@@bentswoodworking curious if you are familiar with the makita tracksaw and 2 follow up questions if so... 1st why are makita tracksaws back ordered everywhere. is it supply due to covid, demand is just that strong or something new on the horizon... any speculation? 2nd is there still any value for makita over festool (other than staying in battery platform) since the prices have jumped. this is esp so when stepping up the model for equivalent features to include bluetooth vac connect. just of the top of my head the price may even be over the equivalent festool pkg because there are no kit opt for this. been debating which to buy now or even wait for makita to come back down or release a better kit offer.
After watching your video I decided to brake down and add this track saw as my first track saw and wow I have no clue how I have lived with out it. I’m saving so much time and the cuts are amazing. Thanks for the amazing video on this.
I picked the full kit up yesterday and only this morning trimmed the strips and made some cuts with the bag. I’m totally blown away how good this saw is. Having now retired my dewalt flexvolt because of buying this machine. I just can’t see myself using the dewalt now. It’s such a brilliant saw that’s making me smile every cut. Owner of a few festool tools now I’m hooked for sure. Great review👍
At 3:33 "If kickback occurs, the saw will move forward out of the rail." It is my belief (and experience) that the saw will jump backwards out of the rail and the teeth of the saw blade will bite into the guide rail. This only happens if I turn on the saw and move the saw down too fast and the revs are too low. (slow start) It never happened to me while I was making a cut, thanks to the riving knife. There is soo much more to a Festool machine. It stands out much better than the competition.
Wow, the new blades are great. Ordered my new KEB a couple of weeks ago but they are delayed until May 2022. Thanks for a fantastic intro to this new saw.
Great video. As far as noise, however, technically the TSC is louder than both the TS 55 FEQ and TS 75 (which is the quietest). The UK Festool site posts the noise levels for each saw for comparison, and the TSC 55 KEB is significantly louder than the other two saws I mentioned. Perhaps the frequency you're hearing is more appealing on the TSC, but it certainly is a much louder saw by their specs. You have to wear ear protection for all of them, so it really doesn't matter to me.
I bought the saw and I agree with everything you say. I have a small shop in Boston buy all means this saw goes through everything. And no cord snags it is quality .
Hey Brent, The kickback stop must also sense a significant decrease in blade RPM to activate. It will not stop just by raising the saw off of the guide rail.
This has by far been one of the most informative videos that I've seen here. I've also gone to a local retailer who didn't come close to explaining the features of this saw as well as you have done here-in fact, after watching this, it appears they weren't up to speed on what this saw's capabilities and features are. I'm one who does a lot of research before a big purchase and I think I'm closer to pulling the trigger on this saw. I don't know if you or any of your followers here can answer this question-CAN IT CUT ALUMINUM RAILS? Impressive workstation btw. Thanks again! Subscribed.
Great Video and commentary! I agree with everything you said, and would go so far as to say that the TSC55KEB is my second favorite Festool purchase I ever made. (Domino is #1) This saw has handled everything I throw at it with grace and sophistication and is an absolute joy to use! No fumbling, no "adjustment", nothing to worry about with it. Well worth every dollar I spent on it!
@@bentswoodworking Same here. The track saw and the Domino are absolute game changers. Once you learn to work them, they make life with wood so much easier!
Jason, I haven't quite made the jump to metric yet, but I have jumped on the Festool cordless bandwagon. And my first tool was the TSC-55, followed by the TID18 impact drill and the PDC18 percussion drill then the Vecturo oscillator (multitool). I'm seriously looking at the cordless ETSC 125 sander to replace my ETS 125 as well. The Vecturo is an amazing tool, it not only performs very well, but it has dust extraction that works!!! All the Best, Chuck
@@bentswoodworking Well I got some great news today that is also sad. My local Festool dealer that is also a blade maker and sharpening expert, has decided to retire. He is a fixture in the area and has become a dear friend. I am so glad he's retiring, but sad no one has stepped up to buy the shop. Anyway, he's selling his stock off, so I picked up a ETSC 125 sander and a Cordless Jigsaw CARVEX PSC 420 EB, someone else beat me to the ETS 150 sander, maybe it's an omen to stick with the 5" paper. 😜 Anyway, now I have a Bosch barrel handle jigsaw to sell, but I'm having a tough time parting with the TS 55 and ETS 125 that I'm "supposedly" replacing with their cordless counter parts. Is this wrong? Oh yeah, in one of your other videos you said that owning both a TS 55 and a TS 75 is not a terrible thing. So, when my Festool rep. John K. found one, NOS, he gave it to my dealer who called me, so I now have both. 😁 Can one have too many sanders, and is two TS 55's too many??? Thanks for any input as I trust your guidance in all things FESTOOL. 😎 Deeply conflicted, Chuck
Great video as always Jason. Have you had a chance to try out the new adjustable rail guide Festool came out with this year? If you have what do you think of it? Or do you have a video on it? Thanks for your time and keep up the great work. Ron
I wonder if the thinner blade deflects more than the older 2.2 mm blades. I have always found it a great feature that the classic 2.2 mm blade doesn't deflect (much).
