Protool UniverS SSP 200 EB, Sword saw

Hi All,

Today we’re going to have a look at a relatively new tool from Festool’s sister company Protool. The SSP 200 EB is a bit of an unusual beastie and I remember the the first time saw it I was a bit perplexed by it.

The SSP is in essence, a chain saw that’s mounted onto a circular saw base. It has a maximum cutting depth of 200mm (about 8 inches) and it runs along standard Festool or Protool, guide rails for accuracy and ease of cut.

Its not a tool that you have to have but if you’re regularly cutting sleepers, timber beams, or LVL, (laminated veneered lumber) boards or girders, the SSP is guaranteed to make your life easier

Designed for cutting large beams the SSP which weighs in at only 6.5 KG ( 14 Pound) is a lot easier and safer option than circular saws with a comparable cutting depth such as the Protool CSP 165 which weighs in at 22kg, (48 pounds)

I’ve used both the CSP 165 and the SSP extensively and, personally i’d now always choose the SSP over a large and heavy circular saw.

When docking beams to length with the SSP you can tilt the blade forwards at a 10 degree angle which exposes more blade to the timber and gives you a proportionately faster cut. The maximum mitre angle on the SSP is 60 degrees and when used on a guide rail will pivot on the scribe line in the same manner as a TS 55 or TS 75 will.

Lets have a look at the features of the SSP;

1, Blade,

2, Fast Fix Blade Changing

3, Guide Slot for Guide Rail

4, Mitre Angle indicator

5, Tool less chain tension adjustment

6,Tool Less chain lubrication

7,MMC, (constant speed under load) electronics

8, Bar oil level indicator

9, Dust Extractor Connection

10, Auxiliary Handle

11, Clearly visible cut indicator.

Not being a major fan of chainsaws, I must admit to being a bit nervous when using the SSP for the first time but, within 5 minutes I was as happy as a pig in …….., and had chopped up a large beam into small pieces before I realised it. When connected to a CT26 dust extractor, with the 36mm hose about 2 thirds of the dust was collected leaving only a relatively small amount to clean up.

Click below to watch a video of the SSP in action.

As you can see from the video there is plenty of different applications for the SSP. Ive used it on both softwoods an Australian Hardwoods and found that it didn’t struggle with either of them.

No review of the SSP would be complete without giving you the chance to watch the Official Protool film on the SSP. Its the first Big Budget advert for a power tool that I can remember seeing in a long time.

Enjoy !!!!!

Well I hope you enjoyed that.

As always, your comments and questions are appreciated.

Be safe and have fun

Cheers,

Bryan

June 8, 2012 1

Kapex, KS120 Lasers,

Hi Guys,

Well I’m into my second week of being home on sick leave and now that I’m feeling a bit more human I thought I’d take the time to sort out some of the photos on my computer left over from my time at Festool.

I came across this one which I used to use when teaching classes on the Kapex. It was taken in the service centre at Festool and shows just how wrong the dual lasers on a Kapex can go when a well meaning tweak of the laser adjustment screws goes wrong.

Thats all for now,

As usual, your comments and questions are always appreciated.

Keep safe and have fun,

Bryan

June 6, 2012 0

The PDP 20-4 DEC FF, New from Protool

The new PDP 20-4 DEC FF, Percussion drill driver

Just about to be released onto the Australian and New Zealand markets, the new 240 volt PDP from Festool’s sister company Protool is surely be well accepted by trade and serious DIY users alike. Inspired by the old Protool PDP 20 this new model takes advantage of technological improvements and is fitted with a brushless EC-TEC (electronically commutated – technology ) motor, the same style as those found in the Protool cordless PDC 18 and the Festool T series drills and impact drivers.
The result is a tool with amazing speed and power. A four speed gearbox, similar to that on the hugely successful PDC 18 volt cordless drill, gives the PDP 20 a top speed of 4000 rpm in top gear and a low speed of 400 rpm in its lowest gear which is perfect for all those high torque applications.

The specs for both the PDP 20 hammer drill and its brother the DRP 18 Drill Driver are shown below.

Both drills feature the fast – fix chuck system and come with the unique and highly effective centrotec chuck as standard. The drills should be available as either standard or set configuration with a heavy duty right angle drive being included in the set version.

Please see below ‘for more features on the tools.

1: Fast Fix Interface, (comes with centrotec chuck)
2: Four Speed Gearbox, (400 to 4000 rpm)
3: Brushless EC-TEC Motor
4: Inbuilt Work-light
5: Magnetic holder for tips and drills
6: Inbuilt Belt Clips
7: Constant Speed Electronics.

I had a chance to have a play with the new PDP 20-4 at the recent tradesman’s expo in Melbourne and was blown away by its performance. Coming in at around 2 kg it doesn’t seem possible for a drill this light to have this much power, when it comes to using the tool in timber and concrete it doesn’t disappoint.

I’m hoping to get my hands on a test model soon so stay tuned for a full review.

In the mean time please drop me an email or post a comment if you have any questions.

