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

[Shane Holland]

There's a video on this post here that is on the Bosch NA forum that has a lot of useful info on it especially if you already have Festool rails.
https://bethepro.com/forums/topic/bosch-track-saw-to-us-3rd-quarter-2018/#post-672528

Just a note that there's no guarantee that the North America version will be the same. It has a different model number entirely.

Here's the video.

 

[Kevin D.]

And I was just told elsewhere on that Bosch forum that the Bosch accessories work on the Festool rails but you just have to make some adjustments to line them up with the splinter guard.  Keep in mind though, the fellow that offers this has an imported Bosch track saw from years ago and as Shane points out - and thank you Shane - the NA model may be different in some regards, nobody quite knows yet.

 

[DeformedTree]

So is there any good website to learn about what stuff Bosch has, that is learn more about their Festool similar woodworking tools.  Being in the US, the track stuff and so forth is basically unseen. You can really only find info about the low end stuff sold at Lower and such.  The Bosch websites look to general be awful (every page a pop up, can't get anywheres without constant pop up messages about stuff).  The non-US sites are just as bad and really don't have good navigation or any good way I have found of figuring out much on the tools.

Perhaps a google search for a Bosch forum would reveal some results.  Here is one that came up for me:  https://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/community/

Peter

Thanks, but that doesn't help  [sad]  I just want to be able to figure out what they make.  Bosch makes lots of stuff and doesn't keep a focused website on different sectors.  And their websites are awful.  For all Festools web issues at least it's fairly straight forward to understand what they make globally.

My main thing is trying to understand between Mafell and Bosch stuff could you get to the same basic place.  That is  a track system, with saws and routers for it, that have dust collection, that have a proper system for 32mm cabinetry construction.  Have something like an MFT setup, and something like a CMS setup.    This is basically what has kept me still looking at Festool stuff because they have a subset of stuff that all interplays and can't really interchange with others.  It looks like Bosch may bring the missing router/32mm parts to the same Mafell Rails, that one could be using with a MT55 saw.  So that gets closer.  But finding much of anything out about Bosch stuff is not easy or makes no sense. (why is a Bosch South Africa page asking me if I'm Canadian over and over).  You click something on one countries website and end up in a different countries website. 

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Yes, the Bosch-Website is awful. And they are still working on it, especially if it comes to listed accessories ...

If you want to take my word for it:

Bosch has no CMS or anything close to it.
Bosch has no MFT or anything close to it.

Regarding the pairing of Bosch and Mafell:

Mafell track saw will run on Bosch FSN RA 32 (32mm system guide rail). Obviously the Bosch router with OFA 32 Kit will also run on it.

Bosch uses L-Boxx, Mafell Systainer. (If that matters to you/ your work)

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[DeformedTree]

Yeah, it definitely looks like if the end goal was just tracked tools and not much beyond, I could go that route.

The CMS is something I really like the idea on, especially being over time my workspace will get smaller, I want to be able to pack/store it all easily.  So having a CMS option for router and smuggling in saw insert over time works for me.  The Mafell Erika just isn't appealing to me, and I don't see a similar insert concept to it.  While swapping inserts and so forth may be a bit of a hassle, it does save on redundant objects/weight/cost. 

It looks like Bosch in some ways is filling in some holes for at least the US market where Mafell leaves off by having a good router setup for the rails.  I'm not so sure why their would be much interest in the Circular saw, not seeing why someone wouldn't just get the Mafell. But if it means the Mafell rail system gets more bits and pieces out there, all the better. 

My concern with the Bosch stuff is if their pro stuff is like their other tools I have bought where they seam nice at first, but quickly you find they aren't that great quality wise or have some really bad designs.

 

[Kevin D.]

My concern with the Bosch stuff is if their pro stuff is like their other tools I have bought where they seam nice at first, but quickly you find they aren't that great quality wise or have some really bad designs.

Like what?  I have tons of Bosch and don't perceive or experience that at all.

 

[Svar]

Bosch has no MFT or anything close to it.

There is Sortimo work table:https://www.sortimo-shop.us/product-p/1000003701.htm
Not Bosch, but considering that Bosch uses Sortimo storage solutions they are on the same team. Sortimo has much greater variety of products than Tanos.

 

[six-point socket II]

Bosch has no MFT or anything close to it.

There is Sortimo work table:https://www.sortimo-shop.us/product-p/1000003701.htm
Not Bosch, but considering that Bosch uses Sortimo storage solutions they are on the same team. Sortimo has much greater variety of products than Tanos.

Thanks for pointing that out! I didn't mention this table because it hardly compares to the MFT/3. And yes, Bosch & Sortimo are close.

