I use festool everyday being in a custom cabinet/furniture shop with a owner who loves to ball on tools, and 100% all of festools saws the ts55 ts75 kapex or whatever they are always underpowered, but the fit and finish, precision, and features always make up for it. Also having one of their vac setups with the tool usually creatures a disturbance in my trousers with how efficient, and useful it is.

I am fully impressed! It's just a complete kzfaq.infoUgkxGqOCINHE0Z0E5gxzSdNi9NWGugRY5Hm2 plan with the best resources and step by step instructions. These shed plans are so satisfying as if the sheds build themselves on their own. Worthy work Ryan!

There is a huge bias against Festool because of the cost, however, IMO, it delivers much more value than lesser priced tools. I own a lot of it and it has definitely made my projects go together easier and everything works together as a system. Haters are going to hate but I would venture to guess they don't own anything from Festool and simply don't get it.

Agree 100%. I am a fan of Festool tools but have hesitated pulling the trigger on this saw for the exact reasons that you mentioned.

Having spent time as framer, that could be one 9f the best tools you could get your hands on. Save so much time. Much love from Australia.

Thanks for the real world feedback and review! As a kid growing up watching this old house I always loved the idea of festool, as an adult running a contracting business I never thought it was a good fit for the jobsite. Now I’m thinking I should reconsider, thanks!

I've had one for a couple years. I agree with everything you've said. The biggest bummer was finding out AFTER that it won't cut fully through 2x material at 45 degrees. But I still use it whenever I can for framing. The quality of cut is well good enough for cutting baseboard, window and door trim, MDF jam extensions etc. Which is what I bought it for mainly(trim work).WAY easier to set up than a mitre saw, although it doesn't replace a miter saw by any means( especially for small parts cutting) . Also I'm not sure if you mentioned,but, it also runs on festools' regular guide rail. Also It will run on that makita rail behind you. One other note, the only tools I've had to get repaired/replaced are the most expensive ones I own,festool and hilti. I mostly run makita and hitachi stuff.

I complained a bit when you did the winter gear review so I think it only fair I compliment you when I think you have done a great video... basically you covered nearly everything you could want to know as far as the product goes. I like the way you put forth and demonstrate the time and effort advantage of this track saw over a speed square The good, the bad, the improvements you would desire to make the saw into a more useful tool and the demonstration of the saws limitations. I especially like the full disclosure of how you got the saw and your own spending on getting the extra bits you needed to get the track saw up and running... also I like the way you used it on the job for some time before making the review. Going about this review of this tool the way you have makes it a review that is more credible and would inspire more faith in its content and be of genuine help to a person if they were thinking of investing their hard earned money on a Festool product. Keep up the good work 👍👍👍

My boss has this, it’s money. Cost more but you will not regret it. Humans make mistakes, this thing doesn’t.

Hi from Australia. Normally Carpenters in Oz mark the cut length on the edge of the stock. Don’t scribe the line across, just use your speed square (12”) to guide the saw. Festool do great tools, very much pioneers rather than copycats. Just feel that their cordless game is a little behind the times like you said. Really enjoy your content.

most excellent evaluation. The heck with Festool, Milwaukee and Dewalt should watch this to see how to do thier version, I've been waiting for Milwaukee to make a track saw

I own the festool ets (6 inch orbital sander), jigsaw, track saw with 8ft and 4ft track (also 4ft cut to 3ft to fit into door jams) all corded. I install hardwood floors and they are the best tools I've owned! Expensive? Yes! But for what I do they are worth it. If you have a specific need, i think festool is worth it!

I like that I can cut compound miters with this quickly and repeatably.

It’s a great company and saw. Their whole line of saws are so precise out of the box!

I first saw this tool on KZfaq from Britain and I got all excited as a framer. I ran over to my local WOODCRAFT to see about getting one, BUT... at the time it wasn't available in the USA, RATS. Then I learned how expensive FESTOOL is. RATS again. The whole cuts the wood square without having to break out a square is the exciting thing. I agree with Kyle about it needing more cutting capacity and I will go further, make it able to use any 7-1/4" blade instead of a proprietary blade. FESTOOL will still make money selling saws without trying to get all the money from replacement blades. INSIDER CARPENTRY says the saw is underpowered as well. I haven't broke down and bought one of these, and I won't until FESTOOL makes it more powerful with a blade that can completely cut through 2x material on a 45º bevel.

