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Post by calidecks on Feb 5, 2015 0:43:57 GMT -5
Please someone help me stop this madness. As some of you know I build composite decks. I've got my eye on one of these saws. I'm having trouble figuring out which is best for my needs and what's the difference. I also noticed the 300 is a little more expensive as well. Also for the guys that own these saws do you think it could be beneficial to a deck builder. I believe it could take deck building to another level. Thanks in advance.
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heiko
Junior Member
Posts: 78 
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Post by heiko on Feb 5, 2015 1:16:09 GMT -5
Hi,
I have both and like the 300 more. Howard deep you have to cut? The 300 goes 42mm with out rail and the 400 goes 55 mm. For crosscuts the number is the length of cut in mm, for the 400 you can get a 700 mm rail. The 400 is a little bit soft in the bevelclamping the 300 is more solid there.
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Post by calidecks on Feb 5, 2015 2:02:14 GMT -5
Hi, I have both and like the 300 more. Howard deep you have to cut? The 300 goes 42mm with out rail and the 400 goes 55 mm. For crosscuts the number is the length of cut in mm, for the 400 you can get a 700 mm rail. The 400 is a little bit soft in the bevelclamping the 300 is more solid there. Thanks heiko, I'm cutting 1 inch composite decking. |
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Post by thedude306 on Feb 5, 2015 7:39:40 GMT -5
I can tell you I love the 400. I went with it for framing work. I wanted to be able to cut 2x with it.
I don't have a comparison against the 300 but the 400 is a really well balanced saw (not like the MT55 IMO) /uses the same blades and will ride on the same track as the MT55 if needed.
I think it's going to take some getting use to. It's big with the track (not crazy) but it's not like a worm drive. It's just a different work flow
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Feb 5, 2015 8:15:13 GMT -5
Great question!! I went through this same struggle roughly a year ago.
So, if the only thing you will be doing is crosscutting your composite decking, you'll probably be ok to use the KSS-300. It is a tough little saw and should be able to hold up well.
That being said, the KSS-400 does have more power, more blade options, and handles much like a worm drive, maybe a little lighter. The edge on the KSS-400 over the 300 is that you can also use the 400 for framing operations. Yes, the 300 "can" crosscut framing lumber, but ripping may be difficult, and the 300 doesn't have the depth of cut to cut bevels on 2x material.
So, in a nutshell: If you're only cross cutting decking the KSS-300 would be the nimble, lighter option. The KSS-400 has more power and blade options, and comes with the added bonus of also serving as a framing saw.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Feb 5, 2015 11:55:36 GMT -5
Tom sums up the saws pretty well
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Post by toomanytoys on Feb 5, 2015 13:20:49 GMT -5
Some of you guys are really making me wonder if I should have gotten the 400 rather then the 55 .............
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Feb 5, 2015 13:34:21 GMT -5
Some of you guys are really making me wonder if I should have gotten the 400 rather then the 55 ............. Depends on what you do. KSS-400 is ultra versatile, MT-55cc is king for sheet goods. |
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Post by thedude306 on Feb 5, 2015 14:30:46 GMT -5
I know it was a big chunk of change, but I am glad I have both. The MT55 is PERFECT on sheet goods. The 400 excels with the short rail and on framing. It's also balanced so well. I still find the MT55 awkward off the rail. They both work exceptionally well.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Feb 5, 2015 14:50:09 GMT -5
Yeah the kss saws are pretty versatile. At the moment I don't have the mt55. I know that if I was to start working more with laminated sheet goods. The mt55 would be top of the list. A lot of people properly get the the mt55 as they have being used to using saws like the festool ts55 and the mt55 isn't that radically different. Where for some the kss saws would be a better option
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Post by calidecks on Feb 5, 2015 16:10:32 GMT -5
Thanks guys, this is great info. I will chew on it for awhile. I think it's a great idea to have both the mt55 and a kss.
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Post by jasonkehl on Feb 5, 2015 18:21:17 GMT -5
Do any of you KSS400 owners have trouble with the depth adjustment? Mine was silky smooth when I bought it, but it's actually quite difficult to adjust the blade depth now. It hasn't been bent (as far as I can tell) nor used in the wet.
I haven't had a really good look at it yet but I thought I'd see if I'm alone with this s issue.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Feb 5, 2015 18:40:00 GMT -5
Yes at times. It's a simple fix spray lever, rods and mechanism with lubricant. Then operate the mechanism to work it in. That should sort it.
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Post by jasonkehl on Feb 5, 2015 19:10:55 GMT -5
Thanks, wondered if it could be that simple, I will try it tomorrow.
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Post by calidecks on Feb 5, 2015 19:50:49 GMT -5
So do the two kss saws take the same blades?
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