Festool recently came out with their TSC 55 cordless track saw, and there’s already another one on the way, the HKC 55. It looks like the new model is more designed for construction trades, as it’s smaller than the TSC 55, a little simpler, and with less emphasis on dust collection.
Festool says that the HKC 55 isn’t just a saw, it’s a mitre-saw system, thanks to the new trimming guide rail.
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The Festool HKC 55 is powered by a single 18V battery pack and is bundled with or without a special cutting track specially designed for the saw. There’s also a bare tool version that doesn’t come with a charger or battery pack, for those who already bought into Festool’s 18V lineup.
Features include a powerful brushless motor, easy angle and depth adjustment, and the ability to use the saw with or without the cutting track. As with Festool’s other corded and cordless track saws, the HKC 55 saw can make plunge cuts, and also features their FastFix saw blade change system, a built-in riving knife, and hinged cover that swings out of the way for greater blade and cut line visibility.
Unlike Festool’s other saws, this one is not a plunge saw. Plunge cuts are made with the track, and won’t be as easily done.
The new FSK guide rail looks to be a major boost to the HKC 55’s versatility. It features a quick-acting closure so that you can quickly attach and detach your saw, an adjustable stop system that allows for angled cuts from 0 to 60° left and right, with locks at common angles, and an adjustable starting position stop with built-in rubber spring to help users reset the saw for the next cut.
Festool says that the HKC 55 is ideal for:
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- Rip and cross cuts in materials up to 55 mm thick
- Ideal for mobile use on work sites
- Cutting roof battens to length
- Sawing lining boards/shuttering to size
- Sawing boards to size
- Cutting chipboard to size
Technical Specs
- 4500 RPM no-load speed
- 160 mm (6.3″) saw blade diameter
- 0-50° angle adjustment range
- Cutting depth of up to 55 mm (~2.17″) at 0°, 42 mm (~1.65″) at 45°, 38 mm (1.50″) at 50°
- Kit comes with 18V 5.2Ah Li-ion battery
- Weighs 4.1 kg (~9 lbs), with battery
It also looks like you could hook up a dust extractor to the chip ejection port, although that partially defeats the cordless nature of the tool.
Models
- HKC 55 EB Li-Basic: just the saw; no charger, no battery, no track
- HKC 55 Li 5,2 EB-Plus: saw plus charger and 5.2Ah battery
- HKC 55 Li 5,2 EB-Plus-FSK420: saw, battery, charger, and FSK 420 trimming rail
- HKC 55 Li 5,2 EB-Plus-FS: saw, battery, charger, standard guide rail FS 1400/2
All of the models come with a starter blade (W18) and Systainer 4 T-Loc case.
As usual, Festool’s marketing video makes the new cordless saw look especially drool-worthy.
Pricing: TBA
Right now, Festool has only announced the HKC 55 cordless saw for the European market. USA plans have not been revealed.
More Info(via Festool)
mikeh
Festool is amazing at adding simple features that make their tools incredible – what a great looking very simple, functional setup that looks like it works very well – this will be interesting to try out
BikerDad
I’m wondering if it’s compatible with their existing tracks…. no indication either way in the video.
John Graybill
Yes
John Graybill
My guess is the Trimming rail has a ‘T’ lock that fits the HKC but lets it ride on a regular FS Trimming rail. Remember Festool’s grasp of the obvious (magnet on Stryker type{Fein} guide) has made them a leader in the industry for years.
Alex
Yes, it is fully compatible with fs tracks, I do have both TSC55 and HKC55 and they both us the same FS tracks
ktash
I wonder how accurate the angles using those stops are. If they are as accurate as a miter saw, it might be worth buying. cool concept. Hope it comes to the US so we can have a look. That appeals to me more than the cordless concept.
Another possibility is to take another brand of track saw (a less expensive one like Grizzly to start) and try to mod it to add stops. Not as good as Festool but it might be worth a try.
ktash
Or just buy the track with the stops and use it with the existing corded festool saw.
I also like the exact depth cutting settings.
John
[drool.]
Tony
Nice saw, but Mafell have this already.
BikerDad
yes, Mafell is wonderful, and their distribution is just, like, totally the best. I can walk into any of my local toolmongers and get my mitts on one.
Tony
Sure, but the point I was making was that it was not a festool innovation .
Tony
I also can’t buy any mafell products on my high street. Online or a drive to south London only
fred
I too wonder about the track’s compatibility with the TS55REQ and if it is – whether Festool will offer it for sale as a separate item and/or with adapters. Another possibility might be them offering a new track and/or stops for the TS55.