they should have an adaptor with is wired to the wall socket and can be connected to the battery port....that will be the best....this way you can work and get your battery charged
I would not get rid of my older tools as I was going to give away my corded festool plunge saw. The tools in my truck. Well put it this way, I opened my tool boxes in the morning and it was empty. I shouted a bit. It had dawned on me someone or someone's claimed unauthorised ownership of the tools I bought over the last 20 years in one foul swoop. It left me in a world of having to restock the tools I personalised. And in doing so catching up to the latest available technology. I had my festool corded plunge saw as back up. I lost my 3 festool drills the dpc hammer drill the non hammer drill and the 10 volt which I find very handy, versatile and not bad in power on the one setting. Of coarse the bigger 18 volt drill driver which spins at 1800 rpm is really a good drill. I since bought the non hammer high speed festool drill. What's that one called tpc? And you know I feel the dpc is more powerful than the non hammer high speed drill. I don't really commit learning the product names. So I bought a festool contractor saw, one 6.2 amp hour battery and was on the market to purchase a plunge saw. I previously owned the 36 volt festool plunge saw which I had 2 4.2 amp hour batteries and bought another 5.2 amp hour battery. The 2.2 mm thick blade on the 36 volt festool was awesome I really liked it. It was a lot more powerful than the corded equivalent. Cut wood like butter. I bought metabo drills as I do quite a bit of metal work which metabo specialises in. So I thought I would buy the metabo cordless plunge saw as knowing I had bought 8 amp hour batteries from metabo. After looking at the plunge saw I then looked at the new festool plunge saw. The rep showed me the old one and I'm saying no that's not the one. So from the other sales person they had a new one stocked so the sales person took it out and I had a look at it. The new blade with the 1.8 mm kerf is awesome. It looks very well made and has these anti ring cut outs near the teeth. I looked at the metabo cordless plunge saw. The blade did not look as finely built as the festool in the new 1.8mm kerf blade. The brushless motor on the new festool I think is also a new feature for the festool that I don't think is on the earlier festool 36 volt plunge saw. Since in the past I was using 4.2 amp hour batteries and one 5.2 amp hour battery on the once owned festool 36 volt plunge saw, the batteries like if you fully recharge when using. They also drain battery life very quickly. What I mean to say, I'm using my festool drills for days and the charge is good. You put the batteries in the plunge saw it only takes a number of cuts and they are drained. So from my experience it's wise to top up on the older plunge saw before using. After looking at the new plunge saws and previously having the intention of buying a different brand, I come back on the festool. I think the new festool will do finer cuts on melamine than the previous plunge saw as this was evident on earlier tests between different platforms cutting on melamine the festool had more chips than the Bosch or Metabo plunge saw. The metabo does not have a rifing knife. Is this really necessary? Well, since I'm used to cutting using a rifing knife it stands to reason I want a rifing knife. I think when what you are cutting is not sheet goods or if you cut old stock not for fine finishes anything that is not flat can have the tendency to catch and bind up. Or of you cut on an uneven surface. Great video Thankyou.
I have been looking for this saw but all I can find the TSC 55 KEB. What does the KEB stand for. All i find is TSC 55 K. I watch every video of yours and they are really helpful. TY
A good video Jason. I recently bought the HKC 55 for rebuilding a deck, building a shed and a mud kitchen for the kids and really like it. I plan to get the TSC 55K soon as my nephew just turned 14 and wants to learn how to woodwork and build some furniture for his room, including a bed and I want the TSC 55K so it is as safe as possible. Did you ever do a video on the closet you were doing? He wants to do that as well and any tips would be helpful. When are you doing a video on the battery powered lawn equipment? 😊
Great video. Really useful info. Would have been nice if you had a TSC 55 REB (cordless) to compare as that would be a better comparison (in terms of cutting power, improved battery life, etc.), but still a really useful video.
Not sure, but around 9.09 you said you tested the machines with the standard blades that came with the machine. You mean the 2.2mm blade on the TS55 and 1.8 on the TCS, did I understand this right? Is the corded or the non-corded version then more powered? The new Festool TS55 also comes with a 1.8mm blade - still figuring out if battery powered is the way to go for me.
Thanks for the in-depth video. I bought the corded Dewalt back in 2015 and have put a lot of hours on it. I've been wanting to upgrade to the brushless model. With the cost of the saw, flexvolt batteries, and the fact that everyone is backordered. I've started to consider splurging for the Festool. I wasn't even aware of the 75mm unit. I'm seeing that 75mm is almost three inches. Would you mind plunging the blade against two pieces of two-by? I am building joist beams for my shop. Two 2x10's capped with 1x4's just slightly proud. Looks great. However, these 2x10's are anywhere between 9" and 9 3/8". I strongly considered buying the Makita 10.25 circular saw and building a sled just for this project. I've been ripping the 2x10's individually. The blades/kerf is an area where the Dewalt lacks but benefits in a two-sided track. In digging around for a rip blade I found the Freuds. However, even between Freud rip and cross blades the kerf is quite different. An issue for the splinter guard.
I have the tsc55 reb and always found it under powered. Interestingly enough, the word on the street was, that the battery operated unit was more powerful than the corded version. I don't have the corded version, so not sure if that is the case. The battery life was also not great... wasn't a deal breaker, but kinda disappointing. Hopefully this new unit, with the thinner kerf blade, rectifies the shortcomings of the previous version.
You said as soon as the battery powered Carvex is available you're gonna get rid of that cordless Carvex that you have in you're shop. Did you mean you're gonna get rid of the CORDED Carvex in your shop. Just wondering if you slipped or if you know of any updates to the Carvex around the corner. FYI, thanks for the info. I sold my TS55 Req and my old TSC55, which I got just last year based on your advise and I'm really happy I listened to you. The new TSC44 Keb is totally awesome.
Thanks Jason. I think you did a very good comparison here and the results are definitely interesting. Some of us are more gun shy on going the battery route because it likely means a full replacement of our tools in 10 years or so when battery technology changes again and you can't get batteries for it. I have been burned by this myself in the past. Those of us not doing production work, see our corded Festool purchases as "lifetime" tools because it is cost prohibitive for us to change out our woodworking tools every 10 years due to battery evolution. I wonder if Festool will bring this pseudo anti-kickback technology to their corded tracksaws?
