Bosch Track Saw Coming to Canada/US (Mafell Made)

[Steven Owen]

I guess it’s official.  The Mafell made Bosch Track Saw will be finding it’s way onto store shelves in North America in the Fall.  I guess if you complain enough, maricales do happen. 

How many people will consider the Bosch Track Saw when it’s released in the fall?  How well will the Mafell made Bosch work with things like the Festool MTF?  Obviously the parallel guides won’t work with the Bosch Mafell tracks.
 

 

[Kevin D.]

Can the Bosch saw run on Festool rails?

 

[Shane Holland]

It's basically a rebadged Mafell. Works with all Mafell accessories. While I'm not 100% sure, the Mafell MT 55 worked on the Festool and other rails, so I assume the Bosch does too. The model number is different from the saw they offer overseas, so I'm not sure what changes might have been made yet. Coming September. US pricing is $599 without a rail in an LBOXX 4.

 

[RustE]

That price tag is not as attractive as I wanted.

Hopefully I can see it in person and decide if there are design features that make the Bosch better than the TS55.  The only apparent difference is the 1400w motor versus the 1200w motor.

 

[RKA]

Well, if it's like the Mafell, it's 1400W and a 1.8mm kerf blade vs. 1200W and 2.2mm blade on the Festool.  Side by side you will notice that difference.

 

[JFelchlin]

Shane - FYI...
In the link you listed (Coming September) - Under “FULL DETAILS” - It says:
“The Bosch GKT track saw is compatible with Festool and similar guide tracks, as well as Mafell and Bosch guide tracks...”.
I’m kinda in the “I’ll believe it when I see it” camp. But, we can hope for the best. 

A long time Festool TS 75 user/advocate - I’ve been looking for a “55 - For “day to day light work” - But have been a bit apprehensive after lately reading concerns about Festool’s TS 55’s being “underpowered” (bogging down on some cuts).
This Bosch saw looks like a winner!

 

[Shane Holland]

Thanks, Joe. That information is presumptive based on the Mafell saw until I hear otherwise. Details are slim at this point.

ETA: If it's just a tweaked version of the GKT 55 with imperial scales or whatever updates for the U.S. market, it will work with Festool rails as shown in this other FOG thread, specifically reply #40.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/festool-ts55-vs-bosch-gkt55/30/

 

[Brice Burrell]

[member=48572]Shane Holland[/member]
I know its early still to have all the details, but do you know if Bosch will offer all of the rails and clamps?

 

[Shane Holland]

I know its early still to have all the details, but do you know if Bosch will offer all of the rails and clamps?

[member=1146]Brice Burrell[/member], good to hear from you old friend. Hit this link to see what they're offering, at least to start with. Looks like a full assortment to me.

 

[ScotF]

Great to see all the rail lengths coming over - that is awesome.

I think this saw will work for 90 degree cuts on both rails, but I think TYler has a Mafell and showed the bevel being off the splinter strip by a pretty wide margin when using it on Festool tracks.

The pros of this saw are more power, the tracks (for ease of use putting together, clamping on edge and replacing the anti-splinter strip). But, this saw does not have anti-splinter on the off-cut or right side like Festool (which is a big deal to me cutting expensive plywood) and while the guide-rails are excellent for the reasons I mentioned (I own and use several Mafell rails now), they do not have the anti-glide strips on them like the green ones on the Festool - this is not an overly big deal, but the Festool guide rails are smoother to push the saw in my opinion with less friction and wear on the sole plate of the saw. With Mafell and Bosch you have metal - metal contact.  May or may not be a big deal to you, but something that I thought I would mention as a differentiator. I have a big carpenter-saw from Mafell and use it on the guide rails and have started to noticed some wear on my sole plate after extended use - it is a tool and does not bother me that much, but something folks might not consider.

There are lots of videos of using this saw or Mafell with the FT tracks on the MFT and also using these type rails on the MFT if you search You Tube you can find them.