Be safe and have fun

Cheers

Bryan

May 31, 2012 2

National Tradesman’s Expo, Melbourne

Hi All,

Just a short post to remind you all that the National Tradesman’s Expo is on in Melbourne this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, (the 25th to 27th of May) at the Melbourne Show grounds.

The Melbourne show grounds are located on the cnr of Epsom and Lange roads in Ascot Vale and the show is open on Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 10 to 5 and on Sunday from 10 till 4.

This is the major show of big boys toys in Melbourne for 2012 so if you need to stock up on power tools it’ll be well worth a look.

There will be specialson tools for all brands and i know that there will be some extra special deals on the whole Festool and Protool range.

Please click here to go to the National Tradesman’s Expo Website

I’ll be there with Just Tools on the Festool stand so don’t be a stranger, pop in and say hello. For those who can’t get to the how i’ll post some photos of and new releases I can find

Anyway, thats all for now

Be safe and have fun.

Cheers

Bryan

May 21, 2012 0

The Dremel Saw Max

Hi All,

Every so often a new tool comes on to the power tool market that reinvents a process and changes the way we do things. The new Saw Max by Dremel is, I feel such a tool.

Dremel have created a tool which will change the way we approach the pedestrian task of cutting timber, plastics, tile, stone and steel. The Saw Max wraps all of these applications up into one easy and safe to use tool.

The heart of the Saw max contains a worm gear drive which transfers a massive amount of power to the carbide tipped blades, which gives the Saw Max an almost unstoppable feel. With the ability to connect a dust extractor the saw max has an extremely efficient dust collection system which gives you a cleaner and healthier work environment.

The Saw Max can, when coupled with the SM600 flush cut blade can be used as an undercut saw to quickly and easily undercut door frames and skirting boards to insert new flooring materials.

I’ve had a good chance to test this tool so please click this link, Dremel Saw Max to read my in depth review on this amazing new tool.

I hope you enjoy this review, I had a lot of fun playing with the Saw Max, and writing this article

As always your comments and questions are always appreciated.

Keep safe and have fun,

Cheers

Bryan

May 16, 2012 2

The TS55R, More Info

Hi All,

I was sent this video about the new TS55-R which gives more information about the new features on the saw.
I particularly like the new riving knife, splinter guard / blade window and the new depth adjustment lever which automatically allows for the guide rail.
its been put together by the guys at intelligent workshop in the UK. Click here to view their site, its worth a look

Enjoy!!

Any comments or questions are appreciated as alwaya.

Be safe and have fun.

Cheers

Bryan

April 18, 2012 1

Hand Tool Event

Hi Guys,

This is just a quick post to let all of my Victorian readers know that Lie Nielsen Tool works, (Australia) is holding a major hand tool event this weekend, the 21st and 22nd of April.

its being held in the Furniture workshop at Holmesglen Tafe, Gate 3, Building 5 Batesford road Holmesglen.

For more info please click here to go to the Lie Nielsen Australian website.

As well as Lie Nielsen there will be stalls from Chris Vesper, Philip Ashby and the Hand Tool Preservation Society.

Hope to see you there,

As usual, be safe and have fun

Cheers

Bryan

April 15, 2012 4

Festool TS55 R Update

Hi All,

Just a sort note to wish you all a happy and safe Easter and to let you know that Festool Australia has confirmed that the new Festool TS55R is due to hit the shelves in Australia in August this year.

I’ll keep you advised as more information becomes available.

Have fun and be safe.

Cheers

Bryan

April 7, 2012 0

The New Festool TS55R Plunge Saw

Hi All,

I just came across this video on You Tube of the new TS55 R plunge saw from Festool and in the spirit of all things woody, had to share.

Watch The Video Here

I don’t have any eta for its arrival in Australia at this stage but stay posted and i’ll keep you up to date. We have a Festool Demo afternoon and sale between 3pm and 7 pm this coming Tuesday April 3rd so i’ll see what I can find out.

Have fun and be safe

Cheers

Bryan

March 31, 2012 1

How to get the most from your Festool OF1010 Router, (Part Two)

Hi All,

Sorry its taken a couple of weeks for me to get part two of the Festool OF 1010 series posted, but I was floored with a dose of Flu.

In Part two we’ll further explore this great little router , showing how to insert a cutter and focusing on the depth turrets which, from experience, seem to give people a lot of trouble.

Don’t be put off reading this article if you don’t own a Festool router as virtually every plunge router on the market will have a similar depth turret adjustment system, and the information in the article can easily be transposed between brands.

Please click here, Of 1010 Part 2 to read the full article.

In Part three we’ll look at the accessories which can be used with the OF1010, including the Guide rail sets, accessory bases and copy rings

I hope you enjoy the article and as always, your comments and feedback are appreciated.

Articles in the pipeline include, how to make templates and use copy rings, the Festool 1400 and 2200, the Bosch GMR trimmer and a review of the new Dremel Saw-Max if I can get my hands on one.

If you have any questions on any of the information in this article, or if you’ve got any router or woodwork questions you can contact me via email or post a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Have fun and be safe

Cheers for now….

Bryan

March 31, 2012 2