Awesome review. Really loved it. I have pretty much every tool in the Festool catalog, been working with them for a few years now almost exclusively. I totally agree though, that moment when the HK bogs down is a heartbreaker. Same as you though, I still use it all the time because of how great it is. One thing to note. Two of the reasons the blade is "proprietary" is one, because it's metric (55mm, hence the HK 55), and two, because in order to conserve battery power, the blade is a thin-kerf blade so it has less kerf to hog away. Agreed though, if they made a 2.0 version that allowed either their blade OR a more common circ saw blade, and fixed the power, it would be a perfect saw.

By far the best review I've seen on this saw, really nice job. The only thing I think that worth mentioning is there are corded versions available. Thanks for doing this, I hope Festool takes your review and continues to perfect this saw/system.

I HK55 its a brilliant piece of kit for repeat cuts plus you can use it as a plunge saw great review and channel Kyle

Real world review, I’ve been looking for someone who had real feedback on the tool

While I don't like spending the money, I sure do love the tools. I generally buy Milwaukee for durability and power, and Festool for precision and dust collection. Great review...thanks!

I believe this track saw is for left handed people, this is the reason you hit your right hand while holding it

You do get what you pay for with them. There a very good tool. Like I told my old boss once when he gave me hell for spending over 150.00 on a Milwaukee saw let's see how many cheap saws you buy before I replace this one, that was in 1985. Yes I'm old.

We started with their impact drills, then the saw you have :) We were Milwaukee, Rockwell, Hilti... Now Festool!!!

love Tuesday tool review days great and honest review thank you i have used festools like them but so expensive and honestly DeWalt and Milwaukee are just as great just more reasonable hoping to see your house project and how its going

That's an honest review, and good info.

Seems like a great saw. It cuts fine, just be patient, and dont rush the cut. If you use a more powerful saw, it will be too heavy.

Great review Kyle, the pro’s and con’s were very informative. If you’re a hobbyist or a professional you provide a unsolicited review. 👍👍

Thanks for doing this review. I have an HKC 55 and wrote you a couple months ago asking for a review. My 2c: The tiny miss on bevel cuts on 2x4 can be annoying. Most of the time I can run a utility knife along the little burr that's left and clean it up in a couple seconds. I have had no trouble banging my knuckles on the back side of the blade housing. I haven't noticed the lack of power, but I'm not using it as intensely as you. One major plus for this tool which you didn't mention is when you have to cut off just a tiny bit from a too long board. With a regular circular saw the blade guard interferes so much that it's very difficult to keep you nice square cut. With the Festool it's a breeze. I've taken off the thickness of a nailhead from the top of a stair stringer to make the stringers match each other. I hope Festool's paying attention to you.

There is a tool that might fit your needs. The mafell KSS 60 18M bl. It has a 7-1/4" blade and cuts 1-13/16" deep at 45° on the track. It is 18V and I don't know how powerful it is or how the ergonomics are. I think it is a least worth looking into it. Timberwolf has it for $1540 with box, track, charger and two batteries. That is not cheap, but the batteries will also fit metabo (not metabo htp) tools. The cordless metabo grinders seam to be popular under some youtube makers.

Thanks for the great review. I’m a hobbiest woodworker, making furniture in my shop. I need a tracksaw to cut sheet goods. This doesn’t look like the saw for me. I’ll find something corded with more power and a longer track. I need at least a 4’ track, would like an 8’ track.

Here in Germany for cabinet makers and carpenters it is a given to use Festool. But Carpenters tend to got with Muffel which is like the big brother of festool. Both made in Germany 👌🏼

I love the Tom Silva This Old House reference! The drill he used always made me think the same thing lol

Great review you picked up on a couple of things others haven’t. Firstly the depth of cut on a 45 not enough if your cut and pitching a roof ie jack and valley cuts and secondly not enough power. . . . Finally someone who knows what their talking about 👍

Bro that review was awesome. Thank you. I install a lot of flooring and that tool would save me so much time. Will be ordering it from your link. Will be a follower from now on.

Great review l use it daily totally agree ,it would be interesting to hear Festools comments as they seem to ignore the people giving them the big dollars for there gear

I've owned the same saw for a little over a year and I agree with everything you said and it needs a hook to hang it instead I having to put it down also cutting stair stringers with it is a dream

Try the Mafell Kss50 18 V. It has more power. Mafell also invented this system with the attached track saw.