 

[Cheese]

Here's another recent thread on the Bosch TS. There's a lot of chatter about the who manufactures the motor. The discussion starts on Reply 25. [smile]
http://festoolownersgroup.com/general-friendly-chat/timberwolf-tools/30/

 

[ben_r_]

Very cool that this is going to be an option in the states. I love the Mafell rails! Will probably still stick with my TS 55 though since I am so invested in the Festool system and I have yet to feel a need for more power out of my TS 55.

 

[Svar]

If Bosch GKS 85G follows into the US I may cross into the blue side.  [scared]

 

[Cheese]

Will probably still stick with my TS 55 though since I am so invested in the Festool system and I have yet to feel a need for more power out of my TS 55.

And if you need a little more poop...just switch to an HKC thin kerf blade.  [smile]

 

[jeh]

That price tag is not as attractive as I wanted.

Hopefully I can see it in person and decide if there are design features that make the Bosch better than the TS55.  The only apparent difference is the 1400w motor versus the 1200w motor.

Lots of prices aren't as attractive as anyone wants

The US price is cheaper than one UK tool site I looked at whose US price was $725. The accessories that go with it (tracks, stop, ends, clamps etc) are comparatively priced to Timberwolf so no great savings to be had on those items. It would not make any sense for Bosch to come in with low prices when there is a market to support higher prices. Additionally they may be restricted by Mafell in determining pricing (MAP). I am not sure what it is called for Festool as there MAP is also the lowest price an item can be sold for.

 

[Steven Owen]

I’m pretty sure the Canadian price will suck too.  The biggest selling point is the rails and the easy to replace the strips. 

The minus would be having to tape of the edge of the off cut side.  Bosch will definitely shake up the market with this Track Saw in the US.  $599 USD is not bad considering the price of the Mafell unit.  You’re getting Mafell quality.  The lower price of the tracks make up for the high price on the Saw.

 

[jeh]

Can the Bosch saw run on Festool rails?

The Mafell and Bosch saws can use Festool rails. After purchasing my first saw I mistakenly thought I could save money on rails, but was mistaken. The Mafell design has distinct advantages:

• Narrower and lighter
• Significantly better rail connector
• Better anti-splinter guard design (slides into rail and not stuck on rail)
• All but a few inches of the rail are usable. You don't need a lot of extra rail to keep the saw on the track

I have unloaded most of my rails with the exception of a few for my routers. Side note: I am still trying to rid myself of a 120" rail if anyone is interested. The first time you pick up a Mafell rail you will be surprised by the dimensions and weight as they are narrower and lighter. In the nearly 3 years I have been using I have not had any problems despite my brain thinking larger and heavier is better.

 

[ben_r_]

Will probably still stick with my TS 55 though since I am so invested in the Festool system and I have yet to feel a need for more power out of my TS 55.

Ha! Good suggestion, but honestly if I ever felt I needed and could justify more power I would just pick up a refurbed or barely used TS 75. I see them pop up pretty regularly for around $500 with no rail. I think a lot of the people who buy them find them too bulky/heavy and relize afterwards they didnt need a saw that big for what they usually cut. So they sell them and move down to a TS 55 or similar.

And if you need a little more poop...just switch to an HKC thin kerf blade.  [smile]

 

[Brice Burrell]

I know its early still to have all the details, but do you know if Bosch will offer all of the rails and clamps?

[member=1146]Brice Burrell[/member], good to hear from you old friend. Hit this link to see what they're offering, at least to start with. Looks like a full assortment to me.

Thanks for the link Shane.  I've been waiting for this saw, and I'll probably pick one up come September.

 

[Svar]

The Mafell design has distinct advantages:

• Narrower and lighter
• Significantly better rail connector
• Better anti-splinter guard design (slides into rail and not stuck on rail)
• All but a few inches of the rail are usable. You don't need a lot of extra rail to keep the saw on the track

Also, two t-slots on the bottom. One is close to the cut side that allows clamping narrow pieces of material to the rail.