Festool and mafell

kent B said:
I looked at both the Festool and Mafell MT-55cc .

Comparing prices the Mafell with extra rails and shipping is approx $300 more , but the Mafell is a much better made saw.

If I were a bit younger, and had some sons to pass the saws to , I would sure buy the Mafell.

The timber framers I know use the Mafell's  , do not know any timber framers using the Festools.
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Well I think that is because Festool doesn't really make saws for timber framing, Mafell does. Protool would be Festools timber framing/construction brand so to speak.

I didn't know Mafell is so much more expensive in the US. That's too bad.

It seems that Mafell, at least for now simply isn't that interested in finding a bigger market.
 
Festool was a rarer item only a few years back and protool isn't available at all in na. Perhaps being a smaller company still, they dont have the resources for a north American push yet or they simply feel the premium premium market isn't as profitable here yet for power tools. Festool is showing up more and more on job sites  and are really pushing the marketing as of late. With their success I think we'll see more of of the premium brands here in a few years time.
 
I think Mafell still is a family business, for some reason I can imagine they're fine with the size they are. Mind you, I don't think Mafell was that much smaller when I started almost 20 years ago were as Festool, then Festo, clearly was. Even here in Europe you still have to search for a Mafell dealer were Festool has dealers in every town.

Whatever you think of them, they are an interesting brand. Mainly focused on timber framing/construction but then the couple tools they have that can be used in a precision wood shop are very precise indeed. They keep Festool on their toes and vice versa and that is great for all of us.

Seriously, we're a lucky bunch with all the precision tools that exist nowadays. And not even at the cost of hand tools, you mix your Festools and Mafells (Lamellos and Leicas etc) with your Lie-Nielsen, Veritas and what not and you have no more excuses, it sets the bar for a very high quality output. And I would even argue at a very reasonable cost.
 
Interesting discussion. Years ago, there was a collaboration of sorts  between the 2 companies. The Festool OF 2000 router was made (at least in part) by Mafell and Mafell's small router was Festool's OF 1000  router.

 Bob
 
On the subject of Festool and Mafell routers (I know next to nothing of Mafell routers). Swiss company Arunda has had dovetail routing templates for timber framing made specifically for the Mafell router, but are currently in Developement of a template for the OF 2200. Does this suit anyones fancy?

Check it out.... (Note conflicting background music and funny costumes)
 
Thats a great promo video.  Although not exactly costumes......those are signs of great distinction in the Trades.

Once again Bob is making some valid points about competition and the age of artisan tools were all currently in.  The only negative(and Positive) of competition is patents.  Can you image what tools would be made if Festool and Mafell collaborated together?  Each company has some great features that if combined would make the ultimate in tools. 
 
Jalvis said:
Can you image what tools would be made if Festool and Mafell collaborated together?  Each company has some great features that if combined would make the ultimate in tools.  
Click to expand...

On a similar but lighter note; IIRC and I may be off here,
But about 10 years ago I heard that one of the executives in Festool got married to one of the executives from Fein!
Black/green and orange!

Bob
 
I didn't even know how much they cost, just that there are templates in development  for the 2200  [big grin]
 
For some reason I was not allowed to post a link so you will have to copy and paste the link above.
 
I don't think there is any one company that is necessarily better than others, but I have a mafell jigsaw and i use the mafell tracks on my bosch guide rail system. For me these are better than the festool equivalent, but mafell's range of products is limited.

But the build quality is really good and hard wearing.
 
Fully agree - for that reason I have tools from Bosch, Makita, Dewalt, Festool, Mafell, Fein, Metabo, Hilti and a few others. All because they have something in their line-up that I have found to fit my requirements and therefore be the best for me.
 
I've never used a Mafell tool that's a direct competitor to Festool, but I have used a Mafell biscuit jointer and IMO it's better than the Lamello Top 20 biscuit jointer that I own. I believe Lamello avoided vertical height adjustment on their fences because they believed it would introduce inaccuracies, but Mafell went to town on their sliding fence and it's incredibly accurate throughout it's travel range...and stays accurate even after years of hard use. Their manuals are also better than Festool, but as Festool competes with The Lucky Dragon Tool Corporation of Guangdong for the world's worst manuals I guess that isn't too hard!

I'd certainly look seriously at Mafell tools in the future.
 
Custard said:
I've never used a Mafell tool that's a direct competitor to Festool, but I have used a Mafell biscuit jointer and IMO it's better than the Lamello Top 20 biscuit jointer that I own. I believe Lamello avoided vertical height adjustment on their fences because they believed it would introduce inaccuracies, but Mafell went to town on their sliding fence and it's incredibly accurate throughout it's travel range...and stays accurate even after years of hard use. Their manuals are also better than Festool, but as Festool competes with The Lucky Dragon Tool Corporation of Guangdong for the world's worst manuals I guess that isn't too hard!

I'd certainly look seriously at Mafell tools in the future.
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Festool USA supplies supplimental manuals for most, if not all, of their mainline power tools and they are extraordinarly excellent. They are also offered on line. Take a look.
There's no arguing about the quality of Mafell tools. I think one would be hard pressed to find a better joiner , on the market today, than the Festool XL700.
  FWIW, companies whose tools that I also own that could improve on their manuals are DeWalt and Jet.
 
Custard said:
Their manuals are also better than Festool, but as Festool competes with The Lucky Dragon Tool Corporation of Guangdong for the world's worst manuals I guess that isn't too hard!
Click to expand...
I laughed out loud to that one. Hilarious and so true.
 
I have both large and small Domino machines they serve a specific task and are great tools. Xl is a bit more useful.
I also have Mafell dowel machine it does things the dominos can't . For years Festools jigsaw was better than my Bosch.
Last year I got the mafell jigsaw it's so much more accurate than any jigsaw I have ever used.
The list of Mafell tools portable bandsaw  /portable  carpenters chainsaw that I have has no festool counter part.
The dowel machine  and jig saw  and a Erika on order. My festool list is way long.
I buy the best tools to produce the best work I can.
Mafell/festool/Bosch /Sac/Laguna /Scmi/Powermatic/Maggi/Tigerstop /snap on all have roles in my 1500 soft small shop.
Yes I think my 25"digital controlled variable speed Laguna planer rocks better than most
It's just one tool that does a job among many.

John Ecomaki of bridge city tools said "Quality is contagious "

Working with wood is life long learning process enjoy it
Have a great day
Rc
 
I am saving right now for the Mafell jigsaw.  As far as I am concerned there is no equal to that product, all in though it's looking like nearly a 1400 dollar spend which is a lot of money for a hobbiest, this the saving part. 

The Carvex and others (I currently have a Bosch) jigsaws are great but that Mafell saw with the fence that lets you cut right up to the edge.. the upside down and reverse cutting, the huge blade you can drop on it.  I just love all the neat things that saw can do.  I also saw the aftermarket coping foot available for many, amazing right there!

If money was no object I would get the portable bandsaw too and the Erika for sure.  Still would have tons of Festool though.

 
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