Battery life, product life, nasty chemicals within lithium batteries, and repair abillity, ..!!! Most cordless tool batteries have huge mark up against actual cost so they want you on battery platforms to make more money, brushless motors are essentially 3 phase and so need a lot of expensive electronics to make them run which is usually the most common fail point, and outside of warranty can render the tool uneconomical to repair, Alot of manufacturers spare parts are prohibitively expensive but festool. Prices are eye watering on initial purchase and for repair costs.. you should consider whether you really need a cordless tool - or just want one , also if the thin Kerf blade is the biggest advantage.!! - fit one to your existing saw and Buy a new splinter gaurd ..!! 😳✌🏻
Jason, In your opinion does this negate the need for a table saw in a hobbyist/light production wood shop? I’m asking because I’m working in limited space and looking to either upgrade my table saw or a track saw. Thank you John
With this and the new corded version, would you consider buying the TS 75 over again with the current options? I have the TSC 55 KEB but what wondering if the TS 75 would give me much use/advantage.
I've had deflection before with the makita blade. It's an awesome 56tooth blade but with being thin kerf I've had that problem. Does it really matter using festool blades with their tracksaw?? They seem expensive and I use a tracksaw everyday. Lately I've been using the CMT orange 56 tooth blade and it's been amazing. I've even been cutting corian with it! I'm happy to see they have switched to thin kerf. I'm sold on this new tracksaw, what a great overview.
I finally pulled the trigger on buying a tracksaw and I wanted the best so I chose the festool about 7 months ago, they emailed me and told me the saw was going to take another 6 months (because they gave mine to Jason lol jk) and then they upgraded me to the new KEB saw since it was the same price. a week later it arrived!! no idea what happened there but since it was my very first time using a tracksaw I made a rookie mistake and didn't realize I had plunged the saw before starting it, so on my second cut or so I went to use it and it didn't even pulled me or lifted from the track or anything it just looked like the battery had died and it had bugged down. Well the anti-kickback went off and it was so smooth I didn't even realized what had happened until I saw the teeth of the blade touching the wood. It is freaking amazing. Thank you for the review, I had no idea the blade kerf was different!
Will the TSC 55 KEB take the 15V (non Bluetooth) batteries ($79 vs $130 for the 18v Bluetooth)? I just purchased the KEB based on this interview but I have a non Bluetooth CT15 dust extractor. Great video. You explain the saw well.
Jason, thanks for your excellent review. Just purchased and received the TS55KEBI! Where on earth though can I get splinter guards Thst go on the saw itself? I cannot find them anywhere.
You already answered one question. The thin blades will not work with the old saw. However will the old sawblades work with the new saw? I have some money in a few new blades. This was a great video. My only other concern is if you don’t have a Bluetooth vacuum you’re constantly now turning on the power to the vacuum. It will not turn on automatically as the old saw would. But man that thing looks sweet.
@@bentswoodworking got it. Thanks. Clearly the points I made are minor in the whole scheme of things. I think cordless is the way to go. Best part of Festool is they hold their value. Easy to sell the old saw. Oh and in case anyone’s wondering I went to the FOG and it appears that the old blades will fit on the new KEB. just not vice a versa
Do you happen to know if this saw will use both the 1.8mm and the 2.0 mm blades. Seems the 1.8 are harder to come by. I watch all you videos and domany times over. I am so in trouble with Festool fever since covid started . still can't stop. Its like when I was a Ford Master mechanic for 30 years and had to have Snap-On. Now retired still have $40k in Snap-on and now climbing up the slippery slope with Festool. Happy Holidays
Nice breakdown. I’ve been curious how well different blades will work for me in Makita track plunge saw. Most interested in more teeth but worried that will have heat/burn issues too.
Long time Festool owner. All these new features on the Festool saw have been on Mafell saws for years. I'm assuming that as Mafell patents expire, Festool creates a "new feature" for their models. But why screw with that and all the accessories? It quickly gets old and frustrating. The extra money spent on the Mafell saws, is easily offset by the time and cost settings of the jigs and accessories associated with Festool. Also, my Mafell saw with the bag collects more dust than the Festool saw with the vacuum. It's so much more enjoyable to use.
Hi Jason, great video. I used this tracksaw along with the cross cut blade to cross cut 2x8 Douglass fir and my saw started bogging down and burning the wood. Is this saw not meant for dimensional lumber? Thanks
Looks like I'll be filing my tsc55 riving knife to accept the 1.8 blades unless the new corded versions knife fits.... Does anyone on here know if it's a straight swap?
@@bentswoodworking now it is about how the heck can I afford it. Any suggestions on best prices for the full setup or does Festool fix the prices across the board?
Great videos! I'm looking at the Mafell and the Festool. I'm curious. Do you have experience with the Mafell track saws? The Mafell seems like a better tool by a small margin but, the festool system just has so many accessories and third party accessories that work with the Festool tracks. Thank you.
I can't speak for Jason Bent, but I've heard professionals discuss this and I've seen ToolboxBuzz's comparison of the pre-TSC 55 KEB and pre-TS 60 K saws. The testing showed that-with Festool's older-thicker 2.2mm blades, the Mafell saw had a slightly cleaner cut (and Festool's was better than Makita and Dewalt). Other than that, it came down to ruggedness. If you're hauling a saw onto job sites and beating the piss out of them, the Mafell allegedly will hold up longer. But Festool allegedly has a better "systems" approach (e.g. LR-32 system). I know Spencer Lewis (Insider Carpentry) has a TH-cam video discussing them, and he has both and prefers the Festool (but has great things to say about the Mafell too).
@@bentswoodworking If the full kerf riving knife is the only impediment to using new thin blades on older machines, I wonder if the new-style riving knife can be ordered and substituted for the older full kerf version. I have had previous convincing experience that thinner kerf reduces power requirement massively, so I would be quite willing to invest in the change, if possible, rather than abandon my otherwise perfectly adequate corded 55.