Hi kyle and everyone reading, i am from london england, festool is a big brand here, i purchased my first festool saw about 10years ago when they released their plunge saw 2nd generation, fablous saw, about 2 months ago i brought the festool HKC, i am a carpenter and shopfitter by trade, i honestly thought this saw was the answer, but its not, i am disappointed this machine is not made for heavey work, with only one battery pack you cant get far, ive had to buy 2 more batteries to keep me going, festool should have made this saw as a double battery saw

Great demo about that saw! That feedback should be taken seriously in the future design in festool developing unit. I use festool saws every day and it works great, but like you said, im a cabinet maker and i use it mostly to cut thinner boards. I think thats what that saw is made for. They should make a new design for a framesite workers. Thanks for the review.

Have you looked at Mafell, still German but a bit more rugged and they do bigger blades. They new one comes with a flexi track so it all fits in one box. Pricey but excellent quality

I love my Hkc I did a review on my KZfaq channel I think couple of years back soon after they came out. I agree with lack of power. The only other problem is some time track doesn’t return when first got it I added some dry lube and fixed the problem Thanks

Awesome review man. Keep up the good work.

very good review the best i saw so far on this tool

I had the HK for a short while. Used it for cutting stringers one day and it started overheating on me and shutting off. Got rid of it after that.

When it comes to saws similar to the one festool makes mafell seems to be the one to beat, and they have more models to choose from

I have had a Festool TS55 and tracks for over ten years, from my cold dead hands LOL THe HKC 55 sounds interesting, but they don't sell it here yet, they sell the track, and the one you have they want $800 for.... BTW the Oshlun SBFT-160048 160mm 48 Tooth FesPro Crosscut ATB Saw Blade works great on these saws, I have four, when two get dull I send them out for sharpening, and they are about $24 on Amazon. Cheers!

Great review and very thorough! How is the home project going, and are you going to be posting any more vids of the progress?

That price tho! I don't think I could purchase without guilt hitting home every time I use it. Great, honest review.

Mafell has several different size saws with this "captured track" configuration, corded and cordless (uses Metabo batteries) and not underpowered.

Thanks for the info Kyle! 👍🏻👊🏻

great review. I never understood what kept the track on a track saw from sliding until you demoed this saw.

Kyle, that is so funny man, first time i saw festool was the same way with good ol' Tom Silva. And i thought what kind of tool is that it looks so cheaply made. Never thought anything of it, but boy was i wrong about the cheap part. Lol. Thanks again for sharing my man. Have a good week.

Thanks for the review. I watched it as I'm considering buying the saw. I found it very useful. I'm a hobbyist and should probably not comment but cannot resist so apologies! I was surprised at 15:29 how hard the saw was pushed into the wood. I absolutely agree that the power is not there. I think this Festool saw is all about compromise. If it's power your after, get a corded 14A Mafell KSS 60cc or 17A Mafell KSS 80 Ec/370. You can have the depth-of-cut without the power but with the smaller size and reduced weight. You cannot have it all. I doubt a bigger Amp. Hour 18V battery will make much difference though Festool have a 6.2Ah now. I believe that in order to have the power required to make the cuts the author is after and remain cordless, the saw would need to enter Makita 40V or DeWALT 60V territory and in doing so, the reasonably light and small form-factor goes out the window. Unlike the 6 million dollar man, we don't yet have the technology to make a small, yet very torquey cordless saw.

I agree with your improvements to the saw but, I'll stick to what I'm using now just for price and flexibility.

The Festool "ripping/panther" blade would probably help the saw chugging down when cutting!

have the HK55 and its a great saw. I didn't go for the HKC specifically because its lack of power. IMO if Festool had done this saw with the dual battery like they did with the TSC they would have had the perfect framing saw. You may want to look at the Mafell KSS 60 18M. From what I have heard it has more power than the HKC. It's significantly more expensive. It also has 60mm cut depth so 45 deg. bevels on 2x isn't a problem. Also, if the saw isn't retracting on its own I found a little bit of paraffin wax on the guide bar and the flat part of the rail lets it both advance and retract much more consistently.

Great review only thing missing is no mention of the saws ability to plunge cut, I have the very machine, an have used it lot's over the last three years, kitchen fitting, all the work top's an panels extra, but also plunge cutting the sink holes and hob cut outs, I do love me Saw 🤓

I wanted to mention a couple things. Festool also makes an HK85 in Europe which has about a 9" blade and can cut 2x material on a 45 degree bevel. You are correct that a standard 6.5" blade will not fit this saw because of the arbor size, but there are blade alternatives to Festool. I purchased blades for this saw made by Freud which were about $10 less. Blade cost is a big downside to this saw. I typically pay $7.50 for my standard Diablo framing blade where as Festool blades for this saw cost $55-$65

One thing for sure, you don't have a passive or timid audience to your videos. I am most impressed by the number of comments and replys that this video has garnered. Your reviews are straight to the point, conprehensive and well balanced. Thanks.

