Robert....by far the most concise, straightforward and straight-up reviewer on YT. I have watched many...many reviewers and am now subscribed to your channel as you tell it straight, walk the talk and mean what you say. Good stuff and thank you from NZ!
Your back catalogue is helpful, thanks rob. I’d already liked this video but have come back to it as a reference before I buy the hkc55. Every incremental increase in my output and quality is putting me out in front of the competition
This saw seems to passed me by. In 18v this would make me and my partners workflow so much better. We currently use dhs680 with a square to make most cuts, (I never understand people using a square to mark a line then cut). Only drawback is this £750 in uk that’s around $950!
To do the review we placed HK saws with several of our Pro contractors, to use in the field. Special thanks to Joe Canning, Mike Hopp, Brian Young, Rob Robillard and Todd Fratzel for their input on this review!
Thanks for sharing good info love how you're down to the nuts and bolts and not just a sponsored rep telling all us carps to go get the latest greatest tool I work with festool's dayley and would recommend them without doubt. Thanks Adrian
Another great review - thanks. It's a little bit of a mystery the Festool hasn't addressed the points you raise. Others have made the same points. That makes your "would I buy this again" comments at the end even more useful.
Another great review, thanks Rob. I have been using my homemade rip guide for years now, really comes in handy for trimming up the bottom of doors. But the ability to just push straight through without having to also press it up against the guide would be a huge plus. Especially when you are shaving off thin sections where the blade tends to push the saw off the guide fence. Of course being able to lock in angles and use it as a portable miter saw is not really an option with my homemade unit. Been eyeing these for years now, time to get off the fence.
buying the corded version of this saw for me dosnt make a lot of sense, defeats the purpose of using it remotely at the point of use, otherwise id use a miter saw back at the building,trailer,etc. where there is power
If I am on the ground I don't mind corded so much. The extra power outweighs the drawbacks, because I am either working off the stack or off a miter station (which is ideally located close to the stack). so there is really not a lot of moving around to benefit cordless. This would also be great for interior trim work and the cordless version not having an auto-vac feature is a major drawback for me. To each his own.
Tim Pamatmat we see this saw as a ground saw - so we prefer Cordero. There are times when JOBSITE do not have power or its limited.... that's where the HKC would come in handy
Even If you don’t have a gizmo like a “rafter hook” Always have a Scrap piece of ply around on the ground ,..Never lay a Tool like this right on the ground -no matter what!,..other wise this was a Very well done info video on the saw.,thanks
10:12 about the hk85, I have both and the 85 is VERY HEAVY!! and no plug-it cord (but not a big deal for me) I used the Mafell equivalent (btw festool copied mafell) and it's an absolute piece of art! But very expensive. The only good value for price mafell tool is the mt55 tracksaw, again the best of the best.
Mafell are heavier for the same depth of cut and more expensive, as with all things there is a trade off. mafell may be higher quality but I've had the hkc for a year and a half with not a single problem and its been used a lot!
I would absolutely bring my TS55 Tracksaw to framing and decking work and have many times. Thats why Festool makes universal blades for it. This HKC saw can not make a 45 degree bevel and that needs to be called out, it's a major weakness of this saw and why I wouldn't buy one. Until then the TS 55 with the short rail is better and fine for rougher work.
I've thought about getting the 18v saw for awhile but was put off. I know someone with the 18v plunge saw and it's a bit gutless. But I suppose this isn't for cutting sheets of ply or mdf. The 85 is available in the U.K. Maybe that's the way to go after your review.thanks
cutiing ply or mdf?? that's exactly what this saw is for. Cutting lumber and sheet goods. Ive used on many jobsites and its never bogged down on any sheet goods
Dan ok fair enough but I was referring to the 18v. How long does the battery last when ripping 8ft sheets? Logistically how many batteries would you need to go hard all day? I suppose the new airstream batteries would help with the quick charge. I have a fair bit of festool but it's all corded. My battery platform is dewalt and with flex volt it's probably gonna stay that way
zap brannigan I am talking about the 18volt. the batteries last along time! I can rip and cut at yhe site all day long and barely burn through 1 battery.
zap brannigan I also have alot of Milwaukee cordless and the festool 5.2 ah batteries just seem to hold the charge forever. last week I was up on the scaffolding cutting rafters with this saw and 1 battery lasted through 38 rafters, probably over 120 cross cuts. I'm sure the battery will cut over 400ft of sheet goods!
thanks! its a great saw thats for sure. The price is justified based on what it is capable of doing IMO. i have mostly milwaukee power tools and needing a circular saw. Buying another "M18" (circular saw) just because i have batteries already is way too much of a downside TO ME compared to what this has to offer. As a new and first time home owner, I have started to DIY recently because i cant afford to pay for labor lol. It was a no brainer and I chose the HKC 55. I dont have a miter saw, track saw or a circular saw. i only had a sawzall, the rest are tools for my cars.