@@bentswoodworking Sorry, your characterization of the old riving knife as "full" led me to think for a moment that the new model had a thinner riving knife (rather than "full") that matched the new blade kerf width. I temporarily forgot that you had clearly explained in the video that the new model has no riving knife. So, ignoring the riving knife issue for a moment, please allow me to ask: Will the new blades fit onto the arbor of the old saws?
great video, as usual. I, however, can't get past hooking a cordless saw to dust collection, why not hook a cord to it as well? Hopefully Festool will come out with this saw in a corded version because I like the anti-kickback and thinner blade. I owned early model cordless festool drills and found them clunky and heavy. I'm sure after 12-15 years that's changed but I mostly work in my shop and have a large inventory of Makita cordless tools. Don't yell at me commenters about the value of Festool people I have more than 25 festool tool tools and was a North American tool tester of the original domino 500, I love Festool tools...just not sold on their cordless.
@@bentswoodworking and does it plunges all the way down? (with the bottom 4.0. battery installed) Festool says limited compatibilitiy, but it is not clear if it is becuase of runtime or the battery in contact with the saw base. and I can not test it before ordering online
I just picked up this saw as well. I’m very impressed at the accuracy of the cuts I’ve made. One thing I wanna ask though. When u change from the crosscut blade to a thinner nerf ripping blade, do u need to change the strip on the guide rail for better accuracy or can I leave the strip on that I cut using the crosscut blade. Just curious since they are different in kerf size.
Thanks Jason! Question: does the thin kerf blade require changing out the zero clearance edge tape on the track or is the cut line in the same position?
Excellent video and with out stupid unwanted music .I am about to venture into the world of retirement in the next year or two so starting to get all my ideas together to build my woodworking shop here in UK and make stuff do stuff fin my untrained way and came across your video and they are good,very good as they are none judgemental and full of information so I'm subscribed and I have hit the bell .Battery will life as you say is good but test it next year after all the work its done and I doubt it will be built you have sold me on the Festool cordless for sure ,well done and I will look forward to many updates
Thanks, I agree that cordless/battery powered tools are the future but I don't think cordless sanders are as good to be honest, even Festool sanders are better when mains powered.
Good video as always bud. Just purchased this saw and wondering are you stuck with certain blades or can you get different brands and thicker kerf blades? I love my current Freud blade so wanted to see if I can still use it.
Good info. Thanks Jason.
Thanks buddy! I miss your face
@@bentswoodworking curious if you are familiar with the makita tracksaw and 2 follow up questions if so...
1st why are makita tracksaws back ordered everywhere. is it supply due to covid, demand is just that strong or something new on the horizon... any speculation?
2nd
is there still any value for makita over festool (other than staying in battery platform) since the prices have jumped. this is esp so when stepping up the model for equivalent features to include bluetooth vac connect. just of the top of my head the price may even be over the equivalent festool pkg because there are no kit opt for this.
been debating which to buy now or even wait for makita to come back down or release a better kit offer.
@@bentswoodworking is the Mafell cordless track saw inferior to the Festool? I am buying my first track saw and don't mind cry once buy once
After watching your video I decided to brake down and add this track saw as my first track saw and wow I have no clue how I have lived with out it. I’m saving so much time and the cuts are amazing. Thanks for the amazing video on this.
You’re welcome
Hope you used the affiliate link. 😄
I picked the full kit up yesterday and only this morning trimmed the strips and made some cuts with the bag. I’m totally blown away how good this saw is.
Having now retired my dewalt flexvolt because of buying this machine. I just can’t see myself using the dewalt now.
It’s such a brilliant saw that’s making me smile every cut. Owner of a few festool tools now I’m hooked for sure.
Great review👍
Glad you are happy with it! I definitely am!!
SOLD! I just bought my first festool thanks to this great review. 4 Batteries tracks saw and vac
Enjoy!
At 3:33 "If kickback occurs, the saw will move forward out of the rail." It is my belief (and experience) that the saw will jump backwards out of the rail and the teeth of the saw blade will bite into the guide rail. This only happens if I turn on the saw and move the saw down too fast and the revs are too low. (slow start)
It never happened to me while I was making a cut, thanks to the riving knife.
There is soo much more to a Festool machine. It stands out much better than the competition.
I really appreciate the deletion of non-important video segments. I know this is a time-consuming task but it is a great enhancement.
Yes I have it and it is absolutely amazing. The cuts are absolutely clean, it cuts like butter. Love it.
Thanks!
You’re welcome
Thanks for the great update... I ordered this saw after watching your video..
Wow, the new blades are great. Ordered my new KEB a couple of weeks ago but they are delayed until May 2022. Thanks for a fantastic intro to this new saw.
You’re welcome
Great video. As far as noise, however, technically the TSC is louder than both the TS 55 FEQ and TS 75 (which is the quietest). The UK Festool site posts the noise levels for each saw for comparison, and the TSC 55 KEB is significantly louder than the other two saws I mentioned. Perhaps the frequency you're hearing is more appealing on the TSC, but it certainly is a much louder saw by their specs. You have to wear ear protection for all of them, so it really doesn't matter to me.
Very clear concise and professional. Easy to get all the great insights and information.
Thank you! Great Review - Made my decision more comfortable.
Brilliant video mate. Absolutely brilliant!
Glad you enjoyed it
All of the my info I was looking for in one video, ty sir!
Glad I could help!
great timing! I just bought one. its so much better in everyway over the REB
I agree!
Good review. Ordered one myself comes on Monday can't wait
Nice!
This is my first tool by Festool and I love it. I agree that the sound was not nearly as loud as I am accustomed to.
I bought the saw and I agree with everything you say. I have a small shop in Boston buy all means this saw goes through everything. And no cord snags it is quality .
I love this thing!
Hey Brent, The kickback stop must also sense a significant decrease in blade RPM to activate. It will not stop just by raising the saw off of the guide rail.
