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

[ScotF]

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]

I do not think you can run the thin kerf on the TS - I think it causes an issue with the riving knife. Maybe I am mistaken?

 

[Cheese]

I do not think you can run the thin kerf on the TS - I think it causes an issue with the riving knife. Maybe I am mistaken?

Whoops, I think you're right...I'm mistaken. [smile]

 

[skinee]

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.

mafell do not make this or any other tool for bosch,you have stated wrongly that these saws are"mafell made",no 'blue' units are produced in mafells relatively small factory in Germany,only red,they only licence their technology to bosch.the bosch saw  will have only the  basic features of mafells saw,none of the refinements,we all know as tool buyers that you get what you pay for,however this will be an opportunity for USA folks to get there hands on the superior rails in longer lengths and cheaper(the rails are exactly the same, except in colour, to mafells),then my advice would be to bite the bullet and buy the genuine article,MT55.

 

[Steven Owen]

It utilizes Mafell tech.  Bosch is one of the few major brand tool companies left not making bad quality compromises.  It rates well among the users.

I was always under the impression Bosch was buying motors and some parts from Mafell and final assembly was happening at a Bosch facility. 

 

[Svar]

I was always under the impression Bosch was buying motors and some parts from Mafell...

And this impression is based on what?
I agree with skinee, licencing is the most likely scenario.

 

[jimbo51]

If my Google search is correct, Mafell annual sales just over 80 million, Bosch tool division about 3 billion. Assuming billion is one thousand millions, then Bosch tool sales more than 35 times Mafell. I agree it would be difficult for Mafell to do much production for Bosch given the difference in size.

 

[RustE]

I do not think you can run the thin kerf on the TS - I think it causes an issue with the riving knife. Maybe I am mistaken?

Whoops, I think you're right...I'm mistaken. [smile]

I though the riving knife could be changed out for a thinner one?  It’s not integral like on the HK55.

 

[Svar]

I though the riving knife could be changed out for a thinner one?  It’s not integral like on the HK55.

According to ekat parts diagram blade cover and knife are separate parts on HK saws.

 

[Shane Holland]

For those who want to know... I did find out that it's supposed to have a metric and imperial dual scale.

 

[RustE]

According to ekat parts diagram blade cover and knife are separate parts on HK saws.

You are correct. There is a bolt that attaches the riving knife to the pendulum guard. Not sure why I thought it was a single piece.

 

[jpmeunier]

For those who want to know... I did find out that it's supposed to have a metric and imperial dual scale.

All this info kind of makes me wish I needed a saw......is something wrong with me? 100% happy with my metric ts55.

 

[Svar]

All this info kind of makes me wish I needed a saw......is something wrong with me? 100% happy with my metric ts55.

I also feel like needing a new saw. Looking for a rational explanation what for.  [big grin]

 

[Dane]

I've got the Bosch- imported it from the UK a couple of years ago.  I also had a chance to try the Mafell.  I didn't notice any difference in cutting power- the Mafell has some neat bolt-on upgrades, like the hinged blade housing and the tilt mechanism.  But, overall, I didn't walk away thinking I should have paid more than double for the MT55.  The Bosch definitely out-powers the TS55 and I also think it approaches the cutting performance of my old TS75, that could be due to the thinner kerf blades though.  When I made the decision to get it, my TS55 was bogging down on some cuts that I thought it shouldn't and the TS75 was just too durn big.  The Bosch has proven to split that difference admirably.  The rails are an improvement in most respects, except for the fact that you cannot really use the MFT dog approach to rail setting because the saw overhangs the rails and bumps the dogs.  So, unless you have a cutting table that is significantly wider than the piece you are cutting, it is a problem.  I also miss the ability to clamp aftermarket ripping guides to the rail...there is probably a way to do it by attaching it under the rail, but I haven't taken the time to figure it out.  Honestly, I am hoping that once these rails get in wider use, some of the geniuses who have been coming up with aftermarket products will put their mind to the Bosch/Mafell rails.  I do have the right angle thing, and it works pretty well.  Quite accurate at 90 degrees.

 

[Cheese]

I though the riving knife could be changed out for a thinner one?  It’s not integral like on the HK55.

I was referring to only the TS 55, thus if you change out the blade to one that has a 1.8 mm kerf, you’ll also have to install a new custom riving knife.

 

[ScotF]

I also miss the ability to clamp aftermarket ripping guides to the rail...there is probably a way to do it by attaching it under the rail, but

Kreg T-bolts fit the Mafell rails and have standard threads.

 

[Cheese]

FWIW...I noticed that the Bosch rails are significantly less expensive than the Mafell rails. All Bosch rails are approx. 40% less except for the 3100mm rail where the difference is 10%-15%.

It'd be nice if Bosch came out with their version of the Aerofix rail.

 

[Shane Holland]

The AeroFix is neat, but I think it's a bit gimmicky. I have very rarely felt the need to clamp my rail. I would have a lot of trouble justifying using it and the ROI personally. The only advantage I can see is needing to make a plunge cut somewhere where you cannot affix clamps.

That said, I did use it when we were selling Mafell and it worked quite well.

 

[Cheese]

The AeroFix is neat, but I think it's a bit gimmicky. I have very rarely felt the need to clamp my rail. I would have a lot of trouble justifying using it and the ROI personally. The only advantage I can see is needing to make a plunge cut somewhere where you cannot affix clamps.

That said, I did use it when we were selling Mafell and it worked quite well.

My thought is to use it for placing in-floor HVAC vents.

Good to hear that the Mafell version works well.

 

[Svar]

The AeroFix is neat, but I think it's a bit gimmicky. I have very rarely felt the need to clamp my rail. I would have a lot of trouble justifying using it and the ROI personally. The only advantage I can see is needing to make a plunge cut somewhere where you cannot affix clamps.
That said, I did use it when we were selling Mafell and it worked quite well.

My thought is to use it for placing in-floor HVAC vents.
Good to hear that the Mafell version works well.

Alternatively you can weight the rail down with bricks if you have length to spare.  [big grin]  [poke]

 

[Cheese]

Alternatively you can weight the rail down with bricks if you have length to spare.  [big grin]  [poke]

That's true...it's just that ever since I started using the Festool VAC SYS, I've become a huge fan of vacuum holdown. So simple and so secure.  [big grin]

Here's an HVAC vent I installed in the loft.