Festool has announced a new track saw, TS 60 KEB, that they say is safer and “more versatile than ever before.” This is a corded saw, not cordless.
The new Festool track saw can cut deeper than the popular TS 55- up to 60mm thanks to its new blade size – and is equipped with a new and more powerful brushless motor.
In a social media livestream video – where they exclusively announced this and other new products – a Festool USA spokesperson described the saw as being “twice as fast” as any saw they’ve ever used.
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It forgoes a riving knife and instead features a built-in anti-kickback mechanism that Festool says will shut down the saw in the event it senses any upwards or backwards movements. The KickbackStop can be reset in about 15 seconds.
The Festool TS 60 track saw works with a new 168mm blade size.
This gives the saw a 62mm maximum cutting depth, or ~2-7/16″. Festool describes the saw as being able to cut materials up to 60mm thick, presumably when you take their guide rail thickness into account.
In comparison, their TS 55 plunge-cutting track saws work with a 160mm blade size for a max cutting depth of 55mm, or 2-1/8″.
A 5mm difference in maximum cutting depth is ~0.197″, or a little more than 3/16″.
Festool says that the new saw is the “same size and weight as the TS 55.”
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There’s a new splinter guard as well, and the saw can also be used with “all cross cutting guide rails,” such as the FSK.
The USA version will have a dual scale with metric and inch markings.
Price: TBA
ETA: TBA
Discussion
The Festool TS 60 track saw is said to be the same size and weight as the TS 55, but more powerful, faster cutting, “safer,” and “more versatile than ever before,” and with a slightly deeper maximum cutting depth.
Festool launched their TS 55 FEQ just last year, calling it their “new flagship track saw,” a title I suppose will now go to the new TS 60. Festool advertised the latest TS 55 as cutting twice as fast thanks to “concentrated torque.” (We asked Festool USA to explain these claims, but they never did.) It also utilizes newer “ultra-thin” blades.
The benefit of a more powerful motor is obvious. But why did Festool go with a new blade size, rather than simply upgrading their TS 55 with a better motor and the same quality of life improvements featured here, such as the dual scale depth stop markings?
Are there any reasons to buy the TS 55 instead? What about the cordless TSC 55 saw – should buyers hold off and wait for a potential TSC 60?
Something to be aware of is that the also-new Festool KSC 60 Kapex cordless miter saw does not work with this same blade size as you might assume – that tool is compatible with 216mm (8-1/2″) blades. The new Festool CSC SYS 50 cordless table saw does work with the same 168mm blade size.
It doesn’t seem especially convenient to me, for a corded track saw to share blades with a cordless table saw.
The TS 75 is a more powerful track saw with greater cutting capacity. How does the TS 60 fit in between the TS 55 and TS 75?
Are users going to benefit from less than one fifth of an inch of greater on-paper cutting capacity?
Update: Festool announced the TSV 60 scoring track saw in Europe.
Chrisk1970
This is going to be an awesome addition if but for the cutting depth. I’ve got the corded and cordless 55 as well as the HKC and am pretty happy to see this coming out.
Donnie Kluck
Do you prefer the corded or cordless version? I would think the checks version would be awesome, but I have only used the corded version of the Kreg track saw. Just seems like be nice not having the cord
Franco
A couple of things to consider.
Frist off, most cordless tools today are as powerful, or pretty darn close to their corded version, that going cordless is a no-brainer. But always look at the price difference. Some tools cordless will be a small premium, but other tools are ridiculously over priced compared to their cordless brethren.
The second thing to consider, is tools where you have a “cord” anyway. A track saw is almost always used with a vacuum…excuse me, a dust extractor, so you do not have the electrical cord but do have the vacuum hose. Another example is a pressure washer, whether we are talking a gasoline unit, or some of the smaller battery powered cordless units, you always have a hose to connect with. So if you need paint scraping super pressure, go with gasoline, but otherwise you always have the hose to contend with. A regular corded version might be all you need and also more $$$ & maintenance friendly than either gas or battery operated.
Don’t get me wrong, in the last 5 years or so, I can think of 2 tools I got that were corded and dozens that were cordless. I always choose cordless unless there is an overwhelming reason not to.
Just some things for you to consider, as it likely is different for everyone.
Paul
I have been wondering when tool companies would introduce an AI-type anti kickback. I saw this video on the Smarter Every Day channel several years ago describing how they came up with the idea (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdW7vhYYSdM) for detecting kickback on a circular saw. I was going to share it before but just never did. It feels like this tool post is the most appropriate yet to share this idea for those that have not seen it.