Excellent video… Really appreciate your videos. Nice and Clean home shop !
Glad you enjoyed it
Just got this last week. Great saw
Well done! I will be replacing my TS55 too. Also, I use EGO yard tools for my cordless equipment.
Very good video Jason. Thank you
You’re welcome
Very helpful and informative review, thanks.
You’re welcome
Brilliant. Thank you.
You’re welcome
Your videos are so informative and insightful - I really enjoyed this one
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video Jason. I just bought my mine.
Nice!!!
Awesome review my friend. Can't wait to pick one up.
Glad you found it helpful
As always Awesome info Jason! Thanks
Glad you found it helpful
Great help - Thank you.
You’re welcome
Well done Jason. On my wish list.
Thank you!
I’m getting it lol I have the Festool cordless jigsaw. Awesome tool.
I just recently sold my corded to buy the cordless jigsaw myself
Great video thanks for sharing. Love my KEB just as much
That’s awesome to hear
@@bentswoodworking i can’t for the life of me figure out how to attach the dust bag to the track saw. ???
I love your tool reviews ....great work !
Thank you
This has by far been one of the most informative videos that I've seen here. I've also gone to a local retailer who didn't come close to explaining the features of this saw as well as you have done here-in fact, after watching this, it appears they weren't up to speed on what this saw's capabilities and features are. I'm one who does a lot of research before a big purchase and I think I'm closer to pulling the trigger on this saw. I don't know if you or any of your followers here can answer this question-CAN IT CUT ALUMINUM RAILS? Impressive workstation btw. Thanks again! Subscribed.
Great Video and commentary! I agree with everything you said, and would go so far as to say that the TSC55KEB is my second favorite Festool purchase I ever made. (Domino is #1) This saw has handled everything I throw at it with grace and sophistication and is an absolute joy to use!
No fumbling, no "adjustment", nothing to worry about with it. Well worth every dollar I spent on it!
I loved the track saw before but now I love it even more.
@@bentswoodworking Same here. The track saw and the Domino are absolute game changers. Once you learn to work them, they make life with wood so much easier!
I dont have a tracksaw, or any Festool products, but i am thinking really hard about buying this tracksaw and a MIDI dust extractor.
Jason, I haven't quite made the jump to metric yet, but I have jumped on the Festool cordless bandwagon. And my first tool was the TSC-55, followed by the TID18 impact drill and the PDC18 percussion drill then the Vecturo oscillator (multitool). I'm seriously looking at the cordless ETSC 125 sander to replace my ETS 125 as well. The Vecturo is an amazing tool, it not only performs very well, but it has dust extraction that works!!!
All the Best, Chuck
Thanks chuck!!
@@bentswoodworking Well I got some great news today that is also sad. My local Festool dealer that is also a blade maker and sharpening expert, has decided to retire. He is a fixture in the area and has become a dear friend. I am so glad he's retiring, but sad no one has stepped up to buy the shop. Anyway, he's selling his stock off, so I picked up a ETSC 125 sander and a Cordless Jigsaw CARVEX PSC 420 EB, someone else beat me to the ETS 150 sander, maybe it's an omen to stick with the 5" paper. 😜
Anyway, now I have a Bosch barrel handle jigsaw to sell, but I'm having a tough time parting with the TS 55 and ETS 125 that I'm "supposedly" replacing with their cordless counter parts. Is this wrong?
Oh yeah, in one of your other videos you said that owning both a TS 55 and a TS 75 is not a terrible thing. So, when my Festool rep. John K. found one, NOS, he gave it to my dealer who called me, so I now have both. 😁
Can one have too many sanders, and is two TS 55's too many???
Thanks for any input as I trust your guidance in all things FESTOOL. 😎
Deeply conflicted,
Chuck
Great video this is encouraging me to buy a cordless track saw
This video is making me save the extra money and buy the Festool, quality never goes out of style.
Thanks Jason. Concur batteries are the way to go :)
Very impressive how good batteries are getting
Great video as always Jason. Have you had a chance to try out the new adjustable rail guide Festool came out with this year? If you have what do you think of it? Or do you have a video on it? Thanks for your time and keep up the great work.
Ron
Awesome review.
Thanks
Ok. I have a Mafell MT55 corded saw but I am going to my dealer to get this one.
Would love to be able to your 55 and 75 if I didn't live so far away wow. Love the info on the new 1 though mice vid
Glad you found it helpful
Have you tried the Mafell MT55? I'm tempted to switch to the TSC55 because of the battery advantages (just got into 18V Festool) from my Mafell.
I have not
I wonder if the thinner blade deflects more than the older 2.2 mm blades. I have always found it a great feature that the classic 2.2 mm blade doesn't deflect (much).
As I discuss in the video it does not at all
Muchas Gracias dear sir
they should have an adaptor with is wired to the wall socket and can be connected to the battery port....that will be the best....this way you can work and get your battery charged
I have to cut a ceiling joist in place ... can you cut wood without a track considering this anti-kickback feature?
Interesting question. You can bypass the anti kickback for the cut if needed
I would not get rid of my older tools as I was going to give away my corded festool plunge saw.
The tools in my truck. Well put it this way, I opened my tool boxes in the morning and it was empty. I shouted a bit. It had dawned on me someone or someone's claimed unauthorised ownership of the tools I bought over the last 20 years in one foul swoop.
It left me in a world of having to restock the tools I personalised. And in doing so catching up to the latest available technology.
I had my festool corded plunge saw as back up.
I lost my 3 festool drills the dpc hammer drill the non hammer drill and the 10 volt which I find very handy, versatile and not bad in power on the one setting. Of coarse the bigger 18 volt drill driver which spins at 1800 rpm is really a good drill. I since bought the non hammer high speed festool drill. What's that one called tpc? And you know I feel the dpc is more powerful than the non hammer high speed drill. I don't really commit learning the product names.