Each of my main festools probably save me 30minutes a day. That times 4 tools. I can save 2 hrs a day in the way I do production work with my festool. I used to make $300 a day, now I can aim for $600 a day.

Excellent presentation, and very well spoken. This saw from Festtool, has excellent attributes for the basic handyman, and home workshop. I do however share much of the same concerns regarding gut power, and longevity. Love the extended track, and blade lock. Thank you for sharing your incites regarding this saw. I will however have to look at this one in person. Thanks again.!

Toolsday idea. Perhaps you could show how you do the take-off for your material list. Never see you refer to 'blueprints'. You are so precise and the job site materials all seem complete so, it would be interesting to see how its all done. Great videos ! !

great review, one thing that was suggested to me and has made a huge difference in power is to use the Panther blade. Its a different saw.

Great review. I'm holding out hope that Makita creates their own version. Similar to their Festool-inspired track saw, I'm hoping they do the same with the carpentry saw. May even include a slightly larger blade.

Thanks for the review - honest and accurate! I'm surprised you don't use Tommy Silva's other neat tool, I think they said it was a SawGear for cutting all your girts, or any of your other repetitive cuts!

Great review never seen that Festool track before

I have drunk the Kool-Aid and it is yummy. I focus on trim, cabinets, and custom furniture/built-ins. .Dust collection is essential both for work area cleanliness and achieving vastly reduced cleanup times. My oldest Festool product is 11 years in service. The only repair in 20 plus products was on my work light. It dropped 2 stories onto concrete. Fixed for free. The blades are so good, I have them resharpened. Still using ALL of my original blades, they have generous carbide. I use the 36v tracksaw. Goobs of power! The time I save at cleanup has more than justified the high prices. My experience is Festools are very durable. I put my Festools in the hands of helpers and they survive. Furthermore all of the tools’ performance have met or exceeded the marketing claims. I do NOT own the HK55 because I do minimal framing chores and can use the plunge track saw in a pinch. Also own a 1/2 dozen various framing “Skill” type saws. I do wish they had Festool’s dust collection!

Agreed, needs to do everything for that price.

Mafell makes saws with the same system corded and cordless but they have lots of different sizes up to a 7-1/4 cordless and much bigger in corded so you can make 45 degree cuts in 2by with mafell cordless kss

In 2022 they came out with the TS60 that fits on the FSK rails. It’s not available in the U.S. yet, but is supposed to be this year.

Plusses and minuses very well explained.

I'm Festool all the way, but I work indoor with suction and don't do any "rough framing". I don't have this saw for that same reason, but I do hope Festool sees this video and take action, since I find your criticism very valid.

before I knew about this I bought the metabo cordless saw because I knew it fit on the festool guide rail . but I still have to mark a straight line and it doesn't lock onto the track. so if I was doing that everyday I would definitely be able to justify the upgrade and extra expense as I have festool batteries as well

Great video! Please lean on big red to get this done on a 7-1/4" fuel! Throw in a framing nailer and a nibbler, too.

Good review Look for the big Mafell saws

Kyle Mafell makes one that runs circles around the festool model check it out.. way more power and light weight

Brilliant. Thank you.

You can't have it all: as soon as one is using a rail, one is loosing depth, especially for bevel cuts. The best is too have 2 complementary saws, in my case I own both: - the cordless HKC 55 for quick, usual and easy things (with all the 3 rails with different lengths: the one shown in this video is the shortest) - the corded TS 75 for more demanding or special things (also with many rails, which can also be combined).

Mafell got ya covered kss 60 36v version, I have the corded version and it's unbelievably good best saw I ever used. I have the hkc 55 as well power is the only issue I have with it, it's really under powered.

