usually carry some bits and pieces. They can get stuff in for you in a few days I believe.

 

[AJB Temple]

That is helpful Zedd. Never heard of them before (as you know I am new to the area). I will have a look as I occasionally use Screwfix (especially now they have the incredibly pretty Sophie on the counter there! )