So I bought a festool contractor saw, one 6.2 amp hour battery and was on the market to purchase a plunge saw. I previously owned the 36 volt festool plunge saw which I had 2 4.2 amp hour batteries and bought another 5.2 amp hour battery. The 2.2 mm thick blade on the 36 volt festool was awesome I really liked it. It was a lot more powerful than the corded equivalent.
Cut wood like butter.
I bought metabo drills as I do quite a bit of metal work which metabo specialises in.
So I thought I would buy the metabo cordless plunge saw as knowing I had bought 8 amp hour batteries from metabo. After looking at the plunge saw I then looked at the new festool plunge saw. The rep showed me the old one and I'm saying no that's not the one.
So from the other sales person they had a new one stocked so the sales person took it out and I had a look at it.
The new blade with the 1.8 mm kerf is awesome. It looks very well made and has these anti ring cut outs near the teeth.
I looked at the metabo cordless plunge saw. The blade did not look as finely built as the festool in the new 1.8mm kerf blade.
The brushless motor on the new festool I think is also a new feature for the festool that I don't think is on the earlier festool 36 volt plunge saw.
Since in the past I was using 4.2 amp hour batteries and one 5.2 amp hour battery on the once owned festool 36 volt plunge saw, the batteries like if you fully recharge when using. They also drain battery life very quickly. What I mean to say, I'm using my festool drills for days and the charge is good. You put the batteries in the plunge saw it only takes a number of cuts and they are drained. So from my experience it's wise to top up on the older plunge saw before using.
After looking at the new plunge saws and previously having the intention of buying a different brand, I come back on the festool.
I think the new festool will do finer cuts on melamine than the previous plunge saw as this was evident on earlier tests between different platforms cutting on melamine the festool had more chips than the Bosch or Metabo plunge saw.
The metabo does not have a rifing knife. Is this really necessary? Well, since I'm used to cutting using a rifing knife it stands to reason I want a rifing knife. I think when what you are cutting is not sheet goods or if you cut old stock not for fine finishes anything that is not flat can have the tendency to catch and bind up.
Or of you cut on an uneven surface.
Great video Thankyou.
I have been looking for this saw but all I can find the TSC 55 KEB. What does the KEB stand for. All i find is TSC 55 K. I watch every video of yours and they are really helpful. TY
It’s the same thing. TSC 55 K or KEB. It’s just the cordless saw. TSC is the cordless. TS is corded
A good video Jason. I recently bought the HKC 55 for rebuilding a deck, building a shed and a mud kitchen for the kids and really like it.
I plan to get the TSC 55K soon as my nephew just turned 14 and wants to learn how to woodwork and build some furniture for his room, including a bed and I want the TSC 55K so it is as safe as possible. Did you ever do a video on the closet you were doing? He wants to do that as well and any tips would be helpful.
When are you doing a video on the battery powered lawn equipment? 😊
I didn’t do a video on the closet unfortunately and didn’t really have any plans for one with the lawn equipment. Maybe I will. I use the EGO line
Great video. Really useful info. Would have been nice if you had a TSC 55 REB (cordless) to compare as that would be a better comparison (in terms of cutting power, improved battery life, etc.), but still a really useful video.
Wish I had one for the video
Not sure, but around 9.09 you said you tested the machines with the standard blades that came with the machine. You mean the 2.2mm blade on the TS55 and 1.8 on the TCS, did I understand this right?
Is the corded or the non-corded version then more powered?
The new Festool TS55 also comes with a 1.8mm blade - still figuring out if battery powered is the way to go for me.
Thanks for the in-depth video. I bought the corded Dewalt back in 2015 and have put a lot of hours on it. I've been wanting to upgrade to the brushless model. With the cost of the saw, flexvolt batteries, and the fact that everyone is backordered. I've started to consider splurging for the Festool.
I wasn't even aware of the 75mm unit. I'm seeing that 75mm is almost three inches. Would you mind plunging the blade against two pieces of two-by?
I am building joist beams for my shop. Two 2x10's capped with 1x4's just slightly proud. Looks great. However, these 2x10's are anywhere between 9" and 9 3/8". I strongly considered buying the Makita 10.25 circular saw and building a sled just for this project. I've been ripping the 2x10's individually.
The blades/kerf is an area where the Dewalt lacks but benefits in a two-sided track. In digging around for a rip blade I found the Freuds. However, even between Freud rip and cross blades the kerf is quite different. An issue for the splinter guard.
I have the tsc55 reb and always found it under powered. Interestingly enough, the word on the street was, that the battery operated unit was more powerful than the corded version. I don't have the corded version, so not sure if that is the case. The battery life was also not great... wasn't a deal breaker, but kinda disappointing.
Hopefully this new unit, with the thinner kerf blade, rectifies the shortcomings of the previous version.
I don’t know if it’s necessarily more powerful, but, it has the thinner kerf blade making the cut easier.
I love the battery version. Can you share any details on your miter saw station?
A video will be conversation released in the coming weeks
You said as soon as the battery powered Carvex is available you're gonna get rid of that cordless Carvex that you have in you're shop. Did you mean you're gonna get rid of the CORDED Carvex in your shop. Just wondering if you slipped or if you know of any updates to the Carvex around the corner.
FYI, thanks for the info. I sold my TS55 Req and my old TSC55, which I got just last year based on your advise and I'm really happy I listened to you. The new TSC44 Keb is totally awesome.
Lol yes. The corded. And after this video I actually found a cordless one!
Thanks Jason. I think you did a very good comparison here and the results are definitely interesting. Some of us are more gun shy on going the battery route because it likely means a full replacement of our tools in 10 years or so when battery technology changes again and you can't get batteries for it. I have been burned by this myself in the past. Those of us not doing production work, see our corded Festool purchases as "lifetime" tools because it is cost prohibitive for us to change out our woodworking tools every 10 years due to battery evolution. I wonder if Festool will bring this pseudo anti-kickback technology to their corded tracksaws?