Stuart
AI? These are likely just accelerometer-type motion sensors. Brands have had similar tech in other types of tools for years.
The challenge with sensors is in tuning them to protect against undesirable motion and minimize false-positives that can disrupt your work.
I’m sure there’s more to it, but Festool USA hasn’t shared any details with us.
Paul
You got me there and I misspoke . They describe it as machine learning not AI which I agree are very different technologies. I understand that you are learning to detect a kickback based on past events or similar known kickback occurrences, and THEN take action.
You circular saw is not self aware. But in case it is, “I for one welcome our new robot overlords”.
Shah
AI and Machine Learning (ML) are not different technologies. ML is a way/technique to enable AI in computers/machines/tools.
Stuart
I didn’t hear anything about that yet, but “Machine Learning” is a trending phrase that is grossly hyped up these days.
I have a friend in the AI/ML industry, and this is an extreme sore point for him.
Ben
This is what the killed the TS75 for? Stupid size. Should have remade the 75 or an 80 instead, need to compete with the Mafell. Lots of customers need deep cut capacity for mitering slabs and such. Glad I have my TS75.
Stuart
Maybe a TS 80 will will come next, or an 85?
GZ
Fwiw I believe they are bringing the TS75 back this year.
https://www.ustoolandfastener.com/festool-ts-75-eq-f-plus-plunge-cut-circular-saw-w-o-guide-rail-576118/
Mike T
The TS75 is back in production. The reason, I feel for the TS60 to be brought to the US is that the TS55 is obsolete in power and depth of cut compared to every other tracksaw in its price range (Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, and Mafell). For folks like me who work with 4/4 and sometimes 8/4 hardwoods in addition to sheet goods, the TS60 fits the purpose for having one saw instead of a TS55 and TS75.
I will be selling my Bosch tracksaw and purchasing this because I want one brand of track and Festool’s system and customer support is leaps and bounds better. Mafell is great but the high price and one dealer (monopoly in the USA) is a non starter.
Mike+McFalls
For why it’s worth, I’ve found Timberwolf to offer excellent customer and product support through several interactions.
Plain+grainy
Off Tooic: Toolnut has a 48 hour flash sale(noon 2-14-23 to noon 2-16-23). This is on Milwaukee, looks like only certain Packout qualify. 15% off! Look at item, a big Red sale banner will show on the page.
Jason
Also off topic Milwaukee news: looks like they’re closing a plant that had just opened. Not sure what all was made or done there but $7m is a significant investment for a little over a year of operation
https://www.wjtv.com/news/local-news/milwaukee-tool-to-close-operations-in-clinton/amp/
Stuart
If you’re going to post off-topic deals, please at least add them to the last deal post. https://toolguyd.com/category/tool-deals/
Chris
Does that really make sense?
The last one says “today only” and is dated 2-13-23. No-one (maybe one) is going to look through comments for a dead deal to see an unrelated tool deal.
It is also not the same websites.
On the flip side, off topic comments can get old.
My first thought would be to email it in and let it fall to the hands of the moderator and what they want to do with it (as I’ve done before). But that can be annoying for you to have more stuff to sift through (especially around the holidays).
Maybe a separate link/email just for user submitted deals.
I don’t have the perfect answer, but posting non-topic stuff in an irrelevant thread just seems like a waste.
Stuart
I get emails every week about expired deals on clearly-marked deal posts.
Days, weeks, or a year from now, I’m going to get emails about the deal references here, and will have to clean them up.
I’m open to ideas if there’s a better way for off-topic deal mentions.
A mention about Milwaukee Packout deals is at least more relevant to a day-old deal post than one about a new Festool saw.
Harrison
Nice to see cordless features work their way into corded tools, like anti kickback and brushless motors.
Other than vacuums, I doubt I’ll be buying too many more corded power tools, but it’s great to see companies pushing corded tech forwards.
Removing the sparking commutator is great for finish carpenters who need to work on site and not set off AFCI breakers.
Addicted2Red
Surprise on the brushless corded saw. Should be interesting and worlds getter than the 55.
15 seconds to reset the anti-kickback seems annoying.
Mike McFalls
I am prefacing this: with the exception of 1 all of my tools are now cordless.
That said I always find it amusing that companies post pictures of cordless tools attached to a vacuum hose…. yes a “cord”. even if the “cord” is attached to a cordless vacuum. So, I say lets get AI working on that!
(before my head is taken off, please refer back to my opening statement)
John E
The 160mm blades would not 45 2x material. The 168mm blades will. Mafell figured this out years ago.