I own the Makita 36 volt cordless track saw great saw, would like to see if that short track will work with the Makita Great video , great channel thanks James from Ontario Canada

i have used this saw for a coupple of years, the idea is really great but its way under powerd if you ask me. i use a Hilti scw 22-a now and i love it. you made a really good rewiew though :)

Awesome review

Interesting would have never thought about using a festool on a job site but that looks like a time saver while improving quality...if you say the tool has held up for you I know it could me as well I'm not overly rough with things but at the end of the day it is a tool performing Task... I could get behind that time is def money on the job site especially not to mention the quality

Dear Sir, A great insight from another user, however unlike your good self, I've never encountered any lack of power issues. To emphasise just how good this machine is, I 've removed the original rip cutting 18 tooth blade for a 60 tooth cross cutting one instead ( that's right sixty teeth no less). I've used it both on dry & wet timbers(2 X 4s, 2 X 8s) without any concerns. Where I did have a moment of hesitation was trying to rip a 2 X 4 using a 36 tooth blade & the battery was fast depleting. I do concur with your good self that a somewhat larger blade of say 165 mm instead of the smaller 160 would have been preferable ( most manufacturers tend to opt for the larger size with a few exceptions). I bought this machine some 3.5 years ago & after doing quite a bit of work gave it to my brother to justify buying a new machine (Mafell's version of Festool's HKC55 the KSS50-18; as I understand Mafell has just introduced a newer version with a 185mm blade but do not sell without the cross rail which I already have so could not justify paying for yet another rail). To compare both I'd say the Mafell appears to be much more potent & incidentally all 18 volts machines run on Metabo 18 volts platforms ( so I am using 8A/H batteries too) whereas their 36 volt run on Robert Bosch platform. I have tried the 36 volt 185mm circular saw into solid 35mm thick beechwood & the machine just kept on ploughing through. I equally agree that both Festool & Mafell are quite costly ( with the naked Mafell costing me twice the price of a complete HKC55 ). I do enjoy watching your videos which I find quite educational so keep up the great work. Very well demonstrated. Kind regards.

Up to festoon to make the changes to accommodate framers!

Thanks for the the Review! Greetings from Germany! Test a Mafell, it's from my hometown ^^

Hello, You should definitely try the Mafell KSS 40 18M bl and the Mafell KSS 60 18M bl. These have much more power and are more thoughtful. Greetings Raphael from Bavaria.

Great Review

Put the panther blade in it....total game changer!

Its an imitation of the Mafell track saw, 50, which is better..... By the way, almost every german carpenter uses Mafell saws, more robust and stronger motors. But an the other hand almost every german joiner uses Festool because ot their „System“. You are more of a carpenter, so the dissatisfaction is very clear to me. Good videos about building and tools Kyle! Very interesting to me as a german to learn about how you built in the states....

Not gona last? 😅 We got old with cord one that we cut stone plates and steel out in the rain 👍

Got a coworker doing 30ft cuts for a bar top with that 4ft track. He got it 1/32 out of perfectly straight. Over 30ft, that's damn straight.

I bought the dewalt flexvolt tracksaw. I work outside too cutting plywood and wood decking. First of all, I have all flexvolt tools so having a tracksaw that takes the same batteries is a no brainer. Second, flexvolt doesn't come with a power issue and it cuts a 2x at 45 degrees. Thirdly, the saw cuts prefinished materials just fine. Fourth, I'm outside in the backyard so I don't need dust collection (not really?). Fifth, I bought the saw, case, charger, 6 ah 60v battery, 52" track and 102" track, track clamps for $1000 Canadian, tax in. Festool is a fine tool and may be more refined but it's not that good to spend twice the money.

p.s the amazon link is not there...???

Can you make a tools day video of: best cordless tracksaw.... (makita 2x 18v - dewalt flexvolt - festool 2x 18v - milwauwkee) etc.

I'm surprised how many carpenters don't know to use a speedsquare as a guide for their saw. Don't use it to mark a line, it's an unnecessary step and you don't get as consistent cuts.

exactly, but american tool designers should be able to come up with the same features, that is what I am looking for Real American Ingenuity, that is what you do, keep it up my friend!!

I realize this video was not about Milwaukee tools, I had a question regarding the M18 platform. How does the cross compatibility of the batteries work. Does any M18 battery work with any tools just resulting in different battery life or can you only use the certain amp hours with certain tools? Thanks

I like the blade guard lift. No more jammed 16D non-approved OSHA nail. Ha. The HKC is a boutique saw. Still want to get one. By the way i have the fix to banging your hand on the saw. Address forthcoming. My Corded worm drive Skillsaw will cut 2” stone. It doesn’t need to last. It just needs to last for one build, then it’s paid for itself. By the way try cutting green lumber with that corded saw? If your looking for more power get the corded saw.

Get that maffel bro