I wish I knew that information.
Battery life, product life, nasty chemicals within lithium batteries, and repair abillity, ..!!! Most cordless tool batteries have huge mark up against actual cost so they want you on battery platforms to make more money, brushless motors are essentially 3 phase and so need a lot of expensive electronics to make them run which is usually the most common fail point, and outside of warranty can render the tool uneconomical to repair, Alot of manufacturers spare parts are prohibitively expensive but festool. Prices are eye watering on initial purchase and for repair costs.. you should consider whether you really need a cordless tool - or just want one , also if the thin Kerf blade is the biggest advantage.!! - fit one to your existing saw and Buy a new splinter gaurd ..!! 😳✌🏻
Hi mate, They have a new one out now. The TS55 KEBI Plus. Do you know what the “I” and the “plus” means?
Jason,
In your opinion does this negate the need for a table saw in a hobbyist/light production wood shop?
I’m asking because I’m working in limited space and looking to either upgrade my table saw or a track saw.
Thank you
John
Hello, as a kitchen fitter I have to cut down panels. I need clean cuts on both sides. Will this saw do it?
\\\\\\\\\\\
egards Adam.
With this and the new corded version, would you consider buying the TS 75 over again with the current options?
I have the TSC 55 KEB but what wondering if the TS 75 would give me much use/advantage.
Nope, I have no need for a 75
I've had deflection before with the makita blade. It's an awesome 56tooth blade but with being thin kerf I've had that problem. Does it really matter using festool blades with their tracksaw?? They seem expensive and I use a tracksaw everyday. Lately I've been using the CMT orange 56 tooth blade and it's been amazing. I've even been cutting corian with it! I'm happy to see they have switched to thin kerf. I'm sold on this new tracksaw, what a great overview.
Is there thinner kerf blades for the TS75? I need the depth
I finally pulled the trigger on buying a tracksaw and I wanted the best so I chose the festool about 7 months ago, they emailed me and told me the saw was going to take another 6 months (because they gave mine to Jason lol jk) and then they upgraded me to the new KEB saw since it was the same price. a week later it arrived!! no idea what happened there but since it was my very first time using a tracksaw I made a rookie mistake and didn't realize I had plunged the saw before starting it, so on my second cut or so I went to use it and it didn't even pulled me or lifted from the track or anything it just looked like the battery had died and it had bugged down. Well the anti-kickback went off and it was so smooth I didn't even realized what had happened until I saw the teeth of the blade touching the wood. It is freaking amazing. Thank you for the review, I had no idea the blade kerf was different!
Thanks for sharing! I’m glad you found the video helpful
Will the TSC 55 KEB take the 15V (non Bluetooth) batteries ($79 vs $130 for the 18v Bluetooth)? I just purchased the KEB based on this interview but I have a non Bluetooth CT15 dust extractor. Great video. You explain the saw well.
Jason, thanks for your excellent review. Just purchased and received the TS55KEBI! Where on earth though can I get splinter guards Thst go on the saw itself? I cannot find them anywhere.
I usually just get them from Rockler or Woodcraft. Check US Tool and Fastener as well
I use it stationary… perfect for my Dutch small basement
You already answered one question. The thin blades will not work with the old saw. However will the old sawblades work with the new saw? I have some money in a few new blades. This was a great video. My only other concern is if you don’t have a Bluetooth vacuum you’re constantly now turning on the power to the vacuum. It will not turn on automatically as the old saw would. But man that thing looks sweet.
Yes that would be an issue. As for the blades, I don’t know if the older blades are compatible
@@bentswoodworking got it. Thanks. Clearly the points I made are minor in the whole scheme of things. I think cordless is the way to go. Best part of Festool is they hold their value. Easy to sell the old saw. Oh and in case anyone’s wondering I went to the FOG and it appears that the old blades will fit on the new KEB. just not vice a versa
Interesting video, thank you. Do you know if the thinner kerf blades can be used on the corded saw too ?
They will not because the riving knife is still the normal kerf.
Do you happen to know if this saw will use both the 1.8mm and the 2.0 mm blades. Seems the 1.8 are harder to come by. I watch all you videos and domany times over. I am so in trouble with Festool fever since covid started . still can't stop. Its like when I was a Ford Master mechanic for 30 years and had to have Snap-On. Now retired still have $40k in Snap-on and now climbing up the slippery slope with Festool. Happy Holidays
Excellent. Thanks for video.
Any issues of longevity of the thinner blades?? 🤔
Are the blades the same price?
I haven’t checked a cost comparison but I assume they are similar
I want to cut composite decking with it which is a little on the harder side do they make composite blades or which blade would you recommend
how's the quality of cut panther vs. crosscut? I need to cut 5 quarter walnut but don't want to have to sand too much / remove too much material
They are both good.
@@bentswoodworking Thank you! Much appreciate the response. Keep up rocking the content.
Nice breakdown. I’ve been curious how well different blades will work for me in Makita track plunge saw. Most interested in more teeth but worried that will have heat/burn issues too.
There is a good blade for pretty much everything
Hi Jason! Did you find the cut from the panther blade to be good enough for a glue joint?
Long time Festool owner. All these new features on the Festool saw have been on Mafell saws for years. I'm assuming that as Mafell patents expire, Festool creates a "new feature" for their models. But why screw with that and all the accessories? It quickly gets old and frustrating.
The extra money spent on the Mafell saws, is easily offset by the time and cost settings of the jigs and accessories associated with Festool. Also, my Mafell saw with the bag collects more dust than the Festool saw with the vacuum. It's so much more enjoyable to use.