Very detailed review i have the Mafell kss 400 corded and HKC- 55 i like the track better on the Mafell both have about cutting dept and power, the HKC -55 is a close second Mafell has a little better build quality but all my tools are FESTOOL thanks for the great and detailed reviews
A Concord Carpenter / ToolBoxBuzz , this is a great saw but it is a little out of my budget. I bought one set up from Kreg but wasn't impressed. can you recommend a more affordable one or do you have any videos of other ones? I will sacrifice the dust protection features. thanks
... is not for carpentery , no power for this job is not handy is slow you down . Bad investment for me . For a fully ghere 1000 pount is to much . I did a better job with Makita brushless saw then with this one
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Helpful review Rob, thanks
Robert....by far the most concise, straightforward and straight-up reviewer on YT. I have watched many...many reviewers and am now subscribed to your channel as you tell it straight, walk the talk and mean what you say. Good stuff and thank you from NZ!
I would like to see these festool saws compared to the Mafell KSS saws.
Festool is very high quality!
Your back catalogue is helpful, thanks rob. I’d already liked this video but have come back to it as a reference before I buy the hkc55. Every incremental increase in my output and quality is putting me out in front of the competition
Thanks Rob ! I learn so much watching your videos just bought an HK 55 it’s badass !
I can't imagine how it's marketed at framers, with a 6-1/2" blade. When they make a 7-1/4" model, I'll consider it.
HK 85 has a 230mm blade or about 9 inches but does not seem to be available in America. It is marketed at framers who are not doing larger work.
This saw seems to passed me by. In 18v this would make me and my partners workflow so much better. We currently use dhs680 with a square to make most cuts, (I never understand people using a square to mark a line then cut). Only drawback is this £750 in uk that’s around $950!
To do the review we placed HK saws with several of our Pro contractors, to use in the field. Special thanks to Joe Canning, Mike Hopp, Brian Young, Rob Robillard and Todd Fratzel for their input on this review!
Just bought my hk55 at burns power tools tonight looking forward to giving it hell Mon morning hay thanks for the vids
Enjoy it
Marvellous review . You've got presentation class ! Thanks 🙂 And have a great 4th of July .
@@npet6842 u2
Thanks for sharing good info love how you're down to the nuts and bolts and not just a sponsored rep telling all us carps to go get the latest greatest tool I work with festool's dayley and would recommend them without doubt. Thanks Adrian
Adrian Penny I have my FAVs but I also try to look at the pros and cons of each tool. I'm also a huge fan of saving time and being efficient
I think the HK 55 is more something for "indoor carpenters" so u don't need such a deep depth in 45° like in outside framing...
Another great review - thanks. It's a little bit of a mystery the Festool hasn't addressed the points you raise. Others have made the same points. That makes your "would I buy this again" comments at the end even more useful.
Another great review, thanks Rob. I have been using my homemade rip guide for years now, really comes in handy for trimming up the bottom of doors. But the ability to just push straight through without having to also press it up against the guide would be a huge plus. Especially when you are shaving off thin sections where the blade tends to push the saw off the guide fence. Of course being able to lock in angles and use it as a portable miter saw is not really an option with my homemade unit. Been eyeing these for years now, time to get off the fence.
Oh man - you have to get this or a track saw
I know, I know...going with the corded unit.
buying the corded version of this saw for me dosnt make a lot of sense, defeats the purpose of using it remotely at the point of use, otherwise id use a miter saw back at the building,trailer,etc. where there is power
If I am on the ground I don't mind corded so much. The extra power outweighs the drawbacks, because I am either working off the stack or off a miter station (which is ideally located close to the stack). so there is really not a lot of moving around to benefit cordless. This would also be great for interior trim work and the cordless version not having an auto-vac feature is a major drawback for me. To each his own.
Tim Pamatmat we see this saw as a ground saw - so we prefer Cordero. There are times when JOBSITE do not have power or its limited.... that's where the HKC would come in handy
Love these reviews.
Even If you don’t have a gizmo like a “rafter hook” Always have a Scrap piece of ply around on the ground ,..Never lay a Tool like this right on the ground -no matter what!,..other wise this was a Very well done info video on the saw.,thanks
You really should look into the Mafell KSS line. Like the KSS 60 or even KSS 80.
hannesmusic were gonna do that
if you dont have enough deepth when cutting miters or bewels use the biger hk 85 that saw is for framers.......
ledo1939 exactly
Not sure if the HK 85 is actually officially available in America.
Did you guys know we have a weekly email newsletter? Its a GREAT way to keep up on our 3 websites, It's here: www.aconcordcarpenter.com/subscribe
10:12 about the hk85, I have both and the 85 is VERY HEAVY!! and no plug-it cord (but not a big deal for me) I used the Mafell equivalent (btw festool copied mafell) and it's an absolute piece of art! But very expensive. The only good value for price mafell tool is the mt55 tracksaw, again the best of the best.
Take a serious look at the Mafell versions. Only edge the festool has is it’s dealer network globally.
