Sure seems like a 2.3 to a 2.4 upgrade instead of delivering the 3.0.

This is a rather critical moment for Festool, regarding the track saw market. Their patent just expired, so now their dominant position in the track saw market is at stake. Previously, when you needed a track saw, Festool was the only option. But now, on one side of the spectre, many people for who cost is important will buy cheaper saws like a DeWalt or a Makita, and people on the other side of the spectre will get the Mafell because they are only satisfied with the best. Festool should not stand by idly because then they will loose a very important part of their market share.   

The only way for me to get MAfell products is to mail order them through the canadian distributer in Alberta, halfway across the country (Canada is a big country). Their online store in NA leaves a lot of questions for me. for instance price differences between us and canada. I'm unable to find anything out about warranty as well. If there is a satisfactory warranty/service arrangement and i can purchase the product/products without inflating the sticker price an insane amount I would be buying the Maffel saw and perhaps a few other items I've been eyeballing for a loooong while.

Can anyone tell me what the Mafell MT55 will do that is apparently so lacking in the new TS55R and what those features will equate to in pounds or dollars in your pocket? I don't thank that the TS55 is the best track saw out there but it is still the one I would buy again.  This is why:

Plug-it system - invaluable to me and a must to be compatible with all my others tools. Plus Festool parts to convert other tools to plug -it, my Multimaster and Bosch orbital sander are converted. It's too easy to underestimate the tangible value of Festool's system approach

Free theft insurance for 3 years with only a £100 excess on any tool. That's a lot of peace of mind.

Those two features are enough for me to not even consider any other saw on the market. A saw would have to be seriously funky before I even considered anything else.

Also I think Festool need to be given more credit in this thread. They have created an almost fanatical brand loyalty and that doesn't happen because they employ stupid people in key positions who get key decisions wrong. We are collectively as regular users of this forum probably the biggest nitpickers and wingers in the tool world. We expect perfection from Festool and I'm as guilty as any. The real sea change is owning any tracksaw, to me the difference between two saws is more down to the blade than anything else. I reckon that if you put a decent blade in the cheapest tracksaw in the market (Woodstar Diva) a good chippie would see no difference in the quality or output of the overwhelming majority of their work and still be almost dust free. It makes the difference between a Festool and Mafell almost insignificant. That's when you have to look at service, warranties, and of course the famous system approach to differentiate between brands.

   

I think you're not recognizing what is very healthy criticism. The virtues of anything green are well known to most (though you must realize the theft replacement is limited to a minor market space).

I do expect something close to perfection from Festool - this is because I know they're capable of it and it is the responsibility of bodies such as this forum to keep them on their toes. The mere fact that several here have been able to justify moving to Maffell tells me the Festool track saws have room for improvement (look at the people in this thread that have gone Maffell - they may have strong opinions, but I don't believe any of us would consider them silly).

The TS55 has been out for a reasonable time and there is mounting competition from brands across the price spectrum. A new model SHOULD deliver on features ... particularly from Festool (you wouldn't expect BMW to be playing catchup with KIA).

If the time comes and I know there is a potentially a better product on the market than Festool's offering, I'd look at the total cost benefit situation and make my decision. If someone made a better tenon joiner than Domino - you'd have to consider it.

Festool's service, support, warranty and reputation are a large part of the value proposition and I don't believe anyone here is disputing that !

Peter, you are absolutely right, I did receive fantastic service from TTS.  But all the same, it would be silly not to have a look at least.  After all, all those years ago buying all Makita, if I never "had a look" at the TS55 then I wouldn't have the top notch collection of power tools that I have today.

It would take a lot to wean me off Festool now 

I've been building a webiste on an off for the last couple of months that is intended to be a definitive guide to every tracksaw and relevant accessories available in the UK market. Every time I ring a tool supplier to get a quote, info or order something I always end up picking their brains on track/plunge saws and their opinions. I have spoken to at least 4 dealers in the last two months alone who had decided to stock Mafell and ended up binning them as they weren't up to scratch from a service aspect. That must speak volumes and the somewhat anecdotal evidence that I have gained is that users faced between a choice of TS55 vs MT55 almost always go for the Festool. They all tell me that the average chippie, joiner, builder or hobbyist don't analyse tools to the nth degree in the way that FOG users do and the minor differences count for very little as most still go for the TS. They are both saws that cut a straight line extremely well, that's it. The differentiator is system and service for me.

The other thing that amuses me in this debate is that the MT55 has no riving knife. Can you imagine the furore it would cause if Festool omitted it in the new model and yet people choose to completely overlook this when waxing lyrical about the Mafell. The grass isn't always greener, it just looks that way. I'm big on safety features, I've seen too many chippies with missing fingers.

You did say thousands (plural) so I can assume a minimum of 2000 miles which means that your TS has cut at least 2.64 million sheets of 8x4 in half the short way and is still going strong. You want to replace it with a Mafell?  

Wasn't it in Cool Hand Luke where the guy said there's some men you just can't reach? Only jesting!

Put like that , its a tall order to meet .

It does however get worked hard 5/6 days a week and i think its well over 5 years old now.
Never let me down , I am on the 3rd base plate and think about 4th maybe 5th lot of carbon brushes.  

I think we should start calling you Trigger! Wait till the end for the relevant bit!

Only Fools and Horses: The Truth Behind Trigger's Broom...

Well mine only has worn out on them adjustable rail  things where you tighten it up to suite the rail mine is fully turned and is still loose! So today I called my dealer up to be told I might have to buy a new BASE because festool have stopped making parts for the older TS55 base!   I wasnt best pleased!  I got a call back saying mine was fine  cus is a 2008 model and doesnt need to be replaced apparently its models from 2007 and below will have to have their bases replaced if them parts wear out!  

I have noticed on my base also grooves are forming underneath where the base runs along the green track on the rail!  I assume thats the bit what must wear out and could alter the cut on your TS!?!?!

mafel can be used off the rail easier,  measurements on and off the rail.
scoring feature.

I would like the the guide for the depth of cut to better on the TS and this is one of the features I believe has been addressed in the upgraded saw. Whoever came up with the depth guide on the TS within Festool must have been on something mind bending IMHO as it possibly the saws most serious flaw. It has to be the same guy that came up with the serious flaw on the parallel guides and I hope he has had at least a written warning!

How well does the scoring feature work on the Mafell and is it a game changer? I know my TS performed at it's very best straight out of the box and as soon as the guide rail strip starts to wear the quality of cut on top does diminish. Does the scoring feature on the Mafell overcome this with a worn guide rail strip?

It has more power, and the splinter guard strips don't fall off the track.

John...

some info on here..at the bottom of page..
http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/extraimages/Mafell%20Supplement%20May%2009.pdf

John...

I have been having my eye on the  Mafell LS103 for a while now!  Just wish it was a little cheaper and I wouldnt of bought it with out a doubt!     Just the price is making me thing twice!     Especially after doing this oak porch and hoping if I get them have some more oak jobs in the pipe line later on!  This tool would be mint!

JMB