chud
New Member
Posts: 1 
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Post by chud on Dec 5, 2015 17:14:46 GMT -5
First time poster and potentially first large power tool purchase...
How clean of a cut can one expect to get with KSS 80 in sheet goods? I am aware of the praise heaped on the MT 55 for that purpose but I would also appreciate the extra heft of the KSS 80. Im not really in the position to purchase both saws at the moment and want something that can handle a wide variety of tasks. I have a few projects planned that require some precise, clean cut Baltic birch ply but also have some future home renovations to work out on. Can the KSS 80 be coaxed in performing as well as the MT 55 in plywood with the right blade setup? Or, could the MT 55 handle the rather brutish task of ripping and cross cutting countless boards of 2X material? I have no intentions of purchasing a table saw for quite sometime and was looking for a single saw that could handle most projects I take on. Thanks, Caleb.
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Post by GhostFist on Dec 5, 2015 17:20:16 GMT -5
Have you considered the 400?same sized blades as the mt55 so they're interchangeable.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Dec 5, 2015 22:19:38 GMT -5
The KSS80 is an awesome saw. It can be a bit heavy after swinging it all day, but it cuts very well. There is a 56 tooth blade that does well on sheet goods. Not as good as a dedicated track saw, but still pretty darn good. The KSS80 excels at cutting bigger timber - 8/4 and bigger stock is a breeze. It also is good for 2x material, where as a plunge cut saw is more unwieldy in this type of material. I really like the roller edge guide for it and I have some videos on my You Tube channel showing the beast in action. If you are working mostly with sheet goods then I think a dedicated track saw is the better way to go. As Ghostfist suggests, the KSS400 is a great saw with plenty of positive reviews and might be a good alternative until you decide to buy the other saw.
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Post by tymbian on Dec 6, 2015 14:23:25 GMT -5
I don't own the 80 but do have the 400. I'll run the 400 on rails for sheet goods and AFAIK the 80 will run on rails. I too was faced with the dilemma of a tight budget and wanting a 'one saw does all' sort of scenario until funds permit the purchase of more task specific tools. I've so far used the 400 for new flooring (kss30 would of been preferred ) plunge-cuts in old flooring, framing a roof with 8 & 6x2s ( less than 5% of the cuts ie. Jack rafters would of been more suited to the KSS80 ) trimmed doors,and am currently using it on sheet goods,on site,building a warderobe. If I had a few hipped roofs coming up I'd probably get the 80. As said above, the 80 is heavy, 8kgs. I picked one up thought that I wouldn't want to be swinging it around all day if I didnt need to so decided on the 400.. ( and im no weakling 30+ years in construction ) If you have a lot of 3 x work coming up or compound cuts on 2 x get the 80.
If you're going to be using a lot of faced sheet goods go for the 55.
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mattuk
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mattuk on Dec 6, 2015 15:03:09 GMT -5
I have both the 400 and the 80.
I have not needed to try the 80 in sheet goods yet because of the 400.
I second others opinions on here. The 400 is a beast of a saw. ( no one has told it it's not an 80 yet )
If I could only have one saw I think I would keep the 400.
Where abouts are you based Tymbian ?
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Dec 6, 2015 15:27:29 GMT -5
Yeah the 400 is properky the jack of all saws it is by far my most used saw. Unless you need the depth of 85 or past 45. I'd stick to the 400 or mt55. The most important thing is the right bade for the task
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Post by Red on Dec 23, 2015 9:48:27 GMT -5
Keep in mind that this is coming from an old TF joint cutter's perspective, but I've found our imported KSS80Ec/370 saw to be a great all-rounder. Once it was converted for use in the US, it has seen action of all kinds -- including cutting high-dollar plywood. I'm no fine cabinet maker, once again, but we've found the KSS80Ec/Mafell guide rail combination to be extremely versatile. In fact, I can't remember the last time we cranked up the old cabinet saw.
Here's one that the job photographer took of our imported/modified KSS80Ec on OSB duty:
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R cash
Junior Member
Posts: 73
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Post by R cash on Dec 23, 2015 13:15:42 GMT -5
I have both the 400 and the 80. I have not needed to try the 80 in sheet goods yet because of the 400. I second others opinions on here. The 400 is a beast of a saw. ( no one has told it it's not an 80 yet ) If I could only have one saw I think I would keep the 400. Where abouts are you based Tymbian ? I have both the 400 and 80 love both but the 400 is always in my onsite kit also sees more action in the shop. I wish the 400 had the same guard lever the 80 has. |
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mattuk
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mattuk on Dec 23, 2015 17:46:39 GMT -5
I have both the 400 and the 80. I have not needed to try the 80 in sheet goods yet because of the 400. I second others opinions on here. The 400 is a beast of a saw. ( no one has told it it's not an 80 yet ) If I could only have one saw I think I would keep the 400. Where abouts are you based Tymbian ? I have both the 400 and 80 love both but the 400 is always in my onsite kit also sees more action in the shop. I wish the 400 had the same guard lever the 80 has. Likewise wishing for the same blade guard lever |
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Dec 23, 2015 19:30:39 GMT -5
Yeah -- the blade guard lever is what has turned me off of the 400. I just hate using my thumb to flip it out of the way. The KS65 has the new design, but not sure when Timberwolf will have them in NA and the pricing.
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Post by Red on Dec 26, 2015 10:24:52 GMT -5
Yeah -- the blade guard lever is what has turned me off of the 400. I just hate using my thumb to flip it out of the way. The KS65 has the new design, but not sure when Timberwolf will have them in NA and the pricing. |
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Dec 26, 2015 13:16:44 GMT -5
Yeah -- the blade guard lever is what has turned me off of the 400. I just hate using my thumb to flip it out of the way. The KS65 has the new design, but not sure when Timberwolf will have them in NA and the pricing. Well it is a brand new saw that Mafell just released. I think one of the members across the pond has one -- it is the KSS60 (I made a mistake on the name and incorrectly stated "65")- so I little bigger than the 400, but updated with the Cuprex motor and operating controls of the 80, but at less weight. Seems like it is an updated 400. Only available in 220 volt at the moment and not sure if/when Timberwolf will bring them to North America. |
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Post by tymbian on Jan 27, 2016 17:48:31 GMT -5
I have both the 400 and the 80. I have not needed to try the 80 in sheet goods yet because of the 400. I second others opinions on here. The 400 is a beast of a saw. ( no one has told it it's not an 80 yet ) If I could only have one saw I think I would keep the 400. Where abouts are you based Tymbian ? Mattuk hi, I'm in Oxfordshire,UK. |
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mattuk
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mattuk on Jan 28, 2016 17:02:29 GMT -5
Hi there. I am in Colchester.
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