I’m pretty sure its not in my future as a complete tool – but I might think of the track as a add on to my TS55
BTW – not having seen many comments yet about Festool’s cordless track saw I – wonder about what its performance is. I like my TS55REQ very much – for what I use it for – in cutting sheet goods – but I’ve found it a bit underpowered when I tried it on a butcher block top.
Chris Fyfe
I already have an 18 VDC Carvex , this would be a great stable mate .
Chris
John E
Expect pricing to be in the $1000+ range for the complete kit. As Tony has mentioned earlier, Mafell have been doing this for years with three corded versions and now a 36v cordless version. Only one Mafell dealer in N. America though, so you can’t really try them out unless you live in Maine.
That said, this thing’s usefulness is beyond words. If the accuracy of the Festool as a miter saw is anything like the Mafell’s then it’ll be balls-on accurate.
John E
Regards the miter track compatibility: the TS55 will not fit on the miter track as a corded option, but the HKC55 will fit the standard Festool rails.
ktash
What is the difference, do you know? I’d definitely buy the track for my corded Festool saw.
Stuart
Seems they were designed to go hand-in-hand for quick attachment and removal, and features like the starting position reset will also only work with the new saw.
ktash
Darn, I had my heart set on that track to go with my corded saw. Maybe someone will make an aftermarket jig or appropriate stops to fit the regular track. It would make it that much more versatile and not everyone wants a cordless saw. No way to justify the expense for a hobby woodworker. Nor the Mafell. I
John E
I haven’t seen one in person, but from the video it looks virtually identical in design and function to the Mafell KSS system. That system uses a unique attaching mechanism for the saw to attach to the bungee cord loaded miter track. The saw has a clip and a slot that attaches to the bungee cord (retraction mechanism) that the track saws do not. It will still ride on the 1400mm Festool rails, but my guess is ONLY this saw will attach to the miter track/s (they come in three lengths). I may be wrong, but I’m sure they would have mentioned cross-compatibility, if that were the case. There’s a ton of buzz on this tool over on the FOG forums.
That said, if you have any 18v Festool stuff already, the bare saw is a virtual bargain (by Festool standards).
John E
I imagine also that (being only 18v cordless) it’s power will fall a little short of even the TS55, which many claim is a little underpowered. If you want to cut a lot of butcher block or heavy hardwoods, better get the TS75 or empty the bank account and get a Mafell. Blade selection is very important on track saws also. A good ripping blade makes all the difference on maple and the like.
fred
My butcher block cut was with the TS55REQ using a Festool 28 tooth thin kerf blade (496304) . The cut was acceptable but I had to closely watch feed rate as the saw started to bog down. I did not try the cut with Festool’s 12 tooth blade (496305) – thinking that the cut edge might need more sanding. If I were regularly doing this for a living – I might test the 12 tooth blade – or perhaps buy the TS75 or some other saw e.g. Mafell) to supplement my TS55
Jim Chambers
I have the Mafell corded KS330 and rail, and today I tried out the festool cordless HKC at a local demo.
The mitre system in both cases is very accurate and very easy to use. I find the Mafell has the advantage of extra power (corded) but it is less easy to use and the tilt mechanism is clumsy (2 adjustments are necessary) Also the Mafell has to be attached to the rail with 2 Allen bolts.
The festool has less power (18v battery) but is lighter and the method of attaching the saw to the rail is quicker and easier. The saw will work on standard festool
rails. The tilt mechanism is also easy to use. Overall the design is better and it is cheaper to buy than the Mafell system, especially if you already have festool batteries or rails. As I already have festool batteries and rails and want to use the saw outdoors, it is an easy choice for me.
tecnimuebles
where can I buy. respond to
Stuart
Right now? Europe.
Eric
By the way… This one is not a plunge saw
Stuart
Good point – I’ve added emphasis in the post to convey this.
This is closer to a traditional cordless circular saw design.
Sam
Wish i knew someone who had festool id like to at least try it. Im a Milwaukee fuel guy so ill probably never buy festool. But looks neat
Stuart
Festool has a 30 day satisfaction guarantee.
Buy with confidence. If you are not completely satisfied, return your tool to the selling dealer within 30 days and you will receive a refund of either your purchase price or the lowest retail price at which the same item has been offered since your date of purchase. Freight charges are not refundable. For the purposes of this policy, a tool is defined as a product with a serial number.