Track Saw Model: Festool TSC55
Wittworks Track Saw Rating: 101 out of 100
Festool TSC 55 KEB Track Saw Review: The Best Cordless Track Saw to Date.
When it comes to track saws, Festool is a name synonymous with innovation, precision, and quality. Probably because they invented the track saw in the first place. The Festool TSC 55 KEB is no exception, offering a tool that sets the bar for performance in both professional and high-end DIY workshops. With a robust build, advanced features, and unparalleled cutting precision, this track saw is designed for those who demand the best and need a full and quick warranty to back it up. Let’s dive into why this saw might be the perfect addition to your toolkit and why some may want to look elsewhere.
Fit & Finish: Top-Tier Build Quality
Score: 10/10
The Festool TSC 55 KEB exudes high-quality craftsmanship. Everything about the saw feels incredibly well-built, from the durable housing to the precision-engineered parts. The fit and finish are perfect, offering a tool that will last through years of heavy use. When you pick it up, you instantly feel the difference—the heft, the smooth controls, and the overall solid feel make this saw a joy to work with. Even the Systainer that houses the saw, batteries, charger, and blade is well-made and engineered.
Blade: Top Performance, Right Out of the Box
Ease of Blade Change: 3/3
Changing blades is a breeze with the TSC 55 KEB. With one latch pull and a plunge, the saw’s depth adjustment mechanism locks into place with ease, and a hidden hex key is revealed for you to unlock the blade. My favorite part is that the blade is automatically locked into place. Every other saw requires you to hold a locking tab for the blade. Not a huge thing, but it’s one of those little well-thought-out design features. Festool makes it as simple as possible.
Stock Blade: 2/2
The stock blade included is top-notch—capable of handling a wide variety of materials with excellent results. Whether you’re cutting plywood, MDF, or hardwood, the TSC 55 KEB’s blade cuts through with precision, offering smooth and clean edges every time.
Blade Size & Arbor: 160mm Blade, 20mm Arbor
The TSC 55 KEB uses a 160mm blade with a 20mm arbor. Most other track saws use 165mm blades. This means you will need to buy Festool-specific blades. While they are priced high, I have noticed that the quality of them is beyond the typical blades you’d find elsewhere.
Safety: Advanced Features for Peace of Mind
Riving Knife/Anti Kickback: 5/5
The TSC 55 KEB comes with a first-of-its-kind electronic anti-kickback system, which eliminates the need for a riving knife while ensuring safe operation. It may look like there’s a riving knife on the saw, but it’s not. It makes contact with the guide rail, and the moment it senses the saw lift off the track - due to kickback - the motor is shut off immediately and a brake engaged.
Off-Cut Splinter Guard: 1/1
Festool includes an on board off-cut splinter guard, which helps reduce tear-out on your offcut workpieces. This small but significant feature ensures that you get clean cuts on both sides of your piece.
Scoring Function: 0/1
The one notable missing feature is the preset scoring function. While not a dealbreaker for many, this would have been a nice addition to have. Of course, you can always just set your depth to 3mm and do a scoring pass.
Depth Gauge: Precision and Ease of Use
Accuracy: 2/2
The depth gauge is highly accurate, allowing for precise cuts every time. Whether you’re making shallow cuts or plunging deeper into your material, you can trust the settings to give you the exact depth you need.
Fine Tune Adjustment: 2/2
Festool’s fine-tune adjustment is superb.
User Experience: 3/3
I prefer the style of depth adjustment that Festool uses here because you can quickly set your depth by pinching two fingers. However, I have found that Milwaukee and Ridgid’s method is smoother.
Dust Extraction: Superior Clean-Up
Hose Compatibility: 3/3
As expected from Festool, the TSC 55 KEB fits perfectly with Festool hoses, as well as with Centec hoses, providing excellent compatibility for dust collection.
Effectiveness: 3/3
Dust extraction is one of the standout features of this saw. It performs amazing, keeping your workspace clean by extracting most of the sawdust at the source.
Bevel Cutting: Precision Without the Hassle
Readability/Detents for Common Angles: 3/4
The TSC 55 KEB features detents for common bevel angles like 45° and 90°. However, it’s missing a detent for 22.5°, which could be a small inconvenience for some users who frequently work with that angle. Still, for most woodworking tasks, the available detents are more than sufficient. You can also set the angle to -1° and 47°.