Mafell are heavier for the same depth of cut and more expensive, as with all things there is a trade off. mafell may be higher quality but I've had the hkc for a year and a half with not a single problem and its been used a lot!
What mafell is double more expensive
I would absolutely bring my TS55 Tracksaw to framing and decking work and have many times. Thats why Festool makes universal blades for it. This HKC saw can not make a 45 degree bevel and that needs to be called out, it's a major weakness of this saw and why I wouldn't buy one. Until then the TS 55 with the short rail is better and fine for rougher work.
I've thought about getting the 18v saw for awhile but was put off. I know someone with the 18v plunge saw and it's a bit gutless. But I suppose this isn't for cutting sheets of ply or mdf. The 85 is available in the U.K. Maybe that's the way to go after your review.thanks
cutiing ply or mdf?? that's exactly what this saw is for. Cutting lumber and sheet goods. Ive used on many jobsites and its never bogged down on any sheet goods
Dan ok fair enough but I was referring to the 18v. How long does the battery last when ripping 8ft sheets? Logistically how many batteries would you need to go hard all day? I suppose the new airstream batteries would help with the quick charge. I have a fair bit of festool but it's all corded. My battery platform is dewalt and with flex volt it's probably gonna stay that way
zap brannigan
I am talking about the 18volt. the batteries last along time! I can rip and cut at yhe site all day long and barely burn through 1 battery.
zap brannigan
I also have alot of Milwaukee cordless and the festool 5.2 ah batteries just seem to hold the charge forever. last week I was up on the scaffolding cutting rafters with this saw and 1 battery lasted through 38 rafters, probably over 120 cross cuts. I'm sure the battery will cut over 400ft of sheet goods!
This is not a new idea, they ripped off Mafell's KSS series of saws
Thomas Brown Yep!
Of course, they're also a little more than half the price of the equivalent Mafell.. Got to love it, Festool, the budget alternative, lol.
where d you purchase Mafell
Imported from Germany. Even with shipping and duty fees much cheaper than NA dealers.
Where do you purchase Mafell?
i will screw a hook on the front end of the rail. a versatile saw. i love cordless sawing.
thanks! its a great saw thats for sure. The price is justified based on what it is capable of doing IMO. i have mostly milwaukee power tools and needing a circular saw. Buying another "M18" (circular saw) just because i have batteries already is way too much of a downside TO ME compared to what this has to offer. As a new and first time home owner, I have started to DIY recently because i cant afford to pay for labor lol. It was a no brainer and I chose the HKC 55. I dont have a miter saw, track saw or a circular saw. i only had a sawzall, the rest are tools for my cars.
How has your experience been? I’m in your same shoes today.
Can you put a dewalt 165mm blade in this?? Would that sort the 45 degree cut??
I want one... so many times in the past I've wished my track was stuck to the base of my TS 55.
(btw, it's 'guide rail', not 'guard rail')
Eric Anderson thx Eric your correct!!
Awesome review! Thanks!
Wonder how this works for baseboard and casing. Always see it cutting sheet goods or framing lumber
Great for cutting stringers nice saw
Pâle copie of the KSS 60 18m bl.. You didn't talk about the first saw with this type of rail..
very informative, thanks Rob.
Whats cross cut capability ?
Very detailed review i have the Mafell kss 400 corded and HKC- 55 i like the track better on the Mafell both have about cutting dept and power, the HKC -55 is a close second Mafell has a little better build quality but all my tools are FESTOOL thanks for the great and detailed reviews
Donald Costello thx Don, I need to look closer at Mafell
Really good review, thank you Rob. In your experience with this saw, do you think it would fit into a crosscut solution for furniture using hardwoods?
Depends on how thick. 1.5" or less - yes
So this saw can be used on the standard TS55/75 tracks?
If you could only buy one would you get this saw or the TS55?
William Butler I do a lot of finish carpentry so if I could only do one I'd get the T55 with 2 tracks: long and short
William Butler yes it will fit the T55 tracks - in face some of the video showed us using it as a track saw
yes, it works on all Festool tracks and Makita tracks
this is more like a sales demonstration...does he have another video of a different track saw??
mark schiavone which saw?
A Concord Carpenter / ToolBoxBuzz , this is a great saw but it is a little out of my budget. I bought one set up from Kreg but wasn't impressed. can you recommend a more affordable one or do you have any videos of other ones? I will sacrifice the dust protection features. thanks
German Tools the best. Bosch, Festool, Mafell
This saw is the only Festool tool I’m disappointed in. It’s great with the rail but the HKC is so gutless. I should have bought the 230 volt.
DUST COLLECTION!!!!! HAHAHA
Well.. who wants a face full of sawdust.
This a good saw for finish or precise cuts , overpriced , but is not for framing
... is not for carpentery , no power for this job is not handy is slow you down .
Bad investment for me .
For a fully ghere 1000 pount is to much .
I did a better job with Makita brushless saw then with this one
Y talk to much