The Sortimo work table requires an additional WorkMo (If you buy the "Full-Set" over here, it runs 1.5k vs. 800 for the MFT/3)
The table can't be used as a standalone table.
The table has no cutting capabilities as is. (MFT/3 comes with guide rail, angle/miter fence)

If you have a WorkMo this might be an option worth looking into, if you don't it gets pricey and I personally have doubts that there will be accessories for the WorkMo table in near future, that will let you add a guide rail/miter fence for example.

Otherwise this is a great product, I saw/handled it in person in March.

Edit: Here are some real life pictures and a video (at the very end).
https://www.bm-online.de/produkte-und-tests/lesertests/workmo-im-test/

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[RussellS]

My concern with the Bosch stuff is if their pro stuff is like their other tools I have bought where they seam nice at first, but quickly you find they aren't that great quality wise or have some really bad designs.

Like what?  I have tons of Bosch and don't perceive or experience that at all.

Agree wholeheartedly.  I don't know what the F this person is taking about.  All the Bosch tools I have, have worked wonderfully for years or decades now.  Excellent tools.

 

[Svar]

My concern with the Bosch stuff is if their pro stuff is like their other tools I have bought where they seam nice at first, but quickly you find they aren't that great quality wise or have some really bad designs.

I can say the same about Festool. After initial excitement you begin to discover drawbacks. Nothing is flawless, but overall and in comparison to others Bosch tools are excellent.

 

[jeh]

I'll backup those backing Bosch. There tools are well-built cost-effective alternatives to Festool and others. I have never been disappointed in one while using it.

 

[Steven Owen]

I'll backup those backing Bosch. There tools are well-built cost-effective alternatives to Festool and others. I have never been disappointed in one while using it.

Bosch is one of the few major tool brands delivering very good quality tools.  Many of the other companies have dropped quality to cut corners and maximize profits. 

You always judge every tool on it’s individual merit.  Every band has good and bad products.  I agree.  I can’t imagine any good reason to bash Bosch’s products. 

 

[Kevin D.]

My concern with the Bosch stuff is if their pro stuff is like their other tools I have bought where they seam nice at first, but quickly you find they aren't that great quality wise or have some really bad designs.

Like what?  I have tons of Bosch and don't perceive or experience that at all.

Table saw that doesn't like to go square to the fence, has a raise/tilt mechanism that either wants to jam or get jumpy, a ruler that that is in no way placed in the correct spot.  On my planer, it's basically like it's designed to clog constantly due to it's cleaver but yet too small direction selectors. Or a small level with a laser in it that you can cut your finger turning the laser on and off because they thought putting a turn nob in the middle of sharp machined aluminum was a good idea.  They have good ideas, but the implementation I have found to be bad.

I don't believe I have any of those tools myself.  Which level is it that you have? 

I have two digital levels from Bosch and while the angle finder inclinometer is on the heavy side, I still like it.  The other one I have I just bought and is the standard 24in digital level.  I also have a 48in digital Stabila which has a better IP water resistance rating than the Bosch ones Bosch makes.

Which table saw is it that you have?  The 4100 is much better than the smaller one from what I've read.  It's heavier, but it is better made. 

Never tried their older planers either, but I did just buy their newly released 12V planer which I haven't tried yet, just got it last week actually. 

So I guess you've had some bad luck buying some of their not-so-great stuff.  Understood.  My only gripe of theirs so far, is the AM reception on their big PB360 radio is terrible, and its FM reception is not the greatest periodically, but I typically just use both of mine for listening to music off a device via BlueTooth anyways.

I have a lot of Bosch.  I think I'm up to 35 or so tools registered on my ProVantage account with them (ProVantage is for their cordless stuff), and maybe 20 plus tools on their regular warranty account for their corded stuff. 

 

[Kevin D.]

I don't think I've ever seen that one.  I thought it was a digital level you were talking about, my mistake.

I've never been crazy about a tool that is wearing too many hats.  I like my levels to levels, and my lasers to be lasers, not both at the same time.  Have no idea whether that is a Bosch proprietor design, but the vast majority of Bosch tools are designed and built by Bosch.  This particular one I do question just like yourself.  It doesn't have that Bosch design I've come to know it seems.

Could be originally made by a Bosch subsidiary.  Bosch owns a lot of companies.  They're a pretty massive company.  Power tools is but a small part of what they do, especially here in what they offer here in NA insofar as power tools.

If you're keen on a good torpedo level, see if you can find the solid cast SOLA level.  I have one I bought for a good price about 8 years ago and it is a great little level.  The vials are easy to read and are guaranteed for life.  They're practically indestructible.
https://www.amazon.com/Sola-MM-25-Aluminum-Magnetic/dp/B0081G0K2I

For lasers, I have all Bosch lasers.  Think I have about 8 or 10 of them for various purposes.  Been very happy with them.  I don't have any green lasers yet, but likely will at some point.  They eat batteries like crazy but their light is much easier to read than the red lasers.  Al lasers sold can be no stronger than class 2 lasers, so the greens apparently are the answer to hard to read conditions.

What was this thread about again.....of yea, Bosch track saw....lol!

