Festool FS Guide Rail vs Mafell F Guide Rail

[Cheese]

I just picked up this Mafell guide rail and set it next to the Festool guide rail and noticed quite a few differences. The Mafell MT 55 track saw can be used on the Festool rail or on a Mafell rail and that's what started everything off.

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Here's the rear of both rails. They both have 2 each anti-slip strips and a splinter guard. However, the Mafell has 2 clamping positions versus 1 on the Festool. Also, the locations of the anti-slip strips and the clamping slots are a lot closer to the splinter guard on the Mafell so that narrower pieces of wood will be easier to cut.
On the Mafell the distance from the anti-slip strip to the splinter guard is 1 3/8" and 5 5/8" while on the Festool it is 4 3/8" and 6 1/4".
On the Mafell the distance from the clamping slot to the splinter guard is 7/8" and 5 1/8" while on the Festool it is 5 1/8".

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The Mafell rail is narrower than the Festool item, is not nearly as stiff and does NOT have glide strips on the top surface. The glide strips do allow the MT 55 saw to glide more effortlessly on the Festool rail.

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All of the strips on the Festool rail are attached with adhesive while on the Mafell everything is retained with extruded recesses.

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To join Mafell rails one of the rail end covers needs to be removed. A simple task but it's also an extra item that can be easily misplaced. However, the Mafell rail can easily be converted to an Aerofix rail that uses the vacuum from a dust extractor to adhere the rail to the floor or any flat & smooth surface.
https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-aerofix-f-af-1-suction-clamping-system

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[Reff@218]

Thank you for the write up. I have the Mafell system. Losing or breaking the end clips has crossed my mind every time I join track. I do like that I can stow the track connector inside a section of track, without fouling the operation of the saw.

Jim

 

[Svar]

I do like that I can stow the track connector inside a section of track, without fouling the operation of the saw.

Not trying to compare functionality, but you can store Festool connectors inside the track too.

 

[ScotF]

I have both systems and each as its pros and cons.

The FT rails have more grip on the bottom and the saws glide on them better.

The Mafell's antisplinter is FAR better and the dual slots on the bottom allow for clamping thin material right on edge for safer cutting.

With the TSO guide rail connectors, it is not a big deal to connect Festool rails. It is fast with the Mafell system, though.

The narrower Mafell rail can cause some complications if using rail dogs since the side of the motor will hit the dog if cutting thinner material.

 

[socaljohn]

"have both systems and each as its pros and cons.

The FT rails have more grip on the bottom and the saws glide on them better."

Interested in knowing: If you were to take the saw on site to a job would you prefer the Festool rail over the Mafell?

 

[ScotF]

"have both systems and each as its pros and cons.

The FT rails have more grip on the bottom and the saws glide on them better."

Interested in knowing: If you were to take the saw on site to a job would you prefer the Festool rail over the Mafell?

Great question - if I were cutting prefinished ply or melamine and not able to clamp I would probably give the edge to Festool rails. If working solid lumber, being able to clamp right at the cut edge gives an advantage to the Mafell-style rails.

There are also more accessories for Festool style - the guide rail squares, parallel guides, etc... are all available for Festool. Mafell is still limited in this area - there are some companies across the pond offering setups for this style rail, but not readily available in North America. Hopefully this will change in the future.

 

[yetihunter]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member]

Now that you have the rail, you should get the KSS40 to go with it.  It’s my most used saw.

 

[socaljohn]

"have both systems and each as its pros and cons.

The FT rails have more grip on the bottom and the saws glide on them better."

Interested in knowing: If you were to take the saw on site to a job would you prefer the Festool rail over the Mafell?

Great question - if I were cutting prefinished ply or melamine and not able to clamp I would probably give the edge to Festool

rails.

Thank You!

 

[DynaGlide]

I got my Bosch rail last week as well. It's identical to the Mafell at a fraction of the cost.

 

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member]

Now that you have the rail, you should get the KSS40 to go with it.  It’s my most used saw.

Ya that's pretty funny...I was thinking the same thing yesterday while cutting some 2x materials. I really like the HKC but was interested in what the Mafell equivalent was. It looks like it's the KSS 50.

You mention the KSS 40 and I looked at the pricing of it and it's whacky. The bare KSS 40 is $915 while for an additional $84 you receive 2 batteries, a charger and a Flexi-Guide.  [scratch chin]
https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-kss-40-18m-bl-cordless-cross-cutting-system

 

[jarbroen]

The KSS40 is pretty awesome.  Especially for outdoor projects like siding, decks, fencing, etc.  The mitre settings are super accurate and easy to switch/repeat.  I have bogged it down and caused it to beep beep several times, but part of that is improving my technique.  I also did some interior trim with it and had good results if I held it properly.  I did bring out the Kapex for complex bevel/mitre cuts though.
It's a huge time saver when needing accurate cuts quickly.  No need to drag out a cord and a bunch of tools to make the cuts.  Just that little box and you're good to go.
I also considered the HKC.  The extra capacity for cutting would have been nice, but I wasn't as confident about the accuracy of the angle settings.