Hi Jason, great video. I used this tracksaw along with the cross cut blade to cross cut 2x8 Douglass fir and my saw started bogging down and burning the wood. Is this saw not meant for dimensional lumber? Thanks
That’s surprising. I cut 8/4 bubinga in this video with no issues.
Looks like I'll be filing my tsc55 riving knife to accept the 1.8 blades unless the new corded versions knife fits.... Does anyone on here know if it's a straight swap?
Have you ever compared the Festool track saw with the Makita?
I have not
Can you use the thin kerf new blades on the old saw?
No because the riving knife is still the 2.2 mm thickness
Very nice job on the video! I think I need to pull the trigger on a track saw but now I’m more confused! 😂 battery or not?
I sold my corded when I got this
@@bentswoodworking now it is about how the heck can I afford it. Any suggestions on best prices for the full setup or does Festool fix the prices across the board?
@@shawnmorin3848 they are fixed
question, do you clamp down the tracks while you are cutting?
Almost never
Great videos! I'm looking at the Mafell and the Festool. I'm curious. Do you have experience with the Mafell track saws? The Mafell seems like a better tool by a small margin but, the festool system just has so many accessories and third party accessories that work with the Festool tracks. Thank you.
I can't speak for Jason Bent, but I've heard professionals discuss this and I've seen ToolboxBuzz's comparison of the pre-TSC 55 KEB and pre-TS 60 K saws. The testing showed that-with Festool's older-thicker 2.2mm blades, the Mafell saw had a slightly cleaner cut (and Festool's was better than Makita and Dewalt). Other than that, it came down to ruggedness. If you're hauling a saw onto job sites and beating the piss out of them, the Mafell allegedly will hold up longer. But Festool allegedly has a better "systems" approach (e.g. LR-32 system). I know Spencer Lewis (Insider Carpentry) has a TH-cam video discussing them, and he has both and prefers the Festool (but has great things to say about the Mafell too).
Are the new thin kerf blades incompatible with the older corded Festool saws?
No, because it still has the full kerf riving knife
@@bentswoodworking If the full kerf riving knife is the only impediment to using new thin blades on older machines, I wonder if the new-style riving knife can be ordered and substituted for the older full kerf version. I have had previous convincing experience that thinner kerf reduces power requirement massively, so I would be quite willing to invest in the change, if possible, rather than abandon my otherwise perfectly adequate corded 55.
@@michael.schuler What thinner riving knife are you referring to? Because the new battery operated tracksaw no longer has a riving knife
@@bentswoodworking Sorry, your characterization of the old riving knife as "full" led me to think for a moment that the new model had a thinner riving knife (rather than "full") that matched the new blade kerf width. I temporarily forgot that you had clearly explained in the video that the new model has no riving knife. So, ignoring the riving knife issue for a moment, please allow me to ask: Will the new blades fit onto the arbor of the old saws?
Do you need to or should you buy a new track for this saw since the blade is thinner?
I didn’t need too. It actually cut slightly closer to the track to it recut my guard
I just bought this saw, and I can attest it IS 100% better than the Makita track saw.
great video, as usual. I, however, can't get past hooking a cordless saw to dust collection, why not hook a cord to it as well? Hopefully Festool will come out with this saw in a corded version because I like the anti-kickback and thinner blade. I owned early model cordless festool drills and found them clunky and heavy. I'm sure after 12-15 years that's changed but I mostly work in my shop and have a large inventory of Makita cordless tools. Don't yell at me commenters about the value of Festool people I have more than 25 festool tool tools and was a North American tool tester of the original domino 500, I love Festool tools...just not sold on their cordless.
I use to have the same thought with the hose and cable. I talk about that a bit in this video.
Could you confirm if it works with 4.0 batteries? I don't need a lot of runtime, but I am afraid it could not fit proprtly
That battery will fit fine
@@bentswoodworking and does it plunges all the way down? (with the bottom 4.0. battery installed) Festool says limited compatibilitiy, but it is not clear if it is becuase of runtime or the battery in contact with the saw base. and I can not test it before ordering online
How do you feel about the new saw not having a riving knife?
Doesn’t bother me as all
@@bentswoodworking Awesome! Sorry one more question. How would this compare to the new TS55 F with the same thin blade?
I just picked up this saw as well. I’m very impressed at the accuracy of the cuts I’ve made. One thing I wanna ask though. When u change from the crosscut blade to a thinner nerf ripping blade, do u need to change the strip on the guide rail for better accuracy or can I leave the strip on that I cut using the crosscut blade. Just curious since they are different in kerf size.
I didn’t have too. It actually cut a little closer.
You shouldn't have to change the splinter guard, it indexes off the arbor the change in thickness is to the right no into or toward your rail..
Thanks Jason! Question: does the thin kerf blade require changing out the zero clearance edge tape on the track or is the cut line in the same position?
I didn’t have too. It actually recut it.
Nice machine !! ! How long do the batteries have?
The battery life is impressive. I discuss it in the video
Great video as usual. Did you mention the track saw can run on a single battery?
It can yes, I did not mention it though
Excellent video and with out stupid unwanted music .I am about to venture into the world of retirement in the next year or two so starting to get all my ideas together to build my woodworking shop here in UK and make stuff do stuff fin my untrained way and came across your video and they are good,very good as they are none judgemental and full of information so I'm subscribed and I have hit the bell .Battery will life as you say is good but test it next year after all the work its done and I doubt it will be built you have sold me on the Festool cordless for sure ,well done and I will look forward to many updates
Glad you found it helpful
Is it a brushless motor?
Thanks, I agree that cordless/battery powered tools are the future but I don't think cordless sanders are as good to be honest, even Festool sanders are better when mains powered.
Sanders I think are tricky to master with batteries
Good video as always bud. Just purchased this saw and wondering are you stuck with certain blades or can you get different brands and thicker kerf blades? I love my current Freud blade so wanted to see if I can still use it.