 

[yetihunter]

About the blade.  While it's true that the Mafell MT55 and Festool HK blades are interchangeable, I'm 98% that the Bosch blade has a wider diameter (4-5 mm).
This saw has been available for over six years, so I presume the precise size info is floating around the internet.

 

[DeformedTree]

I agree about focused tools verses do alls. 

The Bosch tools I have are classic examples of things that are both good and bad at the same time.  They have a purpose, they do some of it well, and other ways they fail. 

 

[Kevin D.]

The Bosch tools I have are classic examples of things that are both good and bad at the same time.  They have a purpose, they do some of it well, and other ways they fail.

You've had bad luck basically in my opinion with what you have had with Bosch.  Just my opinion. 

I've had it with Milwaukee myself.  A brand that I thought was revered until I had three drills prematurely crap out, bad customer service and gouging prices for accessories I needed, and non powered Milwaukee items I bought that were just plain badly engineered.  I learned my lesson, which was long and prolonged and moreso than you have had with Bosch, and simply have started to view Milwaukee as just another company that is riding its namesake coattails into the ground competing in the BB stores market against other inferior brands.  One sign to me is a company offering too many different tools all of a sudden for everything, Milwaukee is one of them.  Think Ryobi.

We each have our own unique qualifying experiences.  If I was a Bosch rep with discretion, I'd set you up with other offerings that I'm sure would make you change your mind, but that's a silly Utopian idea. 

Just sayin', Bosch is by and large IMO a quality manufacturer, albeit with limited NA offerings, but I do know they are a real still decent tool company whereas so many others have 'cheaped out' to appeal to the masses while still offering quality tools at less than exorbitant prices.

FWIW.

 

[Jmacpherson]

About the blade.  While it's true that the Mafell MT55 and Festool HK blades are interchangeable, I'm 98% that the Bosch blade has a wider diameter (4-5 mm).
This saw has been available for over six years, so I presume the precise size info is floating around the internet.

The Bosch blades are 165mm x 20mm bore and are actually made in Italy by Freud. Bosch bought Freud a couple of years ago.
The blades actually say made in Italy on them. The kerf is 1.8mm and the base thickness is 1.3mm across all the tooth counts they sell for the saw.

 

[Cheese]

Bosch bought Freud a couple of years ago.

FWIW...from a 2008 press release:
Freud is Bosch’s fifth strategic acquisition this year to strengthen its Power Tools division. In January and July 2008, Bosch expanded its measuring-tools business by acquiring the Chinese specialist RoboToolz and the U.S. company CST/berger. A few weeks ago, Bosch also purchased parts of the garden irrigation business of L.R. Nelson Corporation, based in Peoria, USA, strengthening its range of garden irrigation products. In addition, it has acquired the majority shareholding in Sia Abrasives, a Swiss manufacturer of flexible abrasive systems.

With power tools, accessories, garden tools, and measuring technology, the Bosch Power Tools division generated sales of 3.1 billion euros in 2007. The division employs a global workforce of roughly 16,000 associates.

 

[Kevin D.]

Bosch bought Freud a couple of years ago.

FWIW...from a 2008 press release:
Freud is Bosch’s fifth strategic acquisition this year to strengthen its Power Tools division. In January and July 2008, Bosch expanded its measuring-tools business by acquiring the Chinese specialist RoboToolz and the U.S. company CST/berger. A few weeks ago, Bosch also purchased parts of the garden irrigation business of L.R. Nelson Corporation, based in Peoria, USA, strengthening its range of garden irrigation products. In addition, it has acquired the majority shareholding in Sia Abrasives, a Swiss manufacturer of flexible abrasive systems.

With power tools, accessories, garden tools, and measuring technology, the Bosch Power Tools division generated sales of 3.1 billion euros in 2007. The division employs a global workforce of roughly 16,000 associates.

Like I said earlier. huge company that has many companies it owns.  Off the top of my head, they also own RotoZip and Skil, that I can think of.

Robert Bosch, the original founder was an interesting character apparently when he founded this company in the 1800's, he had a dedication to quality with not only his product and how to sell it to consumers, but also with his employees which endures to this day thru what is mostly still controlled by his descendants. 

I read up on Bosch a few years ago and it seemed to me that it was a great company to work for which has become so rare nowadays in our mutual fund driven world where companies are constantly looking to squeeze more blood out of the rock so to speak to satisfy investors.  I just like this company frankly.  And no.....I have absolutely zero German heritage nor do I have any past or present vested interest in Bosch other than being a satisfied user.

EDIT:  Correction....while Bosch did join up with Skil years ago and ultimately controlled Skil, in 2016, Bosch sold their interest/ownership in Skil to HK based Chervon Ltd.  I do believe though they still continue to collaborate at a marketing level together from what I've seen myself, but they are two separate and distinct ownership entities.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skil#1979_to_present