The pricing is funny on the KSS40, but the set is a pretty good deal.  Those batteries if purchased alone are pretty expensive.  Plus it comes with the flexi rail and a couple other things that I don't think come with just the base saw.  I debated the saw, $1000 for the set seemed steep at first, but now I've come to realize how much you get and how useful it is.
The weird price is part of their 'promo' along with the drop in price on the P1CC and MT55.

And definitely look into buying Bosch rails when possible.  I just got the angle fence thingy and the Bosch version was less than $100.
Same with finding a deal on the shorter rail for cross cutting on the MFT.
After using Festool rails for a few years I really appreciate how easy it is to join Mafell tracks and be confident that they are aligned.  The extra clamping groove at the front of the rail is also super handy for narrow cuts.

 

[Michael Kellough]

My neighbor asked me to cut a couple inches off the length of some readymade Melamine shelf boards.

Following the make it quick and easy principle I got out the KSS40. So nice to have it all in one easy to carry box. Only to find out length of cut was an inch too short. The Flexirail is way too long and floppy for a one foot plank and then I have to get a square.

Got out the HKC 55 and short rail. That rail is also too short. The medium rail is long enough but discovered that the cut qualify of the standard blade would be embarrassing to present.

Got out the TSC 55 and an 800mm rail and TSO square. Using the standard fine cutting blade. Set depth to 1mm below the rail to score coating then made another pass deep enough to cut through. The result was excellent and easily achieved.

Think I’ll get a fine cut blade for the HKC and KSS40 but I really wish the KSS40 could cut a little farther. I’d put up with a Sys 5 container to have a little longer rail.

The full kit of the KSS40 is obviously the best deal but it might make you start buying Metabo stuff. It did me...

 

[HowardH]

I got my Bosch rail last week as well. It's identical to the Mafell at a fraction of the cost.

+1  I will ordering a longer bosch track with the connector soon.  I could have used it today.  arhggg....

 

[HowardH]

\Set depth to 1mm below the rail to score coating then made another pass deep enough to cut through. The result was excellent and easily achieved.

That's a cool function of the MT55cc.  It has scoring function built in with the flip of a lever. 

 

[Reff@218]

I do like that I can stow the track connector inside a section of track, without fouling the operation of the saw.

Not trying to compare functionality, but you can store Festool connectors inside the track too.

Thanks for heads up. Just got the Mafell kit.... previously used a piece of poplar with a strip of plywood for track. A 7 1/4 Milwaukee circular saw doing the rip.  Finally hit the 21st century.

 

[RKA]

Just to follow up on [member=23457]socaljohn[/member] ’s comments.  I’m not sure I agree that the Festool rail grills better.  On bare wood I haven’t found much of a difference in how the track grips the work.  Maybe the surface of the material being cut can bring out the difference?

I do agree the saws don’t ride on the Mafell tracks as smoothly (at least mine doesn’t move as smoothly as the Festools).  I’ve waxed the rails and it helps, but not for very long.  I purchased some ultrathin clear UHMW tape to see if a few lines run down the track will improve things, but I haven’t tried it yet.  I suspect that will help.

 

[Cheese]

I do agree the saws don’t ride on the Mafell tracks as smoothly (at least mine doesn’t move as smoothly as the Festools).  I’ve waxed the rails and it helps, but not for very long. 

I purchased some ultrathin clear UHMW tape to see if a few lines run down the track will improve things, but I haven’t tried it yet.  I suspect that will help.

Ya there's a significant difference in smoothness when using the MT 55 on Festool rails vs Mafell rails.  [sad] [sad]

I'll be very interested in the results of your UHMW tape experiment.  [big grin]

FWIW...just received the Mafell track connector today and it comes with a combination hex wrench/screwdriver. The first thing I thought was this tool is just another item to lose. However, I then thought that Mafell is more thorough/thoughtful than that and decided to look at the MT 55 to see if there was a place on it to stash the new wrench. Sure enough, just remove the original hex wrench from the saw and the new combination wrench resides exactly in the same place. So...one combination wrench that allows for blade changes on the saw and also tightens up the track connector, that's pretty slick.  [cool]

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member]  so maybe that tool is the difference between the Mafell track and the cheaper Bosch track?

 

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member]  so maybe that tool is the difference between the Mafell track and the cheaper Bosch track?

Actually no Michael because the Bosch connector also comes with the same tool.

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[RightAngleDesign]

Hi all,

FYI this bracket set is compatible with Festool and Bosch/Mafell rails:
https://dashboardpws.squarespace.com/products/guide-rail-brackets

Cheers,
Rob