Norse
Yep mitering 2x is huge. Cutting down 2 1/4” doors is the other advantage that comes to mind. My hunt for the perfect for me track saw waters just got muddier.
Bence
We got this a few months earlier here in Europe, I bought one just before christmas.
I have a corded makita which works fine but this is quite a bit nicer, feels a lot smoother. I was going to get the cordless, but this has the FSK compatible base, that pretty much sold me on it. I’ve yet to order an FSK rail, but it will be nice for square cuts when I don’t have my miter saw around.
I have worked with a TS55 for years and this does have some small improvements all around. The motor housing doesn’t hang over the rail, which used to annoy me on my other saws. It also has a cable clip near the dust port so the cord isn’t all around the place.
I have only used it on 3/4 laminate so far, but I imagine it has a lot more power than the 55. It’s rated 1500watts against the 55’s 1200watts, couple that with the efficiency uplift from the brushless motor plus the thinner blade, it should be a very noticable bump in performance.
They are releasing a new saw in may here, the TSV60, which seems like the same saw but with a longer base that has a pre scoring unit at the front with a separate small blade, like on large cabinet saws. Look it up on the european site. Don’t buy this if you can wait a few more months, be sure to check that one out, seems interesting!
fred
If I were a younger man – I might be eagerly awaiting the TSV60. That separate-motor counter-rotating scoring blade could translate into less work and waste. I’ve been using my TS55 for about 10 years – to mostly break down panels before doing final cutting on my Unisaw. For some veneers/projects – that involves the oversized breakdown cuts, scoring the final cut line (sometimes first taping) and then final through cutting.
Franco
Having introduced the TS55 last year as their flagship and already having a new model to supposedly supplant it, seems suspect.
I am not a Festool follower, so I am not familiar with all of their models, but I would guess that to so quickly come out with a new model, which looks to be the flagship replacement, there should be a good reason.
I am not sure where and who their biggest market is, The “where”, is it NA, Europe or possibly Asia? Then “who”, is it DIYer’s, professional/contractors, I doubt companies would be a large market for them.
John E states that 160mm won’t cut 45 deg in 2X wood, and Mafell figured this out years ago. A valid point but I think Festool would have made a change for this reason, also a few years ago.
So, really not adding much, but either the “who” or the “where” was the squeakiest wheel that had a problem with the TS55 flagship model.
Not enough change or value in the TS55 when it came out, maybe a main competitor in their prime market (Europe?) just introduced a TS%% basher, or maybe John E comment about depth of cut, Festool finally woke up.
Maybe they had nothing better to do, so they came up with the TS60…but doubt that. They for sure had a compelling reason to so quickly come out with something that is so close to the TS55, that it is technically the replacement.
We will probably never know what the reason was.
Mike+McFalls
What about Bob from Festool. Surely he can contribute to this thread with meaningful information as an insider versus just bashing commentators personal opinions.
Nate
I’ll stick with my TS-55. If I replace it, I’m going for the TS75 or its’ replacement.
Jason
I have both saws and the TS75 is not a good replacement for the TS55. Too darn heavy for slicing up plywood sheets. Great for ripping 8/4 hardwoods, however!
John
They no longer have a lock on the track saw market. Why does it always feel like they are hanging on instead of leading…
brian Lam
Can you please comment on the scoring blade?
Stuart
That’s the TSV 60, which as far as I am aware is launching in Europe.
Festool USA hasn’t given availability info or details to press – they only shared about the TS 60 to social media influencers – and there has been no indication yet that I’ve seen that the scoring TSV 60 is coming here.
Update: https://toolguyd.com/festool-scoring-track-saw-tsv60/
Jronman
Festool should be able to get a TSC 60 with the power requirements needed. 2x 8ah high power should provide the extra 300 watts the 60 has over the 55.
Fezztolio
It will cut 60mm on the track as there is 2 scales on it and it goes to the better part of 65mm on the one for off the track.
Charles Elkins
I am currently in the market for a Festool tracksaw and would have already bought one except for this announcement. The new saw is just what I wanted, a corded saw with a brushless motor. The problem is Festool’s incomplete announcement. Don’t the Festool marketing people know that announcing a product without the pricing and release date information is insane? Now I can’t determine if the product is worth the wait and am stuck.
Jason
I currently have a 15-year-old TS55 and a new-ish TS75 (I only bought the TS75 so I could rip 8/4 hardwoods).
Can’t wait to buy the TS60 and get rid of these two other saws that are taking up way too much space in my shop!