Return to 90: 5/5
The saw consistently returns to 90 degrees with high accuracy, making bevel cuts and square cuts quick and reliable.
Anti-Tip: 0/2
One area where this saw could improve is the anti-tip feature, which is notably absent in this model. Without this, there’s a risk that the saw could tip over if you’re not careful while making angled cuts.
Track Friction Adjustments: 3/3
The track friction adjustments on the TSC 55 KEB are smooth and easy to dial in. You can make fine adjustments for a tight, accurate fit between the track and the saw, which helps ensure that your cuts are perfectly straight without slop in the base.
Motor: Smooth, Powerful, and Quiet
Variable Speed: 2/2
The TSC 55 KEB includes a variable-speed motor, which is crucial for handling a wide variety of materials.
Sound & Feel: 5/5
This saw operates smoothly and quietly, with minimal vibration. It feels solid in hand, and the motor provides plenty of power without being overly noisy. The low vibration makes it comfortable to use for long periods without fatigue.
2” Hard Maple Test: 5/5
The TSC 55 KEB passes the 2” hard maple test with ease. Its power, combined with a sharp stock blade, allows it to cut through dense hardwoods without issue, even using the cross cut blade (which is obviously bad form). When we switched to a proper ripping blade, similar to Milwaukee, it cut through like a hot knife in butter.
Track: Quality and Compatibility
Build Quality: 5/5
The Festool guide rail build quality is top tier. What you’d expect from Festool.
Design Profile: 4/4
Festool’s track profile is widely regarded as the best and standard in the business. The only thing to note is that it is slightly different from tracks like Makita and Milwaukee who have a lip on the t-track to catch the anti tipping tab. Since Festool’s saws don’t have that, this t-track profile is smooth.
Size Options: 3/3
Festool offers 32”, 42”, 55”, 75”, 110”, 118” guide rails.
Rubber Splinter Guard Stickiness: 3/3
The rubber splinter guard sticks well to the workpiece, helping to minimize splintering and tear-out during cutting.
Anti-Slip Grips: 3/3
The anti-slip grips on the track are excellent, providing stability and ensuring that the saw stays in place during use.
Clamp Compatibility: 2/2
Festool’s track is fully compatible with typical track saw clamps, allowing you to secure it firmly to your workpiece for precision cutting.
3rd Party Accessory Compatibility: 4/4
This track is compatible with a wide range of third-party accessories, such as guide rail squares and parallel guides, which gives users a lot of flexibility when customizing their setup.
Warranty: Industry-leading Coverage
Score: 5/5
Festool offers the best all-inclusive warranty in the business. If registered, your tool will be fully covered for the first three years, a reflection of their confidence in the tool’s durability and performance. Festool covers shipping costs both ways and has a 48-hour turnaround policy. This warranty is a major plus for anyone looking to make a long-term investment in a track saw or who uses it for their profession.
Price / Value: Premium Performance with a Premium Price
Score: 10/10
The Festool TSC 55 KEB is undoubtedly a premium tool, and with that comes a premium price. While it’s certainly not the most affordable track saw on the market, it offers exceptional performance, top build quality, supreme dust extraction, and a warranty you can’t find anywhere else. If you're a professional or serious DIYer, the price is justified by the quality and value this saw offers.
Who is this Saw For?
The Festool TSC 55 KEB is designed for woodworkers, contractors, and serious DIY enthusiasts who demand the highest level of precision and performance. If you're already invested in Festool’s ecosystem or want a tool that’s built to last and perform flawlessly, this track saw is a great choice. It’s the best of the best in terms of track saws, and you won’t regret investing in it.
Who Should NOT Buy This Saw?
If you’re a budget-conscious buyer or only need a track saw for occasional light work, the Festool TSC 55 KEB might not be the right fit for you. Additionally, if you frequently make angled cuts, you may prefer the Milwaukee track saw, which offers better detent options for bevel angles. Otherwise, if you want the best, this saw will serve you well.
Final Thoughts:
The Festool TSC 55 KEB is a near-perfect track saw that excels in nearly every aspect, from build quality and ease of use to dust extraction and precision cutting. The few, small missing features are made up for with the convenience of Festool’s battery bluetooth system, allowing your dust extractor to link to your saw for automatic operation. While it comes at a premium price, the performance and reliability it offers make it an excellent investment for those who need the best. For anyone serious about their woodworking or who is already using Festool products, this saw is hard to beat.
